The Verse That Struck Me!

Ever been struck by a thought??? I have before! But this time, I have been struck with not just a thought, but with a revelation out of the Word of God. His word hit my mind and heart and opened my understanding about what God desires to do to promote women who may feel sidelined by society or religion or tradition.   

Psalm 113:9 NKJV

He grants the barren woman a home, LIKE a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 113:9 AMP Classic

9 He makes the barren woman to be a homemaker and a joyful mother of [spiritual] children. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

I have recently been confronted with the heavily implied idea that a single Christian man is better to marry a woman who can bear natural children to him. This may be true in some cases, but this did not feel like a complete Bible picture to me. I couldn't put my finger on why.... at least not at that time.

What is it that makes a marriage work? Is it the ability to have children? I think not.  There must first be a oneness and a unity of mind and in the Spirit of Christ in order to make a marriage last a lifetime. This oneness in agape Love is what makes a marriage work. Through that oneness, children are often conceived. But not always. Even without children, a unified marriage can last for decades... see Abraham and Sarah, who had a successful marriage for MANY YEARS long before they ever brought forth a child (by miracle of God).

So, to be clear I completely agree with and support the Bible concepts that God is for marriage and He is for family. Be fruitful and multiply. (Not to mention that Jesus fulfilled Gen 1:28 without having natural children by raising disciples - Mat 5:17).

BUT

Not all people are able to have children. God cares about them. Should they be denied married life? How can they fulfill the desire of God to raise up new generations? I believe the Word of God supplies us with all these answers.

 I used to be married to an infertile "barren" woman years ago. I prayed to the Lord and was at peace with giving up my natural heritage to gain a spiritual heritage in the family of God.
 I was faithful to her. My church family, Church On The GO was gracious to welcome her as my new wife and included her as spiritual family. I am grateful for my pastor and my church to this day because of their godly, agape attitude toward those that society would overlook.

Sadly, she took the kindness, inclusion, and love for granted, and abandoned me, and our church. After refusing to come home, I became divorced after that (1 Cor. 7:15). Now, my marriage is over (Hosea 2:2) and I have forgiven my ex-wife and moved on from her. I have been divorced for over 11 years now, and God has healed me and maintained me and grown my ministry thanks to His grace, and thanks to my church.

But my heart to minister to certain kinds of people never stopped. Due to my own loss, my desire to minister to them with God's care has only grown. 

 See, I really have a heart toward the singles, and the childless.

Toward Christians who wanted marriage and have not gained it (as of yet).
Toward divorced Christians who were faithful, yet were betrayed and abandoned by their former spouse.
Toward Christians who wanted to have children yet never could.
My heart breaks for these dear saints of God.
God loves them just as much as He loves those who marry successfully and have lots of children.
God does not forget those that society forgets. And I have a heart to understand the dear saints who feel dedicated to do the work of the ministry exclusively, focusing on raising only spiritual children. I had previously discovered some precious truths in Isaiah 56. That chapter shows God's heart toward the eunuch, the one who could not reproduce naturally. If the man would dedicate himself to the Lord, then God offered him an eternal name and monument "better than sons and daughters". Read that chapter to learn more. (Isaiah 56:3-5)

And Jesus expanded the idea of eunuchs to include those who choose to stay single and also to those who do not have kids for the Kingdom of God's sake. (Read Matthew 19:12) 

Blueletterbible - whole definition of eunuch here: 

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2135&t=KJV

Key Part of the definition is as follows:
"one naturally incapacitated

1. for marriage

2. begetting children"

The other word for eunuch in that verse is:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2134&t=KJV

Basically some people are single or childless, but not by direct choice. Jesus loves and accepts you, just the way you are. He loves you. He has a place and a home for you. This has both natural and spiritual implications. 

Others are single or childless by direct choice, "for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake" (Mat. 19:12). Jesus loves and accepts you as well. Not all can accept this kind of special calling that yields up the natural heritage to focus on building the spiritual heritage of the Lord. But certain Christians CAN accept it. Jesus recognizes that and has a home and place for them as well!  

Now the Biblical pattern in marriage is when a man and woman marry, and produce natural children. This is GOOD and RIGHT! It is to be commended and encouraged, especially among young Christian couples (aged 18-30).
(According to Psalm 90:10, the average human age is between 70-80, thus middle age actually begins around 35, upwards of age 40, based on Scripture). As long as it is medically and financially feasible, and the couple is hearing that call of God, they should be encouraged to produce children and grow their natural family, and raise that family to follow Jesus Christ! If you do so, prepare for some immense challenges that will force you to focus on your natural family more than your church ministry. People with a spouse and children must treat their spouse and children as their first ministry. Church ministry will have to come lower down the list.   

But what about those who cannot reproduce? Does God cast them aside? Does He sideline them, the way other people do? (even some in the church do that sadly, though not all)

 Or does He place them in their own home? Does He grant them marriage?
I knew the answer was yes... BUT could not see the verse.

I was certain God wanted to show me more. And THEN I discovered it, the verse above, Psalm 113:9.  It struck me.

 Psa 113:9 NKJV

He grants the barren woman a home, LIKE a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!

The Lord desires to give the barren woman a home. Her own home could mean living as a single. It could mean living in a marriage. And I also believe this refers ultimately to the churches, the family of God as well.
 He desires to make her "like" a joyful mother of children. That term "like" is a comparative term, not necessarily to be taken literally. Some translations just say "make" but the NKJV says "like". So for this reason I believe God can make the barren woman a joyful mother in different ways. 

 This can happen three ways. 

1. God intervenes with a miracle and enables her to literally conceive in marriage, or 

2. the childless married couple adopts, or 

3. she becomes a spiritual mother, and trains up spiritual children as disciples, just as Jesus, Paul and John do in the New Testament.

