It’s “Starting Over” Time—Embrace the Vision!

Bettie Marlowe

General Sunday School Coordinator

 

For many, the New Year is a time for starting over, "turning over a new leaf," or "returning" to former landmarks.

I can remember when, as a child, I would get a new pack of notebook paper, the first inclination was to draw or mark up the first sheet. It felt so good to guide my pencil across the paper—much like putting the first footprints in new-fallen snow.

The year 2017 will be a second chance for some. And who could fault a person who makes resolutions to be better this time around. But it takes more than a positive attitude—more than regrets over last year or self-recrimination for failing to do God’s will. Only a faith in God can restore, renew and strengthen a person’s resolve. Only God can give a turn-around.

Turning over a new page only entices one to scrawl all over it. And tromping around in the snow just invites more tromping.

Matthew Henry said, "It’s not enough for us to cease to do evil—we must learn to do well." We must embrace the Word—act upon it.

Shall we make a list of negative resolutions for the beginning of a new year? The "quits" and "do nots" will guide a person for a little while, but the resolve soon weakens and the things we didn’t want to do are reactivated. Our resolutions should be reminders. Memories fill the storehouse of one’s life experiences. We learn and we are reminded of things that have been the fabric of our lives and form the basis for later decisions. Throughout life, we accumulate reminders which keep us going in the right direction.

There is a song that goes: "Roll back the curtains of memory now and then; Show me where you brought me from and where I could have been. Remember I’m human and humans forget; So remind me, remind me, dear Lord."

The Israelites were human, also, and, like us, they would forget. But God had instructed them to set up reminders along the way.

In Joshua 24:26, Joshua "took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD." This was a witness to the covenant between God and Israel. God did not want Israel to forget the milestones in its history.

After crossing Jordan, they were told why to place markers: "That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever" (Joshua 4:6, 7).

On my trip to the Middle East, I noticed piles of stones still being used as markers. As we drove up the King’s Highway, I would see pillars standing silhouetted against the sky, probably marking someone’s journey. In that country of sameness, I would think it would be hard to find directions if there weren’t some kind of marker for guidance.

It’s hard, too, to find direction in our spiritual journey. The markers are reminders of where we came from, what we were and where we’re going—"Remind me, dear Lord ..." Embrace the vision!

The Christian who is living and walking in the Spirit will not only cease to do evil, he will manifest godly fruit. It goes beyond a New Year’s resolution. You can’t just pretend "fruit of the Spirit"—it comes from a life submitted to Jesus Christ.

What kind of reminders do you have in your life? What answers will you give your children? The Church is responsible for these things and we must be serious in all our doing. Considering all this, wouldn’t the best resolution be: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Gal. 5:14).

"Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee" (Luke 8:39). These were the words of Jesus to the man of Gadara who had lived among the tombs because of the devils which possessed his soul, mind and body. Jesus and His disciples had crossed over the Jordan to the land of the Gadarenes to one of the cities of the Decapolis—now Umm Qais.

The tormented man had no hope—he had no rest, no joy, no place and no peace. He didn’t know that the Son of God would be his visitor that day and then everything would change. He didn’t know that this day would be the beginning of a new life. He didn’t know that this group of men who landed on the shore of Gadara meant the difference in life and death.

After Jesus had stilled the storm while crossing the Sea of Galilee, the group faced this man who had been ostracized from society. But Jesus changed things for this outcast—He delivered him from the devils which then went into swine nearby. The pigs, according to Scripture, ran off the cliffs into the water and drowned.

Sunday is the first day—not only of 2017, but it is the first day of the rest of our lives. New Year’s resolutions won’t make that much difference in the coming months. Those who knew their God at the ending of 2016 will no doubt continue their journey with Christ.

But this day can be the beginning of a new life just as the man who lived among the tombs. His transformation, however, didn’t come about with resolutions, only by the power of Christ. Unpleasant circumstances had forced the man to live in fear and uncertainty. No longer could he enjoy the security and assurance of "home." No longer could he have the normalcy of life.

