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The Great Falling Away

Posted on October 29, 2011 by mcalmond

The Lord Jesus Christ one day while he was teaching asked a vitally important question. This question is almost too easily overlooked because of the way that it came forth. His question arose at the end of his teaching. He was telling a parable of the importance of persevering in faith, in earnest prayer, of how we need to be those who learn the power of and value of our praying through until we have what we are seeking the Lord.  For in Spirit and Truth, He is willing, just and ready to answer our prayers. As the Lord was finished sharing his brief parable, suddenly, almost as a passing thought Jesus says, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8 ESV)

Will we as believers persevere in faithful prayer, in genuine faith, while waiting for the Lord’s return? Or will we give up and walk away, throwing in the towel, turning around and no longer walking in the faith, hope and love of the Lord Jesus Christ?

We live in crucial times with rapidly accelerating darkness and sin all around us. We live in a time that all too quickly approaches, what the Word of God refers to as the time of The Rebellion, The Apostasy, The Great Falling Away.

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Categories: Anointing, Apostasy, Awakening, Being Built Up, Belief System, Believer, Body of Christ, Boundaries, Breaking Forth, Calling, Darkness, Dependency, Disobedience, Dying to Self Will, Edification, Empowerment, Encouragement, Exhortation, Faith, Fear of God, Flesh, Following Through, Genuineness, God Faith, God's Faithfulness, Grace, Growing in Faith, His Chosen, Holy Spirit, Hope, Knowledge, Last Days, Mercy, Ministry, Noise and Distractions, Now Word, Obedience, Open Ears, Open Eyes, Openness, Paradigm Shift, Persecution, Perseverance, Prayer, Presumptions, Priorities, Process, Profession, Promises, Readiness, Relationship, Rest, Righteousness, Rock, Salvation, Saving Faith, Seeking The Lord Jesus, Source, Spirit, Spirit of Truth, Spiritual Warfare, Standing in Faith, Steadfastness, Teacher, Teaching, Tenaciousness, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, The Lord Jesus, Victory, Vulnerability, Waiting on the Lord, Witness, Word, Word of God, Work, Worship | Leave a comment

I’m No Scholar, I’m Just a Guy

Posted on September 3, 2011 by mcalmond

Acts 4:13 (NKJV) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

I can think of no greater compliment than that one was recognized as having been with Jesus. I believe that for me, this is genuinely my goal in life, to become one who is recognized as having been with Jesus. To become one whose life was so changed and impacted by the Life of Christ Jesus that while my other deficiencies may be noted, Christ Jesus is still readily visible and evident in and through my life.

 As was true of Peter and John, I would find myself, in regards to ministry, as fairly uneducated and common. I come from a line, albeit brief line (grandpa, dad and myself), of uneducated and common men who loved the Lord and believed that Jesus had called them to follow Him and so they picked up their Bibles and did so.

 My grandfather was saved out of the Navy shortly after World War 2 under Amy Semple McPherson’s ministry. He believed that he was called into the ministry as preacher of the Lord Jesus. He bought a tent, a flatbed truck (to use as a platform for services and to haul the tent), picked up his Bible and went preaching the Word of God.

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Categories: A Simple Faith, Abiding, Absolute Dependency, Anointing, Authenticity, Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Being Built Up, Belief System, Benefits, Body of Christ, Breaking Forth, Calling, Christian Maturity, Church, Churches, Confidence, Dad, Dependency, Empowerment, Encouragement, Faith, Family, Father, Following Through, Foundations, Genuineness, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Growing in Faith, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit Benefits, Holy Spirit Hearing, Holy Spirit Listening, Holy Spirit Seeing, Hope, Humility, illumination, In Spirit and In Truth, Inspiration, Ministry, Ministry Motivation, Now Word, Obedience, Open Ears, Open Eyes, Openness, Pastor, Pioneering, Prayer, Preaching, Priorities, Process, Promises, Reflections, Relationship, Rhema, Righteousness, Seeking The Lord Jesus, Simplicity, Source, Speaking in Tongues, Spirit, Surrender, Teaching, Thanksgiving, The Power of God, Theology, Training, Transcendence, True Love, Truth, Vulnerability, Waiting on the Lord, Word, Work of God | 2 Comments

Is It All About Knowledge, Really?

Posted on August 27, 2011 by mcalmond

It is how you live in Christ Jesus that is all important, not just what you know. Having said this, there has been many times in and throughout history when this issue of knowledge for knowledge sake, came to a head. It was this issue of Knowledge first, over the simplicity of Knowing Jesus first that seemed to be what the battle was about.

