The Name of JESUS

750 years before His birth the prophet Isaiah said, "... Unto us a child is born and unto us a Son is given and the government will be upon His shoulders. He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. 

And you will call His name Jesus . . . because He will save His people from their sins !!!"

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The right to determine a child’s name belongs to the parents. God, the Father, decided to give the name Jesus to His only Son. It was indeed a suitable name.
It is no accident that this is the name conferred upon the Messiah. Though many others carried that name in His day, God did not hesitate to use it. The name Jesus would encompass all that Jehovah is, and all that He planned to accomplish in the life of mankind. The angel was told that the purpose for calling the child, Jesus was because He would "save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
The name Jesus is short, easy to pronounce, and sweet in sound. Since it speaks of salvation, this name brings to God’s mind those He has saved. Therefore, each time He hears or uses the name it requires that He remember us and how He has saved us. Without a people saved He could not rightfully carry such a name. It is the only saving name given to man. (Acts 4:12)
Though this name was bestowed upon Him before birth, it did not reach its full potential and purpose until His death and resurrection. He was to do more than teach us of God, He was God. He must do more than teach us the way of salvation, He became our salvation, bearing the name Jesus.
Throughout the Old Testament God used names descriptive of His various attributes. The Jehovistic titles were among these. 

He was Jehovah-Jirah because he was a provider, 

Jehovah-Ropheka because He healed, 

Jehovah-Shalom who brought peace, 

Jehovah-Mekaddishkem as the sanctifier of His people, 

Jehovah-Zebaoth (hosts) and 

Jehovah-Nissi (banner) because he led in battle, 

Jehovah-Zidkenu as the righteous God, 

Jehovah-Shammah because He is ever present, and 

Jehovah-Elyon because He was the was the Most High. 

These and other Jehovistic titles exemplify the various traits of Jehovah in saving His people.
Through the Bible, Jesus Christ is called the Just One, the Holy One, the Holy and the Just, the Holy and Righteous One, the Holy One of God, the Faithful and True Witness, the King of Israel, the King of the Jews, the King of saints, the King eternal, immortal, invisible. He is called the Righteous Judge, the Judge of all the earth, the Desire of Nations, and Ensign of the People.
He is called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. He is Teacher, Master, Rabboni, Governor, Law-giver, Redeemer, Messiah, Savior and Immanuel. He is the Deliverer, Mediator, Intercessor, a Prince and a Savior, and Mighty to Save.
Many of His names depict His position in this universe and show Him to be exalted above creation. As the Daystar He is the forerunner to all that begins in creation. When He is called the Sword, Shield, and Buckler, He is shown to be the greatest in battle. When He is spoken of as the Most High, He rises above every king and potentate, throne and dominion that is or has been. As the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world, He has prevailed to open the seals to the title deed of this earth. As the Bridegroom He carries away the most glorious bride, taken from the clutches of His rival who was the previous suitor of this bride. As the Head of the Corner, Head of the Church, Head of every man, the True Light that lighteth every man which comes into the world, He takes the highest place of authority possible. As our great High Priest, our Passover, the Firstfuits of them that slept, the First Begotten from the dead, and the Resurrection and the Life,
Christ has brought to us the hope of eternal life, an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, which does not fade away and which is reserved in heaven for us. But the name of Jesus Christ includes all of these and more. Jesus is a name which encompasses the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, the First and the Last. Jesus is the name of the King of kings and Lord of lords.
God’s greatest contribution to man has been a name greater than prophets and kings, higher than men or angels. Everything we do or say can be done in that name above all others. In a sense we "gave" Him that name for it involves salvation, and we are the ones He saved. When He hears the name Jesus, He must be reminded of those who have been purchased through His great sacrifice. There should be in our hearts continual thanksgiving and appreciation for the privilege to use such a lovely name. He has allowed us to apply that name to our lives in baptism, use it when praying for the sick, and lift it up in worship and praise to God!
The name Jehovah is a name which describes God as the self-existent One. It reveals His all-sufficiency and His presence among His people. It is the name by which he has entered into the salvation scheme and purposed to restore the marred estate which Adam lost.
The term salvation with all the various words associated with it brings us our greatest hope. If such terminology were not in our vocabulary, we would be of all creation most in despair.
When we add that great name Jehovah to the concept of salvation, we obtain the name of Jesus, a name which has brought every blessing possible to our sin-torn hearts. Though the world spurns the name of Jesus Christ, and to the angels it holds no redemptive reality, yet to the church of Jesus Christ, the blood-bought bride of Christ, it is the most meaningful and powerful name in existence.
The name of Jesus means everything to us and to Him as well. This is because of all the name does for us. It is the means of our salvation; it brings His presence; it supplies our needs. Thinking upon that name brings revelations of His glory and goodness and transforms into His image!

