By Nothing But Prayer and Fasting

By Nothing But Prayer and Fasting

Mark 9: 28&29
28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

   One question that has always bugged me is why doesn’t the Church have more of an impact on our world today?  The answer is complex and there are lots of reasons, but I submit to you that one of the biggest is found here in Mark 9 and again in Matthew 17.  A man brings a disturbed child to the Disciples and they find that they are impotent to help him.  It’s not that they blew the guy off and didn’t try, because we see from the wording of the verse they did try.  It’s not that they were ignorant about possession, because they’d seen Jesus cast out demons before.  It wasn’t that one of them went in alone to try; they were united together and tried together.  But they still failed, despite their best efforts, and in the end they had to take the child to Jesus, Who cast the demon out and the child rose up delivered and well.
   So they asked.  When we don’t know, that’s what you’re supposed to do.  They took Jesus aside and asked where they went wrong.  Jesus answered their question and gave us insight into spiritual warfare.  In the account in Matthew, He first gives them a talking to about faith and then says, “This kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.”
   Sometimes I look at the Disciples as eager but unprepared kids trying to please an adult.  I can see them girding up for battle and rushing onto the battlefield only to discover that they don’t have any bullets in their guns.  They went into battle against evil without being prayed up and focused on God.  Remember the account of the seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish High Priest, from the Book of Acts?  They tried this and the demon-possessed man told them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?”  Then he beat the snot out of them and tore their clothes off them and chased them down the road.  They went into battle unarmed and unprepared and paid a heavy price for their oversight.
   Should the Church in America be renamed the First Church of Sceva?  There is a lot going on in our society and the Church seems to be unprepared and out of touch with what’s happening.  We sit in our warm, comfy churches and ask why the world isn’t trampling a path to our doors?  The world isn’t, and won’t, because they are under the influence of forces that are anti-God, anti-Christ, and anti-church.  People are deceived by these powers and are under the influence of them and will march through life and into hell without ever once stepping foot into a church.  Why should they?  They have what they want in life and don’t know that they need salvation.
   In a lifetime in church, I have heard people pray for a lot of things.  Only a few prayers were for people’s souls.  Oh, I’ve heard the prayers: “save the world, Lord!”  “Send Your Spirit to reach the lost in our city, Lord!”  “My neighbor is unsaved, Lord, do something to bring him to You?”  Now go grab your Bible and find those witnessing techniques written down and read them to me.  Can’t find them?  It’s because they aren’t there.  If you’re really concerned about your neighbor, go talk to them YOURSELF.  If you think your city need the Lord?  What are YOU doing about it?  No unsaved flocking to your church?  Go and invite some!
   But remember the powerless Disciples and the hapless sons of Sceva.  Pray first.  Fast and pray.  Give God your undivided attention and let Him minister to you first, and then you will be better prepared to confront to powers who influence this world and lead some of their victims to the safety of God’s love.
   Could you show someone the plan of salvation from the scriptures?  You’d better know that before you try!  Study and be prepared to answer questions.

Stephen Cram                         November 20, 2011                      Colossians 2:8