But Jesus changed the direction of this madman in the graveyard. He touched him and told him to "go home" and share what Jesus had done for him.

At "home," there is warmth; At "home," the table is set; At "home," there is a place for you.

 

How foolish it is to "live among the tombs." If you will only open the door to Christ, the will of God in your life will bring instant and joyous welcome. We must embrace His plans.

Testify to the great things God has done in your life and anticipate with joy things to come.

A parade which was to feature the president was announced several weeks prior to the event. When he heard the announcement, an older man decided he must be at the parade. He had never seen the president in his life and this would be his only opportunity. The parade was set to start at 11 a.m., so the anxious man went at 9 a.m. to get a good place to view the festivities and waited patiently.

Finally the parade began. Since it had been announced the president would be toward the end of the parade, his car was preceded with bands, floats, horses and so forth. The man became more excited the closer the anticipated car got to him. The parade had passed in front of him for almost an hour when the last band before the president’s car marched down the street.

They were good musicians and had great majorettes. They were so good and it was so exciting that the man’s attention was captured and he leaned forward to watch them out of sight as they turned the corner. And as he turned back, all he got to see was the rear of the president’s car as it went on down the street and it, too, turned the corner. He had missed him!

In our approach to the New Year, have we lost the vision of what is foretold by the prophets? Are we looking forward to the future of the Church? Are we embracing the vision? Or is our vision hindered by other things?

 

We can be like the man who looked forward to the parade, but in the excitement and enjoyment of the extras surrounding the event, he missed the main person he wanted to see.

The writer of Hebrews describes Christ as the brightness of His glory—the express image of the Father—sitting on the right hand of the "Majesty on high" (Heb. 1:3).

Through the ages, God has spoken to man through various ways in the different times. He has always provided a way to have access to the throne. Through His Word, we learn of him.

 

Christ took on man’s humanity and not the nature of the angels. To neglect "so great salvation" is the sin that condemns to death.

As we enter in 2017, we must be careful to remember what it’s all about—lest, in all the excitement, we will miss the purpose of our being. We must embrace all that God has for us as we walk in faith in these last days.

A New Year of Soul Winning

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). The book of Genesis is about beginnings—the beginning of the world, of creation, and the beginning of mankind. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Gen. 2:7). When dust for making man’s body, and the breath of God came together, the soul of man came into existence. How precious is the soul of mankind that was formed in the very image of God, the Creator of all things. To God, the value of each human soul He has created is very high. There isn’t one for which His only begotten Son did not suffer and die. What greater mission have we been given than sharing Christ for the saving of man’s eternal soul!

As New Year’s Day approaches, it is a time for new beginnings and a time to renew our soul winning efforts. Looking forward to a New Year is a great time to dedicate our fields to the Lord and yield them to His growth. "For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns" (Jer. 4:3). Seed will not grow in unplowed ground, for it prevents the seed from germinating. Through the prophet, the Lord was speaking unto His people to break up their unplowed ground and prepare for planting. The command was to not sow the seeds in unfit soil but prepare the ground by removing the thorns that would choke out the Word of God. If we are obedient to the command, we will see our fields become fruitful and experience a great harvest of souls!

Jesus said, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth" (Mark 1:38). Let us see the harvest as Jesus saw the harvest and go into the next towns to carry the message.

There is plowing to be done in the field. Let us "ring in" the New Year with a renewed determination, a fresh inspiration to be a soul winner for Jesus!

Every Local Church On Fire For God

Every Local Church On Fire For God

Is The Goal For Which We Are Striving And We Must Not Stop Short Of It

Every Member A Worker In Some Way

(taken from the WWM SEPTEMBER 9, 1933.)

 It is not enough for a few of the main stay of a local church to be full of zeal and the love of God. We want every member up to the notch in which he belongs for the best interest of the cause we represent, and for the good of the community in which it is situated. We always want to spread out beyond the borders, but one of the best ways to do this is to keep the home fires burning with fervent heat, How the Lord blesses those who serve Him with a full heart and an un elfish spirit. God is indeed a wonderful God and we mu t be a wonderful people because we are serving such a wonderful God.

