T-Bone Steak and Roses

God Never Leaves Us

I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying groceries. I wasn't hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 57 years was still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories.

He often came with me and almost every time he'd pretend to go off and look for something special. I knew what he was up to. I'd always spot him walking down the aisle with the three yellow roses in his hands.

He knew I loved yellow roses. With a heart filled with grief, I only wanted to buy my few items and leave, but even grocery shopping was different since he had passed on.

Shopping for one took time, a little more thought than it had for two.

Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfect small steak and remembered how he had loved his steak.

Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blond, slim and lovely in a soft green pantsuit. I watched as she picked up a large package of T-bones, dropped them in her basket.. hesitated, and then put them back. She turned to go and once again reached for the pack of steaks.

She saw me watching her and she smiled. 'My husband loves T-bones, but honestly, at these prices, I don't know.'

I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met her pale blue eyes.

'My husband passed away eight days ago,' I told her. Glancing at the package in her hands, I fought to control the tremble in my voice. 'Buy him the steaks. And cherish every moment you have together.'

She shook her head and I saw the emotion in her eyes as she placed the package in her basket and wheeled away.

I turned and pushed my cart across the length of the store to the dairy products. There I stood, trying to decide which size milk I should buy. A quart, I finally decided and moved on to the ice cream. If nothing else, I could always fix myself an ice cream cone.

I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the aisle toward the front. I saw first the green suit, then recognized the pretty lady coming towards me. In her arms she carried a package. On her face was the brightest smile I had ever seen! I would swear a soft halo encircled her blond hair as she kept walking toward me, her eyes holding mine.

As she came closer, I saw what she held and tears began misting in my eyes. 'These are for you,' she said and placed three beautiful long stemmed yellow roses in my arms. 'When you go through the line, they will know these are paid for.' She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, then smiled again. I wanted to tell her what she'd done, what the roses meant, but still unable to speak, I watched as she walked away as tears clouded my vision

I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in the green tissue wrapping and found it almost unreal. How did she know? Suddenly the answer seemed so clear. I wasn't alone.

Oh, you haven't forgotten me, have you? I whispered, with tears in my eyes. God was still with me, and this precious woman was His ambassador.

Cherish every day you get to spend with those closest to you. Make sure they have a relationship with Christ so you can be reunited with them again in heaven. Click here to learn more.

Jubilee Family Church

Washing Toilets

..."those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled' (Dan 5:19).
Paul desired a career in the building industry. Early in his career, he was working with a large ministry to help direct several of their construction projects.
As the projects were completed, Paul was asked to stay on for future projects. To keep him busy he was given a number of jobs - one of which was cleaning toilets. He recalls getting down on his knees each day and complaining to the Lord, "Lord, I'm a college graduate!"
Discouraged, Paul told the Lord, "I will not leave here until You promote me. Please give me contentment with my circumstance."
Paul felt totally forgotten by God. A few months later, Paul received a phone call from a man in the Midwest who owned five successful businesses who wanted to interview Paul for a job. This came as a total surprise to Paul. As he drove to the interview, he told the Lord, "I only want your will in my life, nothing else. I am content to remain obscure for the rest of my life if I have You. You must override my lack of experience for me to get this job."
The owner of the company asked Paul a surprising question: "If I asked you to clean a toilet, what would you do?" Paul sat there, stunned. He wanted to burst out laughing. Paul assured him that he would simply pick up a sponge and start cleaning.
Amazingly, Paul was hired even though other candidates were more qualified. After several months of success Paul asked his boss why he hired him. His boss replied, "Paul, I still have a large stack of applications from people who wanted this job. Do you remember the first question I asked you in the interview? I asked each one the same question. You were the only one who said he would clean the toilet. Paul, I am a wealthy man, but I grew up dirt poor. I clean my own toilets at home. I can't have people running my businesses who are too proud to clean a toilet."
Sometimes God places us in situations to see if we will be faithful in those before He is willing to promote us to greater things.

Jubilee Family Church

Honor your Mother, Lessons from the Book of Ruth

Lessons from the Book of Ruth
To watch this message on video Click Here.

Deuteronomy 5:16
"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

A relationship between a mother-in-law and a daughter in law.
The relationship is birthed in joy but solidified in difficulty and sorrow.

1. Stepping Stones or Stumbling Blocks
We know that difficulties in our lives will either make or break us as individuals. The difficulty that faced Naomi, losing her husband and then her 2 sons in Ruth Chapter 1 has caused Ruth to cling to Naomi.

2. The Defining Moment in Ruth’s Life
Ruth 1:16-18
16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.


When you honor and cling to someone your destinies become entwined. Their future will very much help determine your future. Be wise in who you cling to because it will have a very powerful impact on you.
You see a similar discourse between Elijah and Elisha before Elijah is taken up in the whirlwind.

3. Bitterness
In Verse 20 of Chapter 1
Naomi, Ruth’s mother in law is having a change in identity. Her name Naomi means pleasant but her new name, she wants everyone to call her is Mara meaning bitterness. She’s had some very real challenges and it’s taken a toll on her personality.

The only way I know to overcome bitterness is through genuine heart forgiveness.
The only way I know how to genuinely forgive is to realize by revelation that I’ve been genuinely forgiven according to the parable of the unmerciful servant.

4. Ruth’s youth get’s Boaz’s Attention her character keeps it.
5 Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, "Whose young woman is that?"
6 The foreman replied, "She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi. 7 She said, 'Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.“

This is a lesson on gifts and character. Your gift(s) will open doors for you but your character will allow you to stay.

