Tag Archives: Christ

Your Sunday Bread: Is Rah El?

Posted on by

1John2-15-16I was sitting here and the thought occurred that people take their sin lightly believing its not hurting anyone. Of course, it [the sin that so easily beset] feels good, otherwise, no one would participate would they?

In the Hebrew text there is only one word which describes that force opposite of good, or right and that is ‘rah’ which means something so disgustingly unpleasant that when in its presence one is face to face with a very distressful or injurious situation. According to the Hebrew definition this premise of ‘rah’ goes beyond what is reasonable [to imagine], or rather, what is predictable. In fact, in the Hebrew the term is such that there is evidence of malignancy there. Go see for yourself, that is, rah: Strongs G7451; and or, root ‘ra’ah’ H7489. Here we want to speak about the translation and the tendency that some of the power is lost when the word ‘rah’ becomes evil vs wicked. Let’s talk about this.

Accordingly, scripture tells us that the temptations appeal to our innermost senses, that is, (a) lust of the flesh, (b) lust of the eyes, and (c) the pride of life which all create in us ‘beastly’ personalities if not balanced with life in righteousness, or rather being led by Yah’s Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Then know that one is ‘rah’ if there is not the Ruach in us to help us through these temptations.

So then we note this term rah sheds light on our behavior, and one should ask why would Yahuah call us “filthy rags” if this were not so? In fact, one should question why the covenant was necessary in the first place, however, we have not questioned this and have set about to accept man’s terms over the Most High’s.

“Because all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16). This is the new testament which some people claim gives premise to disobey. No, we have not called our idolatrous acts disobedience, however, this thing is so critical that people even upon seeing truth claim that the law is abolished. Have not people eyes to ear and see truth? Obviously not!Here is what happen when ‘rah’ became evil:

morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked

This definition is not explanatory since it doesn’t challenge one’s moral compass. What is it then which makes a person immoral according to the Most High? And if we never visit Torah how would we know it?Read: The first books [Torah], but Exodus 20 is a good guide.

Wicked:

morally bad
: having or showing slightly bad thoughts in a way that is funny or not serious
: very bad or unpleasant

Since we know that we love and like our sin then how can we identify with these definitions without explanation?For your hearing:”Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15). In essence, one should ask Is ‘Rah’ El?

Your Sunday Bread: Steadfast & Unmovable

Posted on by

saiKeep your eye on the prize. Know that the race is not given to the swift, nor is it given to the strong but to those who endure [hold on, hang in there, who do not give up and do not faint]. until the end.
“I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the mighty, nor even bread to the wise, nor even riches to men of understanding, nor even favour to men of knowledge – for time and chance meets with them all”. (Ecclesiastes 9:11).
So what that says today is that all have the same start, but unfortunately not all hang in there.
Today: Are you the one? Today are you the one who will hold on to the finish. It is well today, believe it.
For your hearing:
(1 Corinthians 15:58) Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Master, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Master.

Go Ye Therefore and Leave out Information!

Posted on by

I never understood why people react as they do when there is a knock on their -f4572c48ac9d5bf3door unexpectedly. Nearly everyone I know, and most likely some I do not have experienced the knock to, open their doors and find at least a pair of Jehovah’s Witnesses standing there.

In that I find that it seems like doing nothing can be considered an inconvenient time when these people come for many of us. However, in times past seeing those people walking with satchel in tow I hurriedly closed my door before they came close; peeking out the window to see if they noticed. Subsequently, this got me thinking about why such dramatic behavior towards this group of people. I considered what I knew of them and to notice that the sources of that knowledge now were unreliable. As a result, in one moment I decided that I would allow my door to remain open to finally hear what they had to say.

I pause here; to share that in the last four years I have totally and without regret left religious thinking to the religious. Decidedly, I have determined that if I want truth I would have to seek it out on my own. Does not the scripture invite us to ask, seek and knock at the door of understanding, also, declaring that wisdom cries [out] in the street? Hence, for me to gather truth I report that I would have to hear all the information to make a change. Christianity doesn’t seek truth it accepts ritualistic thought, a monkey see, monkey do type thinking that to me does not allow clear exhibition of truth. Hence, if one only thinks one thing then there is not a mind to question what we are hearing. So it is with great confidence in my new found freedom of thinking for me that I opened my door and sure enough the infamous knock came.

