What’s On?

·         Monday 5-9 PM Lifeline Training in Hyden

·         Tuesday Meeting local businesses and New Hope Church of God

·         Wednesday-Meeting with community resource centers

·         Thursday-mentoring community residents

·         Friday-Prayer meeting 6 PM Evarts & Harlan (alternating locations)

·         Saturday 9 AM County Prayer Meeting-HCPN (Harlan County Prayer Network)

·         Sunday Visit Churches, Sharing our vision, raising support

…To Be Continued…

A NOTE FROM PASTOR LARRY...

Have you read a passage of Scripture and became jealous of the person or persons in the text? As Leviticus opens we read, “And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying…” Lev.1:1

 

 As we enter into Leviticus we must remember where Exodus ended. “Then a cloud covered the tent of the conger-gation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode theron, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”

Exodus 40:34-35

 

Can you picture this scene? Moses flat on His face, the glory comes down and enters the tabernacle. THEN the LORD called unto Moses. In the Hebrew, “Vayikra,” the last letter is written in a very small text. This is a hint that Moses was unaware that the LORD was going to call out to him and it suggests that Moses heard this voice and not the whole congregation of Yisra’el.

 

The “still small voice” of our Father has not stopped speaking…have stopped listening? Too often it appears that we send up or dictate our prayers to a “cosmic being” that will decide when, and if, to review our requests and answer them…whenever He gets around to it.

Abba is our Heavenly Father and is not silent. He hasn’t assigned your case to someone else. Listen to our Savior in John 10:2-5, “…and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”

 

Too often our prayers are like most conversations…one-sided. We do all the “talking” while our heavenly Father does all of the listening. When the shepherd comes to the door of the sheepfold, where many flocks are kept, the sheep listen for their shepherd. They are known by their shepherd and they listen and obey his commands. In John 10:26-27 Jesus rebukes a group of unbelievers by telling them that, “…ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

 

Are we so “busy” in America chasing our “dreams” that we have forgotten the dream giver? In our next edition we will begin to discover what it takes to hear our Shepherd’s voice.

 

~Pastor Larry.

 

 

 

Ana’s Corner

Our eyes have been opened to many needs over the past 11 months. And these needs have created a vacuum that has stolen hope from many a family. When you pray for this region; spiritual hopelessness is top of the list. The region once known as “the Bible belt” has more unchurched folks than it has those in church. This is despite the vast number of churches in Harlan County; over 430.

 

Many have just “given up” on the church altogether, while others “work” the system taking advantage of those who want to help. And those in the church house do a lot of “talk” about what is wrong and they offer no solutions. They too have forgotten that the main purpose of the church is to equip believers to reach the lost and to meet the needs of those in their community.

 

On the economic front, joblessness and homelessness have turned many to drugs and prostitution. Service jobs and retail positions at minimum wage are considered “good” jobs. Companies that pay livable wages have reduced employee hours, reduced their staff or worse, closed.

 

Housing is at a premium. Ana and I have looked for a place now for the past 3 weeks. (We have 2 weeks remaining at our current location.) We have seen trailers and houses with open walls, exposed wires and floors that need replaced. The owners are charging $375-$600 per month with a matching deposit. When we have asked them about the needed repairs, they said “for X-amount of dollars that’s what you get.”

 

These are some of the factors that have added up to the hopelessness and despair in this region. However, God is still on the throne! He has not fallen asleep on the job, nor has he simply forgotten this region and these people. I believe that this is why we are here.

 

We have been placed here so we could call out to heaven for intervention. We have been placed here to re-sound the call of hope. And we have been placed here for you.

 

“Me,” you ask? Yes for you. You see; we are partners here. Together we are reaching the lost and unchurched. Together we are sharing the Good News and the message of Hope to the hopeless. Together we are clothing the unclothed, feeding the hungry, providing school supplies for students and providing shelter to the homeless. 

 

Now we are asking for your prayers. We know that our heavenly Father meets all of our needs. And that together we will continue to make a difference. Our needs may be great, but Our God Is Greater!

 

Together Making a Difference,

Pastor Larry and Ana Walters

Missionaries In Appalachia

PO BOX 16

Cranks, KY 40820-0016

606.262.4308

www.missionary411.com/larwlt

There is a difference between reading about the movements of our Mighty G-d and living them. For those of you seeking a challenge in your spiritual walk; this is where it all begins. You have to be willing to go through, to press in, to shut in and wait.

 

As we received the Vision for this year, we knew that seeking a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father required “letting go and letting God” in our personal walk with Him. We knew that part of this vision was for us alone and not to be shared with any.

 

We also knew that we were not seeking for ourselves, but for our community and this region. This vision had to be released. As an oracle of G-d to this region, releasing the sound, this day, is the heartbeat of our ministry. In doing so, we have struck a cord within the heart of El Shaddai. (And we have aroused our enemy as well.)

 

Even as I am writing this, I am drawn to Deuteronomy 29. Moses has just delivered the Blessing and the Cursing in chapter 28.  In chapter 30 he tells them no matter where they are, when they return to the

L-RD with all their heart; that He will bring them back to their land and deliver them from the uttermost parts of the heavens!

 

Please stop and read Deuteronomy 29… thank you.

Now that we are on the same page, let’s take a closer look.

 

This takes place after the 40 years of wandering, after they have been released fom Egypt, and after the great deliverance by the signs and plagues brought upon Pharaoh, his people and his land. The Israelites were first hand observers with their natural eyes. Their ears heard the cries of the Egyptians. They saw the devastation on their land. They were outside looking in on the mighty acts which brought about their deliverance. And this was the generation that would enter into the Promised Land.

 

Stop for a moment and picture yourself there. Now re-read verse 4 with me: “Yet the L-RD hath not given you a heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.”

 

Even after they are reminded about their clothes and shoes that refused to grow old, after they have been reminded about the victories in battle, their hearts, minds and ears were not able to understand. Not until this day.

 

As their eyes and ears were being opened, as their hearts began to understand the “Gadol Mopheth” (great miracles) then the challenge came to, “Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.”(Verse 9) They were all present from the leaders to their servants and commanded to “stand this day…that you may enter into the covenant of the L-RD your G-d, and into H-S oath, which the L-RD your G-d makes with you this day; that He may establish you this day to Himself for a people, and that He may be to you a G-d, as He spoke to you, and as He swore to your fathers...” (Verses 10-13)

 

Continuing on, “Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath, but with him who stands with us this day before the L-RD our

G-d, and also with him who is not here with us this day.” (Verses 14-15) The next 13 verses tell us what will happen to those that violate this covenant and oath. This chapter closes (verse 29) with a declaration. “The secret things belong to the L-RD our G-d; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

 

(Now let’s lay this out in a condensed form.)

 

We are to “this day… keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that we may prosper in all that we do… stand this day that we may enter into the covenant of the L-RD our G-d and into His oath so that He may establish us this day to Himself for a people… this covenant and oath are not made with us alone… and not only with those that stand with us this day… but… also with him who is not here with us this day. (We understand that) the secret things belong to the L-RD our G-d, but the things that are revealed (to us) belong to us and to our children forever (if we teach them), (why) that we may do all the words of this law.” (G-d’s covenant and His oath are His law!)

 

“This day” can be entered into by us today. Biblically, a New Year is opening (Ex12:2); there will be revealed things given to us. The revealed things are not for us alone. These revealed things or revelations may be for you as an individual. They may be for your family or circle of influence. They may be for your city, the region in which you live. And they may be for the entire body of Messiah.

 

How do we know if the revelation is for us alone or if it is for others? Review verse 4. Our covenant relationship with the Almighty has opened our ears to hear, our eyes to see, and we have been given a heart to perceive or understand. As we seek the L-RD our G-d concerning the revealed things; we must remember that we are a covenant people in a covenant relationship with Him.

 

We have been given the Spirit of truth. (Jn 14:17) He gives witness to our Messiah. (Jn 15:26) He guides us into all truth. He hears from the Father and reveals what He hears. He shows us things to come.” In other words; our ears will hear and our eyes will see so that we may understand the revealed things when we are in tune with the Holy Ghost. (Jn 16:13-15)

 

Begin right now. Ask the Holy Ghost to prepare your heart and mind for the things of G-d. Ask Him to lead you, and to reveal the things that are necessary for today and tomorrow. Ask Him to open your spiritual ears and eyes so that you can both hear and see. “Ask, and it shall be given unto you.”

 

Then seek with your spiritual eyes and ears so that you may find the revealed things. What do you seek? Seek the L-RD. Seek Him with all your soul. There are times when you seek that you must fast.

 

Seek Him with all your heart. Seek His strength and His face continually. Seek all the commandments of the L-RD your G-d. Seek the law of the L-RD. Seek Him quickly and be willing to wait for Him.

