Even though we seek to keep our prices on resources as low as possible, we understand that sometimes others simply cannot afford to pay for the resources we provide through our online store. For that reason, in 2010 we are implementing a "whatever-you-can-afford" policy for our materials. We will accept whatever people are able to pay—even if that means nothing. In this way a lack of available funds will not need to prevent anyone from hearing the Gospel of Jesus or obtaining a resource that may help encourage them in their faith.
If you would like a resource from Ten-Four Ministries, but you just cannot afford it, please just request the resource from us. The easiest way to request the resource is to select what you would like in our store and when you check out select "pay by check" and tell us in the comment section that you would like the "Whatever You Can Afford Policy." You can also contact us by e-mail or mail and let us know what you would like. It is our humble honor to fulfill the request.
Before utilizing this policy, we ask that you read it in full here.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Top Book of 2009
Last December I announced my favorite book of 2008 and for 2009 there were no shortages of excellent Christian Books. In fact, I believe as Christians today we are exposed to some of the most edifying books both current and reprints than ever before.
Technology has also made the information available to Christians at an all-time high. Yes, there is a bad side to this and there is no shortage of very bad teachings but overall, if you compare your resources to the Bible, 2009 had some of the finest materials available in recent years.
This year's favorite book was a tough choice and while my gut tells me to call this a tie and move on, I just can't do that. There were two books that made a profound impact on me in 2009 and both were printed in 2009.
Honorable mention and in a close second place is a book by Randy Alcorn called "If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil." It is a wonderful resource on God and His role in suffering. At 494 pages, it is no small addition to the subject but I found it very good and a resource I will continue to go back for.
The 2009 Book of the Year is by Dr. Russell Moore and it is called "Adopted For Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families & Churches"
The title speaks for itself. It might be easy to ignore the book if you don't think ytou are called to adopt but the book is about so much more. The author states: “In this book I want to call us all to consider how encouraging adoption—whether we adopt or whether we help others adopt—can help us peer into the ancient mystery of our faith in Christ and can help us restore the fracturing unity and the atrophied mission of our congregation.” As Moore explains, “The gospel of Jesus Christ means our families and churches ought to be at the forefront of the adoption of orphans close to home and around the world.” It is the gospel that calls us to adopt but it is also the gospel that teaches us how to understand adoption. In fact, “as we become more adoption-friendly, we’ll be better able to understand the gospel.”
Let me challenge you to get a copy and find out how you as a Christian can play a role in this important work.
Technology has also made the information available to Christians at an all-time high. Yes, there is a bad side to this and there is no shortage of very bad teachings but overall, if you compare your resources to the Bible, 2009 had some of the finest materials available in recent years.
This year's favorite book was a tough choice and while my gut tells me to call this a tie and move on, I just can't do that. There were two books that made a profound impact on me in 2009 and both were printed in 2009.
Honorable mention and in a close second place is a book by Randy Alcorn called "If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil." It is a wonderful resource on God and His role in suffering. At 494 pages, it is no small addition to the subject but I found it very good and a resource I will continue to go back for.
The 2009 Book of the Year is by Dr. Russell Moore and it is called "Adopted For Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families & Churches"
The title speaks for itself. It might be easy to ignore the book if you don't think ytou are called to adopt but the book is about so much more. The author states: “In this book I want to call us all to consider how encouraging adoption—whether we adopt or whether we help others adopt—can help us peer into the ancient mystery of our faith in Christ and can help us restore the fracturing unity and the atrophied mission of our congregation.” As Moore explains, “The gospel of Jesus Christ means our families and churches ought to be at the forefront of the adoption of orphans close to home and around the world.” It is the gospel that calls us to adopt but it is also the gospel that teaches us how to understand adoption. In fact, “as we become more adoption-friendly, we’ll be better able to understand the gospel.”
Let me challenge you to get a copy and find out how you as a Christian can play a role in this important work.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Decision Making & God's Will
The question has surely been asked in your life. What is God's Will for my life? While there are no shortage of books on this subject, the excellent resource we use when others ask us about this subject is a book called "Decision Making and the Will of God."
It is a classic work on the subject and will certainly be a blessing to you. We have a few in our store if you are interested. You can view details here.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon on Depression
It's a good thing he wasn't born in the 20th century. Many believing brothers and sisters would label his tendency to melancholy sinful, or evidence of a lack of self-discipline, or even the result of shallow faith. A psychologist would probably send him away with a prescription and a self-help book with twelve easy steps to overcome depression. But Charles Haddon Spurgeon, perhaps the greatest preacher of the 19th century, had a different attitude toward his affliction.
Spurgeon knew "by most painful experience what deep depression of spirit means, being visited therewith at seasons by no means few or far between." He warned his students, "Fits of depression come over the most of us. Usually cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy." Although he said, "Spiritual darkness of any sort is to be avoided, and not desired," he never assumed that a Christian suffering depression must necessarily be in sin. Instead, he wrote, "I note that some whom I greatly love and esteem, who are, in my judgment, among the very choicest of God's people, nevertheless, travel most of the way to heaven by night."
Spurgeon goes on in his book, Lectures to my Students, to give some of the reasons believers fall into sadness. He also provides hope for those so overtaken.
"Is it not first, that they are men?" Spurgeon acknowledged that being a Christian did not make a man or woman immune from suffering. In fact, he said, "Even under the economy of redemption it is most clear that we are to endure infirmities, otherwise there were no need of the promised Spirit to help us in them. It is of need be that we are sometimes in heaviness. Good men are promised tribulation in this world." But he points out that through this suffering, we "may learn sympathy with the Lord's suffering people." Paul says something similar in 2 Corinthians 1:4; God "comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
"Most of us are in some way or another unsound physically." Spurgeon suffered terribly with a joint disorder that was diagnosed as gout. He was forced to stay in bed, sometimes for weeks at a time in excruciating pain. "I have been brought very low," he wrote to his congregation during one long bout, "My flesh has been tortured with pain and my spirit has been prostrate with depression. . . . With some difficulty I write these lines in my bed, mingling them with the groans of pain and the songs of hope."
With characteristic balance, Spurgeon understood that physical pain and natural temperament contribute to depression, but did not allow his students to use them as an excuse for despair. "These infirmities may be no detriment to a man's career of special usefulness," he said. "They may even have been imposed upon him by divine wisdom as necessary qualifications for his peculiar course of service. Some plants owe their medicinal qualities to the marsh in which they grow; others to the shades in which alone they flourish."
"In the midst of a long stretch of unbroken labor, the same affliction may be looked for." Spurgeon's schedule was exhausting. In a typical week, he preached ten times. He answered approximately 500 letters, taught in a ministerial college, administrated an orphanage and dealt with dozens of individuals concerning their souls. He wrote for publications, entertained visitors at his home, taught his own family and encouraged his bedridden wife. It is no wonder that his health suffered under such a workload. Spurgeon's church finally insisted on regular vacations for him each year. Spurgeon told his students, "The bow cannot be always bent without fear of breaking. Repose is as needful to the mind as sleep to the body. . . . Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength."
"One crushing stroke has sometimes laid the minister very low." On October 19, 1856, the 22 year old Spurgeon spoke for the first time in the Surrey Gardens Music Hall in London. The church was no longer big enough to contain the crowds of people who wanted to hear him preach. Thousands packed into the music hall, seating themselves in aisles and stairways after all the regular seating was full, and hundreds more waited outside, hoping to hear part of the sermon through the windows. Just after Spurgeon began to pray, someone in a balcony shouted "Fire!" People pushed and shoved to get out of the building, and a stair railing gave way under the pressure. Seven people were killed and 28 more were injured. The tender-hearted Spurgeon never completely recovered from the emotional impact of this incident. He wrote, "I was pressed beyond measure and out of bounds with an enormous weight of misery. The tumult, the panic, the deaths, were day and night before me, and made life a burden."
Many have experienced a natural disaster, the death of a loved one, devastating financial loss or overwhelming disappointment when a child or a fellow believer has fallen into sin. Spurgeon offers hope from his own experience. "The fact that Jesus is still great, let his servants suffer as they may, piloted me back to calm reason and peace. Should so terrible a calamity overtake any of my brethren, let them both patiently hope and quietly wait for the salvation of God."
"The lesson from wisdom is, be not dismayed by soul-trouble." In the end, Spurgeon acknowledged that depression may come to some believers for no discernable reason. He did not consider it an illness, a sin, or surprising condition, but an inevitable season in the life of a Christian and an opportunity to demonstrate trust in the God who will one day wipe away every tear.
Any simpleton can follow the narrow path in the light: faith's rare wisdom enables us to march on in the dark with infallible accuracy, since she places her hand in that of her Great Guide.
—Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to my Students
Copyright © 2007 Susan Verstraete.Permission granted for not-for-sale reproduction in exact form including copyright and web address. Other uses require written permission.
Thanks to by Susan Verstraete and www.ccwblog.org for this original post.
Spurgeon knew "by most painful experience what deep depression of spirit means, being visited therewith at seasons by no means few or far between." He warned his students, "Fits of depression come over the most of us. Usually cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy." Although he said, "Spiritual darkness of any sort is to be avoided, and not desired," he never assumed that a Christian suffering depression must necessarily be in sin. Instead, he wrote, "I note that some whom I greatly love and esteem, who are, in my judgment, among the very choicest of God's people, nevertheless, travel most of the way to heaven by night."