All three options are valid. Each option stands alone as valid, or can stand together as valid.

 God is in the business of growing families and it is never too late to start (see Elizabeth or Sarah's stories in the Bible). 

God wants to set the barren and the eunuch (naturally infertile) in their own marriages. He wants them to have homes and families. It may be that the family they have is spiritual. First the natural, then the spiritual. Both rails ("natural" and "spiritual") are needed to keep the train of understanding on the track. Natural childbirth will always be with us. If one couple does not have kids, another couple will.

BUT precious FEW are willing to raise up the spiritual family of God in Jesus' Name! We need more spiritual fathers and mothers in the church!

 1 Corinthians 4:17  (NKJV)

17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

And more specifically, God wants all believers of every walk of life to belong to His Spiritual family in the Holy Nation (1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 3:14-15).

God sets the childless people in their own home. That could very well mean a happy married home... a couple who is growing the spiritual family unit.

They can grow the natural family, AND/OR the spiritual family of God!

I would raise concern for any Christian couple that is NOT interested in raising any kind of family. They should, if capable and called to do so, be willing to grow the family. If they cannot raise/produce natural family, they can still work in the church (and outside of it) to raise up disciples, spiritual children for the Kingdom of Heaven, just as Jesus raised His disciples and trained them to raise their own spiritual children!

I realize this is a sensitive topic. I understand that many women WANT to be a natural mother, and they may feel utterly dissatisfied with the concept of discipleship/spiritual motherhood being a substitute. Being a natural mother is a special honour. 
Being a spiritual mother is also a special honour.

I am not here to negate those feelings of disappointment or heartbreak. Rather I am here to tell you that I was once married to such a woman, and had she remained consistent and believed the Lord's Word, she would have had a successful ministry raising spiritual children.

Our childless marriage was "honourable" to God (Heb 13:4), it was valid. Because at the time, we focused on raising God's spiritual family in church. 

 As it stands, I am successfully raising spiritual children in the church on my own. I have done so for 20 years, by the Grace and Strength of Christ. God even showed me a recent vision, in 2020, of my spiritual legacy. He showed me all the children I have ever taught or impacted with the Gospel. He showed me a tiny glimpse... of me walking into the dawning light of Christ in eternity... and following behind me were ALL the children (many are now adults) that I have taught and raised up spiritually in the church or marketplace. My legacy is not apparent to the natural eye, but God showed me that my SPIRITUAL legacy is significant and eternal. My spiritual children are following me (from afar) into heaven! Praise the Lord! I trust God by faith on this, as always, since many of my students have grown up and gone into different parts of Canada or the world. 

For those of you whose desires are overlooked, sidelined, or ignored by people... God sees you. He sees your desire for family and marriage. Regardless of your condition, age or situation, Jesus HAS a way to make it happen.

Psalm 113:9 tells us he will make the barren woman like a joyful mother of spiritual children. (according to NKJV and AMPC translations)

He can and still does natural miracles. But even if He does not do so for you, He can use you and your (future) spouse to raise up spiritual children. 

Psalm 68:6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

 Psa 113:9 NKJV

He grants the barren woman a home, LIKE a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!

 Perhaps you know you are not able to have a child. But you desire marriage. What then? Should you be ignored??? Of course not! God tells us in His word He sets the solitary in families and sets the barren in homes! You SHOULD GET MARRIED if you so desire that. 1 Corinthians 7 makes it crystal clear that any man or woman with desire should get married to avoid sexual sin. There is no hidden stipulation that the barren/eunuch must remain single.
SO then, rather than focusing on what you cannot do, focus on what GOD can do in in YOU, through FAITH IN CHRIST!  No matter what your condition is, God has a home and a family for you! 

God bless

Pastor Curtis

Nov 22 2020 Sunday 1:05am EST

 

Christ is the Future of Every Christian

LOSING TO GAIN - Christ Is the Future of Every Christian

If you love and follow Jesus as Lord and Saviour , this message is for you. Yes Christ is here, right now. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8). Today I want to focus on the "forever" part. Christ is the Christian's secure, eternal, and blessed FUTURE! And by Christian, I mean every sincere follower and believer in Christ. Peter tells us who the Christian is:

1 Peter 4:16 NKJV

 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

And now for our key text:

MARK 8:34-35 NKJV
"When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will LOSE it, but whoever LOSES his life for My sake and the gospel’s will SAVE it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?"

My original song "Song Of Discipleship" is about these very verses: Listen to it here: 




Jesus' earlthy life, His earlthy future, on the earth appears to have been cut short. His carpentry career did not reach its maximum potential.
He did not have any natural children.
What WAS His future then?

He was crucified for our sins. He died. He was in the grave until the third day.
I can only imagine his natural family wondering why he didn't just settle down, use his woodworking skill to build a natural house, and take a wife and raise natural kids.

YET His future was to RISE FROM THE DEAD and live FOREVER as the Last Adam! The Heavenly Man. (1 Cor 15:45-47)

And His Progeny was the Spiritual Sons of God, you and me! Through His Blood He has built the ULTIMATE HOUSE OF PRAYER, a body of believers in the earth, He is the HEAD of that Body! 

Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 

Through His sinless and perfect blood He secured His Future. He "lost" an natural future on earth to GAIN an ETERNAL future of a spiritual house and spiritual children. He , the Son of God, pleased the Heavenly Father. We, through Christ alone, are God's SPIRITUAL ADOPTED CHILDREN, born from above. (John 1:12; John 3:3, Rom 8:15)

We ARE the house that Jesus is building, spiritually! (1 Cor 6:19)

And now, His FUTURE ON EARTH CONTINUES, because of us, His Body of sons. (Eph. 1:22-23, Eph 2:17-22). And He reigns in Heaven forever!