 

Seek to dwell in the presence of the L-RD. Seek His peace. Seek Him early. Seek His name. Seek His precepts and His statutes. Seek out wisdom that comes from Him. Seek His righteous judgments. Seek the Book and the Word of the L-RD.

 

Seek Him while He may be found. Seek the Kingdom of G-d. Seek Jesus. Seek the strait gate. Seek the will of the Father. Seek the honour that comes only for G-d. Seek the Father’s glory. Seek eternal life. Seek His habitation.  

 

Seek to be justified by Christ. Seek those things which are above. Seek the city whose Builder and Maker is G-d.

 

 Seek out His flock and the lost. Seek the peace of the city where He has placed you. . Seek to better others. Seek to edify the church. Seek to do good.  Praise Him as you seek Him.

 

Then knock so that the revealed things may be opened unto you. The opening is the revealing of the revelation. To knock is to understand several things.

 

Who is this revelation for? How is this revelation to be released? When is this revelation to be released? Where is this revelation to be released? What are we to do because of this revelation?

 

What changes do I/we need to make because of this revelation? How are we to carry out this revelation? Are there others that need to join in this revelation in order to bring about the necessary change(s)? How, when and where is my part to be revealed? Who has the completing part(s) of this revelation?

 

“HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE CHURCHES.”

There is a new false prophet on the scene...Oprah.

go to:

And then re read Matthew 24:24-25.

Share this with your friends and begin to prepare yourself for the table-top discussions that will occur.

Shalom, I know this was short, but it was necessary.

~larry.

 

 

 

“And the LORD answered me and said, ‘Write the vision, and make it plain…that he who reads it may run.’ Habakkuk 2:2

 

Presently:

We are reaching souls with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God!! Yes, souls!! And we have been blessed with a small team of prayer partners that are being taught every Shabbat evening (Fri 7 PM – 10:30 or 11 PM). We are meeting from house to house (just like the Word that He gave us). Last night we were at our apartment again. We will be at our neighbors next week, and back to Evarts, KY the following 2 weeks.

 

First Impact of 2008

January 5^th –10^th, ’08 we partnered with AIM (Adventures in Missions) and taught on Listening Prayer, Prayer walking, and sharing the Gospel of the Kingdom to a mission group consisting of 32 high school seniors and 6 adult leaders from Lee’s Summit Community Christian School (Missouri). A short day was 8 AM – 10 PM. We were able to cover several small communities and had 2 souls come to Messiah! (One was a student from the mission trip!)

 

Several were presented with the Gospel, and there is still much follow up. Two churches were directly impacted; New Hope Church of God was encouraged in their vision to begin a youth ministry on Thursday nights. And still yet another, Sunny Acres First Church of God, where I am teaching on Sun and Wed night, has asked me to teach and lead a prayer walking ministry that will reach out to their community. As this is put into place, I believe that I am to assign leaders and then move on to the next church.

 

As we continue to meet with the pastors and parishioners in Harlan County, we are asking Abba to open their hearts to the message He has given us. And that He will impact their hearts with the vision that He is willing to birth this year!

 

Revealing the Glory:

The Holy Spirit is moving throughout the Body of Christ; and His message is simple. “Oneness” in the body. This oneness is the fulfillment of a prayer that has for 2,000 years been in the waiting. It has lingered, He has waited; it will be fulfilled. (Hab 2:3)

 

As this oneness is birthed; then, the world will believe that the Father has sent His Son, Yeshua. And as we are one, the world will also know the Father’s love for them; even as He loves Yeshua! (John 17:20-23) It is to this body that He will reveal His glory!

 

The Boiler Room; plowing in the Spirit Realm:

Phase 1-Our prayer is for an increase in the Spiritual temperature so that from each church there will arise a core of prayer warriors. We will meet on a monthly basis, mobilizing team leaders in several cities that will gather to prayer weekly. They will specifically pray for “oneness” in the Body of Messiah in Harlan County.

Phase 2-is to establish a 24-Hour “Boiler Room” of prayer.

Phase 3 - is the multiplication of the “boiler room” in other cities.

 

The Outreach; Sowing and Reaping:

As the Body of Messiah comes together, then they will need evangelism training. We will combine “Listening Prayer”, “Prayer Walking” and “the Way of the Master” as our curriculum basics. This will equip ministry teams to saturate a specific area with prayer, evangelism, discipleship, and encouragement.

 

Greater Vision; a Deeper Impact:

Pray as we establish Ministry Equipping Conferences. This will enable us to launch out into the deep and impact Harlan County and beyond! Please be in prayer as we “Write the vision and make it plain…that he who reads it may run (with it). For the vision is still for an appointed time, but it speaks to the end, and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it; because it will surely come. It will not tarry.”(Habakkuk 2:2b-3 MKJV)

 

The Opening of New Doors:

We are also seeking an open door into the Hispanic community. They do not have a place of worship. Thankfully, Ana can be of great assistance with the language barrier. Pray for her as she steps out of her comfort zone and translates the message as it is taught. And pray for an open home where we can minister. Or, greater still, that we will find favor with the restaurant owner; allowing us to teach before or after work in the restaurant.

 

Watch and Pray:

And as you are “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. And pray for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds; so that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:18-20 MKJV)

 

Shalom Aleichem!                                                       Larry and Ana Walters

                                                                  Missionaries to Appalachia, and beyond[1]

We are seeking Ministry and Individual Partners who will come along side us with your prayers and monthly financial support.   Send Support & Pledges to: Larry and Ana Walters PO BOX 16 CRANKS, KY 40820-0016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ministry Partners Are: Churches, Ministries, Businesses and Home Fellowship Groups $5000__$1000__$500__ $100__ $50__ (other) $___ __   Individual Partners Are: Individuals, Families, and Sunday-School Classes $1000__$100__$50__$25__ $10__ (other) $______

 

 

 

Prayer Request

 

Thank you for taking the time to read, pray and seek the Almighty with us as we making final preparations for our move to Harlan County, KY.

 

We are asking for a specific prayer. Our financial need for the first year is $65,000.00

This will open the ministry and provide for my wife and I as missionaries to this region.

 

We know that we have been called and that He will provide; for this is His name, Yahweh-Jireh.

 

Thank you for your love and prayers.

 

In Him we live and move and have our being,

 

Pastor and Teacher

Larry and Ana Walters

Missionaries to Appalachia

 

 

For online donations

www.myspace,com/christscreekmission

 

Christ’s Creek Mission

PO BOX 1661

Mansfield, OH 44901

 

  

John 5:1-21

 

1. The first miracle done by Jesus Christ was when he made water into wine, at the wedding in Cana of Galilee.

 

2. Jesus Christ had just completed his second miracle by healing the Nobleman's son in Capernaum, when he traveled to Jerusalem for the feast of the Jews.

"After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem." (John 5:1 av)

Feast of the Jews – Probably Passover or Pentecost because of what He said in chapter 4:34…4 months until the harvest…1^st fruits of Barley at the time of Pesach.

 

VERSES 1-2

 

1. The Pool of Bethesda was located near a sheep market in Bethesda which is directly north of Jerusalem.

Today, a location is established traditionally as the actual pool with five porches, and is a popular viewing attraction of tourists to the Holy Land. Historically, however, this actual location is not confirmed

5. The area surrounding the pool had five porches. These porches were probably like an interior piazza that framed the bathing pool.

Verse 3

 

6. A great number of impotent, blind, halt, and withered waited upon the porches and watched for the moving of the water in the pool of Bethesda.

Typology of disability in spiritual terms...

Impotent - Feeble and deficient in vigour, authority, force, and efficiency; they are inadequate and inferior in their spiritual lives.

Blind - People that are inflated with self-conceit, high minded and proud. Their eyes are enveloped with smoke causing them to be opaque and impenetrable to light. They are unable to perceive and have no intuitive recognition. They are dull, stupid and unintelligent. Arrogant is their first name and Bore is their last. They have an exaggerated estimate of their own ability and importance. They display an offensive assumption of superior importance and rights. They are overbearingly assuming and insolently proud. Their spiritual awareness is obscured and hazy. Spiritual matters are vague, ambiguous, and unknown to them. They are in the worldly dark and have no concept of the spiritual light.

Halt - People who are lame, and unable to stand erectly, and move toward the LORD GOD. They are unable to walk a straight path because of their disability, and are turned out of His Way and falter on the spiritual path. They proceed slowly and have great difficulty understanding the things of God.

Withered - Dry and barren of the influence and Spirit of God, resulting in a lack of vitality and regeneration of their spiritual lives.

Typology of water contained within a pit...

