Adoption is a Wonderful Option

In the winter of 1970 a little boy with no voice was heard. His cry  was answered shortly after birth by a family that was yearning to have a childof their own.  Alive at a time where adoption was not yet a swear word, that little guy was given this family that he needed, not only that, but two years after a baby brother was added by the same ordained method.
It is 41 years later, and I now have the privilege of looking back on those years to give thanks to my God & King. When I think that we now live in such a time that not only allows abortion, but calls it a choice, I can't help but to thank God that I'm alive. I can only hope and pray that my voice that was once silenced can be used to help those who likewise are crying out for help.
If your a young women who is thinking of aborting, think again. If your a young man who is telling that young lady to commit murder, think again.
There is an option; Adoption.
Click "here" to challenge your views whether you are pro-choice or pro-life.

Galatians 4:4-6

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. ⁶And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

Cross references:

1. Galatians 4:4 : 1 Tim 2:6; Mark 1:15
2. Galatians 4:4 : Phil 2:7; John 1:14
3. Galatians 4:4 : 1 Tim 2:15; Gen 3:15
4. Galatians 4:4 : Luke 2:21, 22, 27
5. Galatians 4:5 : Galatians 3:13
6. Galatians 4:5 : Galatians 3:26; Rom 8:15
7. Galatians 4:6 : Rom 5:5; 2 Cor 3:17; Acts 16:7

The Kiss of Death

Yesterday was the 180movie College Campus handout that our ministry Calgary Peacemakers was privileged with partnering in thanks to Living Waters.
The plan was set, our teams chosen, and away we went at approximately 11:00am headed for two different campuses in Calgary with 1200 DVD's. Team 1 to Mount Royal University, Team 2 to University of Calgary. I personally had the honor of participating at the U of C with my lovely wife Krista, Pastor George, his wife Lisa and one of our team leaders, Joey with his wife Kimberly. Not to mention several others with us who played a huge role in the success of this North American wide event.
We had just nicely arrived and found our places outside of two main entrances when my wife was approached by two college security guards, who had heard from students that something "fishy" was going on; for which they responded swiftly. Krista then politely guided them to come come and talk with me and stepped back out of the line of fire. They then proceeded to demand we take leave of the campus letting us know that it was private property for which I had an argument. At this point I want to thank my God and Savior Jesus Christ whom through the Holy Spirit made it possible for me to speak with boldness, not backing off or cowering at the misunderstanding of their authority when it came to our rights on public grounds. It was then that I said to them; "Officers, we will not be leaving unless you bring the Calgary Police to escort us off!" A moment of silence then ensued with frowns and an anticipation in my mind of a violent reaction. What happened next was and could only be of the Lord, as these two decided it best to call out their supervisor and leave that decision to him. Just a few minutes later, he showed up in very nice manner asking first if our hand-out was to do with abortion. Then if we were part of any of the pro-life groups that had obviously caused them heartache in the past (see related articles here). For which my answer was no, but rather that we were a part of a ministry that is promoting a free 33 minute documentary that is shocking, gives people the opportunity to watch in privacy and in a way that is not intrusive, or rude (displaying gross pictures of babies ripped apart), nor are we forcing them to take the materials offered for free. I explained that we were not there to solicit for money but rather give the DVD's to those who chose to take one. With that he replied; "I see no problem with what your doing, please carry on." What a surprise this was! Thank you Lord! So with that the two humiliated officers took down my information and instructed us to carry on, leaving with 'tails between their legs' if it were.
So we carried on, with joy giving out what we knew to be "Video tracts of life" to those who would gladly receive them.
Nearing the end of our pile of DVD's, three effeminate fellows approached me with two DVD's in hand, clearly very upset and shoved them into my hands. With rude, crude and obnoxious behavior they began to curse us for the misery we had caused and that they had already seen the movie of which was nothing more than a hypocritical lie! With that one really tall man, dressed and made up quite freakishly I might add, darted toward me and with one big swoop, mockingly hugged me and planted a big kiss on my cheek. All I can say to this is that I'm glad I turned away and pushed as he did, as I fully believe he was aimed right for the lips! Blahhhcccckkkkk! Cough Cough! He then turned and shouted obscenities and left with his other two friends.
The last kid to go then turned back and shouted again at which time I perused , urging him to tell me what was so upsetting, and to clearly tell me of his distress. Sadly, the conversation that followed was similar to many other conversations I have had. MAD AT HYPOCRITES! This young effeminate, false convert was another product of the modern gospel. A failed attempt and product of a decisions based, non-biblical message that says that Jesus just loves everyone, just as they are and that anyone who would believe in a God of Justice and Power was nothing more than a dirt-bag. After hearing his twisted rant, leaving him with the law, calling him to repent and urging him to listen to his conscience, I let him know there was nothing more to say. I started to back off and when seeing that I had had enough, he hollered; "I win!" and walked away. Sadly he does not realize that ultimately he loses - indeed his soul.
Pondering the event, I couldn't help thinking about what Jesus thought of Judas as he received the kiss of death from him in the garden. So many lost souls, that trade them in for the lusts of the eyes and lusts of the flesh.
May God have mercy on His children through 180movie.

