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

Carlton Pearson Heretic ALERT!!!

Pearson explains how he first began to formulate his break from orthodoxy. In 2002, he told Charisma magazine that he "first started thinking about the inclusive doctrine after reading E.W. Kenyon's writings more than 25 years ago." Once, something said by a guest on TBN resonated with Pearson, and he began to turn it over in his mind. The quote stuck with him, and it has become the oft-cited line: "The world is already saved, they just don't know… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 11, 2009 at 2:03pm — 16 Comments

Homiletics 101

There are many different types of preaching. Generally they can be divided into five categories, though you must realize that sometimes a single preacher can utilize multiple styles even in a single message. The five main types are:

Anecdotal – Preaching based primarily on the recounting of stories which convey a moral lesson.

Biographical – Preaching that provides a biography of a person and draws moral lessons from the person’s life.

Topical –… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 11, 2009 at 9:45am — No Comments

How The Early Church (In Acts) Was Financed...No they did not TITHE!

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… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 11, 2009 at 8:30am — 1 Comment

GIVING IS VOLUNTARY...So Preachers STOP BEGGING! God will Bless TRUST Him!

The New Testament teachings on giving are unpretentiously simplistic involving the heart and not some law:

"…freely ye have received, freely give" (Matt. 10:8b).

"Give to him that asks you, and from him that would borrow of you turn not thou away" (Matt. 5:42).

"The churches in Macedonia and Achaia, you see, have thought it a good thing to make a contribution towards the poor Christians in Jerusalem. They have decided to do this, and indeed they owe it to them.… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 11, 2009 at 4:31am — 4 Comments

The Devil Isn't The Thief

Luke 16:13 (NIV) "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

There is a demonic spirit running rampant in thousands of pulpits in America, and many in the Body of Christ are taken captive by its seductive message. Yes I am talking about the Prosperity Gospel…which ISN’T THE Gospel of Jesus Christ. I realize… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 11, 2009 at 4:05am — 1 Comment

“Be Sure Your Drink Isn’t Poisoned”

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 furniture to make room. I will never forget the stench of death at Dover that week.

I received a Commendation medal for helping move bodies and equipment. That was… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 10, 2009 at 2:24pm — No Comments

Things To Remember When Volunteering at a Hospital

Volunteering at a hospital plays an important role in the healing of patients and assisting their families. Serving others is a special gift and hospitals are searching for those who will serve patients in all areas. Volunteering provides the meaningful and rewarding sense of serving others and the community.All hospitals and institutions have rules and regulations primarily to protect the patients and the staff. HIPAA The Health Portability and Accountability Act was enacted by Congress in… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 10, 2009 at 2:13pm — No Comments

Scientific Evidence of The Bible

Many people doubt the Bible for various reasons. One of them is that the Bible is not accurate scientifically. But this just isn't so. The Bible is not a book about science, but when it does speak scientifically, it is accurate. In fact, it was far ahead of any other writing of its time. Please consider the following:

The Shape of the Earth

"He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 10, 2009 at 7:06am — No Comments

How Does The Holy Spirit Help Us?

THE HELP THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES When we receive Jesus into our lives, the Holy Spirit comes and resides in our hearts as a guest - a guest who is with us forever (John 14:16-17), available to help us when we face difficuloties. He fulfils this ministry in a number of ways:

1. The Holy testifies of our relationship with God

''Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 9, 2009 at 9:51pm — No Comments

Works are a By-Product of Our Faith in Jesus....Works Do NOT Save YOU!

Let's take a look at what the Bible says about faith and works. Then, afterwards, we will tackle James' statement about "faith alone".

Rom. 3:28-30, "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one."

Rom. 4:5, "But to the one who does not work, but… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 9, 2009 at 9:17pm — 1 Comment

It Pays to Study Your Bible...you won't get this message in Church

The tithe comes from the "land," not the air or the sea. Fishermen were not required to tithe fish.

It was the "seed" or agricultural products from the fields that was holy to God and tithable.

Products from "trees" were to be tithed. This not only included the fruit, but oils, etc.

Of "herds or flocks" it was the "tenth" that passed under the rod that was holy and dedicated to God.

Here is exposed another lie of modern clergymen. It was not the first tenth, but rather the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 9, 2009 at 8:51pm — 2 Comments

Books Can Be Purchased on Amazon

Chaplain M. H. Stevens, M.Min Browns Mills, New Jersey, United States

Chaplain Stevens is married to Mrs. Stephanie Stevens and graduated from the Institute of Jewish Studies, a school of the Philadelphia Biblical University. He is an ETA (Evangelical Training Association) certified Bible Teacher. He holds a BA in Theology and an MA in Ministry from Freedom Bible College and Seminary, and is the final stages of receiving his Doctorate in… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 9, 2009 at 6:49am — No Comments

Strongholds

2 Corinthians 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds."

Strongholds are birthed and dwell in deception (which are lies and false beliefs), so naturally the cure is to bring the truth in God's Word on the scene. You debunk the lies of the enemy, with the truth, which is in the Word of God! The Bible says that our weapons are mighty for the tearing down of strongholds (2 Cor 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 9, 2009 at 6:28am — No 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, 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… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 8, 2009 at 3:00pm — 1 Comment

A Biblical Look at Deacons (Servant Teachers)

Acts 6:4 "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to

the ministry of the word."

The twelve apostles were not to be bothered with anything, except

the spiritual needs of the people. Perhaps, that is one of the

problems in churches today. We have made business men out of our

ministers. They learn as much about the way to raise money, to have a

bus ministry, and to satisfy the I.R.S. as they do about the Word of

God. They really should… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 8, 2009 at 2:57pm — No Comments

You Can Purchase my 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 furniture to make room. I will never forget the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 8, 2009 at 2:21pm — No Comments

How To Rescue Your Friends and Family From The Jehovah's Witnessess

Has your husband, wife, son or daughter become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses? If this is so, you have probably experienced turmoil which has disrupted your family. The “face” of your family has probably changed because of his/her belief which prohibits participation in Birthdays, Mother’s Day, Christmas, Family Reunions, etc. This cult’s influence has broken family ties that you once held sacred and dear.

How many times have you tried to convince your loved one to leave the Watchtower… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 8, 2009 at 9:49am — No Comments

No Grace....No Salvation

"For no human being will be justified in his sight by works of the law, since through the law comes the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 2:20).

"By works of the law shall no one be justified" (Gal. 2:16).

"I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification were through the law, then the Messiah died for no purpose" (Gal. 2:21).

"Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law" (Gal. 3:11).

The law had a weakness: it could bring death, but not life. It… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 8, 2009 at 9:24am — 1 Comment

Ministering Like Jesus - Key to Church Growth

38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. 39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

Where did Jesus and His disciples preach?

a) In Synagogues b) In Cities and Villages (Matt. 9:35) c) Outdoors (John 8:1 / Matt. 5:2 / Luke 8:1) d) Everywhere (Mark 16:20)

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 8, 2009 at 8:29am — No Comments

An interesting look at "Free Will"

DID PHARAOH HAVE FREE WILL?

We will now look at some of the most profound and yet most misunderstood and not believed Scriptures in the entire Bible.

"For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion" (Rom. 9:15).

Just who is in control in this statement, puny man or God? Man’s will is not free to contradict what God says He WILL DO.

"So then it is not of him that wills, nor… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on May 7, 2009 at 8:04am — No Comments