Water is the Will of the LORD GOD given freely to thirsty men and the influence and Spirit of God operating in man through grace, to regenerate, strengthen and refresh man’s spiritual (inward) and natural (outward) life experience. Living water provided by the LORD God is moving, springing, and running, flowing or spraying. The LORD God’s water is always fresh and alive.

Stagnated water contained in pits and troughs, as well as leftover, unused and castaway water left to die, is no longer living, and no longer has the Grace filled, restorative properties given by the living water of the LORD GOD. And so the impotent, blind, halt and withered set on the porch, waited for the moving of the water in the pool of Bethesda. It was only when the water moved, that God would fill one of them with His Grace as he washed in His waters, and heals him of his infirmities...

Verse 4

 

7. Occasionally, an angel came to the pool of dead water as a messenger to deliver God's Grace.

8. The angel would trouble the water to agitate it and get the water rolling and moving.

9. The Grace of God and healing was given to the first person who stepped into the water after they had been agitated by the angel.

10. Only one person was made whole through the process of washing in the waters after they were agitated.

If one thinks deeply on this process, and factors in the characteristics of the free flowing water of God, then it is easily understood why only one person was healed each time the waters were agitated. It was the leftovers of God's Grace, that had not been eaten by anyone and, and had settled in the water untouched and unused. It was a dead work, on the bottom of the pool, that was stirred up at the moving of the Angel according to the time and Will of God, and brought to life through the moving of the waters. One work of healing, one work of God, left in the midst of the pool of the water, that was activated and made alive according to His Will, so every drop of His Grace could glorify Him and His Works!

Verses 5-6

 

11. Jesus Christ saw a man, who had been sick thirty eight years and lying down upon the porches for a long time.

12. Jesus asked the man "Wilt thou be made whole?"

Important words spoken by Jesus Christ indicate the first requirement for being made whole by the Grace of God. If a person is to be healed, he must first desire that healing. Most importantly, the healing is not just for the physical condition, but also the spiritual infirmities that cripple and weaken the sick. These spiritual infirmities are made whole through the acceptance of the Deliverance spoken by Jesus Christ (Luke 4:18-19 & Isaiah 61:1-2a), allowing the healing of God to proceed. It is when the true Gospel of Messiah is preached bringing Salvation and Deliverance, that the spiritually sick person can be made whole.

 Verse 7

 

13. The impotent man who was not only physically weakened, but also suffered from an inadequate and inferior spiritual life for many years, was unable to walk into the waters on his own. He told Jesus that there was no man to help him to the waters to receive healing, and when he tries on his own, others jump in front of him and step into the water before him.

14. Yeshua told the man "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk".

Verse 8

The impotent man received healing through the words of Jesus Christ. The Living Water of God, His flowing grace of redemption and restoration, was embodied by the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus had the authority and the power of his Father to bestow healing and make whole!

15. Through Jesus Christ's words, there were three instructions given to the impotent man to receive healing by God...

1) Rise - Wake up and stand up. Don't sit or lie down and wait for your disease to bring you to death through obscurity and inactivity in your natural life. Stand upon your feet like a strong, spiritual man made whole!

2) Take up thy bed - Reject the dirty sin that made you sick and put you into that bed. Extinguish your guilt of sin. Go and sin no more.

3) Walk - Live, Live, Live. You are made whole and alive. Move forward and walk toward your Saviour and your God.

16. Upon hearing the words of Jesus Christ, the man was immediately healed. He was made whole, took up his bed and walked as Jesus Christ had commanded. 17. The third miracle of Jesus Christ, the healing of the impotent man upon the porch at the pool in Bethesda, took place on the Sabbath Day.

 

Verses 10-13

 

18. The Jews saw him carrying his bed on the Sabbath Day, and reminded him that it is not lawful according to their interpretation of the laws of God.

The Jews that declared the healing of the impotent man by Jesus Christ on Sabbath were focused on the letter of the law, rather than the life of the law. The rules that the LORD God gave man, and the traditions developed through the years by the Jews, were made new with the new wine of Jesus Christ. If it were the Jews way, then the impotent man could not reject sin, and have his guilt removed on Sabbath Day. Jesus Christ had the authority of his Father to restore to wellness anyone he chose, anytime he wanted!

19. They wanted to know which man had cured the impotent sinner, and had the dared to heal on the holy day of Sabbath. 20. The healed man was unable to point out Jesus Christ because of the multitude of people that had gathered around.

 

Verse 14

 

21. Afterward, Jesus Christ found the healed man in the Temple, and reminded him that he was made whole, and if he were to sin again, a worst thing would happen.

 

Verses 15-16

 

22. The Jews began persecuting Jesus Christ, and sought to kill him, because the healed man identified Jesus Christ as the one who had healed him on the Sabbath Day.

Verse 17

If an impotent, blind, halt or withered sinner is to be made whole, he must come to Jesus Christ and hear his instructions to stand, reject sin, and walk forward toward the LORD God. When the sinner is made whole, he must not sin again, or his condition will become worse than the first.

The Living Waters of the LORD God were given through the ministry of Jesus Christ, and no longer required an angel stirring the pool, to deliver His Grace completely to the sick and diseased. Jesus Christ, the Living Waters of God, was given the authority and the power to cleanse and make whole the repentant sinner who was prepared to stand and walk like a man, rejecting the sins of past.

 Verse 18

 

Here we have an insight to the Hebraic mindset. To the Jews, the name Son of God, or by calling God His Father, implied equality with God and thereby committing blasphemy. Yeshua further implied that since His Father had the right to work on the Sabbath that He had the same right and the same authority to do so. (Psalm 2:7)

Verses19-21

 

 

Now we are entering the source of our authority as believers in Messiah.

 

References

 

John 14:12/ Psalm 91:13/ Luke 9:1, 2, 6 &10:19/ Matthew 18:18-19 & 28:18-20/ Mark 16:17-20/ Romans 16:20/ James 4:7/ I Peter 5:8-9/ Eph 6:10-18/ I John 4:17/ Acts 17:28/ Col 2:6-15/ Acts 1:8

 

  

PROVING GROUND

By Pastor Larry Walters, Sunday, July 15, 2007

 

Text(s): Exodus 16:3-30    Judges 3:1-11         Daniel 1:12-20        Malachi 3:10

            John 6:1-6           Romans 12:1-2       II Corinthians 13:5     I Thess 5:21

         

1. A place for testing new devices, weapons, or theories.

2. 1. An area of scientific work where theories are tested; an area where something is tried out for the first time.

 

Synonyms

1. Research center, testing ground
2. Analysis, conclusive test, crucial test, decisive test, definitive test, experiment, proof, proving ground, substantiation, sure test, trial, verification

 

OLD TESTAMENT: (2 exceptions)

Strong’s

H5254

נסה

nâsâh

naw-saw'

A primitive root; to test; by implication to attempt: - adventure, assay, prove, tempt, try.

 

Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions

1) to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put to the proof or test

1a) (Piel)

1a1) to test, try

1a2) to attempt, assay, try

1a3) to test, try, prove, tempt

Part of Speech: verb

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW TESTAMENT: (1 exception)

Strong’s

G1381

δοκιμάζω

dokimazō

dok-im-ad'-zo

From G1384; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve: - allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-) prove, try.

 

THAYER’S GREEK DEFINITIONS

1) to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals

2) to recognise as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy

 

 

 

(Exo 16:4)  Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may PROVE them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

 

(Exo 20:20)  And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to PROVE you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

 

(Deu 8:2)  And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to PROVE thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or not.

 

(Deu 8:16)  Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might PROVE thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

 

(Jdg 2:22)  That through them I may PROVE Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.

 

(Jdg 3:1)  Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to PROVE Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;

 

(Jdg 3:4)  And they were to PROVE Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.

 

(Jdg 6:39)  And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me and I will speak but this once: let me PROVE, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.

 

(1Ki 10:1)  And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to PROVE him with hard questions.

 

(2Ch 9:1)  And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to PROVE Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bore spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.

 

************** (Job 9:20) If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also PROVE me perverse. DECLARE

 

(Psa 26:2)  Examine me, O LORD, and PROVE me; try my reins and my heart.

 

(Ecc 2:1)  I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will PROVE thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.

 

(Dan 1:12)  PROVE thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

 

**************** (Mal 3:10)  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and PROVE me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. TO EXAMINE/TEST

 

****************** (Joh 6:6) And this he said to PROVE him: for he himself knew what he would do. (Only NT exception all others see below)

[Strong’s G3985; peirazō; pi-rad'-zo:

From G3984; to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline: - assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er), try.

THAYER’S GREEK DEFINITIONS

1) to try whether a thing can be done

1a) to attempt, endeavour

2) to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quantity, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself]

 

 

(Rom 12:2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may PROVE what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

(2Co 8:8)  I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to PROVE the sincerity of your love.

