From the Wilderness to Jordan

From the Wilderness to Jordan

by Gary D. Erickson

   Life is like an arduous journey through a wilderness. We are forced to cut our way through thick vegetation, cross rivers, climb mountains, and fight threatening predators. Life is filled with opportunities as well as pitfalls. Sometimes we detour around things and sometimes we persevere through them. Sometimes we triumph over our obstacles and sometimes we suffer defeat. Nevertheless, we forge on. We cannot opt out even if we want to. Time moves on and we move with it.
     God has provided all we need to make our journey a success. The Bible is our map and the Holy Spirit is our inspiration and empowerment. Sometimes there are well-worn paths that make our progress smooth, and at other times we have to cut our way through uncharted jungle and up the sides of steep cliffs. The perils are many and the obstacles are real, but life is an exhilarating challenge!

     God made us for the challenge. Some people climb Mt. Everest, others swim the English Channel, and others sail around the world in a yacht. We may not be so adventurous, but everyone needs a challenge. It is what makes life meaningful. The challenge gives us opportunity to engage our talents and abilities. It gives us the opportunity to triumph over opposition. God built us for the rigors of the challenge.
     Living the Christian life is one of the most challenging undertakings. It will not be easy, but the rewards are amazing. Jesus said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Because He overcame, we can overcome as well.

The Faithless Report
     In accordance with God's command, Moses chose an influential man from each of the twelve tribes to scout out the land. God hoped their discoveries of the beauty and plenty of the land would inspire faith in His promises. He said, "Be ye of good courage" (Numbers 13:30).

     The Hebrew words translated "courage" or "courageous" could have many connotations: steadfastly minded, fortified, established, or obstinate. But most important was to go in "the strength of Jah" or Yahweh (The Complete Word Study Old Testament). God desired Israel's confidence in His power to conquer, whether the opponent be Egypt, Canaan, or any other foe. However, only two of the spies approached the mission with courageous determination. Although the other ten approached the good land, their courage shriveled when they saw the massive walled cities inhabited by the children of Anak (giants), Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites and Canaanites.

     Preferring the known to the unknown, the people decided to return to Egypt. They did not consider that if they turned back, God in His displeasure might not continue to protect and lead them with the pillar of cloud and fire. If they went forward into Canaan they could die. If they went backward to Egypt without water, food, and protection, they surely would die. Their weeping, complaining and rebellion pushed God to the brink of destroying them.

God's Guidance
   Because of failure to accept and believe the promises of God, Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years, one year for each day the spies had explored the Land of Promise. In spite of Israel's faithlessness, God continued to guide and protect them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When the cloud moved, they pulled up stakes and followed it to the next encampment. Through these gifts of grace, God was attempting to teach the people that if they could trust Him to take care of them in the wilderness, they could trust He would fulfill His promise to give them a land flowing with milk and honey.

     One would think enough rebellions and swift punishments had occurred to preclude any further attempts to take over Moses and Aaron's authority. But a Levite named Korah (Numbers 16:1), who did not think his position was lofty enough, rose up against Moses' civil authority and Aaron's priestly authority. Dathan, Abiram, and On, descendants of Reuben, took part in his rebellion.
     After several confrontations, the entire congregation gathered to see whom the Lord would vindicate---Moses and Aaron, or Korah and his followers. Moses told the people to stand back, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the leaders of rebellion, and fire from the Lord devoured the 250 men who had offered incense. Thus, to oppose and despise Moses and Aaron was to oppose and despise God, who had placed the prophet and the priest in authority.

The Bible is our map and the Holy Spirit is our inspiration and empowerment.

We can learn valuable lessons from contrasting these two generations of Israelites. The first generation grew up with resentment for Egyptian authority and seemed to transfer the same resentment to Moses' authority.
as the second generation grew up, the teaching of Moses and Aaron had taken root in their hearts. They believed the messages they heard about the promise of God. Their strong desire to obtain the promises propelled them into the Promised Land where they conquered the giants and their walled cities and obtained an inheritance.

The promise God has for you is as true as the love He has for you. Don't get lost in the "wilderness" looking for it yourself. Instead be lead by Him to the very promise He has in store for you!

Published by: Sis. Joy Jones
Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church
Reference: Lessons From History for Christian Living (Spring 2013)

    
   
    

Joseph - A Child of Vision

Joseph viewed the circumstances of life in the proper perspective, realizing that what God had promised him in his visions would come to pass. 

