Anchor of Truth
There have always been many voices saying “This is the way to know God.” Today’s media explosion has created more voices and more confusion. Why then another? Personal connection with other believers cannot be replaced by the mass media. It is much more satisfying to have a deep spiritual relationship with ten believers than to be in a crowd of ten thousand. Every individual is important to God, and His plan involves each one in a very real way. There are things that are important to God that can only take place in close personal relationships. Our purpose is to share truth to help strengthen your relationship with God and with other believers in your locality. The goal of God is to build a family of His children together in love, walking in truth. Personal submission and obedience to Christ will bring conformity of each member to Christ, and a growing expression of the nature of God in a local gathering. The testimony going out to the world around will be as a “light set on a hill that cannot be hidden” and “the pillar and ground of the truth.”
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141 The Anointing
02/28/2019
141 The Anointing
141 The Anointing John said that we all have an “anointing” and that the anointing will teach us. What is this anointing? How do we get this anointing? How important is to us to know this anointing in our hearts? To speak of this anointing seems to some to be so mysterious that we tend just to put the subject aside and go on to other things. Yet John said that this anointing is what will teach us of spiritual things. It is critical to know this anointing if we are going to be led by the Holy Spirit in all things. This is God’s provision for each one of us. Today we share some encouragement on this subject by Gordon Gentry. The ministry was given in a gathering of a local assembly in 1990. Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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140 God in our Midst
02/16/2019
140 God in our Midst
Episode 140 God in our Midst The promise of God is that He will dwell in us and walk among us. A company of believers as the Temple of God is the fulfillment of the promise of God and cost Calvary to make it possible. What should be taking place if the Holy Spirit is given His rightful place? Today we want to continue on the subject of our last program on what we should expect when God is dwelling in our midst and the Holy Spirit is given free control. It is so important that we carefully consider this lest we be caught in simply a religious form that has no meaning to God. The ministry on our program today is by Gordon Gentry and was given in a small home setting in 1996. Our prayer is that you may find encouragement in this in your own situation and experience the riches of God dwelling in your midst. (As a side note, the setting was with a few brothers and sisters where questions were encouraged, and one brother was struggling with sleep apnea.) Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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139 Meeting with God
01/24/2019
139 Meeting with God
Episode 139 Meeting with God Jesus said where two or three are gathered together in His name, He would be in the midst of them. What does it mean to gather in His name? Why do we do that? What are the evidences that He is present? What should we expect? To gather in the name of Jesus is more than just having a meeting, singing some songs, and hearing an encouraging message. That activity can all be done without God’s presence or leading. God is looking for something more than that. I believe He is looking for us to meet with Him, commune with Him, worship Him, and hear Him speak to us. It is possible for us to just go through a form of meeting, but miss the real purpose of meeting together. Today we want to look at some of the key elements that need to be present in order for a meeting to be meaningful to God and us. Why gather together? Love draws us together (Heb. 10:24,25) The church is the temple of God (Eph. 2:21) To commune with God together (I Cor. 10:16) To worship God (Heb. 13:15) To hear God speak to us (Rev. 2 & 3) What does it mean to gather in His name? (Matt. 18:20) Jesus is the basis of our gathering To gather in the nature of God He is the focus of our gathering What should we expect when we gather? The presence of our Lord Jesus by the Spirit (Heb. 2:12,13) The Holy Spirit in control (I Cor. 12:11) Men available for God to use as He chooses (I Cor. 14:1) The authority of God in ministry (I Peter 4:11) Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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138 The spiritual war in our time
01/10/2019
138 The spiritual war in our time
