Here is a challenging question. What kind of Christian am I? I guess when you really think about it there is only one kind of Christian. The one that is born again of God’s spirit by way of believing God’s Word. Romans 10:9 is a good Scripture that leads to a person’s conversion to becoming a Christian. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Many times when this question is asked, the interviewer is requesting, “How are you manifesting your Christian lifestyle?” This really is the essence of the challenge for each and every Born Again Christian: “What kind of a Christian lifestyle am I living?”

Many years ago a man of God by the name of E. Stanley Jones responded to this question by declaring: “There are three kinds of Christians.” Below is his explanation of three kinds of Christians utilizing 3 kinds of boats.

There are three kinds of Christians: the row-boat type, the sail-boat type and the steam-boat type. The row-boat type is the type that is humanistic, self-dependent, trying to get on with its own resources. But as those resources are limited, the progress is limited.

The sail-boat type depends on the winds. They are the people who are dependent on circumstances — the other-dependent ones. If the winds are with them, if people are constantly complimenting them and encouraging them, they get on. But if the patting on the back stops, they stop. They are circumstance-conditioned. Not very dependable Christians.

Then there is the steam-boat type — those who have power on the inside — and they go on whether winds are favorable or unfavorable. It is true they go on faster when there is a helping wind, but nevertheless they go on, wind or no wind. They have an inner adequacy. They are not self-dependent, nor circumstance-dependent, but Christ-dependent. They are dependable.

This power to go on when life is dead against us is the deepest necessity of our lives. In victorious living this becomes a working fact. — E. Stanley Jones in Victorious Living (1936).

This sure encourages us to upgrade our vessel and be our best for our Heavenly Father.

Agape,

Bob

It does not take much insight to realize our beloved United States of America is suffering. The problems are too many to list, but there is a solution that we can participate in that will make a difference – Prayer.

Today, March 5^th 2024, is my state’s (California) primary election day. I pray Americans, especially Christian Americans, will vote today. Our votes really matter!

Recently I received an article about a guest minister opening the U. S. Congress with the following prayer.  His name is Pastor Jack Hibbs of Chino, California. Prior to his prayer he was handed a bunch of rules he was not to do. The one key rule was not to mention the name of Jesus. Here is his prayer:

  “Almighty God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, together we come before You in humility as a people in need of Your forgiveness, Your mercy, Your goodness, and Your grace.

For these 250 or so years, our fathers in this Congress have prayed guidance and protection. We stand here in humble petition that You today might do the same, that this Nation and its unparalleled Constitution––Your great gift to all freedom loving people––might be renewed here and across this land as a beacon of hope to all who seek peace.

I ask You today, Father, to bring to us a great awakening of righteousness and confidence in You who alone are mighty to save.

Hear my cry in this hour of great need that we might be humbly blessed before You in repentance of our national sins.

You, Almighty God, are the source of all wisdom, and there is no wisdom but that which comes from You.

So please come upon those here who are the stewards over the business of our Nation with Your wisdom which comes from above and with Your holy fear knowing that Your coming day of judgment draws near when all who have been and are now in authority will answer to You, the great judge of heaven and of earth.

For the decisions that they make here in this place, I offer this prayer to You, Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, and our crucified Savior and resurrected Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Here is one man who did not back down, taking a stand for the Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. What our country needs are more true heroes who will stand on the truth.

Agape,

Bob                                         

Recently after talking with someone about speaking in tongues sharing a number of Scriptures with him, I received the following response: “Well, I am not sure about this; and there are many pastors who do not believe in speaking in tongues; so I guess I will have to search the Bible on the subject to see if speaking in tongues is for me.”

Mark 16:17: And these signs shall follow them that believe; …they shall speak with new tongues; [Jesus speaking].

I Corinthians 14:5: I would that ye all spake with tongues…

I Corinthians 14:2: For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God:…

I Corinthians 14:39: …and forbid not to speak with tongues.

I Corinthians 14:4: He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;

As you can see the Scriptures encourage everyone to do it and commands no one to forbid it! And really how many Scriptures do you need to realize how wonderful and acceptable speaking in tongues is to our Heavenly Father. (And there are many more!).

It gets down to this: Do you believe God’s Word or man’s word?

God used speaking in tongues to usher in the Church age that started on the Day of Pentecost. All through the book of Acts, speaking in tongues was the evidence of the reality of the gift of holy spirit living in the believer.

Once the Heavenly Father declares a truth, that should be it for us to believe it and walk out on it.

Agape,

Bob

Recently I picked up a wonderful Bible based book that had a certain study I knew existed in it. The one particular study I was interested in was, “Fellowship is the Secret” which on its own reveals truths that will lead the reader to living a successful Christian life.

There are 15 other studies that I have read at different times through the years and have benefitted me immensely. As I was reading this remarkable book, something caught my eye that I probably knew before, but never considered deeply. It was the way each study was organized and fit together producing an engaging whole work.

This small, roughly 8 X 5 inch in size book was published in 1973 containing a series of Bible teachings that are exceptional in content than perhaps found in any other Bible study book. These studies will bless your understanding of your walk with the Father and for Him in the Body of Christ.

It became clear to me there was something very profound, especially in the way it was organized and laid out into five parts that produces a phenomenal whole. This became evident as I reviewed the two studies before “Fellowship is the Secret,” which are: “Your Power of Attorney” and “Key to Power.” The three studies following, “Fellowship is the Secret” which are: “What is True Worship?”, “The Believer’s Responsibility” and “Speaking in Tongues” added to the big picture.

What is this hidden treasure of knowledge contained in one small green book? Some of you probably have guessed it already: The New, Dynamic Church by Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille. Many of you, more than likely, have this gem buried on your bookshelf. Dig it out and read it in order of the presented studies and prepare to witness how important and powerful God has prepared your life to live and give in the Church today!

Agape,

Bob