Mark H. Stevens, Th.D's Blog – April 2009 Archive (68)

GIVING VERSUS TITHING

Do any of these Scripture references quoted above regarding voluntary giving, have anything to do with "tithing?" Absolutely not. Notice what the definition of Christian tithing is:

"tithe (tith) n. 1a. A tenth part of one’s annual income contributed voluntarily or due as a tax, esp. for the support of the clergy or church." (The American Heritage College Dictionary, p. 1444).

Tithing was commanded by the LAW.

Giving is voluntary from the HEART.

THE… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 11, 2009 at 5:49am — 2 Comments

What is a Stronghold?

What exactly is a stronghold?A stronghold is an incorrect thinking pattern that has molded itself into our way of thinking. These strongholds have the capability to affect our feelings, how we respond to various situations in life, and they play a large role in our spiritual freedom.Where do strongholds come from?Strongholds are built upon deception and error. These errors and deceptions which form strongholds can come from a wide variety of sources,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 10, 2009 at 2:02pm — No Comments

The Anointing AND Knowlege....a powerful team!

In too many of our churches (I am talking mainly to Black folks) we have the ancient slave mentality that says, “I don’t need to go to school to be a preacher, I got the anointing!” Well during the days of slavery and Jim Crow we didn’t have an opportunity to go to Seminary or Bible Colleges. My grandfather was a deacon and his brother was a pastor back in the days when folks only got a grade school education and had to quit because they had to help pick tobacco. My forefathers made due the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 10, 2009 at 1:51pm — 2 Comments

The Homosexual Agenda and The Church

The homosexuals and lesbians have gained considerable political and social momentum in America. They have "come out" as the term goes, left their closets, and are knocking on the doors of your homes. Through the TV, Radio, Newspapers, and Magazines, they are preaching their doctrine of tolerance, equality, justice, and love. They do not want to be perceived as abnormal or dangerous. They want acceptance and they want you to welcome them with open, loving arms, approving of what they do.

In… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 10, 2009 at 12:39pm — 5 Comments

My Sermon for Tonight

Philippians 2:1 "If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any

fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,"

This is as if he is asking them if their experience with Christ

was real or not. Are you trusting in Christ? Is His love real to you?

Do you fellowship with Him in your Spirit? Do you really believe in

the mercy of God? Were you really baptized in the Holy… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 10, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Bitterness is a root!

Hebrews 12:15, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled."

What is a root? A root is a source, or a bubbling fountain that is laying under the surface. Roots do not directly manifest or make themselves known, but are a source of nutrition or fuel for other elements that are on the surface. You don't usually see a plant showing off it's root system,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 10, 2009 at 11:43am — No Comments

The FULL Gospel Message

Did you know that Jesus didn't simply give instruction to go out and preach the gospel, but also to cast out demons and heal the sick while we're at it? God's Word makes it clear that we are to go fourth preaching the gospel... but we are to also be actively healing the sick and casting out demons as well!

Matthew 10:7-8, "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 10, 2009 at 11:32am — No Comments

Questions and Answers on Deliverance

Serious questions that we need to be asking!

There are a lot of misunderstandings about whom the deliverance ministry is meant for. This teaching rises some very important questions that cannot be realistically overlooked. I want you to consider these questions and keep in mind that Jesus referred to deliverance ministry as children's bread.

Matthew 15:26, "But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs."

How are you supposed to cast… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 10, 2009 at 10:45am — 2 Comments

The Parable of The Bear Trap

2 Tim 2:26 (NIV) and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

• Imagine a man caught in a bear trap. He cannot get the proper angle to separate the steel jaws himself, he needs help. Suppose he then sees his friend approaching through the trees, and feels terribly embarrassed to have gotten into this predicament, so he tries to duck down and hide. But his friend has already seen him, so the hapless captive decides… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 10, 2009 at 8:06am — No Comments

Self-Deliverance Worksheet

Reflection and Repentance Worksheet ________________________________________

This worksheet will not be used in any formal exercise later in the study, and is simply meant to assist you in thinking about areas of your life that you may have been "taken captive" by the forces of darkness. What you do with it is up to you.