The church at Jerusalem fired up the whole city. They could not be satisfied without coming in touch with every individual person in the city. They instituted a house to house canvass. They must have been organized for the job in order that none should be missed or passed by without living them the message. The worker were so zealous about it that they never quit until the great work was accomplished. And it was acknowledged by those outside the church that the canvass had been finish d and they had got the message. The workers worked and it seems that every member was a worker. At least this is the inference given by the meager history that has been left us, Read a few verses which show how they did it:

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Act 5:42)  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Act 5:27-29)

These verses give a brief account of work done in that city. And they did it in the face of commands not to do it by those who were supposed to be obeyed. But God was to be obeyed in preference to men. This leaves us a straight command, does it not, to canvas from house to house and carry the beautiful message to every person, even if it does require special efforts and a house to house canvass. I tell you, we have not half caught the spirit of work like we will get it a little later.

I said above that Peter’s statement gives us a straight command to do this kind of work. Well, let us look at it a little. The high priest and his councilmen had commanded them to not carry the message any further. This is evidenced by the following verses in the fourth chapter:

“But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 4:17-18)

Besides these verses the high priest rehearses the matter and calls Peter’s attention to this command and asks the apostles if they had forgotten the command they had previously given them. That is, “Did we not straightly command you that ye should not teach in this name?” And Peter did not deny that they had heard the command, but he went further and indicated that they had another command from One that was superior in authority and power to the high priest and his councilmen. And God’s command was to go on and but the message in every house in the city. And councilmen acknowledges that it had been done. And what was Peter’s answer?

“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Act 5:29)

This is enough to show that God commanded them to fill Jerusalem with their doctrine by making a house to house canvass. Then since He commanded them to make this house to house canvass even against what the councilmen had ordered, does not the same command reach us? Since that was the local church at Jerusalem, does not that call for our local churches to do the same thing in their communities and town and cities? How are we going to find excuses enough to relieve ourselves of this came kind of responsibility'? And surely' that calls for every local church to be on fire for God. They did it against orders they had received from the councilmen. And the councilmen themselves acknowledged that they did it, and, had actually filled Jerusalem with their doctrine. They regarded God's command of far more importance than that of men set up to be councilmen.

To show that the same command comes to us we only need to refer to the statement made by Jesus in His last commission where He told the disciples to go and teach others to observe the very same things He had commanded the disciples to do.

This verse reads:

“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matt. 28:20)

But someone may object to this analogy because it was Jesus that gave the commission and Peter shows that it was God that commanded them to fill Jerusalem with the doctrine. Yes, but listen again: the word. which Jesus spoke were His Father's words. This then would say that whatever He commanded were God's commands. Isn't this the way to look at it in the light of what Jesus Himself said as shown in the following?

"He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear i, not min e, but the Father's which sent me." (John 15 :24)

After looking into these Scriptures thus and comparing them and weaving them together, does it not look like, it will require every local church to be on fire for God in a similar manner to the church at Jerusalem to be able to do as that local church did? They went into EVERY HOUSE and kept it up till they had FILLED JERUSALEM WITH THEIR DOCTRINE. And they kept up their work DAILY. It was not just a Sunday job, but an everyday job. I tell you, beloved. we must fire up our experience a little hotter and put on more zeal than ever so every place we go we will fire the country. We want to make our work of that fiery, character that the people will readily recognize us when we enter a new field.

It is evident that Paul followed in the wake of the church at Jerusalem. When he dropped in over at Thessalonica nearly the fir.t thing that was said when his coming was known was,

 "These that ha\'e turned the world upside down are come hither also." (Acts 17 :6)

 And to prove further that Paul took up the house to house work practiced by the Jerusalem church he gives a brief account of his experiences and practices in his story about his work at Ephesus. This has been carried to us through the writing' of Luke. A few verses given here will help, I think, to show how every local church should be on fire for God. Read them and ponder:

"Ye know, from the first day that 1 came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, "Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

"And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house." (Acts 20:1 -20)