I went out to greet them and we got into a conversation about Jesus and his name in Hebrew which, notably, in times past has went unchallenged most certainly for a great many of us ignorant. It is the case that right away the witness chimes in saying, “Yes that is His Name in Hebrew [Yahusha], but that in English his name is Jesus. I being a preponderant of truth quickly challenged his version of truth saying that I would like to know all of the information as to make an informed decision. Inadvertently, truth was revealed through that conversation to say that people know truth of some matters but do not share it.

That has opened an entirely different perspective which says that people are cowards or have other motives for not speaking truth in all things.
I began my quest to find out what they know, and one person shared in the beginning of the study that the bible is written in Hebrew, however, the fact that the bible is written in Hebrew is not surprising, but what is surprising is that people have not questioned the letter J since there is no J in the Hebrew alphabet. It is amazing that people can walk out of the church, but still hang on to such teaching of untruth and do not see that people’s names do not change because they go to other countries. It is absurd to think this way! [See: How Did the Name Jesus Originate? ].

Related Article
The Hebrew Name for God-Yah

Your Sunday Bread: Come From Among Them

Posted on by
Cloisters of Essen Minster, Essen, Germany.

Cloisters of Essen Minster, Essen, Germany. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The falling away was falling to idols and that thing is going on in the church today. Look at this video, how many crucifixes do you see behind you…even in the window behind the curtain…looks like little crosses lined up there. For what? The cross is symbolic of death…so Yahushua was killed there; however where in the word does it say to worship the cross….the power is in the resurrection.

Paul says in Philippians “What is more, I even count all to be loss because of the excellence of the knowledge of the Messiah Ha Mashiac my Master for whom I have suffered the loss of all, and count them as a refuse in order to gain the Messiah, and be found in Him not having my own righteousness, which is of the law (of the law meaning those things done found in the law), but that which is through belief in Messiah, the righteousness which is from Elohim on the basis of belief, to know Him, and the ((((Power of His resurrection)))), and the fellowship of his suffering (which are suffer altogether by man), being conformed to his death (dead to sin…those things written in the commandments), if somehow I might obtain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already received or perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Messiah Ha Mashiach has also laid hold of me.”

We have to hear this word. Death is at the cross (sin)…walking a way from the cross is life.

Come from among them.     cross inside the church

The church is not in the building, so whether they keep it (the cross steeples) or it stays the message (((should))) go forth. What is it for…it is a death trap. Those crosses were in the movie exorcist too, and the demon didn’t go anywhere. In fact, even now the demons do not tremble at the cross they tremble at the word (James 2:19). It is the word of Yahuwah which saves and binds up. He says, bind on earth and it is bound in heaven, loose on earth and it is already loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19). Hence, the cross on the church and the cross on the wall is someone elses thinking…the word saying “and be found in Him not having my own righteousness.”

Collecting crosses, on the church, in the church, in your ears, on your neck doesn’t make one righteous.

Tee shirts, banners, glow in dark signs, is not saved. I don’t care how you cut it…it is idolizing self. A sin.

The cross is not power to resurrection, it is the miracle that once dead, death could not keep him…the cross is not fore issue it is the purpose of it. It was used to kill, but Yah’s plan woke him up.

Watch: My Pastor Rebuked me in public

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW9k2xHs_f0&feature=youtu.be

Related articles

Your Sunday Bread: Yahweh or the Devil?

Posted on by

God or the devil“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11-15).

These days, it will take a lot more to convince me of someone’s character than them saying “I’m a Christian,” because that ain’t saying nothing if all I see is or hear are lies and conniving schemes against the brethren. I mean it, I have had enough of people saying “God says this and that” but still are doing whatever they want, have tossed out the commandments and do everything opposite of what Yahweh says not to do.

Don’t tell me Ladies and Gentlemen that someone sings in the choir, preaches and teaches, a deacon, and yet can’t keep his hands and eyes off those who aren’t theirs. Please don’t tell me that because it is a lie from the pits of hell.

Don’t come to me saying the Lord says this for me, and you are talking about me behind my back. Can Yahweh speak, would Yahweh speak to someone who cannot honour his Sabbath and keep it holy? I don’t think it is Yahweh, but “Your father the devil.”

I am gonna set my face like flint…this is for those stiff necked to whom the truth comes….those who when I bring the word want to snarl, nash their teeth. That means that you can talk, but I am called to bring truth….run and hide or take heed.

