As I travel and see and hear the condition of the Body of Christ, I have noticed how “heavy on opinion and light on scripture”, many preachers have become. This is a day when the word of God, as final authority of good and evil, has been compromised by the “emerging church movement.” The Lord has confirmed to me over and over that it is part of my calling to keep enforcing the “word of truth” over the opinion of pop culture.

I hear very few messages today being preached out of the Epistles, and I believe this is part of the reason why the church has fallen so far from moral righteousness. The Gospels of Christ tell us the “what” of the Kingdom of God and the Epistles tell us the “how”. The Lord told us what love is and the Epistles tell us how to love in deed and in truth. They tell us how to apply the truth to real life, relational situations, and are salted with real life crises in the early church and how they were resolved.

How to deal with sinning “brethren” is described in great detail as church government is explained by the writers. Almost every page of the Epistles describe that sin practices have to be confronted, what attitude they are to be confronted in, and where they are to be confronted here’s a prime example:

Titus 1:10-16

10 The Elders’ Task For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. NKJV

Paul warned his young protege’ Timothy about staying the course, and I think some preachers should get back to reading the Bible and turning off the pop culture theology messages! Another example:

2 Timothy 2:15-26

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. NKJV

The Bible is very clear on these subjects. We must keep our focus on the Word of God, the principles laid out in the Word, and not be swayed by man’s opinion or the pop culture of our society. Let’s become students of the word so we will always know God’s truth and not be swayed by the deceptive practices of the “good gospel” instead of God’s Gospel!

Have a Bible filled week!

• Date - June 20, 2018
• Author - David Chisholm

#FOLLOW

An excerpt from a chapter in my latest book #FOLLLOW…

You will always have to believe God for something. You will not come to a place in your Christian walk where your faith is not on the line for something. My faith is just as much on the line right now as the day I came into the kingdom. It will always be a walk of faith. As long as you are on the earth, you have to believe in what you cannot see, believe that you possess something you have not been given. He says that for many of these things, we will die in faith without receiving.

Hebrews 11:13 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,[a] embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

But the important point to realize about this is that Pharaoh will come to take you back. You may think you are free and clear, but the devil always tries to come and take you back.

Matthew 12:43-45 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

Even after your deliverance from an ungodly situation, and/or demonic oppression or deliverance into salvation, Satan will not give up. He will fight you to the death. He will stay after you until the day you leave this earth because if you are breathing, there is a chance for him to pull you away from God. And while he may try, if we stand firm on the Word of God, and use the weapons that He has provided for us, we will prevail! Jesus came to give us life, an abundant life! A life with peace, even with opposition, far outweighs a life of sin. This is why it is important to remember our adversary never gives up and neither can we.

FACT: YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS!

In the book of Exodus, we can read about the plagues. The plague of the death of the firstborn children is a type and shadow of the blood of Jesus, because they used the blood of a lamb to paint their doorposts as a sign to protect them from the plague and Jesus is referred to in the New Testament as the Lamb of God. (A type and shadow is an example in the Old Testament, that is repeated in the New Testament.) John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Exodus 12:13 “Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”

The same blood, the blood of Jesus, is on us today, to deliver us from the power of this earth, and the power of the judgment of this earth. The judgment of this earth is coming. Do not be deceived. You have the same blood to protect you as Israel did. Just as the angel of death had to pass over the doors that were stained with the blood, when you are stained with His blood, God will bring you out and God will keep you out of that judgment. If the blood of animals, a type and shadow of the blood of Jesus prevailed for Israel, how much more the Blood of Jesus today!

We have a few of the first shipment left in stock for $10. Remember, you can also purchase “Flying High” at the same time for an additional $5. These books partner well together. All monies go right back to the church! See Alex Murray or Pastor Dennis. Thanks!

Love ya!
Pastor Dave

• Date - June 13, 2018
• Author - David Chisholm

Have you read your Bible lately? The answer of coarse should be, “well of course I have.” But for many believers that is not the case.

Every time I begin to prepare for a message or even write this blog, I start to pull a scripture reference and it never ceases to amaze me at how I can’t stop at a verse! Before I know it I am copying the chapter and then the book! God’s word is a treasure indeed if you have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Matthew 13:10-17

10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. NKJV

If we continue in the word of God we will remain sensitive to his voice and the voice of His Word. Did you ever notice in verse 15 it says “they closed their eyes” this removes the “victim card” for not being able to perceive the word of God.

That’s why Jesus told us in John 8:31-32

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed . 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” NKJV

I will not settle for any form of Christian religion that does not set me free! “If I’m not free, it’s on me!” That’s a motto I want to live by. Jesus already did the work so if I have not entered into His rest, it’s on us not him. The word and the Holy Spirit are here as the gold mine and our will and discipline are the pick and shovel to dig down deep and find the treasure of absolute freedom!

“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God!” I want to hear don’t you! If I want to hear someone I have to move into a proximity of their voice. Remember what the Lord told Joshua:

Joshua 1:8-9

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” NKJV

I am in Los Angeles for a couple of days for the memorial service of my Mother-n-law. As I drive around this area, I see a sea of lost souls. The sidewalks of downtown LA are tent cities for the homeless. I absolutely realize how blessed I am – my ears have heard and because of this I have a heart that can understand the ways of God. I am sitting in a Starbucks writing this and there is a homeless man ten feet from me talking to himself.

We who know the Lord and have a sound mind are so blessed indeed!

“Count your many blessings name them one by one” and you’ll feel better for sure!

Love ya!
Pastor Dave

• Date - June 6, 2018
• Author - David Chisholm