Spurgeon goes on in his book, Lectures to my Students, to give some of the reasons believers fall into sadness. He also provides hope for those so overtaken.
"Is it not first, that they are men?" Spurgeon acknowledged that being a Christian did not make a man or woman immune from suffering. In fact, he said, "Even under the economy of redemption it is most clear that we are to endure infirmities, otherwise there were no need of the promised Spirit to help us in them. It is of need be that we are sometimes in heaviness. Good men are promised tribulation in this world." But he points out that through this suffering, we "may learn sympathy with the Lord's suffering people." Paul says something similar in 2 Corinthians 1:4; God "comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
"Most of us are in some way or another unsound physically." Spurgeon suffered terribly with a joint disorder that was diagnosed as gout. He was forced to stay in bed, sometimes for weeks at a time in excruciating pain. "I have been brought very low," he wrote to his congregation during one long bout, "My flesh has been tortured with pain and my spirit has been prostrate with depression. . . . With some difficulty I write these lines in my bed, mingling them with the groans of pain and the songs of hope."
With characteristic balance, Spurgeon understood that physical pain and natural temperament contribute to depression, but did not allow his students to use them as an excuse for despair. "These infirmities may be no detriment to a man's career of special usefulness," he said. "They may even have been imposed upon him by divine wisdom as necessary qualifications for his peculiar course of service. Some plants owe their medicinal qualities to the marsh in which they grow; others to the shades in which alone they flourish."
"In the midst of a long stretch of unbroken labor, the same affliction may be looked for." Spurgeon's schedule was exhausting. In a typical week, he preached ten times. He answered approximately 500 letters, taught in a ministerial college, administrated an orphanage and dealt with dozens of individuals concerning their souls. He wrote for publications, entertained visitors at his home, taught his own family and encouraged his bedridden wife. It is no wonder that his health suffered under such a workload. Spurgeon's church finally insisted on regular vacations for him each year. Spurgeon told his students, "The bow cannot be always bent without fear of breaking. Repose is as needful to the mind as sleep to the body. . . . Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength."
"One crushing stroke has sometimes laid the minister very low." On October 19, 1856, the 22 year old Spurgeon spoke for the first time in the Surrey Gardens Music Hall in London. The church was no longer big enough to contain the crowds of people who wanted to hear him preach. Thousands packed into the music hall, seating themselves in aisles and stairways after all the regular seating was full, and hundreds more waited outside, hoping to hear part of the sermon through the windows. Just after Spurgeon began to pray, someone in a balcony shouted "Fire!" People pushed and shoved to get out of the building, and a stair railing gave way under the pressure. Seven people were killed and 28 more were injured. The tender-hearted Spurgeon never completely recovered from the emotional impact of this incident. He wrote, "I was pressed beyond measure and out of bounds with an enormous weight of misery. The tumult, the panic, the deaths, were day and night before me, and made life a burden."
Many have experienced a natural disaster, the death of a loved one, devastating financial loss or overwhelming disappointment when a child or a fellow believer has fallen into sin. Spurgeon offers hope from his own experience. "The fact that Jesus is still great, let his servants suffer as they may, piloted me back to calm reason and peace. Should so terrible a calamity overtake any of my brethren, let them both patiently hope and quietly wait for the salvation of God."
"The lesson from wisdom is, be not dismayed by soul-trouble." In the end, Spurgeon acknowledged that depression may come to some believers for no discernable reason. He did not consider it an illness, a sin, or surprising condition, but an inevitable season in the life of a Christian and an opportunity to demonstrate trust in the God who will one day wipe away every tear.
Any simpleton can follow the narrow path in the light: faith's rare wisdom enables us to march on in the dark with infallible accuracy, since she places her hand in that of her Great Guide.
—Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to my Students
Copyright © 2007 Susan Verstraete.Permission granted for not-for-sale reproduction in exact form including copyright and web address. Other uses require written permission.
Thanks to by Susan Verstraete and www.ccwblog.org for this original post.
Across America: City #12
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Department protects the 12th largest city in America. This week we ask you to pray for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Department and for Sheriff John Rutherford. For the next 11 weeks Ten-Four Ministries will be contacting the police chiefs in the largest 50 cities in America and presenting them with The Gospel. This is an ongoing project called The Across America Project.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Armor of God Project Featured In Kentucky Magazine
The Armor of God Project was featured on page 49 of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Magazine. You can view the issue here.
We have already seen fruit from this article with requests from the State for vests. We would like to specifically thank Ms. Abbie Darst, a subscriber to our newsletter, who wrote the article.
New Year: Bible Reading Plans
If you are not currently on a Bible Reading Plan, now is a great time to plan out your 2010 Reading Plan. If you are like me, there is a real struggle with daily readings of the Bible and what works for me is a structured plan. It is easier than ever before to read the Bible each day. You can even be e-mailed the scriptures to read each day.
A common theme in reading plans is being able to read the entire Bible in one year and if you embark on doing this, you will find out that it simply doesn't take very long each day to do this.
As the new year approaches, the listed reading plans start over so now is the time to get your plan in place. I actually started my 2010 plan last week, just so I have a few days built in ahead of what is sure to be a busy year for all.
There are many plans to look at and decide what you would like to do. I would encourage you to look at a plan that involved multiple books each day. It leaves me wanting more and looking forward to future readings.
Here is a link to the Robert Murray McCheyne Bible Reading Plan which containes links to each reading. This is the plan that I started about a week ago. I have found it to be very good. You can download a PDF Version to carry with you here.
Another popular plan is from Professor Horner. You can read about that plan here.
Here are additional reading plans with the option to e-mail you the readings each day.
This is not a reading plan but gives you a list of books and chapters that will help you keep up with your reading. Click here to download a PDF of this.
While I believe reading the Word of God is an important method of fellowship with our Savior, I also understand there are some of you that have a very difficult time with reading. I will at times supplement my readings with the Audio Bible. I have actually listened to entire Books of the Bible just driving back and forth to work.
Regardless of what plan you use, it is important to devote time each day to the Word of God.
Afraid of Sharing The Gospel?
"If you're able to live your life in some college, or high school, or in a work place or among your family and nobody knows you are a Christian it is because you aren't one."
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
From Alabama to the World
If you question whether there is a God; If you question the Sovereign God of the Universe, you simply aren't paying attention to the world around you. As an example, take a look at the Armor of God Project. In late February, 2009, I had lunch with my good friend, Muscle Shoals Police Lt. Clint Reck and we discussed the possibility of starting this project.
We placed a one page website online around April 1, 2009 and today you can see the states and countries touched by the project.
After the second officer was saved in the Philippines, the President of that Country asked about the Project.
We have partnered with some of the largest agencies in the country, been featured in major publications and raised thousands of dollars that have gone to handing out over 600 ballistic vests free of charge.
This has been done without any advertising, no fundraising efforts, no salaries and no soliciting. How could that be?
From the very beginning of the Armor of God Project, the mission was set. Yes, providing bullet proof vests to those that needed them was important but not as important as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Nothing comes close to the importance of a message, the only message that can truly save your life into eternity.
Every time a vest goes out, the Gospel is presented either in person or in written form. It is why this project exists.
Do we have needs in 2010? Of course but we aren't concerned. God is on His thrown. He is in control and if He wants His message of forgiveness to continue through this venue, He will provide for it.
We placed a one page website online around April 1, 2009 and today you can see the states and countries touched by the project.
After the second officer was saved in the Philippines, the President of that Country asked about the Project.
We have partnered with some of the largest agencies in the country, been featured in major publications and raised thousands of dollars that have gone to handing out over 600 ballistic vests free of charge.
This has been done without any advertising, no fundraising efforts, no salaries and no soliciting. How could that be?
From the very beginning of the Armor of God Project, the mission was set. Yes, providing bullet proof vests to those that needed them was important but not as important as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Nothing comes close to the importance of a message, the only message that can truly save your life into eternity.
Every time a vest goes out, the Gospel is presented either in person or in written form. It is why this project exists.
Do we have needs in 2010? Of course but we aren't concerned. God is on His thrown. He is in control and if He wants His message of forgiveness to continue through this venue, He will provide for it.
When "Holding The Ropes" Means Pulling It
As a missions pastor, there is no story as singularly inspiring for me than the words of Andrew Fuller concerning his friend and fellow laborer William Carey:
We saw there was a gold mine in India, but it seemed almost as deep as the center of the earth. Who will venture to explore it? “I will go down,” said Mr. Carey to his brethren, “but remember that you must hold the ropes.” We solemnly engaged to do so; nor while we live, shall we desert him.
Certainly, as you read of Fuller and Carey, you see this promise included much encouragement, caring for details, and fundraising. I came across a bit of their correspondence yesterday that showed this also included some good, straightforward, constructive criticism. Fuller wrote to carey on Sept. 6, 1797,
…You desire us to keep to your spelling in what we print. We will endeavor to do so but you do not always spell alike. . . If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who can prepare for battle?–You must allow me again to remind you of your pronunciation. I never knew a person of so much knowledge as you profess of other languages, write English so bad . . . If your Bengal N.T. sh(ould) be thus pointed I sh(ould) tremble for its fate… ( in The Journal and Selected Letters of William Carey, xiii).