 

(2Co 13:5)  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; PROVE your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

 

(Gal 6:4)  But let every man PROVE his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

 

(1Th 5:21) (You) PROVE all things; hold fast that which is good.

 

-à 4 out of the 6 references in the NT are us proving ourselves, 11 out of 15 in the OT others did the proving. WHY?Û

          Ø In the OT/ the Holy Ghost did not baptize the followers, He simply came over them or was upon them. Today we can have the fullness of the Godhead dwelling in us! Our spirits can bear witness with the Spirit of Yah.

 

--->A proving ground is where we develop the skills necessary for the battle.

Those assigned to the proving ground are found there daily

If a team only practiced once a week, can they expect to be prepared on game day?

ACTS 2:38-47

One of the main reasons that the early church had such power is that they were found on the proving grounds daily.

 

 ...To Be Continued...

Shalom Aleichem!

 

1^st Teaching on 2^nd John 1:1-13

(Collect all of the Bibles at 1^st then as we get to the Scripture readings hand them out  again.)

1. Read the text.
2. 4 Key Points in 2^nd John
   1. Truth
   2. Love
   3. False Teachers
   4. Our Responsibility as it relates to false teachers
3. Truth
   1. Defined by Webster’s-being true; specific; sincerity; honesty: Conformity with fact; reality; actual existence: correctness; accuracy.
   2. Defined by God’s Word

                                                             i.      Gen 24:27

                                                             ii.      Ex 34:6

                                                         iii.      Deut 32:4

                                                          iv.      1^st Sam 2:24

                                                            v.      2^nd Sam 2:6

                                                          vi.      1^st Ki 2:4; 3:6; 17:24

                                                         vii.      2^nd Ki 20:3

                                                       viii.      Ps 15:2; 25:5,10; 31:5; 33:4; 40:10-11; 43:3; 45:4; 51:6; 69:13; 71:22; 85:10-11; 86:11; 89:14; 91:4; 96:13; 100:5; 108:4; 115:1; 117:2; 119:142,151; 138:2;

                                                          ix.      Prov 3:3; 12:17,19; 16:6; 20:28

                                                          x.      Isa 16:5; 25:1; 26:2

                                                          xi.      Jer 5:1; 9:3,5;

                                                        xii.      Hosea4:1

                                                       xiii.      Zech 8:3,8,16,19

                                                      xiv.      Mt 14:33; 15:27; 22:16

                                                       xv.      John 1:14,17: 4:23-24; 5:33; 8:32; 14:6,17; 15:26; 16:13; 17:17,19

                                                    xvi.      2^nd Cor 4:2; 13:8

                                                  xvii.      Eph 4:15; 5:9; 6:14

                                                   xviii.      1^st Tim 2:4; 3:15

                                                     xix.      2^nd Tim 2:15; 2:25; 3:7-8

                                                       xx.      Titus 1:1

                                                   xxi.      James 1:18

                                                 xxii.      1^st Peter 1:22

                                                  xxiii.      1^st John 2:21; 4:6; 5:6

                                               xxiv.      2^nd John 1:1-4

                                                   xxv.      3^rd John 3:1,3,4,8

Notice with me that the book of Revelation does not contain the Word “truth” For when we are in His Presence He is true and His words are true. Truth implies a past tense, those things which have already happened. True is a present tense…it is occurring right now before us.

3. Truth is a foundational building block, teaching or doctrine. Without building a correct foundation, the framework is no good.

Say this with me… “Jesus is the Truth, He is the Word of God and the Word is truth. I am sanctified, made holy and pure unto God through the washing of the Word. And the truth delivers me and sets me free in Jesus name, Amen.

4. In this short letter we will learn much about the importance of truth.
5. Re-Read verse 1-4

                                                              i.      Verse 1-we love in the truth, even those we have never met in the Body of Messiah.

                                                             ii.      Verse 2

1.      we do things for truth’s sake

2.      and this truth must abide IN US

                                                           iii.      Verse 3 (Part A)

1.      WE have Grace, mercy and peace with us from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father. (the deity of Jesus declared)

2.      Notice this with me…What is John really praying (for us) in this verse? He is praying that Grace, mercy and peace IN TRUTH AND LOVE will be displayed and made known to us and through us that our testimony, our daily walk will be a living invitation to others to come to know the grace, mercy and peace which are our through our Heavenly Father and our walk with our Saviour. When we walk IN truth and IN love others are going to notice the difference and then we will become a living epistle, a living book declaring to them that they are missing and empty in that God size hole that only He can fill.

                                                          iv.      Verse 3 (Part B)

1.      Where truth lives; love lives for Jesus is the Truth and God is Love

2.      Truth is the foundation for all relationship. Truth sees us without the rose colored glasses. Because truth sees the enormity of our sin and love that never fails GRACE, the unmerited favor of Almighty God is made know unto us. – Hebrews 2:9

3.      Grace is the forerunner to mercy and mercy then to peace.

                                                            v.      Verse 4

1.      This is a great testimony to know that it can be found those that walking in the truth.

2.      And this is also a great burden, for John did not write that all of the children; but rather, of thy children…I pray that when we are not with you that you walk in the truth and even when you are alone that you abide in the truth and the truth in you.

3.      “As we have received a commandment from the Father” What is this commandment?

4.      1^st John 3:23, “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”

 

We have covered much on “TRUTH.” And as always, there is so much more. But I want to leave you with this thought…If the Apostle John is so concerned with the truth in our lives shouldn’t we be?

Let me ask this in another way, “How well do you know the Truth?”

For the Apostle John closes out this book with a strong warning about those deceivers that are entered into the world. They are not even to be entertained nor are we to bid them, “God speed.” For if we do then we become partakers of their evil deeds.

The only way to grow a relationship with someone is by spending time with them. Get to know Him…better than anyone else you know!

 

Shalom Aleichem!

 

 Christ's Creek Mission

P.O. Box 1661 Mansfield, OH 44901 (419)566.1756

 

June 23, 2007

 

Greetings in the name of our Messiah, Yeshua; Jesus the Christ!

During the month of June two trips into Harlan County, KY have taken place.

The first trip was with Rev. Eleazer Akuchie and I. Thursday, May 31^st I spoke at The Prayer House in Christline (formerly Crestline) what a blessing! The message was “The Key Ingredient of Transformation: Love.” A copy of this tremendous teaching is available in MS Word.

 

Later that night Rev El and I went to A Ministry Training Conference by Benny Hinn Ministries, provided for us by Beth. And Beth…a big thanks to you for this opportunity! Thank God for those who follow the leading of the Holy Ghost! This was exactly what was needed in order for us to be prepared for the next 2 days.

 

We began pleading the Blood of Everlasting Covenant from Cleveland, OH and did so with all that we could call and on our journey into Christ’s Creek. Both evenings we retired about 3:30 AM and were back at it again early in the morning. As we scouted out the land, we drove up one of the largest peaks and blasted the Shofars in Harlan, KY we took note of the apartment complexes.

 

Traveling back into Christ’s Creek, we met Pastor Robert Landis at Mary Helen United Methodist Church. He is a youthful 71, married and he and his wife have been in Harlan County since 1962! They came as missionaries at first; now they pastor two congregations; the first is in Coalgood, and the second is in Cranks Creek. Our hearts were knit together by the love of Jesus and we were able to gain many insights from Pastor Landis. And the Holy Ghost led us into a powerful prayer session. There is no such thing as chance meetings, especially in the Kingdom of God! Anyone that is led to you, or you to them, begin to develop that relationship and see what God has in store for you both.

 

The second trip was with my wife, Ana, and our 2 grand children, Rachel and Leah. We departed on June 18^th and returned the 20^th. Initially, we made reservations to camp out and conserve Kingdom finances. Our host was not on location and we headed into Harlan to seek shelter for our stay. As my wife prayed, there was only one room available and it was the same room that Rev El and I shared!

 

More minor setbacks with our camp site, a sick child, and a tooth are only temporary. The trip was incredible! We spent time with Pastor Landis and his wife Tuesday building relationships and returned that evening to assist with VBS. The girls had a great time singing, dancing, crafts, and story-time make great memories.

We also met with two prayer warriors, Bill and Lucille. What a great visit! They offered a lot which is about ½ an acre and will hold three trailers for $2,500.00; less than its real value.

 

This land will need to be worked with a bush hog then a modular built that can make the best use of space and provide for parking. We will not despise the day of small things. And we believe that even though our beginning is small, our latter end will greatly increase.