(from WORLD AFLAME)

In Our Words

God's Greatest Gift

If our greatest need had been information,God would have sent us an Educator.
If our greatest need had been technology ,God would have sent us a Scientist.

If our greatest need had been money ,God would have sent us an

Economist

.
If our greatest need had been
pleasure , God would have sent us an

Entertainer.
But our greatest need was Forgiveness,so God sent us a Saviour!

"Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift!" 
2 Corinthians 8:15

The Next Time He Comes ...

The next time He comes, He won't have to die for me;

The next time He comes, there won't be a Calvary;


The next time He comes we'll begin eternity.  


The next time He comes, He'll be coming for me!

                                                                                          The Speers

Each Christmas when we are so often reminded of how Christ came to earth the first time, I can't help but think of how much different his Second Coming will be from the First. 


While preparing for a recent Revelation Bible Study, I mentioned just a few of the contrasts an observer might notice.  Are you ready for His Soon Coming?

First Coming	Second Coming
Born in a simple stable; Rode a donkey into town in meekness and lowliness	On a white horse with power & glory
Few disciples waving palm branches	With ten thousands of His saints
Crowned with thorns for a short time	To wear a Royal diadem forever
Died in shame on a Roman Cross, falsely accused	To reign forever in glory
Foretold in prophecy	Also, Foretold in prophecy

  Isaiah 9:6  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

•  Behold, he comes with cloud, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.  Rev 1:7

His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

God's Christmas Gift to you.

Over the years, the legendary Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog has featured some pretty extravagant gifts.

The 1963 catalog offered his-and-her submarines for $18,000. In the 1964 catalog, you could buy a hot air balloon for $6,000. In 1967, the catalog's offerings included a pair of camels for $4,000. And in 1971, an actual mummy case was selling for $16,000. But in 2006, Neiman Marcus upped the ante with a trip to outer space for $1.7 million.

Maybe a ticket to space isn't at the top of your wish list this year, but perhaps you have certain expectations of what you hope to find waiting for you under the Christmas tree. If you put your hope in what Christmas offers, however, you will be very disappointed.

But if you can get past that to what Christmas is really all about, it truly can be "the most wonderful time of the year."
 by Greg Laurie
The wise men brought the rather unusual gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. But the first Christmas gifts were not gifts to the Child. The first Christmas gift was the gift of the Child.

Christmas, at its best and purest state, is a promise of something else, something that no holiday or experience or earthly thing can satisfy. Galatians 4:4–5 says, "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons" (NIV). Isaiah 9:6 offers a description of what God has given to us:

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (NKJV)

Each of the above names of Jesus deals with an important area of our lives. They are like five Christmas gifts that we can open, and each is special and unusual.

First, His name is Wonderful. That takes care of the dullness of life. "Wonderful" comes from the root word "wonder." The word used here could also be translated as "amazing, surprising, astonishing, or awe-inspiring." And as I contemplate the fact that the Almighty God made this sacrifice for me, it will produce in my heart a sense of bewilderment, awe, and, finally, worship.

Second, His name is Counselor. That takes care of the decisions of life. We all have very important decisions that we have to make. The God who is Wonderful wants to give us counsel and direction. God has a plan for each of our lives—an individual plan, not a one-size-fits-all plan. When you are overwhelmed with the decisions of life, remember that there is a God who wants to counsel you.

Third, He is the Mighty God. That takes care of the demands of life. We need to be reminded that Jesus was not just a good man. He was the God-man. And this God who is Wonderful, this God who wants to be your Counselor, will give you the strength to live the life He has called you to live.

