Category: Insights

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Two Types of Christians

Rodney Brown

There seem to be many groups of Christians out there, but really it is not that complex. Of course, you can sub-divide, splice, and dice however; but simply put, there are just two groups-

1) Cultural Christians
2) Committed Christians

What’s the difference?

CULTURAL
In general, Cultural Christians are ‘Christian’ because mama, papa, or some other relative was a Christian. They are usually not filled with the Spirit of God (although they think everyone is ‘filled’ when they are saved Romans 10:8,9) and tend to focus on keeping rules or ‘the law’ over having a personal relationship with the Almighty Yahweh. They are more focused on things and tend to try to force people into their mold. Like some older people they can get cranky, and sometimes aggressive with people who don’t agree with them.

Cultural Christians are the sparks that many times turn unbelievers away from God through legalism, criticism, personal failure, or just plain lack of joy. Who wants to be a Christian if you have to be like Joe who is losing life’s battles, attacking people not like him and saying how ‘blessed’ he is?

Cultural Christians can be members of any denomination, Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, or even some of the newer groups such as Assembly of God. Cultural Christians have an incredible opportunity. When they draw need to God, He promises to draw near to them.

Their challenge is to ‘unlearn’ those religious teachings that are not in line with the Word of God and see the Word of God through the fresh eyes not cluttered by cultural or traditional religion that leads away from the Creator. For most it is a gradual process of renewing their mind according to the Word of God (Romans 12:2).

COMMITTED
Committed Christians are usually filled with the Holy Spirit of Yahweh and have a passion for people just like Jesus the Messiah does. They seem to be joyful no matter what, and other people are drawn to them. They are hard to keep out of church and go because they are addicted to getting into His presence. They may or may not have a ‘Christian’ background. Their desire is the same as the Father, they want to all people get into Kingdom through accepting Jesus as their Messiah (or savior).

These Christians are many times called Pentacostal, Charismatic, or Spirit-filled Christians as well because actively see the gifts of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives. Healings, speaking in tongues, prophecies, and other supernatural signs are usually common among them. Committed Christians can be members of any denomination, but seem to be most prevalent at newer church groups and organizations. There are streams of Committed Christians even in the older organization such as the Catholic church.

If you are going to be a Christian you want to be a Committed Christian. It takes a bit of work, especially if you are coming from a Cultural Christian background. However, once you shake off the unscriptural traditions and culture that has hold you back, you can enter into God’s presence and begin to experience the plans He had for mankind from the Garden. To fellowship with His people daily and have a living relationship with them.

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Yahweh Our Healer

Taylors

God Wants To Work Through You!

I had the opportunity to pray for some of our fellow minister friends here in Japan on 20 March.

The couple were sitting in their car at in a parking lot waiting for someone. They greeted me and asked how I was doing. I saw the wife sitting there in the front passenger seat of the car not looking too good. I asked if they wanted me to pray for them. I told them, God was going to heal her.

I laid my hands on her throat and commanded the growth to disappear in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Here is their testimony of what happened after with doctors.

This morning, Bola (accompanied by one of our choir members, Mrs. Tajima) walked into the hospital for all the routine pre- operation tests. Started with another scope down the throat by one of the staff doctors. Stress test for her cardiac clearance. Kidneys showed some irregularities but nothing definite. Everything was pointing towards the scheduled surgery on April 15.

The last step was Bola’s final consult with the Voice Center Specialist. Dr. Fukuda, who has been practicing for over 40 years and is a world renowned Throat Specialist. He treats famous singers, lecturers, and politicians . After lunch, Bola was called in to see Dr. Fukuda. Bola mentioned that her voice was back to normal. Dr. Fukuda inserted the scope into Bola’s throat again (the staff doctor in the morning still diagnosed positive polyp in Bola’s vocal cord).

Dr. Fukuda looked and looked and did a thorough search… Finally, in a surprised and excited tone: NO POLYP! NO SURGERY NEEDED! Perplexed, Dr. Fukuda explained this phenomena as a SPONTANEOUS RESOLUTION. In tears, Bola thanked Dr. Fukuda & mentioned that “God Healed me” because many people were praying for a MIRACLE !!!!

