422CHURCH.COM: Experience God. Experience Victory.

Hold on! Let Go...

2011-09-28T14:59:00.001-07:00

Hebrews 4:14-16 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

How many times have you poured your heart out to a Christian friend only to hear the glib reply, “Just have faith!” We have been taught over and over to "hold fast to our profession of faith", as the verse above seems to exhort us, right? So, we need to quit whining and start confessing God’s word, correct? Well, yes and no.

Expressing one’s feelings is not the same thing as “whining”, and confessing is not the same thing as believing. Many of our Catholic brothers and sisters repeat liturgy with faith confessions over and over. We Evangelicals are quick to criticize their “vain repetition” as lacking true faith. Yet we Charismatic Evangelicals teach confessing God’s Word until faith is birthed in your heart. A little hypocritical, huh?

The truth is somewhere in between, confessing God’s Word can build faith but saying it like a magic incantation, over and over again to make it happen, minimizes the “by grace through faith” spiritual mechanism. This supposed act of faith is not at all done “by grace” but by our strength reducing it to a works righteousness initiative. If I say enough “Hail Mary’s” I will attain forgiveness. If I confess the Word enough then Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith”, will birth faith in my heart. I have somehow earned it?

I think Paul was talking about that in the second chapter of Galatians:

¹⁹ “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”^[

To live in Christ means to have faith in Him alone, not our own efforts. In fact, to do otherwise sets aside the grace of God, i.e., God’s ability to do what I cannot do. Salvation is only one area I cannot do for myself. There are many other aspects of life that I cannot do myself – most of it. Paul died to self and lived in Christ. I need to access the grace of God in every aspect of life if I am going to live in Christ in that area of my life.

So, let’s revisit Hebrews 4:14-16. How do we “hold fast our profession” without turning it into a work of righteousness and “set[ting] aside the grace of God”? How do we die to our own strength or flesh and live in Christ while we do all this holding fast to our profession? Sounds almost contradictory, doesn’t it? Not really.

“Let us hold fast our profession” is clearly connected to this High Priest described as having intimate empathy for our situation, our weaknesses, pains, griefs, etc. "Therefore", in other words, for this reason, we can come boldly to the" throne of grace" - NOT the throne of holding up or the throne of measuring up - to obtain mercy, implying that I did NOT measure up, and "grace to help in time of need." That grace is God's ability to do what I cannot do - like hold up or measure up.

So, how do you access this grace? It does NOT start with confessing God’s Word. I starts with confessing how you REALLY feel to Him. He already knows anyway and, as Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us. He understands, He feels you. Because of His empathy, and your brokenness in coming to Him admitting how you feel, you have died to self, accessing His grace to live in Christ. In the warmth of His loving compassion, infused with and empowered by His grace, you emerge confessing God’s Word. Woa! Those are some powerful [full of power] words you’re speaking there!

Why? Because I finally realized, “therefore”, that I can get real with Him, He understands, so I can approach Him boldly. It’s not bold if there is not some fear, weakness, or vulnerability involved. Paul further explains the paradox of accessing His strength through our weakness in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, describing an encounter with Christ:

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Boldness not only goes before the throne of grace with weaknesses, it rejoices there! Go boldly to His throne of grace today. He knows. He understands. He empowers!

The Pursuit: Enjoy God

2011-02-03T16:51:00.000-08:00

Based on a sermon by Dr. Ed Crenshaw

Thus far in The Pursuit series Pastor Ed has dealt with serious aspects of our pursuing God, including last week’s “Enduring Hardships”. In this message he lightened up a bit with, perhaps, the most important aspect of this divine pursuit.

Mark 10:15 (New International Version, ©2010)

15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

We need to receive Kingdom of God as little child, innocent, not caught up in heavy stuff of life and spirituality but just enjoying Him. 

Romans 8:15 (New International Version, ©2010)

15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

The Aramaic word, Abba, literally translated means, “Da-Da” or “Daddy”. What Holy Spirit wants to work in us is that innocent joy of being with the Father intimately, unashamed, and delightfully squealing as a young child in His presence.

Pastor told the story of his visiting his old great aunt, in her 90s, at her farm house, while he was quite young.  As soon as his feet hit the floor he ran squealing with delight throughout the house.  His parents, embarrassed at his lack of restraint, ran to control and hush him. But they were stopped by the aunt saying, “This old house has been far too quiet for too long!”  Some of us have spiritual houses way too quiet way too long Chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. 

To enjoy God is central to the purpose for which we were created. The Westminster Catechism, shorter form,  starts out:

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,[1] and to enjoy him forever God is most glorified when we enjoy him. 

The Bible refers to us believers in serious terms, as slaves, servants and soldiers, but we are His kids too!  He wants to enjoy us and for us to enjoy Him.

Pastor Ed says he enjoys God in the following ways:

1) Worship. 

Psalm 9:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010)

 1 I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; 
   I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; 
   I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

We all as individuals need to give thanks to the Lord.  This scripture says to “rejoice”.  You have to en-joy in order to re-joy!  Singing to the Lord helps you enjoy Him and as you rejoice you experience His joy. 

A song itself is not worship, however. Worship is expressing one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30) in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). 

Rick Warren says if you walk out of church saying, “I enjoyed” or “did not worship” then you have the wrong focus. We are not the audience. The question is, “Did God enjoy your worship?” If you do it according to Mark 12:30 or John 4:23-24 He does enjoy it!

2) with People.

It is good to have private worship but it is also good with people. Some things are more exciting in groups, like a football game. Can you imagine being the only one in the stands during the Super Bowl?  You would probably still enjoy it but you would definitely miss the roar of the crowd and its excitement.

But going to the game would be even better if you were with a group of friends . That is one reason for our small group ministry, LifeGroups. 

Psalm 122:1 (New International Version, ©2010)

 1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, 
   “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

3) when Pleasing Him

The Lord makes sure that we enjoy Him more when we please.

Psalm 1 (New International Version, ©2010)

 1 Blessed is the one 
   who does not walk in step with the wicked 
or stand in the way that sinners take 
   or sit in the company of mockers, 
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, 
   and who meditates on his law day and night. 
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, 
   which yields its fruit in season 
and whose leaf does not wither— 
   whatever they do prospers.