Living Your Dreams

Dreams are mysterious mental commotions that flutter through our brains and sometimes disturb our sleep. Occasionally, their residue lingers into our waking hours. Dreams can be quite dramatic and bring deep emotional feelings. We are helpless as our dreams take us to strange and unseemly places. They are without normal boundaries and can either take us to hights of grandeur or to the depths of despair. 

Some believe dreams are expressions of the dreamer's deepest fears and desires. It is from this idea that some individuals use the dream metaphor to refer to personal vision of achievement. The ability to envision our future is an ability that separates humans from animals. Although life is unpredictable, we are able to plan and plot our future. God dreams and envisions the future as well. The prophets of the Bible manifest God's vision of the future. His dreams are not "pipe dreams," but they become reality.

God has given us the ability to plan and envision. So let's dream about lofty attainments and then endeavor to achieve them. The dream comes first and then reality. Just don't sleep too long.

By: Gary Erickson

Words such as dream and visions resonate with Spirit-filled believers. After all, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter took his text from Joel 2:28. "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams" (Acts 2:17).

Surely Joel's message does not mean visions and prophecy come only to the young and dreaming is relegated to the old. Instead, it means that the lives of those upon whom the spirit is poured are characterized by the miraculous. They prophecy, uttering words given to them by the Holy Spirit. They see divinely inspired visions. They dream dreams that come from God. (See Acts 16:19-10, 18:9 in which the word translated "vision" can refer to something seen in one's sleep.)

"And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying" (Genesis 37:5-11).

What God has promised will come to pass, no matter how impossible it may seem.

Joseph knew his God-given dreams would be fulfilled only if he remained FAITHFUL.

His father had mixed feelings about Joseph's dreams, but his half-brothers viewed him as a downright arrogant upstart. However, had Joseph's dreams been simply expressions of personal ambition, the end of the story would have revealed an overdeveloped ego. But to the contrary, the outcome revealed Josephs' humility.

Josephs dream did not include: the pit, going into prison or Potiphar's wife's lewd infatuation for her husband's handsome overseer.

How easy it would have been for Joesph to set aside his dreams for a moment of pleasure! But he knew his God-given dreams would be fulfilled only if he remained faithful.
Rather than succumb to bitterness and homelessness, Joseph showed himself such a model and trustworthy prisoner that the keeper released him from the chains and gave him the oversight of the prison. (See Genesis 39).

What an opportunity Joesph had to say, "I told you so!" How easy it would have been for him to treat his brothers the way they had treated him. But he had a dream, and in that dream was his destiny. Rather than squandering his dream by seeking vengeance, Joesph viewed even his brothers abuse as a vehicle for God to bring His purposes to pass. 

If a dream is from God, it will come to pass. Dreams never die unless we abandon them.

When we view life from God's perspective, even suffering takes on divine significance. Joesph had a glorious dream, but on the way to fulfillment, it took him through rejection, betrayal, false accusation, and imprisonment. If we were able to view Joseph's circumstances at any point along with painful path, we would be tempted to think Joesph's dream was merely a figment of his own imagination or perhaps a results of his own arrogant ambition.

But the validity of one's dreams cannot be determined by the attempts of other people to prevent them from being fulfilled. If a dream is from God, it will come to pass. Dreams never die unless we abandon them.

By: Jocelyn Jones

Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church

Reference: Celebration Series, Summer 2012

10 Reasons Why We Water Baptize In Jesus Name

Ten Reasons Why We Water Baptize In Jesus Name

1.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because he has instructed us to... (Matt 28:19)

2.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because there is no other name that can save us...(Acts 4:12)

3.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because he has the name above every name...(Phil 2:9)

4.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because for the remission of sins...(Acts 2:38)

5.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because there is miracle working power in his name...(Acts 3:6)

6.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because it is a commandment of God...(Acts 10:48)

7.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because we take on his name as a bride takes on her husbands name...(2 Corinthians 11:2)

8.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because it is proven to be biblically RIGHT...

(Acts 2, Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 19)

9.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because he has all power and authority in heaven and earth...(Matthew 28:18)

10.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because we Love Jesus...! 

(John 14:15)

Authored by: John W. Jenkins

Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church

There is Power in Unity

United We Stand.

