Saturday, January 28, 2012

Jesus said; "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. I will be with thee always even until the end of the (age) world." (Matt. 28: 20; Heb. 13: 5). In the original autographs Jesus used a double imperative which is even stronger. He said: " I will never, no never leave thee. I will never, no never forsake thee..." - Pastor Max Solbrekken

     THAT’S THE MAN WHO WAS HOLDING ME

There was an atheist couple who had a child.

The couple never told their daughter anything about the Lord.

One night when the little girl was 5 years old, the parents fought with each other, and the Dad shot the Mom, right in front of the child.  Then, the Dad shot himself. The little girl watched it all.

 She was sent to a foster home after the death of her parents.  The foster mother was a Christian and took the child to church.  

On the first day of Sunday school, the foster mother told the teacher that the girl had never heard of Jesus, and to have patience with her. 

The teacher held up a picture of Jesus and said, "Does anyone know who this is?"  The little girl said, "I do; that's the man who was holding me the night my parents died.”

"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is  in heaven. For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost. Even so, it is not the will of your Father in Heaven,  that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18: 10, 11, 14)

Jesus said: "The thief (Satan) has come only to steal, kill and destroy. I AM come that they might have LIFE and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

Christ
is the
Answer!
By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

This life is full of problems, trials and heartaches and many have gotten caught in the tide, as the storms of life have almost overtaken them.  They may even feel that life isn’t worth living, as their lot has been nothing but sorrow, grief and woe!

Dear friend, are you such a one?  If you are, then I want to say, ‘I have good news for you. Christ is the Answer, and He answers prayer!’

LOOK UP, DON’T DESPAIR

You don’t know which way to turn! Your friends have forsaken you.  Your loved ones have proven unfaithful and untrue.  You have lost confidence in everyone, including God. Remember dear friend, man may fail you but God will not and cannot fail.  

He says in His Word, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee:” (Heb. 13:5) Jesus declares to all believers:  “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (age)”. (Matt. 28:20)

YOU MAY BE FEARFUL OR TROUBLED!  

You’re scared and fear has gripped your heart.  You’re fearful of the future, your employer, even your friends and relatives! You may be fearful of what you may do.  Possibly you’re afraid that you’ll crack up, go insane or commit suicide.

Dear Friend, listen to the words of our blessed Lord, “Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God.  I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness”. (Isaiah 41:10)

That is God speaking to you through His Word. Appropriate His promise for yourself now and claim that promise!

God’s Word says, “Perfect love casteth out fear”. (1 John 4:18);  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

God loves you, my friend.  If you love Him, that is perfect love and your fears must leave immediately. How is this possible? you may ask. Christ has conquered fear: “Through death He (Jesus) might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them that through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage”. (Heb. 2:14-15)

HELP IS ON THE WAY TO YOU!

Just remember - Christ is your only hope and the only answer to your every problem!
You may be in real turmoil and things have gone wrong for you, spiritually.  You don’t have the desire you once had to witness and testify for Jesus Christ.

You’ve lost the victory in your life and you’ve grown cold in your love and devotion to God.
Jesus said, “...If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink. He that believeth on Me as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly (innermost being) shall flow rivers of living water”. (John 7:37-38)

The Bible states, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”. (Acts 2:38-39)

Humble yourself, confess your sins to God and rejoice as the joy of the Lord floods your soul.  Hallelujah!

YOU HAVE LOST YOUR JOB 

The bills are stacking up and you’re at the end of the rope, financially.  Life seems to have given you a rough time. Have you prayed about it?  Remember, Christ is the answer to every problem!
The Lord is very concerned about you, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched by the feeling of our infirmities”. (Heb. 4:15)

Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  For everyone that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened”. (Matt. 7:7-8)

Our Saviour proclaimed, “If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it”. (John 14:14)
The Bible states, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper, and be in health, even as thy soul doth prosper”. (3 John 1:2)  Maybe you’ve robbed God! Read Malachi 3:8-12 to see the gravity of that!

Examine your life, repent and pay your vows.  Then you can claim God’s promise: “Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase - so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine”. (Prov. 3:9-10)

ARE YOU BOUND BY EVIL HABITS?  

You can’t seem to break free from them. You are powerless against them.  When it seems you’ve got it beat, you have a compelling urge to have another cigarette or another drink of whiskey!  Or to gamble at Bingo, VLT slot machines or the Casino ‘dens of iniquity’!

