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A New Friend

Back Pack Ministry — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:25:00 GMT

A new friend came to the church that I attend and was so surprised to find...love.

It seems that the young lady has been struggling with her walk and as a new believer...well...it's expected.

But to feel like you have your own problems and that no matter where you turn...you are on your own...well that is a sad situation.

She told me of the church that she was attending...and that the pastor was...well...nice, but out of reach most of the time.

I attended the church on a mid-week service as a visitor and saw that there really was no reason that the pastor wasn't reachable. There were less then 25 people and that included his family and they were on the platform.

But it was one of those churches where you find the pastor of the church...coming in after praise and worship had already begun because he was in his “holy place” and unapproachable by everyone.

I have seen that very scene so many times in so called “Christian churches”.

I was a member of a church once. My son was very young and in order to speak with the pastor of the church...you had to make an appointment weeks in advance and the entire congregation was less then 15 people...and that included the pastor and her husband.

I have also seen pastors of larger churches not come out of their “hiding places” until well into the music...and then they would be surrounded by “guards” and would be very unapproachable while they moved up to their reserved seating. They would usually leave right after service so that saying anything to them after service was again...out of the question most of the time.

Any guest speaker was treated with the same...”you are much to important” attitude and would be quickly whisked away not to be seen by the more common people as these were celebrities and special friends of only those in leadership.

When she came to church this morning...she arrived late and sat by herself. This would be expected as she didn't know anyone but me...and she hadn't seen me.

But when I saw her “run” for the door as soon as it was over...I said NO WAY. When I spoke with her I could see the emotion on her face. I told her she wasn't going anyplace until I introduced her around and with that statement...she smiled.

She was introduced to all 4 of the pastors...and the senior pastor gave her a hug and kiss on her cheek...and prayed with her.

This amazed her completely. He was approachable...and showed so much love and care. Another lady in the church came over...hugged her...kissed her on the cheek...and insisted that she come back again, and again and so on. I saw how happy she was to realize that people truly cared with out having to make an appointment.

I too was treated in this fashion when I first arrived at the church that I now attend. When I first saw the senior pastor...he was hugging and greeting everyone. He danced in the isles during worship and I had NO idea who this nut was. But he was happy...seemed to love everyone...and knew everyone.

He was making sure of who was present...who was new.

I found out soon enough.

He was the shepherd...he was tending the sheep that he loved.

He wasn't out of touch...or out of reach...and he certainly wasn't surrounded by guards to keep the common folks away.

He was in plain site...he was real...and the people loved and still do love him...and you know what...all the pastors of Redeemer Temple are exactly the same way.

They show care and love for all who come in and are eager to find out who you are...where you come from and quick to give a hug and or a handshake.

My son and I are some of the very privileged few that can actually say...”we know the difference between church leaders and those that shepherd the flocks that have been placed under them by our father in heaven”.

I truly am a blessed man to know the difference and I know that God has allowed me a very special privilege.

I Just wanted to share.

Ron

Don't Blame god

Back Pack Ministry — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:22:00 GMT

I Love “Divine Appointments”...don't you?

The Lord will usually set something up in our day...something that we are completely unaware of just so He can get a word to someone that He doesn't usually hear from...or that just might have a question that they can't seem to answer.

This happened to me today...this second day of September.

I didn't plan on going out to lunch...nor did I intend on meeting up with anyone. I had just dropped my son of at his job and suddenly decided I wanted to say hello to someone special...and grab a bite to eat.

While sitting there...a lady came in and sat down...come to find out that it was “someone specials”, mom.

We got to talking and she told me that her daughter was kind of “anti-God” right now and then told me why. It would seem that the daughter...who is going into the medical field very soon...was asking the question...”if God is so loving...why are so many children dieing in hospitals?...and why are so many people starving around the world?”

I know as a believer...I have heard these questions and not had an answer.

This time I did indeed have an answer.

You see...I lost my mom last December, but instead of blaming God...I knew it was a wake up call for my family members.

I know that several in my family are still very undecided as to where they are with God...or just so wrapped up in the world that exists around them that it is easier to point the finger at someone else or even blame God.

I use to work with a man that would ask “if God is so loving and cares so much...why do children stave?”...My answer was...”With as much money as you make...what are you doing to help those that are hungry, I mean instead of going to the bar every Friday...or buying your dope every week.”