Paul commenced to show his fiery zeal the very first day he arrived in that new field. By his saying he served the Lord surely shows that he was serving Him in obedience to His commands. And by his going from house to house in his service indicates that he felt the weight and worth of this house to house canvass. By this method he won and built up a wonderful church at Ephesus. Paul goes further and tells of his perseverance and determination to win. Read again:

 

"Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears." (Acts 20:11) Paul stuck to his job for three years and never stopped for night or day. He was determined to spread out all over that country with Ephesus as a hub from which he could touch all the surrounding country. And Paul give' special instructions for us to follow him as an example. He was so powerful in his work there at Ephesus that it is said that all the people in Asia heard the word of the Lord. It was there that handkerchiefs and aprons were used as a mean to convey the power of God to the sick people who were in need of healing. This was a wonderful time with the church at Ephesus as a center from which to work out in every direction.

Read, some more just as given by Luke:

.. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greek.

“And God wrought special miracles by the hand of Paul:

“And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” (Acts 19:10-12

There was a local church on fire for God, and with every member in this place see what the pastor could do. With every member a worker, and every pastor on his job night and day with plenty of tears, the same or similar results had just as well follow today. I fell that it is exceedingly necessary for every local church to be on fire for God, and that this should be the goal toward which to strive, and that we must not stop short of it. Every pastor should aspire to having this kind of a church. Every overseer should not rest satisfied with any local church in his territory below this mark. This is my dep concern all the time. I feel awful bad when I hear of a church below the proper standard, both in work and spirituality. I feel that a forward move must be made at once to get all of the churches stirred up to do their very utmost in striving for this goal. Many of the churches are in good and glorious condition, and both members and pastors are working diligently, but I want all of the other that are not doing so well to come along also.

To be up to the standard, as is my wish, would mean for every member of every local church to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire, trust to God's way for healing without the use of medicine, pay tithes, make offerings, able to pray and testify with a manifestation of victory, and interested in all of the activities of the church. We want every member to make it a rule to attend Sunday school and be a worker in it in proportion to the ability of each one.

Every female member to be a member of the local W.M.B. and a worker in all of the authorized activities thereof; and every young person an active member of the V.L.B.

What can be more beautiful and heavenly than a local church with all of the members living good lives, filled with the Holy Ghost and active workers in the departments to which they belong? In this kind of church the fellowship is sweet, the work is enjoyable and the meetings are pleasant and powerful. This kind of a church is an honor to any community. The members will have the same care one for another. Divine love will flow from breast to breast and souls will be saved in almost every service. The meetings of the young people will be fruitful of much good. If any one does appear to walk in forbidden path the band leader and pastor will go right to work to rescue that one and never stop until he is perfectly restored. When all of the auxiliaries are in good and faithful operation there is not much danger of losing any by the cunning craftiness of the enemy of our souls. All will be kept by the power of God.

A former message laid special emphasis on the importance of every member being baptized with the Holy Ghost. I do not thing this can be stressed too much. I have been afraid that too many of our people are not as wide awake about this experience and its importance as they should be. I earnestly hope the pastors and workers will get under this responsibility and single out all who have not yet attained to this experience and press them into it. Preach it to them under anointing of the Holy Ghost until they will fall over and receive. Have special prayer meetings for the benefits of those who are not yet filled. Never stop till every member talked in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. Those who have the Holy Ghost should testify to having the Holy Ghost, sign the Holy Ghost, pray the Holy Ghost, and the pastors should preach the Holy Ghost until all who do not have the experience will feel like they are thousand miles behind and living far beneath their privilege. People usually get the Holy Ghost when this subject is the constant theme in every service.

The years are rushing by every rapidly and some of our people seem to be putting off the tarrying required to receive the Holy Ghost. I have heard some say in an uninterested tone of voice that the Lord would give them the Holy Ghost when He got ready. They seem to think they do not need to put forth any effort whatever. But if a person puts forth no effort whatever to get food he will starve to death. And I’m afraid that those who have not yet received the Holy Ghost many soon staved and lose all the experience they ever did have. I think such people should become frightened and excited for fear they will lose their sanctification and even salvation.