This was an example of good, blunt, critical interaction between Fuller and Carey. In the context of loving co-laboring, this no doubt helped Carey be more careful and more effective in his writing.
We live in a day when “holding the ropes” tends to mean only the positives like praying, sending money, giving big love offerings and making available stocked missions closets. Holding the ropes also includes staying in contact, providing feedback, constructive criticism, and maintaining lines of accountability. It is all a part of real “rope-holding” and we all need it.
The original article appeared here. Special thanks to Missions Mandate.
Feeding The Sheep Or Amusing The Goats?
I recently spoke to a man in another church that is frustrated. He is frustrated because the church's focus is on entertainment and not Jesus. He is frustrated because instead of biblical evangelism, the church has large gatherings and gives away hot dogs instead of the Gospel.
This man has been on my heart since we met. He is a man on fire for the Lord and there are attempts, I believe evil attempts within his church to put out that fire.
Someone that would do that is an enemy of God. The below article was written by the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon. It is as applicable today as it was when he wrote it over 100 years ago.
Feeding The Sheep Or Amusing The Goats?
An evil resides in the professed camp of the Lord so gross in its impudence that the most shortsighted can hardly fail to notice it. During the past few years it has developed at an abnormal rate evil for evil. It has worked like leaven until the whole lump ferments. The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the Church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them. From speaking out as the Puritans did, the Church has gradually toned down her testimony, then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in her borders. Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses.
My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the Church. If it is a Christian work why did not Christ speak of it? "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." That is clear enough. So it would have been if He has added, "and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel." No such words, however, are to be found. It did not seem to occur to Him. Then again, "He gave some apostles, some prophets, some pastors and teachers, for the work of the ministry." Where do entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit is silent concerning them. Were the prophets persecuted because they amused the people or because they refused? The concert has no martyr roll.
Again, providing amusement is in direct antagonism to the teaching and life of Christ and all His apostles. What was the attitude of the Church to the world? "Ye are the salt," not sugar candy-something the world will spite out, not swallow. Short and sharp was the utterance, "Let the dead bury their dead." He was in awful earnestness!
Had Christ introduced more of the bright and pleasant elements into His mission, He would have been more popular when they went back, because of the searching nature of His teaching. I do not hear Him say, "Run after these people, Peter, and tell them we will have a different style of service tomorrow, something short and attractive with little preaching. We will have a pleasant evening for the people. Tell them they will be sure to enjoy it. Be quick, Peter, we must get the people somehow!" Jesus pitied sinners, sighed and wept over them, but never sought to amuse them. In vain will the Epistles be searched to find any trace of the gospel amusement. Their message is, "Come out, keep out, keep clean out!" Anything approaching fooling is conspicuous by its absence. They had boundless confidence in the gospel and employed no other weapon. After Peter and John were locked up for preaching, the Church had a prayer meeting, but they did not pray, "Lord grant Thy servants that by a wise and discriminating use of innocent recreation we may show these people how happy we are." If they ceased not for preaching Christ, they had not time for arranging entertainments. Scattered by persecution, they went everywhere preaching the gospel. They "turned the world upside down." That is the difference! Lord, clear the Church of all the rot and rubbish the devil has imposed on her and bring us back to apostolic methods.
Lastly, the mission of amusement fails to affect the end desired. It works havoc among young converts. Let the careless and scoffers, who thank God because the Church met them halfway, speak and testify. Let the heavy-laden who found peace through the concert not keep silent! Let the drunkard to whom the dramatic entertainment has been God's link in the chain of their conversion, stand up! There are none to answer. The mission of amusement produces no converts. The need of the hour for today's ministry is believing scholarship joined with earnest spirituality, the one springing from the other as fruit from the root. The need is biblical doctrine, so understood and felt, that it sets men on fire.
C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)
This man has been on my heart since we met. He is a man on fire for the Lord and there are attempts, I believe evil attempts within his church to put out that fire.
Someone that would do that is an enemy of God. The below article was written by the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon. It is as applicable today as it was when he wrote it over 100 years ago.
Feeding The Sheep Or Amusing The Goats?
An evil resides in the professed camp of the Lord so gross in its impudence that the most shortsighted can hardly fail to notice it. During the past few years it has developed at an abnormal rate evil for evil. It has worked like leaven until the whole lump ferments. The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the Church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them. From speaking out as the Puritans did, the Church has gradually toned down her testimony, then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in her borders. Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses.
My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the Church. If it is a Christian work why did not Christ speak of it? "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." That is clear enough. So it would have been if He has added, "and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel." No such words, however, are to be found. It did not seem to occur to Him. Then again, "He gave some apostles, some prophets, some pastors and teachers, for the work of the ministry." Where do entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit is silent concerning them. Were the prophets persecuted because they amused the people or because they refused? The concert has no martyr roll.
Again, providing amusement is in direct antagonism to the teaching and life of Christ and all His apostles. What was the attitude of the Church to the world? "Ye are the salt," not sugar candy-something the world will spite out, not swallow. Short and sharp was the utterance, "Let the dead bury their dead." He was in awful earnestness!
Had Christ introduced more of the bright and pleasant elements into His mission, He would have been more popular when they went back, because of the searching nature of His teaching. I do not hear Him say, "Run after these people, Peter, and tell them we will have a different style of service tomorrow, something short and attractive with little preaching. We will have a pleasant evening for the people. Tell them they will be sure to enjoy it. Be quick, Peter, we must get the people somehow!" Jesus pitied sinners, sighed and wept over them, but never sought to amuse them. In vain will the Epistles be searched to find any trace of the gospel amusement. Their message is, "Come out, keep out, keep clean out!" Anything approaching fooling is conspicuous by its absence. They had boundless confidence in the gospel and employed no other weapon. After Peter and John were locked up for preaching, the Church had a prayer meeting, but they did not pray, "Lord grant Thy servants that by a wise and discriminating use of innocent recreation we may show these people how happy we are." If they ceased not for preaching Christ, they had not time for arranging entertainments. Scattered by persecution, they went everywhere preaching the gospel. They "turned the world upside down." That is the difference! Lord, clear the Church of all the rot and rubbish the devil has imposed on her and bring us back to apostolic methods.
Lastly, the mission of amusement fails to affect the end desired. It works havoc among young converts. Let the careless and scoffers, who thank God because the Church met them halfway, speak and testify. Let the heavy-laden who found peace through the concert not keep silent! Let the drunkard to whom the dramatic entertainment has been God's link in the chain of their conversion, stand up! There are none to answer. The mission of amusement produces no converts. The need of the hour for today's ministry is believing scholarship joined with earnest spirituality, the one springing from the other as fruit from the root. The need is biblical doctrine, so understood and felt, that it sets men on fire.
C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)
Across America: City #13
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department protects the 13th largest city in America. This week we ask you to pray for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and for Chief Michael Spears. For the next 12 weeks Ten-Four Ministries will be contacting the police chiefs in the largest 50 cities in America and presenting them with The Gospel. This is an ongoing project called The Across America Project.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Special Sale Until December 24th
All of our resources are on sale until December 24th with most reductions at least 20% along with free shipping on any amount. We want to give you the best opportunity that we can to provide our resources to someone for Christmas.
To guarantee a Christmas delivery, all orders must be placed by noon on December 21st.
You can look at all of the specials here.
All proceeds from our store go to supporting our efforts in taking the Gospel to the law enforcement community.
To guarantee a Christmas delivery, all orders must be placed by noon on December 21st.
You can look at all of the specials here.
All proceeds from our store go to supporting our efforts in taking the Gospel to the law enforcement community.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Barna Research: What Does It Mean?
The Barna Research Group has been conducting public opinion research in regards to religion for many years and in recent years the results have been very troubling. As an example, Barna's research has revealed that among professing Christians, 50% believe you can earn your way to heaven based on good works. Only 46% of born again Christians believe in absolute moral truth and only 62% of born again Christians believe that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life while He was on earth.
Troubling? Sobering? Scary? Yes to all. I spoke about this research and what it means to American Christianity in this brief commentary below:
Troubling? Sobering? Scary? Yes to all. I spoke about this research and what it means to American Christianity in this brief commentary below:
Saturday, December 12, 2009
MacArthur on TBN: Unholy Trinity
Pastor John MacArthur recently posted an excellent article on the false gospel and lies being portrayed by the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).
It is right on point and something that quite frankly has been on my mind. You will likely see a change of tone in 2010 from this ministry in regards to these false prophets as they spread their lies on television each night.
Why would a law enforcement ministry take a stand on this? I spoke about it last month and in short, because it is the duty of us as Christians to silence these liars (Titus 1:11) and it is a large reason so many in law enforcement (and everywhere else for that matter) run from God.