So, knowing who we follow, we can know what to expect as a follower of Christ Jesus.

Discipleship looks like loss on the surface. And that loss will take different forms for different Christians. It is important not to compare your walk with that of your brother or sister in Christ. God has a unique calling for you, within the greater unity of the Body of Christ, under the Head, Jesus.

Jesus says this about the disciples' loss:

Mark 10:28-31 NKJV

28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 

30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 

31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

 So discipleship looks like, from a natural perspective, a disciple who has given up on his or her natural future. They have thrown it away, or so it would appear. Just look at Peter or John or Paul, or Stephen the Martyr. Their earthly lot in life does not soar to wealth or fame. They end up persecuted and most often killed for their testimony of Jesus. But they followed Jesus their example to the end... to the FUTURE. Their FUTURE continues to this day! They live forever in Christ.

Jesus is our FUTURE! He told us so:
John 11:25-27 NKJV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 

26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

And so, the disciples and apostles are wealthy in Christ, in spiritual things. So are we in Christ.

Salvation.

The Holy Spirit.

Resurrection.

Eternal Life.

The Calling of Christ for today.

Healing.

The Word.

The Gifts.

The inheritance of the Saints in light.

A New Heaven and a New Earth

The New Jerusalem in Heaven (which is the Bride of the Lamb Jesus , Rev 21:2,9-12)

All of these are Biblical examples of our spiritual wealth in Christ.

And others will think you are losing or "missing out". You could have had a bigger career. A bigger family. A nicer car (or any car for that matter - I am not a driver : ) )

A white picket fence.

A huge mansion on earth.

The "dream" of certain countries.

You could have had it all, according to people.

But instead you chose to lose it and gain CHRIST. You chose to loose your earthly lifestyle to GAIN CHRIST'S life in you. He is CHRIST in you, the hope of Glory (Col 1:27). Now, TO BE CLEAR, and to bring balance, This does not automatically mean your natural wealth or possessions are inherently evil, or that you must live in poverty to be spiritual. No, not at all. That is asceticism which is unbiblical. Asceticism teaches that one gains approval of God through severe voluntary poverty. That just is not the case. Salvation in Christ is a FREE gift, by GRACE. No one can boast in their works. We are all saved by GRACE through FAITH. (Eph. 2:8) Asceticism is just another works-based salvation doctrine and it is wrong. The Bible shows that both the rich and the poor can be saved by simple faith in Christ. It is harder for the rich, but not impossible with God.

So this just means you love Jesus MORE than anyone or any thing. Nothing comes between you and Christ. You may be led to give up certain things at the leading of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. That is good. It's ok if other disciples/followers of Jesus do not understand you in doing so.

After Jesus prophecies the kind of death Peter will suffer for Christ, Peter then asked about John's walk of discipleship, and Jesus simply replied:

John 21:21-22 NKJV

21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

So no two disciples will have the exact same journey. One may be led to have a natural family for Jesus and also raise up spiritual sons. Another may be called only to raise up spiritual sons in Jesus. All are one in Christ. 

 You are making that sacrifice, not to GET saved, but because you ARE saved by Grace! You do it out of personal obedience to, and love for, Christ the KING who RULES in mercy and righteousness. These kinds of life choices can ONLY BE known or understood by having a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP to God through the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. You cannot know how to follow Christ without first KNOWING Christ in your spirit!

You must commune with Him daily. Regularly. Read the Word of God, and pray in Jesus' Name.

Listen to the voice of the Shepherd.

  Life does not consist in the abundance of natural wealth or things. It consists in CHRIST ALONE. Jesus is the LIFE. (John 14:6- Jesus is the Way, the Truth, The Life, the only Way to God the Father)

In Mark 8:34, as quoted at the beginning of this entry, Jesus promises His followers a SECURE FUTURE.

In order to have a secure future in CHRIST, you must practice daily denial of self. You must lose the future you could have had in the world. Sounds weird, right? But look at what Paul taught about his own future and the resurrection!!

Philp. 3:7-11
"7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may GAIN Christ
9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Now here, we see that Paul, from a natural perspective, from a bystander's view, had thrown away his future. He chose NOT to stay with the Pharisees, and lost the prestige he had with them. He had no wife. He was beaten. Put in prison. Persecuted.

He had no natural progeny, no natural children.

BUT he did raise up spiritual children... he discipled believers like Timothy and Titus.

THAT was part of his future since Timothy and Titus both went on to carry forward the Apostle Paul's work and raise up even more spiritual children through the Gospel.
Again for clarity and balance, Biblical marriage between disciples (a man and a woman) is allowed and welcomed by Jesus. But it is not required for discipleship. Jesus supports and encourages the natural family unit. It is a blessing and a special ministry in and of itself. But again, as the Lord shows by his earthly walk, starting a natural family is not necessarily a requirement for discipleship or ministry (as in Paul and Barnabas - 1 Corinthians ch. 9). Why? Because Jesus fulfills it all (Mat 5:17, Gen. 1:28, Gen. 9:1 , Mat 28:18-20). So some Christians will be led to marry and have natural families. Others will be led to stay single. And still others will be led by the Holy Spirit uniquely in special circumstances. (for an example see: https://erlc.com/resource-library/articles/called-to-childlessness-the-surprising-ways-of-god/?platform=hootsuite )

At the core of what Jesus says and what Paul echos is this:

FOR THE CHRISTIAN WHO IS SERIOUS ABOUT DISCIPLESHIP, (married or single, with natural family or natural without) CHRIST IS OUR FUTURE. Christ in you the hope of glory! (Col. 1:27) And let's not forget that even those who do not raise a natural family are indeed INCLUDED into the FAMILY OF GOD through Jesus!