Fourth, His name is Everlasting Father. That takes care of the destiny of life. We believe in an Everlasting Father with no beginning and with no end. It reminds us that life on Earth is temporal, that heaven is so much better than anything this world has to offer.

Also, this hope of an Everlasting Father resonates with those who have never had an earthly father. Because of what Jesus did for us, we can now refer to the Almighty God, Creator of the universe, as our Father who is in heaven.

Fifth, His name is the Prince of Peace. That takes care of the disturbances of life. Life is filled with disturbances and, quite frankly, Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Old problems are often brought back to the surface. Friction, stress, and problems that you are having with various family members can be at the forefront of your life at this time of year.

But here is One who is the Prince of Peace, One who will help you with the disturbances of life.

Whatever gifts you may have waiting for you this Christmas, they pale in comparison to God's gift for you. It is better than anything the Neiman Marcus catalog can offer. It is the only gift that truly keeps on giving: the gift of eternal life.

10 Ways ....from CHARISMA Magazine

10 Ways to Sabotage Your Marriage

8:00AM EST 11/29/2012 BRUCE BICKEL AND STAN JANTZ

(© Juliamilberger | Stock Free Images)

Life's small irritations can ruin even the best marriages.

Like a piece of sand in an oyster, small irritations in marriage will accumulate until they're much bigger. Except in this case, you won't end up with a beautiful pearl!

Here are some "grains of sand" that can sabotage your marriage: 

1. Be a flirt. 

2. Undermine your spouse in public.

3. Use negative body language when your spouse is talking to you.

4. Fail to communicate on a daily basis.

5. Stop caring about your appearance.

6. Have children in order to bring your marriage together.

7. Men: Enjoy playing golf (or whatever takes your time) more than you enjoy your wife.

8. Women: Spend more time with your friends (or whatever takes your time) than you spend with your husband.

9. Find your self-esteem outside the marriage.

10. Conceal your expectations.

---

Source: God Is in the Small Stuff for Your Marriage (Promise Press), by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz.

"Maranatha:" The Lord is Coming!

‎
"Christ will appear a second time to save those who 

are eagerly waiting for him" (Hebrews 9:28)

...this I know

...this I know, God is for me!  Psalm 56

We are often tempted to become despondant in our sorrows. David comforted himself in the Lord when the Philistines closed in and seized him.  In his distress and fear, he reminded himself that God noticed all his griefs and was his helper! 

Men...GET YOUR TICKETS!

           

Pastor Carter Conlon - Winning Your Secret Battle!

   Listen as Pastor Carter Conlon challenges TSC on ...

1 Samuel 17 - Delivering the Lamb from the mouth of the enemy. (Click to Play Video)

>It's the "nothing's" of society that God can use ...if you have the eyes to see, there's hundreds of angels coming alongside and from behind the child of God who advances"

Start sermon at beginning:

1:01 - "You have got to get some gravel in your gut, Church of Jesus Christ!"

      >Winning your secret Battle ...gives secret Victory!

      >The devil is strong, but he's not stronger than the Holy Spirit who is in me!

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* This link will be valid until Nov 18th/2012

Jack Hayford: Election Outcome Could Be Prophetic Announcement

My feelings, following the results of the 2012 presidential race, are not predicated on the relative merits or either candidate. They are borne with facts that are true of Americans' lives at this time in the 21st century; some of which are flavored by choices by our seated president's words and actions, but not without difficulties that may be attributed to either of our presidential candidates or their parties. In short, our vulnerabilities and weaknesses as a nation—economically, spiritually, morally or otherwise, have a deeper root than the failures of human management or policy.

It is in the light of that preamble that I make this statement: The re-election of President Obama is yet another landmark of history that reveals the inevitable flow of events which increase in depth and spread when the church mistakes its mission. As one incident, the election outcome holds the portent of being a prophetic announcement of the impending end of the significance of the church in America, unless ...

... Unless a reawakening of Christ's body in America occurs, which heeds the "first of all" priority Paul, by the Holy Spirit (1 Tim. 2:1-2), assigned to the church's ministry of prayer and intercessionfor leaders, peoples and nations, no administration or political party will be capable of a solution to our nation's essential problems.

