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WITH GOD - ALL
THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
There
is hope and healing for hurting, sick and suffering people. There
is forgiveness and redemption for lost and dying souls. There is
deliverance for fearful, oppressed and discouraged individuals.
There is peace for tormented victims of sexual abuse, drug addiction and
alcoholism. There is freedom for those enslaved by pornography,
homosexuality and gambling!
And
yes, there is victory for depressed, sorrowing and defeated children of
God who have become overwhelmed by the burdens of life and the onslaughts
of the Evil One! There is a way back home to our Heavenly Father
for those who have fallen into sin, drifted from the straight and narrow,
and are hurting spiritually!
THE
CHURCH: A REFUGE FOR THE WOUNDED
The
Church is a place of healing for hurting people. It is a hospital
for the spiritually wounded who have been hurt by the lies of New Age
advocates, false Eastern Religions and politically correct clergy!
It is a House of Refuge and a haven of rest for the guilt ridden causalities
of divorce, broken homes and abortion!
To
get our spiritual bearings and to understand the important role the
Church has to play in society, all we need to do is look at the life of
Jesus, our perfect example!
The
Bible says: "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all
manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."
"And
His fame went throughout all Syria: And they brought unto Him all people
that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were
lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and He healed them. And
there followed Him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from
Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond
Jordan." (Matthew 4:23-25)
JESUS
of Nazareth went into ALL their cities and villages teaching in ALL their
synagogues and HEALING ALL their sicknesses and ALL their diseases.
They brought Jesus ALL who were sick and diseases with all manner of
diseases, torments, lunatics and those who were bed ridden; and He HEALED
them all. And ALL who touched Jesus, and ALL whom He touched were
healed!
STRETCH
FORTH THINE HAND TO HEAL
When
the Early Church were persecuted by the authorities and forbidden to
teach or preach in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, they answered:
"Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken to you more than
unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we
have seen and heard." (Acts 4:19,20)
When
they were released from prison, they reported to the company of believers
what had happened. "And when they heard that, they lifted up
their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, Thou art God, which
hast made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Who
by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage,
and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood
up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against
his Christ.
For
a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both
Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel,
were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel
determined before to be done.
And
now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that
with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth
thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of
thy holy child Jesus.
And
when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled
together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake
the word of God with boldness.
And
the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:
neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was
his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave
the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great
grace was upon them all."
MORE
MIRACLES: NOT LESS !
His
disciples had walked with Him for 3 years and seen His compassion, heard
His powerful teaching and preaching. They knew His heart and love
for His Father in Heaven and His unwavering faith and dedication to His
Mission. They sensed the urgency in His voice and prayer
life. They had seen His power over the elements, evil spirits and
even death.
They
realized the great value healing miracles have in attracting people to
the Gospel. Jesus taught in the synagogue without much attention,
until He performed miracles upon the demon possessed. They knew His
desire to minister to NEEDY people. They had witnessed the surge of
multitudes listening to His message and repenting of their sins after He
had performed miracles of healing on the sick and suffering!
When
Peter and John brought healing to the crippled man at the temple's
Beautiful Gate, five thousand men had responded to their appeal to
receive Christ. Do you think they would stop at the juncture?
Would the threat of persecution turn them back? Definitely
not! They were tough, hardened men of God with faith in the
promises of Jesus!
The
majority of this generation's preachers have scaled back on miracles and
the supernatural power of God to liberate the human race. They
has discontinued the prayer meeting for man-made programs. They
have discounted the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and replaced them with the
philosophies of men. Some have substituted flashing lights and
electronically generated smoke for the glory of God and the fire of the
Holy Ghost.
One
of the greatest threats to the church in this generation is the APATHY
and lack of concern regarding the purity of the Word of God that is
gradually being lost in many denominations. You may ask: "What
is driving this watering down of God's Word and the destroying of the
Church"?
SATAN
WANTS TO DESTROY THE CHURCH
Satan
is the destroyer and enemy of God and man and it utilizing every weapon
in his arsenal to achieve his goals, but cannot and will not be able to
do so because he is an eternally defeated enemy. The shed blood of
our Saviour Jesus Christ has decimated his power over those who are
secure in the Body of Christ.
Successive
NEW translations of the Bible deftly corrupt the Original Autographs in
seeking to erode the Diety of Jesus Christ, His Virgin Birth and His
Resurrection. The work of theologians who use what they call
'Higher Criticism' are largely to blame.
My
message to those imposters is found in Hebrews 4:12; "For the
Word of God is quick (alive) and powerful and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of
the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of
the heart."
Stop
trying to judge God's Word. We do not judge the Holy Bible.
God's Word judges us! Here is another warning from God's Word:
"Every word of God is pure. He is a shield unto them that put
their trust in Him. Add not thou unto His Words, lest He reprove
thee, and thou be found a LIAR." (Proverbs 30:5-6)
Through
Moses, God warned those who change His Word: "Ye shall not add to
the Word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from
it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God, which I
command you; What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: Thou
shalt not ADD thereto, nor DIMINISH from it." (Deuteronomy 4:2;
12:32)
St.
