Sunday, February 28, 2016

"RISEN" ABOVE EXPECTATIONS

PERSONAL REVIEW OF SEQUEL TO "PASSION OF THE CHRIST"
After taking a week between seeing the movie RISEN and writing this, what may be considered, a kind of review on it, I think it is even more relevant to mention the importance of even the most diehard skeptic, of seeing this movie. One of the final scenes of RISEN really drove that point home to me, with a solid punch, to where even a Christian with questions can get it.

Despite what those who killed Jesus Christ on 14 Nisan 33 AD say, Jesus did rise from the dead. Graves were open and He was seen by 500 people – and James. There is even secular evidence, via the great historian Josephus, who was commissioned by Rome to write the history of the Jewish people. 

Josephus wrote in Jewish Antiquities, 18.3.3 §63: “About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man.  For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had  first come to love him did not cease.  He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him.  And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared”.

RISEN is the natural progression of the narrative of the Resurrection and the harsh reality of life in post- Crucifixion Jerusalem. For the many followers of the Way (Jesus followers), there was fear and hiding but for the religious and corrupt there was genuine panic. When the entire city knew that the Body had disappeared, both persecuting parties – the Romans and the Religious rabble – had “skin in the game” to cover up their crimes. After all, the Pharisees and Sanhedrin had conducted six illegal trials in less than 24 hours against the Judge of the Universe!

To this day, non-believers, academics and assorted ones like that, spread the same fallacies about the Death and Resurrection of the Risen Christ that the same religious authorities of Jerusalem and their Roman partners-in-crime did in 33 AD! As Solomon said in Ecclesiastes – there is nothing new under the sun. The Resurrection was fact. Roman records were as diligent as those that the Nazis used to their own detriment at the Nuremberg trials. Roman records were used by historian Dugard and Bill O’Reilly in his book “Killing Jesus”, which was the biggest of his oddly titled bestsellers.

As one immersed in Biblical worldviews and apologetics as well as evangelism, the most stunning part of the entire movie RISEN for me was the brief conversation which the former Centurion Clavius (Ralph Fiennes) has with Jesus just before the Ascension. While this actual event is not recorded in Scripture, it is the gist of the matter for those who are seeking more than just a head knowledge of God through Christ.

“Jesus” in RISEN is asking Clavius, basically, what is that he is really really afraid of, and searching for…..and the final question is what spoke volumes of all the others “…is it peace”? This is the eternal quest of mankind – how to find that peace we claim. In the final analysis, that peace that passes ALL understanding can only be found in Christ, and through Christ. Clavius (the Fiennes’s Character) goes through the same doubts which many have in attempting to reason Faith in Jesus. To me, this is the most poignant moment of the Film as far as directing this film as a tool for Evangelism. Because Clavius also mentioned he was afraid of being wrong. This is an extremely serious thing. To make the wrong decision about Christ has absolute deadly consequences! The powerful acting, authentic locations and actual Jewish looking disciples brings the viewer into the entire experience, thereby helping to deliver this eternal question to spiritual seekers everywhere. The screenplay and production here were extremely well executed.

Finally, the Ascension scene itself was a really dynamic metaphor for me. Dynamic because it is like the aorist tense of the Biblical New Testament Greek language. The cinematic portrayal of the post-Ascension “nuclear-bomb-type” fallout spoke out loud, the following statement in my spirit “Jesus Christ is still blowing up the World today as He did almost 2000 years ago!


Many will find all sorts of Scripture errors or textual differences. They will be technically correct. For me, I do not get my theology from a movie. I look for inspiration which will spur thinking that the Holy Spirit can use in me, and through me, to help further the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth – for such a time as this. This is what found in the Christian hit movie of 2016 so far: RISEN!

