The Synchronous Converter

Ask yourself as a Christian, who, in all history, would you
most envy? Would it be one of the heroes of the Old
Testament? Would it be a famous saint in the history of the
church? Or would it be one of the people in the New
Testament who was healed, or in some other way, touched
by Christ himself?

Surely, the Twelve Apostles - those who lived and worked
with Jesus on a daily basis for three whole years - must
have been the most privileged people in all history, and the
ones we would most like to have been.

Like the small handful of people who have walked on the
moon, they alone would have had intimate knowledge of
something that the rest of the human race could only dream
of. There were multitudes of people who caught a glimpse
of Jesus, who witnessed one or more of his miracles, who
heard him preach on at least one occasion. Christians living
today could certainly envy any one of them. But there are only
twelve who were there with him through it all.

Twelve men were hand selected by Jesus Christ himself,
the Son of God, the Creator of the Universe. They were
picked from thousands who came to hear what Jesus was
saying, at a time in history which he described as a
spiritually “green tree”.

These men were the “creme de la creme”, the best of the
best.

Amongst them were Simon Peter (”The Rock”), and several
pairs of famous brothers. There were James and John, the
sons of Zebedee, Andrew and Phillip the fishermen, and
Matthew the tax collector and his brother… the other James.

“The other James?” you might ask. It’s true that, apart from
being included in the lists of the Twelve Apostles, this other
son of Alphaeus is never mentioned anywhere else in the
Bible. And the same can be said for the other Simon (the
Canaanite) and the other Judas… although some people
think he may have been the Jude who wrote a one-page
letter right near the end of the New Testament.

Nothing more is known of Bartholomew either. And men like
Thomas, Phillip, and Matthew are only mentioned briefly in a
couple of other places.

In Thomas’ case, he is primarily remembered today as
“doubting Thomas” because of his skepticism about the
resurrection.

And yet Christ himself selected these men to sit as judges
over the twelve tribes of Israel. He placed them above Noah,
Moses, King David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Elijah. Imagine
that! Bartholomew, someone we know almost nothing
about, lecturing Elijah on how to be spiritual! But that’s how
it is.

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews lists many of the heroes of
faith in the Bible, but then concludes with a reference to
others, “of whom the world is not worthy”, who died without
receiving deliverance, and without being recognised by the
world in general for their faith and courage. These people,
too, were considered greater in God’s eyes than the big
name heroes of the Old Testament.

Even now, few Christians realise, for example, that
“Doubting Thomas” journeyed all the way to India, where he
started a branch of Christianity that continues to this day. He
died a martyr’s death in a cave that he had been hiding in
because of the persecution that his message had inspired
amongst the local population.

Maybe you feel at times like Peter, James, and John are
such superstars that they are out of your league. But don’t
forget that the Son of God had room in his tiny circle of
favourite friends for some nondescripts like yourself as well.

And the list is not finished yet. The book that GOD is writing
is still being written. And there’s still room to have your
name included amongst spiritual giants like Bartholomew
and Simon the Canaanite, and James the Son of Alphaeus,
and that other Judas… you know, the one no one
remembers, because he did not betray Jesus!

Dave McKay is co-founder of a Christian intentional
community. Website: jesuschristians.com

Comments Off

We all at one time or another have seen many types of cancer, the cancer of the flesh and the cancer of the spirit. Cancer is a silent killer, resting in the body until one day it shows itself and by that time the body is already consumed, with no hope and no cure, death is inevitabile. Even thou God allows cancer of the flesh to exist, cancer of the spirit can be destroyed. What is cancer of the spirit? Sin.

Why do Christian Suffer? Because we have chosen a path that the world rejects. Many hikers will choose a path to walk, sometimes its the easy way and sometimes its the hard climb. Christians suffer because the path that we’ve chosen is hard and trecherious.1Co 4:11-15 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;

And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. “Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace” you say, “This isn’t me!” yes it is, if one Christian sufferers this day and age, we all suffer.

“we are made as the filth of the world” strong language from the Apostle Paul, but true. Sin has overcome the world. And when the world looks for a person to blame for all its troubles they look at the Christian first. Government, Federal, State, Local, we have become a hated people because we stand up for the truth, we rock the boat and we call evil as it is. Many today that are caught up in their own little world are calling, Good - evil and evil - Good, because they are so miserable with their own lives they want everyone else to be just as miserable.