Bola handed a CD/DVD of our last Gospel Concert to Dr. Fukuda and said, I hope not to see you again. We had just witnessed a miracle today. As proof I was tempted to attach the photos of Bola’s vocal cord (before and after the polyp was “resolved”) but it is not a pretty sight. Instead, below is the picture of Ken, Anika, Luke, and Victoria Jumping for Joy because Bola can continue to SING !!!

Thank you again for your prayers, outpouring of love and concern for us.

To God Be The Glory! Hallelujah!
In Jesus Mighty Name, Ken & Bola Taylor

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Working the Media In Tokyo

20090330-interfm-event

Tokyo is probably one of the most exciting cities in the world to live in.  Being a minister and a dad, I don’t get that much of a chance to be in ‘the scene’.

Monday night I went to a reception by InterFM.  It was a networking event of sorts and there were many people from the media.  It was hosted by Mike Rogers and George Williams.  Nice chance to meet people.

They had a heavy metal band play three songs.  The band was named, Electric Eel Shock.  They showed a video of the band before they played.  I saw the drummer was close to naked each shot of them playing different gigs.  So I had a feeling…

The three guys all come out with blacktee-shirts on.  The bass and the guitar players had jeans on.  The drummer comes out with a black tee-shirt and bare cheeks.  On his private area, he had a big long sock looking thing.

As expected, he was virtually naked within moments of the start.  I thought, I like to play the drums, but wouldn’t want to sit on that stool.

It was an interesting night, but I just thought how tough it is to live in this world without Jesus and try to get attention.  People do all sorts of things hoping that they’ll ‘get noticed’ or get their ‘big break’.

God has such a better plan.  It was nice to get among people and actually get to know a few folks.  I can’t say I was too comfortable there, but it certainly was an awesome opportunity to show Jesus to the Japanese.

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How Are You Using Your Time?

To grow as a Christian it is so important to spend time in God’s Word and in His presence.

The train in Japan is perfect for listening to good preaching, reading the word, and a bit of worship with a music player.  Of course, I like to spend time in God’s presence before I even leave the house.

An interesting thing I see a lot in the train is people playing with their handheld games such as Nintendo DS or Sony Play Station Portable (PSP).  I have got to say, it seems like a really good way to waste your time.

Here are some people who seem to enjoy it.

Train Game

The funny thing is, the gaming thing is not just limited to guys… Although I mostly see males.

traingamegirl

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Predictions For 2009

Praise the Name!  We are going to see great things in 2009.

I sense something up.  I have been very impressed with Pat Robertson recently.  If you listen to the American media, you get the impression that Mr. Robertson is some strange religious right leader somewhere.  But, if you have listened to him, you will know that he is a man of God. Like the rest of us, he is human.  There is a sure anointing on this man and he is doing more than anyone I know

I recently read his predictions for 2009.  Considering the accuracy of his predictions for 2008, I think that there some good items to consider here.

Pat Robertson: God says U.S. will accept socialism
Broadcaster’s annual predictions also assure economic turnaround

Posted: January 03, 2009
6:34 pm Eastern 

 

© 2009 WorldNetDaily

Pat Robertson

Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, announced at his staff’s annual prayer retreat that God told him Americans would embrace socialism in 2009 “in order to relieve their pain” and that the economy would rebound under an Obama administration.

“The Lord said the economy of your nation will recover,” Robertson told a group assembled at Founders Inn on the campus of Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., a university Robertson founded.

Robertson said God also declared, “The steps taken will lead to a dramatic increase in the power of government. The people will welcome socialism in order to relieve their pain. Nothing will stand in the way of a plan by Obama to restructure the economy in the same fashion as the New Deal in the ’30s.”

In a follow-up interview he granted to Terry Meeuwsen, his co-host on CBN’s The 700 Club, Robertson added, “It will be the largest transfer of power to Washington since the ’30s. But people are willing to accept it because the pain has been so bad.”

In a CBN-produced video clip containing both the predictions and the interview, Meeuwsen points out that Robertson has been right on his predictions before. At the beginning of 2008, for example, Robertson correctly predicted the year would include a world-wide recession, a stock market crash, oil hitting $150 (it hit $147) per barrel, and gold topping $1000 an ounce, which it did in March 2008.

In the interview with Meeuwsen, Robertson assures Americans that contrary to many economists’ opinions, the economic recovery will be swift.