... Unless the church becomes more persuaded that the fountainhead of its strength is in livingworship—by which we humble ourselves, seeking God's presence (more than it demonstrates our skill at making music)—no degree of programming or growth will be able to regain the place of influence the once-effective voice the church historically has had in the U.S. as "salt," to neutralize the toxic issues existing in the arena of morality, justice and family life.

... Unless the pulpits, sanctuaries and classrooms of the church be once again employed as centerpieces of shaping disciples unto transformation with solid teaching and meaty preaching, holding forth the Word of life, the declining percentage of believers in America will be further reduced. "Church Growth" alone will never be an effective substitute for "people growth"; the formation and equipping of committed followers of Jesus Christ, who bear His Cross and who shine as lights in the world.

... Unless a vanguard of today's American church leadership chooses to take a stand with Israel as the Sovereign God's chosen people (a theological posture rooted in the Word and our nation's history), the effect of out present apathy will advance an already increasing global anti-Semitism, and the brash rise in political scorn manifest today will continue to move our nation closer to the edge of self-destruction by reason of its collective choice to pass judgment against and forsake our support of God's ancient land and people; a choice certain to boomerang cataclysmic judgments upon us via a scenario which may well bring about the finale of our nation's existence (see Zech. 12-14).

In summary: the bitter fruit of the 2012 presidential outcome is not the party or person who is taking the White House, but in the disappearing fruitage of the church's inherent, God-given dynamic to affect the spiritual climate of our nation and effect a harvest of the "fruit of righteousness" in a country formerly seen as sufficiently "Christian" to leave a deep enough stamp on the national life to indicate a credible, spiritual presence.

Jack Hayford is founder and chancellor of The King’s University in Los Angeles and a former president of The Foursquare Church. Best known as “Pastor Jack,” he is the founder of The Church On The Way in Van Nuys, Calif., and a prolific writer and musical composer.

Child of Woe -The Maury Blair Story

Child of Woe (Click to Play Video)

This is a short film depicting moments in the life of young Maury Blair and the horrible abuse he faced and survived. To learn more about Maury and his story visit www.breakthroughnet.com.

Matt Tapley on 100 Huntley Street

Matt Tapley shares his journey with his daughter Sarah, as she fights Cancer (Click to play Video)

UPDATE:

Sarah lost her battle with cancer on Nov 29, 2012.

From Matt Tapley...Here's the obituary that will be in the paper tomorrow. Info about funeral etc is included.  Thank you everyone for your tremendous outpouring of love and prayers. We are leaning on Jesus....

Sarah was born February 26, 2001, in Medicine Hat, Alberta. On November 29, 2012 in Grimsby, Ontario, our precious daughter Sarah passed from earth to heaven. We had hoped and prayed for a miraculous turnaround in her health. However, through her faith in Jesus Christ, Sarah overcame the world, it did not overcome her.

Loved daughter of Matt and Lisa Tapley . Dear sister of Abby and Joey. Cherished granddaughter of Jim and Rosemary Chrysler and Rev. Dave and Doris Tapley. Dear niece of Calvin and Jenny Tapley, Esther and Kent Allison and Doug Chrysler.
Sarah will also be lovingly remembered by her cousins, Jack, Lauren, Julia, Cassidy, Megan and Jett.

Thank you to the staff at Naturomedic, Dr. Mike Prytula, Dr. Mike Um and Nurse Diana Taylor for their incredible care for Sarah’s health. Thanks also to our family doctor, Dr. Stephen Duncan and our home care nurse Sue Abrahams.

Thanks to the staff and families at Smith School for the outpouring of love and support to our entire family for the duration of this journey.

To our church family at Lakemount Worship Centre, your prayers, faith, care and support, expressed in Faith, Hope and Love are a source of constant strength and courage for us. We Love you all!

Visitation will be held at Lakemount Worship Centre, Grimsby, on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

A private graveside service will be held at Grimsby Mountain Cemetery.

A Celebration of Sarah’s Life, to which all are welcome, at Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church, 1401 Guelph Line, Burlington on Monday, December 3 at 1 p.m.

Sarah believed in sowing into the future, therefore, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Lakemount Worship Centre Building Campaign would be appreciated by the family. On line condolences may be made at www.donaldvbrown.ca

How To Become A Christian

HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN

Your commitment to Jesus Christ is the most important decision you will ever make in your life. It can be said that “the longest journey begins with a single step.” Begin your journey and partner with God to change your life. This is only the beginning.