I would think it takes less energy to purchase a loaf of bread and give it to a hungry person...then it does to shake your fist at a God that YOU say, “don't care”. After all...aren't we the ones that are to be HIS hands here on earth?

IF we see a problem and do nothing to be an answer...are we not also adding to the problem?

People gather around a sick and dieing relative...crying out to God...for that person to be healed and yet, sometimes they feel like the prayers go unanswered.

WHY?...we ask.

Could it be that God allows certain situations into our view...our lives...in order to get our attention? Could it be that a loving God loves us so much that he will let things happen to us just so HE can hear from us?

I do know that if I was praying for my son and he were on deaths doorstep...and he got saved before the Lord took him home...I would be as close to God as I could so that I could one day see my son again.

Just imagine if an entire family got saved because of the death of a loved one...and then their friends saw the changes in the lives of the survivors...and they too received their salvation...and so on...

“What the enemy meant for evil...God used for good”...or so it is written in my Bible.

He created us to have relationships with Him. He created us so that we would run to Him first...everyday...knowing that He is in control.

What do the words...”seek ye first, the Kingdom of Heaven”, mean?

Yes...there are sick and hungry people in the world, but what are we as believers doing about it?

Are we joining with the rest of the world and complaining...telling God to do something...or are we...little by little...reaching out to a dieing world...To those that are hungry...To those that are sick...To the lonely...and the hurt.

WE are His hands...We are His feet...Yes and even a “voice crying in this wilderness”...Quit complaining and do something about it!!!

Strong Tower

Back Pack Ministry — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:47:00 GMT

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

1. God's sufficiency for the saints: His name is a strong tower for them, in which they may take rest when they are weary and take sanctuary when they are pursued, where they may be lifted up above their enemies and fortified against them. There is enough in God, and in the discoveries which he has made of himself to us, to make us easy at all times. The wealth laid up in this tower is enough to enrich them, to be a continual feast and a continuing treasure to them. The strength of this tower is enough to protect them; the name of the Lord is all that whereby he has made himself known as God, and our God, not only his titles and attributes, but his covenant and all the promises of it; these make up a tower, a strong tower, impenetrable, impregnable, for all God's people.

2. The saints' security in God. It is a strong tower to those who know how to make use of it as such. The righteous, by faith and prayer, devotion towards God and dependence on him, run into it, as their city of refuge. Having made sure their interest in God's name, they take the comfort and benefit of it; they go out of themselves, retire from the world, live above, dwell in God and God in them, and so they are safe, they think themselves so, and they shall find themselves so.

Life and Peace

Back Pack Ministry — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:38:00 GMT

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

In the former verse we had a description of those that are carnal, and them that are spiritual. In this verse we have the end of the one, and the issue of the other; the end of the one is death, the issue of the other is spiritual life, joy and peace.

Observe, 1. The end and condition of all carnally-minded persons, so remaining and still continuing, it is death; always unmeritoriously, that which deserves death; and sometimes actually, it procures and hastens the sinner's death; but especially it's exposed to an endless and eternal death.

Observe, 2. The sweet fruit and joyful issue of spiritual-mindedness, it is life and peace.

1. It is life, it is eternal life initially, and it leads to eternal life ultimately. Grace is the first degree of glory, and the glory but the highest degree of grace.

2. It is peace; to be spiritually-minded, lays the foundation of peace with God, with conscience, with the world; the fruit of righteousness is peace, quietness, and assurance forever.

Flesh or Spirit

Back Pack Ministry — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:32:00 GMT

Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

For they that are after the flesh] And here is the great distinction between Jews and genuine Christians: the former are after the flesh-are under the power of the carnal, rebellious principle; and consequently mind, pronousin, relish, the things of the flesh-the things which appertain merely to the present life; having no relish for spiritual and eternal things.

But they that are after the Spirit] They who are regenerated, who are born of the Spirit, being redeemed from the influence and law of the carnal mind; these relish the things of the Spirit-they are spiritually minded, and pass through things temporal, so as not to lose the things which are eternal. And this, which in these apostolic times distinguished between the carnal Jew and the spiritual believer in Christ, is the grand mark of distinction between the nominal and the real Christian now. The former is earthly minded, and lives for this world; the latter is spiritually minded, and lives for the world to come.