I think that every local church is properly on fire for God will make it mighty hot for those who do not have the Holy Ghost. That is what it means any way to be on fire for God – get others fired up until they will be as hot as anybody else. Every member a real spiritual flame of fire. Then when people come in they will become interested right away and want to same fiery experience. People want something that will make them so happy that they can dance and shout by the power of God. We must get so far along in all our services that the power of God will settle down on the people so thick that they can feel it. They want to feel it. We like to feel it, too. And more of this kind of better. Then more people will turn away from sin and give their hearts to God.

If is the manifestation of the spirit that brings the sinner down. They have heard the singing until they can sit and enjoy it. They have heard the preaching until it is rather stale to many, but the power, the demonstration, the manifestation have the effect that nothing else does.

I was once preaching in Denver Colorado in a hall that opened off from one of the public streets. When I first started I noticed the people could walk right past the open door and scarcely turn their heads to look in. The hall was not filled and really only a small congregation gathered at first. But after two or three days of preaching and praying the power began to fall and the people were operated by the power of God. The manifestation of the Spirit began to show and in rushed the people from the street to see what had happened. They like it and felt it then the revival was on. It was the manifestation of the Spirit through the saints that drew the crowds. Instead of people passing by untouched they turned right in and filled the hall and the sidewalk, and would scarcely leave when the time came to dismiss.

Every local church on fire for God is the goal for which we are striving and we must not stop short of it. And every member must be a worker in some way. This will attract the people and win the lost.

 

The Inspiration of the Holy Ghost Brings Results

The Christian should recognize that nothing can be accomplished without the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Ghost. Jesus told His disciples that they could do nothing without Him. He was the vine and they were the branch­es (John 15:5). Christ has not changed—He is still the vine and we are the branches, and without Him we can do nothing. Often, Christians will have a zeal to do good works, but they fail to seek or wait on spiritual inspira­tion. They go through the motions of soul winning but lack results of people accepting Christ as their personal Saviour. As Christians, we must not forget the words which Christ spoke to His disciples in John 15:1-5: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

It is Christ who enables the believer to bring forth fruit. Christians cannot produce fruit by their own power. The Scriptures show clearly that positive results were ob­tained when the disciples of Christ went forth as they were inspired and directed by the Holy Ghost. A lot of activity is not necessarily an indication of productivity. As Christians, we have to wait on the guidance and in­spiration of Christ in the person of the Holy Ghost. He has been sent to lead and guide us in all things. It is true that every believer must be a daily witness for Christ; however, the believer needs daily inspiration concerning where and when to share the Word. When we follow the inspiration of the Spirit of God, we will get results, but this does not mean that everyone with whom we share the Word is going to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. When we follow the leading of the Spirit, we have the assurance that we have done what God requires of us.

After Paul revealed his experience of the power of Christ to transform lives, including his own, King Agrip­pa felt the inspiration in Paul, but still rejected the truth. Agrippa’s famous words of rejection were stated in Acts 26:38, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Chris­tian.” Although the believer obeys the leading of the Holy Ghost, it does not mean that everyone is going to accept the message. The believer will, however, have the satisfaction of knowing that he obeyed what the Spirit inspired him to do.

Excepts from Lesson 4 of the book,

EVANGELISM—the Heartbeat of the Church,

by Robert F. Strong, Sr.

“. . . GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED . . .”

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

Mary Shelton accepted the call to the ministry in 1998, the same year she found the Church. Since then, being faithful and available to serve God and His Church in any avenue brought Sister Shelton to a place where doors began to open in more places, requiring a deeper commitment to God and the ministry. In 2014, after talk­ing with her husband, Joey, they knew it was time to sever ties with his job and answer the call to go. “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8). That fall the Sheltons, a family of four, embarked on a journey of ministry supported by faith.