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  Colossians 2:8

The "Instead of" Christ

The “Instead of” Christ

1 John 2:18 NKJV
Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

   It’s a sad fact that most people in our society today know little or nothing about the Bible.  But even so, most people have heard about the Antichrist.  There are books, movies and other information predicting the rise of the Antichrist, and he’s seen as a frightening person.  Interest in the Antichrist is nothing new; John wrote about him and expected the Christians of his day would understand what he wrote about.  John lived in the constant expectancy of Jesus' return and, judging from his writings, believed that he lived in the “last hour.”  Sadly, we’ve lost that urgency in our churches today, and we should be living like we expect Him to return at any time.  But, back to John, he also wrote warning that the Antichrist was coming and might be coming soon.
   So what does the name "Antichrist" mean?  Quick Greek lesson here: the prefix "anti" can mean "the opposite of" or it can mean "instead of."  The Antichrist, therefore, can mean the "opposite Jesus" or it can mean the "instead of" Jesus.  Most people are locked onto the idea of the Antichrist being the “opposite christ.”  They picture a very evil person who will burst onto the world scene and kill the Christians and anyone else who gets in his way.  They picture this because of the contrast with Jesus.  Jesus loved everyone so the Antichrist will hate everyone.  Jesus did good wherever He went, so the Antichrist will destroy wherever he goes.  Jesus' character and personality was beautiful and attractive, so the Antichrist's character and personality will be ugly and repulsive.   Jesus spoke the truth, so the Antichrist will speak only lies.
   I think we accept the concept of the “opposite Christ” too much.  My belief is that the Antichrist, when he comes, will be more an "instead of" Jesus.  My parents lived through the dark days of WW2, and told stories of their recollections of that time.  They remembered that Hitler was more hero than villain when he forced his way to power.  He was, we need to remember, voted into office by the majority of the population of Germany.  He said the right thinks and gave his people hope and promised them a bright future.  The evil was already there, but what he showed everyone was the friendly smile and warm handshake and I’ve read accounts of people meeting him and coming away impressed with his personality.   I doubt Hitler would have made it to power if he acted like a megalomaniacal killer lusting for world conquest.
   Look for the Antichrist to look wonderful, be charming and successful, shake hands and smile a lot and promise a sunny future and a better world for everyone.  One name of Satan is the Angle of Light, so look for his man to be an angel of light.  Here's a point to remeber: John speaks of "the Antichrist" and "many antichrists."  There is a "spirit" of antichrist, and this spirit of antichrist will one day find its ultimate fulfillment in a man, the Antichrist, who will lead humanity in an end-times rebellion against God.  So what does that mean?  While there will be an actually man who will be the Antichrist, the world now has evil influences that are leading towards this time.   We get small previews of this evil from time to time.  Planes flying into buildings killing thousands and armies killing entire villages of people are previews of this kind of evil.
   As many time before, I urge you to read the Word of God and prepare yourself for this influence gaining strength in our world.  Beware lest some type of "instead of" Jesus tries to get between you and Jesus.  We live in desperate times, and many are looking for someone to step up and give us all the answers.  Will you be able to recognize Christ from Antichrist when this happens?  Will you be able to tell lie from truth when you hear it?  Yes!  If you know what the Bible tells us.  Yes!  If you have hidden His Word in your heart.  Yes!  If you pray regularly and listen to His “still, small voice.”
   The Bible warns that: Matthew 24:24 NKJV
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Be warned!  Jesus Himself gave this warning.  He said that, if possible, even the elect will be deceived.  The Antichrist will come dressed as a lamb, not a lion.  He will speak soft words not roar threats.  Don’t be afraid to ask God for confirmation before jumping on any bandwagons.

Stephen Cram                            November 13, 2011                     Colossians 2:8

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  Colossians 2:8

It’s Personal!

It’s Personal!

Acts 17:28 NKJV
for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

   Seven billion of us now swarm over the face of the world.  Seven billion!  A billion is a hard number to grasp.  One advertising agency put a billion into perspective:
A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
A billion minutes ago Jesus was walking the roads of Galilee and Judea.
A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.
   Or to put it another way, if you go up onto a mountain top and the air is completely clear, you can see about 10,000 stars.  Now if each of those 10,000 stars represented 700,000 more stars, that would be 7 billion.
   It’s easy to feel lost in the world today.  In life we’re often reduced to our Social Security number or some other numeric designation.  Once in a doctor’s office, while sitting near a sign that assured me of personal care by a caring doctor, I was asked if I was “Cram, Stephen P?” Humph.  Not exactly the personal touch.  Many people work at jobs where we’re small cogs in a big machine.  Does anyone know I exist? Does anyone care about me?  Am I just a name on a bulk mailing list?
   Even Christians feel the loneliness.  After all, with tens of millions of Christians alive right now, how do I know God really cares for me, one lone Christian struggling in the world?
   One of the joys of our faith is in knowing we have a personal God Who knows us as individuals.  The Bible is full of examples of His personal love and care.
God knew you before you were born. He knew you when you were still in the womb.  Jeremiah 1:5a
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;