Please remember that not all problems can be attributed to demons. But until the day when the church is discerning… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 10, 2009 at 8:00am — 1 Comment

Meeting at The Foot of The Cross

The Word of God has no flaws, and this is where we must meet. I was raised in the Baptist church, I went to a Lutheran School (middle school), I have had fellowship with different groups within the military chapel system, and I worked with foreign missionaries in Korea for 2 years. I helped start the first Church of God in Christ in Korea. During Operation Desert Storm I lead 2 Muslims to Christ with an Assembly of God brother and an apostolic brother. (This was not easy…but it happened) I have… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 9, 2009 at 9:44pm — No Comments

How Do I Get Tax-Exempt Status?

What is 501(c)(3)

Church leaders are often confused by their friends (or their Attorney's), when they are told they must "Get" a 501(c)(3). What they mean to say is, "Do you have a favorable "Ruling Letter" from the IRS." When a church chooses to file the IRS Form 1023, they will receive this letter.

The Church must meet both the organizational and operational test. Whereas Section 501(c)(3) of the US Tax Code (and its’ various sub sections) describe the various organizations exempt… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 9, 2009 at 9:41pm — No Comments

How Porn Works

Pornography in its various forms has become accessible to just about anyone. With the help of the internet, videos, cable television, satellite and magazines, thousands...or possibly millions of people are becoming addicted to pornography every day. Though the sex industry downplays the impact of porn on society, the truth is that pornography profoundly damages people.

Pornography images are designed to appeal to our human tendencies toward lust and "sexual idolatry." Let's examine… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 7, 2009 at 1:22pm — No Comments

Stop Robbing God's People!

A warning to all charlatans and would-be tithe extractors and collectors: There is NO temple of God being officiated in Jerusalem today. There is NO Levitic priesthood to officiate at such a temple. There is NO NEED for such a temple or priesthood at this time. Only Levites could collect tithes at the temple. Therefore, EVERYONE collecting tithes today is a charlatan and a fake. If one cannot historically trace back his genealogy generation by generation with no lapses to the family of Aaron,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 7, 2009 at 12:50am — 1 Comment

"Will a Man Rob God?"

"Will a man ROB God?" How many untold tens of thousands of men will give account one day for teaching this verse in Malachi 3:8 totally out of context for their own sordid gain. I couldn’t count the times I have heard self-appointed ministers of the gospel berate their congregations and listeners for "robbing God" in tithes and offerings. This verse in Malachi certainly means what it says. Someone was defrauding God of tithes and offerings, but wait until you find out who it is that God blames… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 7, 2009 at 12:47am — 2 Comments

Witnessing Do's and Don'ts

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person," (Col. 4:5-6).

Like most things in life, witnessing has guidelines. Following is a list of 20 Do's and 12 Don't's. They should aid you while witnessing and help prevent serious errors. If, however, you choose to ignore them, witnessing will be difficult and… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 7, 2009 at 12:39am — No Comments

Why I Don't Believe We Can "lose" Eternal Life

When we are saved we become a new creation, according to 2 Cor. 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This is the new state of being resulting from the action of the new birth. Where the new birth emphasizes the radical transformation we undergo, the new creation emphasizes the radical new person we become. How is it possible to become an old creation once again? Can we be uncreated? Now if we had any… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 6, 2009 at 12:48pm — 5 Comments

The Five-fold Ministry Gifts

Apostles are leaders and visionaries... they bring direction to the church. They have the courage and ability to keep the Church moving forward, growing, and building in new directions. Apostles are also fathers, able to nurture and disciple the other ministry gifts. They have maturity and experience beyond their fellows and can give guidance as well as leadership. They wear the Helmet of Salvation, which means they walk "within" salvation. They know the mysteries of Christ's salvation. Such… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 5, 2009 at 6:18pm — 1 Comment

My Latest Book (On Amazon , COM)

Introduction

What exactly is Witchcraft?

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft..."

I Samuel 15:23

I was stationed at Dover AFB in November 1978 when the dead bodies came to be placed in the largest mortuary on the East Coast. There were so many bodies the First Sergeants had to wake many of us up at 3 AM to help unload bodies off of the C-5/A aircrafts and move… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 4, 2009 at 7:30pm — No Comments

PRISON MINISTRY

THE MANDATE FOR PRISON MINISTRY

The mandate for prison ministry is clear in God’s Word, both by scripture and example.

SCRIPTURE:

The greatest scriptural mandate for prison ministry is given in Matthew 25:31-40. Jesus said:

. . .“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on April 4, 2009 at 7:19am — 1 Comment