Eph. 3:14-15 NKJV 

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 

First the natural then the spiritual! (1 Cor 15:46) Do you exist naturally? Good! Then you can move on to the Spiritual things of God in Christ! Use those things in the natural as God leads you, but never let them distract you. Never allow another disciple to project their own calling onto you. Only let the Lord lead you and guide you by His Spirit and His Word.

This corruptible must put on incorruption (Christ). 

1 Corinthians 15:50-54

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

SECURE your future by denying yourself and following Christ, who IS THE FUTURE. 

He says He is the Ending, the Future. He is the Beginning and He is the End!

Rev 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

In Christ, your Biblical, Holy Spirit-led discipleship and ministry walk (married or unmarried, with natural family or no natural family) secures your PERMANENT AND GLORIOUS FUTURE! Christ is THE FUTURE. No one can take that away from you. If you choose Christ over the world, you are not throwing away your future, you are ENTERING INTO IT. Christ is our Eternal  Joyous, and Glorious Future as Christians! Let us be faithful to serve Him to the end, to the FUTURE. Let's strive for that "well done, good and faithful servant!" (Mat. 25:21, 23; Luke 19:17)

God bless!

Pastor Curtis

Thu Oct 22 2020 3:40pm EST

Spiritual Fatherhood

 Over the past 20 years, at Church On The GO, in Newmarket, ON, I have had the privilege and experience of training up tens of children and teens in the church. God's grace allows me to keep at it to this day. Praise the Lord!

I was first introduced into youth ministry in 2001, by Pastor Rev. Margaret I Coates (1936-2012). Since then, Pastor Rev. Stephen Coates (her son) has been raising me in ministry as my ministry father. Recently one of my spiritual kids called me their spiritual father. What a tremendous honour. There is nothing like that.

I consider them spiritual children in that I have imparted my love of Jesus, my love of His Word and my love of His Spirit to them. I shared the Gospel with each of them. I shared the heart of the Heavenly Father with them, through Jesus Christ the Son of God.

All by the Power of His Holy Spirit!

1 John 2:13b "...I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father."

Graphic created by Jenny Harrison

Their generation will carry the Gospel forward to new people. They will carry with them a deep understanding of God the Father's Heart. Many of my spiritual kids have grown up into fine young adults. They have continued to walk in and for Christ. Still others have distanced themselves from me, their old pastor and spiritual mentor. But I pray for them all. Some may forget me, but I have not forgotten them. And God knows where they all are.

Scattered across Canada, there are young adults with God's Spirit in them, because God allowed me to teach them the Gospel of Jesus, and to disciple them. That is what I live for. I live for Jesus. And for His spiritual family.

"And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." (1 John 2:28)

#20yearsinthemaking #pastor #spiritualchildren #spiritualfatherhood

Graphic by Curtis Alexander

God Respects the Generations in Christ: Respecting the Younger.

Here is some food for thought for us to consider. God respects the GENERATIONS, gives them value and worth... He sent His only Son Jesus to shed His priceless sinless blood for us all. We need to show basic human decency and respect to everyone: to the saved and to the unsaved. The Blood atonement of Jesus is for all who will believe in Jesus and call on Him. 

THAT is why Peter tells us:

1 Peter 2:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

That word "Honour" is also known as respect. Respect is a basic human need. 

Graphic created by Jenny Harrison.

God made us to be respected and loved. Jesus' blood proves it. So we must be respectful to each other. 

In Christ, we have VALUE, and WORTH. God gives us RESPECT regardless of outward traits. And He respects the young and the old. Today lets focus on the young. When mankind's tradition tends to overlook the younger men and women, God does not always do the same. Many times in Scripture we see God showing honour and respect to the youngest. 

Does God sometimes break with man's age traditions? 
Does God look past our natural traits (appearance, gender, age etc) and look at the heart instead? ❤
Can the Younger be the Leader? 

According to God and His word, the answer is YES to all these questions. Have a look at the following Scriptures below! 😊💭

1 Sam. 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

God foretells that the younger son will rule over the older (Jacob over Esau)
Gen. 25:23 And the Lord said to her:
“Two nations are in your womb,
Two peoples shall be separated from your body;
One people shall be stronger than the other,
And the older shall serve the younger.”

The younger son Jacob gets the First Born Blessing of Isaac.
Genesis 27:30 Now it happened, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.

The younger son Joseph gets the First Born's Birthright from Jacob (Israel)
1 Chronicles 5:1[ The Family of Reuben ] Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel—he was indeed the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that the genealogy is not listed according to the birthright;

The younger son Ephraim gets the greater blessing of Israel, much to the displeasure of Joseph, the father.
Genesis 48:14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

God tells Samuel to anoint NOT the oldest or the middle sons, but the youngest son of Jesse:
1 Sam 16:11-13
11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.”
And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.”
12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

Never think you are too old or too young to be used of the Lord. God often breaks with man's traditions and chooses what pleases Himself, and suits His own kingdom purposes.

Remember, if God calls you to a ministry, a marriage, or a vocation, you are not too young to lead. God sometimes chooses the younger to lead the older, in ministry, in marriage, in business, and in life. And to this day, it still often breaks with man's traditions. 

Paul encourages and RESPECTS Timothy in the ministry:
1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

God encourages and RESPECTS young Jeremiah in the ministry:

Jeremiah 1:7But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

I also want to explore how God honours and respects the older generations, as society often tends to overlook them as well. I hope to discuss this soon!

God bless

Pastor Curtis

Mon Aug 31 2020 11:07pm EST

We See Jesus: The Red Heifer Sacrifice Pt 1 of 2 (Audio Message) - Pastor Curtis. New Graphics

 Audio Message at Church On The GO Aug 18 2020 by Pastor Curtis Alexander

Newmarket, ON. 