For example, there was a time in the later middle ages when the theologians of that day had gone so far as to create a theology that no one but they themselves could understand or relate to. Their theology had become increasingly complex and stood in direct contrast to the simplicity of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. As this gap widened, so did the reactions of the people. Their reactions were focused upon a theology that was fraught with an over emphasis of subtleties, developing its own exclusive and elitist language with an insistence upon precise definitions and fine distinctions, theologically.

In the book, “Imitation of Christ”, we discover what was the commonly held belief’s of the day, beliefs that were reactions against the theologians and their theology of the day. Here is a taste of it (1.1.3):

“What good is it for you to be able to discuss the Trinity with great profundity, if you lack humility, and thereby offend the Trinity?”

“Verily, high sounding words do not make one holy and just. But a life of virtue does make one acceptable to God.”

“It is better to feel repentance, than to be able to define it.”

“Were you to memorize the entire Bible and all the sayings of the philosophers, what good would this be for you without the love of God and without grace?”

“Vanities of vanities. All is vanity, except loving God and serving only God.”

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Categories: A Simple Faith, A Simple Reminder, Abiding, Absolute Dependency, Anointing, Authenticity, Character, Church History, Communion, Confidence, Core Values, Dependency, Edification, Elitism, Empowerment, Faith, Foundations, Genuineness, Grace, Growing in Faith, His Chosen, History, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit Benefits, Humility, Intellectualism, Intimacy, Knowledge, Ministry, Ministry Motivation, Obedience, Priorities, Questions, Readiness, Reflections, Relationship, Rest, Resurrection, Resurrection Life, Revelation, Righteousness, Rock, Seeking The Lord Jesus, Separatism, Simplicity, Source, Standing in Faith, Steadfastness, Surrender, Teacher, Teaching, Tenaciousness, The Lord Jesus, The Lord's Fullness, The Power of God, Theology, Training, Transcendence, Transformation, Truth, Victory, Word, Word of God, Work of God | 2 Comments

Reflections Of An Earlier Season

Posted on July 10, 2011 by mcalmond

Genesis 12:1 (NKJV) Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.

I was just reflecting upon our life in the ministry and specifically the very early years. It was in those times, seemingly so long ago, that my wife and I helped to pioneer several churches and restart a few more. It was interesting because when we began, we had little if any money, resources or support and absolutely no training, at all. I worked in construction and pastored bi-vocationally for many years off and on. Even then, it was still financially very difficult.

As the years went on, pioneering churches seemed to catch on more and more in other denominations and church organizations. It became much more institutionalized and structured. Money became more available for what now was called, planting churches, as did other resources such as training and relational support systems. All that we see today, including the books, conferences, etc. just was not available back then.

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Categories: Abiding, Anointing, Authenticity, Being Built Up, Calling, Christian Maturity, Church Planting Days, Churches, Communion, Confidence, Dependency, Empowerment, Faith, Following Through, Foundations, Grace, History, Holy Ghost Burdens, In Spirit and In Truth, Intimacy, Isolation, Mercy, Obedience, Pioneering, Priorities, Reflections, Remembrances, Righteousness, Sacrifice, Seeking The Lord Jesus, Simplicity, Source, Steadfastness, Surrender, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, The Lord Jesus, Word, Work of God, Worship | Leave a comment

Where Do We Go From Here?

Posted on June 19, 2011 by mcalmond

Lord Jesus, where do we go from here? You have warned us and continue to do so. You are calling us to awaken to that for which we were chosen for, by your grace and mercy. You are calling us to come up, and behold the greater realities of and the more of your Spirit, to which we have responded by your grace and mercy, with Yes, Lord Jesus, A Thousand Times, Yes! You have warned us of things to come that will stretch us beyond our experience and understanding. You have warned us of the persecution that is yet before us, as your people and we are seeing even on the horizon before us. You have warned us of the significant changes that are going to take place within our nation, to which we said, Lord Jesus have mercy and prepare us as we look and continue to look only unto you, who is our only genuine hope. Still Lord Jesus, where do we go from here?