Kevin

The name of Jesus is Eternally Famous

Mark 1: 14-34                    

My wife shared in family devotions a while back about how famous the name of The Lord is and how we are to revere Him, and consider how small we are when we think of Him.

In this passage I'd like to point out 4 distinct assignments fulfilled in Jesus that lead to His fame as people began to understand just who He was and why he was sent.

1.        Preaching:

 Verse 14b & 15; Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the Gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus had stepped out of eternity past where He had enjoyed the Father’s presence to humble Himself and be born of a virgin, taking on human flesh so that He could herald the Good News about Himself being the sacrificial Lamb spoken about in the Law & Prophets of old. He was the light that had come into the world to illuminate the minds of men that they would understand their depraved state, understand their deserving of God’s wrath on them, and free them from the burden of this guilt by becoming sin for us, nailing it to the tree.

2.       Calling:

Verse 20; And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

Jesus came to call sinners to Repentance giving them ears to hear, and new hearts that they might believe and be saved. 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; ¹⁰these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. ¹¹For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. ¹³And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
¹⁴The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

In Verse 20 Jesus called and they came, for they heard because God gave them spiritual ears to hear Him. They followed Jesus, desiring to know Him and be more like Him. They clearly showed a love for God’s word which is a sign of one who has been truly called. James 1:21

²¹Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

3.      Teaching:

Verse 22; And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

Jesus’s teaching was unique to the listeners because He was revealing to them from the scriptures who God was, that He himself personally knew the Father, came from the Father and even was in essence one with God. He was the Christ. He was fully Man yet fully God.  John 10:30

He was teaching the Gospel and the legal demand for blood as a payment for sin. He was teaching that there would be a payment made on behalf of those sinners who heard Him calling. You see it’s like this: We have blasphemed God’s famous & Holy name when we fail to revere Him for who He is, We have sinned against the one who has all authority in the whole of creation in that we have placed our own selfish desires ahead of Him (For you shall have no other God’s before me declares The Lord). We have sinned when we fail to give Him one day out of seven to worship His great and famous name or even when failing to praise Him for giving us life!

He taught that even though our sin leaves us guilty before the very judge of the universe, that He (Jesus) would die on the cross in our place. He did this to make payment to God for our sin (our crime against Him). He can now legally dismiss our case, not based on any good we have done, but solely on what Jesus would do on that cross. He also taught from the scriptures of old that He would be raised to life, ascend back up into Heaven where He would rule & reign until the day of His return to judge the world in righteousness. So this begs the question: ARE WE READY?

4.      Healing:

Verse 34: And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. Contrary to popular belief today among charismatics that miraculous healings from God are common place just as they were in Jesus day, we see that Jesus performed these many miracles to prove His deity. Today by God’s sovereign will He has allowed man great strides in way of health care and scientific research that have helped His creation who is so desperately sick. Sick physically, mentally & emotionally; spiritually dead because of the fall.

