Norway's New Life Mission & Pastor Max Solbrekken                    Sponsored the El Salvador Crusade during Guerilla                     Attacks. God showed Forth His Power at the Stadium! 

               My Personal Experiences in San Salvador!

                                 By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

Due to my close co-operation with the churches in Norway, our many crusades

across the world and because of the dire need for the genuine Gospel to be preached in Latin America we decided to enter the dangerous nation of El Salvador in 1986.

Gunnar  Johansen and I joined  a team that was working in the area. The  country was in a serious predicament of going communist under the murderous Sandanistos.

Dring the Meeting in the Stadium, we could see three gunships overhead checking out our Crusade and then they would suddenly head north. 

We could hear a lot of heavy shooting and then silence. One night as we were heading back to the Hotel two vehicles sped past us toward a fenced-off area. As one man ran for his life he was cut down by an enemy in the other vehicle, which sped away.

There were also gunshots near our Hotel

 THE AMERICAN ON A SPECIAL MISSION!

During that time I was writing a column every Sunday for the Edmonton Sun (1984-1990). We were staying at the San Salvador Hotel and I had to send it to the Sun that day. The Hotel personale allowed me to use their old typewriter and send it to the Sun. The office space was quite open and I could see a man on the pay phone arguing using vulgar words to his wife. 

After I had sent my weekly column, I spoke to the man in the lobby and he asked me what I was doing there.  He said that he knew there was something religious going on at the stadium and he wasn't interested. Then he warned me sternly not to leave the city the next day.  

Naturally, I wanted to know what had transpired the night before so Gunnar and I took  a taxi to where the action had taken place. All was quite but we saw a soldier behind a huge concrete inclosure that housed a huge gun which would reach the entire Valley below destoying the enemy successfully. He stated that he successfully kept  the citizens safe the Night before.

He informed us where their soldiers were presently housed. We followed his instructions and found them housed deep down in the  large natural cave area. They were relaxing after a long night of fighting the Sandanistas. We gave them some gosple tracts which they gladly received.

I SAID,  LAY THAT THING DOWN!

The next morning I saw the same man in the lobby. He called me over and said, "You disobeyed me. You left the city!" I asked him,"Who are you anyway?" He said, "Come up to my room and I'll you who I am." I said. "Okay" and followed him. He unlocked the door and invited me in. I heard the door click and I turned around. The next thing I felt was the barrel of  a black German Luger being shoved up my nostril.

I said sternly, "Lay that thing down!" He laid the gun down on the table and burst into tears, saying, "I am a Mercenary. I kill people for money. I could have killed you!" I threw my arms around him, praying. 

I said,, "Sir, you need JESUS. You need forgiveness and peace and joy, which comes only from God! He said, "I am a Catholic. I do this for money. I have a beautiful wife and a baby. No one knows what I am doing. You saw those Gunships. We have our targets where the Sandonistas are. 

Then we swoop in and kill everyone in those houses. They pay me $30,000 every time they call me to come to help them. I hate what I am doing, It is a lonely life but I must go! I prayed for him to receive Jeus as his Lord and Saviour! And naturally, I did'nt know his real name or address.

Max Solbrekken in El Salvador 1986

               

El Salvador's civil war started in 1979. Upwards of 80,000 people were killed during the war, with thousands disappeared, according to the United Nations. Western's research team says hundreds of people were buried in mass graves with nothing to mark them.Nov 12, 2023

Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 Garside Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6. Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make donation to [email protected]. May God richly bless you in Jesus' Name! Amen.   All glory, honour, praise and worship we give to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savour. Amen. For those who desire to send your offering directly to our account, here is our number: 101 36 30 05259 ROYCCAT2  -Max Solbrekken

                        THE GREAT IMPUTATION                                                        By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

"For in Him we live, and move, and have our being, as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring." (Acts 17:28); 

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through Death He might Destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil; And Deliver them who through death were all their lifetime subject to bondage,(Heb.2:14,15)

Jesus Christ's vicarious death on our behalf defeated Satan and delivered us from his evil power over us forever. His Resurrection from the dead purchased our justification! 

The Bible says: "And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous: And He is the propitiation (mercy seat, satisfaction, covering) for our sins only, but for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:1,2)

The Doctrine of Imputation: We gave Him our sins and He gave us His Righteousness! Jesus took our place on the cross and we are accepted by God the Father as His sons! The Word states: "For we are made Partakers with Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence (Faith) steadfast until the end." (Hebrews 3:14)

It was on the Cross that Christ became the 'SIN OFFERING' and we are thereby been made the "righteousness of God in Him' .(2 Cor 5:21)."For Christ also hath Once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to Death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit." (1 Peter 3: 18)

Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 Garside Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6. Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make donation to [email protected]. May God richly boess you in Jesus' Name! Amen.   All glory, honout, praise and worship we give to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savour. Amen. -Max Solbrekken

                                      RAILROAD CONDUCTOR

FINDS HAPPINESS & HEALING
WITH CHRIST

                                                Joe and Marge Hill

Marge Hill had been attending our meeting in the “Youth for Christ Auditorium”, Vancouver BC.  One night I asked people who had unsaved loved ones to raise their hands and believe God for their salvation as we prayed.

