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Speak The Truth Without Fear

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 Due to our society here in America drifting away from the Word of God and leaving out the gospel of Jesus Christ this has allowed Satan (spiritually) to develop a society that is growing in fear. This fear that has been building here in our country has allowed our government and leadership to develop laws of man to govern the people instead of teaching the self discipline that is taught in the Word of God. We have become a nation of critics instead of One Nation Under God with Liberty and Justice for All.

The spirit of fear has been used as a marketing tool of Satan to spiritually rob us of our joy that we simply have in life. Unfortunately, this spirit of fear has even misled many pastors in the pulpit due to their own fears of losing the congregation verses trusting God to supply their needs. God’s word plainly tells us that no man knoweth the day nor the hour and the Lord plainly teaches us to cast our fears upon the Lord while trusting in Him to deliver our needs.

 There are many different levels of fear that can take us down into a dark lonely pit of no return. Fear causes us to run to the doctor everytime we feel a sniffle coming on, fears rob us of victory because we are too scaird of failure and our fears often cause us to sugar coat the Truth to the point that Satan will place us in spiritual bondage. Here is an example of spiritual bondage that develops in a broken home that does not follow the Word of God;

 Let’s take a single parent that has been recently divorced and lost their child. It is their time to spend with the child and they are looking forward to the weekend. Now, when the child arrives he/shetest the parameters of the home due to losing the structure that once gave them the security within their home. This often takes place due to their own inner anger with their parents and it can lead into rebellion with a child. Out of fear the parent does not want to correct the child because they fear that their child will not want to return.

 This fear of a parent not disciplining their child leads to the child now becoming the parent. Instead of the parent guiding the child the child begins to guide the parent and the longer this develops the harder it is to correct. Where many divorced parents go wrong is trying to buy their children’s love instead of teaching them how to be content and work through their issues in life through the love of Jesus Christ.

 Another side of this fear that can develop in a broken home is when the parents do not know how to trust God and be obedient to His Word. When this takes place either one of the parents or both tend to turn their child against the other parent due to their own fear of losing the love of their child. This lack of  trusting God places us in a spiritual bondage of Satan that can have a negative impact on our children’s future. Where many divorced parents go wrong is trying to rob their own child of the love that is shared with the other parent. 

 Our fears of speaking the Truth in love and adhering to God’s Word places us in a vulnerable position for Satan to rob us who we are as a child of God and it opens the doors to the pit that will take us down not only individually but also as a nation unless we Wake Up to the Truth in the Word of God. This dark pit of fear has been used by Satan spiritually to divide our children and to capitalize on our emotions. If we are not careful to address our fears in the Truth and we allow them to continue to build then we are setting ourselves up for an explosion that could have been prevented if we would simply follow God’s Word.

  Based on the 1st Amendment of the United States of America every citizen has a right to speak the Truth in the Word of God and to share their salvation in Jesus Christ. Where many Christians go wrong is that it is not our place to push our way on another for love is never directed because it comes in our own freewill.

 Man should never allow his fears to rob him of the Truth. Nor should any entity be allowed to remove God from our foundation. Without God our homes and our lives become vulnerable to Satan and they cause us to have fears that lead us to following man instead of the Lord. Without the Truth what do we really think that we have and who do we really think that we are? There is strength and security within the Truth of God that protects our nation and our homes for our children’s future.

 If there is anything gained from this article it is my prayer that you don’t allow your fears to rob you of the Victory that we have in the love of Jesus Christ and that you learn to simply speak the Truth of God while trusting in Him to do the rest. His Word does not return to us void!!!

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

The Internal War Within The Church

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 There was an article recently published in The Baptist Reflector that was written by Evangelist Justin Peters that claimed that the Word of Faith movement was heresy and that it wrecked lives. This article named several different teachers from Ken and Gloria Copeland, Joyce Meyer, T.D. Jakes,  Joel Osteen and Benny Hinn. According to Mr. Peters he claims that this Word of Faith movement dresses its doctrine in Christian apparel and that it does not find its roots in orthodox Christianity.

 These claims come from a man that is suffering from cerebral palsy and a man that is representing a denomination that has been unfortunatley declining over the years due to their own lack of understanding in how to add new wine into an old wine skin. With these ingredients of cerebral palsy and a declining denomination it can be easy to lean our beliefs in a particular direction if we are not careful. This is not to say that Mr. Peters has formed his opinion without consideration of these facts but they are to insure the awareness of each teaching being fairly evaluated without someone leaning more in one direction due to their own personal objectives.  It is very important that when we make accusations against another teaching that we look at both sides of the picture in depth to better understand what is actually taking place. Because when we really investigate both sides of the teachings it is easy to find that both have their own positives as well as they both tend to leave out areas of the Full Gospel. This is where Balance is required due to the purpose of order, respecting authority and having the freedom to worship God through the love of Jesus Christ who makes all things possible to those who believe.