It's About Repect

Back Pack Ministry — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:23:00 GMT

I recently had the chance to hear about a lady friend of mine and a recent date that she had with a “Christian” gentleman.

She said he was a nice and polite guy. The he would be singing worship music to her in the park as they walked. It was a really good date all the way up until he decided that ending the date with sex would be alright.

I have to wonder what could possibly be going through the mind of any man or woman who has “sin” as the final outcome of any encounter.

I have heard stories of the ladies doing the same thing.

Aren't the Christians in the church supposed to be acting just a little bit different then those that are not even darkening the doors of a church at all?

Words like...”God will understand”...and...”we are only human”...or...”I am a Christian, but I still have needs” come from the mouths of believers.

Shouldn't we be asking for strength in such situations instead of going with the flow and actions of the world?

Although I haven't dated in a very long time...and I'm sure things have changed just a little. There is NO excuse for any “follower of Jesus” to think or act like those that are of the world.

There is certainly NO excuse for any Christian to think that it is alright to tempt others into compromising their walk with the Lord.

Would any one in the church think it is alright to steal or to lie or to cheat on someone that you love, certainly not.

Why would a male...seeking the affections of a lady...think it is alright to disrespect her to the point of using her for his own selfish desires?

Doesn't anyone think that God knows their hearts and intentions? You want God to answer your prayers and yet you hide lust in your heart?

Aren't these ladies supposed to be our sisters in the Lord?

Guys...when you as Christians date a lady from the church or anyplace, shouldn't they see something different in you? Shouldn't that same lady decide that you are worth that second date because you are displaying some “better quality” then what they see in the world?

We as men need to LIVE out what we believe.

We as men need to be A CUT ABOVE what the world has to offer to the single ladies.

We as men need to be followers of Jesus in everything we say and do and not just at church, on Sundays.

I don't know if it's old fashioned but I want a lady that I can Love and Respect...not lust and reject.

Just a thought,

Ron

My Grace

Back Pack Ministry — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:59:00 GMT

My Grace

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Observe, In this answer that is given to Paul's prayer, that the mercy prayed for, is not in kind given unto him, but promised grace and strength, which is better than the mercy he prayed for.

Learn hence, That the frequent and earnest prayers of the most holy and eminent saints, for deliverance from outward troubles, may not be granted in the kind or thing desired. We are not lords, but beggars, and must leave it to God to determine the matter, the manner, the measure, the time of our afflictions.

Note farther, That as in the prayer, so in the answer, Paul was conformed to Christ; the one was heard, but not by removing the thorn in the flesh; but both were heard by assurance and supply of divine strength, and sufficient grace to help in time of need; He said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee.

Learn hence, That the grace of Christ is sufficient for his people in all their afflictions; sufficient for their preservation, to keep them from falling away from God and godliness, by the temptation which always attends affliction; to uphold and support them in and under their heaviest pressures and afflictions and sufficient to render their afflictions truly advantageous and serviceable to them, to make them more holy, humble, heavenly, conformed unto Christ.

This is not to be understood as if our weakness added any thing to God's power, or could make his power perfect. But our weakness renders God's power more illustrious, he delights in and under our weakness, to manifest most of his helping power; as the stars never shine so gloriously as in the sharpest frosty night, so the power of God never appears so signally and conspicuously, as in and under our weakness.

Learn hence, That when God, upon our prayer, does not deliver us from bodily sufferings, he will be sure to come in with sufficient grace, and manifest his strength in how long we could bear and hold out, 'till God made manifest his own strength in our weakness. More of the power of grace is seen in the sufferings of believers, than ever was seen in their prosperity: Beg then, Oh Christian! more importunately for divine strength, than for the departing of the thorn: Grace is better than ease or health; the one is proper to saints, the other is common to wicked men and brutes.

Here our apostle tells the Corinthians, that most gladly he chose rather to glory in his afflictions and tribulations than in his visions and revelations, because by them he had greater experience of the power and presence of Christ with him, and of supporting him under all his pressures.

Learn hence, 1. That the people of God are supported under, and carried through, all their sufferings and afflictions, by the power of Christ; a divine power above their own strength, like everlasting arms, is underneath them in the hour of trial.

Learn, 2. That to glory in afflictions and tribulations is an high pitch of holiness and grace, but attainable.