The foreman noticed she was a determined and steady worker. He noticed her and it get’s communicated on to the land owner.


Leviticus 23:22
" 'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.' "
Ruth’s honorable actions are the subject of Discussion and earn her favor.
Ruth 2:11,12
11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.“

5. Ruth’s Heart is Truly Humble
Ruth 2:13
13 "May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord," she said. "You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls.“


Luke 18:14b
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

6. The Kinsman Redeemer
Leviticus 25:25
25 " 'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells some of his property, his nearest relative is to come and redeem what his countryman has sold.
Deuteronomy 25:5
5 If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband's brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her.

7. Another Defining Moment
Ruth Chapter 3
5 "I will do whatever you say," Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.

Chapter 3
9 "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer." 10 "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.

11 And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning."

We know that Naomi's words are true when she says, “the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”
Boaz calls together the elders and has a legal meeting in the presence of the kinsman who is nearer in kinship and offers the land of Elimelech to redeem.
The kinsman seems excited about the deal until he realizes there is a widow involved also and then he backs out opening the door for Boaz to redeem the land and the widow, Ruth.

Romans 8:2,3
What an awesome picture of this verse.
through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law (the first Kinsman is a type of the Law) was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son (Boaz at type of redeeming Christ)
Boaz and Ruth get married and Naomi is blessed.
Ruth 4
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."

Obed the father of Jesse is born from this family. The grandfather of David. Of the lineage of Christ the Messiah.

Jubilee Family Church

House agrees to muzzle pastors with 'hate crimes' plan

The U.S. House has approved a federal "hate crimes" bill that would provide special protections to homosexuals but leave Christian ministers open to prosecution should their teachings be linked to any subsequent offense, by anyone, against a "gay."

The vote, 249-175, came despite intense opposition from Republicans who argued the measure would create a privileged class.

Bishop Harry Jackson Jr. of the High Impact Leadership Coalition also condemned the action, offering a warning about the nation's future.

Jackson said the action puts "sexual orientation" in a specially protected class under federal law.

"Based on history, it really isn't something that needs to be protected," he said. "There's a problem that this is going to mark the first time that a protected class status is given to … whatever sexual orientation one has."

He said the experience in other countries has led to prosecution of Christians. In Sweden, for example, a minister was sentenced to 30 days in jail for preaching from Leviticus.

Jubilee Family Church

Obedience and Perseverance

To listen to the message on Obedience and Perseverance please click here.
The Wise and Foolish Builders

Matthew 7:24
24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Lives can crash and be wrecked. Obedience to God’s word is the key factor in this parable. Simply hearing the word of God doesn’t cause your house to be resistant to difficulties, it’s obedience and implementing Godly principles into your life that cause your house to stand when the day of testing comes.

Today's drama draws out the concept of perseverance as well. Showing the consequences of giving up on God and walking away even though you’ve been somewhat obedient for a season of your life.

Suddenlies
When God moves suddenly to change your current circumstances away from the way they are to the way he’s been speaking to you and you’ve been speaking to him.

Suddenlies can be preceded by years of difficulties challenges and persecution.
Sometimes these challenges are there to develop our character.

James 1:2-4
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

If they are from God or the Devil it doesn’t really matter if you can view them as stepping stones instead of a stumbling block.
Continuing to persist even though the challenges are rough.
There are many keys to persisting but the main one is a solid devotional life.

Consider Ms. California
She lost the crown for her convictions about the traditional family which are rooted in her belief in Biblical Christianity.

Many would consider this a bad thing.
Now she’s responded to the challenge as a stepping stone and become the spokes person for the traditional family.
There’s probably a book deal in the works etc.

She could’ve folded up like a tent and gone home crying declaring, “I’m never going to amount to anything!” That experience could’ve crushed her if her attitude would’ve been different.

A different example but a similar concept.

Christ as the Cornerstone
Matthew 21:44
44He who falls on this stone (Jesus) will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.“

How you respond to Jesus changes how he affects you. Either he will remake you into his image and likeness or you will ultimately be crushed by him.

A suddenly from the Old Testament

Prison to Ruler of Greatest Nation on the Earth

Genesis 41
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, "Make way !" Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

Consider the Challenges after Joseph has a dream from God

1. Hated by his brothers
2. Sold into Slavery by those closet to him
3. Falsely Accused of Rape
4. Imprisoned

The Dreams
Genesis 37:6-8

To His Brothers
6 He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it." 8 His brothers said to him, "Do you intend to reign over us?
Genesis 37:9,10
To his Parents
9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."
10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?"

1. Hated by his Brothers

Genesis 37:4,8
4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
Vs. 8 they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

2. Sold Into Slavery

Genesis 37:23-27
23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the richly ornamented robe he was wearing- 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.
25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed.

3. Falsely Accused

Genesis 39:11-18
11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.
13 When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house,
14 she called her household servants. "Look," she said to them, "this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. 15 When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house."
16 She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him this story: "That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house."

4. Imprisoned

Genesis 39
20 Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined.
But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was with him;

God will show us the complete picture without putting in all the difficulties in getting there.
What if he did? Would Joseph have gone for it?
What about you? What are your dreams? What is God speaking to you about you? Be encouraged a suddenly is on the way!

