We welcome your stories and articles that will help to inspire and/or refresh our fellow pastors and clergy!
Putting Sermons into Practice
By Dr. Michael Halleen
A silversmith named Demetrius) called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: “Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. . . .” (Acts 19:25)
This comment was made at a hastily called meeting of the silver workers guild in the ancient town of Ephesus. These craftsmen had no objection to the new religion being promoted in their region—as long as did not interfere with their right to make a living. But when that line was crossed, it became a line too far. After all, business is business.
It’s a line many still draw. Nearly three decades ago a senior vice president of a major corporation—and member of my church—invited me to lunch at the company’s headquarters. “I want you to help me understand how what you say on Sunday mornings relates to what I do here,” he said. “Sunday messages are inspiring, but on Monday, business is business.”
After lunch in the executive dining room, he escorted me to his office. As we approached the door, his administrative assistant stood at her desk holding a sheaf of papers and called his name. He walked by her without acknowledging her—not a word. “Look at that view!” he said as we went into his huge office, glass on two sides, and together we admired the city skyline.
He had given me the perfect opportunity. “You asked me to help you relate Sunday sermons to what you do here. So I suggest that you go back and apologize to the woman who was calling your name as we came in.” My friend protested for a minute—secretary . . . wrong time . . . not important. “But,” I said, “she is a human being and deserves at least to be acknowledged politely when she addresses you. That’s how what I talk about on Sunday connects to what you do on Monday.” He left, and I assumed the mumbling I heard outside the door was his apology.
Then we talked for an hour about how business is more than just business. Most of the talking points were his. On Sundays he had absorbed more than either of us had suspected. Business is cooperation . . . service . . . vision . . . trust. Business—like life itself—is about connecting with human beings.
As I left the office, the administrative assistant smiled and mouthed the words “Thank you.” In executive offices, as in old Ephesus, business is so much more than just business.
Dr. Michael A. Halleen writes very insightful and inspirational messages known as "Monday Moments". If you would like to recieve these messages please contact Mike at mhalleen@att.net.
@ May 21, 2010
Creeds Divide, Christ Unites!
By Dr. Micheal Halleen
“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. (1 Corinthians 10:23)
My grandfather told of a denominational meeting a century ago in which accusations were made that a number of clergy were “indulgers of the weed,” apparently a politically correct way of accusing someone of smoking. The discussion was led by a bitter opponent of the use of tobacco who shared freely in the fiery anathemas hurled against the culprits. At the close of the meeting he called on the oldest minister in the room, widely respected for his gracious disposition, to lead the group in prayer. My grandfather’s account says:
Being small of stature, the brother called upon usually wore a high silk hat. This he carried with him to the platform. As he knelt to pray he first spread a red handkerchief on the platform, placed the hat thereon and folded his hands on the hat and in beautiful Swedish and with an intimacy that indicated a lifelong friendship, he began, “My Father, I thank You for graciously conceding to me that which my brethren so violently condemn.”
With that prayer, it was over—game, set and match. A personal habit had been discussed as though it were a matter of morality, without resolution. Acrid feelings had been acridly expressed, without reservation. It was time to move on to things that mattered to God.
I make no attempt to defend unhealthy habits, only suggest that we consider them as matters of health, not spirituality. I enjoy hearing politics debated by caring, sensible people (not by the ideologues who scream at us over the airwaves or on the internet), but they are political issues, not spiritual ones. God has no opinion on such things, asking only that in all things we love him with all our hearts and one another—including neighbor and enemy—as ourselves. Then we are doing what is beneficial. Then we are being constructive.
We Christians need to keep our eye on the ball. Christ is to be our focus. The late David Hubbard, president of Fuller Seminary, used to say, “Creeds and issues divide, but Christ unites.” Look for what God is doing in this world and identify with that. Get on board that train and we’ll arrive safely at where he wants us to be.
Everything else—the lesser matters, the small decisions, our personal habits and opinions—the Lord graciously concedes to us.
Dr. Michael A. Halleen writes very insightful and inspirational messages known as "Monday Moments". If you would like to recieve these messages please contact Mike at mhalleen@att.net.
