Do We Believe What We Believe?

 

Doctrine Matters

Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 2 Timothy 1:13–14 (CSB)   Hello Everyone,   For anyone who missed my email and blog post last week, I apologize. I was preparing to preach three times last weekend, and there wasn’t enough time to get everything accomplished. Denise and I went up to the central valley of California.   On Friday night, I had the privilege of bringing the Word to the men of Teen Challenge. These men who are being set free from addiction, worship with joy and receive the Word of God eagerly. On Saturday morning, we gathered for breakfast with pastors and leaders to encourage one another. The fellowship was sweet as we met with old and new friends. If you would like to host a minister’s fellowship in your area, please let me know.   On Sunday morning, I preached at The Vine, pastored by my friend, and E4 board member, Gregg Bennett. Pastor Gregg has been going through the Gospel of John, and I continued with John 16:25-33. I focused on verse thirty-one where Jesus asked the disciples, “Do you now believe?” Here is a link to the sermon.   The preparation for that sermon led me to think about what churchgoers believe today, and what factors go into choosing which church they attend. Sadly, I’ve concluded that what people believe is less important to them than many other factors in deciding where to go to church. People are likely to look at what a church has to offer them by way of programs and conveniences above the statement of faith. This prompted a new article on the website: “Doctrine Matters.” What we believe will have a crucial impact on not only our own lives, but on everyone around us. Jesus said:  You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (CSB)   Blessings,   Steve Ekeroth

We are Pentecostals and Charismatics

 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose. Hebrews 2:4 (NLT)
 
We are Pentecostals and Charismatics. We are continuationists and not cessationists. Doctrinally, we believe that the work of the Holy Spirit continues in our day. However, do we approach each day and every time the church gathers with an expectation that we will see God move in power and might?

I would never advocate that we chase after signs and wonders, but neither should we be content in believing that signs and wonders are possible without actually experiencing the power of God in our churches. We cannot force God to show signs and wonders, but we can live with expectancy, even a sense of urgency. Our skeptical, postmodern society needs to see a demonstration, a confirmation, if you will, of God’s power and might.
 
Paul knew that great preaching was not enough. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:4–5 (NLT). Today’s new article on the website, “Preaching Confirmed,” explores the importance of demonstrating God’s power in confirming what we preach.
 
Blessings, Steve Ekeroth

Look, God is my deliverer!

Look, God is my deliverer! I will trust in him and not fear. For the Lord gives me strength and protects me; he has become my deliverer.” Joyfully you will draw water from the springs of deliverance. Isaiah 12:2–3 (NET)
 
Hello everyone,
 
Sometimes, an idea takes on a life of its own. Several months ago, I wrote a post reflecting on the word Reconciled. I continued with Satisfied, Rescued, Determined, Loved, Sanctified, Redeemed, and last week, Restored! I did not start off with the intention of writing on a series of words, but one thing led to another.

Today, I explored the word Delivered

. It has similarities to Rescued, but to my way of thinking, it goes further and encompasses more territory. I see rescue as the extraction from a difficult or dangerous situation. Still, deliverance not only extricates us from harm’s way but also brings us into a place of promise and abundance. However, the journey itself will bring more challenges and character-building.
 
My pastor, Ben Brinkman, also on the E4 board of elders, has been preaching a series on the Sermon on the Mount. He had done a masterful job of presenting the truth of God’s word, especially on some difficult passages. I believe that it will be beneficial to some of you to view his messages on “Sexual Sins” and “Divorce.” Pastor Ben handles these subjects with grace and love, yet without compromising the truth. I encourage you to take the time to view these timely messages.
 
I am looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with my family next week, but I also plan on sharing with you a short video Thanksgiving greeting and completing this series of one-word posts with some thoughts on what it means to be “Blessed.”
 
Blessings, Steve Ekeroth

Restored!