One particular part of Pastor MacArthur's article hit me hard:
And yet evangelical church leaders typically show a kind of benign tolerance toward the whole enterprise. Most would never endorse it, of course. They may joke about the gaudiness of the big hair and tawdry set decorations on TBN. Ask them, and they will most likely acknowledge that the prosperity gospel is no gospel at all. Press the issue, and you will probably get them to admit that it is a dangerous form of false doctrine, totally unbiblical, and essentially anti-Christian.
Why, then, is there no large-scale effort among Bible-believing evangelicals to expose, denounce, refute, and silence these false teachers?
I recently attempted to bring Justin Peters to the Tulsa area, the center of the lies that Pastor Macarthur spoke about and as of today, churches are running away from the opportunity to speak out and educate others in the dangers of the prosperity gospel.
Why is that? I could only guess and I have two of them. Either these churches are not grounded in biblical teaching or they indeed are scared of upsetting the "Mega-Churches" in the area that they often dine with and seek financial assistance which ofcourse means they are not grounded in biblical teaching.
Here is the entire article by Pastor MacArthur
It is right on point and something that quite frankly has been on my mind. You will likely see a change of tone in 2010 from this ministry in regards to these false prophets as they spread their lies on television each night.
Why would a law enforcement ministry take a stand on this? I spoke about it last month and in short, because it is the duty of us as Christians to silence these liars (Titus 1:11) and it is a large reason so many in law enforcement (and everywhere else for that matter) run from God.
One particular part of Pastor MacArthur's article hit me hard:
And yet evangelical church leaders typically show a kind of benign tolerance toward the whole enterprise. Most would never endorse it, of course. They may joke about the gaudiness of the big hair and tawdry set decorations on TBN. Ask them, and they will most likely acknowledge that the prosperity gospel is no gospel at all. Press the issue, and you will probably get them to admit that it is a dangerous form of false doctrine, totally unbiblical, and essentially anti-Christian.
Why, then, is there no large-scale effort among Bible-believing evangelicals to expose, denounce, refute, and silence these false teachers?
I recently attempted to bring Justin Peters to the Tulsa area, the center of the lies that Pastor Macarthur spoke about and as of today, churches are running away from the opportunity to speak out and educate others in the dangers of the prosperity gospel.
Why is that? I could only guess and I have two of them. Either these churches are not grounded in biblical teaching or they indeed are scared of upsetting the "Mega-Churches" in the area that they often dine with and seek financial assistance which ofcourse means they are not grounded in biblical teaching.
Here is the entire article by Pastor MacArthur
Monday, December 07, 2009
Across America: City #14
The San Francisco Police Department protects the 14th largest city in America. This week we ask you to pray for the San Francisco Police Department and for Chief George Gascón. For the next 13 weeks Ten-Four Ministries will be contacting the police chiefs in the largest 50 cities in America and presenting them with The Gospel. This is an ongoing project called The Across America Project.
Chief Gascón was the Chief of the Mesa Police Department several months ago when we prayed for him and that agency. He has been one of the few chiefs in the 2009 Across America Campaign where we were able to personally give him a copy of Take Up The Shield, containing the Gospel.
Chief Gascón was the Chief of the Mesa Police Department several months ago when we prayed for him and that agency. He has been one of the few chiefs in the 2009 Across America Campaign where we were able to personally give him a copy of Take Up The Shield, containing the Gospel.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
4 Lakewood (WA) Officers Murdered: Why God?
Today is November 29th, 2009, and for many it was just another day or maybe a day considered a bad day but to some it was the worst day of their life and to others it was a tragic day.
I am a police captain for the Tulsa, Oklahoma Police Department and I have done this job since 1993. Before that, I grew up with my father who retired after doing the same job for 27 years. As a police officer, I am keenly aware that every day of the year will be the worst day of someone’s life.
I have in my lifetime up until now seen first hand as a police officer what tragedy does to those in our profession and the impact it has on the family of those officers.
I was just five years old on September 24, 1976, but I remember my father weeping when he found out his good friend and co-worker was brutally murdered when he stopped a man that was wanted for murder. Fort Smith Patrol Officer Randy Basnett died that day. He left behind a wife that was pregnant, parents and siblings.
Almost two years later, May 26, 1978, my wife was just four years old and she has similar memories when her father, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Second Lieutenant James Pat Grimes was ambushed by two cowards with a rifle. He died that day and left behind his daughter, wife, parents and siblings. We are reminded daily of the pain and struggle that tragedy has caused.
And on June 10, 1996, I was a 24 year old Tulsa Police Officer and was less than one mile away with Senior Patrol Officer Dick Hobson was shot and killed by a robbery suspect. I helped load Dick into an ambulance that night and several hours later he was pronounced dead. I collapsed and wept.
Then, this morning, Sunday, November 29, 2009, I was made aware of the tragedy in the State of Washington. Four officers from the Lakewood Police Department, a 100 member force, were sitting in a coffee shop doing paperwork on their laptops. Something I have done many times, something that probably you have done, whether in law enforcement or not.
A man entered the coffee house and brutally murdered all four officers. Early reports tell us that while two of the officers were likely killed instantly, the other two may have fought back and one even firing rounds at the suspect.
Tragically, four officers laid dead and as of this writing, the suspect has not been caught but let me be clear. He will be caught.
The four officers have been identified as Sergeant Mark Renninger, Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold, and Greg Richards. Their ages range from 37 to 42. They leave behind multiple children, spouses, parents, siblings and a community and country in mourning. It was the fourth multiple officer fatality by gunfire this year alone and the second ambush in the Seattle area in the last 30 days.
It is unimaginable tragedy and it is in this tragedy that one may ask where was God?
Why did it have to happen?
Why does God permit suffering and tragedy?
These are all valid and legitimate questions and quite frankly our minds simply cannot grasp all of these answers. It is ok to say I don’t know but to say I don’t know does not mean that God is not present, that He is not completely sovereign in everything.
Hebrews 1:3 tells us that God “upholds the universe by the word of his power.” The Greek word for “upholds” means “to carry”.
This concept of “carry” brings the concept of movement or progress. Jesus Christ is directing and carrying all things towards His sovereign purpose. God carries and is responsible for the entire universe.
The Book of Job gives us the ultimate lesson in regards to tragedy and God’s Sovereignty. Here we have Job, who was held in high esteem for his righteousness and was even compared to Noah and Daniel and here he is going through unimaginable suffering and it is God who is doing it.
Job 23:13-14, says:
“But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does. For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind.”
There it is, “What He desires, He does.”
God does exactly what He desires.
Psalm 22:28 says “For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.”
Isaiah 46:10 says that God declares “the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.”
God is in control. He always has been and He always will be. He is in control on your best days, your bad days and your worst day.
God does permit tragedy and the tragedy this morning....yes, He was in control.
Now, this may not be comfortable to you. You may say I don’t want that God. I want nothing to do with a God that would permit this sort of tragedy, this sort of pain.
Let me be clear about this. You have no choice. This is indeed the God of the Bible, the Only God, The God that came to earth, lived a perfect life, was crucified and rose on the third day. You may say that you don’t want that God but there is no other God. A rejection of this God means punishment in hell, an eternity separated without Him.
John Stott, a highly respected Christian author, said this about suffering:
“The fact of suffering undoubtedly constitutes the single greatest challenge to the Christian faith, and has been in every generation. Its distribution and degree appear to be entirely random and therefore unfair. Sensitive spirits ask if it can be reconciled with God’s Justice and love.”
It is true; it will not take you long when talking to an unbeliever for the issue of evil and suffering to be brought up. It has been described as the “Ultimate Trump Card”.
Evil is absolute proof that God does not exist. Atheists grab on to it. Agnostics grab on to it and for the professing Christian, suffering will test whether you trust in Jesus Christ as your savior or whether you are simply a religious or moral person. You see religion and morality will not sustain you in the midst of trials, pain and suffering. Only Christ will. Jesus Christ is the only one that can sustain you.
Pastor John Piper says that “Wimpy Christians won’t survive the days ahead.”
Of course there is no such thing as a wimpy Christian. He is referring to those that claim the Christian faith but do not have Jesus as their Lord. He is not the center of their life. Christ is merely a Genie in a bottle that we bring out when we need Him. This is not saving faith.
Now that we know that God does indeed permit tragedy, why does He allow it to occur?
Romans 8:28 is our model for this question. It says “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Now here is the Apostle Paul saying essentially that all things that occur are working together for good. Paul was keenly aware of tragedy and suffering. Prison, shipwrecks, beatings, hunger and eventual martyrdom. This was Paul’s life.
Surely he can’t mean tragedies such as the one this morning? How else should you interpret the word “All.” I am not a theologian but I know what that word means. It means everything that happens and in this context of scripture it means that everything that happens, will be for the good for those that are chosen to be saved by God.
Could that mean, God’s children could suffer? Could that mean His people could die? Could lose love ones, could suffer enormous pain? Yes, that is what “All” means.
From this morning’s incident, what is or will be working together for good?
It is ok to say “I don’t know” here. We don’t always know. What good came out of the death of my dad’s partner? What about my wife losing her father at the age of four? What good could come out of this tragedy this morning?
It isn’t always clear to us and God owes us no explanation. Sometimes it is clear.
On May 8, 2006, Fairfax County, Virginia Police Detective Vicky Armel was just 40 years old when she was gunned down in the parking lot of her police station. Master Police Officer Michael Garbarino was killed in the same incident.