Peter said: "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of
man; but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost." (2 Peter 1:21) And St. Paul declared: "All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2
Timothy 3:16)
JESUS
WARNS: DON'T CHANGE MY WORD
Here
is a warning from Jesus Christ himself: "For I testify unto every
man that hears the Words of the Prophecy of this book. If any man
shall ADD unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are
written in this book:
And
if any man shall TAKE AWAY from the words of the book of the Prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy
city, and from the things that are written in this book."
(Revelation 22:18, 19)
St.
Paul said, "But though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed. As we said before, so now I say again; if any man preach
any other Gospel unto you than that you have receive, let me be
cursed." (Galatians 1:8,9)
This
VERY SERIOUS STATEMENT WAS MADE BY THE MAN WHO WAS CARRIED UP INTO HEAVEN
AND SHOWN THINGS WHICH HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO REVEAL
He
stated that if AN ANGEL or if he personally returned to that church
preaching something different from the pure Gospel which he had preached
to them, let him be accursed!
Another
enemy of God and the Church of Jesus Christ is the diabolical teaching of
Syncretism which is invading the Body of Christ! Syncretism is
defined as the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different
religions, cultures, or schools of thought, into the Church of the Living
God.
The
very worst syncretism is a new doctrine called 'CHRISLAM',
that has mixed Christianity and Islam in a number of Evangelical
churches in the USA. It is a diabolical doctrine spawned in Hell
itself. What part of Jesus' words do these churches not understand?
Jesus
stated: "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep.... and I lay
down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14, 15); I am the
DOOR: by me, if any man enter in, HE SHALL BE SAVED." (John
10:9-10)
Jesus
warned: "For a good tree brings not forth corrupt fruit; neither
doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known
by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs nor of a
bramble bush gather they grapes." (Luke 6:43,44);
"I
am the LIVING BREAD which came down from Heaven: if any man eat of this
bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my FLESH,
which I will give for the life of the world." (Luke 6:51);
"I am the WAY, and the TRUTH and the LIFE. No man comes unto
the FATHER but by ME." (John 14:6)
MARANATHA:
THE LORD RETURNS
Islam
teaches that Jesus Christ did not die, but that Allah changed his facial
appearance and made another man look like Jesus of Nazareth.
Further, they teach that Jesus was taken up to Heaven and chastised by
Allah for saying He is the Son of God and that He will return in the last
days and declare that He is only a prophet lesser than Mohammed.
They
teach that their Jesus will lead a jihad to kill those who believe in the
Christian's Jesus, and that all must convert to Islam or be killed.
Have you heard such distortions? That is disgusting, untruthful and
it is RANK BLASPHEMY!
St.
Paul stated: "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be
Anathema. Maranatha." (1 Corinthians 16:22). Maranatha
is Aramaic as an imperative: marana-tha meaning "our Lord come"
or as an indicative: 'maran-atha', meaning "our Lord is come".
The
words Anathama (suspended) and Maranatha (our Lord comes) used in concert
means that a curse as well as a blessing will be in operation at the time
of Christ's return. When He sets up His Kingdom on earth two things
will happen: Those who have given their hearts and lives to Christ
will be blessed with eternal life, but those who have rejected him will
be cursed with damnation!
Why
did St. Paul use - without translation - the Aramaic formula Maranatha in
a Greek letter to Corinth, where the Aramaic language was not in
use? Was it because Maranatha was a fixed formula and no doubt a
well known expression in the liturgy of the primitive Church in
Palestine?
Many
theologians believe that from Palestine it passed into Greek Christendom
without translation in fashion similar to 'Amen' and 'Hosanna'. The
formula Anathama Maranatha, is in fact, the exclamation of the
'Approaching Divine Judgment'!
St.
John declared: "Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the
doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of
Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto
you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house,
neither bid him God speed: for he that bids him God speed is partaker of
his evil deeds." (2 John:9-11)
Here
is the clincher: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try
the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone
out into the world. Hereby KNOW ye the Spirit of God:
Every
spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesses NOT that Jesus Christ is come in the
flesh is not of God. And there is the spirit of Antichrist, whereof
ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is in the
world."
WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN?
What
did the 'man of God' mean by these words: "Every spirit that
confesses that Jesus Christ came in the flesh is of God?"
There are more than 7 billion people alive today and every one of us have
come in the flesh, but when GOD the SON came down among us in the Person
of Jesus Christ, that was the MIRACLE of the INCARNATION.
Every
one who believes that Jesus Christ is God the Son and that He was
conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, shed His precious
blood for our sins on the cross, and rose from the dead three days later,
are God's children and members of the Body of Christ.