For your hearing

Ezekiel 2

 

 

Related articles

Your Sunday Bread: Rebellion in the Church

Posted on by
English: I took photo of First Baptist Church ...

English: I took photo of First Baptist Church in Rockdale, TX, with Canon camera. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today, there are churches popping up on every corner. As far as the eye can see and beyond there is a church house (literally houses) being converted to churches on every other block and every other corner? I wonder why, because what we also see today is people church hopping; going from one church to the next never able to find roots. Hop, Hop, Hop they go on and on and on, and for whatever reason they can never settle down. There are many answers given for these occurrences, and some make sense while others do not.

The big thing today is that some churches split, because someone doesn’t like this or that; or, someone feels that they can do a better job of the pastor ship than the current pastor.

This is what happened in heaven; Satan wanting to be like Elohim and convinced some others to side with him so they could take over heaven which started a war in heaven. (Revelations 12:7-10).

In times pass we could blame this behavior on the individuals, because we had churches with supposedly, sound doctrines, and so called seasoned pastors to lead us. Everything was stable, and if you were Baptist each week we could count on the following:

  1. Sunday School
  2. Morning Worship
  3. 3 o’clock service
  4. BTU at 6 p.m.
  5. 7:00 evening worship
  6. Wednesday night /Bible study prayer meeting (not sure cause I never quite got a good grasp of the word of God of how prayer helped, but people prayed).

We expected to be fed at church or either would grab a bite in between those times. I did not hear any griping, people just followed instructions and did what they were told, and things seemed to work. I really had some good times at church and I thank God today for my beginnings, because I was able to remember some of my earlier teachings which in turn brought me to a place of surrender in my mind later on.

Ironically, there are some churches that had those same ideals but are no longer in existence today, and others split because the members, for whatever reason rebel against the Shepard of the house and gather together other members to ban with them against authority, and, either are kicked out or leave to start other churches. (i.e., Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church/Greater Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church).

I was considering why people strike out on their own, and I wonder is it to fulfill the great commission, or that they are in an act of rebellion because some people do not like the way the church is running. Consequently,  are good reasons for some when we see leaders of the flock falling to sin, being caught in compromising positions and the members are leaving the churches. Also, the members are not working together where people are gossiping, and people are arguing over positions and people are acting (for all purposes) like people on the street while others who look on wonder what is going on?

In the article, “What is the cause of church splits? How can healing occurs after a church split?” the author conveys and ideal consequence, “Divisions that lead to church splits are a sad and all-too-common occurrence in the body of Christ. The effects of a church split, regardless of the cause, can be devastating. Church splits distress and dismay mature believers, disillusion new believers, cause havoc in the lives of pastors and their families, and bring reproach upon the name of Christ.”(Got Questions, 2012).

No one ever addresses these critical scenarios, because all we hear of these splits is there was an argument and depending on the people; either another church is started or those people move their membership to another establishment. Similarly, when speaking of people moving their membership to the new “church plant”…do they forget, are they ever counseled about the fight that led them to the new place?

We cannot continue to walk away from problems leaving unresolved issues in our wake, because “weeds” choke, and “seeds” planted come back to haunt.

The article states further, “Churches are like hospitals, full of wounded and sick people, but in the church the sickness is sin and the wounds are those we inflict upon ourselves and one another because of sin. One sin that causes multiple problems is a lack of forgiveness. No Christian is perfect, and no pastor or elder or deacon is perfect. When all these imperfect people get together, disagreements, hurt feelings and misunderstandings are inevitable. If our expectations of others are too high, disappointment is inevitable and can cause further feelings of hurt and resentment. Our response to one another should be to forgive one another in kindness and compassion (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13) and in Christian love, which covers a multitude of sins, followed by an increased commitment to serve one another (1 Peter 4:8-11). Once we are committed to forgiving, loving, and serving one another, we will see each other’s differences in a new light. But if we react to differences of opinion by taking sides and gossiping, the split will widen, more harm will be done to the church members, and our message to the world will be further compromised.” (Got Questions, 2012). This is the jest that we must always see our part in the situation and realize that everyone has their own opinions, but everyone must see the need of others more than themselves. There is too much mess in the churches of today residue from life’s woes and ills left unchecked.