Episode 138 The spiritual war in our time Paul says that our warfare is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers of wickedness in heavenly places. But we are also told that Christ won the victory against the enemy at Calvary. If this is so then why is there still a war? To understand clearly what God did in Christ Jesus at Calvary is critical to being able to view the conflict that we face properly and live in the power of His endless life. We are called to live as overcomers, and the resources to do that are as we abide in Christ’s victory. If we try to live out of our resources, we will be defeated. We are no match for the devil on our own. But as we abide in Christ, we are more than overcomers. Is that our experience today? It should be, and if not it can be. The conflict is in spiritual realms The victory was won at Calvary Christ is seated at the right hand of God (authority) By faith we are seated with him The enemy occupies territory that is not his God uses the warfare to strengthen our relationship with Him Every spiritual provision has been provided for us to overcome all things Physical death is not a defeat but only graduation if we die in faith Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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137 God's order concerning Men and Women
12/27/2018
137 God's order concerning Men and Women
Episode 137 God’s Order concerning men and women Probably the greatest war in the world today is the war between men and women. Yet God created the first man and woman and His creation was perfect. Why should there be such conflict, and why should it be such an issue among Christians? In the Genesis account of creation, we see that the enemy is his cunning way brought division between Adam and Eve and that division and conflict has continued down to our present day. What God intended to be the most beautiful and fulfilling relationship has become the subject of great conflict and confusion, even among Christians. There is an answer to this conflict, and the solution is to come back to God’s original design and let that control every relationship, especially in the church and family. Today we look at some of the key issues with the prayer that God will make the way clear for each one of us to walk in truth and glorify God. God is the One who created man and woman Woman was taken out of man (Gen. 2:20-24) What was separated physically by God is brought together in relationship God’s order for man and woman is for creation (I Cor. 11) God’s order is expressed in marriage God’s order is expressed in the church Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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136 The Message of the Cross
12/20/2018
136 The Message of the Cross
Episode 136 The Message of the Cross Paul said that the message of the Cross is the power of God to those who are being saved. What is this message of the Cross? In what way is it the power of God? How do we avail of this power to be delivered from this world of sin and enter fully into what God is doing today? Many relegate the “message of the Cross” to our initial deliverance from sin. While that is included, the message of the Cross ( or logos of the Cross) is much more than that. God has provided much more for us at Calvary than just forgiveness of sin. We need that and we never want to diminish the significance of that in any way. But that is just the beginning. Today we want to explore some of the broader meaning of what Jesus did at Calvary and how we enter into that in our experience. The Old Man has been crucified The New Man has been created in Christ We are in the New Man by our union with Christ by the Spriit Put off the deeds of the Old Man Put on the deeds of the New Man The importance of relationships in the body Be filled (controlled) by the Holy Spirit Walking in the light, in truth, in Christ together Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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135 Growing up into Christ
12/13/2018
135 Growing up into Christ
Episode 135 Growing up into Christ Jesus told the early apostles to go and make disciples. He also said that it is enough that a disciple be as his master. The goal of God is mature sons and daughters, able to bear responsibility in His family. How is this goal of God to be realized? I think that every sincere Christian believes that God wants maturity in His children, but there is not always agreement on how that maturity is to be accomplished. I believe the truth presented by Paul in Ephesians chapter 4 is the way in which God has designed for the maturity to be realized. We are not at liberty to design our own way, but rather we are to let the Holy Spirit reveal God’s way through the scriptures. There are reasons that God has structured His family this way. Today we seek to examine some of those reasons. One God, one faith, one body Grace has been given to every member Every grace is necessary to achieve God’ goal for each member Exercise (or functioning) of every member is critical Speaking the truth in love requires relationships Experiencing Christ, Expressing Christ Perfection or maturity in love Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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134 The Mystery Revealed
11/29/2018
134 The Mystery Revealed