 

“Nothing under the sun is truly new"

   

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. Ecclesiastes 1:9–10 (NLT)

 
Hello everyone,
 
Last week, I shared some thoughts about satisfaction. My conclusion was that anything apart from Jesus will never be fully satisfying. Trends and fashions come and go, but a restless wandering occurs among people searching for values and meaning in life.
 
In my inbox this morning, I saw two things piqued my interest. The first was this article: Desire for large families hits 50-year high in America: Gallup | Washington Examiner. The report quoted the president of the American Principles Project, “Overall, this recent survey shows that Americans might finally be climbing out of the anti-family bomb shelter caused by the myths of the 1960s of a population explosion disaster.” Will this have an impact on our culture and our churches?
 
Secondly, I received a link to a podcast on “Trad Wives.” I must confess that I never heard of this term before. That is probably because it is trending on TikTok (which I religiously ignore), generating over 187 million views. Essentially, it is fueled by a desire to return to traditional values. Young women, often Christian, and conservative, are adopting a lifestyle of traditional roles, including submitting to their husbands and even dressing in the styles of the 1950s and 60s. Is it a reaction to the emptiness of contemporary morals and values? As Solomon said, “Nothing under the sun is truly new.”
 
Finally, I continue my series with one-word titles. Today, I reflect on “Rescued.” God rescued us, perhaps before we even knew that we needed to be saved. He continues to guard and protect us; even if we suffer loss in this life, we can count on him to provide us with the ultimate rescue. And because he has rescued us, he enlists us to rescue others for his kingdom.
 
Blessings,
 
Steve Ekeroth

So be careful how you live

 

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Ephesians 5:15–16 (NLT)   Hello everyone,   Distractions are a part of life and, in many cases, unavoidable. We must be aware of distractions and deal with them wisely. We make our plans, create our to-do lists, and allot time for various activities, but interruptions will inevitably occur. When we have vocations that involve people, we must expect the unexpected.   My reason for bringing this to your attention is my failure last week to write an article and send an email. I freely admit that I am a deadline-oriented individual. I am not making excuses, but when things come up at the last moment, unexpectedly, it catches me unprepared. Some of you may be like me, while others are prepared well in advance or somewhere in between. We must have enough self-awareness to make the necessary adjustments to accomplish the most important things. We do not want to miss an opportunity to encourage, bless, or strengthen one another.   Several weeks ago, I started thinking about reconciliation. It was the article that I intended to write last week. Your experience may differ, but I think that that doctrine and teaching regarding reconciliation have not been given enough attention. Just thinking about the books in my library that have salvation, justification, or sanctification in the title far outstrips titles containing reconcile or reconciliation.   To my way of thinking, salvation, justification, and sanctification lead to the goal of reconciliation. The new article on the website is “Reconciled.” As always, I appreciate your thoughts and comments. We remember that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit so that we can be encouraged and equipped to fulfill our purpose of being engaged in the work and ministry that God has for us.   Blessings,   Steve Ekeroth

Run the Race to Win

 

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)   But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. Philippians 3:16 (NLT)   Hello Everyone,   Among the most discouraging things that we come across is when we hear news that another Christian pastor or leader has fallen because of sin, or more commonly recently, renounced their faith in unbelief. I came across a study by Dr. Robert Chilton in which he concluded that only one in three Christian leaders finish well.   I’ve reached the time in life when I think about what it means for me to finish well. It does not matter so much to me whether people remember me, but what have I done to help people remember Christ? Additionally, the E4 Ministry Network has 1400-1500 members holding credentials. What can I do to assist each one in finishing well? I hope that we can do better than one in three!   This week, I share some thoughts about how we can make it to the end in victory. In the conclusion of a two-part message, I share some keys to how we can “Finish Well.” Whether it is a few or many years, I want the words of Paul to be true for me as well: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)   Last week, I announced that the website has a new feature: “Ministry Positions Available.”  Today, we have added “Available for Ministry.” Pastor Donn Rardin of Sarasota Florida is announcing that he is available to minister. If you are a church or a ministry looking to fill positions, or you are available for ministry, please let me know and we will get the word out.   Blessings,   Steve Ekeroth

No Compromise

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)
 
Hello Ken,
 
It’s Veterans Day. To those of you who are serving or have served, thank you for your service.
 