Sister Hill was believing God for her husband, Joe, who worked as a conductor on the railroad.  A week later while holding another Revival in the Pentecostal Tabernacle, Langley, B.C. (where Brother Ehrhardt was pastor), Marge Hill prevailed upon her husband to go to our meetings in Langley.

Joe Hill was very ill at the time and had been scheduled to go to the hospital on Saturday.  He was going to have a complete check up to determine what was causing all the severe pains in his stomach.  The doctors had told him to book off work and come right in.

Mrs. Hill prayed earnestly that there would be no bed in the hospital on Saturday so that she could bring her husband Joe to our meeting.  On Friday the hospital phoned and said, “we are terribly sorry, but for some unknown reason the bed we had reserved for Mr. Hill has been taken.”  Marge Hill began praising God for the answers to her prayer.

On the way back to our meeting that night, Mr. Hill became so sick he wanted to turn around and go back – but his wife said that she would drive.

When I made the altar call – Joe didn’t raise his hand, but when I asked for those who wanted to be healed to come forward in the general altar call, he came.  (He was so sick he later testified, if God hadn’t healed him, he would have had to go into the Langley hospital that night._

I walked up to Joe and his wife at the altar and asked Joe if he wanted to get saved.  He said NO.  I asked him why? He answered that for personal reasons he didn’t want to discuss just then.

His wife then said that Joe was very sick and would I pray for him.  I laid my hands upon him in the mighty name of Jesus and commanded the sickness and infirmity to go – then I walked away and ministered to some others at the altar. 

When I returned to him in approximately 5 minutes, Joe Hill was a different looking man.  I asked him how he felt.  He said all the pain was gone and he felt fine.  He couldn’t understand what had happened.  He was so happy.  I asked him if he would like to lift his hands to Heaven and say, thank You Jesus.  

As he did the tear trickled down his cheeks and as I hugged him I said, Brother Joe, you just got saved!  He lifted his hands to God and said, “It sure feels wonderful.”  He has been serving God ever since.  Praise the Lord!!

Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 RPO Garside Edmonton AB T5V 1N6; Email: [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Facebook; Youtube; Blog:  MSWM; Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Send your donation to [email protected]. Thank you and may God reward you for your kindness!

                      ~ TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY ~

                                                   Max & Donna Solbrekken

 Dear Friend in Jesus Christ,

Donna and I wish to thank you for your kindness and help during this past year and earlier; some for many years! It was sixty-one years ago in 1963 we launched the world-wide Ministry for Christ, in which we are still very active!

My father’s instant healing in 1956 while listening to Oral Robert’s radio broadcast, and sudden baptism in the Holy Ghost while singing a hymn, made an impact upon me.  I had drifted from God since my confirmation at age 15 in the Evangelical Lutheran Church and I was beginning to seriously think about God again!

In 1957, while Donna and I were visiting my parents in Norquay, Saskatchewan, I experienced Christ’s forgiveness, and received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with speaking in unknown tongues. My life was forever changed. Some time later Donna was also born again and filled with the blessed Holy Ghost.

As early as 1958 I was sharing Christ on my business trips and in 1961, I began broadcasting over several Radio stations with much success. Some wonderful miracles of salvation and divine healing were happening, which greatly encouraged me and for that I am eternally thankful!

GOD SPOKE TO ME FROM THE BIBLE!

Early in 1963 God spoke to me from Acts 6: 2-4: “Then the twelve called the multitudes of the disciples unto them and said, It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables… But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.”

My time of serving tables was fulfilled.  I knew God had called me to the Ministry. I worked as a Commercial Traveller and used my available time studying God’s Word with fasting and prayer. Wanting to be certain, I asked God for another six months to wrap up my business, find a replacement and train him.

In August 1963, we launched into the Evangelical Field to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Light of the world and the only Hope of Salvation!

Donna and I had built a new home in Prince George, where we lived for 6 years. I was in a crusade in Kent, Washington in December 1963. Our good friends, the Hunters were pastors at the White Rock Pentecostal Church. They had inquired about a 3-bedroom house for rent. The Assembly of God in Kent were having a wedding on the Saturday allowing me to drive down to White Rock that afternoon.

