EMPOWERED - A BOOK REVIEW

EMPOWERED - WHY WE NEED SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCHES, by Dr. Kie Bowman, Senior Pastor of Hyde Park Baptist Church (and the QUARRIES) of Austin, Texas is the best primer on the Holy Spirit, that I can remember reading. It comes in at 135 pages and I was able to read it through in just one night, it is such an interesting book.

Dr. Bowman does as masterful job in weaving a narrative direct from Scripture, in full context, while keeping the reader engaged through both some little known historical facts, as well as some personal humorous anecdotes.  Without giving away anything, all I can say is I have, myself, forgotten to put in a blank video tape in my camcorder one time, when I went to record one of my daughter's ballet dance recitals! Fortunately, there was a professional crew there too, and I was able to buy a copy. There I was recording all the angles, only to get home and find out I had not tape in the camcorder!

EMPOWERED will empower the Christian man or woman, of any stage of spiritual maturity, to be lifted to the next plateau of intimacy with the Savior, if we can just grasp the historical background of the Holy Spirit and how we can truly come into an effective prayer life, which will then enable that graduation to a higher plane. 

There are both practical steps, sometimes paralleled by the examples of the Early Church and how they prayed in tougher circumstances, than we experience today. Yet their ground-shaking prayer and evangelistic intercession led to a divine movement with over a billion Christians worldwide today. How did those early saints do it? They were filled with the Holy Spirit, remained "topped-off" and exploded from a sect in Jerusalem to take the world by storm.

Get your copy of EMPOWERED by Pastor Bowman, here. It is a great gift for the Resurrection Week ahead!

EMPOWERED is published by AUXANO PRESS.
Foreword by Dr. Ronnie Floyd, President of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee and the National Day of Prayer Task Force. 

KEYS TO REVIVAL

KEY #1 - COUNT IT ALL JOY

As one whose faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was permanent affected by a revival

at age 11, it has been a life long quest to see same everywhere.  I can't remember when well-meaning church leaders have NOT prayed for revival. These are all tremendous and worthwhile goals and no one I know is against any of it. However for revival to occur, it must start with us as individuals. Unless a person has found his/her peace, joy contentment and has been rejuvenated by THE SPIRIT of the Lord, all talk of revival is elementary. 

There is a reason that revival, like Jesus tarries. The reason is that we, as a body are not ready and we are not ready because we are not repentant. We are not even engaged, apart from a bold few nationally and locally, in stand up for the Truth, the Gospel and the Way of the Lord. So why then should the Father in Heaven allow another great awakening on His Spirit in a land where even Christians act like they would rather have the world, than Jesus?

I am reading a book called "The Printer and the Preacher" by Randy Peterson and its well-researched details are stunning! The printer is Benjamin Franklin, the most memorable of all the Founding Fathers of the United States and the preacher is the man- George Whitefield - who brought the Gospel to America that gave her its now troubled soul. 

There could not have been two more different men in this world - one (Whitefield) an outcast from the state church who led the First Great Awakening/Revival in the US and was faithful to his wife and our Lord and the other (Franklin) - a genius in everything he touched, but who loved the flesh more than the Father. Yet, both cooperated in true friendship to bring a new life to a new land.

What made it work back in the mid 1700's was decency and civility towards a common goal, even from the non-Christian Franklin. What is happening to day harkens back to the earliest day in the church when Peter and John were on the run from those current rulers of iniquity - Romans and religious. Sure, these are the times which trouble men's souls, but these are also the times where many are falling away to their own future loss before a great white throne. Jesus' half brother James showed us the way to not just persevere through these days of return to the persecuted church, but to emerge victorious. The fact remains, revival or not, we are victorious at the end of the day - not the dark side, whose victory will not stand in the Day of the Lord.

James 1:2-4 says "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing".

So the first step to revival, after being justified fully and walking in righteous faith - regardless of the evil foul winds of culture - is we must "CONSIDER/COUNT/ESTEEM....or reckon it, be of the opinion..." that these kinds of days we see in the world around us today, were going to happen and we have to make it through these storms. This is not easy to do. In the Middle East and Asia we see God's people brutalized beyond description. We cannot imagine why this is happening. Yet, we are to "count it all joy". In the US, we see lives, businesses and people literally destroyed for being authentic followers of Jesus while powerful leaders only talk and claim to be of Christ, because it is the decent label to have in the west - Christian.  Still we count it all joy!

In small towns and cities and various other places, the remnant of the Lord Jesus Christ still proclaims the Love, Truth and Power of the Gospel. We count it all joy by being proactive and walking in His Light while people love the darkness more. We count it all joy to share the Hope that is within us with as many as possible because their time is short as well, and most are not ready. Revival is coming - but only to those whose hearts are open to true hope, change and transformation. This is our charge to keep, as we press forward into a new season of evangelism, proclamation and sharing the Love of the Savior. We are ready.