Friday, February 26, 2016

"8 DAYS THE MOVIE" - DEFEND OUR CHILDREN NOW

8 Days' A movie on the Sex Trafficking of America's Children Director & Screenwriter 

ORIGINAL ARTICLE WRITTEN BY KATIE BAKER - CLICK HERE

The average age of a child being abducted here in America for sex trafficking is 12 years old! If the child is not found within the first 8 days, chances are the child is lost forever. Fox 4 News anchor, Heather Hayes, was in the movie "8 Days" and will be interviewing Jaco Booyens (Director)  and his wife his wife Philipa Booyens (Screenwriter) with After Eden Productions. 
This film, based on true events, shows the dangers of the sex trafficking of AMERICAs children! This film is being shown in movie theatres and high schools all across the country to warn parents and children of this grave and widespread danger. My husband and I had the honor to be Asst. Producers for the movie.  While filming we worked directly with Homeland Security and they told us that one Friday 5PM until Monday morning 8AM three little girls were abducted from the bedroom community of McKinney, Texas! Folks, please watch out for your children and especially do not allow them to be unsupervised in the malls.
WATCH THE BOOYENS INTERVIEW HERE WITH STEVE HARVEY: 

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

MOVING BEYOND "THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS".....

"With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18)

We have all heard it and some of us have even said it "so and so are in our thoughts and prayers". Even people whom we know could not say a prayer to save their lives, or say they are atheists or not Christians will repeat this cliche.

But even worse than this, Christians are using the same phrase when wrapped up in the moment. Beyond all of the bluster about "being in our thoughts and prayers", do any of these folks actually pray for those to whom they say these things. From personal experience, before I realized I used to do the same thing, I can tell you that it is very easy to tell someone you will pray for them, then walk away and completely fail to do. Such a move is not right, even if we remember to pray three of four days later. After realizing my shortcoming, in this area of Faith, corrective action needed to be taken so this aspect of ministry could function with an unction.


Basically, when a person says to another that "you are in my thoughts and prayers" and then does not do so, it is deception. There are ways to avoid that and do the right thing...and that is, to really pray for there person right then and there. Sometimes, circumstances and potential discomfort of the recipient of those prayers, WILL prevent us from praying then and there with the person. In this case it is really beneficial to such a person, and then pertinent to our spiritual growth, if we take a note of the situation and immediately begin to pray in silence. Then, after getting to a place we can pray intensely, for real, we must bear down and contend for the recipient of our intercession.

There is a really memorable passage in Scripture of a woman who was the beneficiary of more than just "thoughts and prayers". 1 Kings 17:21-22 tells us of the great prophet Elijah, who had been staying with a widow woman and her son. He had already blessed the widow and proven himself as a man of God by miraculously causing her food not to run out, so that the widow, her son, and Elijah could all eat during a time of famine and drought. But during his stay, the widow’s son became ill and died. When Elijah prayed for the child’s life to return to him, God answered right away. This is a dramatic, immediate instance of God answering prayer....and instant prayer!

The Bible said of Elijah in these two verses: "Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, ‘O Lord my God, let this child’s life come into him again.’ And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived". We may not be able to pray someone back from the dead, but we sure can lift high such a one to the One Who heals, reveals and blesses all things and all people - Yahweh Rophe - the God Who heals! He is Yahweh Shammah - the God Who is there for us if we cry out earnestly and pray for those ....truly pray for them, with all the Faith we can muster in our spirit, so that the Lord will hear from Heaven and answer our prayers. Why did God listen to Elijah? He listened because of the close relationship He had with this imperfect man who was serving a perfect God. God listen to Elijah's thoughts, prayers and then ACTIONS to put His prayer and Faith into action mightily!

Then God responded by restoring the child to his mother....all because Faith in the Lord changes everything and FAITH IN ACTION, brings results. Amen.


Sunday, February 21, 2016

PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE SERIES - THE BOOK OF JAMES, #13

METHODOLOGY CONCERNING: PRAYING FOR RAIN

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. (James 5:17)
Just two years ago, the state of California was in a long term drought with water levels dropping everywhere.  Lakes were drying up and water use was restricted and worse. What some religious leaders decided to do was join with some of unbiblical faith systems  and religions, in order to do rain dances, incantations and other such tomfoolery in order to force the rain to come out of the heavens! This act and series of similar actions elsewhere, shows complete Biblical ignorance on the part of anyone who thinks "prayers", rain dances and incantations can cause God to send the rain!