What does it mean to be saved?

Salvation is not a denominational doctrine or a family inheritance. It is a personal experience. If you have any doubt about your salvation, pray the sinner’s prayer (see prayer below). First, you must repent of your sin! Consider your life and anything in it that would grieve God. List those things. Now read the following Bible verses as you consider how God feels about those sins:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-4:3)

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)

Do you feel convicted to turn away from sin? If you do, you are ready to take the second step, which is to believe that Jesus Christ died for your sin. He has paid the price for those moments when you failed. If you ask for forgiveness, He will freely give it. The Bible makes that very clear:

Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! (Romans 5:9-10)

Hand those sins over to Him, and feel His love and forgiveness in your heart. Then you must ask Him to come into your life. He is the door to the Father. Jesus Himself said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). And the apostle John later told the early Christians, “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also” (1 John 2:23).

Take a moment to ask the Lord Jesus to be a part of each day of your life. As a time when you are ready, recite the following prayer of salvation:

Lord, I ask that You forgive me of all my sins, both known and unknown. I ask that You accept me as Your own and write my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. From this day forward I will read Your Word and obey it. Because of the blood of the Cross, I am now forgiven. My sins are buried in the sea of forgetfulness, never to be remembered against me anymore. I am now a child of God, and Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life. Amen.

Now your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. No one can blot it out. You are His. You will spend eternity with the Father in heaven.

How To Become A Christian

HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN

Your commitment to Jesus Christ is the most important decision you will ever make in your life. It can be said that “the longest journey begins with a single step.” Begin your journey and partner with God to change your life. This is only the beginning.

What does it mean to be saved?

Salvation is not a denominational doctrine or a family inheritance. It is a personal experience. If you have any doubt about your salvation, pray the sinner’s prayer (see prayer below). First, you must repent of your sin! Consider your life and anything in it that would grieve God. List those things. Now read the following Bible verses as you consider how God feels about those sins:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-4:3)

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)

Do you feel convicted to turn away from sin? If you do, you are ready to take the second step, which is to believe that Jesus Christ died for your sin. He has paid the price for those moments when you failed. If you ask for forgiveness, He will freely give it. The Bible makes that very clear:

Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! (Romans 5:9-10)

Hand those sins over to Him, and feel His love and forgiveness in your heart. Then you must ask Him to come into your life. He is the door to the Father. Jesus Himself said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). And the apostle John later told the early Christians, “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also” (1 John 2:23).

Take a moment to ask the Lord Jesus to be a part of each day of your life. As a time when you are ready, recite the following prayer of salvation:

Lord, I ask that You forgive me of all my sins, both known and unknown. I ask that You accept me as Your own and write my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. From this day forward I will read Your Word and obey it. Because of the blood of the Cross, I am now forgiven. My sins are buried in the sea of forgetfulness, never to be remembered against me anymore. I am now a child of God, and Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life. Amen.

Now your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. No one can blot it out. You are His. You will spend eternity with the Father in heaven.

How To Become A Christian

HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN

Your commitment to Jesus Christ is the most important decision you will ever make in your life. It can be said that “the longest journey begins with a single step.” Begin your journey and partner with God to change your life. This is only the beginning.

What does it mean to be saved?

Salvation is not a denominational doctrine or a family inheritance. It is a personal experience. If you have any doubt about your salvation, pray the sinner’s prayer (see prayer below). First, you must repent of your sin! Consider your life and anything in it that would grieve God. List those things. Now read the following Bible verses as you consider how God feels about those sins:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-4:3)

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)

Do you feel convicted to turn away from sin? If you do, you are ready to take the second step, which is to believe that Jesus Christ died for your sin. He has paid the price for those moments when you failed. If you ask for forgiveness, He will freely give it. The Bible makes that very clear:

Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! (Romans 5:9-10)

Hand those sins over to Him, and feel His love and forgiveness in your heart. Then you must ask Him to come into your life. He is the door to the Father. Jesus Himself said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). And the apostle John later told the early Christians, “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also” (1 John 2:23).