 4 Not so the wicked! 
   They are like chaff 
   that the wind blows away. 
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, 
   nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

 6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, 
   but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

4) Serving in His call on my life

Eric Lidell, known as "the Flying Scottsman", won a 1924 Olympic gold medal.  His story was told in the movie, Chariots of Fire, in which he said, “When I run I feel his pleasure.” 

Psalm 37:4 (New International Version, ©2010)

4 Take delight in the LORD, 
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.

If you delight in the Lord He does not just give you what you want, He gives you your wants.  He changes what you desire.  You are called for a purpose for which He created you and nothing is as satisfying as doing what you were created to do.

If we enjoy the Lord it will affect our emotions.  Immediately, some will criticize this as emotionalism.  But we are not talking about emotionalism, or worshipping your personal enjoyment, which is experientialism. But most American churches are not there.   If anything we need to enjoy the Lord more fully through our emotions.  Anything we truly enjoy evokes an emotional response.

But there are those who despise enjoying one’s worship as less than spiritual. Despising pleasure comes from seeking pleasure in wrong things. C.S. Lewis commented about such people:

[That they are like] an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. 

The Bible has something to say about enjoying the right things:

Isaiah 55:2 (New International Version, ©2010)

2 Why spend money on what is not bread, 
   and your labor on what does not satisfy? 
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, 
   and you will delight in the richest of fare.

The conclusion is definite, God wants you to enjoy Him.  If you will enjoy Him you will accelerate your pursuit of Him!

The Pursuit: Enduring Hardship

2011-01-23T16:58:00.000-08:00

Once God is in your life you still have problems.

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

The #1 biblical strategy for dealing with these troubles is seeking the Lord. Generally speaking, He is our absolute goal but this becomes imperative during troubled times.

We need to allow our circumstances to turn us even more toward God. His word is full of promises and strategies to deal with tough times.

² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We need to fix our eyes on Jesus during those times. He endured cross for the joy set before Him. He is our example of fixing our focus on that which is eternal – not circumstantial.

You will endure hardship sometimes because you are a Christian. The devil will resist you if you are serving the Kingdom of God. If everything is going great for you, maybe you are headed in same direction as devil. He won’t resist that!

The question is: Will we allow our circumstances to shape us to be more or less like Him? Paul shared what he had to endure:

… I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. ²⁴Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. ²⁷ I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

So, did Paul endure this without pain? Did it hurt? Yes, both physically and emotionally. Look at what he said earlier in his letter to the Corithians:

2 Corinthians 1:8 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁸ We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,^[a] about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.

It not only hurt, it was beyond his ability to endure, to the point he despaired. In verse 9 he sounds like he wished he was dead. But then he learned something at that very point:

2 Corinthians 1:9 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁹ Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Paul learned at the point of his greatest pain, desperation, and weakness to rely upon God!

There were two sons of an abusive, alcoholic father. One became just like his father and used his father as excuse. The other son was just the opposite - and gave his father as the reason. The point is that you make the choice.

Who caused the trouble that you experience? God? No. He allows it but He doesn’t cause it.

John 10:10 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The “thief” is Satan, the one who resists the Kingdom of God. So what do we do when we find ourselves in such hardship?

Hebrews 12:7 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

“Discipline” here is from the same Greek root word as “disciple”. The Lord disciples us, He shapes us. When you endure hardship, do so in such a way that you allow it to teach you lessons.

Romans 8:28 (New International Version, ©2010)

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a]have been called according to his purpose.

So, if we can learn valuable lessons from hardships should we pray for hardships for people so they can be more spiritual? While hardships provide opportunities to learn such valuable spiritual lessons, don't pray problems on people. Hebrews 12:5 states that they can become “weary”, “lose heart”, and “bitter root” can develop.

People with “bitter roots” do not usually keep it to themselves. Don't let your compassion for such people make you susceptible to their bitter root developing in you.

While your bad circumstances don't automatically turn you to the Lord, neither does your good circumstances. Prosperity can be even worse.

Deuteronomy 8:10-17 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹⁰ When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. ¹¹ Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. ¹²Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, ¹³ and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, ¹⁴ then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. ¹⁵ He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. ¹⁶ He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. ¹⁷ You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”

Let circumstances drive you to God whether good or bad!

To hear this sermon go to http://getvictory.net/_Listen.ihtml?id=321805 and select The Pursuit: Pursue Holiness by Dr. Ed Crenshaw.

422CHURCH.COM, a church serving Audubon, Collegeville, Eagleville, East Norriton, Jeffersonville, King of Prussia, Malvern, Norristown, Paoli, Phoenixville, Oaks, Royersford, Valley Forge, Wayne, and West Norriton.

The Pursuit: Pursue Holiness

2011-01-22T16:17:00.000-08:00

On a trip to South Korea one thing stood between the Crenshaws and visiting the Demilitarized Zone - blue jeans. Pastor Ed was really looking forward to seeing the DMZ but he didn't get to enjoy this part of the trip because he was wearing blue jeans.

Did you know you were created to know the glory of God? Habakkuk 2:14 says, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD.” But just because you were created for that knowledge you don’t necessarily know the glory of the Lord.

Psalm 27 records David saying, “One thing I desire is to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.” David had the desire. He was king. He was “a man after God’s own heart.” But he had to choose and seek, indicated by his “desire”, and he had to remove hindrances.

The one thing that keeps you from knowledge of glory of God is sin. Only one problem, Romans 3:23 tells us we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Hebrews 12:14 tells us that without holiness no one will see the Lord. To pursue God we must pursue holiness.

The good news is that you were called to be holy according to 1 Corinthians 1:2. God chose you to be holy!

⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ hepredestined us for adoption to sonship^[b] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

“To be Holy and blameless in His sight,” means consecrated, sanctified, or set apart for the Lord's purposes. As set apart we are saying “Lord, I am yours.” There are things we don't do that others do, and things we do that others don’t.

Now, that is a perspective that can easily degenerate into legalism. God’s rules are good but He didn’t give them to us to be good. He makes us good. Gods rules are good for you but He didn't institute the rules because they are good for us. He did so that they know and the world knows that His people are set apart.