Episode 134 The Mystery Revealed Paul said that God had commissioned him and the other apostles to make known the “mystery” which was hidden to the prophets of old but has now been revealed. What was that mystery? What is the practical meaning of that to us today? A mystery is something that is hidden. This mystery was hidden from the Old Testament prophets, but now has been revealed. The mystery that Paul was commissioned to reveal is that now the full grace of God has been made available to both Jews and Gentiles in one body. Full access into the riches of God’s grace was opened up to every person through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, and the administration (or fellowship) of this grace is experienced in what is known as the church. Today we want to focus on “the unsearchable riches of Christ” that we may avail fully of this grace for the purpose and glory of God. The summary of God’s present working is given in Eph. 2:19-22 Paul was given grace to reveal how that is to work out in practical terms The full access into heaven and the promises of God is now open to every person The administration (or fellowship) of this grace is in one body, the church (Eph. 3:9) Prayer is a place of access into the riches of God’s grace Christ dwells in our heart through His Spirit as we move in faith The fullness of God is experienced together in love The glory of God is seen in the church both now and in eternity Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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133 Building in One Body
11/22/2018
133 Building in One Body
Episode 133 Building in One Body In writing to the Ephesian Church, Paul said that God had reconciled Jews and Gentiles in one body. There was no more distinction, and in that context He is fitting us together as a Temple of God. What does that mean to you and me in practical terms? We refer to the church as “The Body of Christ” and “The Temple of God.” and rightly so. But the deeper meaning of those terms often escapes us. In Ephesians chapter 2 Paul seeks to give us some understanding of the significance of what God has done in Christ. An increasing comprehension (revelation) of what God has provided for us in Christ forms the vision that should control us as we work out the details of God’s purpose for us in everyday life. Alive to God through Christ Jews and Gentiles one in one body Members of God’s household Growing into a holy temple Built together a dwelling place of God Access to God through Christ by the Holy Spirit Brought near by grace through faith Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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132 Building on the foundation by Revelation of Christ
11/15/2018
132 Building on the foundation by Revelation of Christ
Episode 132 Building on the foundation by Revelation of Christ Paul said he laid Christ as the foundation of God’s building. To build properly on that foundation we must also build according to Christ. To do this we must have supernatural revelation of Christ from God. How do we get this revelation? The building of God is all spiritual. It cannot be done with natural understanding. This leaves us on our knees before God for spiritual insight that only He can give. Within that revelation of Christ is the light we need to walk in to be effective in our labor for God’s purpose and glory. The foundation is a true relationship with God (Eph. 1:15) We are dependent on God (Eph. 1:16-17) In this relationship with God (union and communion) We see God’s hope (eternal goal--Eph. 1:18) God’s final inheritance in those whom He has redeemed) The power of God to accomplish His purpose (Eph. 1:19-21) The vessel in which He is working His eternal purpose is the church (Eph. 1:22) God’s purpose is to reveal Himself through the Body of Christ (Eph. 1:23) Our part for God to be able to impart this revelations is: Acknowledging our utter dependence on God for all things (John 15:5) Willing to pay the price (Rev. 3:18) Obedience to what God has revealed to us (John 14:19-21) God wants to reveal Christ to us. Are we hungry for that revelation? Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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131 Our Foundation-Jesus Christ
11/08/2018
131 Our Foundation-Jesus Christ
Episode 131 Our Foundation—Jesus Christ When writing to the Corinthian church Paul said that he had laid a foundation as a wise master builder. What was the foundation that Paul laid? If we are going to build properly we need to have a clear revelation of that foundation. We are continuing today on the subject of “Building in God” and are using the account of the beginning and growth of the Ephesian assembly as our outline. We have in the first three chapters of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians the foundation of the gospel he preached and the revelation truth of the church as the structure within which God is building today. The foundation is Jesus Christ, but what does that mean? We want to try to answer that question in some degree. Jesus Christ as the foundation Jesus is God revealed in a human body (Col. 1:15, 2:9) Christ is the eternal Son of God (John 1:1-3) God is uniting all things in Christ (Eph. 1:10) Jesus Christ is our life (John 5:26, Col. 3:4, I John 5:12) Jesus Christ is the Head of the church (Acts. 2:36, Eph. 1:22, Col. 1:18) The Foundation of our salvation is the work of Christ at Calvary Our deliverance from sin (Rom. 6:5-11) The basis of the indwelling God by the Spirit (John 16:7) The basis of our walk of victory over sin, death, and the devil (I Cor. 15:56) Every further aspect of building must always be related to Christ and Calvary The reality is experienced as we abide in Christ (union) (Eph. 1:1-14) Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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130 The Ephesian Church
11/01/2018
130 The Ephesian Church
