Mark H. Stevens, Th.D's Blog – May 2009 Archive (87)

What is Faith?

Luke 18:8b (NIV) When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

Believing The Truth

Faith is believing in what is true. Faith has two elements: 1) being convinced of the truth, being certain of reality, having evidence of unseen things, and 2) believing, hoping in, embracing, seizing the truth.

Heb 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Heb 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 7, 2009 at 7:51am — No Comments

419 Archaic terms in the KJV

The Bible clearly tells us "With all thy getting get an understanding" well the KJV of the Bible has 419 words that are NOT even used in our modern vocabulary. Please use a modern English Bible WITH your KJV to keep everything in it's Proper context.

Chaplain Stevens

Why must one use an Early Modern English dictionary just to understand God's message to man?

1. Abject: Psalm 35:15.

2. Adamant: Ezek. 3:9; Zech. 7:12.

3. Agone: 1 Sam.… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 6, 2009 at 5:12pm — 1 Comment

Take Up Your Cross

Mark 8:34-35 (NIV) Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."

Bible Knowledge Commentary: "When the Roman Empire crucified a criminal or captive, the victim was often forced to carry his cross part of the way to the crucifixion site, carrying his… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 6, 2009 at 12:45pm — No Comments

Preachers BEWARE!!!

Married ministers should NEVER minister to the opposite sex without your spouse being present! She begged me to spend the night with her. I gave in for two reasons: 1. Sexual attraction 2. The need to comfort her. Both reasons would have caused me to fall, but God intervened! Praise Jesus! There is no telling where my life would have turned out if I fell that night! When I got to Korea 2 days later (it’s a long flight), That was where I accepted the call to preach and also where God filled me… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 6, 2009 at 10:31am — 1 Comment

Three Important Verses in Witnessing

"So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it," (Isaiah 55:11).

If you only study one page on this section on evangelism, this page is it. Why? Because here is where you will learn three of the most important verses of evangelism: Isaiah 55:11; Rom. 1:16; and John 12:32.

Isaiah 55:11

Isaiah 55:11 says, "So shall My word be which goes… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 6, 2009 at 6:41am — No Comments

The Power of GRACE

John 1:16 (NAS) For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.

The Grace Gifts

1 Cor 14:1 (NIV) Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts...

Many Christians know that "gift" in Greek is charisma, as in charismatic. Grace in Greek is charis. They are nearly the same word, and are very closely related.

Rom 12:6 (NIV) We have different gifts [charisma], according to the grace [charis] given us...

To be sure,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 5, 2009 at 5:45pm — No Comments

Strong Words About The Danger Of Corrupting The Message

1 Tim 4:1-3,6-7 (Phi) God's Spirit specifically tells us that in later days there will be men who abandon the true faith and allow themselves to be spiritually seduced by teachings of demons, teachings given by men who are lying hypocrites, whose consciences are as dead as seared flesh... You will be a faithful minister of Christ Jesus if you remind your church members of these things. You will show yourself as a man nourished by the message of the true faith and the sound teaching he has… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 5, 2009 at 5:43pm — No Comments

Grace Versus The Law

Gal 4:23-29 (NIV) For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants... At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.

This focus on error of approach--of… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 5, 2009 at 5:41pm — No Comments

Were They Apostate or Never Really Saved?

In response to a question concerning our understanding of Hebrews 6:4-6 as it relates to apostasy and eternal security.

Heb 6:4-6 (NAS) For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 5, 2009 at 5:36pm — No Comments

Protected By The Blood

Ex 12:7,12-13 (NIV) "... they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs... On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn--both men and animals--and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 5, 2009 at 5:31pm — No Comments

PLEASE Read your Bible!

But we will continue to devote ourselves steadfastly to prayer and the ministry of the Word. (Acts 6:4 Amp)

This is one of the key verses in the Bible to help a novice minister be a successful tool for the Master. Preaching has nothing to do with popularity, titles, or position. The successful minister is the one that realizes that sharing God’s Word is a divine call and privilege that can’t be done in one’s own strength.

The Apostles took this charge so seriously that… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 5, 2009 at 10:22am — 1 Comment

“If you don’t address sexual immorality in your church, it will die!”