@April 8, 2010
A Biblical View of the Law of Confession
By Minister Sylvia Huffnagle
Study on the law of confession
I can’t find the law of confession in the Bible, but I did find that there are many laws governing situations that were not revealed in the Old Testament as laws.
Rom: 3:27: Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Rom:7:22: For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom:7:23: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom: 7:25: I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Rom:8:2: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom:8:7: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom: 9:31: But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
1Cor:9:9: For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
Gal:6:2: Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Eph:2:15: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Heb:7:16: Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Jas: 2:12: So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
In trying to find out if it is true that we can produce what we desire in our life by confessing what we want, I refer to the following teachings:
What about the ten commandments--if our mouth is that important to our well-being, why didn’t God give a commandment such as: Thou shalt not speak things that you don’t want to happen, or Thou shalt speak only what you want to happen.
What about Matt: 6:6-8? Jesus tells us that when we pray we should go into our private prayer closet and ask God for it without a bunch of chants and things. He assures us that God knows what we need before we ask him. The point is that Jesus does not teach here that we should declare that we have or will have what we need or want--he teaches that we should ask God for it.
Jesus also teaches that when we pray we should believe we receive and then we shall have. So we do have a part in it coming to pass--we are to believe and therefore our words will reveal what we are believing--out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Mk: 23:11-12, Matt: 12:24
Jesus said in John 11:22, “But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” If we believe that, we will confess that it is ours ahead of time--for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Actually that’s the law about confession--that the mouth will speak what the heart is full of. But is it a law that what we speak will come to pass?
Jesus teaches that we should seek the kingdom of God and all these things will be added. He does not say, speak what you need and it shall be added. On the other hand, when we learn about God and his kingdom, we will learn that God does speak what he wants to come to pass and it comes to pass and he did give mankind the power to speak and he does teach all through the word that we have to watch out mouths, thus indicating what Prov: 18:20 says: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
I also wonder how come Jesus warns us in all the gospels to take heed what we hear, but not one time did he say, “Take heed what you say.” But he does teach that what we say in our heart effects what we believe and do. Matt: 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; Lk: 7:7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
Lk: 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
In Rom: 8:26 Paul says, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. How are we to speak things that control our surroundings if we don’t even know how to pray? And why are we groaning if we have the power to change the situation?
Jas: 4:3 says: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. This indicates to me that the way to receive good things is to ask the Father for them.
Jesus taught that we should ask and keep on asking till we receive--either in our heart or the manifestation of the asked for object. Lk: 11:9-10: And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Again we are taught to ask, but we are also taught to believe, thank God ahead of time, and confess what we believe.
Matt: 9:29: Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
Matt: 14:31: And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Matt: 15:28: Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Rom: 10:9-10: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
What about Matt: 12:35-37: A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
But if it is so important that we speak out what we want, why isn’t it in God’s clear requirements--Mic: 6:8: He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
And Isa: 66:1-2: Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
For all those things hath mine hand made, and those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. If one has a poor or broken and contrite spirit, he does not command things to come to pass On the other hand--he may command things because he trembles at God’s word or in other words he believes God’s word to the max.
In the beginning, God gave Adam, a spirit-filled man, dominion over all the earth. He communicated his rule with his mouth. Spirit-filled man or the Sons of God will rule in the new age.
It does say in Rev: 1:5-6 that we are kings and priests--And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
But in Phil: 4:6-7 Paul tells us to pray and cast our care on the Lord. He doesn’t tell us to declare the Word and everything will be taken care of--Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Biblical examples of faith declarations that brought results were all a matter of believing what God said and agreeing with it and therefore saying it. Not in any one of those examples did the words originate with the man. Joshua and Caleb, David, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.