Episode 130 The Ephesian Church The truth that we need is not always spelled out in the scriptures in a detailed outline. Many times it is given to us by the record of God’s working in the past. The foundation and growth of the Ephesian church is an example of that. Let us learn from this account. We continue today on the subject of “Building in God” by considering the beginning and growth of the Ephesian assembly. In many ways, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is the most complete instruction that we have regarding the plan of God for achieving His eternal goal in our time. This letter was written from prison and is likely a summary of what he taught those believers for a period of three years when he laid the foundation. He had to condense three years into a relatively short letter, but our task is to “unpack” the truth in this letter and apply it to our situation by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. The beginning (Acts 19) Baptism Receiving the Holy Spirit The gospel demonstrated in power The cost of following Jesus Persecution from religious men Deeds of repentance Persecution from the world The full counsel of God (Acts 20) Three years of teaching night and day The church led by elders Commended unto the grace of God Prison ministry of Paul Put in prison for the sake of the gospel Accepting the place God puts us God’s wisdom (seeing beyond the immediate) Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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129 Building in God
10/25/2018
129 Building in God
Episode 129 Building in God When writing to the Corinthians, Paul said that he had laid a foundation, and that those who followed him should be careful how they build. What does it mean to build in God? How do we know that we are building on the right foundation and that our building is approved by God? What it means to build in the natural is obvious, but spiritual building is more difficult to discern. There is much religious activity around us but not all of it is spiritual building according to God’s plan. Today we want to look at what it means to “build in God.” Building is more than just having meetings, preaching sermons, and associated religious activities. Spiritual building results in Christ being formed in each member and an expression of Christ in a gathering of believers. Building on the foundation (Christ) Building according to the plan of God In Christ (union) Living Stones Spiritual relationships (together) Christ as Head (authority) No mixture (natural and spiritual) Requires revelation With purpose in eternity Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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128 Report on Trip to Kenya
10/18/2018
128 Report on Trip to Kenya
Episode 128 Report on Trip to Kenya The last two months I was in Kenya with another brother visiting a number of small churches and conducting some intensive leadership training. It was a very rich time of fellowship and ministry. Today I want to share some of what took place. This past two months was an amazing experience of God’s working and grace. The main focus of the trip was five weeks of leadership training for about 100 leaders from 50 different gatherings of various kinds. We normally met from 10am to 4pm with a one hour break for lunch and a couple of other shorter breaks. It was an intensive time of ministry and fellowship. Only God knows all that took place but we sought to leave brothers with Jesus and the word of His grace and pray that He will bring the increase as only He can. Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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127 A Personal Testimony of God's Faithfulness
08/02/2018
127 A Personal Testimony of God's Faithfulness
Episode 127 A Personal Testimony of God’s Faithfulness Testimonies of brothers and sisters can be of great encouragement to us in our journey of faith. God is real and our experience of His grace is real. Today I want to share my personal testimony of God’s faithfulness to His praise and glory. Over the past two and half years that I have been doing this podcast I have tried to minimize sharing of my personal experiences and instead focus on the scriptures and general truth that forms the foundation of God’s building in our lives. Next week I am leaving for a two month trip to Kenya so will not be doing the podcast for a while. I thought I would take this opportunity to share a little more about my journey in the Lord. I pray that you will find encouragement in your own walk with the Lord and rejoice with me in God’s faithfulness down through the years. Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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126 The Trial of our Faith
07/26/2018
126 The Trial of our Faith
Episode 126 The Trial of our Faith James speaks about the “Trial of our Faith.” At one point or another I believe all of us have found ourselves in that place. How is our faith tried? What do we do when we find ourselves being tested? What is God after in our lives in this testing? Someone has said that faith is the currency in God’s economy. Or in other words, without faith it is impossible to please God or draw upon His grace in our lives. I don’t think we can overemphasize the working of faith and what is happening in our lives as we move in faith. Today we share some ministry on this subject given by Gordon Gentry in a home meeting in June 1999. It is our prayer that you will find this challenging and helpful in your walk of faith before God and be built up in your relationship with Him. Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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125 Spiritual Blindness