“are buffeted”{Struck; beaten. l Cor.4.11. l Pet.2.20.}, “being persecuted{Harassed by troubles or punishments unjustly inflicted, particularly for religious opinions.}, we suffer it”- We sustain it; we do not revenge it; we abstain from resenting or resisting it. “Being defamed{ Slandered; dishonored or injured by evil reports.}, we intreat”,”being reviled{Reproached; treated with opprobrious or contemptuous language.}, we bless”,”We are the offscouring{That which is scoured off; hence, refuse; rejected matter; that which is vile or despised. Lam 3. 1 Cor 4.} of all things”.

Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. As the cancer of sin grows, those that have been warned to be cured are rebuilding Babylon, the bars, nightclubs, homosexual parades, the total Eco-system of non conformity toward Gods word. Instead of looking for the cure, mankind is trying to spread it to all around. Corruption is cancer, homosexuality is cancer, theft, prostitution, false doctrine, robbery, rape, lies, drunkenness, drug abuse, pride, child abuse, in deference, unbelief, all of these and more are symptoms of a cancer, eating away at the very fabric of mankind.

1. Muslim Mob Attacks Christian Homes in Pakistan.

2. Messianic Jews Harassed in Israel.

3. Vietnamese Authorities Burn Down Christians’ Homes.

4. Thousands of Congo Christians Mourn Murdered Italian Missionary.

5. Palestinian Authority policemen deployed along the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip fired warning shots into the air Saturday in an effort to stop hundreds of Palestinians from crossing the border.

6. The number of storms that reach Category Four and Fivethe most powerful, damaging hurricaneshas nearly doubled over the past 35 years, the study finds.

What is causing all the hurricanes and floods? Mans rejection of Gods Word. Sin has caused man to overturn his basic love for God and has replaced it with, lies and deception. Asia, the United States, Africa, North, South, East and West are under the plagues of the Bible, the curse of disrespect and disobedience. Psa 46:2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Psa 46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Jer 25:31-38, A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground. Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture.

And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD. He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger. Who among you can stand against the Lord or His word and say that The Seas are calm, the Mountains Rest and the People are safe? Who will stand and say this? Who will stand against the Lord and say that His word is corrupt and disallowed of knowledge, who can stand and say we prophecy in someone else’s name? How many today are full of cancer and are yet aware of the fullness of the wrath coming upon them.

Do we believe Gods word? Do we really? We ether believe or we don’t. I heard a story yesterday about a man who climbed a mountain by himself. He only took a rope and a few provisions. Almost at the top he stopped and looked back at what he had accomplished, having pride in himself. All at once he slipped and started to fall, being at night he could not see where he was and thought he was going to die. He screamed out for the Lord to save Him.

All at once he reached the end of the rope, it tightened and stopped his fall. He cried again to God for help. The Lord then spoke and asked him,”Do you Trust in Me?” Yes the man replied. “Then cut the Rope.” But Lord I cant see where I am, its so dark and cold! “If you believe in Me, Cut the Rope!” I cant the man replied. The next morning a search party found the man, frozen to death, only 10 feet from the ground. Sin has overcome the world and man no longer believes God.

Sin has overcome the world and there is a noise of war in the air. Sin will no longer be tolerated, sin will no longer be a cancer to Gods creation. The end times that everyone is waiting for are here. Look at the signs of the times, look at the prophecy’s of God.

Mat 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? Luk 21:25-26 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Act 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R.Smith Sermons International
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

Comments Off

Billy Graham once said, “Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion; it is like a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.”

Nothing is out of reach when you put your heart into it. Think about it. Who sets the boundaries and limits in your life? We tend to define ourselves; establish our own boundaries. With God, there are no boundaries, only greatness. It is easy to forget who we are and why we are here. It is easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of the end reward; however we must always remember to where we are going.

You were chosen by God, created to fulfill His dreams and purpose. Often times so much focus is placed upon ourselves and our own objectives, we forget the reason for which we were created. Just as you dream, He also dreams. Long before you were created, God had a dream and from this dream came your marathon. For His purpose, you were created. Throughout the Bible, God refers to the race and gives a specific training recipe for victory. Are you ready to be a champion for Him?

First, you must go into strict training in preparation for the race:

Do you know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it for a crown that will last forever. Therefore do not run like a man aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27

These verses tell us that the race will not be easy. It will take hard work, discipline, sharp focus and sacrifice. Sure, it would be easier to sit on the sidelines and be a cheerleader for others. But, I challenge you to join the race and discover what great things God has dreamed for you.

