Pentecostal Ministers attending the Crusade, 1967           

                     The whole area was stirred for Christ, 1967

                    Thousands attended the Max Solbrekken crusade in Nfld, 1968

                      Divine Healing

                     IN GOD’S WORD

                               By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

“The Word of God is quick (living) and powerful and 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 Holy Bible is the written Word of God and Jesus Christ is the living Word of God. If you believe in Him, Jesus Christ will come into your heart! He will minister to you, as you read His Word and when you use His Name in prayer!

The Word of God ministers to our spirit, our soul (intellect, will, emotions) and our bodies. Through our spirit, we pray and fellowship with God. His Word comforts our mind, and His Word also heals our body. His Word ministers to our entire being. God’s Word gets into “…the joints and marrow” of our bodies and HEALS us!

 There may be sin in our soul or spirit, but there in no sin in our bones or marrow, but there may be arthritis or cancer. The Word of God is living and powerful and our precious Lord and Saviour has purchased deliverance and divine healing for His church!

St. John wrote: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-4,14)

The Psalmist prayed, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereunto according to Thy Word. With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments. Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved. (Ps. 119-11,48)

 “For ever, O Lord Thy Word is settled in Heaven.” (Ps. 119: 89). “So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereunto I send it.” (Is. 55:11)

“According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through Lust.” (2 Peter 1: 3, 4)  

“We have a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day Star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1: 19-21)

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for correction, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim. 16,17)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about 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 (perfector) 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)

GOD’S WORD DEFEATED SATAN!

Refuting Satan the Tempter, Jesus Christ stated: “It is Written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4: 4). The Word of God stopped Satan the opposer. Jesus exalted the Word of God, declaring that ALL of God’s Word is sacred. We must obey every Word of God!

“Jesus said unto him, It is Written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” (Matt. 4: 7). We must believe and obey all of God’s Word. By disobeying the Creator we would be calling Him a liar or a fraud. Let us bow before Him in humility and faith and receive His forgiveness, divine healing, peace, and blessings!

“Then saith Jesus unto him, Get Thee Hence, Satan: for it is Written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him alone shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth Him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto Him.”  (Matt. 4:10,11). Jesus used the Word of God to stop the Devil and commanded him to leave at once! And he was gone!

TWELVE APOSTLES AND 70 DISCIPLES!

The Twelve! “And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them POWER against unclean spirits to cast them out, and to HEAL all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. And as ye go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Heal the Sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matt.10: 1, 7,8)

Go tell John! “Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receives their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever, is not offended in Me.” (Matt. 11: 4-6)

The Seventy!  “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, wither He would come. And HEAL the sick that are that are therein, and say unto then, The Kingdom of God is come unto you.”

“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: 1,9,17-19)

God’s Eternal Son saw Lucifer and his rebels cast out from Heaven by Michael and his angels! When Jesus Christ, the SEED of the woman CRUSHED Satan’s head on the CROSS He shed His vicarious, holy blood to meet the righteous demands of Divine Justice for our sins in the Courts of Heaven!

By the grace of God, through the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant and in the Name of Jesus Christ I have had the privilege of liberating many tormented people from Satan’s grasp, for God’s glory! Hallelujah.

BUT YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER!

All Believers!  “Go ye into all world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 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, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them, they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16: 15-18).

The accuracy of God’s Word is without doubt. The Bible is accurate when you compare Scripture with Scripture, using both the Old and New Testaments. Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Holy Spirit and God’s people’s rejection of His Son. Less than fifty years after Jesus’ death, the Temple was destroyed, and the Jewish nation was no more!          

STAMMERING LIPS & ANOTHER TONGUE!

Isaiah stated: “For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, this is the Rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing yet they would not hear. But the Word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.” (Isaiah 28:11,12

After His glorious resurrection, Jesus witnessed to His followers: “Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and He said unto them, thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.

“And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24: 45-49)

Seven hundred years before giving His Son to redeem fallen man, the Heavenly Father spoke through His prophet, Isaiah! Here is the fulfillment of that prophecy.

“And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

“But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on My servants and on My handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy.” (Acts 2:1-4, 16-18)

SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT!

The Bible states: “To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. In whom we have Redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He had abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence:

“Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to the good pleasure which He hath proposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times He may gather in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.