Take a moment to ask the Lord Jesus to be a part of each day of your life. As a time when you are ready, recite the following prayer of salvation:

Lord, I ask that You forgive me of all my sins, both known and unknown. I ask that You accept me as Your own and write my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. From this day forward I will read Your Word and obey it. Because of the blood of the Cross, I am now forgiven. My sins are buried in the sea of forgetfulness, never to be remembered against me anymore. I am now a child of God, and Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life. Amen.

Now your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. No one can blot it out. You are His. You will spend eternity with the Father in heaven.

Thats MY KING!

 ...Do you know HIM? (Click to PLAY)

Rev. S.M. Lockeridge

Upcoming ANVIL Fall Calendar Events!

NOVEMBER 16, 2012 TO NOVEMBER 17, 2012

Mississauga, OntarioPromisekeepers-Website -ALIVE!

>Too many men settle for being half alive. This is not what God wants for your life. You can be transformed. It’s not self-indulgent for you to become the man God created you to be. In fact, it’s your destiny to lead a powerful life transformed by Christ. 

God wants you to know that no matter what you’ve done, you can be forgiven because Jesus loves you and died for your sins. God wants you alive - not just in heaven but now - in this life. We have been bought with a price and saved for a purpose – to live each day in the transforming power of Christ alive in us. Allow Jesus to transform the restless energy you feel into a powerful spiritual life. 

He died and rose to life so we can truly live today. Be a man alive! 

Join thousands of other men at Promise Keepers Canada’s National Alive men’s conference. Fantastic speakers, live music and resources to equip you for life.

___________________________________________________________

>Movember is coming up! - Details to follow soon.

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>Re:  FOOD BANK on Dec 13th - effective immediately, every Thursday Anvil men can bring food contributions to the local Food Bank.  We will store them in Dwight s garage temporarily.

This food will be taken to the food bank on Dec 13th and it will be distributed to needy families over Christmas.

Alternatively, you can also give cash contributions to the food bank and with these funds,  they will purchase fresh food to go with the other food collected.

Update on Ilya Bantseev in Siberia!

August 1, 2014

Dear Prayer Partners,

This past week a very negative report about our church was given on TV, newspaper and internet.  This is not the first time this has happened, and it was again filled with lies.  The report was given by the Russian Orthodox Church specifically targeting our work in orphanages and schools.  They said that we're trying to influence children with our teaching by using hypnosis and drugs.  This is the first time they have actually mentioned the names of the directors of four orphanages and two schools, accusing them of working with our church and calling for measures to be taken.  They also mentioned by name the mayor's assistant who has also helped us.  

Please pray:

1) that the directors and mayor's assistant would not lose their jobs

2) that the doors of ministry to these precious children would not close

3) for our church to be strengthened through this attack

4) for God to give us wisdom how to respond so that those in our city would not believe the lies but receive the truth

We can't tell you how much we appreciate your prayers at this time!

With love in Christ,

Ilya and Janet

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May 21, 2013

Dear Friends,

Please pray for the ministry in Novokuznetsk.  As you know the judge will make a decision this Friday.  Today we heard that a press conference is scheduled on Thursday with our city administration.  Our opponents are bringing a professor from the Russian Orthodox Seminary in Moscow who teaches on totalitarian cults.  He is known for hideous accusations against Evangelical churches. 

Their goal is to not only do harm to Teen Challenge but to close our church.  This is why the press conference is happening the day before the court case.  Newspaper articles have been written with false accusations against us personally and the church.  Our confidence is in the Lord!  We would greatly appreciate your prayers against this attack that the enemy would be silenced and that God will be glorified.

Thank you for standing with us!

We thank God for you, 

Ilya and Janet  

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March 25, 2013

Dear Friends,

Thank you for praying for the court case concerning two former staff members of Teen Challenge Siberia.  This past week there was a hearing where the prosecutor brought another witness to testify against the program and the two men who are on trial.  This man was the last of the six witnesses that the prosecutor pressured to sign a false testimony.   He spoke in favor of the program and the workers and totally denied the investigation reports which he had previously signed.  He said in court that he signed the investigation report not knowing what was written because of his illiteracy.  In answer to the judge, he said that the information in the report was false, and he does not feel that he was a victim.  Instead he said that the two former workers are good citizens who were trying to help him and other drug addicts.