Those
who DO NOT confess that Jesus Christ is the incarnated Son of God are not
saved and will not be saved unless they repent of their sins and invite
our blessed Savious, the Lord of life, into their hearts.
The
Holy Bible declares to all believers in Jesus Christ: "Ye are of God
little children and have overcome them because greater is He that is in
you than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:1-4)
"Hereby
we KNOW that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of
His Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent
the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whoso shall confess that
JESUS is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.
"And
we have known and believed the LOVE that God hath to us. GOD IS
LOVE; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of
Judgment: because as he is, so are we in the world."
"There
is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out all fear: because fear has
torment. He that fears is not made perfect in him. We LOVE
Him because he first loved us. (1 John 4:13-19)
OUR
FATHER GIVES MUCH MORE
Let
me close this paper with these powerful words of invitation from Jesus
Christ: "Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find;
knock and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that ask receives;
and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened."
"Or
what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread will he give him a
stone (something useless)? Or if he asks a fish, will be give him a
serpent (something dangerous)? If ye then, being evil, know how to
give good gifts unto your children, how MUCH MORE shall your Father which
is in Heaven, give good gifts to them that ask Him?" (Matthew
7:7-11)
The
Bible states: "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
ABOVE ALL that we ask or think, according to the power that works in
us. Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all
ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20)
Here
is an awesome promise from God's Holy Word: "And this is the
confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His
will, He hears us. And if we know that He hear us, whatever we ask,
we KNOW that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." (1 John
5:14, 15)
Our
Heavenly Father stands ready to pour out His blessed Holy Spirit upon His
Church again and again, as we open our heart's door to Him. He will
give us from His storehouse: More Love, more Joy, more Peace, more
compassion, more Health, more finances, more miracles and more Souls
brought into His Kingdom! AMEN !
- Powerful AUDIO Bible
sermons/messages by: Pastor Max Solbrekken
- click on message to listen -
 Why
was
JESUS CHRIST BORN?
Jesus Christ was
born to to destroy the works of the devil
Sin,
however, was in the world because Satan (the devil). The devil, who
is the father of sin and death, had been cast out of Heaven and is called
the 'Prince of the power of the air', as well as the 'god of this world'.
(Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4)
The
devil had caused previous disruption and chaos. (Genesis 1:2;
Ezekiel 28:13-19; Isaiah 14:12-17).
Because
of Satan (the devils) rebellion and hatred for God, he had cunningly
planned his strategy by tempting Eve, with the Tree of Life, in the
Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:1-6; Job 1:8-22; Job 2:1-8)
GOD
CALLED ADAM WHERE ART THOU?
The
great transgression had been made by Adam & Eve. Now, for the
moment of truth. How would Adam & Eve feel? Would they
now be wise as God, as Satan (the devil) had promised them? Was the
rebellion and disobedience towards God worth it? No - a thousand
times NO.
Adam
& Eve's eyes were opened. But, what did they see? Adam
& Eve saw their own vulnerability, stupidity, weaknesses, sin and
nakedness. Fear stalked and filled their souls. They had
never felt fear before sin entered their lives. They realized they
were naked, vulnerable and inadequate. Now, they realized they must
face the music, and meet God alone.
But
where was Satan (the devil)? Where was the evil one who had been
their wise tempter such a short time ago?
Of
course, the devil was gone, to gloat over his victory. I'm sure
that the devil, the liar and deceiver was not far away, probably hiding
behind a tree, excitedly waiting to see the inevitable outcome of their
sin. The inevitable outcome, the separation, dis-fellowshipping of
God and His special creation, man.
THE
DEVIL REJOICED OVER ADAM & EVE'S FEAR & TERROR
Evil
satisfaction filled the devil's heart as he observed Adam & Eve's
plight, their complete confusion, perplexity, fear and terror.
Adam
& Eve heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the
cool of the day. God said, "Adam, where art thou? ADAM,
WHERE ART THOU?"
As
God called Adam that day, He is still calling you and me. "John,
where are you? Mary, where are you?"
Adam
answered, "We are hiding, we are naked, we are afraid"!
God questioned, "Who told you that you were naked? You were
clothed with My glory. Have you eaten of the fruit that I forbad
you"?
Adam
gave a typical answer from a typical sinner! Adam said, "The
woman you gave me, she gave me of the fruit. It is Eve's fault, she
gave me the forbidden fruit and it's really Your fault, Lord, because You
gave me the woman".
EVERYONE
LIKES TO PASS THE BLAME TO SOMEONE ELSE
It
seems normal for people to justify themselves. It's much easier to
pass the buck, or to blame someone else rather than take the blame,
saying, "I made a mistake, I am wrong, please forgive me."
It's
similar to the preacher who enjoyed portraying woman in a negative way.
One Sunday morning as he was preaching on 'The Fall of Man', he
vigorously attacked Eve. If Eve, the weaker vessel, hadn't fallen,
the world wouldn't be in the mess it's now in. The preacher nailed
Jezebel and Delilah. "Women are the ruination of many good
men", he shouted.