YOU MAY BE AN ALCOHOLIC OR DRUG ADDICT!  Listen, my friend, no one else may care, but Jesus cares!  He loves you and wants to deliver you and make you free! Get on your knees, and cry out to God.  He will answer your prayer and you will no longer be a slave to those evil habits.

Don’t be discouraged; help is on the way to you.  God knows all about you and wants to liberate you!

YOU’RE SICK AND DISEASED  

Perhaps you’re deaf or blind.  You may have heart trouble, cancer, diabetes, MS or even AIDS.  The disease is eating away your body; the sickness is slowly taking your life.

You’re crippled or paralyzed and the doctors have done all they can do - all human help is gone.
My friend, don’t despair. Dry your tears, and listen to the Words of Jesus.  “The thief (devil) cometh not, but to steal and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

The devil has afflicted you and wants to destroy you, but Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

Jesus Christ overcame death, hell and the grave. He was victorious over Satan, making a show of him openly, triumphing over him. (Col. 2:15)

THE DEVIL IS A LIAR & A DEFEATED FOE!

And you’re not going to continue to be sick.  You’re not going to die of that awful disease, if you’ll reach forth your hand by faith right now and take the nail-scarred hand of Jesus!

Jesus said, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise case out”. (John 6:37)  Again Jesus declared, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”. (Mark 9:23)

Our Lord Jesus came to deliver the captives, open the eyes of the blind, and set at liberty them that are bruised. (Luke 4:18)

You may feel, “My sickness is too great - no one can help me”.  Listen, my friend, Jesus is greater than your sickness! He is greater than blind eyes or deaf ears:  Christ is greater than anxiety, panic attacks, arthritis, goiter, cancer, diabetes or multiple sclerosis!

BELIEVE HIM NOW!  

He said, “I am the Lord that healeth thee”. (Ex. 15:26) Accept Him now as your Healer.  Get ready to act your faith in Jesus Christ.  I will pray for you in a moment.  As you read my prayer, turn your faith loose toward God and take your healing by faith in the finished work of Calvary.

Remember, the Bible says:  “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities:  the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed”. (Isaiah 53:5)

 WITHOUT CHRIST, YOU ARE LOST!

I say to you, Jesus Christ came to seek and to save them that are lost. (Luke 19:10) Are you a backslider?   Has your heart grown cold to the call of God?  Friend, come back to Jesus today, repent of every sin and confess that you cannot save yourself.

Cry out to Him to be merciful to you and He will, for God’s Word declares: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9);
Behold I stand at the door and knock.  If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup (fellowship) with him and he with Me”. (Rev. 3:20)

OPEN YOUR HEART TO JESUS!

Now, thank Him for saving you and let your light shine for Him in your daily life! Attend a Church where they believe in and preach the Full Gospel. There, you will find love and fellowship among the saints who have received ‘The Baptism of the Holy Ghost’, according to Acts 2:4.

It should be a Church where they pray for the sick, believe in sanctification and dedication to God, and have a desire to win souls for Jesus!

Obey the command of the Lord and be baptized in water by immersion according to Matt. 28:19, Acts 2:41 and Acts 8:36-39.

READ THE BIBLE DAILY, PRAY EARNESTLY 

And seek God for the ‘Baptism of the Holy Ghost’ (Acts 2:39), and witness continually wherever possible to others, about Jesus Christ.

Remember. Christ is the Answer and wants to deliver you this very moment, as I pray:

“Almighty God, I pray in the Name of Thy Son Jesus Christ that You will bless each one reading these words!  I command every evil spirit, sickness and disease to leave those that are afflicted. O’ Lord, save, heal and deliver each one now in the Name of Jesus.  AMEN!”

THE BIBLE SAYS:

“Be of good cheer!  It is I; be not afraid.” (Mark 6:10); “Peace be unto you.” (Luke 24:36); “Be of good comfort.” (Luke 8:48)

·     “Fear not, only believe.” (Mark 5:36); “Have faith in GOD.” (Mark 11:22)
·     “The things which are impossible with men are possible with GOD.” (Luke 18:27); “For with GOD nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37);
·     “Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give unto you: not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
·     “Come unto ME, all ye who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)
Empty Religion and philosophy is meaningless.  

Only a relationship with Jesus Christ saves and heals! Beware of false prophets and cult leaders who preach that good works can save you and that by joining their group or 'church' you will be saved. 

Please remember, the first sign of a cult is that they are the ONLY people who preach the Truth and by joining their group you will be saved! That is a lie from Hell. 