Jubilee Family Church

What God Wants from You

To watch the video of "What God Wants from You (Part 1)" CLICK HERE.
To watch (part 2) CLICK HERE

Have you ever given yourself completely to something or someone?
Maybe a person like a girlfriend or boyfriend? Completely surrendering your heart to them, making yourself vulnerable yet completely enraptured in the experience? Maybe in this process you spent hours on the phone? Sometimes not even talking just sitting there quietly.

Maybe it was a goal like winning a game or a state championship. All your energy focused on one thing, winning that game or title. Spending countless hours in a gym or on a field preparing.

Maybe you have career goals and objectives and you spend countless hours studying, preparing individually and corporately in meetings with teams of people. You do all this because of the goal the objective, the idea of a better tomorrow.

What causes us to hold back from complete and utter abandonment when trying to know someone or achieve something?

Generally it’s fear of loss or fear of failure.
There’s a certain “safety” in not taking sides, not choosing to go for it. Just being a fan and not getting into the game of life.

Sometimes it’s an inability to see the benefits of such extreme commitment to a person or cause.
I believe that many people are in this category today.

I was awakened Thursday morning with today’s message and it’s a very simple one but extremely important because it’s a core value of God’s and should thus be a core value for his people.

God wants us to abandon ourselves to Him.

Jeremiah 24:7
And I will give them a heart to know (recognize, understand, and be acquainted with) Me, that I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.

Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

People who don’t “find” God don’t seek him with all their heart. They don’t step out into the risky environment of love and trust.
For various reasons they shrink back from true emotional commitment to God.

Deuteronomy 6:5
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

This scripture means total emotional attachment to God. This emotional attachment leads to very practical works.

1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Deuteronomy 10:12
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
Deuteronomy 11:13-16
13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul- 14 then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. 15 I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied. 16 Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them.

Love for God defined as willful obedience.
Love for God results in God providing for your natural needs.
John 14:15
"If you love me, you will obey what I command.
John 14:21
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

The Benefits
When Jesus Shows Himself to you remember what he says to his closest followers.
Luke 10:24
For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."

False Idols are idols of the heart

Loving God is more powerful than prophetic utterances or miracles

Deuteronomy 13:1-3
1 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.
2 Thessalonians 2:9,10
9The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Joshua 22:5
But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."

Why don’t people Surrender their Hearts?

1. Lack of information
2. They love their idol(s).
3. Fear of loss or lack of trust in God

1. Lack of information or revelation
Hosea 4:6
my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

2. Idol worship
Anything that takes the place of Jesus Christ in the heart of a man.
Fear of Man placing the opinions of man over the opinions of God
Tribulation because of the Word
Worry and Anxiety
Lust – Sexual, financial,
Others

3. Fear of Loss or Lack of Trust
Psalm 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Psalm 33:4
For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

This subject on loving God is like prayer and practice
It can never hurt you to do a little more.

Ask God to search you like David did in Psalm 51

Maybe you would say that I’ve given everything and my heart is completely his.
Then your prayer should be, “Lord, give me a bigger heart.”
Help us to Love you the way you loved us. Teach us and guide us to be a people that you would be proud to call your people. The holy spotless Bride of Christ, eagerly awaiting you to come and sweep us off our feet.

Jubilee Family Church

Image vs. Substance

To watch the video of this message on Image vs. Substance please CLICK HERE.

Image - a popular conception (as of a person, institution, or nation) projected especially through the mass media.

Substance - ultimate reality that underlies all outward manifestations and change.

The Image of Absalom David's Son

2 Samuel 14:25
In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.

It’s obvious from this passage that Absalom’s image was excellent. It was something people talked about.

Eight Character Qualities that reveal the Substance of Absalom

1. He was a man who knew how to hide bitterness and strike in vengeance.
2 Samuel 13:28 Absalom avenged his sisters rape by ordering his men to kill his half brother Amnon at a family dinner.

2. He was a self promoter
2 Samuel 15:1
In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him.
2 Samuel 18:18
18 During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King's Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, "I have no son to carry on the memory of my name." He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom's Monument to this day.


3. Absalom would make it his highest priority to strategically stroke the need of the individual thus causing an identification with him and an un righteous soul tie with that individual
2 Samuel 15:2
2 He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, "What town are you from?" He would answer, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel."

4. Absalom would undermine the king’s ability to lead by emphasizing the king’s weakness and his own ability to meet that need.
2 Samuel 15:3,4
3 Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you." 4 And Absalom would add, "If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that he gets justice."


5. Absalom would place honor onto the men of the kingdom thus stealing their heart away from David
2 Samuel 15:5,6
5 Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

6. The Lord has positioned himself against Absalom and desires to undermine the false kingdom Absalom has stolen.
2 Samuel 17:14
14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel." For the LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

7. The forest is claiming more lives than the sword 20,000 v.8
2 Samuel 18:9
9 Now Absalom happened to meet David's men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom's head got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.

8. Absalom dies and his kingdom falls.
2 Samuel 18:14
14 Joab said, "I'm not going to wait like this for you." So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom's heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. 15 And ten of Joab's armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him and killed him.

There is a battle in the hearts of Christian leaders today in our country between an image of man centered ministry and a substance of Holy Spirit centered ministry.
Some ministries are built around an image of man.
Some are built around the substance of the Holy Spirit
Some have both

It's not wrong to have a sharp image if the substance of God is supremely more important. If image ever trumps the substance of the Holy Spirit that ministry has moved into error.

Saul’s Image
1 Samuel 9:2
He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others.