At
the close of the service, the minister stood at the door shaking hands.
Some complimented him on a wonderful sermon, while others were glad to
get out the door.
A
tall lady shook his hand and she wasn't smiling. She squeezed his
hand until he said, "Woman, you are hurting me". She
looked him square in the eye and asked, "Pastor, what is the
telephone number of the Garden of Eden"?
He
answered, "I don't know what you are talking about". She
squeezed his hand again until he said, "Ouch". She spoke
again, "Pastor, do you know the telephone number of the Garden of
Eden"? He answered, "Woman, I do not and by the way you
are hurting me." She said, "Well, I know the telephone
number of the Garden of Eden. It's Adam 8-1-2", and she let go
of his hand and left.
Adam
ate one too! Eve wasn't the only one to blame. Adam also
disobeyed God, but really the blame goes into further - straight to the
evil one, the devil (Satan).
THE
DEVIL IS TO BLAME
God
didn't argue with Adam. He turned to Eve and said, "Woman,
what is this that thou hast done?" Eve made more sense
than her husband. She put the blame where it belong. "The
serpent beguiled me and I did eat."
I
agree with Eve. Satan (the devil) is the culprit. The devil
is to blame for all the sin, fear, heartbreak, divorce, alcoholism, drug
addiction and juvenile delinquency. He is the architect of all that
is evil, wicked and destructive. Riots, anarchy, thievery, murder,
sickness, disease and war are the outcroppings and results of his plans,
goals, purposes and seduction.
SATAN
(the devil) IS TO BLAME. Shout it loud and clear - the devil is the
troublemaker.
JESUS
CALLED THE DEVIL A LAIR & MURDERER
Jesus
called him a liar, deceiver, murdered and thief. (John 8:44; John
10:10) Our Lord said, "The thief cometh not for to steal,
kill and destroy. I am come that they might have life and more
abundantly." (John 10:10)
YES
- THE DEVIL IS TO BLAME FOR ALL SIN
God
said, "THE SEED OF THE WOMAN SHALL BRUISE THE SERPENT'S HEAD."
Almighty
God called out "Because thou hast done this, cursed art thou
among all the beasts of the field. Upon thy belly shalt thou go all
the days of thy life..." (Genesis 3:14-15)
It
is noteworthy that some scientists believe that at one time serpents and
snakes walked upright and didn't crawl on their bellies as today.
"And
I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed (the
wicked) and her seed (the righteous). It (Jesus, the seed of the
woman) shall bruise thy head..."
JESUS
DEFEATED THE DEVIL WITH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS
On
Golgotha's Hill, Jesus defeated the devil. When Jesus paid the
supreme sacrifice for the sins of the world, and rose again from the
dead. He had delivered the death blow to Satan.
When
Jesus cried, "It is finished", He had defeated Satan (the
devil) and since that very hour the blood of Jesus Christ washes away all
the sins of the repentant sinner, and His stripes bring healing to the
believing, sick person..
The
Bible says, "He (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions, He
was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon
Him; and by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
WHY
DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?
The
Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have
everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to
condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
(John 3:16-17) Hallelujah.
The
Bible says: "Neither is there salvation through any other, for
there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby you may be
saved, but by the Name of Jesus"! (Acts 4:12) "There is
one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." (1
Timothy 2:5)
JESUS
CAME THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE
Jesus
said, "I am come that they might have life and have it more
abundantly." (John 10:10) And St. John stated:
"For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that He might
destroy the works of the devil". (1 John 3:8) The
Scripture says, "When the even was come, they brought unto him
many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with
His word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our
infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." (Matthew 8:16-17)
WHAT
DID ISAIAH PROPHESY?
Hear
it and hear it well: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He
was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was
upon Him (Jesus) and by His stripes we are healed."! (Isaiah 53:5)
The
Bible says, "Who His own self (Jesus) bare our sins in His own
body on the tree (cross) that we, being dead to sins should live unto
righteousness, by Whose stripes ye were (at the cross) healed"!
(1 Peter 2:24) "He that believeth on the Son hath
everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life;
but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)
THERE
IS ONLY ONE WAY - JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH & THE LIFE
Jesus
said, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no man cometh
unto the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) Again our blessed
Saviour said, "I am the door, by Me if any man enter in, he
shall be saved..." (John 10:9) Again He said, "Come
unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you
rest." (Matthew 11:28)
WHY
DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE?
The
Bible says, "Without the
shedding of blood there is no remission for sins."
(Hebrews 9:22) "It is the blood that maketh atonement for
the soul." (Leviticus 17:11) Again, "The
soul that sinneth it shall surely die." (Ezekiel
18:20)
In
Old Testament times, an animal - without spot or blemish - would be
sacrificed, spilling his blood. (Atonement means "covering")
AS THE LAMB DIED ON THE ALTER IN THE TEMPLE, JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD, DIED
ON THE CROSS TO PAY FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD.
