MILLIONS SIT IN HEATHEN DARKNESS                                          by Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

St. John's statement on the Person of Jesus Christ should be shouted from the roof tops. Here it is: "And many other SIGNS truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this BOOK; But these are written, that ye might believe that JESUS is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have LIFE through His NAME." (John 20: 30,31)

Millions alive today have never heard the Name of Jesus Christ. Does this statement shock you?  Many years ago an  Evangelical Minister  became engaged in a heated conversation when he learned that I prayed for the sick to be healed!   He said, "We don't need the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and divine healing today, as they did in the Early Church, since everyone today knows that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead." 

Of all the ridiculous and ignorant statements given to refute Christ's command in the 'The Great Commission' that is the most foolish! Jesus stated. "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: 17,18)

As the world speeds toward destruction,  communism controling  more than 40 % of the world's population, and  criminality, turmoil and upheavals spiralling, it is imperitive that we obey the commands of our Commander of Chief and get serious about our resposibility to declare the Gospel in its fulness!

With so many new diseases suddenly emerging and Medical Science finding it difficult to cope, we need a DEMONSTRATION OF GOD'S SUPERNATURAL MIRACLE WORKING POWER  to bring health and healing to all we are able, in Jesus Christ's wonderful name! As our Saviour promised, there is healing, power, liberty, love and life in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

An old Gospel song gives us the answer to the  many difficulties of life; "Without Him I would be nothing. Without Him I would surely fail. Without Him I would be drifting,  like a ship without a sail. So I've asked Jesus to be my Pilate, His Word, my compass and guide. Till I've anchored safely in Glory, for without Him, I'd drift with the tide!"

IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD!

The Holy Bible states: "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. All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." (John 1:1-4)

According to the Guiness World Records, "An estimated 5 -7 Billion copies of the Holy Bible have been printed since 1440 when Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press!"  Down through the ages great men and women of God have preached His Word with distinction, many laying down their lives as martyrs in the process!

 We must experience a great old - fashioned Revival to reach this world's teeming millions of lost and perishing souls! It is now up this gereraation to do our part in the spreading of God's Holy Word. Without doubt the trumpet of the Lord will soon sound and the Day of Mercy and Grace will then be gone.

The BIBLE states: "And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness  unto all nations, and then shall the end come." (Matt. 24:14)

The world is tired of  worn - out sermons that have no Spirit and of traditions that have no power, and ceremonies that hold no Life, and a gospel that only speaks but does not act! It is results we need instead of dead forms. It is Divine Power  we must have instead of beautiful ritual and ceremony!

 JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE AND WAITING FOR OUR CALL!

Our Lord Jesus Christ invites, "Come unto Me all ye that labours and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me: for I am meek and lowly on heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My butden in light." (Matt. 11: 28-30)

We cannot blame the drunkard and the gangster. We cannot blame the communist or the agnostic. We cannot blame the unbeliever, because we who are true believers of Jesus Christ have not brought to them the EVIDENCE of the Risen Christ. We have not displayed before the eyes of the World the mighty living truths of the Holy Bible in action!   

They say,"God is dead", because we have been dead in our testimony and the demonstration of what we have preached. Some preachers today agree with the Evangelical Minister, to cover the shame of their own fruitless lives and their inability to see the power of God to produce, they hide behind the foolish and uncsripural excuse that "miracles are not for today, the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with speaking in other  tongues ended with the last apostle, we are now living in a different dispensation!

How will those Ministers feel, having lied to the people when they stand before the Judgment Throne of Almighy God?

THE GOSPEL IS THE HEART OF GOD!

Then also the Church is today fettered and bound because many Ministers preach the Gospel only in a half- hearted way and do not have the faith to fully believe it. St. Paul made the heathen obedient by Mighty Signs and Wonders. 

He stated: "For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not wrought by me to make the Gentiles obedient by Word and Deed. Through mighty Signs and Wonders, by the power of Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ." (Rom. 15: 18,19)

St. Paul was hated, beaten and finally beheaded by the Roman Government for declaring that Jesus Christ True God was King of kings and Lord of all lords. From the Jews he was scourged receiving 39 stripes on seven occassins, he was given up as dead on several occasions. He gave all he had in the declaration of the Gospel of Christ!

NOT IN WORD ONLY BUT IN POWER!

The great Apostle wrote: "For our gospel came not unto you in Word only but in POWER, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance;  as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and n'd eaching was not with enticing was notw ith enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: thsat- your faith should not stand in the wisdlom of men, but in the power of God." (1 Cor. 2; 4, 5)

In our Crusades in Canada and around the world, we have experirenced again and again how the people's hearts have been touched and the resistance within them broken down when they have seen the power of God bringing DIVINE DELIVERANCE to the sick, diseased and demon possessed. Praise the Lord for He alone is worthy!