God's will is that you should be holy and in control of your body and behavior:

1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 (New International Version, ©2010)

³ It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, ⁵ not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; ⁶and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister

We can't say holiness is not necessary because of the grace of God. Certainly, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross negated the requirement of sacrifices for atonement. The requirements of the Law are no longer necessary for our righteousness or right standing with God. But holiness is not about a set of rules to get good enough to know our Lord. Rather it is about belonging to Him and about our character.

We are to be conformed to image of God once again as He created us to be. We have, by grace and the blood of Jesus, been restored to that place. We don’t have to be holy, we get to be holy!

President George W. Bush, quoting Democratic Senator Patrick Moynihan, referred to, “The soft bigotry of low expectations.” Low expectations can keep people down, functioning at a level far below their capacity. Most of us have no idea the great things God has planned for us (Jeremiah 29:11). God honors you with high expectations.

So, what are those expectations? First, if we are made in His image, then to be like Him, like Jesus.

1 Peter 1:15-16 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹⁵ But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶ for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

The Bible is full of holiness standards so we can easily be condemned and avoid the Bible or we can get into the Word and draw from it's power. Allow God's character to be formed in you. Even Paul struggled with this but had much to say in the seventh and eighth chapters of Romans:

²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²²For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

8: ¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you^[a] free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Romans 8:5 reminds us that holiness is a work of the Holy Spirit and that we should live by the Spirit. Focus on Him. As we pursue God we become more holy. As more holy we become more passionate.

Focusing on the Lord is not something I do so that I don't do something else but to be so full and focused on Him that I forget about anything else. What you place your focus upon you will hit, achieve, be like.

If try to do it in own strength will fail but depend on Him. Nevertheless, God still holds us responsible to choose to focus upon Him, to choose to seek Him, to choose to stay in His word, etc. Romans 12:1 tells us that we need to, “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”

Looking again at Hebrews 12:14, it says, “make every effort”. You choose whether you focus upon the love of God, and His love will help you choose A loving response to His gentle nudging, "Son [daughter], I wish u wouldn't do that." As you focus upon and seek Him, you become much more sensitive to His voice, to His gentle promptings. You are then on the path toward holiness!

To hear this sermon go to http://getvictory.net/_Listen.ihtml?id=321805 and select The Pursuit: Pursue Holiness by Dr. Ed Crenshaw.

422CHURCH.COM, a church serving Audubon, Collegeville, Eagleville, East Norriton, Jeffersonville, King of Prussia, Malvern, Norristown, Paoli, Phoenixville, Oaks, Royersford, Valley Forge, Wayne, and West Norriton.

Spirit of America Lives On

2011-01-20T07:22:00.000-08:00

A picture of the resilient American Spirit: a colonial period home in Collegeville, PA

I live in an area rich with the history of America's embryonic and childhood development. Across the street in one direction is the Mill Grove Estate, built in 1752 and inhabited by John James Audubon, author and artist of Birds of America, a collection of 435 life-size prints categorizing the foul of North America.

Mill Grove Estate, Audubon, PA

Across the street in the other direction is the Old Union Church, built in 1832, as a place of worship for all Christians. Just three doors down is a monument that states that General Washington converted a barn into a hospital there for the troops at nearby Valley Forge.

Behind the Old Union Church, about three hundred yards in a line of trees is hidden the graveyard for the Free Quakers, who place of worship still stands at the mall at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. These were also known as the Fighting Quakers who fought and advocated for the revolution, at the expense of being dis-fellowshipped. There Colonel Timothy Matlack is buried, the one who actually penned the Declaration of Independence.

Surrounding this area of some much wealth of history are many colonial period homes, several still inhabited today. However, the one pictured above in Collegeville, PA is in obvious disrepair. The structure has been seriously compromised. Two of the walls and the roof have fallen, yet Old Glory still flies.

As I stopped to take this photo, I was reminded of the state of our Union. Our Constitution has suffered several serious breaches. We have strayed so far from what our forefathers built and envisioned. Yet, the Spirit of America remains in a remnant, a remnant who has rediscovered their voice.

The Pursuit: Seek First

2011-01-15T09:49:00.000-08:00

January is a month to set new priorities and start fresh. Pastor Ed Crenshaw will lead Victory in a month of pursuing God as we move into the new year. As a church body we will have the opportunity to set godly priorities, pursue holiness, and seek a deeper experience and knowledge of God in 2011.

Pastor Ed Crenshaw senses a season of awakening, revival, is imminent and that the Lord is directing us to PURSUE Him. Thus, the current sermon series, "The Pursuit". We are seeking God at Victory! You can experience Him there.

The Pursuit: Seek First - Week 1

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Here Jesus compares the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price to the "kingdom of heaven", a circumlocution of the Kingdom of God. Matthew, a Jew, never used the name of God, which they viewed to be too sacred to say or spell. But here Matthew recounts the same passages as the other Gospel writers who quote Jesus saying the "kingdom of God".

The Kingdom of God is wherever Jesus is, where He rules and reigns, where He is Lord. That's why Jesus said to believers that "The kingdom of God is within you." in Luke 17:21. When He was among the scribes and the pharisees who hated Him, because He was there, Jesus stated, "The kingdom of God is in your midst."

In both cases a man sells all he has and buys the field in one parable, the pearl in the other. Jesus is saying whatever it takes to obtain the treasure is worth it. And what is the treasure? The Kingdom of God. Nothing is more important.

For that reason the man sold all he has "with joy". Sure it was sacrifice, but the sacrifice was well worth it, so much so the sacrifice was made with joy!

Paul considered everything he had accomplished and all that he had a loss "that I might gain Christ."

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

Knowing Him, alone, not what "things" did for him was "surpassing worth". But if need practical help, if I need food, a job, rent money, is knowing Jesus a practical solution?. If you know Him as your Jehovah Jireh, He is your provider. If you know Him as Jehovah Raphe', then He is your healer. In Him is everything we need in life. Knowing Him is the most practical thing you can do!

Really? If we seek to know Jesus all my problems are solved? Well, sort of. Look further at what Jesus says:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Jesus says this in context of discussing worrying about food to eat and clothing to wear. Jesus didn't argue that you don't need these things as some religious folks sometimes seem to say. No, Jesus was talking here about priorities.

If I make those needs a priority I will not be in the flow of God's blessings. When I make the Kingdom of God my priority, Jesus promises, all the things I need will follow. Make Him the treasure you are willing to sell everything for!