To glory in tribulation is,

1. To rejoice in it.

2. To express that joy outwardly, upon a fit occasion.

3. To express it with a great degree of exultation and boasting:

Many of the martyrs were so far from changing countenance at the stake, that they sung and triumphed in the midst of flames.

Quest. But can any comfort be derived from this text for sinful infirmities?

Ans. From the power of Christ, in this text, there may.

Thus the powerful mediation and intercession of Christ is magnified in procuring the acceptance of our persons and services, notwithstanding the sinful infirmities cleaving to them: also the power of his grace will at death be magnified, in purging and purifying his people from all their dross and dregs.

There is nothing uneasy to a child of God, but there is something in Christ to alleviate it: affliction is uneasy, temptation uneasy, death uneasy, the wrath of God uneasy, the law, as condemning, is uneasy and unpleasing; but Christ has delivered from the curse of the law, satisfied the justice of God, sanctified the cross, sweetened death! Oh, how adorable is the power, how desirable the grace of Christ!

Unto All Nations

Back Pack Ministry — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:55:00 GMT

Unto All Nations

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Here our blessed Saviour comforts his disciples with a threefold consideration.

1. That his gospel, how hated and persecuted soever, should be plainly and persuasively preached: The gospel of the kingdom shall be preached. Therefore called the gospel of the kingdom, because it discovers the way to the kingdom of heaven.

Observe,

2. The extent of the gospel's publication, It shall be preached unto all nations, that is, to the Gentile world; not only among the Jews, but among the chief and principal nations of the Gentiles.

Observe,

3. The design and end of the gospel's publication, and that is, for a witness or testimony; namely, for a witness of God's grace and mercy offered to sinners, and of their obstinacy who reject it.

Learn thence,

That the preaching of the gospel, wherever it comes, proves a testimony to them to whom it comes. To the humble and teachable, it is a testimony for, to the scorners and despiser's, it is a testimony against; or in the words of the apostle, To some it is the savor of death unto death; to others, the savor of life unto life. 2Co 2:16

Story of Loaves and Fishes

Back Pack Ministry — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:29:00 GMT

A Story of Loaves and Fishes,

As most of you know, we were in an auto accident. We lost the only vehicle that we had.

We did receive 2,000.00 for a van that I had driven for well over 4 years and that van needed ALOT!!!. That van was used for everything too. From taking the folks shopping to taking a load of teens to the mountains hiking and everything in between.

When looking at 2,000.00 and trying to find another vehicle...well lets just say that it would seem mostly impossible to find a vehicle without having to add more payments in the future.

A friend also gave us 100.00 last weekend and said that he wanted us to put it towards our next vehicle.

Of course...I asked everyone for prayer, like I have always done in the past when challenges have arisen.

Where two or more agree...stand together believing...God moves...right?

But still, 2,100.00 just didn't seem like it would be enough to meet the need. I kept confessing God's word...and talking with Him about what it was that I wanted. Several times I would get so frustrated, confused and down right mad. I wasn't out to impress anyone or turn heads I just wanted a vehicle to get me where I needed to go.

So I just continued standing, looking hoping and believing that the need would be met.

I even prayed for the cab driver that had caused the accident just so that I know that I had forgiven him.

Well, Tuesday...I found an inexpensive vehicle...and it is actually a nice car. Believe it or not, it was just 700.00. It runs real nice, looks good and doesn't leak or smoke. It was 2 more days before we received the tags ( a little more frustration)...but now we can drive and it and I decided that it will be my sons first car.

Thursday, I looked at a van to replace the van I had driven. It also looks good...runs real nice and is also inexpensive. Actually, it is a lot better then the van I had lost in the accident and it even has air conditioning.

To top it all off...the last day for driving the rental was also the day I made the purchase of the van.

(if there are minor needs to either vehicle...we will just do what needs to be done as we bought them as is)

The way I see it...God took the 2,100.00 and made it enough to meet a need of mine and a desire of my sons.

When I looked and saw “just not enough”...God made it more than enough and we even ended up with a few dollars left over for license plates and possibly a burger.

To God be the Glory.

Rides real nice...has air and a nice radio...might need a thermostat...has sat for a while.
We will see.
Has a little hail damage but Chris likes it
By Ron Adamson

Too Much Salt?

Back Pack Ministry — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:50:00 GMT

Too Much Salt?

I was visiting a young man this past Christmas...dropping a card off.