But there are examples of Jesus speaking the outcome and controlling situations and we are his body meant to carry on his work. Jn: 9:3: Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
Jn: 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
In these verses, why didn’t Jesus just declare that Simon would not come under attack or that he would triumph mightily? I think it was because Simon had a lesson to learn. When a bold declaration is made, one should be very sure that the Holy Spirit is leading them to declare it. It must be for His purposes. Lk: 22:31-32: And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
What about the blessings in Deut: 28? Speaking what we want is not there--yet we are promised the blessings if we do those things--which we will do if we abide in Jesus. (Our job is to abide in Jesus. I hasten to say that, so no one thinks I’m saying we must obey a legal written code.) So blessings come from behavior as well as what we say. The golden rule shows this: Matt: 7:11-12: 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 things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. There’s a connection between God giving us good things and how we treat others. Ps: 34:13 seems to sum up what God wants out of our tongues. Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile--deceit).
Jesus also said, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matt: 17:20
“Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.” Matt: 21:21 So, faith does cause us to speak the right thing.
But what about Eph: 3:19-20? And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 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, --nothing said about words.
My conclusion thus far is that what we say matters and what we do matters and God is to be sought out and depended upon for all good things.
About the Author - Sylvia Huffnagle is an ordained minister.
@ February 26, 2010; Source: ANarriw is the Path
Kundalini Warning - Urgent
By Andrew Strom
I just saw the video of Rick Joyner announcing that Todd Bentley is back ministering every night at Morningstar in North Carolina and now they have so-called "revival" manifestations eerily similar to Lakeland. They also announced that they are streaming these big meetings every night on their new TV channel - and they are greatly promoting the whole thing.
Now I am a tongues-speaking Pentecostal myself - but can I ask a simple question here please? What kind of "spirit" was it operating in the Lakeland revival - when the leader and main focal- point of the meetings (Todd Bentley) was having an adulterous affair behind the scenes? Was it truly the "Holy" Spirit that was anointing something so sensual and unholy? And now that Todd divorced his wife and married his mistress - are we supposed to welcome him back and this "anointing" with him? What is going on here? Rick Joyner has been warned very specifically by high- level ministries not to do what he is doing now - bringing Todd Bentley back into the limelight. And yet it seems he does not care. Apparently the "manifestations" are all that matter.
So what exactly are these 'manifestations' if they are seemingly at home in such an unholy environment? Are they from God at all? (I am talking here about the violent "jerking", uncontrollable laughter, bodily contortions, drunkenness, 'portals', strange "angel" encounters, etc.) Why do we not see such an 'anointing' in the Bible? Why aren't Jesus or the apostles promoting these manifestations if they really are true Revival? Why instead do we see these things all the way through the New Age and Hinduism, etc? Do we not realize that many false religions have their own version of "laying on of hands" that results in these very types of manifestations? This 'spirit' is not in the Bible - but it is all the way through Kundalini-type Hinduism! Don't you think this should alarm us?
WHAT is KUNDALINI?
If you search for Kundalini and Shakti on the Internet, you will find that multitudes of people in the New Age and Eastern religions still experience these powerful manifestations. Often this is with the help of a Guru, who touches them on the forehead so that they can experience a "Kundalini Awakening".
As researcher Robert Walker wrote in 1995:
"The meetings which mystic Hindu gurus hold are called 'Darshan'. At these meetings devotees go forward to receive spiritual experience from a touch by the open palm of the hand, often to the forehead, by the guru in what is known as the Shakti Pat or divine touch. The raising of the spiritual experience is called raising Kundalini. After a period when the devotee has reached a certain spiritual elevation they begin to shake, jerk, or hop or squirm uncontrollably, sometimes breaking into uncontrolled animal noises or laughter as they reach an ecstatic high. These manifestations are called 'Kriyas'. Devotees sometimes roar like lions and show all kinds of physical signs during this period. Often devotees move on to higher states of spiritual consciousness and become inert physically and appear to slip into an unconsciousness..."
And as the guru Shri Yogãnandji Mahãrãja wrote:
"When Your body begins trembling, hair stands on roots, you laugh or begin to weep without your wishing, your tongue begins to utter deformed sounds, you are filled with fear or see frightening visions. the Kundalini Shakti has become active."