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Want to please God? It takes two kinds of faith:

1) that He exists, and

2) that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Do you have BOTH kinds of faith? No, seeking His gifts, His provision, ONLY, is not good enough. Seek Jesus! Seek Him for the love of it. But have faith that He WILL reward you, not just spiritually, but in meeting your needs as He promised.

Craig Groeschel. the founder and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, identifies the following practical steps in seeking the Lord first:

1. Put God first in your day - when you wake up.

In Psalm 63 David says "early will I seek you" in the New King James Version. The NIV translates it "earnestly" instead of "early" because the Hebrew word actually means both. If you are earnest then you will be early.

In Mark 1:35, as well as at other times, Jesus went very early to secluded place to pray.

Most people fail because they fail to plan. Get on a Bible reading plan.

2. Put God first in your week - Sunday worship

In Acts 20:7 the early church started the week with corporate fellowship in worship. It was a celebration of Jesus rising from the dead that first day of the week, of our victory over sin and death. That's a good reason to worship!

But Hebrews 10:25 warns us "not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another..." We need the worship experience together on a regular basis to grow and be strong in the Lord.

A recent study shows that 48% of "church goers" in America only attend church once a month, over 70% only twice a month. Is there any question as to why the church needs an awakening in America?

3. Put God first in your month - tithe.

The Bible was written in agrarian times, an economy that was cyclical based upon the seasons and the months. In Exodus 23:19, the Lord says, “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God." That means bring God your best, first, then spend, save, or pay the bills.

Leviticus 27:30 states that the tithe belongs to Lord. It doesn't say "give" it to Him, it says "bring" it to Him. The tithe is already the Lord’s! That's why Malachi 3:7-11 says:

Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’

8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty.

The Lord calls us to return to Him, part of our awakening, and He says "Return to Me and i will return to you." HOW we return to Him, the Lord specifies here, is by "Bring[ing] the whole tithe into the storehouse..." He states they "robbed" Him by holding onto all or part of the tithe and that they "are under a curse" . That's right, keeping the tithe opens one up to a curse, not so much from the Lord as it brings one out from under His protection. We understand this because He goes onto say "I will prevent pests from devouring your crops." Other versions translate this more accurately saying, "I will rebuke the devourer."

Jesus made it clear who the Devourer is in John 10:10:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

These days almost everyone has a heartbreaking story of someone in their extended family who is addicted that steals from grandma, Aunt Betty, or whomever. You can't leave cash around or a purse or wallet because of them. You have loved this person since you held them in your arms as a baby, yet their breach of trust by stealing has hurt your relationship. God's heart aches because of the theft that keeps Him from His sons and daughters who hold back the tithe. He is calling us back to Him!

The tithe is way of saying to the Lord, "You are everything!" God is not needy of your money. He wants YOU! The Jews gave the tithe to the priest and the Pharisees of Jesus' day took it to an extreme but missed the heart of God in it, Matt 23:23:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Note that Jesus says not to "neglect the former", indicating that we, as Christians today, still need to tithe to gain that close and intimate relationship with God. It is not that you buy your way into God's presence, but holding back what is God's becomes a barrier to your getting intimate with Him. Return to Him!

4. Put God first in your year - Let us fast and pray!

In Joel 1:14 The Lord says:

Declare a holy fast;

call a sacred assembly.

Summon the elders

and all who live in the land

to the house of the LORD your God,

and cry out to the LORD.

We need to start the new year with such a declaration. The new year is a wonderful time to pursue after God, and Pastor Ed senses this is a special season to do so. He heard the Lord say, "You can have revival if you want it!" It is time to pursue it!

Jesus taught on fasting in Matthew 6:17-18 stating that we must not make a show of it or it defeats the purpose. Fasting is about humbling ourselves before the Lord in pursuing Him.

Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth

and humbled myself with fasting.

When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

According to both James and 2 Peter, if you humble yourself before God He will lift you up. God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

Do you want to pursue God? Do you want to get real close? Hebrews 4:16 states:

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Fasting humbles the heart with a hunger for God that accesses grace, a grace that allows you to approach the very throne of God with confidence!

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Let us PURSUE God this 2011!

Here Pastor Ed Crenshaw's first sermon of The Pursuit series, "Seek First", at:

http://getvictory.net/_Listen.ihtml?id=321805

The First Snow Praising Our Lord

2010-11-26T07:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning was Thanksgiving, and the first snow of the season. Across the street from our house is the historic Old Union Church building built in 1820. The old square building is crowned with a high pitched roof pinnacled in the center with a steeple.

As the flakes began to fall, a man arrived who was readying the old sanctuary for its annual sacred use. I had never seen it used before living in this home less than a year.

The flakes started coming down harder while more and more peoplearrived, resembling some natural meter of traffic to this temple. When the arrivals ceased the flakes faltered.

The heavens praised our Lord welcoming His worshipers and, then, like a bulletin item on cue, exited the scene. I have observed nature worshiping God many times. This event was so remarkable because Nature seemed on schedule, cooperating with the worship by humanity.

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Preach the Gospel or Moral/Social Issues?

2010-10-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

As we approach Election Day, some would ask "Is the mission of the Church to preach the Gospel or to take a biblical stance on social and moral issues of our day?" The latter certainly has some political ramifications and may, at times, seem to run afoul of our sense of political correctness and the doctrine of Separation of Church and State.

That doctrine, though no where present in the Constitution, has been a long standing construction of several Supreme Court decisions. How it has been applied has varied from situation to situation, often more guided by the cultural sense of political correctness than by principle, too often unfairly.

The Bible is neither Republican or Democrat, and it does not change. 1 Peter 1:24-25 states:

For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.

According to our Declaration of Independence, the Word of God is the basis for "self-evident truths" ... "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." That declaration further states, " to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..." These rights are not bestowed by our government but by God. Government derives its powers from the consent of the people.

What makes Government work then, according to our Declaration of Independence, is that the people stand in the truth of their Creator-endowed rights. The source of that truth is the Word of God. The Word of God is fundamental to the politic of our nation whether or not that is fashionable or politically correct. Our First Amendment to the Constitution forbids establishing a government religion, nevertheless, that government derives its power and authority from a people who walk in the truth of God's Word.