The
Scripture says, "If we walk
in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship one with the other,
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (John
1:7)
Jesus
is the Lamb of God, Who was slain for our sins! "One of the
elders saith unto me, weep not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah,
the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the
seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the
throne...stood a lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven
eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
And
He came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the
throne. And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four
and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them
harps and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of
saints."
"And
they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to
open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God
by thy blood of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and
nation;....Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and
riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and
blessing."
"And
every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth,
and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying,
Blessing, and honour, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the
throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."
(Revelation 5:5-13)
JESUS
SPOILED SATAN'S KINGDOM
The
Bible says, "And you, being dead in your sins and the
uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having
forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances
that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the
way, nailing it to His cross, and having spoiled principalities and
powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians
2:12-15) Oh, Praise God.
We
serve a risen Saviour, he's in the world today. I know that
He is living, whatever men may say...
I see His hand of mercy....I hear His voice of cheer....And just
the time I need Him....He's always near.
He
lives....He lives...Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me and talks with me, along life's narrow way.
He
lives...He lives....Salvation to impart....
You ask me how I know He lives....He lives...within my heart.
What
power! What might! What strength, and what great ability
Jesus has. St. Paul brings it out so graphically in his epistles.
Drink in these truth and be set free and filled with all knowledge, joy
and Holy Ghost power.
"The
eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is
the hope of His calling, and what the riches of glory of His inheritance
in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to
us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which
He wrought in Christ, when he raised Him from the dead, and set Him at
His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality,
and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not
only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And hath put
all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to
the church." (Ephesians
1:18-22)
The
Bible says, "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in
us." (Ephesians 3:20)
St.
Paul writes, "Who (God) hath delivered us from the power of
darkness (Satan) and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son
(Jesus Christ) IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, even the
forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13)
In
referring to Jesus, John the Baptist made the startling statement, "Behold
the Lamb of God which taketh away from the sins of the world."
(John 1:29) To this agree the angel's words to Joseph, "Ye
shall call His name Jesus (Salvation) for He shall save (salvage) His
people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
"Let
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made
himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and
was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He
humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross.
Wherefore
God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name is above every
name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in
heaven and in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)
THIS
DAY IS THE SCRIPTURE FULFILLED
The
book of Isaiah is called the "Gospel of the Old Testament".
The 53rd chapter prophecies the death of Messiah Who would bring
forgiveness and healing to His people. Isaiah 7:14 speaks of His
virgin birth; Isaiah 9:6 speaks of His Kingship and the fact that He is
very God; Isaiah 28:11-12 foretells the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the
end-time phenomena of glossalalia, or "speaking with other
tongues" as a gift of God to bring stability, rest and peaceful
strength to the Church in times of pressure and tension. Isaiah
61:1-3 prophecies the Gospel Age of His salvation with forgiveness,
healing, deliverance and joy!
"And
he came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom
was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to
read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet
Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where
it was written,
"The
Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he hath anointed Me to preach the
gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, the recovering of sight to the blind, to set
at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the
Lord."
"And
He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister and sat down.
And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him.
And He began to say unto them, This day is the scripture fulfilled in
your ears." (Luke 4:16--21)
Jesus
entered the synagogue in Nazareth and read from Isaiah the Prophet.
He ended the reading by saying, "This day is this scripture
fulfilled in your ears". He declared Himself the Son of God and
Jewish Messiah by those words.
The
year of Jubilee could not begin until first the Great Day of Atonement
had taken place. He would die on the cross like the lambs died on
the alters of Jerusalem because He is the Lamb of God which taketh away
the sins of the world." (John 1:29)
He
would fulfill the Old Testament 'Great Day of Atonement' when the high
priest entered into the Holy of holies with the blood of the sacrificial
animal. Jesus was not only the sacrifice but also the high priest
Who carried His own blood into the Holy of holies in Heaven itself.
(Hebrews 9:11-14)
The
scapegoat (Leviticus 16:7-21) is also a type of Jesus carrying away our
sins. He is our substitute! Every 50th year Israel celebrated
the 'fear of Jubilee' when all the prisoners and slaves were freed and
debts were forgiven. This is a picture of the Gospel Age when
everyone is set free by the blood of Christ and His everlasting Gospel!
THEY WERE OFFENDED IN HIM.
My
dear friend, Let me admonish you to receive him into your heart and life
as your Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, Healer, Baptizer and King.
JESUS
CAME TO SEEK & SAVE THE LOST
Jesus
said, "I am come to seek and save that which was lost." (Luke
19:10) You are included in that number, for "All have sinned and
come short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23) You say, 'I
cannot live a Christian life in my own strength'!
You
are absolutely right. You can't do it in your own power, but He
will change you and give you the power to live for Him.