 

Prayer needs:

1. Finances
   1. $2,500.00 for the purchase of this land
   2. to properly clear this land
   3. a Modular home to begin this work that will serve as our parsonage and the ministry phase #1
   4. Our move
   5. A vehicle-we have been renting during these trip to reduce the wear and tear on our vehicle with 192,000+ miles

 

2. Ministry Partners that will:
   1. We still need $1,000.00/month in pledges.
   2. Storm heaven’s throne regarding:

                                                          i.      Hearts prepared

                                                      ii.      Local Ministry Connections

                                                  iii.      Local workers that are serious for God

                                                      iv.      Men to rise up and be counted

 

Thank you for being faithful and obedient to the Lord and your faithful support of this ministry.

 

 

Shalom Aleichem,

 

 

 

Pastor Larry and Ana Walters

Missionaries to Appalachia

 

Donations on line:

www.myspace.com/christscreekmission

 

 

Donations by Mail:

Christ’s Creek Mission

P.O. Box 1661

Mansfield, OH 44901

 

 

 

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and HOPE TO THE END for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1^st Peter 1:13

 

 

 

 

 

The key Ingredient of Transformation: LOVE.

By Pastor Larry Walters on May 30, 2007

 

1^st Corinthians 14:1-3:

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesietheh speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”

 

Let us first of all notice the conclusion to chapter 13 and verse 13. “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

 

What does the writer mean that the greatest of these 3 is charity or love?

Have we so long forgotten what the Greatest Apostle spoke unto us in Matthew’s Gospel 22: 37-40?

“Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

 

Yes, we are to follow after, this verb is dioko (DE-OH-KO) meaning “to pursue…almost as if it is hunted by us in order to persecute it. To ensue love to be given to love and to press toward love.

 

It is Love that hopes, bears, believes and endures all things! Love covers a multitude of sins. Love is patient and kind. Love knows no envy needs not to boast in anything save the cross of Christ. Love is not puffed up.

 

Love does not act disgracefully, does not seek its own, is not provoked to anger, and thinks no evil. For love does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but it rejoices with the truth….Love NEVER fails. And as we study the attributes of Almighty God we are told that God is love. (1^st John 4:8)

 

It is Love that gives the true value of the ministry of the gifts of the Spirit and to any ministry. PURSUE LOVE!

 

Love will keep you going when your body is tired. Love is what enabled our Savior to walk up the hill to Golgotha. Love kept Him on the cross and love kept His eyes focused on the prize which was set before Him. No greater love has ever been declared nor shall it ever be!

 

So I am challenging you today to LOVE. Love until it hurts and then love again and again and again and again and again! (5 times) Love the unlovable, the unreachable, and the undesirable. Love the outcast and the down trodden. Love those who seem hopeless and those without hope.

 

It was love that caused our Saviour to get alone with His Father when He was tired from ministering all day so that He could be re-fueled for the tasks ahead. And it will be love that stirs you in the wee hours of the night to pray for your neighbor, your community, your city, your county, your state, your nation, and the nations of the world.

 

It is love that fuels your desire to see revival break-out that will transform you and all of those around you with a passion that is altogether consuming! Love is why your hearts are broken as you are shown the stronghold in your community and the bondage that it holds them captive. And it is love that heals the brokenhearted, and loves proclamation of true freedom for those imprisoned and set the captives free.

 

Love cries out, as the apostle Paul, and declares, “I tell the truth in Messiah. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Messiah for my brother’s sake, my relatives according to the flesh, who are Yisra’eli’s; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises; of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Messiah as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amein. (Romans 9:1-5)

 

The fruit of the Spirit begins with love in Galatians 5:22. And we must walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. (Ephesians 5:2) This is how we are to be followers of God as (His) dear children (Ephesians 5:1) with our walk of love which leads us to obedience to His commandments. We demonstrate His love in us by walking after His commandments (2^nd John 1:6).

 

When we are guided by and motivated by love in our ministries, and in our gifting then we are fully able to edify, to exhort and to comfort.

 

Love lays the foundation upon which we can edify or to build up. Without this key foundational block we are building on unstable sand and our houses will fall. Then we are able to prophesy under the divine inspiration of the Holy Ghost, the Ruach Ha Kodesh. And when we foretell events that are disclosed; we minister this in the spirit of love and compassion. It is not easy, at times to speak what the Lord places upon our hearts.

 

At times, the message is one that we would rather not deliver. However it is love that compels us to deliver the cry to repentance unto a Holy God. Love makes the journey to eternity in hell a challenging task as we make up the walls and build up the hedge and stand in the gap for sinners and wayward saints.

 

Love is the key ingredient when we exhort the body of Messiah to wake up! Love implores others to be all that they have been called to be and to turn from wickedness. Love implores the wicked to repentance! And it compels them to come in and be made whole through the washing of regeneration and the power of the Word of God and the Blood of the Lamb.

 

Should we fail to mention Like 14 and the wedding supper? God Forbid! In verse 21 the servant tells of the excuses made by those who were invited and the Master of the house became angry and instructed His servant to “Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.” All of these needed to be brought for they could not bring themselves. And it is love that carries them into the wedding supper and bathes them and places upon them royal wedding robes for they cannot do this for themselves.

 

And when this has been completed, the servant returns to the Master and informs Him that it is done and “yet there is room.” Then the Lord instructs His servant once more, “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled.” Compelling means to make necessary or unavoidable to draw them tight; to bring them unto and into the house. Love goes out of its way to seek and to find those that are in the highways and hedges. Ant without the pure message of love those that are passers-by will not stop to enter the house and dine with the Master.

 

Let us remember what it means to compel them to come. Jude 1:20-23 tells us, “but ye, beloved, building up yourselves on you most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: (humanitarian relief) and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; (Demonstrate this verses gentle pulling) hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

 

And the bonds of love will comfort us and console us when we need encouragement from discouragement and disappointment. We are instructed over and over “to comfort one another with these words.”

 

In 1^st Thessalonians 2:11 we are to comfort as a father does his children. When our children become discouraged, we become their greatest cheerleaders urging them on, so urge one another. In Chapter 3 verse 2 we are to comfort others concerning their faith. When your faith is low then I am to encourage you to keep pressing on. And with what words am I to comfort you?

 

1^st Thessalonians 4:13-18 gives us the prescription for spiritual blues! Let’s read together. “But I would not have you to be ignorant brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

 

And in Chapter 5:9-11 we read, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as ye do.”

 

Now, I pray that we have a greater understanding of why the key ingredient of transformation is love. So let us, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” (Colossians 3:12-17) And let us follow after charity…for it is the greatest of these!

The Reality of an Eternal Hell

 

Today’s teaching might seem as if it were overtly cruel. As if God were not fair. It might sound harsh or even extreme. However, in the light of what is being introduced into the main stream pulpits of America, this must be taught and reviewed and learned in order to quench the latest of the fiery darts of doctrinal heresy.

           

It is being taught today that Hell, a place that Jesus spoke twice as much about than Heaven, is simple a place of final punishment. That Hell is a place where one goes to die a soulish death. That when one goes before the Judgment, called the Great White Throne Judgment, that the body and soul is cast into a great lake of fire and there the body and soul are killed or destroyed and wiped out of existence that very moment.

           

I would to God that this teaching was true. Then I would know that those which enter into eternity without the knowledge of salvation simple will be punished momentarily and that their torment would cease. Friends that have gone on before and loved one’s that have passed are not in a place of everlasting torment and will be eventually erased from existence.

           

Unfortunately, this is not the case. When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, all of mankind died. (1^st Corinthians 15:21-22) And we are told in Ezekiel 18:4 the soul that sins it shall die. And we know that since we were born dead because of Adam’s sin, without the quickening power of the Holy Spirit we would be born dead unto death. But praise God that the Spirit quickened us even though were dead in our trespassed and sins. (Ephesians 2:1)  

            As to the Fairness of God; let me state this as clearly as I can articulate. GOD IS JUST; NOT FAIR. In Deuteronomy 32:4 we read, “He is the Rock; His work is perfect. For all His ways are just, a God of faithfulness, and without evil; just and upright is He.” In Job we read this question, “Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than His Maker?” (Job 4:17) And we read in Job 45:21(b), “…And there is no other God besides Me; a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me.”

           

But why would we want God to deal with us fairly?  If God was fair, He would not have sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins. If God dealt with us fairly, would any be able to enter into heaven? No. And would we all enter an eternal place of judgment called Hell? Yes. Thank God that He does not judge based on fairness or we would all split Hell wide open!

           

Let us take a look at what the Bible teaches us about this place called “Hell” and the duration of its punishments.