 For years people have picked specific areas of the Holy Bible to follow while leaving out another area. Either because of their own lack of understanding, maybe because their own fears while some are simply seeking selfish desires. It is vital that we teach the full gospel without leaving out specific parts to maintain the integrity within the body. If you were to ask any of these names mentioned from Justin Peters to the ones mentioned in his article we will find that they all claim that Jesus Christ is the key to our eternal salvation. God’s Word teaches us in 1 John 2, “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is Antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either;he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” 

 Rather than us striking at one another in a way that can cause confusion or in a way that can end up in a division lets learn how to address each other in love and humility so that God may open up our minds to receive the Truth. When we really study both sides of this article from Justin Peters to the Word of Faith movement in the teachers that he mentioned we can find a similar parallel that took place in Acts 19 in the riot of Ephesus. The people of Ephesus set out to kill the movement due to the financial impact and for placing their trust in what they see rather than they don’t see.    

  Based on Mr. Peters testimony of his cerebral palsy it appears that he has received the peace of God in this circumstance but nowhere in the Holy Bible does God ever teach us to lose Hope in the healing powers of Jesus Christ. When we accept something with no hopes of being healed in the will of God it is like taking in a negative seed and planting something that is not true according to God’s Word. The man at the well never gave up nor did the brothers that lowered their friend through the roof to be healed. Praise God for those brothers that did not leave someone else behind! The important part about our temporary life is learning how to have peace where we are while knowing that God’s Will will be done. God’s Word teaches us to never lose Hope no matter our circumstance and as He teaches us through the life of Joseph we are to learn how to make a positive difference wherever we are or whatever we have to go through.

 God’s Word teaches us that when we encounter different trials that they are there to help shape us into who He wants us be and not for something that we may want for ourselves. These type of test help us to develop a deeper love for our Father in Heaven and they help us to teach others how to have faith no matter what trials we face. There are very few people that have not encountered some sort of illness or some type of loss that would not have chosen to be healed if they were completely honest within themselves. God’s Word tells us that even greater miracles are possible when we believe and this is so true.

 The segment in Mr. Peter’s article that claims this movement is wrecking lives can be justified if we are not teaching the importance of building on a solid foundation without the cracks of sin that can cause us to fall. God teaches us to build one brick at a time without jumping ahead and to be happy where we are while always being ready to move how He directs. So many times in our youth we miss this understanding because in our flesh we tend to want the ship before we know how to set sail. It is imperative for God’s children to know the purpose of time and to understand the difference between the power boat and the sail boat. There are days for high octane and days to relax in the gentle spirit of God that carries forward. For if we don’t know how to Balance between the two then we can either blow the engine or fowl the plug. The object is for the engine to run lean and efficient of knowing when to call on the power and when not.    

 The gospel is not about external prosperity but about an internal richness that is gained through the love of Jesus Christ in respecting the time that we are given with our family and friends. Every single soul has a responsibility to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and to teach the importance of being obedient to God’s Word to maintain our homes and our nation. If we are failing to speak the Truth and the restoration that comes from sincere repentance through the love of Jesus Christ then spiritually Satan can take us off course.     

  Where many followers of this Word of Faith movement are suffering comes from their lack of commitment in seeking God for their understanding verses leaning on someone else besides Jesus to get them through. When we attend a rally where there is music and worship but fail to prepare the new converts of what they are going to face after receiving Christ then we are only setting them up to be conquered by Satan once again. Jesus teaches us that when demons are cast out in the desert that they will return to their original home if the home stays vacant and be even stronger than before. This  is the part which I believe Mr. Peters is speaking against in the lack of disciplining that is taking place in the overall church body today. When we enter into a setting where the presence of the Holy Spirit is so strong that the demons can’t stay around it is easy for them to be cast out but don’t think that they are not hanging out in the parking lot waiting for our return. This is where so many lives are being wrecked because many of the new converts are not being discipled nor grasping the importance of digging into God’s Word to develop their sense of discernment between good and evil.