We also have been taught by the Lord Jesus that we can pray to Him for healing, and that He is the one and only mediator between man and God. That when we pray according to God’s will He will do that which we ask. This doesn’t mean God will do what we say, but rather what His sovereign choice dictates, showing Himself mighty in whatever means & timing He chooses. He may choose not to heal in this life; one may have to patiently wait for the complete & total healing which will come in Heaven, where there will be no more sickness, disease or sin.

But for those who reject such a wonderful calling, such great a salvation, such a great hope, such a great healing; Eternal wrath, eternal sickness, eternal weeping and gnashing of teeth in a place called Hell, ruled by God so sadly awaits. Yes, the second death awaits those who reject the Gospel.

His Fame: Verse 28;  And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
He is great! He is famous! Do you know this famous person? His name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Get to know Him.

Gospel or Games?

1Corinthians 10:6-7 reads: 6Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7Do not be idolaters as some of them were: as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. ESV (emphasis mine)

The passage from 1 Corinthians 10:1-22 certainly has been one to ponder lately as I examine the recesses of my own heart, looking to uproot the idles that have been planted. And I hope above all else that this blog entry will bless you as we ponder the passage and how it applies to us generally today.

In my short history in church (since 2001) I have been grieved at the lack of desire there really is to do as Jesus did, taught, and commanded us to do in light of scripture, namely, proclaim the Gospel to every creature. In most every church I have been a part of except a few, the major thrust was to coddle sinners, entertain backsliders, and develop a curriculum that would busy the participants with feasts of fellowship and gatherings for games.

Just lately, I have watched this movie (please spend the time to watch it) which has certainly clarified and intensified my fears for the churched, and has left me wondering what can really be done to bring Pastors (True Shepherds of God's elect, who prepare the meal each week with milk & meat; not those who fleece the flock), Prophets (the forth telling type; not charismatic wizards or extortionist magicians), Evangelists (those who rightly divide the word, preaching the Law & Gospel; not those who hypnotize hypocrites), and Teachers (those who teach the sound doctrines of grace, not those who tickle the ears of unregenerate best life now seekers) to realize their folly and take to heart the learning's of the past. Or at least understand that God is unleashing His judgement on the ungodly now and come out from them?

2 Peter 2:4-9

⁴For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; ⁵if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; ⁶if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; ⁷and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked ⁸(for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); ⁹then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,

So Pastor, is your church a true church? So Teacher, do you teach the Word in context? So Evangelist, do you place yourself under your Pastor and faithfully proclaim the Law & Gospel?
We see that Noah was righteous and the fruit of it was his obedience to herald the Law being there was a judgement to come. Notice he didn't start a church to herald songs of AC/DC and turn a blind eye to debauchery during the service. He didn't start a youth group so that the neighborhood kids could learn better floor hockey skills. He didn't focus on building shelters for the homeless so that they could perish in the comfort of their own homes. He obviously preached to them of the terrors of God, hoping that a few would repent before it was to late.

We see Lot, greatly distressed by the actions of the ungodly of his time. God did spare him, but should He spare those who haven't even a twinge of urgency to warn the lost? Those who have no issue in their mind or souls about how we are to conduct ourselves in the world?

By faith in the one true God & Savior Jesus Christ they were spared! They (the men before the Christ came in the flesh) were spared because of what Jesus, the son of God would do, and because God had chose to reveal to them this salvation that would take place through Him. How about those of us who have been given the testimony of the revealed Son from Heaven? How much more should we, in Holy reverence, be grateful for what He has done and COME OUT!
So what will it be?

Playing or Proclaiming? Gospel or Games?

Let us pray God's people would stop endorsing the shenanigans and repent.

Kevin

"Jesus Wept"

Just the other day I had the awesome privilege of witnessing to a gal whose name will remain anonymous. Knowing her life story, I was aware of her involvement in the church throughout the years and the denomination that she has been affiliated with. As a young gal, she had grown up in a Christian household and raised to believe in the Bible.