“Cast off the gloom and the doom,” Robertson says, “because things are getting ready to turn around.”

Robertson’s New Year’s Day predictions for 2009 also offered reassurance for Israel with words demonstrating that he had foreseen the country’s military actions today in the Gaza Strip.

“Israel is entering a period of extreme crisis,” Robertson said. “A strong government that deals forcefully with the Palestinians will bring international condemnation and sanctions against Israel, but the Lord will uphold his people despite world opinion.”

Not all of Robertson’s predictions, however, are quite so rosy.

Socialist policies and massive government spending, Robertson told Meeuwsen, could lead to heavy hyperinflation, sending prices through the roof and the value of the dollar through the floor.

“The Lord said the dollar is going to go down dramatically,” Robertson said in the interview. “If I’m hearing him right, gold will go to about $1900 dollars an ounce and oil to $300 a barrel.”

As a result, Robertson warned, “People are not going to trust the United States any longer as the leader in financial matters.”

On a more spiritual theme, Robertson concluded his New Year’s Day predictions by declaring that God says now is the time for Christians to expand their outreach and evangelism around the world, especially toward Muslims.

“The whole of Islam is weakening. The violence and bloodshed has turned many against this religion of hate,” Robertson declared.

“There has never been, nor will there ever be, a more propitious time for the gospel,” he announced. “People by the tens of millions will be seeking answers. They will gladly receive the forgiveness of sins that was bought by the death of Jesus Christ.”

Quoted from here.

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Money In Your Mailbox

On January 2, of the New Year one of our team went to Victory’s Koshigaya building and checked the mailbox for mail. Looking in, there was a stack of spare coins. We were surprised to see someone had thrown money into the church mailbox. As I began to spend time in the presence of Yahweh, out of the blue He said, remember those coins in the mailbox? Yahweh proceeded to tell me what had happened.

Japan Temple Rush

 

In Japan, people go to the temple and throw money into the Buddhist/Shinto temple’s grated money box at the front of the temple when they ‘pray’. There is, many times, a thick rope hanging from the ceiling of the temple with a large ‘cow bell’ type of bell attached to it. They shake the rope from side to side to ring the bell, clap their hands together (to get their “god’s” attention) and hold their two hands below their chin while bowing their head and closing their eyes. As for what they pray, and how they.. you’re guess as is good as mine. In general, the people of Japan do not go to the temples and shrines much.

Shinto Altar

On New Year’s Day, hoards of Japanese line up at Yasukuni, Narita, Sensoji Meiji Jingu, and various other temples and throw their money in and get their annual blessing. An unsaved friend of mine, said he and his wife waited four hours to throw in their money at Yasukuni Jinja (shrine).
So what happened at Victory on 2 January (or most likely 1 January)? Well, actually Yahweh showed me that someone was praying to the Almighty God, Yahweh, for a blessing on their lives for the year through the ministry of our church. Praise God that they recognize the blessing on the church! However, believer or unbeliever it seems like everyone wants to be blessed. But God’s blessings is not just a new year thing.

If you want to be blessed, your everyday actions are what count. Do you spend time in the Word and in God’s presence each day? Do you work hard and work smart at your job? Are you giving every week or at least every month? Are you giving to the church is your tithes, your offerings, your time to help and encourage others, your effort at making your church a city-changing ministry to your nation?

We know from Deuteronomy 28, that God wants His people blessed. How is someone going to be blessed by God? Here are a few steps-

1) Spend time with God each day in prayer and in the Word. Get into His presence and get His wisdom for your life and the things you are dealing with.

2) Be a committed attendee at a Spirit-filled, Bible-believing church. Dead and boring churches will pull you down. Live, active, and God-loving churches will bring you up.

3) Be a committed tithe-giver at your home church. Don’t let it stop at the tithe. Join the worship team, volunteer to do the maintenance and cleaning at the church, be a church usher, be a greeter, be a camera man, volunteer to help with teaching the kids, help the church find new ways to reach out to the surrounding community,

4) Work hard and work smart on the job. He will promote you and enhance your career as He has promised to ‘bless the work of your hands’.

5) Be filled with joy  of God in whatever you do. It is a happy day. You are alive! Rejoice (that means being filled with joy again and again) that you are Yahweh’s child and He is realizing a great plan for you.