Only those who believe that Jesus Christ was True God from Eternity and True Man by His virgin birth and Who took our place on the cross by shedding His pure and perfect blood, was buried and three days later arose from the dead, become God`s children by Grace through Faith in His perfect work on Mount Calvary!

The hymn writer penned the words: 'Nothing in my hands I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling. Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, come to Thee for grace. Foul, I to Thy fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.'

The Bible states: "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, we have fellowship one with another, and the BLOOD of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1; 6, 7).

                           For spiritual counsel please contact us: [email protected]



Jesus said: 'Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions (total protection and power over every satanic power), and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10: 19) Hallelujah!

O' CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD:
Wherein Lieth Thy Great Strength? 

By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

"And it came to pass afterward, that Samson loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver." (Judges 16: 4, 5)

      O' Church of the living God, wherein lies your great success? What is the secret of your supernatural power and authority? From whence do you derive such boldness, integrity, humility, and strength?
      From whom did you receive the permission, authority and mandate to defy Satan's kingdom of darkness and despoil his assets? Who gave you the power to save hell-bound souls, heal sick bodies and minds and cast out unclean spirits from sinful, sick, tormented and bound humanity?
      O' Church, Who is your Great King?  What is the name of your Kingdom?  Wherein lieth your great strength? What is your Secret?
                 
           The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
           She is His new creation by water and the Word:
           From Heav'n He came and sought her to be His holy bride;
           With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died!

MARTIN LUTHER was asked: "Where will you be when the whole world is against you - the Cardinals, the Archbishops, the Pope, the Nobles and the Emperor? Where will you be then, Martin Luther?"

The Great Reformer answered: "Then, as now, I will be in the hands of God!"  What a secure place to be - in the hands of God!

GIRALOMO SAVONAROLA, Bishop of Florence Italy (1452 - 1498), called 'The Herald of the Reformation' was a mighty man of God and a martyr! Martin Luther often spoke of him and of John Huss - the Bohemian monk - who was burned at the stake by the apostate church even earlier!

Savonarola lived at the time of the Borgias – a wicked coterie of Cardinals and Popes - who committed evil criminal acts and plunged the Church into the most degraded condition of its existence! 
     
He spent much time in fasting and prayer and seeking God, while denouncing the corruption of the Church! His righteous sermons of repentance shook Florence and the rural areas of Italy, before his martyrdom! 
      
In 1497 he declared: "Come here, wretched Church… In your lechery, you are a shameless whore. Once you blushed for your sins, but not now. The priests used to call their sons nephews. Now they are not nephews, but sons plain and simple.”  Taken from’ The Man of the Renaissance’ (page 81) by Historian Ralph Raedor.
     
SAVONAROLA correctly prophesied that the Pope, the King of Naples, and Lorenzo de Medici of Florence, would all die within one year.
    
Another prophecy - that judgment would befall Italy because of their sins - was also fulfilled when France invaded Italy and sacked Naples in 1494.
      
God revealed to him that he had only eight years to preach before his death and that was fulfilled, when he was eventually excommunicated by the wicked Pope and burned at the stake!
       
JOHN KNOX, another great reformer – cried out to God: “Give me Scotland or I die!” God heard his prayers and Scotland remained free from Rome’s tyranny! Bloody Queen Mary of Scots stated: “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than the armies of England!”
      
ALEXUS de TOCQUILLE, member of the French Academy, wrote in 1931: "I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbours and her ample rivers, and it was not there: in her rich mines and her vast world commerce and it was not there.
    
Not until I went into the Churches of America, and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness, did I understand the secret of her genius and power!"

DELILAH CONSPIRED TO DISCOVER SAMSON'S POWER

The elders of the Philistines approached Delilah, Samson's lover, with an offer of eleven hundred pieces of silver from each of them, if she could uncover the secret of his great power, so that they might "prevail against him".
    
SAMSON is a type of the Church: bold, daring and powerful, defeating the enemies of God! Samson was a gift from God to his parents and to the nation of Israel, which he served as a judge for 40 years.    
     
He was consecrated to the Lord, a Nazerite from birth and dedicated to his mission. He was not allowed to drink wine or strong drink, and his lips were sealed regarding his vows. As a sign of his consecration, Samson could not cut his hair. 

To break that vow would break his consecration to God! It would result in his demise.
     
As the lords of the Philistines didn't understand Samson or know the source of his power, neither does the Devil and the World understand the Church or the source of our supernatural power!
      
And as the lords of the Philistines offered huge sums of money to Delilah to discover the source of his immense power, SATAN IS BIDDING HIGH to uncover our weaknesses in his quest to wrestle from us our great power!
     