The Agnostic (University student) who sent us his testimony was planning to commit suicide before we met. He was converted while interpreting my message and witnessed a totally blind man receive his sight. After the meeting he and the former blind man spent the next many hours visiting his relatives. At 8:00 he was knocking at our door and desired to be baptized. I asked him to return at noon and I baptized him. He went on to becoms a professor at a University and we were in close contact for many years! Praise the Lord!

Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 RPO Garside Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6; Mswm; [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Donations may be sent by e-Transfer. Make your donation to [email protected]. Thank you and may the Lord richly bless you. Amen.                           .

 

          THESE ARE THE LAST DAYS!
                                                   by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

Every day takes us one day nearer to Christ’s return, the rapture of the church and the end of the world.  Each hour takes us into new crises, destruction, heartbreak and sorrow.  Many of the things happening were prophesied by the prophets and apostles of our Lord thousands of years ago.

One could rightly describe the days in which we live as perilous, wicked, and prophetic!  These are trying days full of fear, pessimism and sadness; for the Christian; however, these days should be filled with anticipation as we wait for the return of our Lord.  TIME MARCHES ON, on one can stop it – and with it marches prophecy – marching on to fulfillment!

Watching the Newscasts today is like reading from the Holy Bible.  Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah and others, together with the Apostles in the New Testament, foretold the events which are happening now.  Any student of the Bible surely can see the handwriting on the wall in regard to the wickedness of mankind, the shortness of time, the soon coming of Christ and the Judgment Day

The Bible says, “Men’s hearts will fail them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of Heaven shall be shaken.” (Luke 21:26)  The Scripture states some of the reasons that men’s hearts shall fail them – “There shall be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars; and upon earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and waves roaring.”  Regardless of how dark the picture looks, we who know the Lord Jesus Christ, and are filled with the Holy Ghost do not frighten easily because of our belief in Him and the Holy Word of God, together with our unshakeable hope of the soon and glorious appearing of our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I believe it is a God given opportunity and a great privilege to be alive in the midnight hour of this closing generation of the Grace of God upon the earth.  What an opportunity, what a privilege and what a responsibility is ours to bring the glorious message of a risen and living Saviour to the ends of the earth!  What a tremendous responsibility is ours since we have so much light from God and so many open doors into which we can go with this message of life. 

WE MUST NOT FALTER; WE DARE NOT FAIL, we cannot ignore the pleas from the hungry and thirsty souls who are begging us to come over and help them, before it is too late.  May God supply the need so that we can give ourselves freely in Gospel crusades, in radio broad-casting, TV and in printing million s of pieces of literature to ship around the world to the lost and dying.

We are responsible for our generation!  We are not responsible for the generation of our fathers or for a future generation (should Christ tarry) – we are responsible for the people who are alive today!  We must reach them with the Gospel Message before it is too late.  I am absolutely thrilled at the prospect of the great things which are in store for us who are servants of the living God, daring to believe the entirety of His Word, in this awful generation!  Our prayer should be: “HERE I AM LORD, SEND ME!”  Please pray for me that I may ever stay in the centre of His Will!”

Also in Luke 21:24-32, “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s heart’s failing them for fear, (and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.  And then shall they see the SON OF MAN coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh..”

PERILOUS & WICKED DAYS

The Scripture tells us that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Tim. 3:1)  This certainly is a picture of this generation.  These are treacherously dangerous and perilous times – murder, rape, violence and crime stalk the streets of our cities as nuclear nations stand ready to pull the trigger that would begin a third world war and could bring death to multiplied millions the earth over.  The world stands on a powder keg – almost anything could topple the scales in the wrong direction – almost hourly and definitely daily – new protests, demonstrations, riots and insurrections are taking place around the globe.  The world awaits and watches breathlessly hour by hour and moment by moment for fresh news of violence and bloodshed.

The days in which we are living are wicked days.  Gross immorality and sex perversion has taken a tremendous toll on young lives in this present civilization.  Our western civilization is being demoralized to the extent that many of our young people have no will to work, no desire to achieve worthwhile goals, no initiative to help themselves or their fellowman, and no respect for themselves, their parents, governmental authority, and even God almighty.  Many are slaves to cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, heroin, liquor and illusive, demon inspired and perverted thoughts.

Remember the great Empire of Greece and Rome and how they fell because of moral corruption.  Look at how England is falling, and falling fast, because of sin – USA and Canada are on her heels. – OH GOD HELP US!

Then also, not only do we have wickedness & sinfulness in the world today that has been unprecedented in other generations, but we have a double barrel evil day here with the sins of the Antediluvian age (days of Noah) and also the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:26-30); we also have days that are tragic with happenings in the world that bring great suffering, pain, anguish and sorrow to many people.  On the domestic scene we have the tragedy of broken homes, divorce and remarriage, and children left to shift for themselves.  We have the tragedy of little children being assaulted and raped by some demon possessed pervert or sadist – women strangled and raped, entire families murdered by someone who has given his  mind over to evil spirits, who have compelled him to rape and kill, and also an alarming increase of drug addiction and suicides.