The Hunters stated that there had not been a three-bedroom house for rent for the last 90 days. As I was driving up Johnson Road, I saw Wolstencroft Realty lights and God urged me to stop there. It was 15 minutes before closing time. I parked and walked inside. A gentleman met me. I asked, “Do you have a 3-bedroom home for rent?”

He said that there hadn’t been any for three months, but that a man had been there 30 minutes earlier and put his house for rent. He lived in Prince George and had bought a new vehicle and had taken it for a spin and would be back in 10 minutes. I asked, “What is his name?” He answered, “His name is Ernie James.”I said, “I know where he lives in Prince George because we are neighbours!”  We rented his house for three months and then we made a deal to exchange homes!

 MY HEAVIEST CROSS!

Years ago, I began writing my story called, ‘My Heaviest Cross’ and this is some of it! Leaving my beautiful wife Donna and our precious children for long periods of time while I preached Christ’s Gospel has been my ‘Heaviest Cross.” 

Thomas Tutyko and I were away from home for 3 ½ months in 1966. We had great crusades from Japan to the Philippines and India. Thousands of souls were saved, and great miracles performed in Jesus’ name. We had the company of one another, which was a great blessing!

I have travelled in Crusades for weeks and months labouring for the Master. Watching the news these days and seeing the awful carnage in Ukraine by the wicked Russian Military, I can remember the cities where I preached across Eastern Europe from 1989 to 2005. We had such great blessings especially in the Ukraine and  many of those cities now lie in ruin!

HIGH COST OF PREACHING THE GOSPEL!

A few weeks ago, Donna and I were discussing the high cost of preaching the Gospel. We know that Jesus paid the price for our salvation when He died for our sins, fears, loneliness, sickness, and disease. And by His stripes we are healed and have been given power over the devil in Jesus’ holy and matchless Name!

Donna said, “Of the many times the children and I took you to the Vancouver International Airport, the children and I were so sad, and I said in my heart, “If only we had one more night together!” I asked, “Do you really need to leave today?” Then suddenly you said, “I’m not leaving tonight. I’ll call them that I have been delayed” and you swung the car around and headed Home. That was the happiest night I had. After that, it was okay.”

Donna remembered the time I had said goodbye to her and the children at the Airport, with the keys to our car in my pocket. Donna ran out to the exit gate shouting, “My husband has the automobile keys in his pocket. Stop that airplane. I have four children here and no keys to our vehicle.

”Fortunately, they got word out to the airplane, and I was able to give them the car keys, and my precious family were on their way safely home! Whenever I was at home and we could travel in the vehicle, we took the whole family!

I CALLED KEN MY SHADOW!

Ken travelled with me a lot, even while I was still a Commercial Traveller. I would introduce him to my customers. I called him my shadow. He was 3 ½ years old when I preached a three-week Revival at the Langley Pentecostal Church with Pastor Erhardt. Ken and I lived in the Attic where a bed had been set up amidst a lot of other things.

When I made the altar call and people would kneel at the altar, I would come down and lay my hands on their heads and pray. Ken followed me and did the same. Then when I felt my ministry was over and people continued praying, I would lay my hands on Ken’s head and pray for Him before carrying him up to the Attic.

One night there was a large crowd and after much prayer, I took Ken with me and was getting into bed. Suddenly, he said, “Dad, you didn’t pray for me tonight!” I sensed the presence of God upon him and asked, “Do you want to give your heart to Jesus tonight, son?” He said, “Yes, Dad.” We knelt in that little attic at the Langley Pentecostal Church and my son Ken gave his heart to the Lord.”

GREAT REVIVAL AMONG THE NATIVES!

Every five weeks I would work my way west calling on every Grocery Store and Logging Camp, and I would usually be in Hazelton or Prince Rupert for the weekend.

Pastor Jack and Irma Williams were doing an amazing work in the about four or five Indian Reserves. They would ask me to speak and we would have great outpourings of the Holy Spirit among them as God did miracles of deliverance and healings for His glory.

Bill yand Cynthia Legette of the Prince Rupert Pentecostal Church were excellent musicians and pastors. I had preached in their church several times.

In the summer of 1962, Donna and I used our vacation to preach in Edmonton, and Billy Legette joined us. He was a professional violinist and great song leader. That 10-day crusade reached many people and 95 answered the altar call for salvation and many testified that Jesus had healed them. Nine young men from the Roman Catholic Seminary went forward for prayer!

Ten Seminarians from St. Joseph’s Seminary in St. Albert, Alberta came to the meeting to openly challenge me about statements I had publicity made about the false teachings about the Papacy and the Roman Catholic Church. They made their plans known to our Head usher, who did not divulge it to me.

