Mark H. Stevens, Th.D's Blog – August 2009 Archive (34)

What is a Chaplain? (I Get Asked This A LOT)

A chaplain is usually a person who is an ordained minister who has been commissioned by their religious faith group to minister in an institution, organization, or governmental agency. Chaplains have additional training for the specialized setting in which they work and are certified by an agency or organization that sets standards for their professional competence. The first chaplains were appointed for personal ministry to monarchs, or noblemen who owned their own chapels. Today chaplains… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 30, 2009 at 5:41am — No Comments

Fearing the loss of your salvation?

Anytime a person is tormented over the idea of losing their salvation, it is a direct result of a religious mindset or spirit. Why? Because if that person knew the loving and merciful nature of God, they would realize that repentance and acceptance of the work of Christ would restore them to right standing with Him (therefore no need to fear loss of something that you can obtain so easily - after all, it is the gift of God!). Unfortunately, they… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 29, 2009 at 6:32pm — No Comments

Was Jesus Rich?

Mark 6:32-44: (the miracle of the 5,000 fed) We find Jesus asking the disciples to feed the hungry people who have sat all day listening to His teaching. They respond by thinking what they possess in money to have this ability. (v.37)[Two hundred pennyworth of bread] About twenty-eight dollars a fair amount but not in any way riches for thirteen people. The disciples had a common purse in which they carried their money, consisting of the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 29, 2009 at 5:20pm — No Comments

What to Do After Your Spouse Cheats

1. Take care of yourself. Often when one is going through a very difficult challenge like discovering their partner is cheating, the emotions are so overwhelming that one can hardly eat or drink or sleep. There may be incredible anger, devastation, depression, panic, and even feelings of violence and rage. These emotions make it difficult to manage life in a healthy way. This is a time to do whatever you can to take care of yourself. Make sure you are… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 29, 2009 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Save the Milk for Babies!

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… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 29, 2009 at 2:17pm — No Comments

PLEASE Read YOUR Bibles!

The fact is, these people can find only ONE verse that mentions "Prosperity" in the whole New Testament (-and it is of dubious help, as we shall see). And there are dozens and dozens of verses in opposition! But which one do they choose to quote again and again? Here it is in the King James version (-which is the only translation that helps them in any way): "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 28, 2009 at 3:04pm — 2 Comments

Everyman's Weakness

Men throughout the ages have forsaken kingdoms, riches, position, and even God for the love of a woman. John the Baptist lost his head because of a promise Herod had to keep. Take a look!

6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

7 whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

8 and she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 26, 2009 at 8:24pm — No Comments

Generational Curses

When I worked as a County Corrections Officer in Burlington County, New Jersey, I would often see the devastating effects of generation curses. I processed an inmate one summer evening that molested his daughters. Within six months of his incarceration, The Lord gave me opportunity to lead him to salvation. This individual had repented of his deeds and took full responsibility for his actions, but he shared something with me that sobered me on the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 26, 2009 at 8:10pm — No Comments

If Your Church Does This...You May Be Getting PIMPED!

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 largest… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 22, 2009 at 8:30am — 2 Comments

Dealing With Guilt and Shame

Far too many believers are feeling dirty, worthless and ashamed of themselves. As a result, they feel unclean and therefore unworthy to approach God and have the living and intimate relationship that He wants to have with them! Shame prevents us from intimacy with God because it makes us feel unworthy and distant from Him. What is the difference between guilt and shame?

Guilt is what takes place when a person realizes their failure. False guilt,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 21, 2009 at 3:03pm — No Comments

Problems with Religion

Religion is quick to discredit the ministries of others

Religion is very judgmental and is quick to discredit others who are laboring in the kingdom for the sake of Christ. Even if a minister has a few flaws, but the rest of his ministry is bearing good fruit for the kingdom, religion will be quick to overlook all the good fruit, and focus in on the handful of negatives and flaws rather than the good fruit that is evident. Look at how even though… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 21, 2009 at 8:39am — No Comments

Correspondance Bible Training

NJ Institute of Theological Studies

Suite 160

440A White Horse Pike

Atco, NJ 08004

CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL STUDIES

ACCELERATED BIBLICAL TRAINING SERIES

The Cost $40.00 (Send Check or Money Order to address above)

What is included? 1. Course Book and material 2. NIV Bible 3....more »

New Jersey Institute of Theological Studies

Suite 160

440A White Horse Pike

Atco,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 20, 2009 at 8:12pm — No Comments

CH Mason Bible Institute of New Jersey

CH Mason Bible Institute

Mt Calvary COGIC

Camden, Campus

7th and Market St. Camden

*North Jersey Classes at Living Water Fellowship Church

104 Union Street

Carteret, NJ 07008

lwfbc1@aol.com

2009-2010 Schedule

Will resume the second Saturday in September Classes will be EVERY second Saturday!

9AM to 3PM

September – Church Administration

October – Church and COGIC History

November –… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 19, 2009 at 10:13am — No Comments

NJITS

Ministers Manna New Jersey Institute of Theological Studies

Suite 160

440A Whitehorse Pike

Atco, NJ 08004

CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL STUDIES

ACCELERATED BIBLICAL TRAINING SERIES

The Correspondence School of Ministry is a new spiritual, educational training track of the New Jersey Institute of Theological Studies. This condensed, correspondence format will allow many of the basic courses of NJITS to be offered in a time frame better suited… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 17, 2009 at 4:20pm — No Comments

What is Christian Fellowship?

Some times familiar words lose their intended meaning. Such a word is "Fellowship" We use it a lot, but most times not in its biblical meaning.

In our day the word is used to describe gathering ranging from coffee and donuts to worship services. Most times it is associated with gathering where there is eating.

Now, there is nothing wrong with calling these fellowships. They are important and give us opportunity to be with one another to better get to know our church… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 16, 2009 at 4:26am — 1 Comment

What unforgiveness actually is

Unforgiveness is actually a form of hate against another person. If a person hates somebody, it is a sign that the person is lacking love in their heart. Why? They are not firmly rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, and Christ's love is not flowing through them. As simple as that sounds, that's how it works.

What somebody may have done against us is one thing, but if you take Satan's bait of unforgiveness to heart, it will do much more harm than they did. Do you want to… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 15, 2009 at 7:26pm — No Comments

NJITS Correspondance Bible School

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 15, 2009 at 4:39pm — No Comments

Why are sexual sins so embarrassing?

The Lord gave me a powerful revelation today on the hold that sexual sins have on people. Why are they so powerful to grip and hold a person in guilt and shame? It seems they are among the all-time, best-selling weapons that Satan uses against countless individuals around the world today!

Guilt and shame are known to tear a person to pieces spiritually. They make you feel guilty, separated from God, they rob you of your faith and rips you… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 15, 2009 at 3:47pm — No Comments

Justification and Sanctification...in THAT order!

Understanding the difference between justification and sanctification can be as important as understanding the difference between salvation and damnation. Rightly dividing between the two is of crucial importance. When you understand what they are, you can then draw a line in the sand and say, "This is what saves. This is not what saves."

Justification is the work of God where the righteousness of Jesus is reckoned to the sinner so the sinner… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 15, 2009 at 1:56pm — No Comments

Theology 101

Theology frightens the daylights out of most people. When they hear the word mentioned, their eyes glaze over: they have visions of white-haired old men with degrees spilling out of their ears, speaking in polysyllables and attempting to complicate simplicity. They imagine lists and categories and dry barren wastes without a drop of water. Not surprisingly, therefore, many will doubt the need for theology at all, asking the pertinent question: "Isn't it true that all we need to know is to love… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on August 15, 2009 at 11:44am — No Comments