“That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation: In whom also after ye believed, ye were SEALED with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.” (Eph. 1: 6, 7,13,14)

THE PROMISES OF JESUS!

“And whatsoever ye shall ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it. If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comfortable, that He may abide with 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. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14: 13-18)

Here is a wonderful testimony taken from the Cry of His Coming Magazine, 1973:

                       50 Medical Specialist Examined My Arm

                                 Says Harold Slade, Brantford, Ontario

In January of 1967 I broke my left arm and in the month of April, I suffered another injury on the same arm, and as a result it was broken again. This time, however, a nerve got caught between the two cracks in the bone. The doctor reported that it was completely cut.

As a result of the accident, my arm was paralyzed, and I just couldn’t move it. It was curled up and if I had to move a finger or wanted to, I had to move it with the other hand.

In all the time my arm was paralyzed I had 50 medical specialists from all across Newfoundland, Canada, and even the U.K. examine me. They wondered whether they should operate or not and there seemed to be a great fear concerning possible blood clots that might cause death if they operated. They debated for one week and let me leave the hospital. After a week they would make a final decision as to whether to operate or not.

The nerve that was cut was the radio nerve and while I was in the hospital, I was going to a conference with the doctors about every second day. I remember them saying that my condition was unique and there hadn’t been another case like mine ever to come out of it completely healed since 1920.

I had come to Victoria Carbonear, Newfoundland from the hospital in St. Johns. It bothered me a lot to have my left arm paralyzed because I love playing hockey and was very active. The only thing I could do with my arm was to put my thumb inside my belt so my arm wouldn’t fall down. Anytime I had to use my left arm, I had to use my right arm to do it

I believe it was in May of 1969 you came to Victoria Carbonear, Pastor Solbrekken, and I will never forget the night you prayed for me. The glory of God was falling, and I fell to the floor under God’s power when you laid your hands on me. As I fell, I remember hitting my arm and the Devil seemed to say to me, “That’s it! Your arm is really hurt now.”

When the Spirit lifted, I got up ad went home, knowing I was healed. The next day I went to school because I was to receive my high school diploma that week. When I came home at lunch I said to my mother, “Look at my thumb! I can move my finger!” Well, to make a long story short, I went back to the doctor for X-rays and tests. The doctors were amazed and asked me to come back next Friday. I said I would be completely healed.

The next week when I arrived at the hospital the doctor was so surprised and said my left arm was as good as my right one! The Miracle happened 6 years ago (1967) and I am still perfectly well today. Every time my doctor sees me, he asks me how my miracle arm is doing. He still can’t quite believe it and the hospital asks me if I have any problems, but I don’t.

Dr. Wells made the statement that if there is a God, He sure helped Harold Slade!

 Many of the specialists and medical doctors in Newfoundland were astonished when they heard about the miracle. Some had heard about your ministry and about the miracles of other people. Today, I am the manager of a rent-a-car Agency in Brantford, Ontario.

I am married and still love to play hockey and usually do about three or four times a week. And I still find plenty time to play my guitar for the Lord. I praise God for this wonderful miracle which He has performed on my life.

JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVER!

                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

REDEEM THE TIME
By Max Solbrekken, D.D.

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”  (Eph. 5:15-16)

There is an old saying, “Time waits for no man!”  How true: and time is no respecter of persons either.  The years pile up whether we want them to or not, and when our time comes to say goodbye to loved ones and friends and to this old planet, we will have to go.  Some even leave without saying goodbye because time is very short at the best,  and it can be very uncompromising, firm and even cruel.

TIME MARCHES ON

The Capitalist with all his money cannot stop time.  The Communist with all his hatred for God cannot detain it.  The minister of the Gospel with all his faith in God cannot stop time from passing.  It is true, the rich can live better, dress nicer, buy cosmetics to cover wrinkles, wear wigs to cover grey hair, and even have face-lifts to appear younger, but aging continues, and one day it is all over!

The Communist dies too, and has to meet God. The minister also has to keep his appointment with death even though he can claim the promises of God (together with all Christians) for the healing of his body and live in health and peace.  Yet the day will come that he must honor God’s word, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:27)

St. Paul, in writing to the Church, said, “…Awake thou that sleepest, ad arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectedly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:14-16) 

WHY MUST WE REDEEM THE TIME?