On the political scene we see the tragedy of fake new by CNN and their TV echo chambers, promoting anti-American, pro-socialism and communist views, cancel culture, pro-abortion views.  MAY GOD HELP US! These indeed are tragic days.

PROPHETIC DAYS

God has his hand on all things and I believe that everything has happened for a purpose and according to God’s plan.  America has forsaken God, is sinning grossly and must reap because of her iniquities. She has sown and now she is reaping and there will be more of the harvest unless she repents and returns to God!  Nothing that has happened has just happened, but everything goes according to DIVINE plan – the events of recent days are having their effects upon the millions and every day history is being made and prophecy is being fulfilled before our very eyesAll these events, tragedies and fulfilled prophecies point us again and again to the IMMINENT SOON personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven to rapture the Church.  In the Holy Scriptures we read (Rev. 22:17), “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 the water of life freely.”

PREPARE TO MEET YOUR MAKER

My urgent message to you today is to prepare to meet your Maker, for surely we are living in the very last days, and soon we will see Him as He is – We who are Christians must labor and work to win others to Him before the darkness falls upon the earth and God closes things down for the night! (Rev. 10:5-6)  And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by him that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which were therein, that there should be time no longer.” (John 9:4)  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 4:35-36) Jesus said, “Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.  And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.”  We see the darkening clouds of apostasy, false religion and backsliding, luke-warm church members hovering low; we see the mammoth rise of crime, racism, violence and strife everywhere; and then we look into the Bible, God’s Holy Word, and we read, “Lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)

I want to ask you one question before I bring this message to a close – Are your sins washed away or are you a sinner on the broad road to Hell and separation from God?

Please stop long enough in your pursuit of pleasure, wealth and fame and begin to think!  Think for a few minutes about eternity, the destiny of your soul and the Love of God that sent Jesus Christ to die for you on the cross of Calvary so many years ago – Please accept Jesus Christ today as your personal Saviour and your name will be written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Rev. 20:15)  Here are the words of invitation from our Lord Himself: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) Amen.

 ** This updated article originally written in 1973.

For spiritual counsel or prayer please write:

Max Solbrekken World Mission
PO Box 44220 RPO Garside
Edmonton, AB   T5V 1N6

Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 RPO Garside Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6; Mswm; [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Donations may be sent by e-Transfer. Make your donation to [email protected]. Thank you and may the Lord richly bless you. Amen.

                                                        LORD, I BELIEVE!

                                                          By:  Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

 “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  And straightway the father of the child cried, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.”(Mark 9:23)

The father of the deaf and dumb demon possessed boy was desperate!  He wanted to have his son delivered but he didn't have much faith.  He had asked the disciples of Jesus to cast the tormenting demon out of the boy, to no avail. 

The Scribes and Pharisees were probably there to discourage the father and to ridicule and dispute with the disciples of Jesus. The Scribes and Pharisees' attitude towards divine healing and the ministry of Jesus and His disciples was negative. Their attitude regarding Jesus was seriously flawed!

When Jesus came down from the mountain, He demanded to know what was going on.  The father of the child spoke up and said, "Master I have brought unto Thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever he taketh him he teareth him:  and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away:  and I spake to Thy disciples that they should cast him out, and they could not. 

“He answered him and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you?  How long shall I suffer you?  Bring him unto Me.  And they brought him unto Him:  and when he saw Him straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.  And He asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? 

“And he said, Of a child.  And at times it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him:  but if Thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." (Mark 9:17-22)

What words of unbelief and hopelessness: "I've tried everything, now I'm prepared to try you, if you can do anything"!  Jesus rebuked him by putting the onus on him:"I can always do something.  The problem isn't with Me - the problem is with you and your unbelief and with some of My disciples who lack faith."

 IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU WILL RECEIVE!

 The man realized his bankrupt condition, repented, and cried out, "Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief".  Jesus healed his son by driving out the demon that had possessed him and made him deaf and dumb.  He stated: “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23)

By God’s grace, I have declared this powerful truth for sixty years. I can state unequivocally that the miracles He has performed when we have truly believed and asked in faith, have been many. All glory to the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord! God’s Word is True, and the Devil is a Liar! Jesus said: “With men this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27)

After reading this Scripture or hearing a sermon from this text, a hymnwriter penned the following song:  "Only believe, only believe, all things are possible, only believe.  Only believe, only believe, all things are possible, only believe."

         

God’s word has brought peace, comfort, joy, hope and faith to the hearts of millions down through the ages. JESUS Himself is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He alone is the Salvation of the world and the Prince of Peace! He promised; If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth!" 

There is such authority and finality in this Scripture - such power and life!  The Master Himself uttered these words of faith, hope and truth! God’s Wordis TRUE through time and eternity... "All things are possible to him that believeth"! 