'We See Jesus, The Red Heifer Sacrifice- Part 1 of 2" 

Follow link for audio message:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_uc_MJeDK1sLVWex4Jzf76QqmZLDU9uf/view?usp=sharing

Graphics referred to in message are seen below. 

Graphics By Pastor Curtis Alexander:

Special thanks to Jenny Harrison for creating the follow Graphics based on Pastor Curtis' message:

"We See Jesus: Fulfilling Jubilee" Audio by Pastor Curtis Alexander plus new graphics

 Audio message: Pastor Curtis Alexander preaching/teaching: "We See Jesus: Fulfilling Jubilee"

Tue Aug 11 2020 at Church On The GO www.churchonthego.ca in Newmarket, ON.

Click this link to download the audio message:

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iFPSZZr2adrnCPci39wyXPK32BH3AWDw/view?usp=sharing

Graphics (based on message) created by: Jenny Harrison.

"The Heavenly Culture of Respect" Audio Message

Listen to my latest message on "The Heavenly Culture of Respect"

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1atK88A4xMD3NH4H1hlXzbHWz5LB_V0Ln/view?usp=sharing

Ast. Pastor Curtis Alexander teaching at Church On The GO ( www.churchonthego.ca ) in Newmarket, ON. Tues. July 28th 2020.

Special thanks to Jenny Harrison for creating this graphic based on my message

Special thanks to Jenny Harrison for creating this graphic based on my message

Above graphic created by Curtis Alexander

-PC 

Wed July 29th 2020 11:31pm EST

"Song of the Lord - Spontaneous Worship" Audio Message

Listen to my audio message on google drive, at this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kbw-wqPFldK79FzbMNFIzGNmH_Ebh8Xp/view?usp=sharing

"The Song of The Lord - Spontaneous Worship"

Message by Ast. Pastor Curtis Alexander Tues July 21st 2020 at Church On The GO, Newmarket ON. 

( www.churchonthego.ca ) 

Thanks to Jenny Harrison for creating this graphic, based on my message.

-PC 

God's Heart, Love and Promise to the Childless - A Scripture Study

This Bible study post is meant to be a healing balm and a comfort to those whose paths have felt unfulfilled, or perhaps people have excluded them even if it was unintentional. In Jesus we find fulfillment and all the love and validation we need. You may be overlooked by others because of your circumstance. Or you may be misunderstood. You may feel excluded, like an opportunity has been missed. I feel for you and with you. I can't understand why it happens.

 But JESUS will never ignore you... just call on Him and let Him minister life to you by His Spirit. I do not understand why God allows for childlessness, as for some it is very painful. For others, they accept it as their lot in life. Others pick the adoption route.

 God can do miracles, but He does not always choose to. It is a mystery at times. In the end, Jesus really is our ultimate inheritance. And all believers can believe Jesus, be saved, and be on a mission to make disciples (raise spiritual children), regardless of their natural state.  And God LOVES those who cannot have children (or did not have them for various reasons) with the same AGAPE love He freely offers all who come to Him. Agape is His Godly affection and provision and love as displayed and demonstrated and offered through the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. 

God's Love, Heart, and Promise to the Childless and to those who cannot produce in the natural, a PLACE and a NAME "better than that of (natural) sons and daughters":

Isaiah 56:3-5 NKJV
3 Do not let the son of the foreigner
Who has joined himself to the Lord
Speak, saying,
“The Lord has utterly separated me from His people”;
Nor let the eunuch say,
“Here I am, a dry tree.”
4 For thus says the Lord:
“To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths,
And choose what pleases Me,
And hold fast My covenant,
5 Even to them I will give in My house
And within My walls a place and a name
Better than that of sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
That shall not be cut off.

Jesus affirms Isaiah by recognizing and validating those who will not be able to produce naturally in this life OR who choose to remain single as "spiritual eunuchs":
Matthew 19:12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”
That Greek word for "Eunuch" is G2135 on BlueletterBible and means:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2135&t=KJV

-a bed keeper, bed guard, superintendent of the bedchamber, chamberlain

-in the palace of oriental monarchs who support numerous wives the superintendent of the women's -apartment or harem, an office held by eunuchs

an emasculated man, a eunuch

-eunuchs in oriental courts held by other offices of greater, held by the Ethiopian eunuch mentioned in Ac. 8:27-39.

-one naturally incapacitated

     -for marriage

     -begetting children

-one who voluntarily abstains from marriage

So this word can mean in a Christian sense, those believers who cannot produce children physically in a marriage, or it can mean a believer who chooses not to get married. God still loves and validates these dear people in CHRIST. Christ is all. He is our fulfillment! (Col. 2:10)

Christian community is rightly focused on Biblical marriage (between one man and one woman) and on producing the next generation of children. It is through this institution that countries are stabilized and communities are built. However, God does not let anyone fall through the cracks. Singles. The childless. Childless couples. Those who cannot  beget children or get pregnant.

 Some are simply unable to do what others can do. They have different gifts instead. And God has given them a heart to follow after the Spirit. We must be careful not to exclude or reject those who are unable to follow Adam's mandate naturally. God's agape Love is for them too. They are also just as welcome to enjoy the holy marital union should they desire it. God has given a variety of administrations, abilities and gifts, but it is all by the SAME HOLY SPIRIT.

1 Cor. 12:5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

Together with sensitivity and love, all believers within churches can work together to fulfill both the natural and the spiritual. Some will be exclusively focused on producing spiritual disciples. And that is ok. 