We’re not exactly sure what made Saul “an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites” but we know immediately following this statement his physical stature is added implying strongly that his height is part of his impressiveness. He seems to have an excellent image.

Saul’s Substance
1 Samuel 15:26-28
You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!" 27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you.

Compare and Contrast David and Saul
1 Samuel 16:7
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.“

The Image of Jesus
Isaiah 53:2b
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
One of the prophetic references to the suffering messiah.

According to Scripture Jesus was not an attractive man physically. He most likely didn’t look like a rugged modern day model.

The Substance of Jesus
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
Jesus had Perfect Character

Watch this wildly popular video to see a contemporary illustration of a person with very little professional image but a lot of substance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

You may or may not have the greatest image but God is looking for substance. If you have substance without image you may be a person who’s yet to release what God’s given to you.

If you have image without substance you are building a house of cards and your “kingdom” will collapse around you.

If you have both you can use both to reach people but image must be crucified if it takes precedence over the substance of God.

If God has given you a word; go for it.

God’s empowering strength will make his dreams for you a reality if you are faithful and obedient for the long haul.

Consider Josephs horrible image but he had substance
Joseph
Has a dream
Sold to Merchants
Works as a slave
Gets Promoted to being a house slave
Accused of Rape
Sentenced to Prison
Get’s promoted in prison
Makes Strategic relationships
Expresses his gift
The gift gets re communicated eventually to Pharaoh

The substance is real in Joseph’s life and he gets promoted to the highest place in the land.

Sound Doctrine
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

What do you really like? A professional and sharp image or the substance of God? Hopefully you can find both where the substance of God rules and reigns in the hearts of people.

Jubilee Family Church

Who Put Jesus on the Cross?

The Audio is very low (sorry).
The Romans?
The Jews?
Was it Satan?

Jesus was arrested at night and charged with blasphemy, the charge was “you a mere man are claiming to be equal with God.”
Blasphemy, under Jewish Law was punishable by death.

Was it the Romans?

Under Roman control the Jews had to bring Jesus Christ before Pontus Pilate to have him crucified. They didn’t have the authority due to the Roman occupation to carry out the death penalty.
Jesus Before Pontus Pilate

John 19:9-11
"Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" 11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

This proves that Pilate as a Roman procurator believed he had authority over the life of Jesus but that Jesus declared that the authority over his life was much higher.

Though he was convinced of Christ’s innocence, and though he tried to dissuade the priests and the crowd from their aim to have Christ killed, he finally relented to the blood-thirsty religious leaders: "When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it" (Matthew 27:24).

Clearly Pilate’s decision was motivated by the fear of a potential revolt. Therefore, to keep the leaders happy, and to prevent a dangerous rebellion, he relented to their request. Thus, though Pilate had the power to prevent Christ’s death, he chose to sacrifice an innocent man to keep the peace. Pilate, therefore, was a willing participant and contributed to Christ’s death.

Pilate ordered Jesus to be flogged and then released but the crowd called out, inspired by the religious leaders of the day, to crucify Jesus.
Pilate did not want Jesus crucified because he judged him innocent of breaking any laws that were important to him as a Roman.

However to appease the crowd he succumbed to the pressure and ordered Jesus crucified.

Was it the Jews?

The Jewish religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate, set him up on multiple occasions and seduced one of his own disciples to turn against him for 20 pieces of silver.

Matthew 26:3-5
3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. 5"But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."

It is interesting to note that they were conscious of the fact that the majority of the people liked Jesus and, therefore, decided not to kill Him. They knew that the masses of people had to be handled carefully, to keep them from turning against them. Thus, their plan had to be skillfully conceived so as to convince the people that Christ was a blasphemer and that He deserved death.

Furthermore, the Gospel of Matthew tells us that when Christ was brought to the Sanhedrin, “The Chief Priest, the elders, and the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death” (Matthew 26:59-61), and found several.

Finally, Christ’s own words were found sufficient to condemn Him to death. Thus, in the morning, “...all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death” (Matt. 27:1). Later, when Pilate tried to release Christ, they vehemently insisted that He had to be killed, and the angry crowd that was present, as well as the priests, finally prevailed (Luke 23:23).

Were the religious leaders guilty? According to the Gospel story, many were. They planned to capture Christ, they found false witnesses to testify against Him, and they refused to believe His word, though His miracles supported His claims. The religious leaders wanted Him dead and did not cease until their agenda to have him killed was fulfilled.

Was it Satan?

Did Satan try and kill Jesus on the cross? I think Satan feared the cross because he tried to get Jesus to avoid it.

Matthew 16:21-23
21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" 23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

I believe Satan wanted Jesus to die but he did not want him to be lifted up. He knew the prophecy and I believe tried to get Jesus to die another way or tried to get him to sin through various temptations.

Matthew 4:6
"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "

Colossians 2:15
15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
It was God’s Love for Sinful Mankind that Put Jesus on the Cross.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

God the Father loves us so much that He was willing to go through unfathomable pain and anguish for us, by offering His only Son to be flogged and then to be nailed to the cross.

It was His love that put Jesus on the Cross. It was His love for sinful humanity that brought us unmerited forgiveness and opened the possibility of eternal life for all who believe.

Jesus Christ agreed to do God's will, fully conscious of the horrific ramifications that His decision would have had for Him. Yet, He was greatly encouraged by the fact that his future suffering would have brought about salvation for all who receive him by faith.