The Bible says: "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the foundation of the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
      
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor.2: 7,8,14).  Here are some vital truths regarding this very important matter:

1. OUR UNIQUENESS AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

·  We Are The Church:
      
We have special status because we members of the Church - (Gr - Ekklesia - called out ones). We are disciples, followers and imitators of Jesus Christ! The early Christians were called, among other things - The Family of Jesus!
     
“Blessed be the Lord God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
     
According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
      
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will. To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Eph 1: 4-6)

· We Are Born Again:
      
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (John 3:3,7).
      
We are born of the Word of God and the Spirit of God. (I Peter 1: 18, 19); “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth forever and ever.” (V. 23)
      
“If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that everyone that doeth righteousness is born of Him. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
      
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. For whosoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith.” (1 John 2: 29; 3: 9; 5:1, 4)

· We Are Changed By God's Power:
      
"And you hath He quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
      
“Among whom also we all had our conversation in time past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
     
"But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us; Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened (made alive) us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved). And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Eph.2: 1 - 6).

· We Are Spirit-Filled:
      
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me..." (Acts 1: 8); "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and spake with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2: 4);
     
"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14; 16 -17)

 · We Are Chosen of God:
      
"Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you." (John 15: 16);
     
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 
       
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light."  (1 Peter 2: 5, 9);
    
"According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." (Eph. 1: 4)       
      
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself beareth witness that we are the children of God." (Romans 8: 14, 16);
     
"Beloved, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him like He is." (1 John 3: 1, 2)

· We Are Heirs of God & Joint Heirs with Christ:
      
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint–heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be glorified together. For I reckon, that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom.8: 17, 18)

· We Are Temples of the Holy Spirit:
      
"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Cor.6: 19, 20).  
      
"For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones!" (Eph. 5: 30); "At that day, ye shall know that I am in the Father, and ye in Me, and I in you. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love Him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14: 20, 23);
       
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John 15: 5, 7)

2. OUR CONSECRATION TO GOD

· We Are A Separate People:
       
"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and I walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
       
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be  a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord  Almighty." (2 Cor.6: 16 -18).

· We Are A Holy People Unto God:
       
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ: As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
      
“But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, BE YE HOLY; FOR I AM HOLY. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness." (I Pet. 1:13 - 16; 2 Pet. 3: 11)

3. OUR DEDICATION TO GOD
      
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, perfect, will of God." (Rom. 12: 1, 2)
      
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb. 12: 1, 2)
      
“And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, he said unto them. Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” (Mark 8: 34, 35)
      
“Jesus said unto him. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matt. 22: 37)
      
Our sole responsibility is to love the Lord and serve Him to fullest of our ability and serve our fellowman with God's love in our hearts! If we become complacent, Satan will get the advantage over us. We cannot, must not and will not, let that happen

4. OUR LOVE & REVERENCE FOR GOD!

The Bible says: "And unto the man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." (Job 28: 28)
    
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding." (Prov.9: 10); "We love Him because He first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
      
Dr. James Dobson, a Christian psychologist, interviewed the notorious rapist and killer, Ted Bundy on International TV.  Knowing that Bundy had been adopted by loving parents who raised him in a godly home, Dr. Dobson asked him: "When did you stop loving Jesus?"
      
Bundy answered: "I never stopped loving Jesus." Startled by that answer, the psychologist asked him how that could possibly be! Ted Bundy replied: "I lost the fear of God."
     
THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED TO SAMSON 

He broke his vow, because he had lost the fear and reverence for God in his heart. It happened gradually. He visited a harlot in Gaza and God was still with him!
      
With his enemies camped outside, saying, "In the morning, we will kill Samson", the Holy Ghost awakened him at midnight. Samson ripped loose the pillars of the city gate and carried them to the top of Hebron.  Then he picked up a jawbone of an ass and slew 1000 Philistines, because God was still with him! His vows, consecration, covenant and God’s grace still covered him!
      
SAMSON DISREGARDED THE WARNINGS! As he continued down the path of backsliding, he played a dangerous game with a woman from the enemy camp. Repeatedly there were red flags, but he disregarded them all until he crossed the dead - line, and God's ‘hammer of judgment’ fell!
     
He had given away God’s secret. His vow was no longer HOLY! It didn’t matter anymore what anyone said or did. He was hooked and refused to see the disaster looming before him. His sacred consecration meant nothing anymore! He gave it all away!
     
What did he get in return? Humiliation, shame, derision and death!
    