Why do churches split? The article states, “A church split may happen when someone seeks to manipulate people and/or events for his own ends. It may be that there is pride in rule-keeping, and those who do not keep the same rules are ill-treated. It may be that a pet interpretation of doctrine is emphasized and used as a litmus test for belonging to the “in” group. Or, it could be that someone wants to wrest leadership from the pastor or elders and rallies a group of people around himself to accomplish a coup d’état. Sadly, difference of opinion regarding music and worship style is also a frequent cause of division in the church. The excuses for the conflict are numerous, but they all stem from the same root cause—pride and selfishness. James 4:1-3 says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (Got Questions, 2012).

Ultimately, the church has to get a clue; that is, the war in heaven (the spiritual) is being played out now (the natural) and the church is the stage. What is the world seeing when it comes to Kingdom business, because they can look at the soap operas on television; that is, Jane sleeping with Jake, and Alexis owning a new Benz. What else has the kingdom to offer, they wonder? Good question, are they seeing God or the devil there.

To read more of the article: Click Here

Related articles

Your Sunday Bread, In Spirit and Truth

Posted on by

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.  Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?  The woman then left her water pot  and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,  Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.”

(John 4:24-30)(Read chapter 4 in it’s entirety)

Yeshua, has been the world’s best kept secret. I was surprised to read a scripture that I had read many times before today. It is the one found which says that Yeshua was about to be stoned by the Pharisee and in the middle of that he hid himself and walked right out of there in the midst of them without them seeing him, and I note that he can hide himself because he is spirit. Yeshua is all God plus flesh so wouldn’t it be fair to say that he can hide himself; hence we see that flesh should not be an obstacle when we have God’s spirit within us.

In the case of the Pharisee (flesh) and Yeshua (Spirit) one can see value. There is not a time that Spirit doesn’t win over flesh.

The Samaritan woman met God at the well. This thing is about truth in the natural mind we can see that we see using tools; or what we do as receiving truth, Some are under the false ideal that what we think or see in our minds can be used to gain salvation. Hence, I can say I believe, but in reality is that all needed?  Many people are under the impression that walking the aisle to take a seat in the front of the church earns salvation.Moreover, others believe that to take the right hand of fellowship with the Pastor gives salvation, and there are still many who believe their working in the various ministries mean salvation. The only tools needed to hear are ears which allows for a change in thinking.

How? The woman meets Yeshua and to her he was a stranger, and he strikes up a conversation while she attempts to draw her water; he asks for a drink. She says that he has no (tool) which a wordly thought, but still a sound one because no one can go deep without a tool, and she reminds him that he has not such a tool. Spiritual always wins over flesh. Yeshua tells her if she drinks the Living Water he brings to her she will never thirst again. The woman being carnal believes that she can have the water, although she hasn’t changed her living condition. Most of us think this way because we have been trained that if we sing, preach, shout, talk the best scriptures that this will change our life. We have no ears to hear, and thus are undelivered.

Yeshua tells the woman after she asks for the water to go get her husband and this was a place of decision for her, because had she not admitted that the man was not her husband her condition would not have changed; that is her hearing would not be opened. Spirit always wins over flesh. We must get that there are no fleshly, carnal tools to open our ears to hearing.

Yeshua tells the woman every single thing about her, and she believes. She didn’t know his name, she didn’t mind that he knew her business. In fact she was elated that she could get that thing out in the open. Spirit always wins over flesh.

We know that the woman ran off to tell everyone she knows that Yeshua has living water.

The devil doesn’t want dark deeds in the open, because this means that we will realize our need and confess them for healing. There is no way in carnal thinking to be changed from unrighteous to righteous, except upon hearing truth about ourselves. The only people who will receive truth are those who can hear and that being those who admit that they are imperfect.

Flesh cannot win over Spirit. So if we are hiding sin then what does this say; there is no truth, we are carnal and living a lie.

Many are called to the well of life, but few hear the call. Are you the one? Surely we can’t worship God without his Spirit or without his truth.

He who has ears to hear let him use them.

Related articles

Your Sunday Bread, Life is not a Deck of Cards

Posted on by

What’s this you say about the “cards” you are dealt concerning your life? Is it really the case that out of all people you considered your life a “bad” hand. Are you living life on the premise of luck; or putting yourself on the highway of chance? It is no wonder then that things don’t fare well? We must get our identity in Christ not luck, not chance.