How refreshing and how beautiful to be serving a strong, powerful, mighty, and omnipotent God who never changes, who never grows weary, who never grows old and who never forgets what He has promised. 

It is very comforting to me as a servant of Jesus Christ to know that He is constant forever - unmovable, unshakable, and always keeping His Word; totally true, totally powerful, and totally honest!  What a God we serve - what a Creator, what a Redeemer, what a Saviour and Deliverer, Physician and Friend! 

No wonder the hymn-writer wrote the words "Man of Sorrow, what a Name for the Son of God who came; Ruined sinners to reclaim!  Hallelujah!  What a Saviour!"

NO TROUBLE EXPRESSING HIMSELF!

 Some people are shaken by the promises of Jesus - they are plagued by carnality and unbelief to the extent that it shadows or taints their belief in Jesus, under the guise of modernism or rationalism.  They feel the teachings of Jesus are too simplistic and argue there must be a more intellectual approach to Christ and His salvation than simply by believing and accepting His promises, gifts, and graces. 

"Thinking themselves to be wise, some so-called Christians become fools!" (Rom. 1:22) Trying to understand God rather than believing Him, they put more value in their traditions than in the Word of God, making the Word of none effect in their lives. 

JESUS said: "But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men," (Matt. 15:9) St. Paul warns that because of this they heap to themselves teachers who have itching ears and being filled with erroneous doctrines and false teaching, are led farther into sin, darkness, and apostasy. 

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim. 4:3-4)

The Christian Church must rid itself of man's ideologies, philosophies, traditions, dogmas, and thoughts that conflict with the Holy Bible, God's Sacred Word.  As we read the Words of Jesus in simplicity and expectancy, we will see God's power in action as Faith rises in our hearts. 

Let us settle it once and for all - if Jesus said it, it is TRUE!  St. Paul gives us the answer to this when he declares in Romans 3:3-4, "For what if some did not believe?  Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?  God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar".

We sing: "If Jesus said it, I believe it, His word cannot lie, if it's written in the Bible, I'll believe it till I die."  Our Lord was perfect, in spite of what theologians do to obscure and minimize the clarity and the simplicity of the truth presented by Jesus Christ. 

The Bible states: "Heaven and earth shall pass away", but Jesus declared, "My words shall not pass away". (Luke 16:17) Hallelujah!  Jesus had no trouble expressing Himself and always spoke plainly so therefore we conclude that He meant what He said and said exactly what He meant.

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

Here it is in black and white, in simple, easy to understand language.  "All things are possible to him that believeth!"  How many things is, All Things? All things, means all things. If you can believe, you will receive the answer to your prayer. 

Since faith comes from the Word of God you must read, believe, and act upon His Word, to receive faith for your prayers to be answered.  Remember, God always keeps His Word to the letter.  You can trust Him totally to fulfill His Word.

 There is nothing impossible with God. Jesus said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God:  for with God all things are possible". (Mark 10:27) Many times we run into impossibilities and roadblocks in life, but faith in Christ makes the difference. 

Faith destroys the prefix and performs the miracle that changes impossibilities into possibilities!  With Jesus in the vessel, we can smile at the storm and with our hand in His hand we can meet any challenge and overcome it, defeat every enemy, slay every giant and find the answer we need.  The Scripture declares, "...all things work out for good to them that love God who are called according to His purpose". (Rom. 8:28) 

The Bible says, "Now thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ Jesus..." (2 Cor. 2:14) St. Paul declared, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us". (Rom. 8:37).  Thank God for glorious victory through Jesus Christ our triumphant, victorious, and glorified Saviour and Lord.  Certainly, all things are possible to him that believeth! 

Jesus called the people of that generation faithless and perverse simply because they had not been able to cast the devil out of a deaf and dumb lunatic boy.  He asked them the question, "How long shall I be with you?"  How long shall I suffer you?  He fully expected His disciples to do the same work He was doing and He expected them to grow in faith so that they would continue to do so after His departure!

Jesus cast the devil out and healed the boy.  His disciples asked Him why they could not cast the devil out, even though Jesus had already given them power to do so. (Matt. 10:1, 7-8). He answered, "...because of your unbelief, for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matt. 17:17-20)

The angel Gabriel carried the same faith-building, positive message as Jesus and the Early Church!  When he was sent to Mary the Virgin, with the message of the birth of Jesus, Gabriel told her that the Holy Ghost would come upon her and she would conceive in her womb and bring forth the Christ child.  Mary asked, "How shall this be seeing I know not a Man"?  Gabriel answered by saying,"...with God nothing shall be impossible". (Matt. 17:37) Thank God!

Faith is the key to the Kingdom of God, and prayer unlocks the door.  Have faith in God. Have faith in God my friend, have faith in God! 

