Let me hear from you - Charles

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This episode shares how we need assurance in our eternal salvation by grace through faith in the effectiveness of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is, knowing our victory through the cross. "Assurance" means "to be entirely confident in." We need confidence in the finished work of Christ! The Apostle Paul prayed: "Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints . . ." (Ephesians 1:15-18, NKJV). You have an inheritance! Paul prays that you'll have confidence that Jesus is above all things; and equally so is the church [that would be us]. Paul goes on to state: " But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-7, NKJV). We become all that Jesus is in God. We can be confident in what we've inherited in Christ. This includes power to do what He requires us to do. Paul states: " . . . that I may know Him [Jesus] and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead" (Philippians 3:10-11, NKJV). Paul admits he hasn't gotten there yet, but presses on in faith to know Jesus. Join me as we explore these truths and become assured of all our salvation gives us. Selah!

Let me hear from you - Charles

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The Apostle Paul writes: "I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all . . ." (1 Corinthians 14:18, NKJV). He was thanking God for the gift of God which he had received. If it's good enough for Paul; it's good enough for me. We need to thank God as well. Some believe the gift of tongues is not for today. But God gives such gifts for "the edification of the church," and the church still needs to be edified. I believe God wants us to speak with "other tongues." One reason is to exercise the gift of praise. Speaking in tongues is NOT a lot of emotionalism when real. It's a language; a gift of praise unto God. In Mark, Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues . . ." (Mark 16:16,17, NKJV). So those who believe will do certain things, one of the things is to speak in tongues. Many Christians feel it is "just a lot of gibberish." But if you want to be used by God you'll realize all authority has been given to us and that includes the right to speak in tongues. It is the power of God apparent in us, if you embrace what God says and seek this gift. No where in Scripture does it say speaking in tongues is gibberish or emotionalism. What the Scriptures say is that tongues will follow the believers. Paul also says: "I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification" (1 Corinthians 14:5, NKJV). So when interpreted, tongues is for the edification of the church. Later Paul points out it's also for the edification of the one speaking in tongues. It's a form of praise. Would you like to know more? Join me as we look into this gift of praise. [See "How to Receive and Minister the Baptism of the Holy Spirit" brochure on the website].

Let me hear from you - Charles

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This episode is on Spiritual warfare. It used to be that when I heard the term, "Be of Good Cheer," I thought it had to do with worship. But being of good cheer has to do with the exercise of spiritual courage. Our good cheer can lead to worship, but it's not part of worship. Jesus tells us: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NKJV). This is a good scripture to memorize. Jesus has been teaching about the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Helper will come when he is gone. Jesus is speaking a message of peace [Shalom]. We are to take courage because Jesus has defeated the works of the enemy. Jesus says that as we learn His Word and have faith in His Word, our peace will increase -- we will be of good cheer; even when undergoing trouble. When we stay in our relationship with Jesus and His Word, we'll have confidence -- courage. Do you have confidence in the ability to overcome the world as Jesus has overcome the world? Good cheer, confidence and courage releases\ the power and ability of the Holy Spirit to overcome. Jesus uses the term "good cheer" often, for example: "Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you'" (Matthew 9:2, NKJV). In this verse, Jesus is encouraging the paralyzed man to be courageous, to be of good faith, to think boldly. He sums these ideas up by saying,"Be of good cheer." Courage is the ability to overcome fear and despair. The paralyzed man had to know that Jesus has the power to heal him and the power to forgive his sins. When you become strong in your faith in Christ and His Word, you'll become bold in your actions. Then you'll see people healed, you'll see people forgiven, you'll see people changed. Join me as we explore this term and the way Jesus uses it to build our faith. Selah!