(Image courtesy: Christian Clip Art) 

PLUMBLINE THE TV SHOW, TRUTH FOR TODAY - SOON ON ROKU TV CHANNEL

The PLUMBLINE bible teaching TV show has switched from the over the air

broadcast TV platform to an expanding by leaps and bounds Internet TV platform, which is available on ROKU and the worldwide web.  Plumbline was over the air (and streaming) on the Decatur, Illinois affiliate of theChristian Television Network- WLCF Channel 45 – for two years before switching to SOON Inspirations (now called barak.TV). 

The word “barak” is not about the current American President’s first name, but is Old Testament Hebrew for “praise”.  The “praise” network is now within the reach of over 19 countries including Israel, a certain other Middle Eastern country, Brazil and elsewhere! This is the barak.TV website, which is still building up. 

The reach of the former SOON Inspirations network, (now barak) is incredible and only a testimony to the Power and the Presence of the LORD in all of this. SOON was only fully launched three months ago, this September as the Bible Teaching side of the SOON Entertainment Network. Soon still exists as the wholesome subscription family entertainment internet TV network it set out to be. PLUMBLINE with Bernie Lutchman is one of the top three programs on the new barak.TV network along with network leader “CONTEMPORARY LIVING with Dr. Tim Henderson” and….. God Culture with John Naphor.

So what does PLUMBLINE really mean?  The word comes from another Hebrew word which means “plumb line”. The foundational Scripture which spoke this name to me was from  Amos 7:7-8 “Thus He showed me: Behold, the LORD stood on a wall made with a  plumb line, with a plumb line in His Hand. And the LORD said to me “Amos, what do you see?” And I said “A plumb line” Then the LORD said: “Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore”. The PLUMBLINE video program below goes into more details about this.  The Plumb Line of which the LORD Jesus spoke, was used as an illustration of how he was going to hold the people of that time accountable…i.e. to see how they measured up against the Law of Moses and Prophets.

Today, we have the Word of God as dispensed from Heaven, via the Holy Spirit speaking through over 40 authors through 1500 years, and THAT is the plumbline for the Church Age of the last 2000 years. Every Christian, from the Roman Centurion at the Foot of Cross of Christ to Stephen to Polycarp and Clement; from the Disciples to Athanasius and Boniface; from John Hus and Luther to Wesley and Whitfield; from Peter Muehlenburg and Jonathan Edwards to Peter Cartwright,  Sheffey, DL Moody and Spurgeon; from Billy Sunday to Billy Graham and Franklin,  from  Ray Comfort and Ronnie Floyd and Byron Paulus to the smallest bible teacher in the underground church in the persecuted middle east and Asia …as well as us who put teaching on video across the world on the web – we will ALL be held up and measured just like the wall by Jesus and His Word – the Plumbline of Truth. 

The Word of God is going to convict the World on Judgment Day and the same plumbline of Truth, the Logos – the Bible – will be the measuring line of Divine Justice. While this perishing world does not believe in the God of the Bible and while their minds cannot wrap itself around it, their pretending it does not matter or exist does not change the reality of that Coming Day. Our part, as followers of the Word and the Word Who became flesh (the Lord Jesus) is to learn what it says, so we can do what it says, so when we hear what He says as we stand before Him, at the Bema Seat for Rewards, we will not be ashamed,  but glory in the fact that our works passed the refining fiery test of Christ.

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE.....

THE UNDERGROUND CHINESE CHURCH
MEETS IN BASEMENTS EVERYWHERE IN CHINA

Matthew chapter 13 has an instructive discourse by the Lord Jesus. In it, He teaches in parables again, but this time, He is even more specific about what the Kingdom of Heaven is truly like! Most believers do not realize it but at the point of conversion, when we are adopted permanently into the family of God, we ARE already operational in Kingdom business! Everything we do, think, say, reveal, teach etc is viewed, in the Eyes of Abba Father, as relevant to His Work! By our actions (or lack of, thereof) we are telling a part of His Story, when we tell some of our story, or those whom we encounter around us! 

For instance, this month of November 2012 has been very fulfilling, stunning, encouraging and illuminating as far as the spirit man is concerned! Just in the past two weeks, I had an amazing conversation with a 19 year old persecuted Chinese Christian saint, whose passion for the Lord, almost shamed me in. Then, just a few days ago, one of my favorite people in the world – Dr Ronnie Floyd of Cross Church in Northwest Arkansas, told us at a pastors’ conference a testimony which shows just how powerfully our God is moving, in these last days! Please allow me to tell part of their story...because the Kingdom of Heaven is like.....:

"CHRISTINA": 

“Christina” was saved from Buddhism at the age of 13 in Communist China and was immediately disowned and mistreated by her parents and family! For four plus  years before she came to America, Christina had no Bible, due to the nature of her conversion – and Chinese oppression of the underground Chinese Christian church movement. There is an official Chinese “Church” and they do play actual Christmas hymns in the Beijing Airport (like O Holy Night etc),  but like anything officially sanctioned by any tightly controlled state, the true freedom and move of the Spirit of God can only be found in those who are persecuted and perseveres!