For faith in God will move a mighty mountain. Faith will calm a troubled sea. Faith will make the desert like a fountain. And faith will bring the victory.  The Scripture states, "Without faith it is impossible to please God", (Heb. 11:6) but with faith nothing is impossible! (Mark 10:27) Where does it come from, who has it?  How do we get it?

WHAT IS FAITH?

The Scripture says:"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen". (Heb. 11:1) This verse begins with the word NOW - I think that is very significant - FAITH is "a present time reality" - Faith is in the now - not yesterday and tomorrow, only now. 

The faith of some people is reflected in Martha the sister of Lazarus - when they drew near to the grave of her dead brother she said, "If Thou had been here (past tense) my brother had not died".  Jesus said, "Your brother shall rise again".

She answered that she knew that in the resurrection (future tense) some great day in the distant future he would rise again.  Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life". (John 11:25) She had faith for the past and for the future but not for the present! 

This is how some Christians believe - "Oh, yes, God created the worlds out of nothing - Jesus performed miracles and did mighty signs and wonders, the disciples did the same - oh yes, we believe in the exploits of God's children in the past - that's true. 

We also believe in the great things which are about to happen in the future - like the rapture of the church, the resurrection of the just and the unjust in the first and second resurrections.  Oh yes, we believe in eternity and heaven and all that, but we do not believe God can or will heal the sick or perform miracles noWe have faith in the past and in the future but right now there is nothing in the miraculous, supernatural realm available.  God's Word rebukes these unbelievers and skeptics when it says, "Now faith is..."  Faith is available to God's children today and thank God, faith gets the job done in this generation just as much as it got the job done in the past generations.  Praise God.

 NOW FAITH IS!

Jesus said, "Thy faith hath made thee whole.  Thy faith hath saved thee", and "According to your faith be it unto you". (Mark 5:34; Luke 7:50; Matt. 9:29) St. Paul said, "Now faith is (today) the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". (Heb. 11:1) When you have faith you will soon have what you have believed for, and that which you have hoped and prayed for becomes reality! 

 Faith brings a miracle, according to God’s Word!  The secret, however, is that you have a substance (faith) within you that is real even though it is invisible. It is the gift of knowing that God’s promises are true, and what you have asked for will glorify God!  Real faith will produce the real physical evidence that cannot be denied or dismissed!

 The Bible says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him". (Heb. 11:6). Jesus said, "Thy faith hath made thee whole".  Again, the Bible says, "If you have faith as a mustard seed... nothing shall be impossible unto you..." 

 FAITH IS THREE THINGS!

Faith is not complicated.  Faith is simple and easy to understand, and easier to get.  People have made it difficult, and they have placed a certain aroma of mystery around divine healing and the miraculous.  It is true that God works in mysterious ways His wonders to fulfill and if we stay true to His Word, and trust solely in Jesus Christ’s Redemptive work for us on the Cross, He will bless us!

1.  Faith is coming to God!

2.  Faith is believing that God is.

3.  Faith is expecting an answer when you pray.

The Bible says, "...so then he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Heb. 11:6)

FAITH IS COMING TO GOD:

Firstly, you wouldn't come to God for help if you didn't need help.  Secondly, you would not come to God if you could help yourself.  Thirdly, you wouldn't come to God for help if you didn't realize that He was stronger than you are and was able to do for you, what you couldn't do yourself. 

Finally, if you came to God for help you must have believed that there was a possibility of Him helping you.  I therefore conclude that everyone coming to God in prayer, asking for help, is displaying a certain amount of faith. If you have prayed and not received what you asked for, do not be discouraged. Keep on believing, praying, and thanking God and He will surely bless you!

FAITH IS BELIEVING THAT GOD IS:

Faith is also believing that God is - that He exists - and that He is the God of the Bible, the Almighty, Omnipotent, (all powerful) Omniscient (all wise) and Omnipresent (everywhere present) God, who created all things (Col. 1:16) and by whom all things exist (Col. 1:17).  He is the Eternal, Everlasting, Judge and Sustainer, Healer, Physician and Saviour of fallen man!

 Faith is believing that the Bible is the Word of God completely, totally and without exception!  That the Bible is the infallible rule of faith and morals, able to make one wise unto salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord!  Yes indeed, the Holy Bible is the unchangeable, indisputable, indestructible, immutable, infallible, irreversible, and holy Word of God.  It has no equal or even comparable competition!

Faith is believing that Jesus Christ is the Messiah - the Christ, the Anointed One, the Divine Paraclete, the King of kings and the Lord of lords and the Only Saviour of the world! 

 Faith is believing that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, was conceived by the Holy Ghost, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried, descended into Hades and rose again from the dead on the third day, ascended into Heaven, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High and will return to rapture the Church and judge the quick and the dead. 

