BTFM | Bible Teaching Fellowship Ministries

A Peace Offering to the World

Elvira Craig — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:02:45 +0000

Today, I can truly say that the whole world is in search of peace. The search is for global peace, national peace, domestic peace, and personal peace. It is unfortunate that our daily news is filled with talks of war or the potential of wars; supposedly, for the quest of peace. Have you ever wondered, “How did the world arrive at such a state of unrest?” As a child, I had such a hopeful outlook of the world. However, as an adult reality paints a different picture of a world filled with despair, pain, hurt, and unrest. It is disappointing to see that even man’s best effort to obtain peace is inaccurate and short-lived. Truly, peace is the order for today’s ills.

The kind of peace that is needed today in our world is not just peace between man, but peace between man and God. The absence of peace is due to our sins. Our sins not only causes us to live without peace, but in turn, makes us an enemy of God. Without a peace offering it is impossible to live in peace with God and each other. The Bible tells us that we have a loving God that foreknew that man would need a peace offering in order to be reconciled back to him. God prepared his peace offering in the form of giving his only begotten Son, Jesus. God freely gave Jesus as a peace offering to restore peace once again between Himself and man.

Jesus as our peace offering from God not only provided redemption from our sins but also he gave us everlasting fellowship with God, the Father. God wants fellowship with his creation, man.Today if you are in search of peace it is found in Jesus. If you desire fellowship with God, then Jesus is your peace offering to a everlasting relationship with God, the Father.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Ephesians 2:12-18

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Faith & Three-fold Cord

Elvira Craig — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:04:07 +0000

As a believer in Christ, I find it to be a wonderful thing to experience the joy of being empowered by the Word of God. Let it be known that the Lord loves His people dearly. He is always loving, providing, protecting, forgiving, and building up those who seek after Him. This week I had the pleasure of hearing an awesome teaching on Faith & Threefold Cord. The subject of the message came from Ecclesiastes 4:12 and Matthew 6:1-34. Initially, one would think Matthew and Ecclesiastes…huh?

In Ecclesiastes 4:12, the writer states a threefold cord is not quickly or easily broken. If we read in Matthew 6, Jesus teaches about three things we need to do as believers, that makes it possible for the Holy Spirit to strengthen and fortify our spiritual life in Christ.

Today, we are living in the most challenging time as believers. I say that because the deception designed for the church and believers is to make them lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-22). I suggest all believers take heed to the instructions from Jesus and institute the three cords found in Matthew 6.

The three cords taught by Jesus in Matthew 6 are to give, pray, and fast. One of the things that believers need to note is that Jesus said, “when you give, pray, and fast,” and not if you give, pray, and fast.

In reading what Jesus said it is clear that Jesus is teaching with the position that giving, praying, and fasting is expected of believers.

Jesus is instructing those who love Him to use these three cords of giving with a cheerful heart, and fervently and effectually praying, and to faithfully fasting. In doing so, and placing our faith in God we will grow. We will fully believe Jesus when He says, “to take no thought for tomorrow;” Jesus is saying do not worry and do not be afraid. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Hard to believe? Not when we faithfully apply the three cords given to us by Jesus.

When we place our faith in God, He will meet every need in our lives as His children and He even promise if we take it a step future and delight ourselves in Him we will also gives us the desires of our hearts.

Have faith in God and use the threefold cords given to us by Jesus and you will be always victorious!

laresha.warnell — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:45:18 +0000

laresha.warnell — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:34:49 +0000

2011 Bible Prophecy

clevell — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:55:33 +0000

laresha.warnell — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:14:10 +0000

Joy that Changes

Elvira Craig — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:40:51 +0000

I truly love it when I get what I call my “awe moment.” It happens when I read a very familiar passage of Scripture then, POP! a light comes on and illuminates a new truth from God’s Word to my heart (well at least new truth to me). It’s that moment that changes what you know about God forever. It’s the point of no return. I am delighted when the Holy Spirit sends me an awe moment that enlightens my heart. I had such a moment last week.

I was reading John chapter 4. You know the account about Jesus and the woman at the well? I must have read it at least over two dozen times. But this time, I saw something more. One of the amazing things that happened in this passage is that both the woman and Jesus left without getting a single drop of water from the well. My understanding about this is Jesus’ thirst was met when He did the will of His Father by giving the woman living waters. The woman’s thirst was met after she received the living water from Jesus. But as amazing as this is, this was not my awe moment. My awe moment came when I read what this woman did after her life changing encounter with Jesus.

Unbelievably, this woman was able to convince an entire city to come and hear Jesus. The book of John chapter 4 verse 30, states that city went out and came to Jesus. Wow! an entire city came because they believed this woman’s report. But, I asked myself, “how did she do this?”.

My awe moment came when I searched to answer this question. How did a woman with no creditability, of low regard, and a ruined reputation (five “husbands” and shacking with one) capable of convincing an entire city to come and hear Jesus? In that time, this woman’s lifestyle was so dreadful, that it could be punishable by stoning. This woman’s lifestyle would be considered the scum of the earth. She would be called an adulteress who would be scorned from the public.

As I pondered the possible answers to this question, is it then that the Holy Spirit suddenly shined God’s light on my heart. The woman at well was able to convince an entire city to come to Jesus by her joy! Her display of joy must have been so awesome that others must have recognized her life changing experience. Her joy had superseded her reputation. Her joy had become contagious. Her joy caused people to follow her. Her joy changed their lives. Her joy changed a city and brought them to Jesus.

The woman who met Jesus with all her known sins became the joy of the city.

Faith and Love Conquers All

Elvira Craig — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 18:21:25 +0000

This is dedicated to all believers who love Christ and is fervently awaiting to hear His call. Our source of power is from the Holy Spirit. When we put our faith in Christ, He empowers us to walk in His love.

The power of the love of God is freely available to all of the people of God. As the days unfolds, we are to put all of our trust in the Lord. Not politicians, financials systems, or globalization, but trust the Lord with all our hearts.

When we put our trust in the Lord we will experience Christ’s love for our lives. This is the power that conquers all. With the love of Christ, we need to go out into all the world and share the good news of the Gospel with everyone. It is the love of Christ that many are thirsty for.

Go forth and declare and share the Kingdom of God unto all. When doing so, we will received the fullness of Christ’s love for your life.

Be blessed and always remember we are well loved.

Pastor Elvira Craig

End_Times _Flyer

clevell — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:24:28 +0000

Prophecy_Flyer

clevell — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 02:29:52 +0000