Vicki left behind a son, a daughter and a husband. And just like this morning, you may ask why?
And our God, in the most gracious manner showed us a little of Romans 8 in this incident.
You see, two years earlier in the spring of 2004, Vicki came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior. God used a faithful saint by the name of Mike Motafches, Vicki’s partner, to tell her about Jesus Christ and upon being converted to Christ; Vicki gave a moving testimony at her home church.
Vicki’s funeral occurred during National Police Week in Washington D.C. Once a year, in the Month of May, thousands of police officers gather in Washington D.C. to pay tribute to the fallen officers from the previous year. In May 2010, we will be paying tribute to the four officers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for their community this morning.
I was there that year, in 2006. I knew officers that actually went to Vicki’s funeral. Because Fairfax County was so close to Washington D.C., thousands of officers from around the world went to Vicki’s funeral and that testimony she gave a few years earlier……It was taped and it was played back for thousands of officers to hear.
Thousands of Police Officers heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the mouth of a slain Police Detective that day. At that very moment, Vicki was in Heaven with her Savior, with God and thousands here on earth heard her words, heard the Gospel from her.
Vicki’s death was tragic but God in His love and mercy and kindness, works all things together for good.
Now these “all things” that the Apostle Paul discusses includes evil things and that brings us to the final question. Why evil persists and why God permits this evil to affect so many lives.
Evil is anything that violates God’s moral will. The first human evil occurred when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden and that original sin is passed down to all of us. Indeed, Romans 3:10-12 says that “no one is righteous, no one seeks for God, no one does good.” Verse 12 finishes with these words, “not even one.”
Now that is hard to take isn’t it? No one, not even one is good. That includes me. That includes you.
While our evil will likely not manifest into the actions of the coward this morning in the State of Washington, we are indeed evil. It is our nature.
Jeremiah 17:9 says that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
You see we are quick to see what happened this morning and say that is evil…that is pure evil.
But do we see that evil in ourselves? We minimize our sin because unlike this morning, we don’t actually see the pain that it causes. It is easy to see this or another tragedy and identify the behavior as evil but our actions, our behaviors, while not as high profile or outrageous to the world, they are absolutely an abomination to a Holy God.
Anything that violates God’s nature is evil and that includes our sin. Now some of us, including me have committed sins that have hurt others, hurt those we love and we see very clearly the evil that we do but we must understand that whether we see the results of our sin in others or not, our sin is an outrage to God.
Now we can’t afford to get this wrong and trust me there are many, many that have this wrong. Just about anyone you ask will tell you that they are basically a good person. Millions are walking the earth thinking that if they do more good than bad, they will find favor with God. This is not true and these false beliefs will damn more to hell than all the bars in this world combined.
Do you still think you are a good person? Let’s take a look at just some of God’s standards.
Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever used God’s name in vain? Have you always honored your parents? Jesus said that if you look with lust, you have committed adultery in your heart (Matthew 5:28) and he elevates anger to murder (Matthew 5:21).
The point here is that you are evil. I am evil and while your evil may not manifest itself into suffering that you can see, it is never the less hated by God and will be punished by God.
At the age of 25, in the year 1750, John Newton was the commander of an English slave ship. He anchored his ship off of the African coast and purchased slaves. As many as 600 slaves would lay down like logs at the bottom of his ship as they would sail to the Caribbean and sell the slaves.
John Newton raped female slaves, he permitted his employees to rape them. Hundreds would die in the journey and John Newton reveled in hating God and everything He stood for. That is of course until he experienced a conversion to Christ. God radically changed his heart and saved him for the judgment that was awaiting him for his evil deeds. Newton spent the last half of his life pastoring a church and speaking out against the slave trade.
Just before his death, at the age of 82, Newton said this: “My memory is nearly gone but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior.”
You may recognize the famous hymn written by John Newton:
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now I’m found, Was blind but now I see.
What about you? Are you blind? Are you lost or can you see?
If you can see the evil and the sin that you are guilty of, then God is working in you. He has made you aware of your need of a Savior. Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation and He saves wretches like John Newton, like me and like you.
This incident this morning in Parkland, Washington, was horrible. It was tragic. It was unthinkable and while we may search for answers, there really is only one answer.
His name is Jesus Christ. He is the sovereign God over all of the Universe and he came to earth on a mission. To save sinners and to redeem our evil deeds. He was perfect, spotless and he was slain on a tree.
Jesus, the God Man rose from the grave three days later and today he sits at the right hand of the Father and is calling for you to repent, turn from your sins and believe in Him. To trust Him.
Call on the Lord Jesus Christ. Call on Him to save you and follow Him the rest of your days, during the good times and the bad.
May God bless the Parkland, Washington community, may God comfort those that are in mourning and show them that all things work together for good.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Pastor Matt Chandler
Matt Chandler, Pastor of The Village Church in Dallas collapsed Thanksgiving morning and he has been diagnosed with a small mass on his frontal lobe. He will see a neurosurgeon next week. Please join me in prayer for Matt, his family and his church.
Take Up The Shield - Lowest Price Ever
We have been so blessed for the writing and subsequent distribution to thousands of first responders of the book, Take Up The Shield.
Not only was it written by the founder of Ten-Four Ministries, Tony Miano, we continue to have the opportunity to produce and distribute this book. We have many to thank for this including Tony Miano and Genesis Publishing.
We want to do everything we can to get this book in your hands and give you the opportunity to give it to a first responder.
Until January 1, 2010, you can purchase Take Up The Shield, with free shipping, for just $6. That is the cheapest you will find this resource. We hope you have the opportunity to give this important resource to someone this Christmas Season.
Click here to order the book and see our other specials.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Across America: City #15
The Columbus Police Department protects the 15th largest city in America. This week we ask you to pray for the Columbus Police Department and for Chief Walter L. Distelzweig. For the next 14 weeks Ten-Four Ministries will be contacting the police chiefs in the largest 50 cities in America and presenting them with The Gospel. This is an ongoing project called The Across America Project.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Bible Truth Publications
Some say there is nothing that is free and Christians know otherwise. I recently met a man that has an incredible gift. A vivid expositor of scriptures along with an incredible ability to write. Pastor Doug Renne' has taken his God gifted talent and produced several publications. He spent massive resources to enable him to offer these books free of charge. He even offers them in bulk to pastors.
I was taken back when Doug shared one of his books with me and he told me they were just sitting in his basement because his website no longer worked. Well, that is taken care of and Doug's site is back up offering his publications free of charge as a download and at a small fee if you want them printed.
You can see Doug's books at www.bibletruthpublications.org.
I love guys like Doug and there are thousands of them around us. Faithful men and women of Christ taking there talents and using them in a humble fashion (sometimes just items sitting in a basement) to further the Gospel.
Let me encourage you to visit Doug's site, send him a note of encouragement and if you are able, help him financially with what he has done. Ten-Four Ministries hopes to ensure that these wonderful writings never go out of print.
One Heartbeat Away
We just received a wonderful resource by Mark Cahill and are offered at a price of just $10 in our store. This is a wonderful book to give to an unbeliever. Mark has a passion for Law Enforcement and there have been many officers that have received this book.
You can order this book here along with free shipping.
We have several specials in our store through Christmas which include low prices on our favorite resources for witnessing to others.
Until Christmas day we are offering free shipping on all products and we have an all-time low price on our favorite resource for police officers, Take Up The Shield.
You can see all of our specials here.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
What's A Life Worth
Seminole County Sheriff Shannon Smith lost two deputies to gunfire. He grieves for them every day and wonders if they had bullet proof vests, if they would have had a chance to survive.
Officer Renfro used to patrol the town of Porter without any protections but thanks to the Armor of God Project, he has a bullet proof vest. Officer Renfro said that's a relief for him and his family.
Enlarge this picture
The Armor of God Project is a non-profit organization that takes old and unused vests and distributes them to officers in need. They even do next day shipping because they understand what a difference a day can make. By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9
OKLAHOMA CITY -- We expect our law enforcement to protect us, but who is protecting them? The Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police say 40 percent of all city police departments do not have bullet proof vests because they can’t afford them.
Out of Oklahoma’s 77 sheriff’s departments, the overwhelming majority have to depend on grants. The grants generally only cover half the cost and are not always available.
See the full list of bullet proof vests needs in Oklahoma.
Seminole County Sheriff Shannon Smith knows that pain. The moments his two deputies were shot and killed in July replay like nightmares he can’t shake.
“I think about it at least once a day, at least once a day,” said Sheriff Smith.
Neither Captain Marvin Williams nor Deputy Chase Whitebird were wearing bullet proof vests the day they were ambushed by a gunman. They would have been wearing them, but they didn’t have vests of their own.
“Budgets just don’t allow for this type of safety equipment. It’s just too expensive,” Sheriff Smith said.
It’s a problem a young officer from Porter knows all too well. He patrols the streets for the town of 550.
“They don’t generate enough revenue to purchase every officer a bullet proof vest,” said Officer Renfro.
The fact that officers like Renfro have to walk the streets without the insurance needed weighs heavily on Travis Yates. The Tulsa officer has helped start what’s called The Armor of God Project.