FAITH IS EXPECTING AN ANSWER WHEN WE PRAY:

"...And that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Heb. 11:6). Here is the crux of the whole matter!  Most people know enough to come to God with their needs, they also believe that God exists, but they do not expect an answer when they pray.  Many people pray and pray but do not expect an answer to their prayers.  How sad!  Real faith is expectation!

Real faith expects an answer when you pray, or it isn't real faith.  Jesus made it very plain when He said, "And whatsoever ye desire when ye pray believe that ye receive it and ye shall have it".  Expect God to forgive you when you ask Him to, expect God to heal you when you petition the Throne of Grace for a Miracle. Expect Jesus to fill you with the Holy Spirit when you call upon His Name.

He said, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children:  how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Luke 11:13)

LORD, I BELIEVE!

The father of the lunatic boy cried, "I believe, help thou mine unbelief".  I believe that is a prayer we all need to pray!  First the declaration.  Yes, Lord, I believe but help me in my weakness and frailty, to expect a miracle.  Give me real faith Lord, the kind of faith that gets the job done!

 The hymn-writer wrote the second verse to this song - "Lord, I believe, Lord I believe, All things are possible, Lord I believe; Lord I believe, Lord I believe, All things are possible, Lord I believe".  Finally, the third verse of this song goes like this:  "Lord I receive, Lord I receive, All things are possible, Lord I receive.”

Let me repeat, Jesus said, "Whatsoever things ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them". (Mark 11:26); "Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.  For everyone that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened". (Matt. 7:7-8)

Jesus said, "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven". (Matt. 18:19) Jesus was so definite with total confidence and optimism.  There was no doubt whatsoever and no unbelief.

I repeat, our Lord Jesus said, "Believe Me...Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name that will I do...I will do it"! (John 14:11-14). Here then is the Good News!  Jesus said, "It shall be given you".  "It shall be done."  "That will I do."  and "I will do it."  Believe it and ask Him in total confidence and watch the miracles happen in your life!  Amen.

Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 RPO Garside Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6; Mswm; [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Donations may be sent by e-Transfer. Make your donation to [email protected]. Thank you and may the Lord richly bless you. Amen.

IT’S TIME TO TAKE STOCK!  
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

TAKING INVENTORY

"According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath 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.

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowl­edge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience god­liness; And to godliness brotherly kind­ness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgot­ten that he was purged from his old sins Wherefore the rather, brethren, give dil­igence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:4-11)

Usually around the end of the year business people begin taking inventory - to take stock of what has sold and what has not!  Often, businesses find out what they have been dreading all year – that their businesses didn’t do so well!

With the tremendously high interest rates, inflation and excessive taxation some countries fare better than others and some businesses better than the rest.  Whether their fiscal year comes to an end on the 31^st day of October or December, ever business knows that after 12 months of operation – you must take stock!

HAVE OUR LIVES BEEN PROFITABLE?  The ultimate questions the book-keeper and auditor answer is, “Did we go in the black red, or did we just break even”?

Every farmer must evaluate, on a yearly basis – how his operation paid off.  The financial statements tell the story in the business world.

HOW ABOUT THE CHURCH?  How are we doing, and what did we accomplish this year?

How did we do numerically, financially & spiritually?  What kind of individual growth, as well as corporate growth did we have?  How many souls have we reached for Jesus in 2024?

Now is a good time to answer the question that the hymn writer asked, "How many are the lost that I have lifted, how many are the chained I've helped to free, I wonder have I done my best for Jesus, when He has done so much for me"?

My personal feeling is that the last day of the year is a good time to take inventory.  The end of the year is a good time to take stock of our accomplishments for God's kingdom and for our fellowmen.  However, I also think that we ought to take time on a weekly basis to evalu­ate our efforts and the results we are having throughout the year!

If a farmer is constantly losing money or making little or no profit, then certain­ly he will do something to change the situation; perhaps change to a different grain, begin using different fertilizer, improve his methods of breeding or change variety.  Can we - in the Church - do less for God's Kingdom that a farmer would do for himself!

If our methods or "modus operandi"? is not giving us the desired result, let us seek the Lord for direction and our brethren for advice.  Certainly we want to be and desire to be productive!

MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE

St. Paul speaks of the power of God and the promises of the Lord to usward who believe, in his epistles to the Ephesian Christians. (Eph. 1:19-20; 3:20)  He often refers to the power of God that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

The Apostle Peter, in my text, speaks of the same thing.  God's power has given us life!  He writes of precious promises and the Di­vine nature that we receive when we be­lieve those promises.  When we are con­verted, we escape the corrup­tion that is in the world through lust.

The real pollution is the pollution or corruption of the mind and spirit, which Satan has unleashed upon the earth, by the vehicle of lust. (uncontrolled pas­sions)

Christianity is serious business and liv­ing the Christian life is a 24-hour a day job!  There must be and can be no let ups - "Neither give place to the devil.." (Eph. 4:27)  "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Cor. 2:11) "...If ye do these things, ye shall never fall." (2 Peter 1:10)

We must also GIVE ALL DILIGENCE - touch all the bases, follow the rules and obey the instructions, if we are to succeed in the Christian Life!