I have known the family for a few years and he looked at me...perplexed and say...

“I have been witnessing to a friend for a long time...talking about the Lord...quoting scriptures...I thought I was finally getting through only to find out recently that I wasn't”

I saw the frustration in his eyes...

I looked at him and asked him...”have you ever put too much salt on food?”

He said...”yes sir”....and then he had such a sense of understanding...

We are called to be “salt and light”...I know...as well as many others...that to much salt in any meal will just make it offensive...impalatable...down right yukky...

Just as the wrong light can be blinding...

In God's word it says...”some plant, some water, but GOD gets the increase”...

How many of us want to do the whole job?...thinking...saying...”look who I brought to the Kingdom?!?”

Jesus said...”I will draw all men unto me”...We can only say what it is that the Holy Spirit tells us to say...”don't worry about what you will say when you stand before judges”...

It only takes a little salt to enhance a meal...and it takes the “right light” to do the job nessary...

We wouldn't use a flood light to find something under a bed...just as we wouldn't use a pen light in a light house...

It only takes a small “seed”...planted in the “right soil”...to produce a harvest

Not every heart is ready all the time...

God will set up the “meetings”...and give us the right words for the right people in the right season...

If we are the Salt and Light He can use...in His way...at His time...Those around us will see and experience what it is that we live...and will want what it is that we have...and then...God can begin to work through us...to Reach out to a dieing World.

By Ron Adamson

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We Wrestle Not

Back Pack Ministry — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

We Wrestle Not

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Greek, "For our wrestling ('the wrestling' in which we are engaged) is not against flesh". Flesh and blood foes are Satan's mere tools, the real foe lurking behind them is Satan himself, with whom our conflict is. "Wrestling" implies that it is a hand-to-hand and foot-to-foot struggle for the mastery: to wrestle successfully with Satan, we must wrestle with GOD in irresistible prayer like Jacob (Ge 32:24-29; Ho 12:4).

Translate, "The principalities ... the powers" (Eph 1:21; Col 1:16. The same grades of powers are specified in the case of the demons here, as in that of angels there (compare Ro 8:38; 1Co 15:24; Col 2:15). The Ephesians had practiced sorcery (Ac 19:19), so that he appropriately treats of evil spirits in addressing them. The more clearly any book of Scripture, as this, treats of the economy of the kingdom of light, the more clearly does it set forth the kingdom of darkness. Hence, nowhere does the satanic kingdom come more clearly into view than in the Gospels which treat of Christ, the true Light.

rulers of the darkness of this world--Greek, "age" or "course of the world." But the oldest manuscripts omit "of world." Translate, "Against the world rulers of this (present) darkness" (Eph 2:2; 5:8; Lu 22:53; Col 1:13). On Satan and his demons being "world rulers," compare Joh 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Lu 4:6; 2Co 4:4; 1Jo 5:19, Greek, "lieth in the wicked one." Though they be "world rulers," they are not the ruler of the universe; and their usurped rule of the world is soon to cease, when He shall "come whose right it is" (Eze 21:27).

Two cases prove Satan not to be a mere subjective fancy: (1) Christ's temptation; (2) the entrance of demons into the swine (for these are incapable of such fancies). Satan tries to parody, or imitate in a perverted way, God's working (2Co 11:13,14). So when God became incarnate, Satan, by his demons, took forcible possession of human bodies. Thus the demoniacally possessed were not peculiarly wicked, but miserable, and so fit subjects for Jesus' pity. Paul makes no mention of demoniacal possession, so that in the time he wrote, it seems to have ceased; it probably was restricted to the period of the Lord's incarnation, and of the foundation of His Church.

spiritual wickedness--rather as Greek, "The spiritual hosts of wickedness." As three of the clauses describe the power, so this fourth, the wickedness of our spiritual foes (Mt 12:45).

in high places--Greek, "heavenly places": in Eph 2:2, "the air,". The alteration of expression to "in heavenly places," is in order to mark the higher range of their powers than ours, they having been, up to the ascension (Re 12:5,9,10), dwellers "in the heavenly places" (Job 1:7), and being now in the regions of the air which are called the heavens. Moreover, pride and presumption are the sins in heavenly places to which they tempt especially, being those by which they themselves fell from heavenly places (Isa 14:12-15). But believers have nothing to fear, being "blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places" (Eph 1:3).

By Ron Admson

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