Mark H. Stevens, Th.D's Blog – October 2009 Archive (40)

How the early church was financed....this may shock some!

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… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 23, 2009 at 11:58am — 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 soul prospereth." (3 John 2). Now, it is interesting to… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 23, 2009 at 11:47am — No Comments

What in the World is wrong With Most Televangelists?

Many who share perverted teachings from the Old Testament on the various offerings to God, making the false leap that you can make a corresponding offering to God by writing a check to their ministry Some are so good they can take ANY passage of Scripture and create a message that ends with you sitting down and writing them a check.

The most egregious examples are those who preach a prosperity message. I am not talking about the REAL… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 23, 2009 at 11:30am — No Comments

The Heresy of Seed Faith Giving

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… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 23, 2009 at 9:24am — 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 October 23, 2009 at 9:11am — No Comments

5 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 October 23, 2009 at 9:09am — No Comments

How to Spot a False Prophet

Apart from Christ Himself, Ezekiel may be the clearest case of a true prophet. He prefaces many of his prophecies with "the word of the LORD came to me, saying . . ." (Ezekiel 3:16; 6:1; etc.), followed by a direct quotation of God's words. This is speaking "a word in My name" (Deuteronomy 18:20). If it is indeed what God commanded him to say, he is guiltless, whether or not it comes to pass within his lifetime. Many of Ezekiel's prophecies, for… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 21, 2009 at 3:39pm — 3 Comments

The Devil Knows Your Favorite Flavor

David loved God probably more than any human that ever lived did, and he fell prey to sexual temptation. We often try and pick apart the scenario that led up to the fall of David. Yes there were many factors. 1. David should have been on the battlefield. 2. David was away from the Ark of the Covenant, which was the very presence of God. 3. David was alone, a lack of accountability since the priest and the prophets were also on the field of battle. 4.… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 20, 2009 at 3:23pm — No Comments

If Your Church does These Things....

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… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 16, 2009 at 9:30pm — No Comments

We are ALL Guilty

We need to realize two things: (a) the awfulness of our sin and (b) the awesomeness of Jesus' work on the cross as payment to forgive even the bloodiest of sins! God's Word tells us that though our sins be as red as crimson (which I believe represents murderous bloodshed), He desires to make us as white as snow:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 16, 2009 at 6:42pm — No Comments

Bible Based 12 Step Program

1. We admitted we were powerless over addictive sexual behavior - that our lives had become unmanageable.

Psalms 38:4 "For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an

heavy burden they are too heavy for me."

There is no heavier load to carry than the burden of sin. His mind is stayed constantly on his sin. Sin is a burden NO man can bear. Only Jesus can bear sin. We must release the sin through confession and repentance (change or… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 16, 2009 at 4:26pm — No Comments

For Those That Believe Keeping The law is what Saves You!

The Law reveals our sinfulness.

"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin," (Rom. 3:20).

"What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘Do not covet,’" (Rom. 7:7).

The Law is for those who are not… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 15, 2009 at 7:56pm — No Comments

Religion keeps record of wrongdoing

Not only does religion try to get us to overlook God's love for us, it will also try to get us to hold things against others out of spite and unforgiveness, while God's Word tells us that love keeps no record of wrong:

"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity [love] shall cover the multitude of sins."

1 Peter 4:8

Now don't get me wrong, we are to judge the righteous judgment, which is common sense. If a person has not repented of their wrong,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 15, 2009 at 6:06pm — No Comments

What to Expect in a Deliverance Session

What you can expect during a deliverance Sometimes you may manifest a demon, other times it seems like nothing happens when they are being expelled.

Mild manifestations often involve coughing, spitting up phlegm, burping, deep yawning or sighing, pressure or pain in areas of your body, shaking, screaming, etc. If you feel these things coming at you, don't resist them... let the demons manifest and come fourth. Demons may use your vocal system to… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 15, 2009 at 5:46pm — 1 Comment

Preparing for a Deliverance Session

Preparing somebody to receive and maintain their deliverance is very important. This is a basic list of things that you might explain to somebody before you walk them through deliverance. I always like to make sure they understand what is going on, and not feel confused or in darkness over the process of deliverance.

Deliverance is often a process

While deliverance can be a one-time event, it can also be a process. If you don't receive all… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 15, 2009 at 5:43pm — No Comments

Before You Call Yourself an Apostle!

Apostles are leaders and visionaries... they bring direction to the church. They have the courage and ability to keep the Church moving forward, growing, and 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 mysteries of Christ's salvation. Such… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 12, 2009 at 3:27pm — No Comments

The Need for a 2nd 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… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 11, 2009 at 8:41pm — No Comments

Deliverance from Sexual Strongholds

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 8, 2009 at 11:25pm — No Comments

Chaplain Stevens on The Spirit Led Life

http://www.facebook.com/ObiWanKenobi7?v=photos&ref=profile#/ObiWanKenobi7?ref=profile

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 1, 2009 at 8:18pm — No Comments

Confession, Good For The Soul?

If God is light, we had better start getting used to Him. But, when we move into the light, it means that our deeds will be exposed. We must count the cost. He already knows, but now others will know as well.

In God's light, pride melts like wax, and the impulse of the flesh is to run for cover. But, if we resist the temptation to "darken the light", then God will illuminate the weaknesses that we "stumble over". This is part of the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on October 1, 2009 at 5:51pm — 1 Comment