07/12/2018
125 Spiritual Blindness
Episode 125 Spiritual Blindness What are the causes of spiritual blindness? Jesus had some strong things to say about blind leaders seeking to lead blind men. He also gave a strong rebuke to the church of Laodicea regarding blindness. Is it possible for us to be blind and not know it? Spiritual vision is a great miracle that comes to us by the mercy and grace of God. The scriptures teach us that we are all born into this world blind to spiritual things and God must open our eyes to see the unseen and see all things properly as God sees them. Jesus came as a great light into a world of spiritual darkness. Today we want to look again at the issues surrounding spiritual vision and the causes of spiritual blindness. Spiritual vision is always a great miracle from God Jesus came into a world of darkness (Matt. 4:16) Blindness is a work of the enemy (2 Cor. 4:4) Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12) Spiritual vision is a continuous working from beginning to end Those who have never seen (Matt. 15:13-14) Those who have seen something but not clearly (Mark 8:22-26) Those who have true vision but for whom a vast realm of divine thought waits for a fuller work of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:15-23) Those who have seen, but have lost spiritual sight and are now blind but think they see (Rev. 3:14-23) Causes of spiritual blindness Unbelief (2 Cor. 4:4) Disobedience (2 Peter 1:5-9, I John 2:9-11) Self-seeking in some way (Matt. 6:22-23) Some scriptural examples of those whose eyes were opened Isaiah (2 Chron. 26, Isaiah 6) “I saw the Lord” Balaam (Num. 22-24, 22:31) “the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes” Man born blind (John 9) Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40) Paul (Acts 9:3-8, 26:12-18) Cure to spiritual blindness Humility (John 9:41) Honesty (I don’t see clearly) The veil is removed “in Christ” (2 Cor. 3:14) Continually beholding God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3-4,esp. 3:18, 4:6) Jesus is the light of life (John 1:4, 8:12) Some good ministry on this subject by T. Austin-Sparks: Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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124 Maturing for His Use
06/28/2018
124 Maturing for His Use
Episode 124 Maturing for His Use We all want to be used by God for His purpose and glory according to His grace. For this to happen, we must be prepared. Our lives must be a living letter, written by the Spirit of God. What are the essential elements of this preparation? How does this take place? To be effective in our service in God’s Kingdom, the character of God must be manifested through our words and deeds. The resources for this to take place come from God Himself living in us by His Spirit. His life must take expression in our whole being so that our whole person is an expression of the character and nature of God. This does not happen overnight, but it does take place if we are diligent in our relationship with God and mature as sons of God as He has designed. Today we share some ministry by Gordon Gentry on this subject. It was given in a home Bible study about 1995. His main text is 2 Peter 1:2-9. It is our prayer that God may use this teaching and exhortation in our lives to spur us on into the full purpose that God has for each one of us. Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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123 Commitment without Compromise
06/21/2018
123 Commitment without Compromise
Episode 123 Commitment without Compromise If our heart is to know God then we are looking for reality, not just words. Jesus came that we may have life and bring us into the reality of fellowship with God. To experience this fellowship we must be committed to this relationship in faith without compromise. So many times we are familiar with spiritual concepts but lack the reality of which the words speak. The gospel which so many of us have heard all of our lives leaves us with lofty spiritual ideas, but falls short of bringing us into the reality of the words. To stay in this condition is deception leading to disaster in one way or another. To be the spiritual men and women that we desire and God desires, God must be in control in all things. Today we share a strong exhortation from Gordon Gentry on the way into the reality of God’s provision for us in Christ Jesus. The ministry was given in a small home fellowship in 1998. Our prayer is that God may use this in all of our lives to make the pathway clearer, be stimulated into active faith, and experience the riches of God’s grace for His purpose and glory. Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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122 Adjustment to the Government of the Holy Spirit
06/14/2018
122 Adjustment to the Government of the Holy Spirit