Let me hear from you - Charles

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Our joy in the Lord is unquenchable -- it cannot be extinguished. In the Old Testament, the word "joy" means "gladness of heart" or "to delight the mind." The Hebrew word comes from the root word meaning "to shine" or "be bright." People who had "the joy of the LORD" were known to bring light into dark situations. It was a mental exercise. In the New Testament, joy takes on another aspect. Joy comes not only from the mind, but from our born-again spirit -- it's a fruit of the Spirit. It should not be affected by circumstances. However, our joy is affected by our circumstances and when it is, we have help. If you go to the Word of God; our joy is restored. In our Christian life, joy is from an outpouring of the Holy Spirit verses only being a mental exercise. This joy we have is unquenchable, just as the Holy Spirit is unquenchable. The world didn't give it, so the world can't take it away. But Satan will try to steal your joy. The apostle Paul exhorted, "Do not quench the Spirit" (I Thessalonians 5:19, NKJV). We can quench the Holy Spirit, thereby quenching our joy. We can even quench other people's spirits by what we do and say. But when a Christian is strong in the Spirit, they'll use the shield of faith ". . . to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." Jesus defeated the works of the Devil. Jesus' presence produces joy. King David knew this: "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalms 16:11, NKJV). In his sermon on Pentecost, Peter quotes David: "For David says concerning Him: 'I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken . . . For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence'" (Acts 2:25, 27-28, NKJV). We have defeated death through Jesus Christ. That is a major reason for our joy. Selah!

Let me hear from you - Charles

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Praise and prayer go together hand in hand like the wings of an eagle. When you praise God and pray to God, you get answers to your prayers and you soar in the heavens. We have to be diligent in our praise; not doing it mechanically, but sincerely. Forget about yourself and lift up your hands acknowledging that it's all about Him. The Psalmist David exhorts, "Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard" (66:8, NKJV). We need to get excited about Jesus. In this message we're looking at seven (7) points showing why we should praise God: 1) Because God loves us and sent His Son to us. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, NKJV). This verse summarizes the Good News. 2) Because God sacrificed His Son for us (Romans 8:32). Again, the Psalmist exhorts, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy" (107:2, NKJV). Let's tell the world about our redemption. "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (107:8, 15, 21 and 32). 3) Why Praise God? " . . . His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3, NKJV). We praise God for all the things He has given us. 4) Because God has blessed us with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). There's nothing better than what we've been blessed with. 5. Because the Scripture says that if we delight ourselves in the Lord in praise, He gives us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:1-4). 6. Because God gives us a life more abundantly and protects us from those who want to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). And lastly, 7. Because we know we're upheld by God always (Isaiah 41:10). Join me as we explore in detail our need to praise God continually. Selah! Let me hear from you - Charles

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In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (NKJV). All things becomes new in Christ. Then in verse 21 we read: "For He [God the Father] made Him [Jesus ] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV). Jesus came to bring righteousness to mankind. Prior to coming to Christ in faith, we were caught up in wrong things -- wrong way of thinking. But Jesus brings right things -- right way of thinking. We've been set free from death and brought into His righteous kingdom due to His righteousness being in us as born-again Christians. "For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:17, NKJV). We walk in Christ's righteousness; but so much more. We are told we become kings, co-heirs with Christ. And as kings, we are part of the Army of God. We're soldiers in His army, His host of soldiers. This is not because of anything we've done; but because of what He's done for us. Soldiers must be equipped to fight: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:10-13, NKJV).The battle has been won, but we still must fight the good fight of faith. To do this, we must know we have on God's clothes -- His gift of righteousness, then we are made strong. What are you wearing?

Let me hear from you - Charles

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Jesus Christ came to overcome the works of the devil, and when you have Jesus in your life; you also overcome. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NKJV). In this verse, Jesus is speaking about the Holy Spirit so we can have peace -- even in tribulation. He overcame the world, so we can overcome the world. "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (I John 4:4, NKJV). Greater is Jesus in you than Satan, who rules this dark world. But John points out we have overcome. "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5, NKJV). Who is "he" who overcomes? That would be us -- anyone who believes. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death" (Revelation 12:11, NKJV). We overcome by the blood of Jesus Christ and His blood must be the focus of our testimony. When you testify and believe that in your heart; you are set free. You are an Overcomer! Before we knew Jesus we had a low opinion of ourselves -- and we should have! But Christ is inferior to nobody. He is above every name that is named. The world and Satan want to point out your faults and shortcomings so they can sell you a worldly remedy. An inferiority complex is an inadequate feeling about yourself. But now because of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, we have become superior to Satan [and all angels]. For the unsaved, an inferiority complex and a superiority complex bring death. But in Christ we are to have a superiority complex; but only because of Him. Join me as we explore these truths. Selah!

Let me hear from you - Charles

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