We must redeem the time because the days are evil.  In other words, let us not allow “that wicked one” to destroy our testimony, defeat our purposes or steal our crown! (Rev. 3:11).

"Let us make our calling and election sure." (II Peter 1:10) and 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.” (Heb. 12:11)

To redeem the time means to put every available moment to the best use.  Do what is the most profitable (spiritually) with our time.

The Bible also tells us “not to be slothful in business.” (Rom. 12:11)  Let us be good stewards for the kingdom of God in the reaching of lost souls for Christ.  If we waste our time, we are wasting our life and if we waste our money on that which does not profit, we are also wasting our time and certainly are not redeeming it!

BE NOT WEARY IN WELL DOING

Often times Christians become discouraged and begin listening to the tempter, the accuser of the brethren (Satan).  He may drop curtain thoughts especially in the area of service.  He may suggest that you are doing too much for God or spending too much time helping the unfortunates and poor, that you are giving too much money to the church, or that people are using you as a sucker to get free rides to church, etc.  Perhaps your husband, wife or neighbors may give you the odd dig that you are going overboard for God and the Church.

LET ME ENCOURAGE YOU

The Bible says, “and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:9-10) 

In examining this scripture, we find that Paul is referring both to our spiritual commitment to God and our commitment to those who labour in spiritual things among us and their material needs.  We must not become weary in well doing, for if we do not faint, we shall reap in due season!

LET US WALK IN WISDOM

St. Paul exhorts us to walk circumspectly, which means to live our lives in an orderly fashion; in the fear of the Lord, and not go through life carelessly in a haphazard way.  There is only one way to Heaven!  Let us not miss it!  JESUS IS THAT WAY!

There is only one book that is truly the word of God – the Holy Bible.  Let us be sure to read it.  There is only one way to please God and that is to accept His Son, Jesus Christ, into our hearts as personal Saviour and then obey His words is all things.  By shunning evil, doing good and serving God with gladness, we are walking circumspectly. 

A good question to ask ourselves often is this, “Will what I am planning to do, or am now doing, please God?”  Again the scripture says that when we accept Christ as our personal Saviour, we are saved, our lives are changed and … we walk in the newness of life.

Since we walk by faith and not by sight (11 Cor. 5:7) our experience is totally spiritual as we reach out to God for guidance and direction.  St. Paul admonishes us in Gal. 5:15,  “…walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.”

We are also exhorted by the great Apostle to “….walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called (Eph. 4:1), and also to walk in love Christ hath loved us.” (Eph. 5:2)  In order to be true followers of Jesus Christ, we ought to abide in Him, we should walk as He walked (1 John 2:6), and of course that should always be in spirit and in truth. (11 John 4), (111 John 3).

The word of God tells us, “Be 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.” (11 John 1:7)

WITH ETERNITY IN MIND

Everything we do in this life should be done with eternity in mind.  Not only should we, as Christians, be concerned about our spiritual welfare, state and eternal destiny, we should also be vitally concerned about our fellow Christians, always standing ready to lend a helping hand as well as constantly reaching out to the lost and undone with the message of hope and peace found only in Christ.  The Bible says, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, (the unsaved), redeeming the time.” (Col. 4:5)

Time is short! We must do all we can to reach the lost while we have an opportunity.  Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4)

To redeem the time means to seize every opportunity and let none slip out of our hands.  It means to make hay while the sun shines and to labour unceasingly in prayers, bible study, witnessing and giving while we still have the opportunity and the open door.

Thank God for all the open doors into which to take the Gospel and open channels or freeways by which we may publish the Gospel.  Think of television, the internet, radio, Christian books, magazines and tracts, massive overseas crusades and orphanages, bible schools and counselling by correspondence and in person – all of these potentially reaching millions of lost souls.

THE CHURCH MUST AWAKEN OUT OF LETHARGY

St. Paul cries out in warning, for the church to awake out of sleep, receive new life and power from Christ and to rise to the challenge of the hour. 

The Word of God tells us in Prov. 6:9, “How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?  When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?”  The writer of Proverbs suggests that we take an example from the little ant, “which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provided his meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” (Prov. 6:6-8)

We have the Bible for our guide, the Holy Spirit to oversee our lives, and to help us when we err and to comfort us constantly.  We also have Jesus Christ as our ruler, the Head of the Church, and the Great King of Kings.  The scripture admonishes us not to be as fools, but as wise in our approach to life.  Unfortunately many people are very foolish in the way they live – serving the god of this world, living for the world, the flesh and the devil, giving no thought about their souls, salvation or eternity.  No time for God, no time for the Bible or church.  How foolish!