Anyway, here is the account where Elijah prayed, both for and against rain, from 1 Kings Chapter 18: 41-45a "And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain."

It was God who sent the rain because an authentic man of God prayed. But look at the verse from James 5 (above). Elijah prayed for NO RAIN - and it did not rain for 42 months (half of the upcoming Tribulation). He prayed with extra passion according to the original language, as almost bring judgment upon the land - which happened. Then at the end of the 42 months, he prayed again and it poured. So can a Christian today do the same? We could. God has given us kingdom authority in John 1:12 ("But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name). However, the Lord sees the bigger picture - the end from the beginning. He is Sovereign and will do what He will do. He will answer according to His plans and purposes. Also, He answers to no one else, so if He withholds the rain, or sends it over to the Philippines, He can do that, as well!

Our part is to stay faithful and persevere and persist in prayer - whether is for rain in a drought or for the end of a three day snow fall. HOW we pray is the key. He is merciful, kind and long suffering. Therefore we pray for grace through extreme weather conditions and His Kind Countenance will always shine through. We pray for His protection, provision and guidance and then let Heaven have its way. This is all we are required and expected to do. 

There are some very strange natural phenomena around lately: out of season extreme storms, earthquakes, tidal waves and more. These are troubling times, but you know what, God is still in control. Let not your heart be troubled, even in these trying times. Pray it all up to Heaven because the God Who loved the world so much He sent Jesus to pay for our sins, still cares for His elect. The great hymn writer and troubled soul William Cowper put it best after he was saved and redeemed from darkness by the Lord in his hymn "God Moves in A Mysterious Way":
"Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face"...(William Cowper, 1774)


Wednesday, February 17, 2016

PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE SERIES - THE BOOK OF JAMES, #12

METHODOLOGY CONCERNING: EFFECTIVE PRAYER
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16a).

When a righteous man (a saved person- male or female) prays, God hears and remembers. Even if the answer is to be sent from Heaven 20 years later, God has it. Conversely, scripture tells us that God will not listen to the prayer of an unrighteous man – unless that person is crying out to Him for forgiveness of sin, the first step to salvation. From the Word of God:

- But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear (Isaiah 59:2)
- Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him (John 9:31). 

As just an example, these two verses above prove that there is no doubt God will never listen to the "prayers" of the unsaved. However, God will not pay attention to a Christian who is out of fellowship either. That is, one who is currently going through a season of rebellion and is not praying or reading the Bible….or even attending church, on purpose. The Apostle Paul said “should I keep sinning that grace may abound? May it never be!” Think if the fuel injector in your car. If it is clogged by the impurities (sin) of the gasoline going in through it from the pump (the human), there is no way the internal combustion engine can function as was meant by the automaker.

Therefore, we must be free AND forgiven from current sin. We should never be like the person whom James talks about here in James 1:6-7 "
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord". 


So what about about the "effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man"? This is simple and here is what the Word of God through James really says about it: "the many and constant intensive prayer of a man or woman made whole (or righteous) by God can, will and always will accomplish much". Let us not minimize the power behind the word "accomplish" because the original biblical textual word implies energy and power behind this "accomplishment". This is the INTENT of the Christian who prays with power and the expectation that God will hear and respond, in like manner to the fulfillment of the prayer request.

Therefore, let us pray: "Father, in the Mighty Name of Jesus, first of all thank You that You resist the proud and giveth Grace to the Humble. Thank You that You are a good good God and Your patience, mercy, grace and compassion are long-suffering and full of love towards us. We confess all sin in our eyes, minds, thoughts, and speech and deed right now and ask that You search our hearts, minds and souls and see if there is any wicked ways within us and rout and root them out and lead us to the Paths of holiness, goodness and complete righteousness in our sanctification that We may be worthy of being in Your Holy Presence as we pray for others. And Lord, may these prayers be fervent and full of the fire of Jesus Christ through the Power of His Name and in the inspiration of the Holy Ghost that we may reach Thy Throne of Mercy and Grace to bring our supplications, petitions and prayers for those who need healing, for those who need comfort, for those who need love, understanding, food, shelter, work, a friend or a kind word today and always. Let our souls and hearts be aligned with Thy Heart, oh Great God of the Universe, that we may seek Thee more and more to accomplish the goal and task and calling of the elect, to which Thou hast set before us, to do in Thy perfect will, until that day, unto which Thou will bring us home. We love Thee, praise Thee and magnify and adore Thy Holy and precious Name, HaShem, in Jesus Strong Name, amen.


