The Eastside Challenge - 2009

• Regularly attend as many church activities and services as possible
• Pray everyday day for the church
• Support the church with the tithe
• Invite and bring someone with you once a month
• Fast one day a month on behalf of the church

1/100th of a second!

Yesterday, right in the middle of my message the Holy Spirit brought something to my mind. (How do you know it was the Holy Spirit? Believe me I'm not that quick on my feet or able to think that fast!) I was sharing from Corinthians: "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:52 NKJV) The focus of my message was that too often when we are taught about the rapture we are taught in such a way as to scare us with the "threat" of Jesus' return, however, when I read the defining scripture about the rapture, we are told to "comfort one another" with our beliefs about Jesus appearing.

I was talking about how fast Jesus will come and how fast we will be changed and taken to heaven. I had read that the twinkling of an eye was as short as 1/100th of a second. And then it occurred to me, right there in front of everyone, that we are really only 1/100th of a second away from the rapture. When could the rapture happen? Within the next 1/100th of a second. Think about it! When we say that Jesus could come at any second this is literally true! Although, technically we are a 1/99th of a second off.

So the challenge, are we living in such a way that we actually believe He is only 1/100th of a second away!

I believe some crazy things!

I believe...
God created the world in six 24 hour days…
Noah really did build an ark and that every animal was on it...
Jesus is the Son of God...
That Jesus’ mother, Mary was a virgin at his birth…
Jesus died on the cross for my sins…
Jesus was resurrected from the dead after three days in the grave…
The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and filled the church…
The gifts of the Spirit are for today–including speaking in other tongues…
In divine healing…
There is a difference between right and wrong...
In the devil…
In a literal hell…
Jesus will return before the tribulation and rapture the church…
God loves even me...
The Bible!

I knew I was right! At least I think!

We have been having a discussion about the use and the reasons for the gifts of the Spirit. Specifically, when the gifts are used in a public forum can they and should they be used in a way that directs them to specific people, or should they be used for the benefit of all who are present. My own opinion is this: (O.K. I know this is going to sound like double speak or as we now refer to it nuanced.) I believe for the most part when a message of tongues or a prophecy is given it should be to the benefit of everyone. Here is my proof:

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 1 Corinthians 14:2-5

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. 1 Corinthians 14:12

I could keep on listing these kinds of references, but it would be good for you to read this chapter yourself and see what you think. However, the shear number of references towards the church being edified leads me to believe that the best and most profitable use of the gifts is that they be directed towards the entire church. Now mind you I'm speaking about the gifts being used in a public manner and especially the gifts of tongues and interpretation and prophecy.

Let me know what you think!

The Holy Spirit

Being pentecostal, it is sometimes easy to focus on the manifestations of the Holy Spirit forgetting that the real secret to being filled with the Spirit is to simply let Him live through me. Jesus said He was going to send the Spirit when He left. He even went so far to say it is "BETTER if I go away", why? Because when Jesus was on the earth He could only be with people. But now through the Spirit, He is actually inside of us!

Think about it! We don't have to endure the pressure of trying to live a holy life that is unattainable, but we really have a shot at being successful at living a life pleasing to God because His Spirit lives in me. I don't have to try anf follow Jesus as a role model but I just have to let Him live through me! Doesn't that seem easier than trying to copy what He would do. Through the Spirit I can actually live it!

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me... (Galatians 2:20 NKJV)

Now that's Pentecostal!

Forgetting what is behind...reaching forward

Sunday, I spoke from Philippians 3:13 (Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead) It really is important to the successful believer that we put the past behind and reach ahead. I have observed over the course of 20 years of ministry that the best predictor of how successful someone will be in their faith is the abiblity to leave things behind and move on to what lies ahead.

Trapped in the past - I find that many of the problems that beleivers and for that matter churches struggle with are partly due to the grip they have on past events. Usually unresolved issues or the absence of confrontation births the inability to move on. People trapped in the past keep trying to fix or do-over these past incidents only to be disappointed with the results of such an endeavor.

What is obvious to me is that God wants us to be forward in our thinking, not stuck in the past. When you think about it the at the heart of christianity is the concept of looking forward towards eternity.

A Letter to Mom

Dear Mom,
I wanted to write to let you know how thankful I am that you are my mother. I don't have adequate words to explain the impact you have had on my life. You have always been able to accomplish the impossible. Just a kiss would take away the pain of a scraped knee. A hug would chase away the monsters under my bed. The phrase "because I said" would change my rebellious heart.

Even though you are no longer here I see the evidence of your influence. You shine through in the personality of my little boy. I know that you would have enjoyed playing with him. I think of your cooking every time we use your recipe for Cincinnati chili. My love of Christmas is a direct result of your influence over me.

It is hard to believe that 10 Mother’s Days have come and gone since I last saw you. There is no way that I could tell you how much you are missed. But I know that you are where you belong, sheltered in the arms of God. It won't long until Jesus reunites us. I know that for you being in the presence of God has made this the best mother's day you have ever had.

I love you and miss you your son,
Steve

Will I make it to heaven?

Jesus said ...But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Mark 13:13 NKJV) So it looks to me like the key to getting to heaven is really basic; not quitting the christian walk. That means we have to become determined to keep on being a follower of Jesus no matter what. I have always thought stubborn people make the best Christians because they can't be swayed by anyone or anything.

You know I have met too many people who give up because something goes wrong in their life and so they respond by rejecting the God who saved them. Often going right back to the life they escaped. They go back to the things that almost destroyed them before they found God.

Everyone wants to get to heaven but they don't want keep doing the things that will get them there. I wonder if when it is all said and done they will regret their choice. The thing is, God has made it so very easy to get to heaven. He is doing all that He can to help us get there now it is just up to us.

So hang in there, things really will get better! DON'T QUIT!

Prophetic Word

Here is the prophetic word we heard on Sunday January 13th, I wanted you to see this because I think it is a confirmation of why God brought Eastside Assembly in to being!

My children, I desire for you to know this day that I am opening a doorway – a doorway for the beginning of why this work was established here. I brought you here as foundational stones and I cemented you in by My Holy Spirit, but I am bringing other stones and I am setting them in amongst your midst. I ask of you to bring them in with you. Show them their place. Help them to find that place because there’s a flood coming.

There was a reason that I established this work here and it is time for its beginning, but you must be ready. I will not bring the wounded and the lost here if you are not ready to love them into My Kingdom, if you are not ready to mentor them and to disciple them. I am bringing others alongside of you. Welcome them into the Kingdom here where you congregate. This is My house, a house of sanctuary, a house of praise. It is a house of prayer. Get on your knees and cry out for the lost.

My heart breaks, and I hear their cries – many around you. This is not a place to come and receive and go home in smugness, but it’s a place to receive and become strong. I say to you My children, your love is there within your heart but let it break free. Let it go in and out of your midst and let it go out among those who need you. I say to you My children, My love for you is so strong, but it’s time for you to stand. Strengthen your legs. Strengthen your arms. Let your voice be heard out there among the lost. They are hungry for something and they don’t know His Name. But you know it. It’s in your heart. I say to you, go out and declare. Jesus is My Son, and He’s calling them to Him. Hear My words and heed them, My children.

5 Things you can do to make Eastside a success!

1. Regularly attend as many church activities as possible
2. Pray once a day for the church
3. Support the church with 10% of your financial resources
4. Invite and bring someone with you once a month
5. Fast one day a month on behalf of the church

Why I am doing this!

This blog is going to be a way for me to go further or pull back from what I said in my Sunday message! So if you are wondering "what was he thinking", you might find out by checking in here!