The Word Brings Victory!

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Make Sure It Is In The Word

Recently, someone described to me the idea of purgatory.  I did some research in the Word of God and couldn’t find anything close to it… anywhere.  The closest I could find was the story of Lazarus and the rich man.

Interestingly enough, this is the only parable that Jesus the Messiah tells that actually names someone by name. In this case, Lazarus. With that in mind, many theologians believe this is a true story (Luke 16:18-20).  However, this place ‘Abrahams Bosom’, which was the closest thing we can think of to this place of purgatory was emptied when Jesus rose from the dead.

Eph 4:8-10
8 Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

9(Now this, “He ascended” ?what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) NKJV
You must realize that when Jesus died, we entered the beginning of a new era.  The veil in the temple (historians say it was 1 foot thick) was torn from top to bottom.  The need for a priest to be our advocate with God was eliminated.

When Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day and ascended on high, we became the temple.  The Bible says we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  That doesn’t mean we can throw away ministers (I’d be out of a job), it just means that we can commune directly with God the Father through Jesus the Messiah.  Hallelujah!

I did some searching on the net and found some interesting information which I have put in my online notebook here.  What is the deal with purgatory?  My take is that it is some religious left-over from the Dark Ages.  There is no basis for this belief.

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Is It God’s Will?

Natural Disasters
Natural Disasters

An email I received recently said regarding the recent US presidential election:

I read this one this morning, very applicable
(Charles Swindoll):God’s redemptive providence is always at work, even through the most
diabolical schemes . . .
So, take heart, my friend.  God is in full control.  Nothing is
happening on earth that brings  surprise to heaven.  Nothing is outside
the scope of His divine radar screen as He guides us safely home.
Things that seem altogether confusing, without reason, unfair, even
wrong, do indeed fit into the Father’s providential plan.
1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only
God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

God is in full control?  Really?

Hope you don’t mind me being a bit direct here.  God is awesome, omnipotent, all-knowing.  Of course He knows the future.  But I was duped for many years thinking that whatever happens is God’s will.  Well, the closer I have gotten to God and His Word the more clear it has become.

If it is all in God’s hands then the world is a big mess.  Innocent people are incarcerated, people are starving for lack of food and jobs, children are abused, natural disasters abound, wars maim and kill thousands each year.  Is God in control?  Well, when unbelievers here Christians say that, they think God is a child abuser.  Not!

God is good and He has entrusted the earth to those who love and trust Him.  That is why we have to make a difference which we are here.  The Word says,

2 Chron 7:14
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
NKJV

There is a big IF there.  If we humble ourselves before God, IF we pray and enlist His help in prayer, IF we seek His face.  We’ve got to do our part.  So what is the deal with the earth?

God owns it.  No doubt about it.

Ps 24:1-2
The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.
NKJV

But what is the current status?  Why is it such a mess?

Ps 115:16
The heaven, even the heavens , are the Lord’s;
But the earth He has given to the children of men.
NKJV

Basically, God has given charge to His people.  That started in the Garden of Eden.  satan tried to steal it but according to Ephesians 3, Jesus the Messiah took back our authority for us.  Well, what does that mean?  Simply, it is a bit like leasing something.  You could call it the earth-lease.

If a car leasing company leases you a car for 5 years and you are paying your bills, they cannot send someone over to borrow the car for the weekend or something.  They have to leave the car in your control for those 5 years.  When the 5 years are completed they come back and claim the car.  It is the same with God.  He owns the earth, but he has given us authority over it for a time.  That is why we have got to be praying.  Some people are crashing their spiritual cars and then going back to the leasing company asking why they were ‘allowed’ to crash their cars.

Ungodly leaders who advocate the destruction of the family are not God’s plan for a nation founded on freedom for His people.  They are result of our action or inaction.

I was duped, but no more.  I hope this makes sense.  I don’t want to see others confused like I was (many times by well-meaning religious folks).

Don’t be duped!

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The Fire

 

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending 
services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided 
to visit him.

      It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, 
sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preacher’s visit, 
the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and 
waited.

      The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave 
silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. 
After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a 
brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone 
then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

      The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone 
ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then 
its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

      Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher 
glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, 
picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. 
Immediately it began to glow,once more with the light and warmth of the 
burning coals around it.