Jesus recognizes that not all believers will be able to have natural children in marriage. He also recognizes that some will choose to stay single for the Kingdom of God's sake. Jesus fulfills the promise of Isaiah 56:5. He Himself did not have a natural wife or natural children, but instead produced spiritual children through the Spirit of Adoption. (See Romans 8:15 below). And His Bride is the New Jerusalem in Heaven, a spiritual Bride (Revelation ch.21).

 He identifies with BOTH the childless (as He was without natural children on the earth) and with the Father (as He produced spiritual children through the Spirit of Adoption). 

Jesus promises to His followers:

Revelation 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

A new eternal name for the naturally childless if they are overcomers in Christ:

Revelation 2:17“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

Having natural and/or spiritual children is a dual fulfillment in Christ:
Christ fulfills Adam's Mandate to be fruitful and multiply as the "LAST ADAM" (1 Cor 15:45; Mat. 5:17). He does so in the Spirit not in the natural.

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

Jesus's Great Commission to create new disciples (spiritual children) now runs parallel to Adam's mandate and is equal in value. The Last Adam (Jesus) actually fulfills all that Adam failed to do. It begins in the natural but must be completed in the Spirit of God with discipleship and the "Spirit of adoption".

Genesis 1:28 New King James Version (NKJV)

28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Matthew 28:19-20 New King James Version (NKJV)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Natural children as God's plan: Matthew 1:1-2
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.

Spiritual children as God's Plan: 1 Corinthians 4:17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

More on Spiritual Children: 

John regarded those he oversaw as spiritual children: 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Blessings as you consider God's heart and love toward all His followers in Christ, both those who can and have produced naturally and those who cannot or have not produced naturally. 

No matter what your circumstance is in the natural, ALL believers can be fruitful in the Spirit, through Christ the Vine. Instead of abiding in your miseries, abide in Christ your comfort. Let your branch bear spiritual fruit. (John 15)

Some Thoughts On God's Best

God's Best.

Romans 8:28 Geneva Bible (GNV)
28 Also we know that all things work together for THE BEST unto them that love God, even to them that are called of his purpose.

Between initial Salvation and Eternity with Christ, is a journey on this earth. We as believers know from Scripture that Salvation in the Blood of Jesus and Eternity with Him is God's best. That is the beginning and the end. All who come by the way of the cross and trust in the finished work of Christ Jesus alone for salvation will experience that "eternal best".

But what about that middle part? The part where we walk with the Lord as His followers on the earth?

What does "God's Best" look like for the individual believer? Are all believers to experience the same "best" on earth or does that "best" depend on God's unique plan for each unique believer? Scripture will shed light:

Romans 8:28 Geneva Bible (GNV)
28 Also we know that all things work together for THE BEST unto them that love God, even to them that are called of his purpose.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NKJV)
4 There are DIVERSITIES of gifts, but the SAME Spirit.
5 There are DIFFERENCES of ministries, but the SAME Lord.
6 And there are diversities of ACTIVITIES, but it is the same God who works ALL in ALL.

In that middle part of the road, what's best for one believer may not be what's best for the next. Only God knows. Certainly, as humans, we tend to believe that what worked best for us, must necessarily be what works best for those around us. But this simply is not the case. Paul indicates that paths can differ... but they are all from the same Spirit of God. And they are what's "best" for each believer, should they choose to follow the Lord's leading.

More from Paul the Apostle:
1 Corinthians 7:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.

1 Corinthians 7:7 New King James Version (NKJV)
7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

Isaiah 56:5 NKJV
Even to them I will give in My house
And within My walls a place and a name
Better than that of sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
That shall not be cut off.

Matthew 19:12 NKJV For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”

Love God, believe Jesus, and Heed His Call... then watch as God works His Best in your life (note that this does NOT necessarily mean an "easy life" or a life of natural wealth!) God's best is designed not for material gain, but for spiritual gain and edification of the Body of Christ. Indeed God's best means we endure some suffering for His sake, and grow spiritually in the fruit of the Spirit.

1 Peter 4:16 NKJV 

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Note how God's best looks different for each disciple:

John 21:17-22 NKJV

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 

18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 

19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

 Don't be surprised when your middle road journey looks different than the middle road of another Christian in church. Just keep your eyes on Jesus Christ. It's only through His Blood we are SAVED!! And we believers will all experience HIS best in Heaven!

Blessings
Pastor Curtis
July 8 2020 1:08am EST

10 Biblical Purposes of Spiritual Gifts

Recently it was brought to my attention that some may mistake those who accept the gifts of the Spirit with those who accept the "Word of Faith" movement. Although there are some charismatic Christians that have accepted that "Word of Faith" doctrine, many other charismatic saints, such as myself and my own church, have long since distanced ourselves and denounced the Word of Faith (Name it and Claim it) movement.
Here is an article explaining what the Word of Faith movement is, and why it is erroneous.

https://www.compellingtruth.org/word-faith.html

Being charismatic does not automatically make a Christian an adherent to teachings like the one described in the article above.
Read the following article below to learn how many Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians have criticized the Word of Faith Movement. 

https://www.watchman.org/articles/other-religious-topics/word-faith-theology/ 

The whole idea of the gifts of the Spirit is made clear here in this Bible passage. Please read prayerfully and consider the following. God does give gifts to men. He still does today, because Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, forever. (see Hebrews 13:8) But He does not give gifts to us so that we can use/abuse them for selfish gain or material possession. No, He gives gifts to His saints so that they may be EQUIPPED, MATURED, EDIFIED, and SOUND IN DOCTRINE.

The Inspired Word of God tells us the clear purposes of these divine gifts to Christians:

Ephesians 4:7-16 NKJV

 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 

8 Therefore He says:
“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 
10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Did you catch those points? God equips His churches, the Body of Christ, with gifts for a variety of reasons. True Pentecostals and Charismatics can reject the name-it claim-it ideas while still adhering to the above sound doctrine of Paul the Apostle, as inspired by the Holy Spirit. Notice how there is no mention of material wealth in this entire passage from Ephesians. That's because the gifts are not for the mere purposes of the natural realm. They are for the spiritual kingdom of God and building His church in the Spirit!

