MINISTRY NOTES

Week of November 8, 2009

Hi Everyone,

I appreciate every response. Thank you! Recently someone responded "Thanks, I needed that" which means God used something in that particular Ministry Notes to bless that person, Also, I want to share the following response because is was a blessing.

Initially I only sent Ministry Notes to people I know and care about. Occasionally, I have contact with others and I will send them a copy of that week's Ministry Notes and ask them if they would like to be included. Recently a man of God from a well-known African country found our web site and contacted me. I offered to put him on our mailing list for Ministry Notes and this is his kind reply: "Hi Ed, Thanks a lot for the MINISTRY NOTES. It so rich and yet simple and easy to understand. Am edified and my spirit refreshed by it. I felt the Spirit of God come upon me when I read it. Please put my email in the mailing list. I want to receive more of this. I like this kind of stuff." As God told Abram in Genesis 12:2, we are blessed to be a blessing. Seek God on how He can use you to bless others.

Marriage Workshop Moment

To refresh what you have learned in our Workshop or to entice you to experience our Workshop

"Remember, all marriages can be better, if you use what you learned."

When a discussion seems to be turning negative, it is time to say, "I need a time out". For those of you who have never had a discussion get bad, this might be when voices get louder and louder or when you are calling each other names that are not nice or when you both are hearing things more negatively than intended or when there is a subject that one of you refuses to discuss. After you say "I need a time out", it is a good time to take authority over the enemy (the devil) and pray for your marriage. Once you are both calmer, it is a good time to resume the conversation by using the Speaker Listener Technique.

Understanding the Message:

What I share in the message is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus.

Message:

Our Secret Sins

King David wrote in a psalm "…Forgive me for my secret sins. Keep me from the sins that I want to do. Don't let them rule me..."1. Although David may been thinking of sins he was unaware of, for those who remember some of the stories of King David, the though of secret sins may remind you of David committing adultery and then killing to try to keep it a secret2. It is dumb to try to keep secrets from God. It is commendable, that the men, who recorded the bible, did not omit such serious sins, even though David was a great leader. Today we read about people who have secret sins and they are found out by records on their computers or cell phones or cameras, etc..

Do you have secret sins? Young Christians can have serious sins from their past life styles, that they still entertain in their minds or are secretly, still involved in those sins. Note: "young" refers to young in their walk with God; it could be people who have been Christians for decades and even in leadership roles. As a Christian grows in their relationship with God, the secret sins may involve jealousy or wanting what someone else has or unforgiveness or spreading false stories or resentment, etc.. Before you take pride by saying, "look how God has blessed me, I have progressed from intense lust to only being jealous", remember that Jesus said, "…For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required…"3. God expects our sins to diminish, as we grow.

How does Jesus address our secret sins? Jesus lets us know that God will hold us accountable for what is in our minds. (this is just one area, where following what Jesus teaches is tougher than the man made doctrines of most of Christianity) Jesus tells us that getting angry can make us "subject to judgement"4. Jesus also shares than even looking at someone with lust is considered as serious as having committed "adultery" with them5. In our Marriage Workshop, I encourage couples to have love for each other, even when you feel like they are your enemy. Jesus points out that to love someone who loves you is no big deal but He lets us know that we are expected to "love your enemies"6. In school we may have tests that we study for and possibly after the tests we may remember some things. If we are involved in sports, we get in shape until the event and then we relax, unless we have another event scheduled. Most people as they get older, forget some of what they learned in school and get out of shape physically. Not so with God. As we grow in overcoming sin, Jesus says only "… the person who continues strong until the end will be saved". We are expected to never stop growing spiritually. There will be a time when people will hate you because you are a Christian and will even threaten your life unless you deny Jesus and the one true God. If you want eternal life with Jesus and God, you need to stay strong in your faith7. Do not be deceived by man made Christian doctrines that make people think that eternal life is easy to come by. God speaks well of people who do not love their life more than HIM8.

Let's pray,

"God, help me to deal with all the sin in my life, especially the sins that are a secret. Help me to over come all my sins. Help me to forgive others and forgive me9 of all my secret sins. Help me to be strong in overcoming my sins and stand firm. Thanks YOU for this help, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Psalm 19:12-13 (ICB)

2. 2 Samuel 11:3-12:13

3. Luke 12:48

4. Matthew 5:22 (NIV)

5. Matthew 5:28 (NKJ)

6. Matthew 5:44, 46 (NASB)

7. Matthew 10:22 (ICB)

8. Revelation 12:11

9. Matthew 6:14-15