 I am sure most of us are familiar with the phrase, United we stand and Divided we fall. This phrase has been used in mottos from nations, states, and songs. The concept is, that unless the people are united as one, then it will be easy to destroy them.

This is also in direct contrast to another phrase, Divide and Conquer, which is a combination of military, political, and economic strategy of gaining and maintaining power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into smaller concentrations of power making it less difficult to conquer.

The idea of being a united people and standing, or being divided and falling has it root in the Bible.

Mark 3:22-26
22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand
26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.

As you can see from Jesus' own words there is Power in unity!

Psalm 133:1-3 
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity.
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: That went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: For the LORD commanded the blessing, Even life for evermore.

David is telling us how precious it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. He compared unity to the holy anointing oil that was poured upon Aaron , the first priest, and which anointed the tabernacle.

We can also find that Unity was an absolute necessity of the Apostles and their work for the Lord.

Acts 1:12-14
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olive, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women , and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

There is POWER in Unity!

Matthew 18:18-20
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 
20 for where two or three are gathered together in my name. there I am in the midst of them. 

Acts 2:1-4 
1 When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them
4 And they were all filled the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Ghost comes in Unity!

Acts 2:46-47
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

There is Revival in Unity!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to help him up.
11 again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

There is Strength in Unity!

Romans 12:16-19
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

The Apostles lived in unity, and they instruct us to do the same.
Let's endeavor as a Church to live in unity, so we can Win Our World For Christ!

Created by: Sis. Brittany Jenkins

Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church

What books will be open?

"And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15). In order to avoid spending a eternity in hell, your name will have to be written in the Book of Life. The Bible explains how the Book of Life is used on Judgement Day.

What is the book of life? According to Wikiapedia, "In Christianity and Judaism, the Book of Life is the book in which God records the names of every person who is destined for Heaven or the World to Come."

A bold instruction from God we should complete while on earth is to, "... Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).

What should we do after these steps? "Therefore, brothers and sisters, use more effort to make God’s calling and choosing of you secure. If you keep doing this, you will never fall away. 11 Then you will also be given the wealth of entering into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2:Peter 1:10-11). Live your life on earth for God. Give God the glory in all of your works. Spread the gospel and keep His commandments.

What books will be open?

Word of God: "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). God has given us a blue print to live by while on earth and it is called the Bible (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth). If we follow them, we will go to heaven. If we disobey them, we will go to hell. 

Thoughts: "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel" (Romans 2:15-16). Our hearts will tell us one thing and our mind will tell us another. Even though these thoughts are kept within us, God still knows them. Let the Holy Ghost help you purify your thoughts.

Words: "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matthew 12:36). Every word that we speak will be judge. Regardless if the words are at work, home or in church. God knows every word we speak. Make sure the words you choose are pleasing to God.

Book of Life: "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life:" (Revelation 20-12a). We all have a life on earth and it is up to us on how we live it.

Gospel: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16). Spread the news of the Gospel. The people who believe in Christ will be baptized. It is our freewill.

Works: "and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works" (Revelation 20-12b). All of the works we complete on earth should be used to glorify God. 

Those who are written in the Book of Life are those who kept Gods commandments. If that includes you, then you'll be in the first resurrection and rule the earth with Jesus Christ for 1,000 years (Revelation 15:2; 20:4-6). The choice is yours to make.

Created by: Jocelyn Jones

Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Life

The Lurking Lion

1 Peter 5:8-9

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world".

Have you ever watched how lions stalk their prey? It's amazing, they are extremely patient, waiting in the brush or high grass. Watching. Sometimes they will sit in the high grass for hours, picking out which calf would be the easiest to attack. I witnessed this form of hunting from the window of my apartment one day.

 It was the neighborhood stray cat, I watched as he climbed up a tree and crept slowly on its branches. There was no doubt in my mind what he was up to, the constant chirping of birds seated above him had caught his attention and he looked like he could be a little hungry. The birds had no idea of the lurking danger, they just carried on about their day flying in and out feeding their chicks and building their nest. I watched for over a period of 30 minutes as the cat sat low and hunched down on a branch almost as if he was lounging, yet his focus would shift periodically toward the chirping birds. He was waiting for the right opportunity. I didn't wait around to witness his attack, for lack of time, but I surely took some notes on his stalking technique and it was quite biblical in explanation. 