You have shown us the church, and its condition of deafness and darkness, of light and hope, of its growing apostasy and yet of its calling to grow in the transcendency of your Holy Spirit. You have shown us that which lay behind the presentations in too many professing churches and ministries which is not and are not, of you. We have seen the truth of the lies which are there, of the deceit and deceptions, and of the ease with which too many of your professing believers are being seduced into these falsehoods. Yet, you also have shown us the more of your transcendent promises and of your call to us your people, your children. Oh, again, Lord Jesus, we cry out, where do we go from here?

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Categories: A Genuine Heart Cry, Abiding, Absolute Dependency, Angels, Authenticity, Awakening, Believer, Benefits, Body of Christ, Breaking Forth, Calling, Christian Maturity, Church, Communion, Dependency, Dying to Self Will, Empowerment, Faith, Genuineness, God Faith, Grace, Growing in Faith, His Chosen, Holy Ghost Burdens, Holy Spirit, Hope, Humility, illumination, In Spirit and In Truth, Intimacy, Light, Loving One Another, Mercy, Ministry, Now Word, Prayer, Prophetic, Prophetic Actions, Prophetic Revelation, Question, Questions, Quietness, Revelation, Rhema, Seeking The Lord Jesus, Selfishness, Source, Spirit, Spirit Word, Standing in Faith, Steadfastness, Surrender, Thanksgiving, The Lord Jesus, The Power of God, Transformation, True Love, Truth, Visions, Vulnerability, Waiting on the Lord, Word, Word of God, Work of God, Worship | Leave a comment

Worship Plagiarism, Part One

Posted on May 8, 2011 by mcalmond

Below is Part One of a series on today’s worship. It is written by my son in-law, Chris Summers. He has been on staff with me in the past and has a wonderful revelation, anointing and heart for true worship in, of, and before, the Lord Jesus Christ, under the direction and power of the Holy Spirit. I gladly present him to you and pray that you are challenged and blessed by all that the Lord would write through him in this series.

Worship-plagiarism Part One (by Chris Summers)

Worship music, as we know it today, has come a long way in the last thirty-some years.  What began as simple recordings of worship services mailed out on tapes has spawned into an impressive industry.   It now consists of heavily produced albums from “big name” worship leaders and bands from around the world.  In churches, we also see a much greater level of quality, professionalism and musicianship during the worship services across various denominations.  There are many churches that are putting on very high-quality performances every Sunday morning, introducing the newest songs with impeccable vocals, impressive musical talent, and seamless technical support for sound, lighting, and visual effects.

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Categories: Abiding, Absolute Dependency, Anointing, Awakening, Benefits, Body of Christ, Boundaries, Breaking Forth, Calling, Character, Church, Church Forms, Churches, Communion, Core Values, Dependency, Disobedience, Exhortation, Faith, Fields of Ministry, Foundations, Holiness, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit Benefits, Humility, Intimacy, Lies, Man's Faith, Ministry Motivation, Paradigm Shift, Plagiarism, Priorities, religious idolatry, Repentance, Revelation, Righteousness, Seeking The Lord Jesus, Simplicity, Songs, Source, Spirit, Spirit of Truth, Surrender, The Power of God, Truth, Vulnerability, Waiting on the Lord, Worship | 3 Comments

A Bit of Early Church History, Pt Two

Posted on April 17, 2011 by mcalmond

Each synagogue had its leadership and the leadership form of choice was that of an Eldership Council or Presbytery. These elders were either chosen by the people or nominated by the Sanhedrin of the nearest town, or the Great Sanhedrin of Jerusalem, with concurrence of the local congregation. Where teaching functions were required of an elder (not all elders were to be teaching elders) he was formally set apart to this office by the laying on of hands. This was done by the elders and required at least three elders for this ceremony. When a wise man had grown sufficiently in knowledge of the Law and is called by the congregation to be their president or pastor, he was set in office again by the laying on of hands. In some exceptions due to smallness of congregation, where three suitable men could not be found to serve as elders, a single teacher could preside but was not allowed to give any authoritative decision regarding doctrinal or practical questions until others were joined together with him.

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Categories: Being Built Up, Belief System, Believer, Christian Maturity, Church, Church Forms, Church History, Churches, Communion, Consistory, Council, Elders, Foundations, Growing in Faith, History, Holiness, Hope, Ministry, Pastor, Preaching, Presbytery, Simplicity, Source, Steadfastness, Teacher, Teaching, Training, Truth, Witness, Work of God | Leave a comment

A Bit of Early Church History, Pt One

Posted on April 16, 2011 by mcalmond

Acts 15:21 (NKJV) For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

With all that is being said and questioned of today’s Church and its Forms, I thought I would post a little bit of Church History that has to do with the structure and form of the very early church. Church structure has a well established History that extends well beyond the time of the Lord’s disciples. In the end, however, I am fully convinced that it is not so much that we need newer and more progressive church forms but rather new hearts in relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ, each other and the world in which we live.