William James said, “Most people never run far enough on their first wind, to find out what they have on their second.” The race will be tough and you will face many difficult challenges. Remain steadfast on your journey. You will tire, but do not give up. You will struggle, but persevere. I challenge you to look inside yourself and find your second wind. Develop yourself and your skills to success. Prayer, study and worship will help you develop stamina and excitement for the race, even when you think your tank is empty.

Second, you must turn all of your strength and energy toward winning the race.

Not that I have already obtained this, or have been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Jesus Christ took hold of me. I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3:12-13

Putting God first and living a Christian life is a challenge. It will take all of your focus and energy. Keep your eyes on the prize and do not look back; there will be time for reflection at the finish line. In every aspect of your life, keep your mission in focus. Losing sight of the prize could cost you the race. Consider not only “what would Jesus do” (WWJD) but also “what would Jesus think or say?” Let Him coach you to victory!

Thirdly, you must exercise your muscles of faith. Just as you keep your physical muscles strong, your muscles of faith need strengthening as well. Like an athlete, you too must develop a training regimen for Christ. You will be a stronger Christian and live a more fulfilling life. Make time each day to praise Him. Spend time in the Bible. You could read one passage per day or maybe a Psalm or two. Praise Him through prayer or celebrate Him through song. Find time each day for you and Him. It is the thought that counts. It could be as simple as having a special candle in your home that you light in his honor. Such a life will be an example to others, drawing them and yourself closer to the ultimate prize.

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8

In today’s world, physical fitness indicates strength and good health. It does not matter how physically fit you are physical death is inevitable. How many times have you heard of perfectly healthy people dying of a heart attack? Through building spiritual muscles, you will press onward through tragedy and stress to achieve God’s eternal favor. With God’s training program, you are guaranteed victory.

Finally, you must fight the good fight now and to the end.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-not only to me but also to all who have longed for its appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Daily, you will face the challenges of the enemy who is bent on tearing apart your faith. The enemy will focus on your passion, knowing if he can destroy it, you will fall away from God. He will offer you shortcuts for the race. He will offer easy success. I caution you. If you take shortcuts during training, you only fool yourself. When the time comes to perform, the shortcuts will only make you a fool. God’s grace is without shortcuts. He offers it freely without an agenda. Luckily for us, He has given us the instructions for success through the Bible. All that is asked is that we follow and serve Him.

God is awesome and His reward unimaginable. He never said that it would be easy. Get in shape. Stay committed to His program and one day in heaven you will receive His promised gift. Keep your eyes on the prize and look to Him in the winners circle.

Copyright Anthony Mullins

Elite Coaching Alliance 2005

About the Author

Anthony Mullins is the President and Life Coach for The Elite Coaching Alliance. He specializes in leadership, marriage, relationship and family,christian based coaching. He is the author of the upcoming e-book “Finding Fulfillment in and Unfulfilling World”. He can be reached by e-mail: anthony@elitecoachingalliance.com or by phone at 770.587.3545. Visit our new website http://www.elitecoachingalliance.com

Comments Off

The Seven Festivals of the Messiah by Edward Chumney is our
text. This is Festival five of seven.

Introduction: I start by listing the seven festivals for review.
The first four festivals are Passover, Unleavened Bread, First
Fruits, and Pentecost. They teach us primarily about the first
coming of Messiah and why these events were important part of
God’s redemption of man. The last three festivals are Feast of
Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Booths or
Tabernacles. They give us important information and insight
regarding the Second Coming.

The Fifth festival–Feast of Trumpets A special season known as
Teshuvah, which in Hebrew means “to return or repent” begins on
the first day of the month of Elul and continues 40 days, ending
with Yom Kippur. Thirty days into Teshuvah, on Tishrei 1, comes
Rosh HaShanah. This begins a final ten-day period beginning on
Rosh HaShanah and ending on Yom Kippur. These are known as the
High Holy Days and as the Awesome Days (or days of Awe). The
Sabbath that falls within this ten-day period is called Shabbat
Shuvah, the Sabbath of Return. Five days after Yom Kippur is
Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. Teshuvah begins on Elul 1, and
concludes on Tishrei 10, Yom Kippur. Each morning during the 30
days of the month of Elul, the trumpet (shofar) or ram’s horn is
blown to warn the people to repent and return to God.