We should not be ignorant of the wiles of the devil nor his devices. He has tactics that can be spotted by the spiritual eye, which is why we should always stay in tune with the leading of the Holy Ghost. The bible says that the things of the Spirit are spiritually discerned, they cannot be discerned by the carnal mind, we must seek the mind of God to stay relevant in this spiritual battle.

The Apostle Peter gave us two keys to spot out the devil.

Soberness: The state of being clearheaded, levelheaded, or not drunk.

With our adversary the devil walking about, we cannot afford to be caught off guard. The sober mind is the avenue the Holy Ghost will work through, he will bring discernment. The mind that is not sober is unfit for warfare and will easily become a prisoner of war. The cares of this world, neglecting spiritual disciplines, or riotous living will render you weak and vulnerable which is the type of prey the "Lion" seeks after. Satan cannot contend against the sober minded saint. 

Vigilance: Watchfulness, to be awake, or to give strict attention.

We must keep watchful for possible dangers or difficulties. The vigilant saint cannot be caught off guard, this proactive approach is designed to anticipate all attacks. The word of God already gives us warning that our enemy is seeking whom he may devour, so we must be on the lookout not only for ourselves but for those around us. Paul exhorted the elders of the church in Ephesus to. "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood". 1 Timothy 4:16

This "taking heed" or "being attentive to" was what the Elders or overseers were to do while feeding the flock, as Pastors over God's flock Elders are to be vigilant enough to perceive the attacks of satan.

"Be Sober, Be Vigilant". While we are out grazing, enjoying the abundant life that the Lord has given us, be mindful that as long as we are on this earth our adversary is seeking to kill, steal, and destroy. We should endeavor to shun all distractions that destroy our inhibitions and cloud our spiritual vision. Take a look at the picture of the lurking Lion, this is a reality for us. You are the Water buffalo in that picture! Satan is quite literally walking about, watching and waiting, he does not sleep. Use these two keys in your warfare against him, satan cannot catch nor contend with an obedient and spirit filled saint.       

Authored by: 

MIT. John W. Jenkins

Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church  

   

Don't Give Up What God Has Given To You.

Matthew 13:44-46
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all he had, and bought it".

The kingdom of heaven is most precious. We, the Church are the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said the kingdom of heaven comes in without observance. It comes in unaware, for the kingdom of heaven is within you! (Luke17:20-21).  We are God's Kingdom, we have received his Spirit. The Holy Ghost, we are the temple of God.

We have found the hidden treasure, we have received the Pearl of Great Price.

Jesus purchased this Pearl for us with his own blood, he purchased our very lives. By giving up his earthly, natural body he has freely given us this great treasure, this wonderful gift. The Gift of the Holy Ghost. The Gift of Eternal Life.

  Jesus has given his church 9 gifts of the Spirit.

      1. The gift of Wisdom

      2. The gift of Knowledge

      3. The gift of Faith 

      4. The gift of Miracles

      5. The gift of Healing

      6. The gift of Discerning Spirits 

      7. The gift of Prophecy

      8. The gift of Tongues

      9. The gift of Interpretation of Tongues

"Don't Give Up What God Has Given You"

The Word Of God Warns Us!
"What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul"?  Mark 8:36-37

Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God, and he will give us what we need in this life. (Matthew 6:33)

Be not deceived by the world, by fame and worldly popularity. Don't be envious when the people of the world have new houses, new cars, or expensive clothes. Don't envy the rich man's riches, for they shall pass away. They can not buy what Jesus has given to us, not with all the money in the world!

In Luke chapter 10, Jesus was visiting with his friends; Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. As Jesus began to teach, Mary sat at his feet and listened to his words.

But Martha, though she also loved Jesus, made herself busy by preparing a meal for Jesus and their other friends, and when Martha saw Mary at the feet of Jesus, she went and asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her with the meal.

Jesus spoke to Martha and said: Martha, Martha you are troubled about many things ( the cares of the world) but Mary has chosen what is better, and it shall not be taken away from her. Hallelujah!!!

Mary chose Jesus. She chose the treasure that is hid from the world. She wanted the pearl of great price. Mary chose the Kingdom of God.

Mary chose the good part!

Friends, choose the Good Part! Choose Jesus!!


Created by: Sis. Brittany Jenkins
Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church