The early Christian Church structure in all probability came from the Synagogue System that was vibrantly in place at the time of Christ Jesus. While there seems to only be vague and uncertain evidence of the synagogue before the exile period of Israel, there is evidence that the synagogue system most likely began during the exile period. It was very likely under Ezra that this system of worship was developed, even while the nation was in exile. So this puts the synagogue system beginning before Israel’s returning to the promise land or possibly very shortly thereafter.

Either way it began in a simple way, with a simple structure and grew from there. We find possible evidence of what the synagogue worship structure may have been like, in the gathering of the people of God in the 8th chapter of Nehemiah. It is here that we see a gathering of all who could understand, men, women, and even children. We see public prayer, thanksgiving, and the reading and explaining of the scriptures, by a variety of leaders led by Ezra, so that all who heard could come to understand what was written. There was also corporate responses to what was said; especially the responsive, “Amen, Amen followed by a lifting up of the hands, a bowing down of their heads and worshiping the Lord God Almighty. It is thought that this was clearly an early form of synagogue worship. Later in history we see this very similar form take its rightful place in the synagogue system at large. [1]

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Categories: Body of Christ, Church, Church History, Churches, Empowerment, Fields of Ministry, Finding the Right Church, Foundations, History, Questions, Simplicity, Source, Teaching, Temple, Timing, Training, Work of God | Tags: | 4 Comments

Placing Your Life Within The Scriptures

Posted on March 12, 2011 by mcalmond

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NKJV) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

The Word of God is living and powerful. What does this mean? Certainly it means that the whole of the Scriptures are alive and active. The phrase, “living and powerful” here, simply means the Word of God has taken on the life of its origin, of the Lord God Almighty. You can see this in Isa 55:11 as well. It comes forth filled with the purposes of God and will of God. It is because of the life of God, from wherein the Word originates, that is therefore empowered to fulfill itself as His very Word.

The word “powerful” really brings us some clarity in that it means here that the word of God “lives and has power”. It is simply, that all of what the Lord God Almighty is and does is filled by His very breath of life. He is the source of all that lives and has power, the power of life itself, His. Since the Word of God has its origin in and of the Lord God Almighty, it has life simply because He breathed it forth. His life is that which overcomes death and darkness in all that it is in us or in our midst. Hence, the Word of God is living and active, it lives and has power, the power of His very life breath. It is this breath of life, God’s, which sets us free from all that is of death and darkness.

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Categories: A Compilation of Sources, Abiding, Absolute Dependency, Anointing, Being Built Up, Believer, Benefits, Bibles, Body of Christ, Calling, Christian Maturity, Commands, Communion, Darkness, Death, Dependency, Dying to Self Will, Edification, Empowerment, Exhortation, God's Righteousness, Grace, Growing in Faith, Holy Spirit Hearing, Holy Spirit Seeing, illumination, Inspiration, Light, Mercy, Now Word, Open Ears, Open Eyes, Perseverance, Prophetic Revelation, Rest, Righteousness, Seeking The Lord Jesus, Simplicity, Source, Spirit, Teaching, The Power of God, Transformation, Truth, Word, Word of God | Leave a comment

Worship, In Spirit and Truth

Posted on February 11, 2011 by mcalmond

Worship is a word that is all too often bantered about within the church. This is done in positive and often not too positive ways. Often much of what is discussed has more to do with forms of worship than the actual substance of worship. As to form, there seems to be, in my mind anyway, a lot of room for various forms or expressions of worship in the Word of God. My purpose isn’t really to focus upon the forms of worship as much as of the substance of worship.

John 4:23-24 (NKJV) But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

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Categories: A Simple Reminder, Abiding, Absolute Dependency, Anointing, Believer, Body of Christ, Church, Commands, Dependency, Encouragement, Father, Foundations, Holy Spirit, In Spirit and In Truth, Inspiration, Intimacy, Ministry, Ministry Motivation, Obedience, Prayer, Prophetic, Revelation, Seeking The Lord Jesus, Simplicity, Source, Surrender, The Power of God, Waiting on the Lord, Word of God, Worship | 2 Comments

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