John 6:51
51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

Who, therefore, killed Jesus Christ? The answer should be clear by now: The Jewish leaders wished it; Pilate could have prevented it, Satan orchestrated it; our sins demanded it.

It was God the Father who willed it, and it was Christ who willingly offered himself to be sacrificed.

John 10:18
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

The Cross screams, YOU ARE VALUABLE!

Jubilee Family Church

A Woman and a Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. 'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.

'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.

'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

'That surprises you, doesn't it? ' the young woman asked.

'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had an incredible grasp on heaven. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

Revelation 19:9
Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."

Jubilee Family Church

Authority

The power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior.

To watch the video of this message please click here.

1. There can be a transfer of Authority
Numbers 27:20
Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.
Authority can be given away.
The Authority that is given is effective.
The Authority is given away by the will of God, the one in authority and via the laying on of hands.

Prerequisite to receive an impartation of Authority.
a man in whom is the spirit

The Character of Christ with a Gift from God will make an effective minister.
Gifts without character won’t last very long.
Character without Gifts also won’t go very far either.
Both is best! The greater the gift the greater the need for Godly Character.


2. It’s wise to delegate Authority to have a greater influence
Deuteronomy 1:15
So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials.

The Jethro Principle
Prerequisite for receiving authority.
leading men
wise men
respected men
If you want to find a leader just look around and see who’s leading.

If you want to find a deacon just look around and see who’s taking a leadership role in taking care of the natural affairs of the church.

3. Authority can be taken away
Daniel 4:28-33
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" 31 The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.


32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes." 33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Grace is the power to do the right things and resist the wrong things.
Mercy is not getting what we do deserve (judgment), Grace is getting what we do not deserve (power to live the Christian life).

4. Understanding Authority = Great Faith!
Matthew 8:9
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

Matthew 8:10
10When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

Revelation about the authority of Christ will lead us to great faith.

5. We have Christ's authority delegated to us
Matthew 28
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
The 12 Sent Out
Luke 9:1
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,
Should a person with the authority to drive out demons ask God do to it? When they come across a sick person should they ask God to do something he’s already given us the authority to do?
The 72 Sent Out
Luke 10:17-20
17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

6. Fullness Comes from Christ
Colossians 2:10
and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

7. Submit to Human Authority
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Leaders who keep watch over you must give an account
Disobedient followers make the job of the leader a burden
This situation is of no benefit to the follower

8. Find your place under authority
Ephesians 4:15b, 16
speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Jubilee Family Church

Missionary in East Africa Fights for the Lives of Children

Click here to watch video.

Leroy Bennett has been telling me about the "Machine Gun Preacher". I thought I'd share with you a link to CBN's website where they do a video interview with Sam Childers a missionary in East Africa. I caution you, the video is disturbing.

To visit the Angels of East Africa Website Click Here
To learn more about the group that is behind the atrocities click here

Jubilee Family Church

KCCJ - 106.9 FM Making Progress

I wanted to give everyone a brief update on the status of 106.9 - KCCJ. I received the wrong cable ends from my supplier so I decided to hook up my kit transmitter to the 50 foot antenna. The signal improved quite a bit. As I was driving the kids to school yesterday (Tuesday) I could pick up a pretty strong signal in our van from the studio all the way to the airport at Southside. I was impressed with the coverage because it's only coming from a 1 watt transmitter! We are licensed at 36 watts by the FCC so our coverage area should really improve when the proper wire ends come in and I hook them up.

The big question everyone asks is, "How far will the station reach?" My typical answer is I'll hook everything up and see how far it goes but if 1 Watt can cover 1/2 of Batesville with a decent signal I believe 36 watts should get the job done. Obviously this is great news. I'm listening right now and if you're on the West side of Batesville try and tune the station in. My van could pick the station up at Pilgrims Pride but 2 smaller radios in the plant could not. It's still in the formative stages so there is a lot of tweaking that will go on but glorious praise to the King of Kings is being played now.

Share the station with a friend so we can build up our listenership and thus the influence of the Kingdom of God!

Jubilee Family Church

Universalism and Subjective Truth

To watch the video of our Wednesday night discussion on Universalism and Subjective truth click here.

These two ideologies are very popular in the United States of America today and I believe it’s wise to address these false doctrines with the word of God.



Universalism - a theological doctrine that all human beings will eventually go to heaven. If you are sincere and devout no matter what you believe you will be saved.

Subjective Truth – Truth based on peculiar experiences to a particular individual : personal : modified or affected by personal views, experience, or background. : arising out of or identified by means of one's perception of one's own states and processes.
Universalism

In a country ruled by extreme tolerance and political correctness these doctrines are very popular. After all, who can say that your religion is wrong? That’s not polite.


It has been said, “Tolerance is the last virtue of a totally corrupt society.”

Extremes in tolerance
Nazi Germany in relationship to Judaism. Extreme Intolerance wrong
Sodom and Gomorra in relationship to homosexuality. Extreme Tolerance also wrong

The proper way to handle ideas and lifestyles is with the Word of God.
If it’s judged in God’s word it has already been judged. I can condemn certain behavior not on my own authority but upon God’s decreed word. I’m not the judge I’m just telling you what the Judge has already proclaimed about the subject.

Should we go around killing people who don’t believe like us? Absolutely not. We love everyone but realize their thoughts and lifestyle when not centered on Christ and the Word of God will lead them in the wrong path and thus eternal destruction.