St. Paul tells of some who rejected the Creator, our wonderful Heavenly Father, and worshipped the creature instead of the creator, professing themselves to be wise they became fools. (Rom. 1:22-25)  How sad – but how true!

On the other hand there are Christians who truly believe in Christ and have experienced a quickening by the Holy Spirit but yet have NO spiritual hunger, no desire to read the Bible or attend special revival meetings.  They have no burden to reach the lost or give missionary offerings to reach the heathen for Christ.  They are totally contented with their experiences and simply have no time for a deeper walk with God or with a message that stirs them emotionally to do more for God.  I pity such people!

They attend Church regularly once a week, pay their tithes to the church, live respectable lives, but have not really experienced Jesus in a life changing way and have not been filled with the fire of God.  St. Paul then says, “Wherefore be yet not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:17)

THE WILL OF GOD

We know the will of God for the Christian is to live a pure, holy and consecrated, spirit-filled life; to be filled with the blessed Holy Spirit, to abstain from evil and to do good – to be totally sold out to God and be a burning and shining light spreading the good news of Jesus and His love to a lost and dying world.  If you do not have a burden for lost souls, please read Rev.20:11-15 and fall on your knees asking God to give you a hunger for His word, a desire to pray regularly and a burden to tell others about Jesus before it is everlastingly too late.

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  

"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:11-15)

Beloved, “Let us redeem the time for the days are evil.”

BEHOLD NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME

I began this short message saying “time waits for no man” and that “Father Time Marches on.”  I have been admonishing you to put your time to the best available use – Budget your time wisely, for we all have only a limited amount of time.  Read the words of King David on this matter: “Lord make me to know mine end and the measure of my days.  

"What it is: That I may know how frail I am.  Behold Thou hast made my days as an handbreadth: and mine age is as nothing before Thee: Verily every man at his best state is altogether Vanity.” (Psalms 39:4-5)  Again David writes, “My times are in Thy (God’s) hands…”  (Psalms 31:15)  And finally the King confesses “Remember how short my time is.” (Psalms 889:7)

St. Peter warns of not being frivolous with our life but be sober and watch unto prayer ( Peter 4:7) and have a healthy respect and fear of God as we live out this short life. (1 Peter 1:17)  Peter is so emphatic in his call to Christians to clean up their lives and serve God totally that he again warns, “For the time is come that Judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God.” (1 Peter 4:17)  

St. Paul writing to the Romans, unctionized by the Holy Spirit gave the same warning, “And that knowing the time that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.  The night is far spent the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  Let us walk honestly, as in the day, not in strife and envying.  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:11-14)

We must never forget that one day we will all have to give an account of ourselves to God – (Romans 1:18-20).  Oh sinner, backslider, lukewarm Christian: listen to me – Now is the time to repent of your sins and be converted, for certainly time is very short and your soul is worth more than the entire world.  (Mark 8:36-37) 

Don’t allow the devil to rob you of eternal life by causing you to procrastinate and put off the decision to accept Christ and to yield fully to Him.  The scripture says, “…Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.” (11 Cor.  6:2) (Isaiah 49:8) (Psalms 69:13) 

The Bible warns that there will be a time to die for each of us. (Eccl. 3:2)  Do not gamble with your eternal soul but give your life to Christ today!  Jesus stands at the heart’s door and knocks. (Rev. 3:20)  Let Him come in today!

THEN IT WILL BE TOO LATE

When the angel of God comes down from heaven, places one foot upon the sea and one foot upon the dry land, raises his hand to heaven and swears by Him that liveth forever that time shall be no longer. (Rev. 10:6)  It’ll be too late for ever sinner – it’ll be too late for every backslider and lukewarm Christian – It will be too late for all of us to do more for Christ or for our fellowman, and it’ll be too late to win another soul for Jesus.  Amen.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT

Beloved friend, time is running out – for the church, the world, and for the devil -!