Having a passion to evangelize communities, the Shelton family purchased a 30’x50’ revival tent. After this purchase, a 5’x8’ utility trailer and a van were donated to the tent ministry. As they stepped out and did what God had called them to do, God supplied every need through the generous giving of God’s people. This enabled the Sheltons to conduct 26 revivals during the 2015-2016 Assem­bly year in the states of TN, OK, KY, NC, AL, MS, WV, FL, SD, 11 of which were tent revivals—which would not have been possible without the diligent efforts of Joey, Erik, and Lora, who faithfully labor to erect the tent everywhere it is used. There were two state­wide revivals, one of which equaled 4 weeks in Alabama, visiting every church in the state. Sister Shelton was also evangelist for one camp, as well as ministering in 30 organizations other than The Church of God. The Sheltons conducted 83 nursing home services, as well as singing in several fast food venues this past year.

In September of this year, God brought to fruition the prayer, fasting, and diligent efforts of Brother Allen Anders and many oth­ers who had laid the groundwork for a tent revival by the New River in Fries, Virginia. This resulted in a church being organized under the tent for the first time.

Pray diligently for God to send forth labor­ers with a will­ing, obedient heart—that it could be you.

MARY SHELTON & FAMILY

This family of four are talented musicians and singers. They have a motor home and a gospel tent. This past Assembly year they ran 26 revivals.

2729 Rutledge Hill Road

Hills­boro, TN 37342

Email: sfwp35@yahoo.com

Phone: (931) 224-6659

Spiritual Backburning

On March 31, 2015, on the slopes above Ridgecrest Con­ference Center, near Asheville, NC, where The Church of God holds its General Assembly, a forest fire with 100 foot flames burned 740 acres, destroyed a home and damaged five others. Firefighters put protective fire lines around some struc­tures as a precaution. This firefighting technique is known as backburning. Backburning occurs when firefighters determine that the best way to inhibit the progression of a bushfire is by burning back towards the oncoming fire. This removes fuel from the path of the fire, which can stop its spread or reduce its impact on structures. Without backburning, the auditorium in which the General Assembly is held might not be standing today.

Spiritual backburning is a biblical theme from Genesis to Revelation. Genesis 2:8, 10 reads, “And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed... And a river went out of Eden to water the garden...” But the devil started a fire to destroy this beautiful garden. “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said... of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die” (Gen. 3:1-4). The devil’s tongue was the match which ignited this fire. “...Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire... and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell” (James 3:5, 6).

But God promised the woman’s seed would defeat Satan. “And the LORD God said unto the serpent... I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:14, 15).

The destructive wildfire of Satan spread through the Old Testament as seen in the history of the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, Israel in the wilderness, the apostasy in the days of the judges and the kings, etc. But in the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi prophesied, “Behold, I will send my mes­senger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple... But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver... (Mal. 3:1-3).

At the beginning of the New Testament, John the Baptist and Jesus Christ fulfilled this prophecy. John was the Lord’s “messenger” who prepared the way for Jesus Who would use backburning to fight Satan’s wildfire. John said, “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matt. 3:10-12).

Jesus said, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matt. 11:12). Satan’s fire was still burning violently in the days of John and, as a result, the kingdom of heaven was suffering. An example of this was John being beheaded as Satan tried to take the kingdom by force. But Jesus started a backfire. He said, “I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?” (Luke 12:49).

Both fires are still burning today. The wildfire of Satan is destroying many lives, but Jesus is fighting this forest fire by baptizing “with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” The prophets foretold of this Holy Ghost fire which would burn up everything which would otherwise fuel the destructive wildfire of Satan.

This spiritual backburning has a purifying effect in The Church of God. Zechariah prophesied, “...two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God” (Zech. 13:8, 9).

Isaiah predicted, “he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning” (Isa. 4:3, 4). As the song, “Going Back”, says, “It’s coming down to ‘in’ or out.” Those who are in Zion will be “left in” or left out, “in Jerusalem” or out of Jerusalem, “remaineth” or removed, “holy” or “filthy,” “written among” or written off, “living” or dead, washed clean or “washed away.”

 

Holy Ghost fire will purify The Church of God and thus make Her ready for the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).  “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:13, 14).