As Billy Legette and I walked onto the platform, I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit say to me, “Give the Pope a rest tonight, My Son!” God gave me a powerful message to deliver on the Cross of Christ! The Altar was filled and among them were nine Seminarians, who asked for an personal audience with me. They all thanked me and confessed, that had received Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour!

THE OLD ARMY TENT!

In 1963, we bought an old Army Tent, Semi and Trailer for $2,000. Brother Casperson, a Norwegian Fisherman in New Westminster gave us the money, and we used that tent to preach Christ and liberate multitudes of people in the next two years across Western Canada. The News Press always gave us good coverage because they realized we practiced what we preached, and the miracles God performed were genuine!

It was exciting for five-year-old Ken and me, driving that old rig across the Pattullo Bridge in New Westminster, B.C. We took a right turn and drove the winding Old Yale Road bypassing Surrey, toward White Rock. Our good friend T.B. Nash, a sign painter who was staying with us, painted in large red letters across the long trailer, ‘Jesus Saves, Heals & Fills with the Holy Ghost’.

Together with Don Gossett we put up the tent in Surrey, B.C. in early 1964, with great success. Our second Crusade was in Edmonton where 14 churches backed our ministry, and hundreds were converted to Christ. Then on to Winnipeg and Steinbach and other points! That old Army Tent was held up by three 45-foot-high telephone poles, and an old Chevy three-ton tractor saw a lot of action for our Saviour.

And because I was young and strong and had earlier learned hard work on the farm, I could swing the heavy Sledgehammer to drive in hundreds of long wood anchor stakes. Everywhere we set up the tent, we often had great help from local believers.

Bob Rosin, my great friend who was a Farmer and former long-haul Trucker found time to transport our outfit from city to city. And usually, my precious little Kenny was my constant companion!

I hadn’t planned to write all this, but Donna’s comments brought me to tears and the book I have always planned to write has just got a rough beginning! I pray God’s blessings upon  all our friends from Donna and me! Amen.

THE PRAYER CLOTH

For years we sent out prayer cloths to people who requested them, and the results were amazing. Testimonies of great miracle healings happened to some people who used them in faith and prayed in agreement with us in Jesus’ name!

The Bible says: “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” (Acts 19: 11,12)

God laid it on my heart to send a prayer cloth over which we have prayed, for you to use in agreement with us for God’s healing touch upon you, for His honour and glory! Please request as many prayer cloths as you can prayerfully us when you write!

Your servants for Jesus’sake,                                                                                                                                         Max & Donna Solbrekken     

P.S.   In 1989, I had the privilege of preaching in Romania and Ukraine. The doors had opened across Eastern Europe and thousands of people were attending. Although I loved being the pastor of Faith Cathedral Edmonton, God was drawing me to Eastern Europe. Donna and I were ministering in Norway when we discussed what I was feeling in my spirit. On July 21, 1989, God spoke these words to me:

“My son, your ministry will be greater from now onward that hitherto. Take My Word to Eastern Europe now!” Ken helped us organize together with Pastor Laurie Hueppleshizer to amalgamate Faith Cathedral and People’s Church as one body under their leadership.The official amalgamation took place on October 27, 1991.

Amazingly, the Edmonton Revival Centre that became Faith Cathedral was officially opened on October 27, 1969.

…TO BE FOLLOWED SHORTLY

                  A MAN WALKED WITH ME

                        By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D

The New Life Mission arranged a special Healing Crusade for me in the city of Aalesund, Norway. Henry Kransberg, Gunnar Johansen and I drove there for the Crusade.

The meeting was filled with God’s presence and many were reached for Christ as He stretched forth His Divine hand to heal the sick!

After we closed the meeting, a precious elderly woman implored us to bring her home and to pray for her aged husband who was given up by medical science and the cancer was about to take his life!

Henry and I brought her home and she offered us coffee while she spoke to  her husband letting him know that we were prepared to pray for his healing. His wife accompanied me into his bedroom and I asked her to help turn him on the side facing me.

He was extremely overjoyed that I had come to see him and quickly grasped the Holy Scriptures I was sharing. His heart was like a sponge and he quickened when I shared a number of God’s powerful promises of Divine Healing given us by Christ Himself in His Word.

After declaring that it is God’s will to heal the sick with the belief that the BLOOD of Jesus Christ shed for us on Golgotha was the basis for our belief that he would be healed when we prayed!

I quoted James 5: 14,15: “Is any sick among you, let him call for the elders of the church and pray over him, anointing him  with oil in the name of the Lord: And the Prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up. And if they have committed any sins, it shall be forgiven him.”