In China there is a popular Kundalini-type movement called 'Qigong'. When a Chinese Qigong spiritual master spoke in the USA in 1991, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that many in the crowd began to experience "spontaneous movements". The master told his audience, "Those who are sensitive might start having some strong physical sensations - or start laughing or crying. Don't worry. This is quite normal."
When you see videos of these "kriyas" or other Kundalini-type manifestations, you would often swear that you are watching a modern "Impartation"-type church meeting. (And I say this as someone who believes strongly in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I just don't believe in "alien" anointings infiltrating the Body of Christ! There is a big difference between Kundalini and the real Holy Spirit).
Since 1993-4, I believe a foreign spirit has been allowed to invade the church - first through Rodney Howard-Browne's ministry - then Toronto, then the Prophetic movement (which I was part of at the time) and on into Lakeland and many other ministries and movements. I urge people now to "test the spirits" just as we are commanded to in Scripture. Do not let just anyone lay hands on you. This is a powerful spirit and it has the backing of a lot of big-name ministries. In fact, these men and women are the very ones responsible for allowing it to spread right through the body of Christ. And one day they will be answerable to God for doing so.
We are specifically warned in the Bible that the Last Days will be a time of "seducing spirits," false prophets, 'lying signs and wonders,' and that we always need to watch for "angels of light" masquerading as the real thing. Why does the modern church not take these warnings seriously? Aren't we living in the very days that the Bible warns about?
Right now I need to do something that I have never done in such a way before. I have never before published a list of ministries or movements to watch out for. But this time I have to. This sickness has gone on long enough. I urge you to cut yourself off from the following ministries and their tainted "anointings" my friends. Even though some of these people say "good things" at times, it is simply not worth having any involvement with them due to the tainted anointing that they endorse or minister in themselves. Here is the list-
(1) Todd Bentley.
(2) Rodney Howard Browne - the so-called "Holy Ghost Bartender."
(2) Rick Joyner or anyone connected with Morningstar Ministries.
(3) John Arnott & any connected with TACF (The "Toronto Blessing").
(4) Peter Wagner of the 'New Apostolic Reformation' who claims to be head of a worldwide network of 'apostles' - who publicly endorsed Lakeland and will soon preach at Toronto TACF alongside other "false anointing" advocates.
(5) Mike Bickle and IHOP Kansas City (-I lived nearby for over two years - and know how much they are into all this stuff. Mike Bickle promotes it in his book).
(6) Bob Jones - the Kansas City prophet whose ministry is utterly tainted by it all.
(7) Patricia King and anyone else from 'Extreme Prophetic.'
(8) John Crowder & anyone connected with "Sloshfest."
(9) Bill Johnson of Bethel church, Redding - who says some good things but publicly endorsed Lakeland and promotes the "false anointing" very strongly behind the scenes.
(10) Heidi & Rolland Baker of IRIS Ministries - who do good work amongst the poor in Mozambique - but who have also carried and promoted this tainted anointing for years.
(11) Randy Clark, Wes & Stacey Campbell, and other key figures from the " Toronto blessing."
(12) The Elijah List - and almost anyone featured on it.
Of course there are a huge number of lesser-known preachers and ministries who carry or endorse this Kundalini-type "anointing" around the world. But I have concentrated here on the most influential that I know of. It really is an enormous issue in the church. I urge anyone who is a supporter of any of the above ministries to really check them out thoroughly. If you find (as I have) that they carry or endorse this false Kundalini spirit in the church, then please stop supporting them in any way - and whatever you do, don't let them "lay hands" on you!
I am putting everything on the line to be "naming names" like this. But I believe it is that serious. How on earth did we get to the point where "kriyas" just like Hinduism are spreading through the church?
These people are trying to "relaunch" this whole thing right now. Help us get this warning out. To see a video showing "kriyas" and other Kundalini-type manifestations, please click on the Youtube links below-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyW1UFzS2LY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaNiuRWHZrY
Please send feedback on this article to - prophetic@revivalschool.com
God bless you all!
Andrew Strom.
@January 15, 2010
Thank you so much for visiting TidewaterCrossSection.com!
.