The
Bible say: "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:11-12)
Jesus
promised, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is
come upon you...." (Acts 1:8) Finally Jesus said, "I will
never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5) "...and
lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew
28:20)
I
believe SARS is one of the coming plagues, and that we have seen only the
‘tip of the iceberg’ of latent diseases and plagues which are waiting
to surface! For more than forty years, I have studied the Holy Scriptures
together with relevant medical and scientific data available to me, and I
am convinced that what we have seen in the past, will pale in comparison
to “what is yet to come”!
The
recent outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) did not
really surprise me. We’ve been through a lot. Legionnaires Disease
didn’t affect a large segment of the population, so we passed it off as
something involving a certain select group. When the Flesh Eating Disease
struck, it hit closer to home when Premier Lucien Bouchard of Quebec was
severely afflicted.
The
fear and frenzy of the AIDS epidemic shook us all as homosexuals,
bisexuals and intravenous drug users began dying like flies. And as the
HIV virus and AIDS spread through Asia and Africa ravaging millions, and
infected prostitutes gave it to soldiers and truck drivers who in turn
infected their wives, it looked as though there was no hope! And even
with medicines to slow the disease, it is still taking an awful toll of
young lives across the world!
LATENT
TUBERCULOSIS TIME BOMB - IS THIS ALSO A SIGN
OF ONE OF THE PLAGUES COMING
A
recent news report states: “Expert warns of tuberculosis ‘time
bomb’. Of the world’s six billion people, two billion have latent TB.
There are 8.4 million cases of active, usually infectious TB, every year
and the number is growing. More people will die of TB this year than in
any year in history. Each person with TB infects 20 others before he or
she is treated or dies.
The
World Health Organization declared TB a global health emergency in 1993,
the only time it has ever made such a declaration for any disease.” Dr.
Lee Reichman, executive director of the New Jersey Medical School
National Tuberculosis Center and co-author of ‘Time Bomb, The Global
Epidemic of Multi-Drug–Resistant Tuberculosis’, was in Edmonton
recently. Speaking to TB doctors, and doctors and medical students at the
University of Alberta, he stated that a Russian tuberculosis epidemic
fanned by a rapidly growing number of HIV infections has the potential to
spread multi-drug-resistant TB worldwide!
Andy
Ogle of the Edmonton Journal reported: “HIV patients can easily infect
others with TB, which is spread through the air like the common cold. For
that reason it has been referred to as ‘Ebola with wings.’
Both
the TB and HIV epidemics in Russia are being incubated in its overcrowded
prisons, which hold more than one million inmates, mostly men, where one
prisoner in ten has active infectious TB, says Reichman. “HIV
infections are growing faster in the former Soviet Union than any where
else in the world: ‘When the HIV epidemic hits the pool of latent TB
infections, there’s going to be an explosion of MDR-TB.
This
is the time bomb!’ TB is quickly being transferred to the general
population by prison staff and by released prisoners, says Reichman.
“Of 300,000 prisoners being released every year, 30,000 of them have
active TB and 10,000 have multiple-drug-resistant TB, he said. There’s
little or no medical follow up after they’re released. ‘It’s an
increasing risk for all of us. There are 500 million international
travelers going through 5,000 international airports every year,’ he
said.”
An
old enemy is again rearing its head. Syphilis is making a dramatic
come–back, especially among the often very promiscuous homosexual
community! Chlamydia is rampant among a large segment of sexually active
and irresponsible young people. With sadness, I often read of the many
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) that are infecting millions of youth
with both terminal and life-long debilities. Think of the pain, shame and
remorse many have to endure because of their sinful lifestyle, which has
left them with incurable herpes, and other STDs!
SARS:
HARBINGER OF WHAT IS TO COME!
We’ve
had our experience with the Ebola Virus, the Hanta Virus, the Mad Cow
Disease, and the Foot and Mouth Disease that saw millions of sheep and
other cattle slaughtered not long ago in Europe! And the West Nile Virus
is slowly but surely making headway across the USA and Canada! Spread by
mosquitoes to crows and other birds, and then to humans, it is an
alarming future prospect!
Much
of the world is holding its breath, as the new SARS (Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome) plague is making gigantic inroads across
Asia, Canada, and other countries! Presently, more than 5000 cases have
been reported in nearly 50 countries, with several hundred deaths. Many
fear that there is much more to come, even as scientists work feverishly
to find a cure and a vaccine to stop this killer!
Should
we be we concerned? Yes! We are living in dangerous, even perilous times
as the Bible predicted so many years ago! Will our governments protect
us? Will Canada’s vaunted Medicare System and Health Care Workers hold
up under the terrible strain, economically and physically? How many more
doctors and nurses will die or leave their posts, before we can get a
handle on this terrible disease? I’m sure that they will do all they
can!