The framers of our Constitution did not see a "perfect union" in their day, rather they wrote in the Preamble, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

They had a vision of a "more perfect union", envisioning a process toward the realization those "self-evident truths". Major moves of God through revival periods in America saw this perfecting process. As a result of preaching what the Word of God said about social ills, during the course of revival changing people's hearts, the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, child labor laws, and the modern day Civil Rights Movement were realized in this perfecting the union process.

Yet many of the proponents of these social and moral advancements balk at the social and moral issues of our day like abortions, the acquiescence to Sharia Law, and gay marriage. The Church's biblical stance on such issues is seen as intolerant and hateful by the very politicians who derive their authority as described above.

Are these biblical positions really hateful? What would God, or you for that matter, see as more heinous?

To work a child for 12-16 hours or
Rip them apart or burn them alive with chemicals in the mother's womb?

How about:

To hold people in chains or deny women the right to vote, or
Deny the unborn child the right to speak their "CHOICE" in such a horrible death?

Some criticize Catholics and Evangelicals for exercising their voice on such issues by saying the Bible speaks on many more issues than the one or two the Church emphasizes. They are correct, and many advances have been made toward many of those very issues BECAUSE the Church has taken a stand in the past. However, the confluence of Bible-believing Christian leadership is that protecting the lives of the unborn is of great priority in light of the tremendous gains made among other biblical issues.

Where the political parties stand on this issue is irrelevant to what the Bible prescribes, for "the word of the Lord stands forever." It does not change due to popular opinion because we live in a democratic republic. No, we have a democratic republic BECAUSE of what the Word of God says - at least as long as we exercise our inalienable rights responsibly.

So, is the mission of the Church to preach the Gospel or promote a biblical social or moral agenda in our nation? That dichotomous question fails to understand the "preaching of the Gospel." Let us see how Jesus saw "preaching of the Gospel" in Luke 4:

¹⁴Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. ¹⁵He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

¹⁶He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. ¹⁷The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
¹⁸"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
      because he has anointed me
      to preach good news to the poor.
   He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
      and recovery of sight for the blind,
   to release the oppressed,
    ¹⁹to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."^[e]

²⁰Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, ²¹and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

"Preach the good news" is translated in some versions, "Preach the gospel". This was Jesus proclaiming what His ministry was all about. We see Him list several social issues among preaching that Gospel. In fact, the history of the Church, in this country and abroad, has been that as there has been great moves of God, great revival, there has been concurrent great advancements in righting social and moral wrongs.

If your party is on the wrong side of a biblical issue, whether Republican or Democrat, vote against it. Perhaps then they will align themselves more closely to biblical standards in the future and we progress toward a “more perfect union”.

Dali meets Matisse on the streets of Manhattan

2010-10-21T05:25:00.000-07:00

What do Dali, Matisse, and the streets of Manhattan have in common? Their cross section is embodied by the artist Peter Zonis, a surprising talent showcasing in a surprising venue, the subject of his art. To say he and his art are one, while being cliche', does seem to fit. Zonis' art is a perspective on the streets where he peddles his work.

Zonis' stand on Park Ave, a couple blocks east of Central Park

To be sure, the venue for display is intentional, not relegated. Among Zonis' following are Dustin Hoffman, Larry King, Robin Williams, Rudy Giuliani, Tony Bennett, Michael J. Fox, and the list goes on and on. He has been written up in the New York Times, The New York Magazine, and other notable publications.

Zonis' myriad stream of inspiration may well have developed a new genre. As Lady Gaga becomes what she sings, Zonis' art becomes part of the urban-scape it captures. The frame is a window through which the viewer sees Zonis' perspective on those very streets.

The Matisse color and brush stroke, the Dali-esque use of perspective, and an overall cartoonish motif depict a distortion of reality that may be arguably more real than a photo from a camera. To say the least, Zonis' work is fun. It begs us not take life, even urban life, so seriously.

I walked away from Zonis' street-side display thinking about how relationship with Jesus changed my perspective on reality, how I view the world. He messed up all my sense of how important things are and gave me a new set of values. He added color to my world and He made it more fun. As I walk through this world, frame by frame, He has made it more interesting.

Here's the thing. The Lord not only did that in the world around us, that perspective change is a result of the work He did in us.

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus..."

Experience God. Experience Victory.

2010-10-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

Pretty outrageous: a skater flash mob. Probably 200 skate boarders zipped past Macy's 5th Ave stopping traffic. Sort of a skate board parade or something. Horns were blasting. Drivers upset. Others taking photos and laughing.

The context: People contained in cubicles within office cubes stacked 100 stories high, in cars jammed in a frozen river of traffic.

The Protagonist: a mob of skaters slicing freely thru the stagnant ice, screaming gleefully, some with bare chests.

The Antagonists: Jammed up drivers yelling and honking.

The Chorus: Onlookers infected by the liberated joy, cheering them on, and capturing the moment on electronic devices with which to relive the freedom once returned to their cubes.

And traffic resumed.

Enter To Win a Free Missions Trip to Africa!

2010-06-04T06:02:00.000-07:00

Enter To Win a Free Missions Trip to Africa!

with Evangelists Reinhard Bonnke and Daniel Kolenda

Drawing Held on October 1, 2010
Trip Occurs the Week of November 8, 2010

Don't travel to a destination, travel to discover your destiny by entering to win this all expenses paid, short-term missions trip for two to an African evangelistic crusade hosted by Evangelists Reinhard Bonnke and Daniel Kolenda. On this trip of a lifetime you and a friend or relative of your choice will travel to a remote African city and witness the power of the Full-Gospel as hundreds of thousands gather and receive Christ. You'll be astounded and amazed by the crusade, plus you'll experience the culture, scenery, and fascinating people along the way.
Be advised, this adventure could change your destiny!

http://freeafricatrip.com/?fbid=FQbBbdbzGyh

Pastor Ed's Reflections: On the Road to Israel & Nigeria

2009-12-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

Pastor Ed has embarked upon a journey of not only geographic dimensions but spiritual as well. His sense that God has ordained this trip and that He wants to do something in him that Pastor will bring back to us is an exciting prospect, one worthy of chronicling.

Many of you have committed to fast and pray for this journey. You will be interested to know where he is, what he is doing, and what God is doing in and through him. At this writing he is in Israel. Soon he will leave with Ron Cantor and a team of Messianic Jews on a mission trip to Nigeria.