 When He returns, His backburning will overcome Satan’s wildfire. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).

 Paul tells us that He will come “In flaming fire taking ven­geance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gos­pel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:8). This “flaming fire” is described in explicit detail in the book of Revelation: “fire was cast into the sea” (8:8); “out of their [the horses’] mouths issued fire... the third part of men killed, by the fire” (9:17, 18); “And if any man will hurt them [the two witnesses], fire proceedeth out of their mouth” (11:5); “If any man wor­ship the beast... he shall be tormented with fire...” (14:9, 10); “power was given unto him to scorch men with fire” (16:8); “she [Babylon] shall be utterly burned with fire” (18:8); “every shipmaster... cried when they saw the smoke of her burning” (18:17, 18); “her smoke rose up for ever and ever” (19:3); the beast and the false prophet “were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone” (19:20); “fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone” (20:9, 10); “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (20:15).

 As the Church shall be purified by fire, so it shall be with all God’s creation. God said of His creation, “It is good.” So shall it be again. Paradise lost will be Paradise found. “Look­ing for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:12, 13). “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth... And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:1, 5). “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal... on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse...” (Rev. 22:1-3).

 When I pastored in Bismarck, North Dakota, my son Terry was 10 years old and my other son, Dale, was 12. My State Overseer, Tom Queener, went out of town one weekend and his son Shane who was 11 years old spent the weekend with us. On Sunday, the boys asked to go to the park near the par­sonage. A short time later they ran into the house and said that there was a fire at the park. So we called the Fire Depart­ment. That night we had a glorious service and Shane got under conviction and went to the altar. Terry thought, “Oh, no! He is going to confess to what happened at the park.” While Shane was still in the altar, Terry told his momma that Shane and Dale had rolled up grass in paper pretending it was ciga­rettes which they lit and accidentally set the park on fire. Terry begged his mom to not tell me. My wife, thinking it was just a small fire, said, “OK.” The next morning the Fire Marshall wanted to speak with the boys. I told him that they were at school. After he left, I saw headlines in the newspaper, “Five Acres Burned in City Park. Three Juveniles Suspected.” My wife then told me what had happened. Bishop Queener and I purchased trees and the boys planted them. A few weeks later, grass all over town was brown from the sun, except for the park, which had the greenest grass in town. The park was fully restored and more beautiful than it had ever been. So it shall be with God’s creation.

 We have a foretaste of creation’s restoration, “as a fire­brand plucked out of the burning” (Amos 4:11). “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). Now we must obey the words of Jude, “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire” (v. 23). We are firefight­ers, first responders, pointing the only way of escape by God’s evacuation route through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. But many will say, “I will not leave my house” and will perish in the fire which was meant for their salvation.

 

E. ROGER AMMONS 

General Evangelism Coordinator Preacher/Singer/Musician Available for revivals (no church too small or too far away). Also available for District Evangelism Seminars and convention boosts.

924 Tri Circle NE Cleveland, TN 37312

Email: rammons@thechurchofgod.org

Phone: (423) 310-1042

 

FIRE POWER

by Evangelist Irving Romano

“Burn, Fire, Burn!”, Holy Ghost fire, inside of our heart, soul, mind, and spirit and set us aflame to be true war­riors in Christ and to stand up against the enemy, not within our­selves, but through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13). John the Baptist said, “he that cometh after me is mightier than I... he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matt. 3:11). Jesus Christ has baptized us with His Holy Ghost and fire!! The Church of God is to be strong and of good cour­age. “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty...” (Deut. 10:17). The apostle Paul wrote, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31). We are not to fear the enemy. “And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD” (1 Chron. 28:20). This refers to Solomon building the temple, but it also speaks to us in building the House of God (1 Tim. 3:15).

Let us pray, “Burn, Fire, Burn!” Witness to your unsaved loved ones and pray for them. Then just wait and see our mighty God move. What a mighty God we serve!

