Mark H. Stevens, Th.D's Blog (528)

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 January 1, 2009 at 8:31pm — No Comments

Sexual Sin in God's House

“If you don’t address sexual immorality in your church, it will die!” Sexual sin destroyed Israel and it’s killing our churches!

The children of Israel were lured away from their relationship with the Lord by sexual sin. God constantly warned Israel not to intermarry and fornicate with the heathen nations around them. Sexual intercourse unites the parties involved emotionally; this is called a SOUL TIE. This is why married couples are not truly married until they have sexual intercourse;… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 5:00pm — 3 Comments

What Exactly is "True Holiness?"

One problem with man’s denominational teaching is that HOLINESS in many churches and groups means stay away from them sinners! The only way sinners can see Jesus Christ is through the Church (The Body of Christ). The local church is a part of the larger body of blood washed believers. Sinners can only see the light of Jesus Christ through US. Now I am not saying Christians should go to bars and nightclubs…BUT we do have to interact with sinners! Jesus went to places where people congregate. I… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 4:45pm — No Comments

Pastor's Need Disciples....NOT Members!

I was in church one Sunday and one of the old Missionaries was leading the early morning prayer, she cried loud and shook the rafters as she prayed. She said at one point “Lord send the sinner man into this church!” It was uttered with the utmost sincerity and piety, but she was very much wrong! God doesn’t send sinners to church! He expects US to bring people to Jesus Christ! Jesus told His disciples to pray for laborers for the sole purpose of harvesting LOST SOULS! Too many pastors expect… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 4:41pm — No Comments

Ministering to The Hipster/Hip Hop Generation

We focus on the wrong thing sometimes. I know Christians with dreadlocks, long hair, and nose rings. And none of them belong to traditional churches! Why? Because they are not accepted! If Jesus accepted them, who are you to say, “You cannot be a Christian with a dread-locks!” I have a friend that used to be a Hell’s Angel biker, he is now a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He ministers primarily to other bikers. He still has long hair, tattooed arms, and yes he still rides a bike!…

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Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 4:30pm — No Comments

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 January 1, 2009 at 9:41am — No Comments

Spirit Led Christianity

1. The Power to live: The apostle Paul reminds us that the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power (1 Cor. 4:20), and that the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in (or “by” pointing to the means) the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). The message of the gospel brings the power of God into every believer’s life through the person and work of the Lord Jesus and the empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 8:47am — No Comments

The Prosperity "Fat Cats" Bite The Dust...

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 the wayside. God DOES shake us up. Many of these preachers start off sincere and really doing a work for God, but love of money overtakes them! In the book of Daniel we find this with Nebuchadnezzer, he was… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 8:19am — 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 would be true enough. False religions like Islam and Hinduism… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on December 28, 2008 at 10:36pm — No Comments

Before you call yourself an "Apostle"...Read this!

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 December 28, 2008 at 7:32pm — 1 Comment

No More "Laymen" Please

One problem I have found in the modern church is that we have made the church a CLERGY run entity. God meant the church to be driven by ALL of the saints. We are a body of BELIEVERS and BELIEVERS are supposed to CAST OUT DEVILS, PREACH THE GOSPEL, and LAY HANDS on the sick.

(James 5:16 and Mark 16:20) Evangelism, Healing, and Deliverance were not just for the APOSTLES! This is a lie many Seminarians teach and advocate. I too am a college-educated preacher, however I know that the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on December 28, 2008 at 7:18pm — No Comments

Pastor's Pay Attention

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… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on December 28, 2008 at 6:11pm — 1 Comment

Who or What is YOUR God?

If poverty is accompanied by physical dangers, prosperity is accompanied by spiritual dangers. God will often move us through both for the purpose of testing us. We have to realize that God is in control of our life, and no amount of verbal commands can change the destiny and purpose God has laid out for us. If the Lord so blesses us with wealth it will add no hurt or harm. God’s blessings don’t come with the taint of evil or falsehoods.

Phil 4:11-13 (Phi) ...For I have learned… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on December 28, 2008 at 4:04pm — 2 Comments

The Sin of Materialism

Mat 6:19-21 (TEB) "Do not save riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, save riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are."

It is easy enough to "explain away" one or two verses to come to the conclusion we want. But what you are about to read is more than one or two verses: Scriptural teaching about… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on December 28, 2008 at 3:51pm — No Comments

PLEASE Read YOUR Bibles!

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on December 17, 2008 at 9:46pm — No Comments

PASTORAL ACCOUNTABILITY

A filing cabinet drawer full of objections can be raised against pastoral leadership by a board of elders. For the Bible-believing Christian, however, the real issue is this: is pastoral leadership by a board of elders biblical? Is it apostolic? It is my belief that it is! Both the apostles, Paul and Peter, mandate that the local church elders pastor the flock of God (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1, 2; cf. Titus 1:5). We have no right, then, to take away the elders’ God-given mandate. Yet that is… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on December 17, 2008 at 9:15pm — No Comments

THE SPIRIT OF MARTIN LUTHER

When Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses on the door of the church, he did so not to create a denomination, as some believe. Martin Luther wanted to correct anti-biblical practices being promoted in the church. The main theme revolved around the practice of “selling indulgences”. What the church was doing was convincing people that they could “pay” their family members out of purgatory. The church did this primarily to finance the Popes greed and desire to finance the Cistene Chapel in Rome. Now… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on December 17, 2008 at 9:07pm — No Comments

Popes and Bishops

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 December 16, 2008 at 6:52pm — 1 Comment

Ministry Gifts

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on December 16, 2008 at 6:43pm — No Comments

New Reformation Needed

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 on my spare time, I know about all of the church councils through the ages and the anti-biblical decisions they made, I know Peter… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on December 16, 2008 at 6:34pm — No Comments