As I talked with her it became glaringly apparent that she, like so many others I have spoken to had become a product of the modern gospel. A gospel that promises your hearts desires, a Jesus with the mindset of wicked men that pays more attention to financial gain and 'feeling good' during this temporal time here on earth.

In Jeremiah 17:9 the Bible says; The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

This is so true, and when desperately heart sick, sin sick men, teach things they ought not to teach, their lies and deceptions are upsetting whole families. Titus 1:11

During the conversation with this young lady I was enraged and overwhelmed with sadness because of the damage and confusion these "seekers of miracles" had caused, and I wept inside.

Just as we read in John chapter 11:35 when Jesus wept, He was weeping because of the unbelief He saw, and a moment earlier in verse 33 was "deeply moved" with anger at the hypocrisy that was caused by the unbelieving Teachers of the Law during His time. Jesus had gone to raise the dead to prove His deity, yet none spare a few would believe that He was the Son of God.

We need to be acutely aware of the fact that when speaking to a false convert in this day and age, we are talking with someone who thought that what they were/are believing was/is the truth. Being acutely aware also, of men touting themselves as teachers & preachers of God's word who have no business doing it, for they know not what they teach, nor whom it is they teach about.

It is my heart that today says; "the modern message of  'follow your hearts desires' should be cut down and thrown into the fire as quickly as it comes up."

But where is the preacher?

Proverbs 11:14; Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of councilors there is safety.

Jesus wept because of His grief at the fallen sin sick world in which He was walking in at that time.

Can you relate?

If so, get acquainted with the Gospel and speak words that raise dead people to everlasting life. Let Love swallow your fears and let the hard factual truth be known to people like this young gal.

Friends, we are not here to gain the admiration of people like those who preach the modern lie. Rather here to do the continued work of Jesus Christ!

If you have just read this post and are unsure of your salvation, I encourage you to seek it out here: http://www.livingwaters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=81&Itemid=229

and save yourself some pain...

Kevin

"Holding the Rope"

It is sure one thing to know your gift but it is sure something to support another to go out and use theirs!
Just last Friday was a very exciting day for me and my team at Calgary Peacemakers. We were compelled to "Hold the Rope" for a member of ours that answered the call that God has on his life. Andrew Buchanan, a dear brother and friend, has now hit the streets of Japan to proclaim the Law & Gospel to a hurting nation.
Knowing that God is involved and has either caused or allowed this disaster on Japan for the specific purpose to glorify Himself, and give another opportunity for the Gospel to be preached is simply mind blowing! To be enabled to play a part is to big to explain in words, and to know the fruits will only truly be known in Heaven is an utterly amazing thought.
Another sobering thought has also come to mind through it all, and that is this; that many missions are planned for the wrong motive. What I mean by that is that the modern seeker sensitive movement has turned missions into a bragging right. Who has built the most housing units, who's fed the most people, how many pounds of clothing did they give, and how many people made a decision. None of which are truly done out of a pure motive of giving God the glory.
Sadly enough, most of the modern methods of evangelism are unbiblical in nature and bring about false converts rather than steering people away from the awful doom that awaits them if they die in their sin. (If you disagree please watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rncnhmzfpwo )
So Andrew is not going out of selfish motive or because he has something to prove, but because he wants to bring glory & honor to God. Why? Because he loves God, loves God for saving him, and thus wants to tell of the glorious Gospel that is available to those who would repent & believe.
What a privilege to hold the rope for one of Christ's dear children!
So, will you join me in crying out to God for Andrew? Will you join me in crying out to God for the salvation of many in Japan? Will you join me in crying out to God to bring Glory to His Son for the cross He bore at Calvary? Will you join me even though blisters will appear on your hands, and the floor callus your knees?
Kevin