As of today, five out of six witnesses on the side of the prosecutor testified in court in favor of the TC program and the two men on trial.  Only one of the six witnesses cooperated with the prosecutor and lied in court.  What we later learned about this man was that the following week he had a pending court case for selling drugs, and most likely was promised that he would receive a lighter sentence if he cooperated with the prosecutor.

There is another court hearing scheduled for March 27.  Please pray that the judge would give an honest verdict and pronounce the two men not guilty.  It will take courage for the judge to go against the corruption in the prosecutor's system. 

We wish you a blessed Easter as we remember our precious Lord and Savior's death and resurrection.  II Corinthians 2:14 "Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph through Christ!"  We pray that God would give you victory in every area of your life through the power of Christ's resurrection!  Please pray the same for us.

Thank you!

God bless you,

Ilya and Janet      

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November 15, 2012 Update
Dear Prayer Partners,

Today the court case resumed, but the judge has postponed his decision. The prosecutor finally brought one of his witnesses to court to testify against the Teen Challenge program. Instead of speaking negatively he testified in favor of the program and actually said he had been set free from alcohol addiction there!

Also, one of the current staff members was brought to the stand, and he shared his testimony how the Lord had set him free from his addictions through the Teen Challenge program.

The judge wants to hear more testimonies. Please continue to pray that God would be so glorified through this trial that there would be a great witness for Christ to people who would have never heard otherwise.

Words can't express how thankful we are for your prayers! It's not over yet. However, what the devil meant for evil, God is using for good. We know that this change is occurring because of your faithful prayers. We'll keep you posted with the outcome.

We sincerely thank God for you!
Ilya and Janet
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OCT 29, 2012 Update

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your prayers! It was definitely one of our most trying weeks in the ministry. We have been in court all week, but a verdict has not been given. The trial has taken a recess and will continue November 14.

This criminal case was fabricated by the prosecutor's office. In February of 2011, the prosecutor came to our Teen Challenge facility and removed from the center six students who had been in the program for less than two days. He brought them into his office and pressured them to sign testimonies, filled with lies, which were prepared ahead of time. They were told that they were not allowed to leave the prosecutor's office unless they signed the papers. Five out of six of these former students are gypsies and illiterate. They all signed their names just so that they could leave.

Five of the former students are now in hiding and refuse to come to court to testify against the Teen Challenge program. The sixth student was brought from prison five hours away, where he is serving a sentence for selling drugs. However, the prosecutor did not bring him into the court room. Our lawyer thinks the reason is because he also refused to testify against the program.

Please continue to pray that this case will totally fall apart and that the two former staff members who are being falsely accused will be pronounced not guilty. They are praying that God will be glorified through this trial.

We sincerely thank God for you and for your prayer support!

God bless you,

Ilya and Janet

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Prayer moves the hand of God!

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your prayers!  Our lawyer received a phone call from the investigation committee stating that they made a decision not to pursue a criminal investigation against me. The Canadian Embassy had written a letter on my behalf to the Ministry of External Affairs asking for an explanation of this investigation. When the investigation committee in our region received a copy of this letter, they didn't want to be checked by the Ministry of External Affairs. Consequently, the prosecutor's request to press charges against me was denied. Praise God! This is a tremendous answer to prayer!

However, we still greatly need your prayers. Beginning the week of Oct. 22, there will be a trial against two former Teen Challenge staff workers. These brothers love the Lord and have done nothing wrong. They also are being falsely accused by this same prosecutor. His plan is to close our Teen Challenge program and to make it a precedent to close all other rehab centers throughout Russia. Thank you for continuing to pray for this need. We'll keep you informed with the outcome of this trial.

We thank God for you!

Ilya 

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October 19, 2012 UPDATE:

Dear Prayer Partners,

We really appreciate your continued prayers at this time because this legal battle is very serious. As we previously mentioned, the prosecutor is trying to close all the TC programs throughout Russia. Our lawyer thinks we may lose the case next week because we heard that the prosecutor is friends with the judge.  We can't afford to lose this battle.  The court case will begin on Monday, Oct. 22, and will continue every day until the end of the week.  Please continue to intercede for this need.  Thank you! 

God bless you,

Ilya and Janet