The very sick man grasped the truth of God’s Word and together with his wife believed that God would answer our prayer according to His Own Word,

Henry had gone out to start the automobile because the weather was cold.  As I was about to leave the little lady asked me to wait a little while she went to get an offering for our Ministry.

As I stepped onto the steps, Henry was returning but stopped abruptly and burst into tears and immediately went back to the vehicle.

When I took my seat he was weeping profusely. I asked, Henry what is happening? His words burst though his loud crying, “Max, when you were walking down the steps you were not alone, another man was walking with you!”

Then I burst into tears at that supernatural happening, sensing the awesome presence of God with us in the vehicle. When we arrived at the Hotel, I went directly to my room and Henry went to the room he was sharing with Gunnar.

In a few minutes Gunnar was knocking on my door, saying “Come quickly, the lady that you visited is speaking to Henry. She is excited. The moment she went in to see him He was sitting up with both feet of the floor, saying, “I am starved!

She asked what he wanted and he said, “PORIDGE!” She made it for him and he was on his second bowl and completely well. To GOD be the glory in Jesus’  name!

               WAS IT AN ANGEL OR WAS IT JESUS HIMSELF?    

Henry said, “A Man was walking with you” and the fear of God gripped him and he burst into tears. It took a few minutes to compose ourselves. Some people believe it was an angel. Others believe that it must have been Jesus Himself since the dying man instantly revived and JESUS HIMSLF IS THE  HEALER! All I can say is, “GLORY TO GOD FOREVER! Amen.

Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 RPO Garside Edmonton AB T5V 1N6; Email: [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Facebook; Youtube; Blog:  MSWM; Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Send your donation to [email protected]. Thank you and may God reward you for your kindness!

 

 