Workplace Witness

1John 5:3-4 says; 3For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
4For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.
Being an effective witness for Christ in the workplace certainly means that the believer must first be sure of him/herself in Christ. 1John 5 gives us a beautiful exhortation to encourage us in our faith and give us confidence in that born again believers are overcomers of the world.
Three key words in this passage strike us as we read; Overcomes, victory and burdensome. Burdensome is a word used to describe some one who is shamed or pushed into something they don't want to do like doing our taxes. True believers don't find God's commandments "taxing" because we find it a privilege to be used of God rather than finding it to be a chore. Victory in this context is in conjuction with overcoming a massive hurdle "The World". So what is the word "World" refering to here? The World is the worldwide system that Satin has set up in order to decieve the nations and promote wickedness; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (New American Standard Bible)
3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Through trust in Christ the believer wins victory over this system and is able to in faith destroy the works of Satin and his demonic influence to try to drag God's ellect to hell.
It is not burdensome for us as Slaves for Christ to understand that we have been given the awesome privilege to be used of God to shine the light of His Glorious Gospel into this dark "World" and when we do God bears fruit through us.
Today was a prime example of God's power and the display of His love to the world, as I was made able to share the Gospel with two oilmen in my place of work.
The first man, Dean, took my coworker & I to lunch at which time the subject of the afterlife came up. Being a Catholic, Dean confessed to know God, believe in God and also profess to be morally good. It was then that I was able to show him his sin by going through the law & then present the Gospel. Self righteouness kept rearing it's ugly head along with questions like; What about other religions? And, what about all the remote places in the world? This of course just allowed me to once again focus on the conscience and be faithful to the word by proclaiming it in truth & love. Please pray for Dean as well as all the people that were sitting at the table behind us! The second oportunity was with an owner of an Earth moving company. You see, my job is to manage vendors for the task of building roads and pads for drilling, as well as support 32 supervisors in the areas that my company drills & produces wells. So this man, Jim, is among a croud of rough and tough men who are known to partake in everything under the sun. It just so happened however, that Jim has had several encounters with christians this past year, which gave me the oportunity to be used of God to water.
So today was a success in overcoming by letting love swallow my fears which gave God the Glory. Glory in that His Gospel went out today in the workplace.
Please pray for Doug & Jim.

Kevin

Alexis

Please pray for Alexis - She is a gothic teen and a professing witch (Wiccan) who heard the Law & Gospel yesterday along with her little brother. We were stop light preaching, tracting, and having one to one conversations with people at our favorite fishing hole at the LRT in Downtown Calgary yesterday, when Alexis happened by me and took a tract. She asked; "What is this for?" So I proceeded to tell her that it was a Gospel tract and commented on her unique look! I then asked her about her eyes and what she had done to make them look like that (Pupil with white Iris and a small black ring on the outer edge - to be truthful - freaky!). She replied that they were contact lenses and explained that she was Goth. I then asked her if she had a belief and thats when she told me she was Wiccan. To boil it down they simply believe that they are one with the Earth and that that is where they draw their energy from. I then asked her if she thought herself to be a good person and if she believed there was a God. She professed to be a good person and proceeded to tell me that she believed in God and that she had grown up as a Christian. All the while her little brother was quietly listening (forget his name :( as I have a bad habit of doing). From there we went through the good person test, presenting the Ten Comandments in a way that she could see her sin. She was a very calm listener but once we determined that she was destined for Hell, she suddenly had to go. She started walking away when suddenly my heart broke causing me to run after them pleading with them to just hear me out, to give me two minutes, to give me one minute! With tears welling up in my eyes I pleaded the Gospel to them, and with a compassion I have never had before lead them to the blood stained cross where the Savior died, spoke to her about forgiveness and recieving a new heart through repentance & Faith in Jesus alone, then left them to think about what we had talked about. I also was compelled to surrender to prayer for her as they walked away, knowing she had the seeds planted,and hoping the soils had been turned enough to cover them from the enemy. So, one of the reasons for this post is that last night, I was so troubled in my heart that I have been awakened several times to pray for her. Would you join me in interceding on her behalf?

Missions or Charity?

Church promotion does not happen by way of ads in newspapers, T.V. or charities that have wrongly been dubbed missions. Rather by the public proclamation and exultation of Christ, He promotes His church through persecution and suffering." KSJ