This season of repentance is for everyone. God’s people were to
examine their lives according to scriptures and examine them
regarding the Messiah. This is God’s way to warn people before
judgment falls. God warned the people before the flood. He
warned Nineveh before it was ruined. God does not want anyone to
receive the wrath of His judgment. The whole month of Elul is a
month of preparation through personal examination and repentance
for the coming High Holy Days. The shofar is blown after every
morning service. Psalm 27, which begins with “The Lord is my
light and my salvation,” is also recited at the end of the
morning and evening liturgy. The message from Elul 1 to Rosh
HaShanah is clear: Repent before Rosh HaShanah. Don’t wait until
after Rosh HaShanah, or you will find yourself in the Days of
Awe.

Rosh HaShanah: Names, Themes, and Idioms 1.
Teshuvah–repentance 2. Rosh HaShanah–Head of the Year the
Jewish New Year (civil calendar) 3. Yom Teruah–the Day of the
Awakening Blast/Feast of Trumpets 4. Yom HaDin–the Day of
Judgment 5. HaMelech–the Coronation of the Messiah 6. Yom
HaZikkaron–the Day of Remembrance or memorial 7. The time of
Jacob’s trouble–the Birthpangs of the Messiah 8. The opening of
the gates 9. Kiddushin–the wedding ceremony 10. The
resurrection of the dead–the rapture 11. The last trump–shofar
12. Yom Hakeseh–the hidden day.

Messianic Understanding A theme and term associated with Rosh
HaShanah in Hebrew is HaMelech (the King). The Shofar blown on
Rosh HaShanah is known as the last trump which Paul mentioned in
First Thessalonians 4:16-17. At this time, the believers in the
Messiah who are righteous according to Yom HaDin (the Day of
Judgment) will be taken to Heaven in the rapture along with the
righteous who had died before this time. On Rosh HaShanah the
coronation of the Messiah as King will happen in Heaven
(Revelation 5). Jesus who had come to earth during His first
coming to play the role of the suffering Messiah, Messiah ben
Joseph, will be crowned as King over all the earth in
preparation for His coming back to earth to reign as King
Messiah (Messiah ben David) during the Messianic age, the
Millennium, or in Hebrew eschatology, the Athid Lavo (Revelation
19:16; 20:4).

One of the reasons for blowing the shofar is to proclaim the
resurrection of the dead. In addition, the 13th principle of the
Jewish faith is belief in the resurrection of the dead. The
resurrection of the dead will take place on Rosh HaShanah
(Talmud, Rosh HaShanah 16b). In first Corinthians 15:52, the
apostle Paul tells us that the resurrection of the dead will be
“at the last trump.” Earlier, in First Corinthians 15:14, he
wrote that without the Messiah rising from the dead, our faith
is in vain.

We cannot go to the Book of Revelation and say that the voice of
the seventh angel (Revelation 11:15) is the last trump. In the
first century, the last trump (shofar) meant a specific day in
the year. In Judaism, there are three trumpets (shofarim) that
have a name. They are the first trump, the last trump, and the
great trump. Each one of these trumpets indicates a specific day
in the Jewish year. The first trump is blown on the Feast of
Shavuot (Pentecost). It proclaimed that God had betrothed
Himself to Israel. The last trump is synonymous with Rosh
HaShanah. The great trumpet is blown on Yom Kippur, which will
herald the return of the Messiah back to earth (Matthew 24:31).

The first and last trump relate to the two horns of the ram,
which according to Jewish tradition, was caught in the thicket
on Mount Moriah when Abraham was ready to slay Isaac and offer
him up as a burnt offering. This ram became the substitute for
Isaac even as Jesus became the substitute for us and provided
life for us through His death. Isaiah 18:3 and First
Thessalonians 4:13-18 speak of the resurrection of the dead.
First Thessalonians chapter 5 continues with the day of the Lord
and the birthpangs of the Messiah. First Thessalonians 4:16-17
says that the dead in Messiah will rise first, and that the
catching away of the believers will immediately follow.

The term Rapture comes from the Greek word Harpazo, which means
“to seize, to catch away, catch up, pluck, pull, take by force”
The Hebrew equivalent is the word Natzal. Psalm 27:5 says the
righteous will be hid in the time of trouble. This Psalm is read
every day during the 40-day period of Teshuvah. Second
Thessalonians 2:1 says, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together
unto Him.” The phrase, “gathering together” comes from the Greek
word episunagoge, which means “an assembly.” In Numbers 10:2-3,
the trumpet is blown to assemble the people. The blowing of the
trumpet and the assembling of the people also appear together in
First Thessalonians 4: 16-17 and First Corinthians 15:51-53.

Comments Off