If,
however, an epidemic of West Nile Virus, SARS or other new plagues does
ensue, there will not be much that anyone will be able to do, until new
vaccines and other medicines are discovered! Several other frightening
news items concern the reappearance of the Black Death Plague in parts of
Africa, as well as other ancient plagues. The distinct possibility that
‘Fanatical Islamic Terrorists’ may be able to obtain deadly
biological agents – including Small Pox – which could be released
from a light aircraft, or Anthrax inserted into the ventilation systems
of large complexes, is scary indeed!
Can
you imagine the terrible suffering and death – hundreds of thousands or
even millions – that might bring! And what of nerve gas, mustard gas,
dirty bombs or even nuclear bombs in their hands?
BEASTS
OF THE FIELD: PESTILENCES TRANSMITTED BY ANIMALS!
Upon
examination, it becomes evident that several of the above, were
transmitted by animals! The Black Death that decimated Europe in the
1340’s was carried by rodents and squirrels, but transmitted to humans
by fleas which lived on them. It was manifested in four forms: Pneumonic
Plague, Bubonic Plague, Septicemic Plague and the Enteric Plague! Some
believe that AIDS was transmitted to humans in Africa, from the green
monkey.
The
deadly Ebola Virus is reported by the Associated Press to have infected
the ape population in equatorial Africa, reducing it by 50% in 20 years.
The Hantavirus is spread by deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats and white
footed mice! Mad Cow Disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) and Foot
and Mouth Disease (FMD) are spread from animals to humans! The West Nile
Virus is spread by mosquitoes to crows, other birds and to humans, and
the deadly SARS is believed to have also come from animals!
Nearly
2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ revealed that in the final seven years of
human rule on this earth, the evil Antichrist will through deception,
lies and stealth, take control of this planet. God, however, will pour
out His wrath upon him and all those who follow him and who worship the
image which he will erect! (Revelation 13: 13-18)
One
fourth of the earth’s population will die by sword (war), hunger
(famine), death (fear, war, accidents, diseases) and beasts bringing
pestilences (animals)!
I
repeat, what we are seeing today is only a harbinger, a precursor, a
pre-picture of what lies ahead during the Great Tribulation period, when
God turns his wrath upon the Anti-Christ and his followers! By God’s
grace, I am calling upon each one to begin praying to our merciful
Heavenly Father, in the precious name of Jesus Christ, that He would
intervene and help us at this precarious and frightening time!
It
is God’s will for us to intercede for all the sick and suffering in
times of tragedy and crisis! The Bible says: “God is refuge and
strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Offer unto God
thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High: And call upon Me in
the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.”
(Psalms 46: 1; 50:14,15) ;
Here
God’s invitation to us all: “If My people, which are called by My
name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from
their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sins,
and HEAL their land.” (2 Chronicles 7: 14)
If
ever there was a time for people of all races, religions and faiths to
call upon God for assurance of sins forgiven through the sacrifice of
God’s beloved Son, Who was made flesh (incarnated) for us all, it is
now in this dark time of uncertainty, unrest and fearful forebodings!
Jesus
Christ said: “Come unto Me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) My dear friend, will you not come
to Him today, and allow the Saviour of the world to become your Lord and
Saviour as well? I trust and pray that you will! Amen.
OUR
WORLD IS IN CRISIS
HOW TO
PUT THE WORLD
BACK TOGETHER
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
And
mankind hasn't changed over the millennia's. There has been no
evolution of the human spirit,
mind or body. Except perhaps, a degradation or devolving of the human
spirit.. A deterioration of man's desires, goals and aspirations has
occurred and at the same time mankind has had an increase in lust, fear,
hatred and greed!
WITH
TWO WORLD WARS AND
HUNDREDS OF SMALLER CONFLICTS, PEOPLE ARE
LIVING IN FEAR OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT
It's
no wonder we've had two world
wars this century, with hundreds of smaller conflicts across the
planet.
Word
War III is still ominously lurking somewhere on the horizon.
The entire world is living in fear of what is next to come, as the
conflicts, fighting and religious wars continue.
Violence,
murder, drug abuse and other criminal activities have escalated at a
frightening rate, suicides have spiraled, herpes II is almost epidemic
and AIDS may soon bankrupt our health systems!
HOW
DO WE CHANGE THE WORLD?
How
do we usher in the era of brotherly love, kindness, peace and
understanding we all crave for? How can we fix the world that is so
badly damaged?
What
is the needed ingredient that is missing in today's peace conferences and
boards of inquiry into drug addiction, alcoholism, suicide, family
breakdown, child abuse and racism?
Certainly,
our educational system is unable to communicate love, and impart it to
the students. We read with alarm of the tragic rise of bullying and
violence by juvenile delinquents against younger kids in the schools.
This violence has escalated into horrific incidents of killing, murder,
suicide and terror for those involved in the school and college
shootings. example: ( Columbine
school massacre killings )
All
our anti-racial and anti-hate laws will never eradicate the awful stigma
of bias and prejudice from people. They may even be anti-productive
in eroding our basic freedoms. Taking from good people the right to free
speech and expression, while the bigots still hate and feel superior
certainly cannot build a better society! YOU
CANNOT LEGISLATE LOVE!