           

Most would agree, and accept, that Hell was created by God for the Devil. In fact, during one account about Hell, Jesus tells us the reason for its creation. Matthew 25:41, “Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.’”  And surely God is Just when He sentences the Devil, the beast, and the false prophet in Revelation 20:10. “And the Devil who deceived them was cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet were. And he will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

           

But, then, what do we read about those which take the mark of the beast during the tribulation? In Revelation 14:9-11 we are told, “And a third angel followed them, saying with a great voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark in his forehead or his hand,(10) he also will drink of the wine of the anger of God, having been mixed undiluted in the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented by fire and brimstone before the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.’ (11) And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. And they have no rest day or night, those who worship the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

           

The place which was prepared for the Devil and his angels is also the place where these will spend the rest of eternity! Notice the bold and underscored words above. “Will be tormented”…”torment”…”forever and ever”…”no rest”; let us take a close examination of these words and phrases.

            The first is, “will be tormented.” This comes from the Greek word, “basanizo.” Which means, to torture:-pain, toil, torment, toss, vex. (G928 from G931) Next is, “torment,” or “basanismos” meaning “torture:-torment.” (G929)

 

The Third is the phrase, “forever and ever.” This comes from the combination of 2 Greek words, with the last being repeated twice meaning to the nth degree. The first of these words is “eis” (G1519) which is a primary preposition to or into which indicates the point reached or entered of place, time, or purpose. The place we know, the time is what is questioned and the purpose is the punishment of those which have worshipped the beast and received its mark. However when referring to time it means continual, far more, and exceeding. The nest word is “aion” (G165) which is repeated twice or to the nth degree. The meaning of “aion” is age, perpetuity, specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future):-age, course, eternal, (for) ever (-more), and without end.

 

I don’t believe that it will take a doctorate degree for us to get the picture of what duration of time we are now speaking about. And as we take a closer look at the fourth phrase, “no rest” this will be magnified.

           

The phrase “no rest” consist of the Greek words “ou anapausis” (G3756 & G372) literally meaning no pause. The “ou” is the absolutely negative adverb; no or not. And the word “anapausis” means intermission, recreation, or rest.

           

Now then as we begin to put these word and phrases together the duration of time that this torment will take place is for the rest of eternity. The pain, toil, torment, the torture will continue far more and exceedingly eternal, without and end and without any rest, intermission or recreation. This should leave us with no doubt as to the eternal torment that waits for those that reject the only Way of salvation, and that is Jesus the Christ.

           

The account of the rich man and Lazarus also gives us insight into this matter. In Luke 16:19-31 we find the following four (4) phrases or words.

1.       torments

2.       I am tormented

3.       are tormented

4.       place of torment

These four are from two (2) Greek words; “basanos” and “odunao.”

 

“Basanos” (G931) is the word used for #1 and 4 above meaning torture or torment. And “odunao” (G3600) means to grieve, with sorrow and torment. So the rich man was in the state of being tortured and grieving sorrowfully while being tormented. He did not cease to exist. His existence was conscious and his torment eternal. Unfortunately, we also know that his final end is no better that his present situation. He is destined for all of eternity to the lake of fire and brimstone.

           

Another argument for the cessation of existence is found in Matthew’s Gospel 25:46 which states; “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.” The argument that is presented is the suffix “-ment” that is used instead of the suffix “-ing.”  Since it does not read “everlasting punishing” but “punishment” that it is a once, and complete, end of existence.

           

The punishment is complete. And it is the result of a single sentencing. But let us not be so easily dissuaded from the truth of this passage. The word “everlasting” is the Greek word “aionios” (G166) meaning perpetual, eternal, for ever, and everlasting. For the punishment to be perpetual it means that it last forever, continual and without interruption. Thank God that it also is the same word that is used when referring to the life that is given to those that believe!

           

The word used for punishment is the Greek word “kolasis” (G2851) which is the penal infliction, punishment and torment.  This is the same word that is used to describe fear in 1^st John 4:18. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love.” Is fear utterly gone and done away with because of love? No. neither is the torment of those that reside in Hell.

           

Oh my dear ones please do not let this lie of the enemy fool you. There is a heaven that waits for those who will trust in Messiah Yeshua’s perfect working on the cross of Calvary. And there is also a place of everlasting torment for those who reject Salvation’s plan. John 3:16-18 makes this very plain indeed!

 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(17) For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

 

            Today, the choice is yours; tomorrow, is not guaranteed. If you were to step out into eternity right now it will be too late to decide. Then you will enter into that same place where there are no doubters and the place that houses more evangelist than ever walked this planet; Hell. There is no purgatory that is a lie! There is no second chance. Once this vapor of a life has completed its course and you have drawn life’s final breath you take up your permanent, eternal residence. Make your reservation early, make it today!

 

            You might say, “Preacher, it sounds like you’re trying to scare the hell out of me! And I don’t like it!” Then I am reminded of Jude 1:23, “But save others with fear, snatching them out of the fire, and hating even the garments being stained from the flesh.”

           

Shalom Aleichem!

The Way of Salvation

 

Pro 16:25 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” For, you see Pro 16:2 “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits (motives).” AND in Pro 21:2 “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the hearts.”

 

The standard; however, has been set by a Holy God, not by man. In Psa 18:30 we read, “As for God, his way is perfect: the Word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.” So I ask you, Job 4:17 “Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?” Rom 3:23 “…all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

 

What is this “sin” that we will be judged for? 1Jn 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” Sin is simply this; anything that we think, say, or do that breaks even one (1) of God’s laws.  In fact, we are told in Isa 64:6 “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

 

Yes, Rom 3:23 “…all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” And in and of ourselves we can do nothing in order to repair the damages of sin in our lives. No matter how good we try to be, no matter what we attempt to do we will never measure up to the standard set by a Holy God.

 

The penalty or “the wages of sin is death.” (Rom 6:23) This death is not simply when they place our body in the ground. Rev 20:14-15, “And death and hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death. And if anyone was not found having been written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the Lake of Fire.” Rev 21:8 “But the fearful, and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, will have their part in the Lake burning with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

 

This second death is an eternal separation from God in a place of everlasting torment! We have no friends in Hell. Hell is described as the bottomless pit (Rev.9:2 & 11), place of torment (Lu16:23), outer darkness in (Mt 8:12; 22:13; 25:30) also a place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, with wailing (Mt 13:42 & 50) Three time is Mark 9 (44, 46, 48) we are told it is where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.”

 

Yet, I believe that the greatest torment of Hell is being able to see heaven. And remembering, for all of eternity, that time-after-time; and opportunity after opportunity, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was presented to you and you rejected Him. Do not turn Him away again!

 

Thank God there is still time left today! John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

 

“…The wages of sin is death; BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:23) Luk 19:10 & Mt 18:11, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” In John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”

Mat 26:28, “For this is My blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Luke 24:46-48, “And he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day;  (47) and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  (48) Ye are witnesses of these things.” Heb 9:22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Furthermore, Heb 10:18, “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.”

Rom 5:8, “But God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” My friend the Gospel of Jesus Christ does not stop here!

 

Three days after His crucifixion, these words were heard, Mat 28:6 “He is not here, for He has risen, as He said…” And in 1Co 15:1-8,

“(1) And, brothers, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received, and in which you stand;

(2) by which you also are being kept safe, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

(3) For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures,

(4) and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures;

(5) and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the Twelve.

(6) Afterward He was seen by over five hundred brothers at once, of whom the greater part remain until this present day, but also some fell asleep.

(7) Afterward He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.

(8) And last of all He was seen by me also, as one born out of time.”

 

What must we do to be saved? Rom 10:9-10 “…if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.”

John 3:17-18, “For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him. (18) He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

Mat 7:13-14, “Go in through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in through it. (14) Because narrow is the gate and constricted is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Heb 2:3, “how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?”

2Co 6:2, “Behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.”

 

Mar 1:14-15, “And after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God, (15) and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God draws near. Repent, and believe the gospel.”

Don't confuse you with facts, you say?