They will be in Gombe,a state in north-eastern Nigeria, with its capital at the city of Gombe. Gombe State, called the 'Jewel in the Savannah', was formed in October 1996 after a military coup.

Here are some of Pastor Ed's reflections thus far:

Tuesday, 12/1/09 - Tel Aviv, Israel

Hi, Everyone,

It’s great to be in Israel! I never would have imagined that God’s word to me to take a trip to Africa would have included a trip to Israel. I can see God’s hand at work, though. Being here is definitely part of the preparation.

I arrived in Tel Aviv at 3:30 p.m. local time on Monday (yesterday for me). Ron Cantor picked me up and we drove in (always “up” in Scripture) to Jerusalem, where Ron addressed a tour group from Canada. “Coincidentally,” the group was led by Russ Moyer, an old friend from Pennsylvania! Russ attended many of Victory’s revival services back in the mid 1990s, until he went for ministry training in Pensacola, and eventually to establish a ministry in Canada. It was great to reconnect. Russ prophesied over me and confirmed much of what He has put in my heart for our church. I also feel that God was saying through this reconnection that He wants to stir up the revival fires once again. It will look different this time, but revival is coming. Please pray toward that end.

This morning, I went with Ron to meet with a Messianic group that includes four young people who will be going to Africa with us. This group, Revive Israel, is led by one of Ron’s mentors, Asher Intrater, from his days back in Maryland. (Asher spoke at Victory years ago. Another great reconnection.) Ron’s training helped me see more clearly the mandate God gave the Jews from the time of Abraham, and confirmed in Acts 1:8, to be a light to the nations of the earth. It’s exciting to be going with one of the very first Jewish mission teams from Israel in modern times! We are tapping into God’s plan of salvation as laid out at the very beginning. How amazing it is that God has led Victory Christian Fellowship to play a part in this mission. I believe it will mean even greater evangelistic effectiveness for our church as we do our part in fulfilling God’s plan. Pray for this trip to accomplish all God has in mind, not just for now, but for my return to Pennsylvania.

After the morning training time, we paid a visit to the leadership of Maoz Israel, led by Ari Sorko-Ram, one of the pioneers of Messianic Judaism here in Israel. The hours we spent together were quite enriching.

On a more personal note, my body clock is quite messed up! On the overnight flight Sunday, I slept only about two hours. By the time I hit the sack last night, I was sure I’d sleep through the night no problem. After only 2 ½ hours sleep, however, at 1:30 a.m., my body clock was saying, “It’s 8:30 a.m.! You should be awake!” I finally got back to sleep at about 4:30 a.m. I should be adjusted by tomorrow.

Thank you for your continued prayers. After today, I’m convinced God has in mind something much bigger than I would have thought. God is good! Also, keep my family in prayer while I’m away.

In His love,

Pastor Ed

Wednesday, 12/2/09 - Jerusalem, Israel

Hi, Prayer Partners,

It’s right before 7 a.m. here—so some of you will get this before you go to bed.

Yesterday I spent some time seeing some of the Holy Land. I went to Caesarea and Capernaum—both places of prominence in Scripture. Caesarea is the place Paul appeared before the authorities and said, “I appeal to Caesar!” Capernaum, some believe, was where Jesus lived at some point in his life here. It’s also the place Peter and 2 or 3 other apostles lived. Jesus also declared that it was a place where he had done many miracles. He’s still doing miracles, and we expect even more!

I’m reminded of what Anna asked before the trip: “Are you going to walk where God walked?” Yesterday, I did just that. But one of the things I wrote in my journal is that I don’t just want to walk where God walked; I want to walk how God walked when he came. Jesus expects us to do just that! Interestingly, on the first night here, Ron told the tour group he was addressing, “Most people come to see where Jesus walked, but they don’t take time to see where he is walking today.” By that Ron meant that Jesus is working still today, raising up his church in general and the Messianic movement among the Jews in particular.

Today I plan to walk where Jesus died. That is going to be a different experience altogether. May we all be willing to walk as Jesus walked, where Jesus is still walking. And may we all be willing to lay down our lives for Jesus and his Gospel.

In Him,

Pastor Ed

12/4/09 - Jerusalem

Hi, Everyone,

What a great day! This morning I went with Ron Cantor into Jerusalem, where Ron recorded a video presentation to send to a church in Canada. I also took the opportunity to record a short greeting that will be shown at Victory on Sunday. We then attended the end-of-semester presentation of the students of King of Kings Church’s media school, where one of Ron’s daughters is a student. It was an inspiring time, for sure.

In the evening, we attended a service at Adonai Roi Messianic Congregation in Tel Aviv. What a great service! Here’s something that was amazing to me: the speaker spoke in a language other than English, but I did not need translation!!!! Was it because God supernaturally enabled me to understand Hebrew? No. That would be awesome, wouldn’t it? I could understand the language of the speaker because it was in Spanish. Who would have thought it? The building was packed out because of two large Latino groups visiting Israel, and the speaker was Alberto Motessi, one of the best-known evangelists in Latin America.

The thrust of the sermon was about bringing revival. I was thinking, “I really would like to get him to pray for me.” As he was wrapping up his sermon, he walked down the center aisle and laid hands on 10 or so people sitting on the ends of the rows. I was blessed when he stopped at me, laid hands on my head, then took hold of my hand while praying that God would raise up evangelists with the passion of some of the great leaders of past revivals: Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther, D. L. Moody, and others. No, I’m not saying I have their anointing or level of passion—just that I was blessed to receive prayer and the laying on of hands for revival! May the Lord bring great revival to Victory and the Greater Philadelphia region. Let’s also pray for a worldwide revival that includes Israel! This is indeed God’s will.

Thank you for continuing to pray. God is amazing!

In His love,

Pastor Ed

Saturday, 12/5/09

Leaves for Nigeria tomorrow (Sunday). He is experiencing gastrointestinal disorder related to malaria inoculation. Please pray for him.

Tuesday, 12/8/09

Pastor Ed's stomach is feeling better. He states that he is "meeting with kings" in Nigeria. Email is not accessible at this time. We will record his comments as we learn of them.

