MARCH 2010

“A TRUE WITNESS”

Dear Friend:

I greet you in the name that has never lost its power, the name of Jesus.  In this month’s teaching, I would like for us to ask ourselves a question, are we a true witness. 

As we look at the destruction that’s going on in the natural world today, it seems like everything that so many people (even Christians) have depended on has lost its power.  From my observation, it seems like the only ones that have truly depended on the power of God have not been affected by what’s going on in the world’s system today. Am I saying that test and trails are not going to come into our lives, absolutely not?  But, what I am saying is that when they do come are we going to be a true witness for God.  In order to be a true witness for our Savior you must first have the Logos – (the written Word of God) in you so that when the test come that the devil will bring you will have what it takes to endure.

The Apostle Paul went through some hard times, on one occasion he was under arrest in Philippi

(see Philippians 1:13).  It tells us that Paul was able to be a true witness while chained to the guards.  Paul was in prison for preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.  Paul’s imprisonment furthered the gospel in two ways; first the palace guard heard the gospel and second Paul’s visitors were able to hear the gospel and some of the visitors were the leaders of the Jews in Rome (Acts 28:17).  You see, for the one or two years that Paul had been under house arrest in Rome, different soldiers had taken turns guarding him; and, because they were chained to Paul they had no other choice but to listen to him proclaim the gospel.  The soldiers could not beat him into silence because he was a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37, 38).  Although at this time Paul could not go to the world to preach, it seems as though the world was brought to him and because of that Paul considered his imprisonment to be the result of God’s sovereign will.

If we are to be effective witnesses for our Savior, we cannot be a water boy in the game of life.  Our lives must display the inner reality of what we externally proclaim.  When we encounter something in our lives that do not line up with the Word of God, that is when we must fervently promote our faith (Romans 1:17).

To be a true witness is different than just being a witness for God.  A witness for God is to bring the message that Jesus Christ is God that has come in the flesh; He died to pay for our sin, was resurrected and now is exalted in Heaven.  He calls us to believe in Him and so receive forgiveness of sins.  This is good news.  Though this witness is simple, it requires a costly commitment from the person that carries it.  To be a true witness, you must walk your talk.  If you are one that doesn’t walk what you talk (live out your faith as a true witness) then you will be just like a hollow vessel making noise.  So let me encourage you today to be a true witness for our Savior.  Study His Word and learn how we are suppose to live our lives as a Christian and I promise you that He will give you His grace to be an effective True Witness.

Mennie and I love you and thank God for you.  We appreciate your partnership as we reach out to some of the poor and less fortunate in our communities and surrounding areas.  No, we can’t help everyone but we sure can help someone.  Again, we are so grateful for your help so that we can continue to be an extension of God’s hand and love.

In His Will,

Evangelist Joseph Morrison

SCRIPTURE FOR THE MONTH:  MATTHEW 5:13-16  

FEBRUARY 2010

 

"GET TO KNOW HIM (PART II)”                    

 

Dear Friend:

 

I greet you in the name of Jesus and pray that you are being blessed and getting to know God more and more.  This month, I will continue Part II of the teaching entitled “Get to Know God” and trust that it will encourage you as never before to seek the face of our loving Heavenly Father.

 

So many of our leaders (even some that profess the name of Jesus) are calling what’s right wrong and what’s wrong right.  That is why it is so important for us as Christians to know God for ourselves.  I recently heard a radio personality say: the church is getting so worldly and the world is getting so churchy that you can’t even tell them apart.  Wow, what a statement and sadly it seems to be true.  If you don’t transform your mind by the Word of God (Romans 12:1-2) you will never get to know Him and you will never get to know the truth from the false.  The notion has spread somehow that the Gospel must be made into a form of entertainment; however, that is far from the truth.  The Bible says in I Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people: that you should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 

 

Just as the above scripture declares, God has called us out of the world to be different and to affect the world with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Many may say how can you live in a world and not be a part of it.  You must understand, the Word of God will transform our minds and teach us how to live according to God’s principles in this world and yet not be a part of the world’s system as a Christian.  No matter where you go people around you should know you are different without you even saying a word.  When we get to know Him (God), He alone teaches us to know ourselves.  I have learned that every moment spent in seeking to know ourselves is a moment lost.  The world encourages us to focus on getting to know who we are but in trying to know ourselves we will not only fail in this attempt but we cease to learn Christ.  Like I just mentioned, He is the only one that can teach us who we really are and what we should be in Him. 

 

Many people (even Christians) are spending their lives running here and there to hear this man and that man in an attempt to hear a Word from God just to find that they are confused.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I believe in great men and women of God that have meetings and conferences all over the world; however, there is nothing like the local church and your local pastor.  God tells us in Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the matter of some is…..  In addition to being a part of a local church, we must take our Bibles and spend quality time alone reading the Word of God for ourselves.  When you make this kind of commitment of your life to the Lord, the Word of God will come alive in your heart and you get to Know Him for yourself.  In closing, let me encourage you in this:  It doesn’t matter how dark the world around us may get, when you get to know God in a personal way you will be a bright light to this dark world no matter where you are. 

 

Mennie and I love you and thank God for you being a part of BTBAB.  Because of your love, prayers and support of this ministry we were able to bless the following individuals and families in the year of 2009:  (15) foster children, (10) seniors and (29) families which estimated a total of 121 individuals.  Our prayer is that God will continue to bless you in every area of your life.

 

 

In His Will,  

Evangelist Joseph Morrison

 

 

SCRIPTURE FOR THE MONTH: PHILIPPIANS 3:13