According to this passage from Ephesians ch.4, God gives gifts to those in Christ. These present-day gifts from the Holy Spirit are for:
1. Equipping the saints (v12)
2.  the work of the ministry (v12)
3. edifying the Body of Christ (v12)
4. coming to the unity of the faith (v13)
5. reaching the stature and fullness (maturity) of Christ (v13)
6. growing up so that we are no longer like little children that are deceived by false doctrines (like Word of Faith errors) These gifts from God help us to discern the "trickery of men" and reject it. (V14)
7. speaking the truth in love (v15)
8. For growing up, becoming spiritually mature like Christ the head (v15)
9. Knitting the Body together by what every joint supplies
10. Growing the Body so that it edifies itself in LOVE. (v16).

Now this is just one of many passages revealing God's New Testament present truth purpose for the gifts. This is not an exhaustive list but it is a very good Biblical overview of why God gave gifts.

It is clear that the gifts are not to make life more "comfortable" on the planet, but for the spiritual and "effective working" (v16) of Christ's Spiritual Body on the earth. We are to grow up, in the midst of our challenges and trials and to speak truth to each other in love, relying on His Spirit and His power.

 Indeed Christ promised we as believers would endure suffering for His name's sake, before we share in eternal glory with Him. (Mat 5:1-12)

To bring balance to this, we must still remember that Christ, who is still sovereign and on the throne, does look after and provide for the needs of those who seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
 Matthew 6:33 says:
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

God bless as you read and consider and pray into these Biblical truths from God's inspired Word.
May God enlighten our understanding as we walk in His Light!

And... Happy Canada Day!
God bless you.
Pastor Curtis
July 1st 2020 7:39pm EST

The Body Of Christ: a Culture of Respect

There is a present truth of the Body of Christ on the earth today.
The whole human body is a present Biblical model of the Body of Christ in the earth, composed of individual churches and individual believers. This natural model was first created by God in Genesis 1 and then given to Paul as a revelation in 1 Corinthians ch. 12. and in other places like Ephesians 4.
Eyes are important!
Ears are imporant!
Hands are imporant!

Feet are imporant!
AND.... The Body needs internal organs! Those are the parts that no one sees (there is a problem if someone can see your liver from the outside!!) yet are working tirelessly in unison with the Head and supply and serve the Body.

Just because you appear to be a small member or church, that does not exclude you from Body MEMBERSHIP! The rest of the Body NEEDS YOU! Some cells come in direct contact with each other, within the organs and so on.
DISCLAIMER:
I am NO DOCTOR. (A funny story happened to me about that phrase "I am not a doctor" ask me about it. :D )
But I happen to know the natural human body is made up of various kinds of cells. Then if Paul is using the human body in his comparison (1 Cor 12), the same would hold true in the Spirit.

 Some cells mesh directly together. Brain cells mesh together and carry electrical signals. Blood cells are individual yet flow together in the same narrow stream carrying oxygen.
Brain cells don't minimize muscle cells or blood cells. They NEED THEM. All cells nourish each other or supply each other, based on their design. God designed muscle cells to help the Body move. God designed bone cells to help give the body STRUCTURE! Skin cells are important too! God in His infinite wisdom created the human body skillfully and wonderfully. The more the human body is studied, the more amazing facts we discover about it.

Some cells never come in direct contact with each other, and that's normal. Yet they are STILL IN UNISON with each other, through CHRIST THE HEAD. (Col. 2:10). They are all connected to each other by the nerve system and the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system of Christ.


The BLOOD of CHRIST flows though the spiritual cardiovascular system.


The BREATH of the HOLY SPIRIT flows through the spiritual Respiratory system.


The AUTHORITY and POWER and KNOWLEDGE and WORD of Christ flows through the Nervous System.


The Body is a CULTURE OF HONOUR (also known as RESPECT). We cultivate a culture of honour where there is none. We cultivate love of Christ where there is none. The body parts that seem to have less respect, we respect them! The parts in pain, we pray for them! The parts that are thriving, we rejoice with them!

We feel each other's pains and rally in prayer. That is like the Body's immune system coming to fight off plagues and clot wounds.

We CELEBRATE the successes of our fellow Body Parts!!

BE an ambassador of the Head, Christ Jesus. (2 Cor 5:20-21)

1 Corinthians 12:12-27
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?

18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.

21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honourable, on these we bestow greater honour; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,

24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honour to that part which lacks it,

25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

- - - - -

It is important to recognize that God Himself composed this Body. Both the natural human body, and the Spiritual one.  (V18 and V24). He composed Adam in a fully formed, fully functioning way in one Day. The Day Christ (The Head) rose from the Grave was the day God formed a new Spiritual Body.

 In His wisdom, He made some members and churches small, and some are large. These parts are composed of different kinds of cells. Yet this is exactly what makes the Body function.

Look past the non-essential differences and or affiliations and titles. See Christ at work in all the true body members. Agree with them that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to be saved. He is the Only Way to the Father. (John 14:6) He is the ONLY solution to sin and to the world's problems, and it is only by grace through faith that we can be saved! (Eph 2:8) Whoever calls on the Lord will be SAVED.

On this, the True Spiritual Body of Christ agrees:

Romans 10:9-13 (NKJV)

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 

12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 

13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

The GOOD news among all this bad news we keep hearing on the media is that Jesus Christ is RICH TO ALL who call upon Him! (v12) Note that it says "all" not "some". 

