Sunday, June 1, 2014

Bringing the significance, relevance and encouragement of the "End Times" message of Jesus Christ!

The Herald of Hope Ministry

HoH ministers in South Africa and Australia. Herald of Hope offers local churches the opportunity of periodically focusing and re-focusing on the significance, relevance and encouragement of the "End Times" message of Jesus Christ: 

(i.) His imminent return to be united with believers in the Rapture, 

(ii.) His completion of the 490 years of Daniel's propecies outlined in chapters 2, 7, 9 etc. The four great world empires! the Tribulation!  Israel's conversion, as well as that of many others. Revelation 6-19

(iii.) His military victory at Armageddon, the binding of Satan, His literal second Coming to Reign over the earth. Revelation 19-20

(iv.) His literal Millennial Kingdom of Peace prophesied by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Zechariah and other prophets, as well. The Kingdom role of glorified believer-priests & the application of the message of the Gospel of the Kingdom. 

(v.) His final resolution to the Military threats of Satan and the blindly emboldened armies of this world, His Great White Throne Judgment with His just and righteous judgment of Satan, the rebellious angels and all unbelievers in Hell, the eternal Lake of Fire. His destruction of the old sin-filled and affected earth and it's heavens.

(vi.) His creation of an eternally New Heaven and a New Earth and the Eternal glories of the New Jerusalem.

Pray for this ministry and it's emphasis on the eternal nature of the genuine Hope found in the Saving, Keeping and Soon Coming of Jesus Christ. 

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Prominent Women of God’s Grace
Clothed in Humility: 
Consecrated and Competent New Testament Women.

Foreword: Generally speaking, I have avoided reproducing sermons on this blog. In this case - I am retiring a sermon outline that seems to resonate in the hearts of my students, or so some have said. Many student-pastors, and pastors too, overlook the importance of their marriage relationship as a ministry team to the Lord's glory... Such a mistake has dire consequences for all... May this simple outline challenge stronger spiritual teamwork through increased mutual respect. DrMSBsr
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1 Peter 3:5 “For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. … 8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit…”
—- 5:5b “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (nasv)

MARY, the mother treasuring and pondering God’s grace. Luke 1:38; 2:18-19, 51
From Mary’s first mention until the last mention of her in Acts 1:14, she lived a life that represented the inner strength and dignity found in those women who have demonstrated a humble and unchanged trust in God.

Mary’s commitment to the Word and will of God is clear from her determination to be truly available to God. Her life was as example of a life clothed with simple and honest obedience. Romans 15:2 “Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.”

LYDIA, the responsive and faithful business woman of Philippi. Acts 16:12-15 13 “A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, 'If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into   my house and stay.' And she prevailed upon us."

Lydia, the first European convert to Christ, was already a Gentile convert to Judaism. She had the business woman's enthusiasm and mental acumen. Lydia responded to Truth by committing her heart and life to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior and to immediately begin serving Christ.

PRISCILLA, the spouse who served Truth at her husband’s side. Acts 18:2, 18, 26.
“Apollos, the  Alexandrian by birth, … acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26 and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”

Priscilla, an Asian Jew, the wife of Aquila served together as a couple and a spiritual-team of life-long co-workers of the Apostle Paul. Her knowledge of New Testament Truth was used of the Lord together with her husband to disciple the famed Apollos in “the way of God more accurately.” [Their service is a beautiful example to the many Christian couples who are serving the Lord together.]

EUNICE, a mother serving as a generational conduit of sincere faith. 2 Timothy 1:5
“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”

A daughter of a Jewess that married a gentile. She accepted Christ as her Savior in Acts 14:6-7 at Lystra. Known for her family ministry as a witness to and discipler of her son, Timothy. She serves history as an example of  a mother’s mission to her children. 1 Cor. 7:14 “The unbelieving husband comes under Christian influence by union with his christian wife, and the unbelieving wife is influenced by her union with her Christian husband. Otherwise their children would be left outside any direct Christian influence or spiritual preparation for faith in God.“ (Free Translation from the Greek- drMSBsr)

The Mission of Motherhood:
 Today’s families live under unprecedented financial pressures, daily stresses and emotional exhaustion! The disintegration of the Christian home , the loss of commitment to the church and the disrespect for authority in society: government and schools is the result. The prayers, consistent example and encouragement of mothers is desperately needed! Husbands that live considerately, respectfully and as co-heirs (1 Peter 3:7) together with godly wives can form a spiritual team with such wives and they together will bless their children and strengthen all those who see their faith in Christ.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

NAVIGATING SOME INTERESTING LIFE-SEAS: "UNKNOWN KNOWNS" & BIBLICAL REVELATION

NAVIGATING SOME INTERESTING LIFE-SEAS: "UNKNOWN KNOWNS" & BIBLICAL REVELATION



The secular influences, so dominant, in our time give us little choice than to accept a growing isolation and further estrangement from this world... all to be expected, really. Dr. Francis Schaeffer - of years past - warned - few listened.



Visit: www.TheSchaefferFoundation.com

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

40 Days, 40 Years or 40 Seasons - the Buffets Unique Journey

THE BUFFET'S 40 SEASONS
 by Dr. Marc S. Blackwell Sr.

Howard, Warren and their Grandson "HWB" tackle the problem of "food insecurity" by setting-out to empower an army of poor farmers to feed the world. The book will give you forty stories to encourage you to focus on taking forty years of your own. The book suggests some new "chances" to rethink your own degree of optimism amidst a world that seems preoccupied with the negative in this troubled world.  (SEE: Buffet, G. Howard, Forty Chances, Finding Hope in a Hungry World, New York, Simon & Schuster, 2013)



Most remember Pastor Rick Warren who dazelled much of Christianity with his "40 days" and now we have another 'Warren' and his Son, Howard G. (The Buffets) who are busy sharing their ideas of facing one of this world's greatest challenges ...  serious  Food Insecurity.

The Book "40 Chances" sets-out to share their motivation and thinking for accomplishing their goal of using 3 Billion Dollars for the good of 3 Billion needy people. Howard Buffet believes a lesson he learned from farming is the path to take.

All farmers, according to him, can plan to have about 40 seasons to grow and improve on their crops and their productivity. The Buffets with Grandson "HWB," in tow, are committed to use the own 40 productive years in a unique journey ... a philanthropic "trek" to discover and include new approaches to ease the

The Buffet plan actually came from a speaker who came to their central Illinois farm town to teach a farming course... The essence of his opening motivational thoughts were that we should not focus on the day to day tasks and the month to month processes or even the year to year cycle of work but rather to look to farming from the first time you climbed into the tractor and the day you hand your acreage over to your son or daughter. Even with good health you can probably only expect about 40 seasons to plant your crop and to adjust to the challenges along the way and "hope for the best.  It is enough time to learn to do well. But it's not forever."

Then, the speaker explained the goal was to help these farmers to use these remaining "chances" or seasons to the best of their ability ...using the best tools, best advice on using them... so you can make the most of the time you have left... 

"Forty doesn't seem like a bunch!" -- Buffett thought: "There is no time to waste. I started thinking a little different about farming, but I also realized that this idea applied to a lot more than farming."

Paul the Apostle, under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote Timothy saying "The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things." (2 Tim. 2:6-7).

Paul also advised the Ephesians church... "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Eph. 5:15-17)

What two primary lessons do you see in Paul's counsel to each one of us? I'd be interested to open some dialogue. I wonder, even if we understand these things, if our children understand? 

How much time (or how many seasons) do you seriously imagine that you might have?  

James 3:13 "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom." 

James 4:13 "Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." nkjv

drMSBsr


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