Friday, February 12, 2016

PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE SERIES - THE BOOK OF JAMES, #11

                      METHODOLOGY CONCERNING: INTERCESSION
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16a).

There is no greater gift you can give a friend than to pray for them, after you have told them about Jesus and what He has done for you. This makes you and each Christian who follows the teaching of the Scriptures (through James here) - an intercessor.

An intercessor is one who stands in the gap for someone else in prayer and supplication to the Father in Heaven. 
An intercessor is one who has such an intimate relationship with God that when this Christian man or woman approaches the Throne Room of heaven - day or night - our Heavenly Father listens. 
An intercessor is one who is prayed up, stayed up and weighed up in the Scales of Heaven and found wanted by the LORD as one of His dearest saints.
An intercessor is a prayer warrior who lays a hold of the need of another or many others and does not let go, even after the result has been achieved because that desired result only leads to more and more praise to the Most High God.

Many of us have prayed for the closest of our loved ones to the most distant of emailed prayer requests and do so willingly, because a willing heart is near and dear to God. So is a repentant heart and one that is willing to forgive someone else, even if we are the party who has been wronged.

So, we know what the attributes of someone who "stands in the gap" for another - an intercessor looks like. But how does that look in practice? First things first, unless it is absolutely impossible to do so immediately, we never tell someone in dire straights "you are in my thoughts and prayers"! That is an easy way out to do nothing but sounds like the rest of the world.

Secondly, even if it is very quietly off to the side of a room or the street, on a sidewalk, ask permission to pray for the person right there and there.


Third, pray to the point, in brief, with power and immediately transport yourself into His Presence, in the Power of the Holy Ghost like this - "Father, in the Mighty Strong and Powerful Name that is above every name, the Name of Jesus, the Great and Mighty Physician Who heals our diseases and rescues us from the domain of darkness, I come to You right now on behalf of my friend........(fill in the name of the person being prayed over) and humbly as Thee for Thy tender mercies, grace and compassion for her healing (or his restoration) to full and complete health. Lord, we know that You are more than able and capable of reaching down from heaven and ask that You intervene with the Healing Touch of Your Powerful and Awesome Hand into this situation and restore from this (virus, tumor, ....fill in the blank) right now, right now and heal every fiber of his/her being....that You remove every affliction....that You restore life into that which was formerly non-functional and that You bring hope, joy, peace, contentment and gratitude at this miracle, which we are asking for, believing in and trusting in right now, right now Father, from the top of her/his head to the soles of her/his feet and believe, receive and thank You right now for intervening, in the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen and amen and amen.



Sunday, February 7, 2016

PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE SERIES - THE BOOK OF JAMES, #10

METHODOLOGY CONCERNING: ACCOUNTABILITY
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16a).

There is no more Christian act than to pray for your fellow man or woman - without fear, without favor and without concern if he or she is even a Christian at all! It is a special honor, even calling, to be able to stand in the gap for another in prayer and supplication before the Throne of God. Theoretically, we are commanded to do so, as this verse from James 5 commands, but in practice, it does not work this way.

The Lord, through James is calling for two spiritually critical things, on two separate tracksl in one command here: Accountability and Intercession. First, He is recommending strongly here that we each hold one another accountable and in today's parlance, this would most likely be in a small group. We are all accountable to someone, from our managers at work to our spouses, to the church board or the local town council. Everyone answers to someone else. 