“It’s a matter of life and death. I mean I’ve never been a part of something like this where it’s literally a matter of life and death,” Yates said.
The project is shared with a lieutenant named Clint Reck in Alabama. That’s where the program’s warehouse holds hundreds of bullet proof vests that are just waiting to save a life.
“We’ve had departments tell us we burn our vests or we turn them into tires. Those departments need to say ‘We’ve got to help others.’” Yates said.
That’s what the Armor of God project is about. A bullet proof vest costs anywhere from $500 to thousands of dollars, but departments that are lucky enough to have funding for vests have to get rid of them after the 5 year manufacturer warranty expires.
“Everybody’s worried about liability in this country and we’ve got officers here working without vests,” said Clint Reck.
The project collects the vests that would otherwise be thrown away and gives them to guys like Officer Renfro who has no qualms about accepting a hand-me-down. It’s more protection than he’s ever had or likely will.
“They are giving me a chance to come home to my family every single night no matter what happens. This is a relief. I feel relief. That goes for my wife, my new baby, my mom, and my dad,” Officer Renfro said, holding back tears.
The chance to fight for life is very real. Two lives have already been saved by the project that is still in its infancy.
“About 70 percent of the vests given to us are in better shape or the same shape that I wear every day. Often times, the vests we get are from guys that have desk duty in big departments. They are brand new,” Yates said. “Think about it. Everything has a warranty. Your T.V. has a warranty. Our cars have warranties. They don’t stop working the day the warranty expires. We’ve taken these vests. We’ve shot them. They work. Like I said, two lives have already been saved.”
Without help, small departments have to rely on grants to get vests. The grant pays half and the department pays half. That was the case with Seminole County. The department had been approved. The deputies had been measured. However, the money did not arrive in time.
“I would give anything for those guys to have had good vests on that day. If we could’ve gotten it the day of, it may have been different,” Sheriff Smith said.
His department’s vests have finally come in, but Smith had to make the difficult call of canceling the ones that were supposed to go to the two men who lost their lives in July. He considers Captain Marvin Williams’ and Deputy Chase Whitebird’s families and grieves for them every day. Although it’s unclear if vests would have made a difference, Smith said he would’ve liked them to have had the chance.
“That’s the one thing I would like to come out of this whole deal is something to be done to help other officers so these guys don’t die in vain. I wouldn’t want anybody to have to go through the grief we’re going through…the grief now and in the years to come,” said Sheriff Smith.
Funding levels are unlikely to change for Oklahoma law enforcement, especially in the currently tough economic situation. It’s why law enforcement leaders say they hope communities will take charge. It’s believed most people don’t realize that their officers and deputies may be going to work without the protection they need.
Some communities have gathered to host fundraisers to help buy their departments vests. Others will likely turn to the new option the Armor of God Project provides. The project is a non-profit and ships the vests the next day after paperwork is processed because they know what the difference of a day can mean on the job. It costs $11 to ship a vest and donations are appreciated.
Often times, Yates and Reck dip into their own pockets to ship the life savers. Learn how you can help the Armor of God Project.
The project actually started as a church project to help law enforcement in the Philippines. That was before they realized so many officers in our own country have to go unprotected. Any officer that gets a vest from the program does have to sign a liability waiver.
The Oklahoma Association of Police Chief also runs a surplus program to help departments.
Courtesy: News 9 - Oklahoma City
Monday, November 16, 2009
Across America: City #16
The Austin Police Department protects the 16th largest city in America. This week we ask you to pray for the Austin Police Department and for Chief Art Acevedo. For the next 15 weeks Ten-Four Ministries will be contacting the police chiefs in the largest 50 cities in America and presenting them with The Gospel. This is an ongoing project called The Across America Project.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Truth Is What Matters
My good brother in Christ, fellow Law Enforcement Officer and Ten-Four Ministries Board Member Tom Brozycki discovered this video and posted it at his Ministry Site, Shields of the Shepherd. If you are in the Orange County, New York area, I highly recommend Tom's small group fellowship.
If you have followed Ten-Four Ministries for more than a week or so, you would know that we highly respect and endorse Pastor John Macarthur and one of the reasons we like him so much is his unwavering commitment to the truth.
Law Enforcement in particular has a nose for what is the truth versus what is a lie and that in and of itself is one of the huge stumbling blocks to Christianity by Law Enforcement.
From being in the profession for over 16 years, I can tell you that for the most part, the Christianity that Law Enforcement is confronted with is generally in one of two camps.
1. The local minister that instead of preaching God's Word, they stand up on Sunday and trash the Police for the latest "story" they may have heard in the community. This same minister will likely stand in front of news cameras or in front of a boycott line and you guessed it. Instead of proclaiming the Gospel, throw mud at the Police.
2. A Preacher that tells the Police, likely at a funeral of one of their own (since that is likely the only time most in Law Enforcement will enter a Church) that "there is a special place in Heaven for Law Enforcement Officers." or "Blessed are the Peacemakers, and you as Peacemakers are children of God."
Both items above are absolute junk and the lost Law Enforcement Officers I meet know it. They can smell a lie. It is there job.
So with that said, if you are new to our small ministry to the Nation's Finest, we will not mix words and we will call a heretic a heretic and a lie a lie. There are too many lies being told and they get in the way of what is truly important, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As you may suspect, there is more to come on this topic. This ministry is not in the business of doing things to just make folks "feel better". We want to tell you the truth. In a world where truth is one's opinion and simply "relative", we want to tell you the only truth that matters.
Truth
His name is Jesus Christ and he came to Earth more than 2000 years ago and lived among us but there was a difference between Him and the rest of the world. Jesus Christ was God and he left Heaven (John 8:58), humbled Himself and was born of a virgin. He was on an incredible journey. He healed the sick, raised the dead, walked on water, cast out demons, feed thousands with a few loaves of bread. he calmed the storms and confronted the heretics of His day. Simply put, this Man names Jesus did exactly what you would expect God to do if He came to earth as a Man.
Jesus Christ was God. You can deny Him, you can say that makes no sense but the truth is, Jesus did not do these things alone. There were hundreds of witnesses to what He did and more than just the Bible talks about them. Just a quick glance at the history books of the day and the evidences that are apparent to even those that rejected Him, will tell you these things happened.
They will even tell you that the one thing happened that could have only happened if Jesus was God. Approximately 30 years after Jesus was born and lived a perfect life (He never sinned), Jesus was crucified. He was murdered for His claims of being God and the threat that imposed on the Government. All of this happened just as the Old Testament prophesy said it would. Written hundreds of years earlier by the Prophets:
"By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence,and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;" Isaiah 53:8-10
Evidence
More than 300 Messianic prophecies like this were made in the Old Testament and then fulfilled through Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Experts will tell us that the chances of one person fulfilling a mere eight of these prophecies are one-in-100,000,000,000,000,000. For one person to fulfill 48 of these prophecies, the number becomes staggering – one chance in 10-to-the-157th power. Add to that the 250 other prophecies, and it becomes impossible for any other person except Jesus to ever fit that particular sequence of time and events.
You see, Jesus did die but His death wasn't the end and what happened next is why you are hearing about Him. Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day and He showed Himself to over 500 witnesses. Many of them chose to die proclaiming His name in the future years of early Christianity.
Now at this point, you can tell yourself those men were just crazy or all of this was a myth, an urban legend, nothing much more than Santa Claus but you really don't believe that. You can't believe that if you are a logical person and if you are in law enforcement, investigate it yourself. After all, with what is on the line, you would be the crazy one to not look into this Man named Jesus.
So why did Jesus die? He died because it was the only way for the human race to be saved. Now at this point you may be saying that you are a good person, after all you enforce the law, you abhore evil, you do what is right. You are not the criminal. In fact, you lock up the criminals.
Well, that is where you and myself were wrong. We can't look at ourselves the way we or society looks at what is right and wrong. Compared to society in general, maybe you are a good person but you see, this Jesus was Perfect, Holy, Righteous and He looks at right and wrong differently.
In Jesus' encounter with the Rich, Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-26), He told him that he needed to keep the commandments. Have you ever lied or stolen? Have you always honored your father and mother? Have you used God's name in vain (blasphemy) Have you loved your neighbor as yourself? Has God always been the most important thing to you?
You may say, well I haven't murdered or committed adultery but Jesus said that if you are angry with your brother you are guilty (Matthew 5:21) and if you have looked at someone with lust, you have committed adultery (Matthew 5:27).
What is the point here.
Romans 3:10 says it well: "no one is good, not even one."
None of us can make it to Heaven based on our good works because in God's eyes, we have no good works. The prideful, self righteous are like the rich, young ruler(Matthew 19:16). He was futile in trying to keep the commandments to enter the Kingdom. No one can keep them and that is why a sacrifice had to be payed on the behalf of sinners.
Jesus Christ lived a perfect life and was murdered. He and He alone was that sacrifice. It is because of Jesus that we can have everlasting life. The alternative is Hell, a place where the "worm never dies and the fire is not quenched" Mark 9:48.
The Bible is clear that many will go to Hell.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:13-14).
