Author: jman9582015

Been a Christian for 35+ years, a Pastor for 15+ years with the emphasis on teaching the word of God from sometimes a different point of view than was taught. Have authored 4 books to this point. Am Married and have 6 children, 13 grandchildren

The Devil isn’t the only Liar (part 1)

Lies

By Pastor Jeff,

The devil is a liar, John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” There is little dispute of that fact and in this lesson I will discuss that. In future ones I will share thoughts on how we are told lies that we really can’t blame the devil on.

Right from beginning the devil, Satan, Beelzebub, among other names given to him in the bible shows how he can twist what God said to make it a lie, Genesis 3:1-5, “Now the serpent was more subtle 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 unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 
But 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: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”  Ever since mankind has been in the spiral of the consequences of falling for this lie. Satan hates mankind, always has, and does everything he can to blind our eyes to the truth, 2 Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 11:14, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Only through Jesus Christ and His Spirit living inside of us can we escape the trap of the devil, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” The funny thing with the devil is that no matter who you are, he will quickly turn on you and make accusations before God, Revelation 12:10, “…for the accuser of our brethren is cast down…”

1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” for he is a liar, and the father of it.!

Praise God through Jesus Christ the author of truth we have an advocate, 1John 2:1,“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

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Revival at Our Church?

revival3

By Pastor Jeff,

Probably every gathering we have those that are hungry for “Revival” we at Janesville Apostolic Ministries make that claim also! So the question is why would you think that Jesus would start with your church to start a revival?

JAM as we affectionately call it, is a small congregation in numbers, so you would think that God would start with a well established, larger congregation, that can attract more and better speakers, right? I personally believe and I think you have many examples in the Bible as well as in history that God would rather begin with small beginnings than well established sometimes talented churches.

We can look at Moses who God saved for His purpose by the very family who decreed that he should of been killed, David was a young boy anointed to be the next king, Samuel 16:12-13, “And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” Many of the major and minor prophets would not of been the most qualified, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.

How about Jesus, where was He born, in a palace, a million dollar home, in the big city? No Jesus Christ was born in a simple manger in a small town called Bethlehem, Luke 2:6-7, “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

So brother Jeff, what makes you think that Jesus would begin a revival in the midst of your small congregation under the leadership of those that have no degree, no training other that life and a call to love God’s people? My answer is a very loud, WHY NOT!

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Ready for Download!

cross-man-looking-up-at

By Pastor Jeff,

Isaiah 40:26, “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.” I often when I’m worshiping or praying find myself looking towards the heavens with gratefulness that the creator of all things loved me enough to come, become flesh, suffer, die, and rise again for me!

There are times however that God does what I like to call,”Downloads” I will receive information from the King of Kings, Lord of Lords. I find it interesting that when our Vice President Mike Pence declared that God talks to him many in the entertainment and probably even religious circles mocked him. Well I , “declare that God still does talk to His children, John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” If hearing the voice of God makes one crazy, well call me crazy!

I will be the first to admit that in my younger walk I had a very difficult time hearing the voice of Jesus Christ and only through many hours in His word, on my face, praying that eventually I began to hear His beautiful voice. Not like as in a face to face discussion or any audible voice (though I do believe that’s possible) but in my spirit, I without a doubt could hear His Spirit communicating with me. 1John 4:1-2, “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 confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:”

Interestingly the first time I can recall hearing the voice of Jesus, the word was “No!” I’ve been asking God to feel like He feels and He told me no. He did explain that I could not function with the love and compassion for mankind He has for mankind. Jesus then for just a moment let me feel as He feels, it is beyond any words that I could ever declare of His love for us.

Let’s get back to why I call it “downloading”.  For me it’s the easiest explanation, I’m in no way a computer geek, but I do understand the necessity to get updates periodically to keep my computer, IPhone operating at peak performance. As a Believer I need that for my spiritual well being also. Through growth and understanding of Jesus, His Kingdom, His Will for me, I not only hear him as I lie prostrate before Him, not only as I worship Him, not only as I read His word. But I can get downloads throughout my daily walk, as I’m mowing, as I’m sitting, and even as I’m at my computer typing my Blogs. I ask you today, are you Ready for Download? Jesus Is!

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Sacrificial Prayer

Desperate-Prayer

By Pastor Jeff,

Prayer has always been the cornerstone of the Christian faith as well as many other religions. As I studied many of the former Revivals it is sometimes overlooked as the main reason that the Holy Ghost could move with such signs, wonders, and power. The first century church when faced with persecution for preaching about Jesus, did this in Acts 4:31, “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.”

We need again to be shaken and a refilling of the Holy Ghost as the Church of old!

The thing you noticed about the prayer that was being brought about in any Revival what stands out to me is not so much the frequency but the intensity as those often found themselves prostrate before our almighty God in repentance and desire to become one with the Spirit.

The word that stands out to me is the word “travail”, the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah often made mention of the travail that comes from a woman in labor. As a man I can’t attest that I can sympathize with a woman in labor, but in prayer I’ve have experienced deep sometimes painful prayer which I have found parallel accounts with those in the midst of Revival. One thing I do know about a woman in labor is that when it starts it does not end until you have a birth. I pray this is the same with us, Paul spoke of this in Galatians 4:19, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you”

I, in future Blogs as the Lord permits will be sharing some of my experiences in travail for whatever the will of Jesus Christ is in my life. Many churches say they desire Revival but the sacrifice that comes with it is not what they are willing to sign up for. Prayer involves time and time is the one thing we have the hardest thing to give up. I believe Jesus is returning soon and I don’t want to see anyone miss it. So if it means a little lost sleep, missing my favorite TV show, even a meal or two, count on me to put my best foot forward.

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Are We Ready?

revival2

By Pastor Jeff,

I studied much on the outpouring during the early 19th century on New Years day 1901 a little group in Topeka Kansas we witness the pouring out the baptism on a young lady named Agnes Ozman under the tutelage of Charles Parham which soon started a fire throughout the world.

We first witness an outpouring in Wales Scotland in 1904, then soon in a place that has been called the Azusa Street Revival under a one eyed Black man named William Seymour who really didn’t have to much preaching for this revival was orchestrated by the Holy Ghost. 

Frank Bartleman who was a witness to many of the moves in the Spirit told of those services, “God has always sought a humble people. He can use no other… There is always much need of heart preperation, in humility and separation, before God can consistently come. The depth of any revival will be determined exactly by the spirit of repentance that is obtained. In fact, this is key to every true revival born of God.” He also said of the leaders who tried to control the meetings, “A revival almost always begins among the laity. The ecclesiastical leaders seldom welcome reformation. History repeats itself. The present leaders are too comfortably situated as a rule to desire innovation that might require sacrifice on their part. And God’s fire only falls on sacrifice. An empty altar receives no fire!“

 

 I wonder if that is the problem with our modern day services? Are we too set on our programs that the Holy Spirit has little control over what and how God can move upon us?

Jesus Christ wants to Revival and has shown great patience with the modern church, James 5:7, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”

Luke 14:23, “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

 

Jesus is coming soon…