Above all, Christians must be accountable to each other. A man or woman of God has to beware of this from the Lord "let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). Every pastor, ministry leader or christian who has ever stumbled or worse, in the area of sin and/or immorality fed by pride and lack of a humble spirit. Even worse, the lack of any kind of Prayer Life opens the door to sin and destruction. While one would expect a successful Christian leader to be more susceptible to such sin, never think that the poor guy in the small church at the store front is not in Satan's cross-hairs, for the same reason! In fact, the song leader of the church with 21 members is in just as much danger is the mega-church worship leader with this $100 jeans and fancy coffees or designer water. Both can possess the same lack of a meaningful prayer and accountable Christian life!


All Christians must guard against unconfessed sin and lack of accountability. An accountability partner, whether wife or older gentleman in the church, would be perfect. But to Whom we are most accountable, most of all, is the Lord Jesus Himself. So this call to prayer by James is the precise methodology of getting out and staying out of trouble- confession and prayer. Confession is the first step in the process of Repentance humility, where there underlies the crux of the matter: communication with the High Priest of Heaven- Jesus.



Thursday, February 4, 2016

PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE SERIES - THE BOOK OF JAMES, #9

METHODOLOGY CONCERNING:HEALING PRAYER
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15)

Many of us can testify to the Power of Prayer to heal. Healing is not just God's business but He is the Chief Specialist and the Head of Every Medical school in history. Due to this fact, He has called many into this ministry/movement of intercessory prayer. Those of us who are well known as prayer warriors are used to getting phone calls, emails, texts and Facebook posts regularly, where we pray for some really critical needs several times a day. Therefore, due to the fact that we live in a time where diseases are more intense, some incurable and even more very devastating, it is absolutely critical that we are familiar with the processes of prayer for the sick.

In studying the Methodology of Prayer as we have been, throughout the Book of James, the Word of God shows the casual church-goer the direction to look when there is a need for healing prayer. The verses above give us direction as to:
1. Who is Qualified to Pray:  We are ALL qualified to pray as the Redeemed of the Lord who are walking close to Him. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us we are a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation and God's special possession. But only a few of His "royal priests" have devoted themselves to Prayer. While, in the early church the Elders were the ones empowered by the Holy Spirit to pray for the Sick, in the this dispensation of the Age of Grace, there are not enough praying elders to go around. Therefore, the praying saint is very much in demand. 
ACTION POINT: Make yourself available as the go-to person for prayer from anyone, including absolute strangers.

2. What the Process of Healing Prayer is: While the Bible recommends anointing a sick person with oil, many in conservative churches consider this to be more in the charismatic stream of the Faith and would rather decline its use. The use of anointing oil is NOT mandatory when laying hands or praying over/with another person. But if you wish to use it, please ask permission first. Oil in the Bible signifies, primarily, the Holy Spirit. The act of anointing with oil, while praying for someone else, is an outward acknowledgment that the Holy Spirit is being officially invited to be present while we pray. 

It also does not matter where we begin to pray for a person and it is always better to pray with or for a person immediately if they are in your presence or quietly if you're in an office or grocery line.  NEVER tell someone that they are in your "thoughts and prayers" and then never pray for them! After anointing with oil (or not) proceed to prayer with humility, urgency, power, authority and clarity. Sometimes less is more, so keep your words few but aligned with Scripture and believe in the Promises of God to never leave, forsake or abandon. But accept, on behalf of the person prayed for, the comfort, healing and restoration of that person, believing that "by His stripes, he/she is healed".

3. Where Wild at Heart Faith Conquers: Wild at Heart was a popular book in a lot of men's movement ministries over a decade ago. There was a huge quote in this book which underlines why we must have the kind of Faith which is strong enough to reach the Throne on behalf of another person's illness or your own. Author John Eldredge says in his book that “You can't fight a battle you don't think exists.” Faith is something which no one can see, but they CAN see the RESULTS if we pursue His Healing hands on behalf of others". This is quite noteworthy,  We can see the results of prayer, if the Lord wishes healing on such a one. Even if the answer to our prayers include "no" or "not yet", pray with all the authentic faith, which a true believer possesses.

PREVIOUS POSTS ON THE METHODOLOGY OF PRAYER FROM THE BOOK OF JAMES:
PART 8
PART 7
PART 6