Browsing Archive: January, 2013
Posted by Michael La Framboise on Sunday, January 27, 2013,
It was a time of turmoil and unrest in a place filled with anger and resentment. It was a place of revolution and riots; it was a time of chaos and anarchy. In June of 1960 the Belgian Congo declared its independence from Belgium, establishing the Republic of the Congo. However, intense political struggles and a continual and downward spiral of military control quickly led to civil war.
In September the President dismissed his Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba, who in turn rallied the senate an... Continue reading ...
Posted by Michael La Framboise on Sunday, January 27, 2013,
My grandfather always saw the big picture, and he knew that big things could be accomplished when God’s people worked together as one body in Christ.
Some look at the small problems and minor difficulties and make a mountain out of a mole hill; while others see the mountain as a mole hill. Some observe the great complexities and the complicated steps to achieve the goal and, like the Israelites of old, refuse to enter into the place of God’s promises out of fear and apprehension; while ot... Continue reading ...
Posted by Jon Courson on Tuesday, January 22, 2013,
“And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.”
Genesis 4:10
Unforgiveness, hatred, and bitterness have repercussions far greater than I might think. That’s why in the book of Jude, God specifically says to watch out for the way of Cain, which is bitterness, unforgiveness, and hatred. Make sure there’s no one you’re mad at, upset with, or angry about because it only takes one person to affect many. Ask Cain.
“The blood of ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Jon Courson on Monday, January 14, 2013,
Back in the Garden of Eden, after questioning the Word of God, Satan questioned the way of God. This is the same strategy he uses today. He slithers up to our friends, our children, and our neighbors and hisses in their ears, saying, “You know why you’re not supposed to do that? Because it’s really fun; and God doesn’t want that for you. He wants you to be restricted and miserable.”
Not true. As I tell my kids, “If you think sin is fun, if you want to eat from the tree of forbidden... Continue reading ...
Posted by Jerry Osborne on Sunday, January 6, 2013,
“Be filled with the Spirit” is the command given to all Christians in Ephesians 5:18. Let us not explain it away; let us embrace it. What is the need for this filling?
The need stems from the fact that the Holy Spirit is often crowded to an inferior place in our heart. Sin, or maybe even legitimate things, have taken first place. The desire to be a Spirit-filled Christian is the desire for the Holy Spirit to have His proper, rightful place.
Our part is to deal with sin and all obstacles. As... Continue reading ...
Posted by Michael La Framboise on Wednesday, January 2, 2013,
When Jesus endured His moments of greatest travail and heartache, He asked those closest to Him to be near Him and to pray with Him. Yet, though His need was great and His heart heavy, His friends slept rather than pray. “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?” was His simple rebuke. Jesus understood the frailty of our wretched condition, affirming the weakness of our sinful nature to inhibit the work of God’s Spirit in and through our lives. “The Spirit indeed is willing,” He ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Michael La Framboise on Wednesday, January 2, 2013,
On January 24, Ritchie Campbell and the Bartlow’s will be facing another custody hearing for Atlas. The pastor asks that we all link together in prayer and fasting from now till then. Mark your name today and let’s fill up the prayer calendar thru the 24th so that that not an hour passes which is not filled with intercession before the Lord concerning this all-important matter.
May we bind ourselves together over the next 16 days to pray for Atlas as the early Church prayed for the impris... Continue reading ...
Posted by Jon Courson on Wednesday, January 2, 2013,
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Romans 8:26)
Now if we don't know how to pray, then why pray at all? Understand this: Prayer is not getting my will done in Heaven, it's getting God's will done on Earth. It's not me giving direction to the Father, but rather me saying, "Father, direct me." God has chosen to work through the vehicl... Continue reading ...
Posted by Ralph F. Wilson on Wednesday, January 2, 2013,
I've heard a lot of droopy prayers in my life. Hey, I've prayed a lot of them, too. Prayers of desperation-- God, you've got to help me! Prayers of self-pity-- God, things are so awful! Prayers of resignation-- God, if you want to leave me unemployed, then I can't stop you!
But I'm learning how to pray a different kind of prayer-- prayer said with thanksgiving. I learned it from St. Paul who, writing from prison, taught me a most powerful lesson. He said, "Do not be anxious about anything, but... Continue reading ...
Posted by Jerry Osborne on Wednesday, January 2, 2013,
I believe God brought our great nation into being. Our Preamble and Constitution were surely approved, if not inspired, of God.
I’m proud to be an American as I recall the faith of our Fathers and the thousands upon thousands of American Mothers’ sons [and daughters] who [have served this country] and many who gave their lives to keep US and OTHERS free. Dear American [servicemen] are buried all over this world on behalf of freedom. I’m proud to be an American!
I believe a good Christian... Continue reading ...
Posted by Jerry Osborne on Wednesday, January 2, 2013,
PLAY DAY: How wildly inconsistent and sinful are many Christians in their treatment of God’s Day. They wash the children’s mouth out with soap when a lie is told, and yet these same Christians make a “Play Day” out of God’s Day. The same God that said, “Thou shalt not lie,” also said, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”
Sunday trips, Sunday outings, PLEASURE, PLEASURE, PLAY, PLAY, while precious souls perish. No time for faithful church attendance, no time for service... Continue reading ...
Posted by Michael La Framboise on Wednesday, January 2, 2013,
Old-Fashioned Sunday? What's that?!
Like the prophet of old said as he admonished God’s people, “It is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” As a Church, Old-fashioned Sunday is a day set aside for the kindling of the Holy Spirit’s revival fires. It is a time to evaluate your life in the Light of God’s Word, and examine your heart under the conviction of God’s Spirit.
It is a day for us to look back and be inspired by those who have gone before ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Michael La Framboise on Wednesday, January 2, 2013,
During Easter week in 1946, my grandfather Jerry Osborne was invited to spend his vacation with his cousin Ronald. Later Jerry would write that Ronald had ulterior motives, and that he had “the express purpose of leading me to Christ and getting me saved.” On April 17, Ronald brought Jerry to the Wednesday night prayer meeting at his church. After the service, the pastor, Art Walters, asked naïve Jerry if he had ever been “saved”. Jerry affirmed he had, then told how he was saved fro... Continue reading ...
Posted by Michael La Framboise on Wednesday, January 2, 2013,
Though I’ve never been to Heaven
I have no fear of leaving here
And when I finally reach that strand
I won’t be a stranger in Beulah Land
He’ll meet me on the Beautiful Shore
He’s the one who shared the Lord
I know Heaven’s down the road
And Grandpa’s waiting there I know
I never fear my last day here
I know who’s waiting for me there
At Heaven’s Gates we’ll there embrace
That familiar voice, his loving face
Through the Valley’s final mile
I’ll once again see Grandpa’s smile
I’ve ... Continue reading ...
