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

A Biblical Look at Praying in Tongues

For this study I will use the general term "gift" to refer to tongues, although, more specifically, tongues is a "working" or "operation" of the Holy Spirit through the Believer. In actuality, the spiritual GIFTS of the Spirit are found in Romans 12:4-8. The offices or "administrations" are found in Ephesians 4:10-11. Then the "operations" are found in I Corinthians 12:1-14:40. "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 28, 2009 at 9:17am — No Comments

Don't Run From Deliverance Ministry! All Believers MUST Cast Out Devils at Times!

Sometimes you HAVE to cast some devils out! Avoiding demon possessed people won’t make them go away! We see in Jesus' ministry some dramatic examples of exorcism, casting out of demons. But let's not be naïve. People who have lived under a demonic delusion or obsession for a significant period of their lives need a period of recovery, even though the root demonic cause of the problem has been dealt with. Let me explain. In order for a person to live… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 28, 2009 at 9:12am — 1 Comment

RESPECTIVE FUNCTIONS OF SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY

It is through the corporal body that man comes into contact with the material world. Hence we may label the body as that part which gives us world-consciousness. The soul comprises the intellect, which aids us in the present state of existence, and the emotions, which proceed from the senses. Since the soul belongs to man's own self and reveals his personality, it is termed the part of self-consciousness. The spirit is that part by which we commune with God and by which alone we are able to… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 28, 2009 at 5:21am — No Comments

A Message For My COGIC Brethren (Yes I am COGIC too)

1. More emphasis must be placed on soulwinning and outreach

initiatives, evangelism has to be outside the 4 walls of the church,

our understanding of an "evangelist" in many of our churches is

someone that get the saints excited and raise a big offering for the

church and himself. An Evangelist is a SOULWINNER plain and simple.

The Pastor has to disciple the new converts after they are won to

Jesus! The primary purpose of the Holy Ghost is to HELP us… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 27, 2009 at 9:00pm — 1 Comment

12 Steps for Those in Sexual Bondage

Samson, Solomon, and Me is a Christ Centered 12-step program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. We are dedicated to helping men overcome sexual addictions and bondages. We names the group Samson, Solomon, and Me because even the strongest men can fall to sexual immorality. We use biblical principals to assist us in recovery. Even if you are not a Christian you are welcome to this group because I believe the principals applied will help anyone.

Here… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 27, 2009 at 8:00pm — No Comments

The Reality of Demons

The subject of demons has mystified humanity for centuries. Every major religion has in their belief structure beings that embody evil. From the Judeo/Christian belief structure they are called demons or devils. The Muslim calls them Jinn. Humanist say they are a figment of our imagination. Whatever name you call them, they do exist! This booklet is based upon the Bible and it’s description of these evil spirits, or fallen angels.

Demons are disembodied spirits that were once angels… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 27, 2009 at 5:00pm — 1 Comment

Who were the Scribes and Pharisees?

The Pharisees were not the priests, but rather people from all walks of life who were very pious and strict keepers of the Law of Moses. They constantly adjusted the Law to fit the changing world according to their traditions and own desires. Among the more educated of the Pharisees were the Scrible and the rulers of the Jews:

"In the modern sense they [the Scribes] were the religious scholars or theologians … sometimes called lawyers … or teachers of the law …could make judicial… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 27, 2009 at 12:26am — 2 Comments

A Biblical View of the Anointing

Luke 4:18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

The anointing and the person of the Holy Spirit cannot be separated. The charismatic teachers have made the anointing a separate power that God bestows on people. There is a direct connection between the Holy Spirit and the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 26, 2009 at 2:36pm — No Comments

The Knows What We Like (MEN)

When I was a teenager I had a serious crush on Chaka Khan! I spent most of my adult live looking for a woman that looked like Chaka Khan, well if the devil was going to try and tempt me to stray from Jesus, sending a Chaka Khan look alike (or the real thing) would be a good place to start wearing me down. Now I have been humorous and light- hearted in this chapter, but I am a deadly serious brother, I want you to know that the devil knows just what… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 23, 2009 at 4:52pm — No Comments

Get Smart and Forgive Yourself

I believe it is clear that failing to forgive ourselves from our past mistakes is denying the work of the cross and the shed Blood of Christ in our live. When God's Word tells us that we've been washed clean with the Blood of Christ, and our sins are removed through the atoning work that Jesus did for us... yet we still "could kick ourselves" for our mistakes, then we are basically saying, "I don't care what the Blood of Jesus has done, I still hate… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 23, 2009 at 3:47pm — No Comments

The Pope vs. the Bishop

Over the years I have heard many Protestants criticize the Papal system and all of its pomp and arrogance. But if you spend any amount of time around some of our Bishops and Overseers in the various Protestant denominations you would think you were in the presence of a Pope. Some of our preachers are so pompous and aloof you would think you were in the Vatican. Many preachers today have become celebrities and idols. So often I hear Christians speak of their pastors and bishops with adoration… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 23, 2009 at 10:41am — 2 Comments

The Five-fold Ministry Gifts

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, 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… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 23, 2009 at 10:37am — 4 Comments

The Do's and Don'ts of Witnessing

The Do's and Don't's of Witnessing

"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.… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 23, 2009 at 6:31am — No 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 May 22, 2009 at 9:33pm — No Comments

The Spiritual Man...By Watchman Nee (Chapter One)

Watchman Nee (Chapter One)SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY

The ordinary concept of the constitution of human beings is dualistic-soul and body. According to this concept soul is the invisible inner spiritual part, while body is the visible outer corporal part. Though there is some truth to this, it is nevertheless inaccurate. Such an opinion comes from fallen man, not from God; apart from God's revelation, no concept is dependable. That the body is man's outward sheath is undoubtedly… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 22, 2009 at 3:50pm — 1 Comment

"Touching God's Anointed"

Too many evangelists to day use Bible threats such as “don’t touch God’s anointed” or “You are blaspheming the Holy Spirit” in an effort to silence critics who expose their false gospels and un-Scriptural teachings. They claim the critics are speaking against a ‘Man of God’. This bears a striking resemblance to the situation in 1 Samuel where Saul, whose position was threatened, pursued the man who was innocent. Moreover when David became king he accepted rebuke and correction from Nathan the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 19, 2009 at 10:55pm — 6 Comments

The Heresy of Seed Faith Giving (Stop Being a Mindless Victim! - Read Your BIBLES)

2 Peter 2:1,”… but there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”

What do you think it means to deny the Lord? Many would say that any person or group that doesn’t believe that Jesus was the Son of God would be denying the Lord and that would… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 19, 2009 at 9:16pm — No Comments

False Prophecy a Real Problem in The Last Days

Mat 24:3-5,10-11 (NIV) ..."Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered, "Watch out that no one deceives you, for many will come in my name,.. At that time many will turn away from the faith... and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people."

As spiritual adultery increases in the church, false prophets will flourish as highly sought after speakers,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 19, 2009 at 7:39pm — No Comments

Jesus Teaching on Giving

Luke 18:9 And he spoke this parable to certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.

Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray--the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican [tax collector].

Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give TITHES of all… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 19, 2009 at 8:26am — 2 Comments

Beware of the Dark Side

In the Star Wars saga there are good guys, the Jedi and their allies, and the bad guys, the Sith and their allies. Ironically, both the Jedi and the Sith draw inspiration from the same source, the immaterial, immanent Force. So when the Jedi bless each other with "May the Force be with you," it's really a qualified greeting, "May the Force be with you, just so long as it's not the dark side."

The Jedi knight is not immune from the dark side of… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 17, 2009 at 5:28pm — 1 Comment