Also:

Acts 15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Acts 16:5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

As believers in Jesus, let's bless the Body in Jesus' Name! Let us "strengthen the churches" by being PRESENT. This is always true, but it is especially true at a time like this.
Let's remember how unique each body part and cell is, and embrace how God has made you and formed you in the Spiritual Body. Not everyone in the Body does what you do, and God's grace has appointed you to fulfill that honour. God bless you in your local church! I know things are still a bit different right now with many government-ordered lockdowns.  And yet, God will make a way. Jesus IS the Way. (John 14:6) God is still sovereign over the nations (Psalm 47:8; Psalm 82:8), and Christ is still the Leader, the Head of the Body! All true Body members hold to the Head, Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:18-19)! 

And of course we know that Christ the Head is seated in HEAVEN, ruling and reigning victoriously with the saints who went on before us! And we are connected to our HEAVENLY HEAD as the Body on the earth which is the Lord's (Psa 24:1)! 

Like Stephen in the book of Acts, who died in a riot against him, we too can receive powerful revelations of the Lord Jesus in the middle of some terrible times. The revelation of Christ is what keeps us hoping, keeps us in joy and keeps us working in the Body! 

Acts 7:55-56

55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

God Bless,

Pastor Curtis

Thu Jun 4th 2020 1:53pm EST

Read MORE about Jesus the spiritual "Body Builder"!
https://view-finder-blog.blogspot.com/2017/04/jesus-is-spiritual-body-builder.html

Respecting Differences Through Christ's Love.

We as Christian believers may need to brush up on Romans 14 again (myself included). Read with the Holy Spirit. He will help us, using the Word, to learn how to respect differences of conviction between Christians and how to do it in love. Basically, not everything needs to be agreed upon. Humans need to feel both love (agape) and respect (basic human worth). God loves us and respects us so we need to love and respect each other. We should respect our differences and recognize that God accepts the faith of people with different views on natural matters.

Let's open the Word by the Spirit and refresh our minds with the Mind of Christ here. Let's read the whole chapter:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+14&version=NKJV
Take your time with it. I'll be here waiting....

OK you've read through the chapter?

Great! Let's continue. 

Verse 13 is very key when dealing with outward appearances and surface matters (non-salvation issues). V17 is also very crucial. Paul teaches us how to handle the surface stuff that Christians always seem to disagree on: Food, drink, holy days, circumcision, and more recently, masks and cleaning supplies etc etc. Your personal faith on these outward matters is good! But what is NOT good is using it to condemn or trip up fellow saints. I can tell you that it displeases the Heavenly Father to see His children taking hurtful jabs at each other and calling each others' faith into question. That is terrible, and it breaks my heart. It doesn't matter what "side" you take. Both "sides" have merit. In this coronavirus situation, I know people with weak immune systems that need to wear a mask. So wear it. Have your faith before God (v22).

I also know people who have special health conditions that prevent them from wearing the mask or suffer anxiety from it. Or they simply believe God will keep His word (Mark 16:18) and see God as their protection in the midst of working their essential services job. But they take still take other health precautions like others do. So those people don't wear a mask. Have your faith before God. (v22) Just don't use your personal convictions (whatever they may be) as a clubbing weapon against other dear sisters and brothers in Christ. Respect differences using the Love of Christ.

SO what does matter is acting in love and respecting our brothers and sisters in Christ. They don't have to agree with you on every issue. We only need to agree on Christ and on the key doctrines of salvation such as John 14:6. So out of mutual love and respect, we must sometimes graciously agree to disagree and move on.

The common misconception I sometimes observe with us Christians is that we all have to agree on the surface issues. No we just need to agree to love and respect each other as Jesus commanded us. :) Love meaning we care for and have godly affection for each other (agape), and respect meaning we recognize each other's inherent worth in Christ. Christ paid His pure sinless priceless BLOOD for you and for your brother and sister in Christ. That automatically means that YOU, and your siblings are of worth. Respect means we treat each other as someone of worth, and that we don't allow the temporary issues of the day (such as masks) to cause us to loose sight of this.


Just let the Word minister life to you and to your Christian siblings. We can all agree as Christians on this: 

Rom. 14:13 NKJV Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

In other words, do you have a brother that believes Jesus' promise of divine protection (Mark 16:18)? Great! let him believe!! Coercing him to wear a mask against his faith is sin. (v23). But if a Christian's faith DOES include wearing a mask, then for them specifically, taking it off is also sin. Whatever is not of faith is sin. So you can see the issue for God is that we need to respect each other, especially online. And don't let the minor issue take the place of the main eternal focus. Why? Because.... 

Romans 14:16-18
16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Nothing in my own personal convictions is more important than my brother's faith in Christ. Nothing in his personal convictions is more important than my faith in Christ. Christ is the One Door to Heaven (John 10:9). On this we can all agree, and by abiding in His love, we can love one another.

Rom. 14:21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak

John 15:9-12 NKJV
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Another word for respect is "honour". We need to honour all people, including those we disagree with in the Christian community! This is because God bestows WORTH on every human being. He sent His Son to die for them. Even if they do NOT yet believe Him, they still have worth to God. This is important for us to remember.
  SO what does this honour/respect and love look like? Well, sometimes out of love and respect, we choose not to bring certain topics up if we know it will cause unnecessary contentions. We choose to bypass certain comments and instead, choose to EDIFY them with good encouragement. People matter to God. So here is a key passage on honour... a word that also refers to respect in its definition.

1 Peter 2:17 NKJV Honour all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

I myself am still learning and growing in this as the Holy Spirit has to keep me on track! I hope that you will join me in this lifetime journey of learning and growing in Christ's love and respect/honour.

God bless you!
Pastor Curtis

Mon May 18 2020 1:16am EST