Solution
So what is the answer. Jesus Christ is the answer. He is the only answer. This salvation is a Gift. A free gift. You can do nothing to receive it. There is no amount of good deeds you can do; You can't walk an aisle do receive it; Saying a sinner's prayer doesn't give it to you. There is nothing you can do to receive it.
So there it is. There is the truth. I'm not here to give you a soft, candy message that makes you feel good. The Gospel has always and still is divisive.
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34
But you deserve to know the truth. Jesus did not come to earth and die so that you can get promoted, or get a nicer car, or always be healthy, or have a wonderful life. He died for sinners. On the Cross, He took the Wrath of God. He drank from that cup (Luke 22:42) and He drank every bit of the Wrath that we deserve as sinners. He was a Propitiation for Sin; He payed the price. Isn't that enough?
The question is, do you believe that?
Do you believe that Jesus is the only God and he was raised from the dead?
Do you see your sin as an abomination to a Holy God (Proverbs 8:7)?
Has God enabled you to repent of your sin, turn from your sin(Mark 1:15).
Has God opened your eyes to the mystery of Him and His Kingdom (Matthew 13:11, Ephesians 1:9)?
Do you trust everything to Jesus?
These are the words of Jesus, the Savior of the world: "And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:38).
"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me' (Matthew 16:24).
How are these things possible? How can a person deny their pride, their lustful thoughts, their sin, their status in the community and believe in Someone that will literally make people hate you (John 15:18)?
Through the grace of God, a gift of God. It is through His love, His glory, for Him and only Him.
Jesus said that you must be "born again" to see the Kingdom of God and that can only happen if God gives you that gift (John 3:3).
Call out to the one true God, Jesus, The Savior that was raised from the dead and ask Him to save you (Romans 10:13).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
The Disciples of Jesus will be known, they will be different.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).
They will likely not be the ones representing Christianity that you despise, that you think is a joke, that are on television asking for your money or trashing the police.
The Saints of the Savior, my Savior will be different. While still battling sin, they will be on a daily walk with the Lord and a daily process of being made more like Jesus. They will be humble, meek, mild and not of this world (1 John 2:15). They may even be a little "weird" in the eyes of others but there is no doubt that they will stand out and they will love and give and care for you.
They will care for you enough to tell you the truth and that truth may not be exactly what you want to hear but my friend, it is the truth.
I care for you. Many are praying for you.
If you have followed Ten-Four Ministries for more than a week or so, you would know that we highly respect and endorse Pastor John Macarthur and one of the reasons we like him so much is his unwavering commitment to the truth.
Law Enforcement in particular has a nose for what is the truth versus what is a lie and that in and of itself is one of the huge stumbling blocks to Christianity by Law Enforcement.
From being in the profession for over 16 years, I can tell you that for the most part, the Christianity that Law Enforcement is confronted with is generally in one of two camps.
1. The local minister that instead of preaching God's Word, they stand up on Sunday and trash the Police for the latest "story" they may have heard in the community. This same minister will likely stand in front of news cameras or in front of a boycott line and you guessed it. Instead of proclaiming the Gospel, throw mud at the Police.
2. A Preacher that tells the Police, likely at a funeral of one of their own (since that is likely the only time most in Law Enforcement will enter a Church) that "there is a special place in Heaven for Law Enforcement Officers." or "Blessed are the Peacemakers, and you as Peacemakers are children of God."
Both items above are absolute junk and the lost Law Enforcement Officers I meet know it. They can smell a lie. It is there job.
So with that said, if you are new to our small ministry to the Nation's Finest, we will not mix words and we will call a heretic a heretic and a lie a lie. There are too many lies being told and they get in the way of what is truly important, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As you may suspect, there is more to come on this topic. This ministry is not in the business of doing things to just make folks "feel better". We want to tell you the truth. In a world where truth is one's opinion and simply "relative", we want to tell you the only truth that matters.
Truth
His name is Jesus Christ and he came to Earth more than 2000 years ago and lived among us but there was a difference between Him and the rest of the world. Jesus Christ was God and he left Heaven (John 8:58), humbled Himself and was born of a virgin. He was on an incredible journey. He healed the sick, raised the dead, walked on water, cast out demons, feed thousands with a few loaves of bread. he calmed the storms and confronted the heretics of His day. Simply put, this Man names Jesus did exactly what you would expect God to do if He came to earth as a Man.
Jesus Christ was God. You can deny Him, you can say that makes no sense but the truth is, Jesus did not do these things alone. There were hundreds of witnesses to what He did and more than just the Bible talks about them. Just a quick glance at the history books of the day and the evidences that are apparent to even those that rejected Him, will tell you these things happened.
They will even tell you that the one thing happened that could have only happened if Jesus was God. Approximately 30 years after Jesus was born and lived a perfect life (He never sinned), Jesus was crucified. He was murdered for His claims of being God and the threat that imposed on the Government. All of this happened just as the Old Testament prophesy said it would. Written hundreds of years earlier by the Prophets:
"By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence,and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;" Isaiah 53:8-10
Evidence
More than 300 Messianic prophecies like this were made in the Old Testament and then fulfilled through Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Experts will tell us that the chances of one person fulfilling a mere eight of these prophecies are one-in-100,000,000,000,000,000. For one person to fulfill 48 of these prophecies, the number becomes staggering – one chance in 10-to-the-157th power. Add to that the 250 other prophecies, and it becomes impossible for any other person except Jesus to ever fit that particular sequence of time and events.
You see, Jesus did die but His death wasn't the end and what happened next is why you are hearing about Him. Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day and He showed Himself to over 500 witnesses. Many of them chose to die proclaiming His name in the future years of early Christianity.
Now at this point, you can tell yourself those men were just crazy or all of this was a myth, an urban legend, nothing much more than Santa Claus but you really don't believe that. You can't believe that if you are a logical person and if you are in law enforcement, investigate it yourself. After all, with what is on the line, you would be the crazy one to not look into this Man named Jesus.
So why did Jesus die? He died because it was the only way for the human race to be saved. Now at this point you may be saying that you are a good person, after all you enforce the law, you abhore evil, you do what is right. You are not the criminal. In fact, you lock up the criminals.
Well, that is where you and myself were wrong. We can't look at ourselves the way we or society looks at what is right and wrong. Compared to society in general, maybe you are a good person but you see, this Jesus was Perfect, Holy, Righteous and He looks at right and wrong differently.
In Jesus' encounter with the Rich, Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-26), He told him that he needed to keep the commandments. Have you ever lied or stolen? Have you always honored your father and mother? Have you used God's name in vain (blasphemy) Have you loved your neighbor as yourself? Has God always been the most important thing to you?
You may say, well I haven't murdered or committed adultery but Jesus said that if you are angry with your brother you are guilty (Matthew 5:21) and if you have looked at someone with lust, you have committed adultery (Matthew 5:27).
What is the point here.
Romans 3:10 says it well: "no one is good, not even one."
None of us can make it to Heaven based on our good works because in God's eyes, we have no good works. The prideful, self righteous are like the rich, young ruler(Matthew 19:16). He was futile in trying to keep the commandments to enter the Kingdom. No one can keep them and that is why a sacrifice had to be payed on the behalf of sinners.
Jesus Christ lived a perfect life and was murdered. He and He alone was that sacrifice. It is because of Jesus that we can have everlasting life. The alternative is Hell, a place where the "worm never dies and the fire is not quenched" Mark 9:48.
The Bible is clear that many will go to Hell.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:13-14).
Solution
So what is the answer. Jesus Christ is the answer. He is the only answer. This salvation is a Gift. A free gift. You can do nothing to receive it. There is no amount of good deeds you can do; You can't walk an aisle do receive it; Saying a sinner's prayer doesn't give it to you. There is nothing you can do to receive it.
So there it is. There is the truth. I'm not here to give you a soft, candy message that makes you feel good. The Gospel has always and still is divisive.
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34
But you deserve to know the truth. Jesus did not come to earth and die so that you can get promoted, or get a nicer car, or always be healthy, or have a wonderful life. He died for sinners. On the Cross, He took the Wrath of God. He drank from that cup (Luke 22:42) and He drank every bit of the Wrath that we deserve as sinners. He was a Propitiation for Sin; He payed the price. Isn't that enough?
The question is, do you believe that?
Do you believe that Jesus is the only God and he was raised from the dead?
Do you see your sin as an abomination to a Holy God (Proverbs 8:7)?
Has God enabled you to repent of your sin, turn from your sin(Mark 1:15).
Has God opened your eyes to the mystery of Him and His Kingdom (Matthew 13:11, Ephesians 1:9)?
Do you trust everything to Jesus?
These are the words of Jesus, the Savior of the world: "And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:38).
"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me' (Matthew 16:24).
How are these things possible? How can a person deny their pride, their lustful thoughts, their sin, their status in the community and believe in Someone that will literally make people hate you (John 15:18)?
Through the grace of God, a gift of God. It is through His love, His glory, for Him and only Him.
Jesus said that you must be "born again" to see the Kingdom of God and that can only happen if God gives you that gift (John 3:3).
Call out to the one true God, Jesus, The Savior that was raised from the dead and ask Him to save you (Romans 10:13).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
The Disciples of Jesus will be known, they will be different.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).
