Men Of Conquering Faith
//November 3-5, 2011
Click the read more to see articles from this year's CTA speakers!
Power to Change Our World
//Rick Renner
Sometimes I can’t help but think of the paradox of the Christian faith. Paul declared that “we have this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Cor. 4:7). In ourselves, we have no great value, but the treasure of God’s power within us gives us immeasurable value. Understanding this truth should eliminate both low self esteem issues and any temptation to indulge in human pride.
In Matthew 5:14–15 Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”
That word bushel refers to “a jar made of solid material that served as a measuring device for grain.” It wouldn’t make sense to put a solid measuring jar on top of a lamp because it would block out the light. And if that jar were kept over the lamp for very long, the lack of oxygen in the jar would put out the light altogether.
That’s what the devil tries to do to us. He wants to smother the gifts, talents, and power that God has placed in us. The devil is not so much after us; rather, he is trying to extinguish the fire and light of the Holy Spirit in us.
The devil knows that the treasure of God in us is sufficient to change the world around us. So just about the time we begin to step out in faith and let our light shine, the devil whispers, Who are you to think you can have an impact on your society? Just get back under the bushel! However, if we keep our “wick” inserted into the oil of the Holy Spirit, we’ll burn brightly and exert influence for God that has the power to change our world.
|
There’s still time to make plans to join us at Kenneth W. Hagin’s A Call to Arms Men’s Conference, November 3–5, 2011. |
Finding Fulfillment in Life
//Bracken Christian
Everyone wa nts to find fulfillment in life. We all want to be happy and
achieve a measure of success, but many attempt to succeed apart from God. I believe that any success achieved without a relationship with God and apart from His divine guidance and blessing will be empty. This kind of “success” precipitates midlife crisis, divorce, and a myriad of stress-related illnesses. Someone has said, “Some have climbed the ladder of success, only to find that they had it leaning against the wrong wall.”
I believe that prayer is a major key to success or failure in life—in ministry, business, or relationships. Prayer is essentially communion with God. Charles Spurgeon spotlights the necessity of prayer by contrasting some of the results of prayerlessness: “You never heard yet that a man began to backslide, or that a sober man became a drunkard through praying too much. Did you ever hear of a person becoming unkind to his wife, ungenerous to the poor, negligent of public worship, or guilty of grievous sin, through being too much in prayer? No; the case is the reverse.”*
One aspect of prayer is to spend time in God’s presence—to fellowship with Him. Doing this will cause our life’s purpose to emerge and our faith to thrive.
Another aspect of prayer has to do with our seeking from God those things He so freely bestows. Whether we are asking on our own behalf or on the behalf of others, through prayer we can “transact business with God.” This sounds cold and formal, but when you think of how you communicate with others, sometimes you love on them, and sometimes you discuss and deal with issues that affect you both.
It is true that God is our Father and that He is loving and benevolent. It is equally true that He is the righteous Judge of all the earth. We present our case before Him, expecting His mercy, goodness, and magnificent loving-kindness to prevail on our behalf.