Forgiveness: WHY WE MUST FORGIVE by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D. Luke 23:34 - "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."  JESUS, hanging between two thieves upon a rugged cross, dying for the sins of the world, Jesus set the ultimate example.  He prayed for mercy for His enemies.  Jesus prayed for his enemies to be forgiven. In their ignorance and spiritual blindness, they had crucified their own Messiah.  Stephen, the first Christian martyr, exhibited the same godly spirit.  In his agony and pain, he prayed, "Father, lay not this sin to their charge." (Acts 7:51) TO ERR IS HUMAN AND TO FORGIVE IS DIVINE There is an old saying, "To err is human and to forgive is divine".  The human family is born in SIN and has a natural inclination toward that which is immoral, illegal and sinful.  The easiest thing in the world, however, is to criticize, judge and malign one another.  That trait comes naturally to us humans, who are arrogant, selfish and proud. WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES PEOPLE SO VENGEFUL & UNFORGIVING? Assassination of character is also becoming commonplace in our society.  What a sin and shame!  Where do all these base, carnal and sensual thoughts and actions come from.  What makes mortal man so vengeful, deplorable, mean and so unable to offer forgiveness? Often, the cause of an angry, hateful spirit is jealousy, envy and a sense of insecurity, rather than a vindication of truth.  Dragging a great person into the mud, undoubtedly makes gossipers and antagonists feel equal or even superior for the moment. ENVY & JEALOUSY CAUSE A HATEFUL & UNFORGIVING SPIRIT The Bible says, "For he (Pilate) knew that the chief priests had delivered Him for envy" and even though they "found no guilt in Him", yet they crucified Him "without a cause".  (Luke 23:13-16; Matthew 27:24; Acts 13:28) THE BIBLE WARNS AGAINST ENVY & LUSTS OF THE FLESH Joseph's brothers sold him into 'Egyptian slavery', because they were "moved with envy".  (Acts 7:9)  The Bible warns against the sin of envy, including it in a long list of sins ranging from homosexuality to murder. (Romans 1:29) St. John warned about the devastating effects of the lusts of the flesh.  St. Paul spoke of devouring one another through fighting and back-biting. (Galatians 5:15) And St. James, the pastor of the first Pentecostal Church in Jerusalem, asked: "From whence come wars and fightings among you?  Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?"  In his epistle, Jesus' half-brother, spoke of lust and hatred as underlying causes of war and strife. CRITICISM IS OFTEN ADMIRATION IN REVERSE Internationally known Evangelist T.L. Osborn stated: "Don't let criticism bother you.  Criticism is really admiration in reverse.  As a rule, your critics admire you, or they wouldn't talk about you." Oh!  How difficult for all of us to receive criticism, but how easy to dish it out.  And for many, it is even harder to forgive and forget.  Bitterness, hatred and jealousy will destroy the one who harbors them.  Carrying a grudge can produce insomnia, nervous tension, ulcers and other illnesses. A FORGIVING SPIRIT IS BEAUTIFUL & CHRIST LIKE An unforgiving spirit is demanding, cold and uncaring, while a forgiving spirit is beautiful and Christ-like. FORGIVENESS IS A GIFT FROM GOD Anglican pastor Rev. Dale Lang of Taber, Alberta, whose son Jason was shot to death by a fellow student in his high school on April 28, 1999 stated: "Forgiveness is a gift from God." Despite their terrible grief, the pastor and his wife, Diane, publicly forgave the youth accused of their son's murder and prayed with the other students.  He said: "Without God's love I couldn't have forgiven that young man who shot our son.  This is too painful a thing to do on your own.  With God in my heart He has made it possible.  I've been set free from bitterness and anger and un-forgiveness, and that is a wonderful gift." POPE JOHN PAUL 2 OFFERED FORGIVENESS TO THE MAN WHO TRIED TO KILL HIM Pope John Paul 2 was following in Jesus' footsteps when he visited Mehmet Ali Agea in his prison cell and prayed for the man who had tried to kill him.  He stated: "Peace and forgiveness go together as an inseparable pair.  One cannot remain a prisoner of the past....Individuals and people need a sort of healing of memories so that past evils will not come back again." Dr. Oral Roberts, who had been the subject of harsh ridicule in the press, delivered a powerful sermon on forgiveness to 5,000 ministers at a conference, shortly after being vilified in the media. St. John wrote, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) The Bible says, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputes not iniquity." (Psalms 32:1-2)  It's great to know that God has forgiven us, on the merits of Jesus' death, as our substitute. The Bible says: "...And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous: And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:1,2) The word 'propitiation' means 'appeasement'; that God is satisfied with Jesus' death on the cross!  His sacrificial, vicarious death for us satisfied the 'demands of divine justice', in the courts of Heaven. Jesus taught His disciples to pray: "And forgive us, our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation.  For if we forgive men their trespasses (offences), your heavenly Father will also forgive you: "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:12-15) IF WE DO NOT FORGIVE OTHERS - GOD WILL NOT FORGIVE US That is a sobering thought!  If I do not forgive those who have wronged me, God will not forgive me.  Refusing to forgive is there, an unpardonable sin.  God cannot forgive the sins of an individual, who refuses to forgive those who have wronged him or her. BY GOD'S GRACE ALONE WE ARE FORGIVEN It took God's grace, through Jesus Christ to forgive us, and it takes His grace for us to forgive one another, as well as to forgive ourselves when we have done wrong. The Bible says, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." (Colossians 3:12-13) St. Paul warned, "Neither give place to the devil...Let him that stole steal no more....Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth..." "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and evil speaking, be put away from you with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:27-32) WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?  -  HOW CAN WE LEARN TO FORGIVE In the Hebrew, the word forgiveness has a strong connection with the word 'kaphar' (atonement) meaning "to cover".  God instituted the sacrificial system which pointed to the cross where His Son, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God would shed His blood to wash away the sins of all those who believe on Him. The Bible says, "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 1:7) In the Old Testament system, the blood of the sacrificial animal covered the sin, but through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on Golgotha, our sins are purged, cleansed and washed away. REJOICE IN THE GOOD NEWS: "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. "For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh." "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!" (Hebrews 9:11-14) Writing to believers, St. Paul admonished: "And above all things have fervent charity (gr. Agape, love) among yourselves: for charity (love) shall cover a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) The SECOND meaning of the word forgiveness is conveyed by the Hebrew word 'nasa' which was used in the Old Testament to express the carrying away of Israel's sins.  