The children of Israel were lured away from their relationship with the Lord by sexual sin. God constantly warned Israel not to intermarry and fornicate with the heathen nations around them. Sexual intercourse unites the parties involved emotionally; this is called a SOUL TIE. This is why married couples are not truly married until they have sexual intercourse; it is the consummation of the marriage. When sex takes place between unmarried people they are still emotionally tied to one another,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 4, 2009 at 9:45pm — No Comments

Everyone That Calls Themselves a Prophet..Isn't!

The apostle Peter, in warning against false prophets, illuminates their characteristics. The entirety of II Peter 2 is about false prophets and false teachers. What sort of message would these men preach? What would be one's impression of God—whom they allegedly spoke for—after watching and listening to such men?

"But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 4, 2009 at 7:51pm — No Comments

Jesus was NOT a Religious SNOB...He talked like a normal human

"For He [Jesus] taught them as one having AUTHORITY and not as the scribes" (Matt. 7:29).

Jesus got His authority from His Father, and He used it. In fact, the very words He spoke were the words of His Father and not His own (John 17:8), hence the Father too uses sarcasm and anger in teaching us (our Lord and His God have more personality than most have ever imagined). What a broad range of colorful metaphors, parables, and colloquialisms they… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 4, 2009 at 12:55pm — No Comments

You Can Purchase My Book on Amazon.com

Chaplain Stevens Says...

About The Book:

I wrote this book because most of us, both clergy and laity know absolutely nothing about helping a person get through grief. Quoting scripture or spouting rhetoric when a woman lost her 5 month old baby or when a strong vibrant man is suddenly paralyzed from the waist down doesn’t really help. I have been a chaplain for almost 18 years, the last 4 as a professional staff Chaplain. I pray… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 4, 2009 at 10:04am — 1 Comment

Does YOUR Church Do These Things?

Does YOUR Church Do This?

1. Manipulating people into financial giving by quoting un-Biblical

formulas i.e. if you give a certain amount of money, you will receive

a 100 fold (highest possible) blessing.

2. Money lines i.e. people are placed into lines in front of the

church based on the amount of money they gave ($25, $50, $100) and

certain blessings are pronounced on these individuals with of course

the highest monetary givers receiving the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 3, 2009 at 5:37pm — 2 Comments

Pastors Take Precautions!

Proactive/protective steps to avoid sin:

1. Do you have an accountability partner or group and do you meet with them regularly and honestly? (This is critically important for pastors who do any serious counseling at all.)

2. Do you leave the office door open or the window in it uncovered?

3. Do you keep your desk between you and your counselee? Physical distance between you and the counselee is very important for her security and comfort, and for enabling you to resist any… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 3, 2009 at 3:38am — No Comments

New Reformation

I’ll get right to the point! Every since Martin Luther received the revelation from God that salvation was a free gift from God, that came through grace and faith…there has been a chasm between the Catholic and the Protestant. As an ordained Protestant minister I know all of the doctrinal problems involved in Catholicism. I have studied church history in college and in my spare time. I know about all of the church councils through the ages and the anti-biblical decisions they made, I know Peter… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 3, 2009 at 3:13am — No Comments

If You Can Lose Salvation?

If it is possible to lose your salvation, then what must you do in order to keep it? I've asked this question many times of those who deny eternal security and have received different responses. But they all, essentially, can be categorized into two areas: "Remain faithful," and "Be obedient." Whichever position is taken, both are dependent upon man's faithfulness and ability.

Now, I am trying to be careful here in drawing conclusions because I do not want to be mistaken in how I… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 2, 2009 at 7:27pm — 1 Comment

God Accepts Rejects...Like Me!

I asked a group of ministers at a conference this question, “What would you do if a young man came to your church and professed his faith in Jesus Christ, but had dreadlocks?” Well they frowned a little and said “dreadlocks!” My point is this, I am not a big fan of dreadlocks, but what does that have to do with a young man’s walk with Christ?

We focus on the wrong thing sometimes. I know Christians with dreadlocks, long hair, and nose rings. And none of them belong to traditional… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 2, 2009 at 6:55pm — No Comments