 The Word of God plainly teaches us not to fall into useless debates in the book of 2 Timothy 2 and God’s Word plainly tells us to address other believers in humility so that God may open their minds to receive the Truth. It is our sincere prayer at Balanced Life  that we quit splintering the body and learn to work together in parties roll in the body of Christ to move forward once again. There should be no battle between true believers for the battle is in the field where the harvest is plenty. Please God help us to work together for your gloryt and not our own…Amen

May God unite us for His candle power to shine in the love of Jesus Christ…

James A. Harrison / Balanced Life Ministry

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

A Post For Seekers Of The Truth

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 Are there seekers on this web site?  I think there are because I have read some comments and such. Let me say that we as a church really need to be seeking, seeking the kingdom of heaven (in the New Testament, Mt 6:33) and seeking the Truth and understanding (wisdom in the Old Testament, Proverbs chapt. 8).  These really are both the same. Finding His kingdom and finding understanding are the same thing, but it is a process and a test of a pure heart that is courageous enough to trust God and apply His word to ourselves and our world around us. As we take steps of faith seeking confirmations, the Holy Spirit will lead us into Truth and renew our minds. Obviously, “every word from the mouth of God” cannot pop into our minds instantly, so we as seekers must read and study the scriptures. We must write them on our heart and love the correction that the scripture brings (the conviction of the Holy Spirit). This is loving our Father in Heaven, for He has preserved His Truth for us, and He has provided a reason for us to love Him. He gave His son for our forgiveness and ignorance. “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus laid down His life because He truly loved us. Now we have reason to love Him in return. “If you love me, you will obey my commands.”

 Life is about Truth and love. We are not born with Truth and love, therefore we must seek it with all our heart, mind, and strength. He is faithful. All who seek, find, but be repentant, pure in heart, and courageous “good soil,” because the devil wishes to hold you back, confuse you, and give you doubt. Even well intentioned friends may mislead, but we can be Berean and search the scriptures when people we love and trust say things that don’t quite register right. Truth and love, they are why we were created and they are life. “I am the way, the Truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” These verses are off the top ovf my head, so I don’t know the chapter and verse numbers. Once again, life is about God’s Truth and love. Choose life, choose Truth.

 On this forum thread, I’d like to share my understanding of the Scriptures. The scriptures are simple to me and I am confident in my faith and understanding. I say this because I want to point out that this is where we all need to go. The Scriptures empower each individual according to their own faith and understanding. I do not empower people with Truth. The Truth was written before I was born, therefore the Truth, God, empowers you. I am not insecure because I hunger and thirst for righteousness and Truth, just like you, right? I desire corrections to my errors in this thread. We must “iron sharpens iron.”  Please correct me and ask questions. It can be fun encouraging one another as we honestly seek confirmations. Perhaps I can confirm your “unsure” understanding, you can do the same for me.

 It is essential that every believer read the entire Bible. Only then, can the Truth come together in simplicity and completely, light bulbs will literally come on in your head when Jesus (His kingdom) rises in your heart, 2Pe 1:19.  On this thread, I will start from the beginning, but also refer to other parts of the Bible because scripture confirms scripture.  Note: How many people in your church have read the entire Bible? How many have taken “scary” steps of faith seeking confirmations? You see, this is what our churches are missing. They are missing a complete and simple understanding, and they are missing a lot of love in action which is where the joy of the Lord is found.Love in action can at times require steadfast boldness in speaking and defending the Truth about love, virtue, wisdom, justice, and mercy. God is love, and sometimes love requires rebukes (If you love someone who is in error, you will correct them, kindly and firmly). Some people in the family of God are soldiers (warriors) with the gifts of the Spirit to stand. I am one of them, but others may be peacemakers, healers, prophets, teachers, encouragers, and with other needed gifts. So, some of my posts may be taken as harshness, but Truly, it is born out of love for the Truth and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Notice that Jesus was very harsh at times, too. Especially with the “know it all” Pharasees. The Truth is good news, though. Jesus came to save, not condemn. The world was condemned under sin before He got here. He wouldn’t condemn it again and leave, would he? The Truth will set you free!!!!! Free to love and free to stand and teach the Truth correctly.

I really want to bring God’s Truth into simplicity, and let the Holy Spirit confirm it to your heart. I hope others will respond and add to this thread. It will be good.From the beginning in Genesis, I will add comments and application to our reality today. I do have a gift of sarcasm, so please don’t take offense. Just giving fair warning. Now, the reason I am doing this is because I read some posts from a guy who is struggling. He seemed to be really turning things over in his mind, without making much progress. I simply want to help. That is what brothers are for! 

Until the next post, may God draw near to you! He certainly will, if you draw near to Him.