Wednesday, 12/9/09

Pastor Ed and the Isaiah 2-Messiah’s Mandate team are in Gombe, Nigeria. Tonight (they are 6 hours ahead) they will begin meetings with an estimated 20,000 people. Yesterday they spent their time visiting primitive villages headed by Muslim kings. The expectations for the meetings among the people are very high!

Tomorrow Pastor Ed will minister at a morning meeting of local Christian workers with an attendance of over 2,000.

Pray with us for Jesus to be made plain and his love and power made clear as they minister!

Also please pray for the continued side effects from the malaria medicine to abate.

Pastor Ed’s trip is an direct extension of Victory’s call to reach the world, thank you for praying!

12/10/09 - Gombe, Nigeria - From Pastor Ed:

Last night, we had several thousand people in attendance. It was all out in an open field. The conditions were far from ideal. The lights did not work out among the people, so they were in the dark and we could see almost no one. The sound system was really bad. But people seemed to respond (as best as we could see).

This morning’s services were for Christian workers. There were 1500 people there. I preached first at 7:00, then Ron at 8:00. Our sermons complemented each other’s perfectly. It was amazing, since we had not planned to coordinate.

The hard part about my sermon was that for the first half, the sound system did not work at all. I had to project to the whole crowd without amplification. It worked, though!

Including tonight, we have three more nights. Generally, crowds grow during these campaigns. We pray the technical difficulties don’t inhibit people coming back. Keep praying for the power of God to fall. Many Muslims need to be saved. Many need healing and other miracles. Pray for Ron’s messages to be effective.

I have been asked to do daily team devotionals, so pray that I be a real encouragement to these young Israelis. God has great plans for them back in Israel. I don’t know if I will get a chance for additional updates, but know your prayers are needed.

12/12/09 Gombi, Nigeria

By the time you hear this, I will have preached in a large, very Pentecostal-style Lutheran church this morning and we will be just minutes away from the final night of the Gombi Great Gospel Campaign with Evangelist Ron Cantor. Ron has been doing a fantastic job of preaching the word. I was also privileged to speak to about 1500 Christian workers who felt they received a "powerful message." The response to Ron has been enthusiastic among the crowds of up to 30,000 people. We can't tell how many, but hundreds, if not thousands, are coming to faith in Christ. We have seen a gradual increase in the numbers and kinds of healing, even if not of the magnitude we still hope to see (though I am writing this just before the next-to-the-last night, and maybe we saw some fantastic things already). Actually, we have seen God move on a level that is truly fantastic, and we expect even more. I know God wants to do a major work in our region, and I'm certain God will bring me back home in greater anointing and power.

There is no doubt about that. Please pray for the final night: the blind to be healed, the deaf to hear, the dead to be raised, and of course many salvations.

Love,

Pastor Ed

The Children of Gombi

From Ron Cantor:

Dear Friends,

Wow. What an amazing first day! I was so proud of the team. We arrived
in Abuja okay, but our layover went over. Pastor Mike decided to take
us to a market near the airport where they make authentic Nigerian
clothes. That worked out good for me, because the more Nigerian suits
I have ($20 apiece) the less western suits I need to where while
preaching. The Nigerian suits are made with the hot sun in mind-not so
much the two piecer with tie!

We arrived back at the airport and waited another two hours. Despite
it all there was almost no complaining. We arrived to a warm welcome
from Pastor Zaki the Lion (His name means lion and his anointing fits
it!) and his team. I was a little shocked when I saw my face on a
t-shirt. Apparently this was part of Pastor Mike's promoting the
conference. I have tried very hard to present this as team concept,
but Nigeria is very used to the "man of God is coming" approach. The
truth is that I wouldn't even be here if not for pastor Mike's hard
work and our Israeli team.

By the time most of us got to sleep it was 1AM. We had to be up at six
for a day of 'visiting'. The Nigerian people taking hosting very
seriously and they wanted us to know that we were being received by
them. We went from Song, to Gombi, to Hong, to a town I can't
pronounce, and then when we thought we were done, a small village on
the way back 'ambushed' us. They had a crowd of a couple hundred
people, a huge sign promoting the outreach and demanded that our
convey stop and greet them. They had a marching band and a pulpit.

The team was hungry and exhausted, but how could you not stop? What
hunger, and honor. We stopped and after introductions, I shared
briefly and because I had just read a story by a well-known
evangelist, how he learned never to close a meeting without an altar
call I went for it. I knew that most of the people there were
believers, but you never know. Plus, our huge security detail needed
to hear the gospel and be given an opportunity to respond.

At the invitation it seemed half the crowd raised their hands! And
that was wasn't first response like that of the day (and so it really
didn't surprise me). At the previous town of the name I can't
pronounce, after we had left the mayor, a fired-up believer who was so
excited to have Israelis bless his town, we attended a similar
gathering. The car pulled right up to the podium in an open field.
Hundreds of hungry believers were there singing and waiting. I only
had a few minutes and shared briefly. It was then that I first
thought, "even though the campaign hasn't begun, let's have an
appetizer and see what happens."

I gave the altar call and about a hundred hands went up. Thrilled I
led them in a prayer of salvation. I do recognize that some of them
were already saved. They were just so excited. The anticipation for
this campaign in unreal. In every city we went there were hundreds of
posters. One pastor told me it is all people are talking about. Mike
Moses, the Nigerian with a Jewish name, has done an amazing job
promoting this. God's hand has been on him. The rest if up to God. And
we are standing in faith expecting miracles. Why not? Isn't God more
eager to save people and heal them than we are?

When we arrived in Gombi earlier in the day, once again many believers
met us at the border of the city. The Muslim mayor was there as well.
I remembered meeting him the first time and it was quite strange and
even a little scary to be preaching in a town with a Muslim mayor and
yet, he greeted me with a hug, like an old friend. On the first trip
he was a little cold and skeptical, now he was warm and opened. I
found out why.

He told us that since our visit in August God has been blessing the
city. The horrible two-lane, potholed road, is now four lanes and
smooth. The federal government makes these decisions and they are not
easy to come by and it happened just after our ministry. He also said
he heard reports of miraculous healings including one of a lame man
walking after our time of ministry. We didn't even know about this!

What a joy it would be to see this man meet Yeshua!