“. . . CAN THESE BONES LIVE? . . .“

by Evangelist Ben Harper

Ezekiel 37 tells how the Spirit of the LORD carried the prophet and placed him in the midst of a valley full of dry bones. God asked Ezekiel, "Can these bones live?" In his response, "O Lord GOD, thou knowest," God gave several commandments that would bring life back to those bones. Through his obedience to the word of God, the bones received a flesh-and-blood body and stood to their feet, an exceed­ing great army! If we are going to see this kind of revival, we must first walk in complete obedience to the Spirit and Word of God, which enables us to see the need for it! Had Ezekiel not been in the Spirit, he would not have seen the potential for these bones to be restored. But, being in the Spirit, he was able to identify the need and believe God at His word! Eze­kiel 37:7 states, "and AS I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone." It was neither before nor after his obedience that God began to work, but "AS". Can you imagine what God will do if we will start responding to what He is calling us to do? May we walk in complete obedience to the Spirit, for it is the only way to make a difference in the lives of others. There is an army ready to awake, but the process begins with us!

The Powerful Squall

"Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him" (Luke 8:22-25).

A storm, or squall, is a phenomenon characterized by the coexistence of approximately two or more air masses with different temperatures. This contrast, associated with the physical effects involved, leads to an instability characterized by rain, wind, lightning, thunder, and occasional hail, among other meteorological phenomena.

Scientifically defined as a storm, such clouds are capable of producing an audible thunder, and at times these storms generate a violent atmospheric phenomena that, on the surface of the earth, are associated with rain, ice, hail, electricity, snow or high winds strong enough to carry suspended particles such as in a sandstorm, or even small objects or living things.

"And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly,

and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:36-41).

The Church of God is the Ship of Zion. She is navigating, but also next to the Church there are other small boats which are our brothers from the kingdom of God. Notice that the ship identifies a Captain, which is our Lord Jesus Christ. He entered in the ship and then the Church followed. During that navigation everything seemed so peaceful and calm that He was sleeping, knowing that the Holy Ghost is the one Who looks out for her and guides her. The Church of God is laboring and reaping for Christ, He is no longer in this world, but His Holy Ghost continues to be with us.

A sudden wind came. This wind was not like the wind at Pentecost. It wasn’t the same wind that filled the Church with the Holy Ghost. This wind brought a tempest. Satan dwells in high places and stirs the waters to attack the Church with all his fury. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:12).

The ship did not only suffer the strong winds, but the waves began to hit, and the water began to enter in the ship of Zion. These waters that entered in the Church are the tares that Satan puts in the Church to destroy it. "But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way" (Matt. 13:25). "The enemy that sowed them is the devil..."

(Matt. 13:39). There was so much water going inside the ship that the members of the Church became intimidated and lost the vision of the one who keeps the Church. Satan wants the Church to drown and disappear, and he doesn’t care who dies as long as he reaches his objective. Many members and brothers who are saved, get lost forever. They stop believing in God and in our Savior Jesus Christ. Satan is God’s enemy and he’s the Church’s

enemy. "And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?" (Acts 13:10). The fury that the Church was going through allowed some members to doubt. They asked themselves, "Do we not matter to God? Are we not His Church, that He allows her to be beaten?" But when the Church reached out to Jesus, He didn’t ignore them, He didn’t forget about them, He arose and rebuked the wind with severity, "Peace be still" and the wind ceased and the waters were calm.

"So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him" (Isa. 59:19). After our Lord Jesus Christ rebuked the wind He asked the Church why they had become fearful. Had they forgotten that He takes care of us? "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident" (Psa. 27:3).

We need to have faith in Him or else we can’t please Him. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb. 11:6). "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens" (Heb. 11:33, 34).

We do not know what happened to the small boats that traveled next to the boat Jesus was in. We don’t know if they drowned or survived. The squall is a sudden increase and strong winds that are associated with a great tempest, such as rains, thunderstorms, or even snow storms. Do not fear the squall that beats on us, let us put our faith in the Giver of life. Jesus Christ is our captain; He is watching over us. His Holy Ghost is still with us until He returns again.
Noe A. Solis
Oxnard, CA