Since she had no Bible until now, “Christina” memorized the entire hymn book she was fortunate enough to be allowed to have, because it was not the Bible! What unsaved people don’t understand about the classic hymns is that they have more theology and the solid doctrine of Salvation, than any book written ABOUT the Bible. The Lord used that and His Spirit to educate this young woman in His Ways, in His Wonder and about His Love more than any five point sermon or seminary class could! Christina's host told me a humorous story about her on a long trip to another conference in the past year. Apparently, she sang hymns to the Lord for seven hours nonstop, in the back seat of a car belonging to a couple, who had taken her in, as they drove into the state of Arkansas to minister there! There is no other joy than to see a persecuted child of God sing about the Savior Who freed here from an eternal prison!

THE MARSHALLESE 

Then there is Pastor Floyd, a former member of the leadership of the world’s largest protestant body – the Southern Baptist Convention who leads the multi-campus thriving and growing (in Spiritual maturity) Cross  Church and the Church at Pinnacle Hills of North Western Arkansas. I have used his men's material in twice in the past, as president of Business Men in Christ to lead men to their full combat role, as soldiers of Jesus Christ. This region of Arkansas is home to the greatest corporation in the World – WALMART (in Bentonville, 8 miles from Dr. Floyd’s church in Springdale) and the best known chicken processor ever – TYSON FOODS! These companies and its supportive multiple vendors are the home of thousands and thousands of professionals and more from all over the world and. These good folks come from all backgrounds and religions!

Now this is the age of technology and all that. It is the age of big money from some big churches (and mostly medium sized ones) to finance foreign missions. But there is a reason Jesus Christ gave us the Acts 1:8 challenge in this order. Jesus said in Acts 1:8b “…and you shall be my witnesses…in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth".  The Lord is giving the following command to us, His Disciples, to go to: "Jerusalem (Home); Judea and Samaria (the Nation) and the “ends of the earth” (Foreign missions). Many of our modern Christians would rather support or even go on only foreign missions (all good things) for a week or so, and think their work is done. I have spoken to some of the recipients of this good charitable work (mostly from Africa and the far East). While they are grateful for rich Americans giving so much to them, they do tell me that our money is wasted by having these youth or young adult groups trying to build structures for them, when it would better to teach the residents how to do it and let them fish and make a living!!! But for our fellow citizens, it is easier to do, for instance to skip the first two (Jerusalem and Judea/Samaria) and write a check to support a mission. Then we can sit back abd do nothing for Kingdom work right where they live, 100% of the time (these are my words, not Pastor Ronnie Floyd)!

So it was not just heart -warming, but positively inspiring for me to hear this testimony from the good pastor and a man I consider my true brother.  One thing he teaches his 17,000 plus members in Springdale is to reach their own town for Christ and speak  to them culturally, personally and with love. The Marshall Islands became part of the American system and played a prominent role during World War II. They are as far away from the US mainland as closer to the coast of Northeastern Australia than northwestern Arkansas! Yet, out of a Marshall Island population of 75,000,  about 8000 live in that part of the US! They came there to work for Tyson Foods, producers of fine frozen chicken!

VOLUNTEERS AT CROSS CHURCH
SPRINGDALE, ARKANSAS

Cross Church and Pastor Floyd found out about this  UPG (unreached people group) and he sent out his teams to befriend and fellowship with these wonderful 8000 folks and reach them for the saving Gospel of  Jesus! That is exactly what happened. Small bible study groups were formed and then suddenly, within a short period of time, a Marshallese language church grew up out of that. They meet every Sunday afternoon at Cross Church! Then Campus Crusade (for Christ) heard about this new Marshallese church in Arkansas. Campus Crusade (founder, Bill Bright) had made the massively popular JESUS FILM which has been seen by over 1 billion people since 1979! Many of us cut our teeth on this magnificent film!

It so happens that Marshallese is one of the few languages left which the Jesus film has never been translated into! Well, faith and begorah, they did not have to send a team for years into the hinterlands of the Marshall Islands! They just went across to Northwest Arkansas and the Marshallese, in Cross Church,  translated the entire Jesus movie for Campus Crusade!! They then took the movie to the Marshall Islands (which is over 4 hours south of Hawaii) and are reaching many in the countryside for Christ, who are getting saved by the hundreds! The Gospel is getting to the ends of the earth….all because some faithful Christians in Arkansas went out into their Jerusalem to love on some 8000 people, who looked, dressed and talked different from them! This is the Kingdom! This is the real deal! This is what Heaven will be like with every tribe and tongue in front of the Throne of Christ!  As Pastor Ronnie says “they thought they came for chicken – THEY GOT CHRIST!”

This walk with the Lord Jesus is just too much for words sometimes, for me.  Moments like these, where we see the Hand of God as He directs the events and lives of His people floor me. This should bring to mind the following from Psalm 40:5 "Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare".

The Kingdom of Heaven is like the story happening in your sphere of influence, right now. Open the eyes of your heart, right now. Take the eyes of yourself for a minute and catch it, right now. Don't miss it, because you will miss the essence of the intimacy, joy and the Walk of the true believer/son/daughter of the Eternal God of the Universe, Who reigns from the Heavens! Why not start today?!