This is narrow minded. When can you afford to be narrow minded? When you are right.

Matthew 7:13-16
13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

It’s interesting in the context of the narrow gate that Jesus immediately begins speaking about false prophets.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Pretension - a claim or an effort to establish a claim

Relative Truth or Universal Truth?



Is truth always truth or is it based on my interpretation of it?

The Sharp Knife Analogy
If I have a knife up here and tell you it’s sharp. And because you don’t believe it’s sharp you decide to drag it across your neck with 20 lbs. of pressure, will there be consequences? Maybe you think because you think it’s not sharp that will make it dull?

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

2 Thessalonians 2:9
9The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Avoid deception by loving the truth.

Pilate asked Jesus, What is truth and Jesus remained silent. John 18:38

Some interpret this to mean that Jesus didn’t have an answer and it stumped him. I believe he chose to remain silent in accordance with Isaiah’s prophecy about the messiah.

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

We know Jesus defined truth in himself in John 14:6 by saying, “I am the truth”. It’s interesting to note that Jesus then immediately addresses the doctrine of universalism. Let’s look at the scripture.

John 14:6,7
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus further defines truth as the Word of God.

John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

In John one we see that Jesus and the word are one. Jesus is the perfect representation of the heart of God.

Jesus is the Word
John 1:1-8
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

Many paths to God?

Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

Relative truth is a convenient way for a sinful person to avoid speaking to you about Christ but it’s not a logical position to take. Jesus is the truth and if you disobey his ways you will reap destruction even if you believe that you won't.

There is no other way to be saved!

1 Corinthians 15:2a
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.

If Buddha, Mohamed, Allah or Mother Earth could save you Jesus was the biggest idiot to ever walk the face of the Earth.

WHY WOULD HE DIE FOR YOU IF HE DIDN’T HAVE TO?

Maybe Jesus was a Lunatic?
Thinking he was something great but really being nuts? You know like the people in the state mental hospital who walk around telling people they are God. Understanding anything about Jesus makes a person know his teaching is the foundation for most of today’s psychology, leading people out of mental decay. It’s highly unlikely that Jesus was a lunatic.

Maybe Jesus was a Liar?
You know maybe he knew what he was doing but was purposely deceiving people. Playing some kind of diabolical scam on all of humanity. He’d be the worst kind of liar telling people he was the ONLY way to the Father but knowing he wasn’t. Playing with peoples eternity. Again this is a highly unlikely position to accept understanding all the moral virtues Jesus lived and died for.

The most illogical conclusion a person can draw about Jesus Christ is that he was some kind of HUMAN good moral teacher. Jesus and his closest followers made distinct claims to his deity. Proving this is the subject for another service but remember John 1. “The Word is God, Jesus is the Word”

The only logical conclusion a thinking person can draw about the life of Jesus Christ is that he is exactly who he says he is. “He’s Lord and God and the only savior of mankind.”

Receive him today.

Jubilee Family Church

Too Busy?

A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan . One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist and a member of the ACLU.

One day the professor shocked the class when he came in he looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, 'God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes.' The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, 'Here I am God. I'm still waiting.' It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him, knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold.

The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked, stunned, and sat there looking on in silence. The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, 'What the heck is the matter with you? Why did you do that?'

The Marine calmly replied, 'God was too busy today protecting American soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot. So, He sent me.'

5 Attributes of an Inspirational Leader

Dr. John C. Maxwell

1. ATTITUDE OF SERVICE
To be an inspirational leader, you must adopt an attitude of service toward those you lead. This requires laying aside selfish interests to add value to another person. In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., "An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." When you serve, you awaken something magnetic inside of you. People are drawn to follow you because they know you'll find ways to make them better.

2. AFFIRMATION
To inspire means to have a positive view of others. If we're not careful, we become fault-finders, magnifying the flaws in everyone around us. Instead, leaders should emulate gold prospectors - always on the lookout for potential gold mines. When they find traces of ore, prospectors assume there's a rich vein to unearth, and they start digging. In the same fashion, leaders ought to search for the best traits within a person and commit to uncovering them.

One of the best applications of this idea is expressed in what I call the 101 percent principle: Find the one thing that you believe is a person's greatest asset, and then give 100 percent encouragement in that area. Focusing on a person's strengths inspires them by promoting confidence, growth, and success.

3. ATTENTIVENESS
Great inspirers know the desires of those they lead. As much as people respect the knowledge and ability of their leaders, these are secondary concerns for them. They don't care how much their leaders know until they know how much their leaders care. When leaders attend to the deeply felt needs of their team, the determination and commitment of each team member skyrockets.

4. AVAILABILITY
Leaders inspire by intentionally investing time in the people they lead. They make themselves available. People cannot be nurtured from a distance or by infrequent spurts of attention. They need a leader to spend time with them - planned time, not just a conversation in passing.

In our fast-paced and demanding world, time is a leader's most precious commodity. While it feels costly to give up, nothing communicates that you value a person more than the gift of your time. In addition, investing time to develop others has a way of reaping dividends. As Ralph Waldo Emerson remarked, "It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."

5. AUTHENTICITY
To inspire, leaders have to be genuine. More than anything else, followers want to believe in and trust their leaders. However, when leaders break promises or fail to honor commitments, they reveal themselves as being inauthentic, and they lose credibility. Trust rests upon a foundation of authenticity. To gain trust, a leader must consistently align words and deeds, while showing a degree of transparency.
Summary

Inspirational leadership can be confused with momentary charisma. I prefer to think about inspiring as more of a process than an event. More than a brilliant speech, it's cultivating habits of brilliance that manifest themselves daily. By modeling the five attributes of an inspiring leader, I trust that you'll win the respect of those you lead and earn the right to influence them.