 

1. ISRAEL BECAME A STATE IN 1312 B.C., TWO MILLENNIA BEFORE ISLAM;

 

2. ARAB REFUGEES FROM ISRAEL BEGAN CALLING THEMSELVES "PALESTINIANS" IN 1967, TWO DECADES AFTER (MODERN) ISRAELI STATEHOOD;

 

3. AFTER CONQUERING THE LAND IN 1272 B.C., JEWS RULED IT FOR A THOUSAND YEARS AND MAINTAINED A CONTINUOUS PRESENCE THERE FOR 3,300 YEARS;

 

4. THE ONLY ARAB RULE FOLLOWING CONQUEST IN 633 B.C. LASTED JUST 22 YEARS;

 

5. FOR OVER 3,300 YEARS, JERUSALEM WAS THE JEWISH CAPITAL. IT WAS NEVER THE CAPITAL OF ANY ARAB OR MUSLIM ENTITY. EVEN UNDER JORDANIAN RULE,
(EAST) JERUSALEM WAS NOT MADE THE CAPITAL, AND NO ARAB LEADER CAME TO VISIT IT;

 

6. JERUSALEM IS MENTIONED OVER 700 TIMES IN THE BIBLE, BUT NOT ONCE IS IT MENTIONED IN THE QUR'AN;

 

7. KING DAVID FOUNDED JERUSALEM; MOHAMMED NEVER SET FOOT IN IT;

 

8. JEWS PRAY FACING JERUSALEM; MUSLIMS FACE MECCA. IF THEY ARE BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES, MUSLIMS PRAY FACING MECCA, WITH THEIR BACKS TO JERUSALEM;

 

9. IN 1948, ARAB LEADERS URGED THEIR PEOPLE TO LEAVE, PROMISING TO CLEANSE THE LAND OF JEWISH PRESENCE. 68% OF THEM FLED WITHOUT EVER SETTING EYES ON AN ISRAELI SOLDIER;

 

10. VIRTUALLY THE ENTIRE JEWISH POPULATION OF MUSLIM COUNTRIES HAD TO FLEE AS THE RESULT OF VIOLENCE AND POGROMS;

 

11. SOME 630,000 ARABS LEFT ISRAEL IN 1948, WHILE CLOSE TO A MILLION JEWS WERE FORCED TO LEAVE THE MUSLIM COUNTRIES;

 

12. IN SPITE OF THE VAST TERRITORIES AT THEIR DISPOSAL, ARAB REFUGESS WERE DELIBERATELY PREVENTED FROM ASSIMILATING INTO THEIR HOST COUNTRIES. OF 100 MILLION REFUGEES FOLLOWING WORLD WAR 2, THEY ARE THE ONLY GROUP TO HAVE NEVER INTEGRATED WITH THEIR CORELIGIONISTS. MOST OF THE JEWISH REFUGEES FROM EUROPE AND ARAB LANDS WERE SETTLED IN ISRAEL, A COUNTRY NO LARGER THAN NEW JERSEY;

 

13. THERE ARE 22 MUSLIM COUNTRIES, NOT COUNTING PALESTINE. THERE IS ONLY ONE JEWISH STATE. ARABS STARTED ALL FIVE WARS AGAINST ISRAEL, AND LOST EVERY ONE OF THEM;

 

14. FATAH AND HAMAS CONSTITUTIONS STILL CALL FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF ISRAEL. ISRAEL CEDED MOST OF THE WEST BANK AND ALL OF GAZA TO THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, AND EVEN PROVIDED IT WITH ARMS;

 

15. DURING THE JORDANIAN OCCUPATION, JEWISH HOLY SITES WERE VANDALIZED AND WERE OFF LIMITS TO JEWS. UNDER ISRAELI RULE, ALL MUSLIM AND CHRISTIAN HOLY SITES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL FAITHS;

 

16. OUT OF 175 UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS UP TO 1990, 97 WERE AGAINST ISRAEL; OUT OF 690 GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTIONS, 429 WERE AGAINST ISRAEL;

 

18. THE U.N. WAS SILENT WHEN THE JORDANIANS DESTROYED 58 SYNAGOGUES IN THE OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM. IT REMAINED SILENT WHILE JORDAN SYSTEMATICALLY DESECRATED THE ANCIENT JEWISH CEMETERY ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, AND IT REMAINED SILENT WHEN JORDAN ENFORCED APARTHEID LAWS PREVENTING JEWS FROM ACCESSING THE TEMPLE MOUNT AND WESTERN WALL.

 

THESE ARE TRYING TIMES. WE MUST ASK OURSELVES WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING, AND WHAT WE WILL TELL OUR GRANDCHILDREN ABOUT OUR ACTIONS DURING THIS CRISIS, WHEN WE HAD THE CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

 

 

 

 

 

Christ's Creek Mission

 

“…My house shall be called a House of Prayer for all the nations.” Mark 11:17

 

The purpose of Christ’s Creek Mission is to establish a church plant that will reach the lost in Harlan County, KY with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; tending His flock, equipping the saints with the message of hope, building up the body of Christ so that we all may arrive at the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, reaching the goal and standard of the maturity of the fullness of our Messiah, Jesus Christ.

 

We are excited about the call that the Lord has placed upon our lives! The message of hope has long been forgotten in this Appalachian County allowing the spirit of despondency to gain a stronghold. Please pray for us that the love of Jesus Christ will rekindle the flames of hope that once burned bright.

 

We are seeking Ministry and Individual Partners who will come along side us with your prayers and financial support for twelve months.

 

 

Ministry Partners Are:

Churches, Ministries, Businesses and Home Fellowship Groups

That will support this ministry in $50.00 increments

($30.00 for the ministry and $20.00 for our personal support)

 

Individual Partners Are:

Individuals that will commit to praying for this mission daily

And sow monthly financial support in $7.00 increments.

 

Thank You for Your Prayers and Support!

 

 

 

Pastor Larry, Ana Rachel and Leah

 

To become a partner with us contact us at:

419.566.1756 (Cellular) or 419.956.0452 (Voice mail)

You can e-mail us @ larwlt@msn.com

For online donations www.myspace.com/christscreekmission

Easter

ēs´tẽr (πάσχα, páscha, from Aramaic פסחא, paṣḥā' and Hebrew פסח, peṣaḥ, the Passover festival): The English word comes from the Anglo-Saxon Eastre or Estera, a Teutonic goddess to whom sacrifice was offered in April, so the name was transferred to the paschal feast. The word does not properly occur in Scripture, although the King James Version has it in Act_12:4 where it stands for Passover, as it is rightly rendered in the Revised Version (British and American). There is no trace of Easter celebration in the New Testament, though some would see an intimation of it in 1Co_5:7. The Jewish Christians in the early church continued to celebrate the Passover, regarding Christ as the true paschal lamb, and this naturally passed over into a commemoration of the death and resurrection of our Lord, or an Easter feast. This was preceded by a fast, which was considered by one party as ending at the hour of the crucifixion, i.e. at 3 o'clock on Friday, by another as continuing until the hour of the resurrection before dawn on Easter morning. Differences arose as to the time of the Easter celebration, the Jewish Christians naturally fixing it at the time of the Passover feast which was regulated by the paschal moon. According to this reckoning it began on the evening of the 14th day of the moon of the month of Nīṣān without regard to the day of the week, while the Gentile Christians identified it with the first day of the week, i.e. the Sunday of the resurrection, irrespective of the day of the month. This latter practice finally prevailed in the church, and those who followed the other reckoning were stigmatized as heretics. But differences arose as to the proper Sunday for the Easter celebration which led to long and bitter controversies. The Council of Nice, 325 ad, decreed that it should be on Sunday, but did not fix the particular Sunday. It was left to the bishop of Alexandria to determine, since that city was regarded as the authority in astronomical matters and he was to communicate the result of his determination to the other bishops. But this was not satisfactory, especially to the western churches, and a definite rule for the determination of Easter was needed. By some it was kept as early as March 21, and by others as late as April 25, and others followed dates between. The rule was finally adopted, in the 7th century, to celebrate Easter on the Sunday following the 14th day of the calendar moon which comes on, or after, the vernal equinox which was fixed for March 21. This is not always the astronomical moon, but near enough for practical purposes, and is determined without astronomical calculation by certain intricate rules adopted by ecclesiastical authority. These rules involve the Dominical Letters, or the first seven of the alphabet, representing the days of the week, A standing for the first day of the year and the one on which Sunday falls being called the Dominical for that year. There are also involved the Golden Numbers and the Epacts, the first being the numbers from 1 to 19, the cycle of the moon when its phases recur on the same days of the year, the first of the cycle being that in which the new moon falls on January 1. The Epacts indicate the moon's age at the beginning of each year. Easter was Thus fixed by these rules, but another difficulty arose when the Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1582, the difference between it and the Julian being then 10 days. This of course affected the determination of Easter, and its celebration by the Greek church, which has never admitted the Gregorian calendar, occurs usually at a different time from that followed by the western churches. This difference may be as much as five weeks and it may occur as late as April 30, while in the West it cannot occur later than April 25 nor earlier than March 22. Occasionally the two come together but this is rare, since the difference between the two calendars is now 13 days. The Easter feast has been and still is regarded as the greatest in the Christian church, since it commemorates the most important event in the life of its Founder[2]

 

Easter

Easter. Act_12:4. In the earlier English versions, Easter has been frequently used as the translation of pascha, (Passover). In the Authorized Version, Passover was substituted in all passages but this; and in the new Revision, Passover is used here. See Passover.[3]

 

intending after Easter--rather, "after the Passover"; that is, after the whole festival was over. (The word in our King James Version is an ecclesiastical term of later date, and ought not to have been employed here). [4]

 