Ye are members of a Royal Priesthood, made in the image of the Most High…who spoke you and the world into existence…how is it then that you of all people he created have considered being dealt a bad hand. Everything Yah has made is good.

Read:
Genesis Chapters 1-3
1 Peter 2

Related articles

Your Sunday Bread, Addressing the Pulpit

Posted on by

Addressing members of the clergy’s behavior is a difficult situation. No one wants to see their pastor, the leader of their church caught in scandal, because not only does it bring the church a bad name, its members are looked upon harshly, and worst of all the word of God.

In all of this one might wonder what has become of this thing; or amazed at how this all came about.  Our church was popular someone might think, but within these perils of thought one must also consider whether their church has become popular for the wrong reasons.

Before we go on with this subject, we must note that people are quite hush hush about what goes on with the men of God; those who lead the flocks, and when the preacher is seen doing things contrary to the word of God, where sin is present no one wants to be the one to confront it. Most people are fearful of the man of God and most will use the word to excuse their inability to speak out. Actually, it is cowardice in its greatest display.

The scripture taken from Psalms 105:15 Saying, “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm”, and the same in 2 Chronicles 16:22.

Although we shouldn’t touch those anointed many people  are portrayed doing that in the bible and more so in deed than words. Here we note that the prophets were being killed because of speaking God’s word to those who were idol worshippers and other sins.

The Prophet Elijah was chased out of town by a death threat from Jezebel in 1 Kings 19:2-3,

“Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.  And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.”

Prophets were killed for spreading the word of truth in those days.

Today, however, the men of God are seen having affairs, molesting students under their care and counsel, raping; and even participating in homosexual acts against its members which are most certainly acts against the word of God.

Sin is running rampart in the pulpits, our leaders falling under the lies of Satan and no one is saying anything.

No one wants to talk about it; that is, to straighten the man out!  Sadder still is prayer being manifested as a last resort when those act already known by some in the church are made public. Hence, we see our preachers being drug off to jail, sent to prison and one notable example  is of a Pastor and Funeral Director who was murdered, hog tied and gagged; not for spreading the good news of Christ our Savior, but for deeds done against our Holy God and his church.

God says this:

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.

 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth(Suppress it) in unrighteousness;

 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:

 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

(Romans 1:16-18, 22-25) (Emphasis mine)

Pastor John Piper explained homosexuality as “worship of self” as a form of idolatry which in turn leads to men and women’s lust of same sex which is idolatry.

God gives explicit word for people who accept this in church and out as well. He says about the homosexual that he gave them up to this life style to do what they will, which in turn leads to more sin.

The observation here is that these things are occurring in the Roman Church who the author speaks to. Notably, people might believe that he is speaking to someone outside; this is what one would expect, but sadly we cannot tell the world from the church.

God says, “
“ And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (Romans 1:27-30)

And covenant breakers; the church:   

 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:31-32).

The main concern is to judge what is right and stop turning a blind eye to sin. There is something wrong when people called by the name of God cannot open their mouths and speak truth no matter who it is.

Probably the most heinous crimes are not done by people unsaved, but by people who call themselves saved. Now everybody is shocked and taken aback because someone they idolized and worshipped instead of God has left them disappointed and dumbfounded. Why are we shocked when we don’t pray, when we don’t speak truth even to the ones who teach us.

We have to take the church back it has become a breeding ground of sin. God is not pleased and is bringing his wrath in judgment.

above all things pray without ceasing

Related articles

The Churches’ Finest Hour: Bishop Kenneth B. Spears

Posted on by

Bishop Kenneth B. Spears is Pastor to a crowd of over four thousand members; the people are drawn to the teaching of the man of God. Charisma permeates every word spoken where on Sunday there is an expectation for an anointed word of impartation to help those who seek it; surely he is gifted. His experience speaks for itself as he has shared the word of God with all for more than 30 years. He serves as Presiding Bishop of the Full Gospel Fellowship of Texas, and is author of the book “The Church’s Finest Hour.” He is also a publisher, media personality; as well as a prominent leader in the community. His ministry “Be Restored” reaches many through its television and radio broadcasts weekly in several states. In the community, he is an exemplary leader where he serves on several committees and boards, and has been accredited several awards for his dedication

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

(Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)

Life is challenging for many, especially when viewed from the concept of light and darkness. Where does the world seek shelter when they cannot see their way through life’s struggle? This picture of the light that shines in a dark world deserves attention. First Saint John Full Gospel Fellowship is that beacon of light which shines, and Bishop Kenneth B. Spears is the Shepard who guides it.