ADD TO YOUR FAITH, VIRTUE!

The Bible says, "For by grace are ye saved through FAITH..." (Eph. 2:8)

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Heb. 11:6)

FAITH IS THREE THINGS!

No. 1 - Faith is Coming to God - presenting your problem, need or petition before Him.  You would not come to Him if you did not believe He is greater, wiser and more powerful than you and can help you.

 No. 2 - Faith Is Believing That God Is Whom He Claims To Be - The Eternal, Omni­potent, Omniscient and Omnipresent God.  That Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that the Bible is Divine, Authoritative and True.

No. 3 - Faith Is Expecting An Answer When You Pray!  The Gospel of Jesus Christ purges our old sins, and the blood of Jesus frees us from condemnation and fear!

Virtue comes only by consistent Christian living, through Bible reading and prayer.  And constant dedication of our lives to Christ, with submission to His will.  The scripture speaks of "mortifying the deeds of the flesh." (Rom. 8: 13)

We must ask ourselves, "Do we have virtue?"  Before we can have any virtue, we need faith which cometh by reading God's Word. (Rom. 10:17)

ADD TO KNOWLEDGE, TEMPERANCE!

It is so important for us to be balanced in our Christian lives.  A balance in doc­trine, belief, conversation and life style! 

St. Paul said, "Let your modera­tion be known unto all men..." (Phil. 4:5)  Why? Because..."The Lord is at hand."

Far out, fanatical, extremes in life style, wearing apparel and practices is not scriptural.  We must be temperate and moderate in all things!  There is no doubt that God is very balanced and sensible, and that any good common sense we have, has been given to us of the Lord!

ADD TO TEMPERANCE, PATIENCE!

How hard it is to be patient!  But, how wonderful and how rewarding... St. Paul wrote to the Hebrew Christians concerning patience...  "Cast not away therefore your confidence, (FAITH) which hath great re­compense of reward.  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the prom­ise." (Heb. 10:35-36)

ADD TO PATIENCE, GODLINESS!

Christians are supposed to be Christ-like, Jesus-people, who exemplify the Lord and emulate the Saviour! We should become more and more like Him, the longer we live and study His word, seek His face and witness for Him to our fellowmen.

The Bible says we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. (Rom. 8:17; 1 John 3:1)  We are sons of God now, and the only Bible that some people will read. St. Peter declared, "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men." (2 Cor. 3:2) 

I love the old song, "To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, all I ask is to be like Him, so meek and lowly, so humble and Holy, All I ask is to be like Him".

It is high time that we make Him our example as well as our Saviour and Lord!  We need to be godly in our living, actions and in our conversation. 

WE ARE SEATED WITH GOD (AS BELIEVERS) IN HEA­VENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS (EPH. 2:6) AND OUR CONVERSATION IS IN HEAVEN! (Phil.3:20)  The Bible says, "Be ye Holy, for I am Holy, saith the Lord." (Lev. 11:44)

ADD TO GODLINESS, BROTHERLY KINDNESS!

A little girl was saying her prayers one night.  Her mother overheard her daughter utter these words, "O Lord, there are so many bad people in this world.  Please make all the bad people good and Lord please make all the good people NICE!"

What a prayer, "Make all the good people nice!"  Some good peo­ple - who are saved - are not kind and chari­table and anything but nice!  "HELP US,  O LORD TO HAVE BROTHERLY KINDNESS!"

To treat all Christians the same way we treat our own brothers and sisters, sharing the joys and sorrows of others in the household of faith. Jesus made a tre­mendous statement when He said, 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' (Matt. 7:12)  

We call that verse “THE GOLDEN RULE.”  How good it is to dwell in unity and peace with one another and to love each other with godly "agape" charity or love!  St. Paul wrote, "Bear ye one another’s  bur­dens, and so fulfill the laws of Christ." (Gal. 6:2)  St. Paul also said, "Let brotherly love continue." (Heb. 13:1)  I say Amen to that!

ADD TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS, CHARITY!

Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35) "...he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." (Rom. 13:8)  The law of the world is the law of the jungle: "Dog eat dog and every man for himself!"

Jesus came into this world with another law - "...Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you...Give, and it shall be given unto you...Lend, hoping for nothing again!" (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:38; Luke 6:35)

IF YE DO THESE THINGS YE SHALL NEVER FALL!

What comfort these words of admonition give us - If ye do these things ye shall not fall!  WHAT THINGS? "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.

“And beside this, giv­ing all diligence, add to your faith vir­tue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity."

St. Peter declares emphatically that if we keep God's Word we will be fruitful in our Christian Life.  He also warns of the consequences of living a ship-shod , carnal life without morals, guidelines and ethics, while still calling ourselves ‘Christians.’

