Mark H. Stevens, Th.D's Blog – February 2009 Archive (20)

Youth on a Mission

Johannesburg & capetown, Africa

Short-Term Missions Trip

This summer the National C.O.G.I.C. Youth On A Mission (Y.O.A.M.), short-term missions team, have a group scheduled to minister in AFRICA. YOAM is an auxiliary of the Department of Missions for the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. under Bishop Carlis Moody. Missionary Stephanie R. Stevens, a YOAM team member since 2002, will travel with them to Johannesburg & Capetown this July.

During the 2 weeks of… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 18, 2009 at 11:40pm — No Comments

Sexual Sin

Pornography is over an eighty billion dollar a year industry in America. Why? Sex is one of Satan’s greatest snares. (maybe the greatest) From Noah to Solomon, great men have fallen into the trap of sexual sin. The sin of adultery has contributed to more divorces than any other one. Adultery breaks the marriage covenant! Satan wants fathers out of the home at any cost. Satan knows the chances of children becoming a problem will increase when dad and mom split up. Satan also knows that if he can… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 18, 2009 at 6:55pm — 2 Comments

Generation Curses and Demonic Influence

Ex 20:5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

Ex 34:7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”

Nu 14:18 ‘The LORD is slow to anger,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 18, 2009 at 6:48pm — No Comments

Intercessory Prayer - What is it?

Intercessory prayer is prayer for others. An intercessor is one who takes the place of another or pleads another's case. One study Bible defines intercession as "holy, believing, persevering prayer whereby someone pleads with God on behalf of another or others who desperately need God's intervention."

Intercessory Prayer - The Biblical Foundation

The Biblical basis for the New Testament believer's ministry of intercessory prayer is our calling as priests unto God. The Word of God… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 18, 2009 at 6:40pm — No Comments

Thank You Martin Luther

Thank you Martin Luther for having to courage to stand up for righteousness and truth, we need men and women like this TODAY! I am tired of seeing the abuse of the saints in the church and over the airwaves. Many of us have been fervently praying that God would turn the church upside down and vigorously shake it (Heb 12:25-29). When this happens, those who love money and have lost their grip on the truth will be the first to fall. This is why every few years you see a “SUPER MINISTER” falls by… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 17, 2009 at 9:14pm — No Comments

A Christian Look at Jewish Feast

Pesach or Passover: [Exodus 12:1-14 & Leviticus 23:4,5] On the 10th day of the first month, Nisan, [roughly equivalent to April on our calendar], every family of Israel was to take a lamb, without blemish, and separate it from the flock. On the evening of the 14th the Passover lamb was killed, cooked, and eaten during the night. The blood was applied on the door posts and lintel. This feast celebrates the Exodus from Egypt. But, like all of the feasts, it also has a prophetic meaning. It… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 16, 2009 at 11:11pm — 1 Comment

How the Early Church was Financed

It should come as no surprise that the early congregations of Christianity were financed the same way the early Israelite society was financed—through a free-will offering, which according to Moses, was more than ample to provide that which was needed.

"Men and women, as many as were willing hearted, brought bracelets, and earrings, rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold ...the children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord ... They brought yet unto him (Moses) free offerings… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 16, 2009 at 8:09pm — 4 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 February 16, 2009 at 8:52am — No Comments

Pastor/Teacher

Pastors and teachers have to take the church from MILK to MEAT, I would be horrified to see an adult wearing a diaper in church, but spiritually many saints are wearing diapers in the house of God. The reason we treat our pastors like gods is that we are babies and we are letting them carry us like babies! They should be taking us from milk to MEAT! We have to grow up so we can assist in the ministry and stop being a burden to the church. So many pastors quit because of burnout, but most of the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 15, 2009 at 6:46pm — No Comments