In some wars, it makes sense to compromise and negotiate a settlement. At other times, nothing less than complete victory is acceptable. We are engaged in spiritual warfare (whether we know it or not). Although somewhat controversial, most states have a “stand your ground” law. These laws provide that people may use deadly force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to defend against certain violent crimes.
 
It is time for the Church of Jesus Christ to be reminded that we are to stand our ground. Sacrificing the truth of God’s word in hopes of gaining approval or acceptance by the world will always prove to be futile. Well remembering that our “fight is not against flesh and blood,” we know that the enemy uses people to achieve his purposes.
 
I am stirred up in my spirit because so many followers of Christ do not seem to understand that our calling requires us to be different than the world. So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NLT). In this week’s article, “No Compromise,” we examine the temptation to compromise with this world. We cannot sacrifice eternal rewards for momentary acceptance. We need all of God’s armor to stand our ground in the evil day.
 
We are fighting battles on many fronts, and it is important to have tools and resources available to us. I met Russell Willingham, ordained with E4 Ministry Network since 1995, on our recent trip to Fresno and he has authored a book addressing sexual addiction. “Breaking Free” is an excellent resource for counseling and understanding the scope of sexual addiction. Breaking Free: Understanding Sexual Addiction and the Healing Power of Jesus: can be found on Amazon or go to New Creation Ministries for more information.
 
Blessings,
 
Steve Ekeroth

Speak to the Bones

Speak to the Bones

October 21, 2022

Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! Ezekiel 37:3–4 (NLT)

Dem bones Dem bones Dem dry bones
Dem bones Dem bones Dem dry bones
Dem bones Dem bones Dem dry bones,
Hear the word of the Lord. 

A Situation Beyond Hope?

We know that God is our healer. We believe that nothing is too difficult for God. However, in this most profound vision, Ezekiel, when asked by God if these bones can become living people again, replies, “you alone know the answer to that.”

In the movie “The Princess Bride,” the hero, Westley, is left for dead after being tortured in the “pit of despair.” His friends, fearing the worst, bring him to “Miracle Max.” Max tells them, “It just so happens that your friend here is only MOSTLY dead. There’s a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive.”

We do not doubt that Ezekiel thought that these bones were “all dead.” The bones that Ezekiel saw were all dried out. At the same time, someone else might have responded that there was no hope for these bones to live again. Even so, Ezekiel didn’t fall into the trap. He would not say for certain, but he knew that God could do anything. What is your valley of dry bones? Are you facing something that looks like it will never be brought back to life again?

Sizing Things Up

“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV)

Is there a “valley of dry bones” that you are refusing to acknowledge? Perhaps it is a ministry or a relationship. It could be a family situation, or maybe when you look in the mirror, you see “dry bones” staring back at you. If God gives you a vision of “a valley of dry bones,” do not despair because God would not show you unless he had a plan. He is, after all, “the God of the living.”

It may be that your circumstances have not yet reached the point where you are ready to concede that there is no sign of life. It could also be that the situation appears to be relatively healthy, but there are areas of concern. It does not matter if you are in the valley of dry bones or are mostly well; God never intends for us to make do or to settle for anything short of being fully alive.

Practical Cessationists

There are some followers of Christ who believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased operation after the days of the early church. Some cessationists attempt to offer scriptural evidence as to why the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not operating today. At the same time, others cite the notion that when the canon of Scripture was complete, the gifts were no longer necessary. People that believe this way are increasingly in the minority, but there is another kind of cessationism that is perhaps even more dangerous.

Some churches and ministries doctrinally believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today and yet are very restrictive in allowing them to function. I refer to them as practical cessationists. They are so afraid of misuse or abuse of spiritual gifts that they make it practically impossible for them to operate.