One day it will be all be over for us.  Let us fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life and reach the masses of lost souls with the glorious Gospel of Christ before it’s too late.  The Bible tells us, “Therefore rejoice ye heavens and ye that dwell in them.  Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea!  For the devil is come down unto you having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” (Rev. 12:12)

The devil is working overtime trying to corrupt, deceive, destroy, kill and steal, and do as much damage to God’s kingdom as he can now, because he knows his time is very limited.  We, the servants of God need to triple our efforts to reach multitudes more with the Gospel before it is too late!  Ask yourself this question and then be ready to do something about it. 

AM I DOING ALL THAT I CAN?

I have promised God that I will pull out all the stops and press forward at “full speed ahead” to reach this generation for Jesus before the devil gets to them through atheism, new ageism, communism, fake religion and unbelief!

In the month of June 1957, God met me in a real way when I called out to Him for mercy and grace as I gave my life fully to Him. Shortly thereafter, in the home of my spirit-filled Lutheran parents,  I received the mighty Baptism of the Holy Ghost.  I have never looked back since!

Oh it’s true that I have failed God many times, I am sure, for I am but a man and like Paul I have not yet reached the state of perfection, but also like Paul, I press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  (Phil. 3:12-14)

Ever since 1957 I have tried with all my heart and mind to walk in Christ’s will and to obey Him completely.  My heart is just as set to do that today as it was in 1957 after God saved me or as it was in 1961 when I sent our first radio broadcast out over the airwaves!

In 1963 I entered the full time ministry for Christ, leaving the business world  to follow Jesus to the end of the earth.  My heart has burned for Jesus as I have, by His grace and power blazed a trail of revivals and awakenings across the world. (Written in 1975).

For spiritual counsel or prayer please write:

 Max Solbrekken World Mission

PO Box 44220 RPO Garside

Edmonton, AB   T5V 1N6

www.mswm.org   

watch online streaming of services at:

http://www.comehometojesus.ca

Visit Max Solbrekken’s blog

 

              THE CALL OF THE SPIRIT

                                          By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D. D.

Jesus said, “And behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the gates into the city.

“I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and the Morning Star. And the Spirit and the Bride, say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst Come. And whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely.

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the word of the Prophecy of this Book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this Book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things written in this Book.

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely, I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev. 22: 12-20)

THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS LIFE!

A life that is devoid of the Spirit of God is weak, dead and without fruit! In our natural lives we are prone to be sinful, weak, fearful, and guilty. When the Holy Spirit fills us with the life of Jesus, the condemnation leaves and we receive forgiveness, peace, healing, and joy!

Jesus of Nazareth did no miracles until He was filled with the Holy Spirit. At His baptism, the Holy Spirit came into Jesus and miracles happened immediately. He overcame Satan in the wilderness temptation and began healing the sick and casting out evil spirits!

After His great Victory over the devil, Jesus returned to Nazareth in the power of the Spirit and immediately He began healing the sick and casting out devils. The evil spirits recognized Him: “And in the synagogue there was a man which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art:  the Holy One of God.

“And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him; and when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him. And the fame of Him went out into every place out of the country round about.” (Luke 4:33-37)

GODLY FEAR IN HIS PRESENCE!

There is no way that I can fully comprehend the enormity of the statement, “that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the gates into the city”.  In His presence I tremble with godly fear! What did I ever do to deserve such a position in His Kingdom? A sinner by birth, by nature and by choice?

That we mortals who trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour will be allowed to enter Heaven is made possible by the grace of God! Only by His amazing grace, through faith in His shed blood for us and in Christ alone, do we have the right to make Heaven our Eternal Home!

Charles H. Gabriel (1855-1932) penned the words: ‘I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and I wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned unclean. Oh, how marvellous; Oh, how wonderful and my song shall ever be. Oh, how marvellous, Oh; how wonderful is my Saviour’s love for me!’

Even now the Blessed Holy Spirit is calling for sinners to ‘Come Home to Jesus’. He is anointing His servants to declare His Gospel and is pleading with souls! And our Lord Jesus intercedes for us: “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25)

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (qualified) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son:

“In Whom we have redemption through His Blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn (first in rank) of every creature: for by Him (Christ) were all things created, that are in Heaven, that are in earth, visible and invisible whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

“And He is the Head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have the pre-eminence.” (Col. 1: 12-18)

JESUS’ MISSION STATEMENT!

 “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and as His custom was, He went into the synagogue and stood up to read.