The Office of Evangelist

Evangelists are the warriors, the foot soldiers who take the gospel to the remote areas of the world. They advance the gospel and in so doing they battle directly with the hindrances of the gospel as well. There are many more warriors in an army than there are generals and so there must be many, many evangelists in the church. Evangelists wear the Shoes of Peace because they bring news of Peace to a world that suffers in strife and turmoil. Every one of the other 5-Fold Ministers MUST do the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 15, 2009 at 6:40pm — No Comments

The Office of Teacher

Teachers build the foundations of the church. They minister in the Word of God and remind us of the priorities and foundations that will keep us stable in our lives. They teach the church how to be wise in the ways of God. Both teachers and prophets have a special gift for worship because the prophet can worship in "spirit" and the teacher can worship in "truth" and those two characteristics are necessary for true worship. Teachers carry the Belt of Truth, which means they have intimate… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 15, 2009 at 6:36pm — No Comments

Why Sexual Sin is so devastating

3 And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? (2 Sam.chapter 11)

David’s sin with Bathsheba lead to him also killing her husband as well. David spoke his own punishment when the prophet Nathan confronted him concerning his sin. Nathan used a story about a wealthy man that stole a poor man’s lamb, while he had many sheep of his own. David said this man should suffer fourfold. David lost 4 sons!… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 11, 2009 at 9:31pm — No Comments

Why Satan Uses Sex

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Gen. Chapter 3)

28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 11, 2009 at 9:24pm — No Comments

THE HISTORY OF SEXUAL SIN

22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.

23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.

24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.

25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 11, 2009 at 9:21pm — No Comments

We Need YOUR Support!

Johannesburg & capetown, Africa Short-Term Missions Trip

This summer the National C.O.G.I.C. Youth On A Mission (Y.O.A.M.), short-term missions team, have a group scheduled to minister in AFRICA. YOAM is an auxiliary of the Department of Missions for the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. under Bishop Carlis Moody. Missionary Stephanie R. Stevens, a YOAM team member since 2002, will travel with them to Johannesburg & Capetown this… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 8, 2009 at 9:19pm — No Comments

Jesus DID Say He Was God!

The “I AM’s of Christ

Many false religions claim Jesus is not God because He never said, “I am God!” I say He did, On more than one occasion. Let’s examine Jesus self-declarations:

1. “I AM the Bread of Life” = (John 6:35). This was spoken during His sermon that followed the feeding of the multitude. Jesus said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” Jesus always directs people to place their hope,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 8, 2009 at 7:58pm — No Comments

An Introduction to Apologetics

The word "apologetics" comes from the Greek word "apologia," pronounced, "ap-ol-og-ee’-ah." It means, "a verbal defense." It is used eight times in the New Testament: Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Cor. 9:3; 2 Cor. 7:11; Phil. 1;7,17; 2 Tim. 4:16, and 1 Pet. 3:15. But it is the last verse that is most commonly associated with Christian apologetics.

"but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 4, 2009 at 10:22am — No Comments

Christianity and Homosexuality

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 February 4, 2009 at 10:10am — No Comments

What is the Trinity?

What is the Trinity?

The word "trinity" is a term used to denote the Christian doctrine that God exists as a unity of three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each of the persons is distinct from the other, yet related in essence. Each is divine in nature, but each is not the totality of the Godhead. Each has a will, loves, and says "I", and "You" when speaking. The Father is not the same person as the Son who is not the same person as the Holy Spirit who is not the same… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 4, 2009 at 9:54am — No Comments

Three Essential Doctrines of Christianity

The Bible itself reveals those doctrines that are essential to the Christian faith. They are 1) the Deity of Christ, 2) Salvation by Grace, and 3) the Resurrection of Christ. These are the doctrines the Bible says are necessary. Though there are many other important doctrines, these three are the only ones that are declared by Scripture to be essential. The truly regenerate may be ignorant to some extent of one or more of them at the beginning of his/her new life in Christ, but he will come to… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on February 4, 2009 at 9:52am — No Comments