Blessings…

The Best Return On Our Investment

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 Where is the loyalty and self discipline today that is taught in the Word of God to maintain the order and security within our homes and our nation? Where are the morals of individuals today in our leadership and in our youth that are simply displaying something far from what is right by God and allowing their own spirits to run wild? Why are men and women in leadership positions not simply standing up in faith to proclaim what is simply right and wrong by God? Have we drifted so far that we can no longer stand for who we are as a child of God? Are we too worried about the loss of votes or the redicule that we may receive from the world in return? Since when did God say to give in and forget how to stand?

 Soloman teaches us in Proverbs 25, “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit, is like a city broken down without walls.” And Jesus tells us in Matthew 10,”But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father.” Within the Old Testament and the New God instructs us to maintain our self discipline through His Word and to never fall weak to the world in order to maintain what God has given. 

  There is strength and security received by God when we learn to be obedient to His Word. Within this security we develop a deeper sense of love through Jesus Christ who teaches us how to serve one another instead of only serving ourselves. Think about it; “If our home is out of control and we are constantly struggling  to survive then how can we honestly develop a deeper relationship with the ones we love?” Does this not make us vulnerable to the ones that want to see us fall and to the ones that are simply seeking self gain?

 The best treasure that we can ever receive here on this earth is the experience in true love that deepens our relationships with God through others. There is no better gift than to receive this treasure in the true love of Jesus because what else can out last the love that we receive? It is my sincere prayer that America learns how to stop and listen to recognize the signs and to see what we are missing. Who wants to build something without the glue that holds all together? Building is something that we should not do for the gain but for the love of serving others to protect what God has given…  

James Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

America’s Future With or Without GOD

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  In the Holy Bible God teaches us a valuable lesson in leadership in order to maintain the security within our homes and maintain the integrity within our nation. Due to America’s continuous drift away from the Word of God and allowing the world to gain control through men and women that achieved their positions by worldly measures this has caused our nation here in America to be in the shape that we are. If this drift continues without men and women that are willing to make a stand in seeking Godly council then we are headed for worse things to come.

 The Lord taught us this valuable lesson of leadership in the book of Samuel with the people of Israel wanting a King because they wanted to lean on man instead of holding themselves accountable to God. The Lord warned us of what would come when they rejected Him and if you look at our society today in comparison to what the Lord said in 1 Samuel you will find the paralell to this message.

 Why is it that we want to lean on man instead of God? Because God holds us accountable for every single word and action that we say or do and He pushes us to be the best we can be without falling lazy in the world. Leaning on man without holding ourselves accountable to God allows us to get by with things that are simply wrong because we tend to settle for things less than what God teaches us to maintain the integrity within our homes and our nation.

 Let’s look at the first lessons that God taught us through Samuel in leadership with the people of Israel and note the parallel to the Gentiles here in America when our founding fathers selected Presidency in our nation. Our founding fathers new the importance of keeping God first as Noah Webster, known as “The Father of American Scholarship and Education” and author of the Webster’s Dictionary once wrote;

“In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect(party) of the candidate – look to his character….It is alleged by men of loose principles or defective views of the subject that religion and morality are not necessary or important qualifications for political stations. But the Scriptures teach a different doctrine. They direct that rulers should be “who rule in the fear of God, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.”

  In 1 Samuel God taught us the importance of our leadership being rooted in the Word of God through the life of Saul and the life of King David. Saul was a man that had the appearance but failed in the character qualities of being a successful leader because he simply leaned on man for his relationship with God. This brought selfish motives that hurt the people and caused a lack of peace in the land. Where David on the other hand had developed a personal relationship with God and was willing to stand for what was right and wait on God to bring things together. Yes, King David eventually fell to sin but don’t we all stumble when we drift away from God and allow ourselves to be driven by selfish motives?

 Within these two men we can discover the importance of our leaders seeking Godly council for their direction and what hapens when we allow Satan to spiritually entice us to give in to the pressures or temptations of the world. Kinda like President Clinton (as King David) giving in to Monica Lewinsky or President Bush (as King Saul) chasing  Saddam Hussein out of anger. This same principle takes place in the leadership of our homes and how we all can fall when we do not root ourselves in the Word of God and learn to trust in Him instead of taking matters into our own hands.

 The future integrity of our homes and The United States of America simply relies on whether we keep God first or whether we put Him second. It is time that America Wakes Up to the Truth and seeks Godly council to restore what He has given us in our homes and in our nation. For with God we have security, purpose, and order without the confusion of the world destroying our children’s future…

James A. Harrison / Author

Balanced Life Ministry

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

Spiritual Revelations

Don’t be like Eli in 1st Samuel and miss something that has been given by God. If you recall with Eli he did not listen because the Word of God was rare in those days and he did not recognize what was taking place until he saw the persistence of Samuel…

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