They will likely not be the ones representing Christianity that you despise, that you think is a joke, that are on television asking for your money or trashing the police.
The Saints of the Savior, my Savior will be different. While still battling sin, they will be on a daily walk with the Lord and a daily process of being made more like Jesus. They will be humble, meek, mild and not of this world (1 John 2:15). They may even be a little "weird" in the eyes of others but there is no doubt that they will stand out and they will love and give and care for you.
They will care for you enough to tell you the truth and that truth may not be exactly what you want to hear but my friend, it is the truth.
I care for you. Many are praying for you.
Sherwood Pictures: Next Film
Sherwood Pictures, the makers of Facing the Giants and Fireproof have announced their newest film to be released.
Courageous The Movie, will be about four Law Enforcement Officers: "Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, they face danger every day. Yet when tragedy strikes close to home, these fathers are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, and their faith. From this struggle will come a decision that changes all of their lives."
We are obviously excited about this new movie. Ten-Four Ministries was very involved in the promotion of Fireproof and sponsored a showing where 200 tickets were provided to first responders.
What role will Ten-Four Ministries play in this newest movie? We will play whatever role the filmakers see fit and we are excited about the outreach potential of this new movie.
We will certainly keep you updated.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Agony of Christ
“Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Luke 22:42
What did Jesus mean in the Garden when He agonized over "this cup"? What was Jesus worried about? Was He forced to go to the Cross? What can we learn about prayer in these passages from Luke?
Join Travis Yates, Director of Ten-Four Ministries, as he preaches from The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 22, Verses 39-46.
What did Jesus mean in the Garden when He agonized over "this cup"? What was Jesus worried about? Was He forced to go to the Cross? What can we learn about prayer in these passages from Luke?
Join Travis Yates, Director of Ten-Four Ministries, as he preaches from The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 22, Verses 39-46.
Across America: City #17
The Fort Worth Police Department protects the 17th largest city in America. This week we ask you to pray for the Fort Worth Police Department and for Chief Jeffrey Halstead. For the next 16 weeks Ten-Four Ministries will be contacting the police chiefs in the largest 50 cities in America and presenting them with The Gospel. This is an ongoing project called The Across America Project.
Update From Task Force Tagalitas
Ten-Four Ministries continues to get wonderful reports in from our partner in our efforts to present the Gospel to Law Enforcement around the world. Dr. Adiel H. De Torres with Task Force Tagalitas in the Philippines. Below are the latest photos from our partnership.
As the Chief of the Regional Human Resource and Doctrine Development, Lt. Col. Opena is responsible for the training and re-training of all PNP officer and personnels in the CALABARZON region. Lt. Opena has also professed faith in Jesus Christ.
The Highway Patrol Group is tasked with keeping the roads of the Philippines safe. They are presented with much needed traffic safety vests and copies of Take Up The Shield.
We are certainly humbled that God has provided this opportunity in the Philippines. We have an exciting announcement that will soon occur about this outreach. I look forward to passing that along to you.
As the Chief of the Regional Human Resource and Doctrine Development, Lt. Col. Opena is responsible for the training and re-training of all PNP officer and personnels in the CALABARZON region. Lt. Opena has also professed faith in Jesus Christ.
The Highway Patrol Group is tasked with keeping the roads of the Philippines safe. They are presented with much needed traffic safety vests and copies of Take Up The Shield.
We are certainly humbled that God has provided this opportunity in the Philippines. We have an exciting announcement that will soon occur about this outreach. I look forward to passing that along to you.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Sunday, November 08, 2009
The Two-Sided Coin To God's Love
This is a wonderful exposition of John 3:16 and Romans 8:28 by Pastor Doug Renee. I was present for both messages and I promise you that they will bless and encourage.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Adoption: A Moving Testimony
This Sunday is Orphan Sunday. Thousands of churches across the world will be discussing the need to take care of orphans. Below is the testimony of Tulsa Police Corporal Dan Ward, a Board Member with Ten-Four Ministries and leader with the Armor of God Project.
Dan's testimony about his adoption and ultimate salvation is moving. I encourage you to listen to it.
Dan's testimony about his adoption and ultimate salvation is moving. I encourage you to listen to it.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Across America: City #18
The Memphis Police Department protects the 18th largest city in America. This week we ask you to pray for the Memphis Police Department and for Director Larry A. Godwin. For the next 18 weeks Ten-Four Ministries will be contacting the police chiefs in the largest 50 cities in America and presenting them with The Gospel. This is an ongoing project called The Across America Project.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Task Force Tagalitas Partnership
Ten-Four Ministries is humbled to have a wonderful relationship with Dr. Adiel H. De Torres with Task Force Tagalitas in the Philippines. Below are the latest photos from our partnership and the Armor of God Project.
The Deputy Regional Director for Administration with the Philippine National Police Recieves 30 vests from Pastor Torres.
PSSupt. Primitivo "Jun" Tabujara receives 6 Level3A bullet-resistant vests from the Armor of God Project.
The Deputy Regional Director for Administration with the Philippine National Police Recieves 30 vests from Pastor Torres.
PSSupt. Primitivo "Jun" Tabujara receives 6 Level3A bullet-resistant vests from the Armor of God Project.
October 31st - A Tribute
This was originally posted on November 15, 2008.
October 31, 1517, is probably not a date that you heard in History class. As Christians it is a date we should all remember and it is a date that many in America are looking at.
October 31, 1517, was the day a Monk by the name of Martin Luther nailed a document to a church door in Wittenberg. That document contained a list of 95 Theses that started the Reformation that would eventually sweep across his native German Land, over to Europe and to the entire World. What would encompass two centuries and give us the likes of John Bunyan and John Calvin, the Reformation is continuing to play an important role today.
Today, Europe has forgotten who God is and they have turned to everything secular including the worship of Darwin over Jesus Christ.
America, once considered a Christian Nation, is anything but one today. We think that Europe is an Ocean away but the fact is we are seeing more and more of what Europe is today here in America.
In the face of what we are seeing in America, we are also seeing a revival of sorts. No, nothing has been nailed on a door but we are seeing the Gospel preached today in very isolated instances like it was preached 500 years ago. In the face of an America that has legalized Abortion and so called preachers that tell us there is more than one way other than Jesus, we are seeing bold Christians and Pastors standing up for the true Gospel. John MacArthur, Paul Washer, John Piper and many others are standing up for the Gospel.
We are seeing persecution of our Pastors here in America just like what has been happening for years in Europe. A Pastor 50 miles from me was told if he kept preaching the Gospel like he was that "he wouldn't last long." Unfortunately many other pastors have softened their message to comply with the so called Christians among them. If the Pastors are being persecuted who do you think is next?
Christians, it's time to stand for the truth. You may not be called to preach on a box in the park but if you are setting in a Church that is promoting everything other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you are part of the problem.
While all of Martin Luther's statements are powerful I believe any writer places great emphasis on the first and the last thing they write. Here is what Martin Luther said first and last:
1) "When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said "Repent", He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance."
95) "And let them thus be more confident of entering heaven through many tribulations rather than through a false assurance of peace."
When the persecution and imprisonment comes the Truth of Jesus Christ will stand and the pretenders will run away. Christian, are you ready?
Posted
October 31, 1517, is probably not a date that you heard in History class. As Christians it is a date we should all remember and it is a date that many in America are looking at.
October 31, 1517, was the day a Monk by the name of Martin Luther nailed a document to a church door in Wittenberg. That document contained a list of 95 Theses that started the Reformation that would eventually sweep across his native German Land, over to Europe and to the entire World. What would encompass two centuries and give us the likes of John Bunyan and John Calvin, the Reformation is continuing to play an important role today.
Today, Europe has forgotten who God is and they have turned to everything secular including the worship of Darwin over Jesus Christ.
America, once considered a Christian Nation, is anything but one today. We think that Europe is an Ocean away but the fact is we are seeing more and more of what Europe is today here in America.
In the face of what we are seeing in America, we are also seeing a revival of sorts. No, nothing has been nailed on a door but we are seeing the Gospel preached today in very isolated instances like it was preached 500 years ago. In the face of an America that has legalized Abortion and so called preachers that tell us there is more than one way other than Jesus, we are seeing bold Christians and Pastors standing up for the true Gospel. John MacArthur, Paul Washer, John Piper and many others are standing up for the Gospel.
We are seeing persecution of our Pastors here in America just like what has been happening for years in Europe. A Pastor 50 miles from me was told if he kept preaching the Gospel like he was that "he wouldn't last long." Unfortunately many other pastors have softened their message to comply with the so called Christians among them. If the Pastors are being persecuted who do you think is next?
Christians, it's time to stand for the truth. You may not be called to preach on a box in the park but if you are setting in a Church that is promoting everything other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you are part of the problem.
While all of Martin Luther's statements are powerful I believe any writer places great emphasis on the first and the last thing they write. Here is what Martin Luther said first and last:
1) "When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said "Repent", He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance."
95) "And let them thus be more confident of entering heaven through many tribulations rather than through a false assurance of peace."
When the persecution and imprisonment comes the Truth of Jesus Christ will stand and the pretenders will run away. Christian, are you ready?
Posted
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