Appropriately situated, the church building in Fort Worth, Texas is placed atop a hill in the south side of the city. This church is also the beacon of light to guide an impoverished community to which it serves where the church motto is “The church on the hill that serves in the valley.”

Statistical data for the City of Fort Worth gives note of just how impoverished some areas really are, including the south side where the light of this church reaches many there. Poverty in the city has a wide range of targets one in particular; the 18 to 24 age group at just above 11 percent is hardest hit. Moreover, data includes single females with children who make their homes in the area where this church presides. Females with no husbands represent 53 percent of the poverty level here.

Where does “the church on the hill that serves in the valley” fit into this sea of poverty? When asked what the message of the “Church on the hill” conveyed to those in the valley Bishop Spears gives an account of Moses who stood on top of the mountain with his hands lifted, and of Joshua and Aaron in the valley fighting. This illustration builds confidence in the man of God as a spiritual intercessor for those in need while encouraging one to look up to seek further past the problem for help.

The glimpse of prayer going forward on behalf of the people also lends credence to the church mission statement says, “To build a ministry that re-establishes confidence in God, the body of Christ, pastors, and/or preachers in the local assembly in the communities where we live.” (Hebrews 10:35). Truly the people have much to place their confidence in. The church is an active participant in the community it serves and is seen making great strides to ensure they play a key role to alleviate poverty in the community; prayer is always the key to change, and answered prayer has brought much needed business development to the community and neighborhoods.

It is a unique, and a live fellowship which takes place within the walls of this house of God and upon entering its sanctuary one is sure to take notice that this is not your everyday run of the mill church setting. Here you see a live band complete with praise dancers, praise team and choir. Is it contemporary? Yes.  Is it Ordinary? No.  However, with the rise of the Mega Church comes the temptation to handle church business as any other business of the world’s setting with all its money making gimmicks; one has to wonder how this church remains grounded through it all and not “dampen” the “inspiration.” Bishop Spears was asked how he keeps First Saint John from becoming “Institutionalized?”

He says, “I suspect that if you only view the church as an “institution” it will dampen the “inspiration.” But I view the church not as an “institution,” but a unique, live, vibrant family that is constantly changing and growing.” He speaks further to add that the spirit of God is continuously moving this being the essential nature of the body of Christ. Intercessors are in place to pray before, during and after worship to prevent the dampening of the worship experience no matter the size of the body.

In the community the church serves an even greater purpose of fulfilling their mission of building confidence through their Community Development Corporation which allows focus of health education, homelessness and concentrations to enlighten issues concerning senior adults to be addressed; and, as a result the church is watching change in a number of areas, Bishop said. Accordingly, Bishop Spears’ sermons are broadcast on several radio stations in several cities across the states; Texarkana and Hope Arkansas along with some parts of Louisiana, Kansas City, Missouri; services can be viewed via streaming over the internet from the sanctuary.

Women today still face challenges in the church; as well as in the community because of discrimination in the pulpit, competition in the work place as well as the political arena.

Bishop Spears, author of the book, “The Church’s Finest Hour,” addresses a key issue concerning women through a conversation with God who speaks of his deceased mother “Doris.” In that conversation he confesses that he was posed a question where God asked, “If Doris could talk about Me in her house; why can’t she talk about Me in My house?” Bishop Spears notes that this question and conversation was an incentive, and a precedent to embrace women in leadership roles in church and out. He is supportive of women using their gifts, but shares that from a Godly perspective all should be used “decently and in order,” which ensures neither her husband’s role, or the role of her pastor is not compromised.

Bishop was asked his opinion as to whether or not a woman can be President of the United States? He responded by saying, “I believe that a woman will one day be President of these United States, but like the timing it took for a black man to become President it will come with the struggle, criticism and challenges which denotes time.”

He adds to that by saying, “Women are as valuable as men, a job should not be judged on gender, but skill and ability.”

He concludes by saying, “My mother was a woman, my wife is a woman, my sister is a woman, grandmother, and great grandmother were women, and I don’t want any of these people in my life to be discriminated against. I support the values of women, the gifts of women, and the vision of women.”

Well said Bishop. Indeed the church is in its finest hour.