It means to "lift up or away", by the scapegoat. When God forgives unworthy sinners (us all), he lifts from us all the burdens, guilt and condemnation that those sins have created. The THIRD meaning of forgiveness comes from the Hebrew word 'salach' which is "to send away, let go".  Again, this refers to God's grace in removing the sin from us.  It denotes a separation of the sin from the sinner.  The sin and its penalty - which is death - is separated from the believing penitent soul, and he is divorced from his carnal, evil and wicked state. The Bible says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  (2 Corinthians 5:17) "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Peter 1:18, 19, 23) "In Whom, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;" (Ephesians 1:7; 2:1) The FOURTH meaning comes to us from the Greek language.  The word 'Apoluo' is "to loose away" and the FIFTH meaning comes from the Greek word 'charisomai' means "to be gracious to". Jesus Christ has "loosed us away" and separated us from our sins, fear, torment and guilt, because God has been 'gracious' toward us.  Praise His Holy name for His mercy endures forever!  Amen. The Bible states, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Chris died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good men some would even dare to die.  But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wraths through Him." "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Romans 5:6-10) Jesus 'lifted off' from us the burden of guilt and shame and carried our sins far way.  He is our substitute and like the scapegoat, removed our sin and its penalty from us. (Leviticus 16:21, 22) Only the blood of Jesus Christ, and the Word of God, has the power and ability to purge our conscience from guilt!  No amount of counseling or other form of therapy has that ability. The Bible says: "There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1) THE BASIS OF ALL FORGIVENESS The basis of all forgiveness is God's unfathomable love!  Let this great truth resonate in your spirit.  It is because of God's great love, mercy and grace that I have received forgiveness and peace. Unknowing people often say, "The Old Testament is void of love and compassion.  It is about the law and God's severity and judgment.  And the New Testament is about God's grace, mercy and love." They seem to think that our Heavenly Father is severe and delights in punishing people, but Jesus Christ, God's Son is full of compassion and love. JESUS SAID, "....He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father and how sayest thou then show us the Father?  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?  The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of Myself: But the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.  Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works sake." (John 14:9-11) JESUS SAID: "The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do: but what things soever He does, these also, and show Him all things that Himself doeth, those also doeth the Son likewise." "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that Himself doeth...because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of Him Who hath sent Me." (John 5:19, 20, 30) "I do nothing of Myself, but as My Father hath taught me, I speak these things.  And He that hath sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him." (John 6:28, 38, 39) The Bible states: "God hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person..." (Hebrews 1:1-3) The OLD TESTAMENT PROVES GOD'S MERCY A study of the Old Testament proves God's love and mercy was also evident there.  It is true that "the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)  It is also true that Jesus would not have come to this 'sin cursed world' with the message of grace and truth, if it was not the Father's will. 1.  ADAM AND EVE - God gave them a free will to choose whom they would serve.  He strongly warned them about the 'Sin of Disobedience'. After 'The Fall', He drove them out of the Garden so that they would not be doomed to live in their sin forever by eating of the tree of life.  Immediately, God came to their rescue by killing an innocent animal, to atone for (cover) their sins! (Genesis 2:16, 17; Genesis 3:21) 2.  PROTECTING CAIN - After Cain killed Abel, and was banished from that place, he complained that someone finding him would seek to kill him.  The Lord therefore put a mark upon him, so that no one would harm him! (Genesis 4:13-15) 3.  GOD SENT THE FLOOD - Why was the flood, that destroyed about 8 million souls necessary?  The people had become corrupted to the point, where the bloodline of the promised Messiah was iin danger of being compromised. On planet earth, there were only 8 souls - Noah and his family - who were not corrupted by the sin and unrighteousness that had swept across the earth. By sending the flood, God in His mercy guaranteed the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, through the miracle of the incarnation (God in human flesh), begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of Mary, the virgin. Satan's plan was to totally pollute the human race, so that no one would be able to bear the Christ Child, but God saved righteous Noah and his family by sending the flood of judgment upon the earth. The Bible states: "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." (Genesis 6:8) 4.  GOD GAVE HIS ONLY SON - Jesus became the burden bearer for the sins of the world!  God the Father laid upon His Son the sins, pains, sicknesses, diseases and fears, guilt and torment that Satan - through man's disobedience - had brought upon the human famiily. How could anyone call our Heavenly Father uncaring, when you consider the great sacrifice He made in giving His One and Only Son to this world, to suffer, bleed and to die for our wins on the 'cursed cross'? THE BIBLE SAYS: "Surely He hath borne our sicknesses (heb. makob), and carried our pains (heb. nasa): yet we did esteem His stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." "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.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:4-6) The Word of God declares: "For God so loved the world that He have His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) 5.  DAVID'S GREAT SIN FORGIVEN - Although David sinned grievously, he was obedient and willing to repent of the sins of adultery and murder.  By God's grace he was forgiven and restored. Even though David was a mighty man of God, he fell into sin repeatedly.  David's heart was pliable and sincere however, and he sought mercy in repentance and continued to go on with God. At one point, God sent  a prophet to confront him.  Judgment was swift.  David's son by Bathsheba took ill and died, and as the prophet declared, "the sword did not depart from his house." (2 Samuel 12: 9, 10) He repented, however, and God forgave and restored him fully.  Here is the prayer he cried out to the Lord: "Have mercy upon me, O God...blot out my transgressions.  Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow...Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities." "Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from Thy presence: and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.  Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation: and uphold me with Thy free Spirit." (Psalms 51:7-12) OH, THE GRACE OF GOD!  To me, this is one of the most remarkable accounts of God's GRACE in the Old Testament.  David had committed adultery, impregnating Bathsheba.  In trying to cover his sin, he had her husband Uriah killed.  Yet, God's Holy Spirit had not departed from David.  He cried out: "Cast me not away from Thy presence: and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me." David was desperate.  He knew that he was close to stepping over the line of God's grace.  It was his last wake-up call to repent and he did.  God forgave him and restored him!  PRAISE THE LORD! 6.  SAMSON GOT A SECOND CHANCE - Samson broke his covenant with God when he divulged the secret of his great power to Delilah, the enemy of his people.  When the Spirit of God departed from this great champion, who had ruled Israel for 20 years, he lost his power and was taken into captivity. The Philistines put out his eyes and turned him into a spectacle of derision and a visible sign of their triumph over Israel and the living God, whom they served!  He was made to grind at the mill, like an ox, while people came to view his humiliation and to praise their god, Dagon. In those painful, desperate and shameful hours, he began to call upon God afresh and the Lord heard his cry and gave him another chance.  Here is the account right out of the Holy Bible: "But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.  Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven." (Judges 16:21-22) On a given day the Philistines were planning to sacrifice to their god Dagon for their victory in capturing their greatest enemy.  Samson was brought to make sport for them.  "And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I might feel the pillars whereupon the house stands, that I may lean upon them." "Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women that beheld Samson make sport; And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray Thee, and strengthen me, I pray Thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes."  "And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.  And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines.  And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein.  So the dead which he slew at this death were more than they which he slew in his life." (Judges 16:27-30) 7.  ISRAEL SINNED & GOD WANTED TO DESTROY THEM - Moses had just come down from Mount Sinai with the two tables of stone on which God had written with His own finger, the Ten Commandments. What was going on in the camp was horrible.  During Moses' forty day absence, the children of Israel had abandoned the Lord and His laws.  They had already broken the first commandment and made themselves a god in the form of a calf of gold. The Bible says: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which Thou brought out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.' "And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth Thy wrath wax hot against Thy people, which Thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?" "Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did He bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth?  Turn from Thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against Thy people." "Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Thy servants, to whom Thou swore by Thine own Self, and said unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit forever." "And the Lord repented (changed His mind) of the evil which He thought to do unto His people." (Exodus 32:9-14) NOBLEMAN SAVED FROM DEATH More than a hundred years ago, a Russian Nobleman and his servant left St. Petersburg by dog team to purchase a large supply of goods and provender.  The five-day journey across the rugged, frozen tundra was easily accomplished without incident.  And on their return journey, all went well for the first four days. On the morning of the fifth day, however, they noticed something like a grey wall appear to their rear.  Any apprehensions they had earlier, now turned into reality as they understood that a large pack of timber wolves had picked up their scent and were gaining on them.  They urged the dogs on, but they were tired and thee load was heavy.  And the wolf pack, spurred on by their hunger for blood and flesh were zeroing in for the kill. They were 10 miles from home.  The sun had just set in the western sky and the lights had come on in St. Petersburg.  The wolf pack was on their heels and getting ready for the kill.  They could smell their foul breath, see their yellow fangs and hear their blood curdling yelps.  As they neared their quarry, the weary travelers knew that it was too late.  They were not going to make it. The trusted servant, who had served the Nobleman's father earlier, moved to the back of the shed.  With a shout, he threw himself backwards into the path of the blood thirsty pack.  As the wolves begin tearing him into pieces, the smell of blood filled the air and the wild beasts began to fight one another over the kill. And as servant lay dying, the dog team and the Nobleman continued unharmed toward St. Petersburg.  You may ask: "Why would you share with us the account of that terrible event?"  The servant offered himself to save the Nobleman and that is what Jesus did for us.  He threw Himself to the wolves when He offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to save a lost world. JESUS CHRIST IS THE LAMB OF GOD Seven hundred years before Jesus came to this earth to die for our sins, Isaiah foretold His virgin birth, sufferings and death on the cross, as well as His resurrrection from the dead and Everlasting Kingdom! (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 53:4-11) When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he stated: "Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world." (John 1:29)  And St. Peter said: "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...But with the precious BLOOD of Christ, as a Lamb without blemish and without spot." (1 Peter 1:18, 19) The Bible says: "For He hath made Him to be sin for us.  Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21); "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, but for your sakes He became poor: that ye through His poverty might be rich."  (2 Corinthians 8:9); "Who His own Self Himself bear our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24) Dear Friend, please allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you.  May you open your heart and life to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour today!  You will not be sorry you did.  He loves you so much and waits for your call.  He will save you for time and eternity.  May God richly bless you, heal you and fill you with the marvelous Holy Spirit.  Amen.   Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 RPO Garside Edmonton AB T5V 1N6; Email: [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Facebook; Youtube; Blog:  MSWM; Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Send your donation to [email protected]. Thank you and may God reward you for your kindness!

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