There are “dry bones” everywhere around us. These “dry bones” may not know it, but they need to hear a prophetic word from the Lord. God is calling to his people, “can these bones become living people again?” It may look impossible, but God is searching for those who are willing to speak a prophetic word to the “dry bones.”

Speak a Prophetic Message

A challenge that we face regarding the use of prophetic words is that many people do not understand how they work. Mention prophesy to some people, and they conjure up an image of an old man with a white beard declaring, “Thus Saith the Lord!”

However, if we look at prophecy as described in the New Testament, we begin to understand its purpose for us. Paul writes Those who prophesy speak to people, building them up, and giving them encouragement and comfort. 1 Corinthians 14:3 (CEB).

Not every prophetic situation will be directed at “dry bones,” but how many people desperately need encouragement and comfort? Paul placed a premium on the gift of prophecy: Pursue love, and use your ambition to try to get spiritual gifts but especially so that you might prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1 (CEB).

As we become aware of the correct usage and purpose of prophecy, we will see things around us differently. God will open our eyes to the “dry bones” in our communities, in our nation, and even in our churches and families.

We may be intimidated by the idea that God can use us to “speak the word of the Lord,” but as we are obedient, we will see God put breath and life into seemingly hopeless situations if we are willing to say “dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord.”

Steve Ekeroth

Is it time to Speak Up?

 

Beloved friends, if life gets extremely difficult, with many tests, don’t be bewildered as though something strange were overwhelming you. 1 Peter 4:12 (TPT) Dear Friends,   Perhaps I should begin with a mea culpa. You did not receive an email from me last week, and I did not have a new article on the website. My excuse is that I ran out of time. God is good, and a lot of good things are happening. Lives are being transformed through Jesus Christ, and the kingdom of God is growing. Nevertheless, we face many challenges.   I want to bring to your attention some news out of Australia: CEO forced to resign after one day because of his church membership. Here is the key paragraph:   Andrew Thorburn was chief executive of the Australian Football League club Essendon only a day before reports emerged that he was also the lay board chairman of an Anglican church called City on a Hill. In 2013, the church published an article urging people with “same-sex attraction” to seek help from senior Christians to “survive these temptations.”   We live in a world that is increasingly hostile to the truth of the gospel and anyone who dares to identify as a Christ-follower. We have seen it here in the United States, where some have voiced the opinion that holding to Christian beliefs should disqualify someone from holding public office for an appointment to the Supreme Court.   It is no secret that some want to silence us. In my continuing series on speaking, today I posted an article, “Speak up,” that challenges us to speak up on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. Many groups of people are left without a voice, the unborn, those being trafficked, the powerless and abused, and many others. Will we Speak up on their behalf?   Finally, we do not make many endorsements, but Logos Bible Software is one of my essential tools. I have used it for many years, and frankly, I’m not sure what I would do without it. They released a new version this week with some excellent new features. I wrote a short review if you are interested.   Blessings,   Steve Ekeroth

Speak Grace

Speak Grace   God wants people to surrender their lives of sin and shame and allow him to restore what the enemy has stolen from them. God is not limited in how he can transform lives, but speaking grace is an excellent way to open the door.

A Thirst for God

A Thirst for God

July 26, 2022

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 (NLT)

David wrote Psalm 63 out of his experience in the wilderness. The wilderness was a barren, desolate place where he was deprived of the comforts of home and exposed to bad weather and hostile enemies. He focused on the things that matter. Or should I say, he focused on God, the only thing that matters.

God is not afraid of the desert or wilderness, nor should we be afraid. In fact, when we are in the desert, we may be right where God wants us to be. In the desert, only the essential matters. In a way, life is made simple. When God uses the illustration of hunger and thirst to represent how we should be pursuing him, it is more than an analogy or parable. Like fasting, life in the wilderness has a way of stripping away less critical things, and if we are open, we can realign our priorities.