“And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias, and when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor: He hath sent Me to HEAL the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of the sight to the blind, to set at LIBERTY them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4: 14-19)

The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16, 17)

“Grace be unto you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who Gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God, the Father.” (Gal. 1:3,4)

“For He hath made Him to be Sin (sin offering) for us, who knew NO Sin; that we might be made the Righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor. 5: 21); “For we know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” (2 Cor. 8:9)

THE DEATH OF HIS CROSS!

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; He being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; And  being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the Death of the Cross.

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him and given Him a Name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven, and in things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2: 5-11):

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son: In Whom we have Redemption through His Blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

“For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were Created by Him, and for Him. And He is before all things and by Him all things consist. And He is the Head of the body, the Church: Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in ALL Things He might have the pre-eminence. 

“For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; And having made peace through the Blood of His Cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things on earth, or things in Heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through DEATH, to present you holy and unblameable in His sight.

ALL TREASURES IN CHRIST!

“Blessed be the 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                           to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise and glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved: In Whom we have Redemption through His BLOOD, the forgiveness of Sins, according to the riches of His Grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all Wisdom and Prudence.

“Having made known unto us the Mystery of His Will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will…

“In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of Promise, which is the earnest of our Inheritance until the praise of His glory.” (Eph.1: 3-14)

CHRIST IS OUR PEACE!

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the Blood of Christ. For He is our Peace, who made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us: Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace and that He might reconcile but unto God in one body by the Cross, having slain the enmity thereby.

“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Eph.2:13-22)

“And having made PEACE through the death of His CROSS, by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in Heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works hath He Reconciled in the body of His flesh, through Death to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight.” (Col. 1:20-22)

JESUS CHRIST CONQUERED SATAN!

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened (made alive) together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances which were against us, and took it away, nailing it to His Cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers. He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col. 2:13-15)

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When, He who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in Glory.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which ye are called in one body and be ye thankful. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, signing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartedly as unto the Lord, and not unto men: Knowing that of the Lord, ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” (Col.3:15-17, 23, 24)

CHRIST THE GOOD SHEPHERD!

Jesus said: “I am the Good Shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd and know my sheep and am know of Mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so I know the Father: even so, I lay down My life for the sheep.

“Therefore, doth my Father love me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again, but I lay it down of Myself. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (John 10: 11, 14-18, 27-30)

General Giuseppe Gerabaldi (1807-1882) was on maneuvers with his Italian soldiers in the Swiss Alps. A distraught shepherd informed him that he had lost a lamb. Immediately the General ordered his soldiers to search for the lamb. Hour after hour they searched to no avail. Night fell and the soldiers went to their tents. In the morning the General was awakened by his AID, saying, “I’ve allowed you an extra hour. You must arise”. The General sat up on his cot and rubbed his eyes. Then, he reached under the cot and pulled out the lamb. While his soldiers slept, General Gerabaldi continued searching until he found the lamb.

The Good Shepherd will not give up on us. Others may give up, but Jesus keeps knocking! Our Saviour continues searching and calling through His Word, by His Holy Spirit and through His church! He will not give up on you, my friend. He said, “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 with him, and he with Me.” (Rev. 3:20)

Jesus didn’t stop until He had atoned for the sins of the entire world, from Adam until the Rapture of the Church! He made the ultimate sacrifice to satisfy the righteous demands of divine Justice in the courts of Heaven through His vicarious death on the Cross on Golgotha!

 The Bible says, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4: 16)

The Blessed Holy Spirit is calling for sinners to ‘Come Home to Jesus’. He is anointing His servants to declare His Gospel and is pleading with souls! And the Holy Spirit also intercedes for us!

 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for us we ought; but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom.8:26, 27)

CHRIST IS ALIVE FOREVERMORE!

One writer stated: “Christianity stands or falls with the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If the resurrection could have been disproved, it would have utterly destroyed the church.”

 Neither the Roman Authority nor the Jewish Hierarchy could produce the body of Jesus of Nazareth! History gives no record of the enemies of Jesus ever refuting the resurrection. John R.W. Stott said that their “silence is as eloquent a proof of the resurrection as the apostles’ witness.”

After God shook the prison with an earthquake at midnight, the Philippian jailor fell before Paul and Silas asking, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be Saved.” (Acts 16: 25-33)