To learn more about Dr. Maxwell and the leadership principles he teaches please visit his website at http://www.giantimpact.com

Jubilee Family Church

Each One Reach One

Each One Reach One video (part 1)

Each One Reach One video(part 2)

The Audio levels on this video are a bit low. Sorry for the inconvenience.
The Problem in the U.S.

Notice I said, "In the United States"

The Kingdom of God is an ever increasing kingdom. If it’s not increasing around us that doesn’t mean that the gospel is being hindered in other parts of the world.
Parts of Africa are on fire with the Gospel. People are hungry and miracles are prevalent.
China has a huge underground church movement.

When asked 9 questions

1. Is your faith very important to you today?
2. Is there a literal devil?
3. Is Salvation based on grace not works?
4. Do you have a personal responsibility to share your religious beliefs?
5. Is God the top priority of your life?
6. Do you believe that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth?
7. Do you believe the Bible is totally accurate in all of it’s teachings?
8. Has your life been greatly transformed by your faith?
9. Is God the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today?

While 38 percent of Americans claim to be "evangelical," for example, only eight percent meet these doctrinal criteria.

Next Generation Y Statistics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2pyPCnFPSY

Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964) – 34 % Evangelical
Generation X (Born 1965-1984) 16 % Evangelical
Generation Y (Born 1985 to 2005) 8 % Evangelical
The Next Generation (Born 2006 – 2025) ????% Evangelical

Our Youth are under attack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qRzAxukfnk

Exodus 10:10,11
10 Pharaoh said, "The LORD be with you—if I let you go, along with your women and children! Clearly you are bent on evil. [a] 11 No! Have only the men go; and worship the LORD, since that's what you have been asking for." Then Moses and Aaron were driven out of Pharaoh's presence.

Pharaoh is a type of Satan, notice he doesn’t mind sending the men out to worship but leave the children behind. No children means no future. He’ll just wait them out and then he’ll have is agenda accomplished.

Destruction of the redeeming message of Christ!

The Solution

Each One Reach One

2 Corinthians 5:17,18
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

Every believer has the ministry of reconciliation.

Reconciliation – to restore to friendship or harmony.

Such a simple plan – Jesus did it. He was very good at discipling so he had 12 disciples. We may not be able to impart the spirit of God as good as he did so I encourage you to start with one person. Reach out to them, love them, tell them the truth, live the truth in front of them and be available to show them how to live the Christian life. If each one can reach one like this, a chain reaction of Holy Spirit influence will be unleashed upon our region and will ripple out to the uttermost parts of the earth.

How did Andrea and I end up with 5 children? Well we got them one at a time. And what if each one of them has 5 children? We’ll have 25 grandchildren! How many great grand children will we have. 125!
So in only 3 generations we went from 5 to 25 to 125 people.

Such a powerful result
The difference between addition and multiplication.

I don’t expect you to go out and lead 10 people to Christ this year and effectively disciple them to become fruit bearing believers.

I do expect you to go out and lead 1 person to Christ this year and effectively disciple them to become fruit bearing believers. If you continue to do this and your new friend continues to do this you have now reached 3 people. Do this again and you now have reached 6 people. This can continue until perpetuity just like it is with Jesus.

Would you rather have a million dollars or have a penny doubled daily for a 31 day month? A penny doubled multiplies out to...

$21,474,836.48

The illustration shows the power of multiplication over addition. The church’s focus has been on adding new believers instead of multiplying new believers. Always looking to the big crusades for conversions and not giving much attention to the simple believer who faithfully is pouring his or her life out for people around them in an effort to reach someone for Christ.

2 Timothy 2:2
2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

1. Paul
   
2. Timothy
3. Faithful Men
4. Teach Others
   

Each one of us should have a Paul and a Timothy. You can have more than one but you should have at least one of each. If you don’t have a Timothy you should be looking for him/her.
Just like if you don’t have a job your job is to look for a job.

Follow Me
1 Corinthians 11:1
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
The fruitful people are the Evidence of the Ministry of effective Discipleship

2 Corinthians 3:1-3
1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Each One Reach One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGI13tOYa1s

Jubilee Family Church

The Conscience Clause

As you may be aware President Obama is prepared to rescind the Conscience Clause. The Conscience Clause grants physicians and nurses the choice to act according to their conscience — to not participate in abortion procedures if it conflicts with their personal convictions.

Join me in letting our new President know that this move would be a wrong move for America!

I’ve just added my name to the American Center for Law & Justice's online Petition to Protect Pro-Life Doctors. I want to make a difference on issues of importance, and I know you do too.

Click Here to find out more, and to add your name to the nationwide petition.

Jubilee Family Church

A Tale of Three Trees

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods.
They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, 'Someday I hope to be a great treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with an intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.'

Then the second tree said, 'Someday I will be a Mighty ship. I will take Kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. People will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.'

Finally the third tree said, 'I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest Tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill, look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.'

After a few years of praying that their dreams would com e true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, 'This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter, and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, 'This looks like a strong tree. I will be able to sell it to the shipyard.' The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree as frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the men said, 'I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one,' and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said 'Peace' and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree.
It was carried through the streets as the People mocked the man who was carrying it.
When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.