I object to those who would claim that the child of God should never go through a spiritual wilderness, that he should never feel barren and desolate spiritually. But most of us know that it is inevitable for us to have such times. Even though David was one of God’s most favored and blessed, he was not exempt from the wilderness experience he describes in this psalm.

The question is not whether we, as God’s people, will have to go through wilderness experiences but how to face them.

What is thirst?

The Bible uses the ordinary bodily functions of hunger and thirst as an analogy for spiritual need and desire. Psychologists classify thirst as a drive, a basic compelling urge that motivates action.

Living in arid lands without modern water systems, the people of the Bible were acutely aware of the pains and perils of being without water. In biblical literature, thirst is often frightening and life-threatening, as opposed to the modern experience of temporary discomfort. The Israelites in the wilderness complain to Moses, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” (Ex 17:3 NIV).

In the New Testament, particularly in John’s writings, it is Jesus who can quench our soul thirst. Jesus proclaims to the woman at the well, “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (Jn 4:14 NIV).

What are you hungering and thirsting after?

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

To those who love the Lord, we would undoubtedly say that we are hungering and thirsting after God. It is our desire, but how often do we settle for less? The urgency of the immediate will often lead us to compromise.

We have good intentions, but the desire to hold out for the good things of the Lord is just not strong enough within us when other things come along to entice us.

Imagine for a moment that I have invited you out to a fine dinner. Perhaps a Michelin-rated 5-star chef at an upscale restaurant, or better yet, I invite you into my home for a meal my wife prepares.

You do not have far to travel, but you feel a little bit hungry along the way. You stop at McDonald’s, and not only do you order a full meal, but you also ask them to supersize it. By the time you arrive, you are no longer hungry. Because you were not willing to wait, you cannot appreciate the delicious meal.

That is the way it can be with spiritual hunger and thirst. We know that the Lord is good and has good things in store for us, but we indulge in things that this world has to offer, and by the time we get to Jesus, we have reached our capacity.

To hunger and thirst after righteousness sometimes means delayed gratification. We must deny ourselves, and often that is the last thing we want to do, so we miss out on the blessing.

How do you invigorate thirst?

In the natural realm, the best way to encourage hunger and thirst is to exert yourself. Exercising or working hard at physical labor creates a hunger and thirst within us demanding to be satisfied. The reason that some people lose their hunger and thirst for God is that they are effectively sponges. They absorb until they are saturated.

I remember hearing someone say God wants us to be leaky vessels for him. Now, this is different than not being able to retain teaching or sound doctrine. As a pastor, it is frustrating to experience people who are “always learning, yet never coming to the knowledge of the truth.” No, what I am referring to is that when God fills us with living water, water will leak all out over everyone. We recall that Jesus said, “out of our innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” Whether or not it is because we are leaky or simply because God continually fills us to overflowing, we are to be vessels that are continuously refreshed and refilled.

God’s rivers must flow through us. As we empty ourselves offering the life-giving water of the Holy Spirit along with nourishment from God’s Word, we will be hungry and thirsty for more. That is how we increase our thirst.

Satisfied, yet not satisfied

The Lord can satisfy us, but we still want more. Satisfied, but wanting more is not a contradiction. There is nothing more satisfactory than to be in God’s presence. After all, “In his presence, his fullness of joy.” He satisfies my soul with good things, but it is not greedy or selfish to desire more. However, the only way we can receive more is to continuously give what he has given to us.

I leave you with this quote from Oswald Chambers. (May 15 in My Utmost for His Highest)

The only proper goal of life is that we manifest the Son of God; and when this occurs, all of our dictating of our demands to God disappears. Our Lord never dictated demands to His Father, and neither are we to make demands on God. We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others.^[1]

God satisfies us not so that we can sit back and live on what we have stored up but so that we can be nourishment to those around us. Remember what Jesus said:

As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10:7–8 (NIV)

Steve Ekeroth

^[1] Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest: An Updated Edition in Today’s Language, ed. James Reimann (WORDsearch, 1992), 136.