God's champion, who had been chosen before his birth, consecrated to Almighty God and had vowed to live a separated and sanctified life, was chained by the Philistines and led away in shame! His strength was gone and the enemy gouged out his eyes with hot pokers, and he was forced to grind at the mill like a brute beast!
SATAN CAME TO STEAL, KILL & DESTROY!
Jesus called the Evil One by three names: Satan (heb - adversary, enemy), devil (gr. - liar, false accuser, traducer) and Be’el’ze-bub (god of flies, filth).
      
The Bible says: "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10: 17 - 19)
       
Jesus stated: "No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house." (Mark 3: 27).
      
The religious Pharisees accused our Lord Jesus Christ of casting out devils by the prince of devils. That, of course, is impossible! If Satan rose up against himself, he would have an end. Jesus corrected them by declaring that He cast out evil spirits by the Spirit of God, and that was a sign that the Kingdom of God had

Satan is a strong man who chains and enslaves his victims, but Jesus is the ‘Stronger Man’ who binds the devil and liberates them from bondage!
      
Our Lord said: "The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10);
       
We must also be on guard, so that cares and pleasures do not take the upper place in lives! Jesus warned: "And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becometh unfruitful." (Mark 4: 19)
      
Remember, our Saviour will soon return and His reward is with Him. (Rev.20: 7, 12, 20). He is returning for a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle. (Eph.5: 27).  I want to be a part of that Church, don't you? Let's make sure that when He comes, we'll be ready and waiting to meet Him!

HOW DO WE RECEIVE GOD’S POWER?

· Through God’s Word: 
        
"For the Word of God is quick (alive) and powerful, and is sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb. 4: 12)
       
The Word of God ministers to our entire being: spirit, soul (mind) and body! It brings divine healing to our spirits through the new birth and when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. It brings divine healing to our minds as we read and meditate upon its life giving truths. And it gives divine healing to our bodies as we appropriate His Word to ourselves!
       
You may say: “I see no divine healing in that Scripture?” Let me then ask you: “What is the Word of God doing in the joints and marrow of our bones?” There is NO SIN there, but there may be cancer, arthritis, multiple sclerosis or some other disease in the joint, marrow or bones of our body! The Word of God straightens out our thinking in every area of our lives because it is “the discerner of the thoughts and intents of our heart.”
      
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual song, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col.3: 16); “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom. 10:17)

 · By His Holy Spirit:
      
Jesus said: “But ye shall receive power (authority) after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1: 8)
     
St. Paul stated: And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." (Eph.5: 18); “For the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
       
“To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of Spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the s

·  Through Jesus’ Blood:
     
“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place (Holy of Holies) having obtained eternal redemption for us.
     
How much more shall the BLOOD OF CHRIST, who through the ETERNAL SPIRIT offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?” (Heb.9: 12, 14)
     
“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us…but now at the end of the world (age) hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of HIMSELF.
      
“So Christ was once offered to BEAR THE SINS OF MANY; and unto them that look for Him shall BLOOD He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Heb.9: 24, 26, 28)
     
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the Blood of Jesus. By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the VEIL, that is to say, HIS FLESH." (Heb. 10: 19)
      
Through His precious BLOOD we have access by the Holy Spirit into the very presence of Almighty God: “For through Him (Jesus Christ) we both (Jews and Greeks, all believers) have access by one Spirit (Holy Spirit) unto the Father.” (Eph 2: 18)
     
By the BLOOD of Christ we receive power over the power of Satan, the Evil One! “And they overcame the devil by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Rev. 12: 11) 
     
Through the shed BLOOD of Jesus Christ we have total FREEDOM, because Jesus Christ AROSE from the dead and has sent His Holy Spirit to be the Guarantor of our Liberty and Salvation! 
    
By the blood of His cross, Jesus has purchased our freedom from fear, guilt, condemnation, torment, demonic oppression, pride, lust, hatred, jealousy, sickness, disease and evil habits!
     
Through Jesus’ precious BLOOD, we are cleansed, washed, forgiven, redeemed, justified and sanctified! We receive His forgiveness, assurance, joy, divine healing and eventually eternal glory in Heaven.
    
His blood guarantees access to the Father through the blessed Holy Spirit, a total purging of our conscience and His perfect peace!

· In Jesus’ Holy Name:
       
Our Lord Jesus commanded His followers to take His Word, His Power and His Name into all the world and preach the message of hope, peace, joy and divine healing.
      
He made it clear that He would “never leave us or forsake us” and that He would send the Blessed Holy Spirit to work with us and confirm His Word with signs following!
      