Jesus reminds us how much we mean to God.
Matthew 10:29-31.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

God knows we exist and He knows all about us.  And our great hope is that we will see Him again.
John 14:1-3
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

   God knows you and you are important to Him.  You are His beloved!  He takes delight in knowing you.
Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

   Don’t despair, God loves you and watches over you and one day you will go to His house and live for eternity.  He hears your cries and knows your pain.  He knows the frustrations your feel in this world filled with seven billion other people.  You may be a number to the government, but in Heaven you’re a person.

Stephen Cram                         November 6, 2011                      Colossians 2:8

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  Colossians 2:8

Staying in the Harbor

Staying in the Harbor

Matthew 4:19 KJV
Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

     My late oldest brother and I would often drive to Seabrook on the NH coast and go out on an all day Haddock boat.  Our favorite skipper had a boat with powerful engines so he would stay behind at the dock until the others had left and sometimes picked up last minute fishermen looking to go out fishing.  While we waited, I would stand on the deck watching the activity around the harbor.  The sun would begin to lighten up the sky and the gulls would be wheeling over our heads looking endlessly for food. The water seemed alive as it beat on the rocks occasionally sending a curtain of spray into the air.
     The deep- throated growl of marine diesel engines filled the air and plumes of smoke rose from exhaust pipes.  Our skipper and his mate would be busy checking bait and gear while the other fishing boats turned towards the open sea and left behind clouds of diesel smoke.  Finally our skipper would cast off the lines and we would head for the misty horizon ourselves, quickly catching and passing the slower boats.  Spray would fly up from the bow of the boat cutting through the water  We were heading out to deeper water where the fish are waiting.
     But the small harbor we had left was still clogged with boats - luxury yachts and sailboats that sat in the water still tied up to the docks.  They wait in silence for a weekend visitation; perhaps a short sail in calm waters or a picnic lunch on deck in the sun.  They’re never really being used as they were designed to be used.
   It was sad to see those beautiful boats just sitting there at the dock.  Rust and corrosion would slowly creep up on them.  Occasionally the owners would polish the brass work and swab the decks clean, but most of the time they were left to sit there.
   I think of that harbor in the morning mist and am reminded of some churches I’ve been in.  There are a few who would go out fishing but most just sit there.  A few will experience the thrill of landing “the big one” but most will only trade fishing stories of the one that got away.  A few will know the clean air of the open sea but most will remain firmly tied up to the dock, thinking the stuffy air of the harbor with its occasional cool breeze is “as good as it gets.”
   It’s sad to see how few are part of Jesus’ working fleet.  So many are just weekend visitors to the harbor, looking for a good time while just sitting on the deck.  The harbor is supposed to be a place of refuge, not a place to spend all your time.  I would have felt cheated if I’d paid for a ticket on the boat and we just sat there fishing in the harbor.  Most of the fish were out in the deep water and the fishing is much better out there.  There are hazards, I’ve hooked a few sand sharks in my time, but also I’ve pulled in some beauties.  How to describe the thrill of the tug of the line, setting the hook, fighting the fish to the surface, then seeing it in the net.  And to a Christian, how to describe the thrill of seeing an unsaved person respond to the Gospel and bow their heads and pray the sinner’s prayer.
   Fish are what fishing is all about.  It ain’t about the equipment or the boat, it’s about the fish.  Church ain’t about the carpet or the overhead projector, it’s about Christ and bringing the Gospel to the sinners.
   Throw off the lines and set out to sea and let your line down into the water.  You never know what may be waiting for you.

Stephen Cram                            October 30, 2011                      Colossians 2:8

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  Colossians 2:8