We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His Ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.


Jubilee Family Church

The Family

I believe that the family is a foundation for the Church and society as a whole.

It is the smallest governmental structure in society.
Strong families = strong communities.
Strong communities = a strong country.

Families are made up of men, women and children.

I had someone say to me the other day, “I don’t know how you and Pastor Andrea do it?” in reference to us carrying our responsibilities outside of the family as well as the responsibilities of raising 5 children.

I thought, “We’re responsible adults,” That’s what we’re supposed to do. It’s normal
I just smiled and said, “Thank you.”

A problem with most families is selfishness.


Here's the video of the message!

Excerpt from an Article in USA Today
For many of USA's inmates, crime runs in the family
"This is much bigger than just a police issue," Joyce says. "It's about thinking differently. If we don't do something, this cycle will just continue."
Eddy, the Oregon psychologist, says most of the 400 inmates in his study, which focuses on their return to their families and young children, also have considerable generational links to crime.
At least 20% of the inmates reported that their mothers had been in prison. At least half said their fathers or siblings had been in prison.
"If you want to break the cycle, the current generation (of family members) has to be linked with education and jobs," Eddy says, adding that many need basic information on how to be good parents.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-01-28-crime-families_N.htm


The following information is taken from America is Too Young to Die, by Leonard Ravenhill. The book contains this startling quotation:

Max Jukes, [an] atheist, lived a godless life. He married an ungodly [woman], and from this union there were 310 who died as paupers, 150 were criminals, 7 were murderers, 100 were drunkards, and more than half of the women were prostitutes. His 540 descendants cost the State one and a quarter million dollars [before inflation].

Then there is a record of a great man of God, Jonathan Edwards. He lived at the same time as Max Jukes, but he married a godly [woman]. An investigation was made of 1,394 known descendants of Jonathan Edwards, of which 13 became college presidents, 65 college professors, 3 United States Senators, 30 judges, 100 lawyers, 60 physicians, 75 army and navy officers, 100 preachers and missionaries, 60 authors of prominence, one Vice-President of the United States, 80 public officials in other capacities, 295 college graduates, among whom were governors of states and ministers to foreign countries. Jonathan Edwards' descendants did not cost the state a penny (quoted in America is Too Young to Die by Leonard Ravenhill, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany Fellowship, 1979, p. 112).

Responsible Fatherhood and the Role of the Family
Wade F. Horn, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health And Human Services, at the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative Grantee Conference, September 30, 2002

By some estimates, 10 million children—one in seven—will, at some point before reaching age 18, have an incarcerated father.
What’s the impact of this? Having a father in prison is a powerful predictor of antisocial behavior in general and of criminality in particular. Put the father in prison and, by some estimates, you make the child five to six times more likely to end up in prison than otherwise. Most of us can barely imagine the pain, shame, disruption, and despair that children experience when their father gets incarcerated. These are what U.S. News & World Report a few months ago called "the most at-risk of at-risk kids."
http://www.reentry.gov/responsible.html

I believe that Christ can break generational behavioral patterns and give the new believer in Christ a fresh start at life.

Look up some scriptures that support this statement.

In Christ past paradigms of thinking and attitudes are subject to change at the new believers submission to God’s ways.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

What the Bible say in direct reference to the word family

1. Your Blood family Can misunderstand your commitment to Christ and his ministry.

Mark 3:21
When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."

When Jesus Mother and brothers heard he wasn’t eating (Mark 3:20) they decided to take him with them because he’d lost his mind. This “Christianity” thing had gotten out of hand. Jesus then said his family was really those who do God’s will.
Jesus’ redefined his family
Mark 3:34-35
34Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."


Hebrews 2:11
Both the one who makes men holy(Jesus) and those who are made holy(his people) are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

Mark 6:4-6
4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

One of the biggest enemies to the miraculous flowing through men and women of God you know if familiarity. It can lead to offense and blocks to the miracle working flow of God.
Knowing someone’s background and dismissing their ability to do something spiritual. Knowing too much about them or allowing that information to de spiritualize that person’s life. This prohibits the flow of God even through Jesus!

1 Corinthians 1:18
18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Same message (of the Cross)
Different response
To the perishing - Foolishness
To the Christian - Power of God

What makes the difference is the Rhema voice of God. The believer has connected with the voice of God and the unbeliever has not and only sees things with the natural eye. This radically affects a person’s priorities. This change in priorities will bring division.

Luke 12:51-53
51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

2. The family must be cared for

1 Timothy 5:4
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

Children who have adult parents who are in financial need should take care of their parents. Specifically widowed mothers.

1 Timothy 5:8
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

This caring for family is so important that if it’s not done, judgment is already decreed that this person has denied the faith with their actions and is worse than an unbeliever!

3. The family of an overseer

Timothy 3:1
Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

How your family functions is a good indicator of the level of responsibility you should have in the church.
A person who’s family is falling apart needs to focus their energy on making the family work properly. First things first. Trying to minister in a leadership role when things aren’t right at home is a recipe for disaster.

4. A promise from God’s Word for your children.

Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

When we raise our children in the Lord they have an internal deposit in their hearts that they can never really get away from.
When the time is right they will come back to Christ. You can know that. Stand on the word for your children.

Acts 11:14
He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.‘
Acts 16:31
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."

Keep believing for your household to be saved. The message of the gospel is effective at reaching lost family members.

Jubilee Family Church