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying: All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
      
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, am with you always, even unto the end of the (age) world.” (Matt.28: 18-20)
      
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents (like Paul on Malta); and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay their hands upon the sick and they shall recover." (Mark 16: 15 - 18).
     
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” (Col. 3: 17).
      
May we all learn a lesson from Samson so that we always stay clear of the pitfalls that Satan sets for us, knowing that when we walk with God - with a clear conscience – nothing is impossible to us!
     
In fact, “All things are possible to Him that believeth!” (Mark 9: 23) 

AN ASSESSMENT: PUTTING EVERYTHING IN PERSPECTIVE!

      
The Bible says: “And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall
assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater
than our heart and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence toward God.
     
“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 2: 19 -22)
      
If our heart condemns us, it is because of sin or fear in our lives, but God has a remedy for sin: “The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1: 7). When the sin is gone through the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus, we have confidence (faith) to ask for the impossible in His name!
     
There is one other condition: “…because we keep His commandments.” (v.22). You may ask:  “WHAT IS HIS COMMANDMENT?” And again, God’s Word has the answer to this question: “And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He gave us commandment.
     
Here is another vital Scripture: “And this is the confidence (faith) that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” (1 John: 14, 15).
     
We must remain vigilant, keep His commandments and study God’s Word to comprehend His will. Then, as we appropriate His promises to us, we will see His mighty hand outstretched in forgiveness, healing, deliverance and revival! Amen.
     
Let us pray: “Lord Jesus Christ, come into my heart. I confess that I cannot save myself or change my life. I repent of my sins and receive You as my Lord Saviour and God! I now renounce the devil and all his works and ways. Fill me with Thy blessed Holy Spirit, I pray in Thy Name. Amen.”

CALL TO PRAYER FOR A GRASSROOTS REVIVAL OF REPENTANCE & FAITH!

      Let us all pray this prayer each day for the next 30 days and I believe we will see the beginnings of a genuine ‘Grassroots Revival’ across our cities, provinces and the nation!
     “Dear Lord Jesus, please breathe NEW LIFE into Your Church across our Nation and around the world!  Awaken the sleeping saints, shake us out of our lethargy, HEAL OUR BACKSLIDING, forgive our sins of worldliness, lack of reverence and love for You and concern for our fellowman! 
      O’ Thou great Sovereign of the Universe, birth within Thy people a genuine ‘fear of God’ and ‘knowledge of the Holy’. Please forgive our often casual and careless approach to Thy throne of Mercy and Grace! We desire, blessed Holy Spirit, to enter the very Holy of Holies, through the all-atoning blood of our Lord Jesus Christ!
      Grant us victory over all sins of commission and omission. Heal our jaded hearts and lukewarm spirits! Remove all pride, doubt, fear, prejudice, hate, lust, jealousy, covetousness, perversion, oppression, sickness and disease! Come in old-time Holy Ghost power and renew our minds and HEAL OUR BODIES from all sickness, disease and pain! 
     May Christ’s agape love and divine grace fill our being, so that the gift of faith that moves mountains of unbelief, superstition and \demonic powers be activated.
     Dear Lord, please perform Thy “notable miracles” among us that will astonish the “enemies of the cross” and make the heathen “obedient to the faith”. (Rom.15: 18, 19; Phil. 3: 18).
      Give us a divine burden for the lost and perishing souls who do not know JESUS, the Christ of God! May they all bow before our Heavenly Father, confessing their sins in true REPENTANCE and genuine faith! And may they yield themselves to Him, trusting solely in the SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST for the forgiveness of their sins and Eternal Life!
      Come, Thou blessed Holy Spirit and do Your convicting, saving and healing work in every heart and life, I pray with much thanksgiving!
    In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

OUR GOSPEL PLEDGE
    By God’s grace I pledge to double my efforts for Him this year through PRAYER, PRAYER and more PRAYER!
     And through preaching God’s Word with more faith and compassion for lost and perishing souls and for those with debilitating diseases!
     I pledge to give myself without reservation to intercession, fasting and praise to our Lord as I wait for His answer to break the devil’s strongholds in those who e-mail, telephone and write us with their many needs!
    Please pray for us and write us SOON with your prayer requests! Will you join our ‘Prayer Watch’?                                            - Pastor Max Solbrekken 

CHRIST THE HEALER GOSPEL CHURCH, 136 AVE F S Saskatoon, SK 
Ph. 306-244-0200 Website: www.mswm.org; www.maxsolbrekken.com