COMPASSION,
CARING & LOVE MUST BE BORN WITHIN BY A FORCE OF GOOD
You
cannot legislate caring, compassion or love, you cannot make a law saying
you must love others or face criminal charges. Caring, sharing
and compassion must be born within by a force of good, which has invaded
and possessed our beings. This force of good is what changes us from
the inside!
In
other words when we are spiritually born-again, the desire to hate leaves
and instead a strong urge to love and befriend people automatically moves
into action.
Our
nature is changed by the overwhelming influence of the Holy Spirit of God
in a life transforming action called the New Birth. And the subsequent
Baptism of the Holy Spirit!
It's
not difficult to love people when there is no hate in the heart. When
the animosity is gone! And the devil has left!
When
no fear remains, it's easy to feel safe. When all torments have gone,
it's not difficult to know peace and when the depression and sadness has
lifted, joy fills the vacuum.
THE
WICKED ARE DRIVEN BY EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES WHICH
ARE UNCLEAN DEMONS & SPIRITS
The
sadist wants to injure, the rapist subjugate, torture and sexually molest
and the killer desires to put out the light of life. They are being
driven by evil spirits, unclean demons of darkness!
SPIRITUAL
FORCES ARE AT WORK WORLD WIDE
CAUSING DEATH, ABUSE, PERVERSION
New
York Times reporter, McCandish Phillips stated recently, "Spiritual
forces are massively at work in North America causing a rise of drug
abuse, sexual perversion, the occult and the breakdown of the nation's
morals".
When
Jesus Christ - the Prince of Life and Light - comes in, all the evil
spirits depart; for light dispels darkness and good destroys evil.
When
Jesus Christ takes over your life, mind & heart it is then easy to
forgive, bless, help and share!
WHAT
DO WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WORLD?
What
we need to change and fix the world is one missing ingredient. This
ingredient is God's divine 'Agape' Love which so changes the
individual that he begins to think like God thinks, love like God loves
and act like God acts!
WHAT
IS AGAPE LOVE?
What
does "Agape" Love mean? Agape love is pure and simple:
unconditional love! Love so pure that actions are motivated by pure,
selfless compassion and caring!
A
preacher was preparing his Sunday sermon on a Saturday morning. His wife
had gone shopping, leaving little seven year old Johnny with his daddy.
The
little fellow was in and out of his Dad's office every 10 minutes or so.
Restless, energetic and bored! His Dad kept giving him magazines to leaf
through, books to read or blocks to play with. Johnny read them all in a
few minutes and clearly was looking for some new adventure.
He
was full of questions and wanted to look through his Dad's files.
The
pastor then got a brilliant idea. He tore off the back cover of one of
his magazines which had a very large photo of the globe on it. Then he
cut it into small pieces.
PUT
THE WORLD BACK TOGETHER!
"Here,
my son," he said. "Use this scotch tape and put the world back
together again."
Within
7 or 8 minutes the little fellow was back knocking on the pastor's door.
"I've
got the world back together, Dad. I've got the world back together,"
he shouted. Excitedly his father jumped from his desk. He ran out into
the den. It was true. His son had done the impossible. He had put the
world back together from little bits.
How
had he done it? How had his small son put the world back together.
His son must be a genius. It was a job that would have taken an adult at
least an hour or more.
Johnny
just smiled and said, "I've looked through that magazine many times
Dad, and I noticed that on the inside of the cover was a full length
picture of a man.
"When
I put the man together, the world automatically had come back
together."
HERE
IS THE KEY TO CHANGING THE WORLD AND PUTTING
THE WORLD BACK TOGETHER
Herein
lies the key to our world's major spiritual, moral, sociological,
psychological and economic problems!
That's
why St. Paul wrote: "If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new
creature, old things are passed away. All things become new". (2
Corinthians 5:17)
The
gospel of Christ changes the individual from the inside out. The
Bible addresses the real problems of life and declares that UNBELIEF,
REBELLION & DISOBEDIENCE - which is sin - are the root causes of all
our problems. And once this is settled we receive God's peace, a stable
mind, good morals and the strength to cope with the pressures of life!
"Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him
that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)
Jesus
said, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you
free". (John 8:32)
What
is the truth?
Jesus
said, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no man cometh
unto the father but by Me". (John 14:6)
He
also stated, "Thy word O God is truth". (John 17:17)
Jesus
is the living Word of God and the Bible is the written Word of God. And
if you will read, believe and obey God's Word, Jesus will come out of its
pages and come into you heart!
The
Bible says, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see (or enter)
into the kingdom of God". (John 3:3-7)
Receive
Jesus Christ into your heart today my friend and you will be born again
and the world will automatically become a better place.
GOD
BLESS YOU
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