After the passover (meta to pascha). The passover feast of eight days. “The stricter Jews regarded it as a profanation to put a person to death during a religious festival” (Hackett). So Agrippa is more scrupulous than the Sanhedrin was about Jesus.[5]

 

Intending after Easter - There never was a more absurd or unhappy translation than this. The original is simply after the Passover (μετὰ  τὸ πάσχα  meta to pascha. The word “Easter” now denotes the festival observed by many Christian churches in honor of the resurrection of the Saviour. But the original has no reference to that, nor is there the slightest evidence that any such festival was observed at the time when this book was written. The translation is not only unhappy, as it does not convey at all the meaning of the original, but because it may contribute to foster an opinion that such a festival was observed in the time of the apostles. The word “Easter” is of Saxon origin, and is supposed to be derived from “Eostre,” the goddess of Love, or the Venus of the North, in honor of whom a festival was celebrated by our pagan ancestors in the month of April (Webster). Since this festival coincided with the Passover of the Jews, and with the feast observed by Christians in honor of the resurrection of Christ, the name came to be used to denote the latter. In the old Anglo-Saxon service-books the term “Easter” is used frequently to translate the word “Passover.” In the translation by Wycliffe, the word “paske,” that is, “Passover,” is used. But Tyndale and Coverdale used the word “Easter,” and hence, it has very improperly crept into our King James Version.[6]

 

 

Intending after Easter to bring him forth - Μετα το πασχα, After the passover. Perhaps there never was a more unhappy, not to say absurd, translation than that in our text. But, before I come to explain the word, it is necessary to observe that our term called Easter is not exactly the same with the Jewish passover. This festival is always held on the fourteenth day of the first vernal full moon; but the Easter of the Christians, never till the next Sabbath after said full moon; and, to avoid all conformity with the Jews in this matter, if the fourteenth day of the first vernal full moon happen on a Sabbath, then the festival of Easter is deferred till the Sabbath following. The first vernal moon is that whose fourteenth day is either on the day of the vernal equinox, or the next fourteenth day after it. The vernal equinox, according to a decree of the council of Nice, is fixed to the 21st day of March; and therefore the first vernal moon is that whose fourteenth day falls upon the 21st of March, or the first fourteenth day after. Hence it appears that the next Sabbath after the fourteenth day of the vernal moon, which is called the Paschal term, is always Easter day. And, therefore, the earliest Paschal term being the 21st of March, the 22d of March is the earliest Easter possible; and the 18th of April being the latest Paschal term, the seventh day after, that is the 25th of April, is the latest Easter possible.

The term Easter, inserted here by our translators, they borrowed from the ancient Anglo-Saxon service-books, or from the version of the Gospels, which always translates the το πασχα of the Greek by this term; e.g. Mat_26:2 : Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover. Wite ye that aefter twam dagum beoth Eastro. Mat_16:19 : And they made ready the passover. And hig gegearwodon hym Easter thenunga (i.e. the paschal supper.) Prefixed to Mat_28:1, are these words: This part to be read on Easter even. And, before Mat_28:8, these words: Mar_14:12 : And the first day of unleavened bread when they killed the passover. And tham forman daegeazimorum, tha hi Eastron offrodon. Other examples occur in this version. Wiclif used the word paske, i.e. passover; but Tindal, Coverdale, Becke, and Cardmarden, following the old Saxon mode of translation, insert Easter: the Geneva Bible very properly renders it the passover. The Saxon Earten, Eartne, Eartno, Eartna, and Eartnon are different modes of spelling the name of the goddess Easter, whose festival was celebrated by our pagan forefathers on the month of April; hence that month, in the Saxon calendar, is called Easter month. Every view we can take of this subject shows the gross impropriety of retaining a name every way exceptionable, and palpably absurd.[7]

http://www.bright.net/~1wayonly/easter.html

http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/radio041.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Plain-Truth-about-Easter&id=114571

http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/tracts/tract1.html

http://www.ucg.org/litlibrary/easter.htm

http://www.truthontheweb.org/easter.htm

http://www.studiesintheword.org/easter.htm

http://www.religioustolerance.org/easter1.htm

http://www.albatrus.org/english/festivals/easter/is_easter_pagan.htm

http://home.teleport.com/~packham/easter.htm

http://godkind.org/easter.html

 

 

ToDay I want to invite yo to revisit a table that was prepared by another in order for my family to dine.

Yes, this was a Pesach Seder (Passover Meal) that was flowing withe the love of the Almighty from the invitation to the processional.

t is an honor to meet in someone's home as the result of an invitation to participate in their families Seder! I was blessed when it was not only I that was invited but our family of 4. We asked repeatedly if there was anything we could bring or do and our presence alone was all that was required.

 

In total we were 23, four of which were children, Elijah (not many Seders had him there!!!), Hannah, Rachel and Leah; All under 5. The Spirit was present even in these new companions. Their laughter as they played and as they participated was so innocent, so pure. Blessed be the Name of Yahweh!

 

We participated in the foot washing by our host; Men with men, women with women. We waited for the 3 stars to appear announcing the start of the Seder. For myself I have participated in Seders for 4 years, Last year we hosted and lead the Seder. This year was special. Held in the home of a Kararite Jewish Family, with the love of Messiah so evident that tears flowed, not because of the bitter herbs or the Moreh (Horseradish), but because of who Our Passover Lamb truly is! Yeshua, Announced 3 1/2 years before by John the Baptist as the Lamb of G-D that takes away the sin of the world. That included my sin as well.

 

Each year the Messiah is presented in a new light during the Seder. This year was not going to be the exception. As we partook of the 2nd cup, the cup of the plagues which will be replayed in the book of Revelation, the 10 drops were placed onto our Seder plates. As we finished, we were instructed to tilt our plates. You could see the blood running down the plate reminding us of the blood of Messiah that ran down Messiah in order to purchase our pardon from sin.

 

As a matter of reflection, while we were having our feet washed, one man began speaking about the costly perfume from the alabaster box that was poured upon Yeshua's feet to anoint Him for His burial. As the cost of this perfume was being discussed, they did not know the true price for this broken vessel! Oh if they could have had a glimpse into the near and distant future, the price of that ointment would not have been a simple year’s wages! Our Saviour was broken as well and His body was broken for us! And as His side was pierced, His costly ointment flowed with the blood mingled with water! Yes, Messiah Yeshua was anointed for His death by a broken vessel as a type of His vessel being broken for us! Hallelujah to the Lamb of Yahweh! He alone is worthy to receive glory and honour and power forever and ever!

 

As the Seder continued, Messiah was portrayed again and again. This year, unlike any other year, the final cup was exhilarating! Instead of sending a child to the door to see if Elijah was coming, the door was opened and we watched and waited for Messiah Yeshua to come. Do you remember His words in Luke's Gospel, "With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of Yahweh."

 

Oh that He would come and dine with us from the Pesach Seder! What a glorious day that will truly be!

 

Dear friend, are you ready for that day? I pray that you are.

 

Shalom Aleichem!

Pastor Larry.

 

To know more about the preparation needed for that great Pesach Seder with Messiah Yeshua, please contact me at 419-617-4484.

 

 

 

Our Burden for Cranks Creek

 

Thank you for your prayers and financial support for our Mission trip to Cranks Creek, KY. Words cannot describe the burden the Holy Spirit placed upon us before our trip. And now our burden is even greater! There is much work for the Kingdom of God and a field that is white unto harvest.

 

The Survival Center, where we bunked for the night (if we were not in a prayer shut in), hosted 30-45 volunteers rebuilding old houses, restoring homes lost in fires, putting bathrooms in old churches and many, many other projects. However, there is a spiritual void that has been filled with drugs and alcohol. If every citizen of Harlan County was given a new home without the Hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, how tragic would that be?

         

 

The church building that was to be re-opened needs many repairs. And kingdom resources would be better utilized with a new building. Angelo, one of the contractors, will be presenting this with a power point presentation to Mansfield area contractors. Pray for the favor of God to prepare the hearts of those that will be involved.

 

Over and over again the words from Mark 6:34 have echoed in our soul, “And going out Jesus saw a large crowd. And He was moved with compassion toward them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.” This verse called us to Cranks Creek; and it was quoted by one of the parishioners after we prayed for him.

 

 

Ana and I were heart-broken after hearing the hunger that people have for the Word of God. The desert place needs a shepherd to guide them to green pastures. But “…how can men preach unless they are sent?” Romans 10:15

 

                                                  

 

Will you send us?

 

Our hearts are already there and we are ready to go!

 

 

To find out how you can be apart of this move of God contact us at:

419.566.1756 (Cellular) or 419.956.0452 (Voice mail)

You can e-mail us @ larwlt@msn.com

 

Shalom Aleichem!

Pastor Larry, Ana, Rachel and Leah