Afterwards he presented me with a tribal outfit and told me that the
King of Gombi, who was there, would give me an official title! Yes
there is a King of Gombi, and the team was as shocked as was I to see
a large picture of the King and me hanging on the wall. It was from
the August visit.

In each place we went I prayed for them in Yeshua's name and sang the
Aaronic benediction over them. However, I think the most amazing
reception was in the city whose name I can't pronounce. There were
hundreds of posters for the campaign. And when the people realized
that our convoy was us, they began to tape the posters to their
motorcycles and ride by us. Others held them up as we drove by.

When we finally arrived back at the lodge, we ate and checked in. Now
they will feed us again and we will have a team meeting. Tomorrow the
work begin in earnest. Thousands will come. And if God show up and
pours out his Spirit, saving the lost and healing the sick, they will
in turn bring thousands.

The expectation in this city is like nothing I have ever seen. They
are so honored that we have come to them.

EVENING 1
This evening the local pastors and committee chairmen held a dinner in
our honor. As the African musicians played worship music, the African
pastors began to dance. I was excited to see virtually our whole team
jump up and start dancing with them. Just before dinner they presented
our entire team with traditional African suits for the men and dresses
for the girls. The guys immediately put theirs on over their clothes
and women received instructions from the African women on how to where
the dresses. The best part was the head coverings for the women.
Before I knew it, nearly the whole team was dressed like Nigerians.
The pictures are amazing.

That is one of the things I love about Israelis-they so quickly adapt
to other cultures with joy. I don't know if that is because we have a
tiny country made up of people from so many different cultures or if
it is because it is in our DNA to be a light to the nations. Either
way, as the team leader, I just sat back watched them enjoy each
other.

It is 12:18 AM. It was a full day and I am tired. Tomorrow night the
meetings begin. I feel faith like never before, but the truth is that
even though my picture is plastered all over this city, I have never
done what I am going to do tomorrow night. It appears they don't know
that, but it is filling me with a healthy dose of sobriety and
dependence on the Lord. More to come. Bless you! Thank you for
support. The team thanks you!

To the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8),

Ron Cantor

Pastor Ed preaching the Word

The Third Night: Blind Eyes Opened!

Dear Friends,

Eli Birnbaum, one of the assistant leaders, shared about the significance of the third day to the estimated crowd of 38,000 people as we opened up the third night of the campaign. Moses told the children of Israel get ready for the third day when the Lord would reveal Himself on Sinai (Ex. 19). It was on the third day that resurrection life pulled Yeshua from the grave.

This third night was no different in Gombi! The Lord came in New Covenant power. Each day has been so much more powerful than the previous one. While the healings we had seen up until now were exciting, I knew there was more. I told the Lord in my hotel room before the meeting how I longed to see it go deeper. I hate to see these precious people suffer. He answered my prayer.

As we arrived, Pastor Mike told me that there was someone for whom I needed to pray. He took me to a building behind the campaign stage. I knew the building was there because it is where the only bathroom was. For some reason though, I thought it was just that area. I didn’t realize that it led to other rooms. There was no electricity so we had to use flashlights as we entered. I felt like I had entered the catacombs or a leper colony. The building just kept going back from room to room, some with a roof, others in the open air. People had been living there for days, bringing their own food and supplies. They could not afford to go home and come back to the campaign, so they just moved in. It was very moving.

When I returned to the stage I introduced Eli Birnbaum as an Israeli evangelist and he shared for about ten minutes. He fired up the crowd and they were so excited to hear from a young minster from Israel. Tonight he will take the entire message. This is what the Isaiah 2 Initiative is all about; not merely to bring these people across Africa to listen to me preach, but to allow these young men and women to be released into ministry. And besides that, my voice is nearly gone. Before he preaches tonight, Liat, one of the Israeli sisters, will share for ten minutes. She has a strong gift of exhortation.

Last night I preached a message called Religion vs. Reality. I was aiming for those who were raised in Christian environments, but had never been born again. I shared that God has no grandchildren. You can’t get to heaven on your parents coattails. You must come alone to the savior.

Once again at the altar called every one of the 38,000 gathered raised their hands, or at least as far as I could see. It is hard to help the believers understand that they don’t have to raise their hand at every call, but still we know that a large portion of the crowd did not know the Lord. At a minimum thousands were coming to faith.

After we gathered information we prayed for the sick. Once again we blew the shofar and challenged the people to shout to the Lord. This time the shout was different. I shared from Numbers 23:21, “No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The LORD their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them.”

In Hebrew the word for shout, teruah, is the same word as shofar blast. The King is shouting over them, blasting the shofar at the enemy. When we blew the shofar, Luke from Tel Aviv, shared that the shout was amazing. He was standing high above everyone on a video stand. He could see and hear the entire crowd shout, and shout and continue to shout. From there we called out all kinds of sicknesses and diseases.

Afterwards people came to the front to share their stories.

The first woman to come and testify had been partially blind for three years and God completely healed her vision.
Another man said for the last year his eyesight had become so bad he could not make out the person in front of him. Now he could see clearly.
A women came forward and said that she had high blood pressure and diabetes for some time. She would get horrible headaches like a vise around her head. She came to the campaign on the first night and nothing happened. She went home and had a dream in the night. In the dream I was with her. I gave her a book and asked her to get her husband. I called her back several times and on the third time I said, “Let’s pray.” As I prayed for her, in the dream, a liquid began to come forth from her nose. Bodily discharges like this are often a physical sign of demonic powers leaving. Discharges in general are the body getting rid of that which is unclean. It is the same in the spirit. When she awoke she was still in pain. But she knew the Lord would heal her. Then last night during the pray time God completely healed her. The vise was released and she beamed with joy.
A little girl had been suffering regular convulsions that would make her throw up. Since Thursday she has been free. Her name is Elizabeth and she testified before the entire crowd.
A man who had not been able to swallow for three weeks from an operation was able to eat solid food after prayer.
A young lady that would wake up every morning cold and sick and have to take medicine testified that for the first time in years she woke feeling so good and warm that she took a cold shower. Normally by mid-morning everyday she would need to take medicine for the pain. Today she didn’t need to.

There were many more, and even more that we don’t yet know about. Please keep praying. PRAY SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL! Pray for Eli tonight, as this young Israeli man preaches the good news of Yeshua the Messiah in Gombi.

To the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8),