      As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear 
running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for 
the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.”

      We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. 
Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left 
unspoken.

      The Lord is my Shepherd —– that’s a Relationship!
      I shall not want —– that’s Supply!
      He maketh me to lie down in green pastures —-that’s Rest!
      He leadeth me beside the still waters —–that’s Refreshment!
      He restoreth my soul —– that’s Healing!
      He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness –that’s Guidance!
      For His name sake —– that’s Purpose!
      Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death–that’s 
Testing!
      I will fear no evil —– that’s Protection!
      For Thou art with me —– that’s Faithfulness!
      Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me —–that’s Discipline!
      Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine 
enemies——that’s Hope!
      Thou annointest my head with oil —– that’s Consecration!
      My cup runneth over —– that’s Abundance!
      Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my 
life—-that’s Blessing!
      And I will dwell in the house of the Lord —–that’s Security!
      Forever —– that’s Eternity!

      Face it, God is crazy about you!

      What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we 
have in our lives.

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Developing A Passion for God

 

Get All Excited
Get All Excited

 

 

 

God is so good and His mercies last forever and ever!

 

Wow!  I am just stand here amazed at how loving God is to us.

 

The weather is cooling off, it is a beautiful day with the smell of Autumn in the air.  Wednesday I enjoyed a nice time with new friends on a terrace at Tokyo Mid-town.  The building is surrounded by green and a comfortable breeze was blowing across the terrace.  I had the opportunity to share Jesus with about 6 people that night.  It was a wonderful chance to share the light of the God’s Kingdom to the people around us.

 

For the last two weeks the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about passion.  We all have it.  As you have seen from my earlier writing, some people are busy letting their passion go off in the wrong direction.  Involved in immoral relationships, so deep in work that they don’t have much time with God, or just plain chasing ungodly dreams.  What is your passion?

 

Is your passion that new car you bought?  Is it that new baby?  Is it going to the gym and exercising all the time?  There is nothing wrong with enjoying life. If you are in sin, you’ve got to get out of it. God has a better plan for us.  The Bible says

 

..in God’s presence is fullness of joy.

 

That car, that other person, that job, that cigarette, that drink, that day at the gym, that hike in the mountains… nothing can satisfy you like that relationship with God. 

 

Make a point of getting into God’s presence today.  Take the time to wait on Him

 

Those who wait upon the Lord… shall renew their strength.

 

What does that mean in everyday life?  It means if you make time to be with God.  Set aside even 10-15 minutes before you go to work to be with God.  To pray.  God will strengthen you each day you do this.  You will be more sensitive to His Spirit as you go about you day.

What do I do when I pray?  I use the word PSALM for model in praying,

 

P- Praise       

The Bible says to enter His gates with thanksgiving, to enter His courts with praise.  I start my prayer time with praise God for all that He has done for me.  Praise Him for my health, my overflowing finance (speak it out in faith), my obedient and loving kids, my wife that is madly in love with me.  Praise Him for the answered prayers.

 

S- Surrender

Next I surrender all my worries, my cares, my concerns, my stress, everything (and everyone) that bothers me I surrender to Him.  The Bible says, “Roll your cares on Him for He cares for you.”

 

A- Ask                        

After I have spent some time sharing with Him and talking with Him, this is when I begin to ask Him; To lay my needs, the needs of my church, my family, my business before His feet.  This is where a lot of people stop praying.  But there is more to the story.

 

L- Listen

Listen to God’s voice.  God “is a Spirit and those who worship Him, worship Him in spirit and in truth’.  God does not normally speak to you in an audible voice (although there are those who have heard him).  He is a spirit, and He speaks to our spirit.  We hear God’s direction via our spirits.

 

M- Meditate

Once you have praised Him, quieted your heart and surrendered to Him, then you can pour out your heart to Him.  After you have shared with God, then you listen to His wisdom for you.  Finally, as your spirit has become more sensitive by this time you need to meditate on what He has said or what He is sharing with you.  What does meditate mean?  It means to think about, think on, to go over and over in your mind.

 

As you use this PSALM tool you will notice yourself going deeper and deeper with God.  This is the beginning of developing your passion.  Passion for God, passion for your spouse, passion for your children, passion for people and bringing souls into the Kingdom of God, passion for life!

 

Have a God day!