"For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgot­ten that he was purged from his old sins." (2 Peter 1:8-9)

St. Paul agrees with Peter’s warning: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Cor.13:5)

BECAUSE OF THESE THINGS

The Bible warns:  "Let no man deceive you with vain words: For because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  Be not ye therefore partakers with them.  For ye were somtimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." (Eph. 5:6-8)

BECAUSE OF THESE THINGS!  What things?  "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

“But fornication, and all unclean­ness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints." (Eph. 5:2-3) 

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them, for it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

“But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make mani­fest is light.  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light, See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (Eph. 5:11-17)

HE HATH FORGOTTEN THAT HE WAS PURGED!

St. Peter makes the analogy of a back­slidden Christian to a sow that has been washed clean and ends up in the muck again and a dog that goes back to its own vomit. "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with  them than the beginning.

“For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." (2 Peter 2:20-22)

The difference between a sheep and a pig is that if a sheep falls in the mud it will seek not the repeat the error.  A sheep doesn’t enjoy filth, while a sow will go right back into the slop and mire again.

If we fall into sin, the thing to do is to repent and confess our sins to God and carry on serving God to the best of our ability by His grace and power.

DO NOT STAY IN THE PIG PEN!  ANYTIME IS A GOOD TIME TO TAKE STOCK!

A final word from the apostle Peter, "But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his own sins.  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." (2 Peter 1:9-10)

IT IS DEFINITELY TIME TO TAKE INVENTORY – to take stock of our achievements for Christ and His Kingdom, now!

NO. 1 - How many souls have we won to Christ this past year?  This past week?  Have we talked to someone about their soul's salvation today?  Do we give out gospel tracts (NEW LIFE BOOKLETS) on a regular basis? (We will supply all you need on a free will offering basis!)

NO. 2 - How is our prayer life?  Do we communicate with our Heavenly Father on a regular basis?  Do we pray in Jesus pre­cious name, evoking His intermediacy and intercession?  Do we ask the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us?  Do we seek God's face regularly?

NO. 3 - How about praise, worship and intercession?  Do we pray in tongues regu­larly (in the Spirit)? (1 Cor. 14:2)  Do we intercede with groanings which cannot be uttered? (Rom. 8:26)  Does the Spirit help our inability to pray by introducing a new dimension (that of the Spirit-fill­ed believer) in our lives? (Rom. 8:27)  Do we magnify God? (Acts 10:46)

NO. 4 - Are we reading the Bible regu­larly or does dust gather on its cover?  Do we listen to gospel music instead of worldly music?  A great blessing to me is "The Bible on Cassette."  I can listen to 20-30 chapters (or more) per day instead of just reading only 2 or 3.

NO. 5 - Are we a regular tithe payer?  Or, do we slough off by saying, "We're not under the law but under grace!"?  Tithing was instituted before the law, confirmed under the law and definitely is in effect today.

The tithe is the least we should give to God.  The rule of thumb in the New Testament is to do more than what is expected of us. (Matt. 5:39-42)  We should give as God has prospered us! (1 Cor. 16:2) 

G. Letour­noux made an agreement with God and went into the road building business in part­nership with OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.  In the beginning he gave 10% to God.  Before he died Brother Letournoux was so wealthy that he lived on only 5% of the profits and gave 95% to the Kingdom of God.

Have you made an agreement with God?  Have you taken Him as your partner?  Do you regu­larly and consistently give God His share?  If you don't, will you please start today?

NO. 6 - Are we fasting to the Lord on a regular basis?  Years ago we set aside Wednesday as our regular fast day.  (Drink at least 8 glasses of water or juices on any given regular day you decide to fast.)  Some people fast a mean a day and spend time in prayer.

Jesus said, "Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bride­groom is with them?...when the bridegroom shall be taken away, IN THOSE DAYS SHALL THEY FAST!"  (Mark 2:19-20)

John Wesley stated - when he saw worldliness creeping into the church - that If believers were not fasting on a regular basis they were as backslidden as if they were not praying regularly!  That's quite a statement from a mighty man of God! (The Methodists fasted Wednesdays and Fridays, the morning and noon meals in imitation of the EARLY CHURCH).

NO. 7 - Are you letting your light shine for Jesus by living a kind, considerate and loving as well as compassionate, con­sistent Christian life?  Or are you mean, snarly, sarcastic and proud?  Let us all humble ourselves regularly and ask our­selves, "Am I kind and sweet or am I a poor representative to this world for the Kingdom of God?"

 Let us emulate Jesus in order to effectively share His Love and grace to a searching, lost and dying world!  Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16) Amen.

Max Solbrekken World Mission,  
Box 44220 RPO Garside,
Edmonton, AB  T5V 1N6
email:  [email protected];

Blog:  www.maxsolbrekken.com
www.comehometojesus.ca 
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Thank you so much and may God bless you. Amen.