Episode 122 Adjustment to the Government of the Holy Spirit When we first come to God the scripture describes the event as “being born again” whereby we are now alive with the life of God. Now the process of maturity begins as we abide in Christ. This requires a continual adjustment to His authority. Is this taking place in our lives? All of us need to be continually adjusted to the will of God. That is a life-long process. When we first come to God and are made alive in the Spirit it is a wonderful day. But that day is the beginning of a life of continual change “from glory to glory.” In other words, each new step into God and experiencing of His grace is glorious, and that prepares us for the next step. It is continual growth in experience of the grace of God. Today I want to share with you a testimony and encouragement from Chip Brogden that recently came to me. I was very blessed and encouraged by this and I want to share it with you. I will put the link to the written article on the show notes so you can read it for yourself. Let us be encouraged today as we let the Lord have His way in all things. Transcript of today’s program: Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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121 Redeemed for God's Purpose, not ours
06/07/2018
121 Redeemed for God's Purpose, not ours
Episode121 Redeemed for God’s purpose, not ours When we first came to the Lord, our focus was on our need of deliverance from sin. But God did not redeem us just so that we could live a better life. Rather He redeemed us for His eternal purpose. Have we let God shift our focus? So often we just think about our needs and how God can meet those needs. When we think about it carefully, we may start to see how selfish we really are. As we mature God wants to shift that focus so that we are here on this earth for Him and His purpose. His promise is that as we seek His kingdom first (His sovereign rule) and partake of His righteous in Christ Jesus, then He will take care of our needs. Have we let that truth sink into our hearts to the point that it controls our thoughts and very core of our actions? Today we share some encouragement in that direction that was recently given in a small home fellowship in preparation for remembering the Lord. Our prayer is that God will work in all of our hearts to deliver us from a life of self-centeredness into a Christ centered life for His purpose and glory. It cost God the death of Christ at Calvary to make this possible. May the Lord reveal afresh to all of us the greatness of His love and mercy that has been extended to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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120 Our Greatest Enemy
05/31/2018
120 Our Greatest Enemy
Episode 120 Our Greatest Enemy What is our greatest enemy? Is it Satan? The World? Those who say they hate Christians? While these may bring us afflictions and trials from time to time, I don’t think they are really our greatest enemy. I think our greatest enemy is ourselves separate from Christ. In order to see this, we must come back to Calvary and what Christ Jesus did on the cross. God judged the entire human race according to Adam at the cross and put it away from Him. It was infected with sin and beyond repair. Nothing in the old creation could be rescued, so God began a new race in Christ. This race would not fail because it is based on what God can do, not what man can do in himself. To enter into this new race we must be born again. In new birth we are joined with Christ and now all things are of God. To begin and continue in this new creation is God’s answer to sin, death, and the limitations of man separate from Him. God judged Adam’s race at the cross (Gal. 2:20,6:14, Rom 6:6) God began a new creation in Christ Jesus (Gal. 6:15) Now all things are of God (Gal. 5:16-21) To experience this we must be born into this new creation (John 3) We now must grow up into Him (Eph. 4:15, 2 Peter 3:18) We are called to walk in His life (Gal. 5:16) This walk is a walk of faith in His life (Col. 2:6) If we do not walk in faith in the new creation, what we are accord to Adam rules Our natural reasoning rules (what we know from past experiences) Our desires rule (flesh) Our emotions rule Our personality rules The world rules us by its pressures The enemy appeals to what we are in ourselves (“be your own resource”) God bids us acknowledge that apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5) This is a continual walk of faith in the life of God (Gal. 2:20) Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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119 The Battle for Truth and Life
05/24/2018
119 The Battle for Truth and Life
Episode 119 The Battle for Truth and Life There is a battle going on today and eternal issues are at stake. It is a battle for life and within that battle is a battle for truth. On a casual look, the real issues are often not seen for what they are. We dare not be complacent in this battle lest we be deceived and brought down to death. These are the words that came to me as I rose up this last Sunday morning. I share them with the prayer that they may be of encouragement to each one of us in what we are facing today. “We are in a battle for truth. The devil is a liar and the father of lies. He questions God and leads others to question God. If we listen to his lies, we will be brought down to the dust, defeated, and die. If we abide in Christ and listen to Him we will rise up in victory and live with Him forever.” “The devil uses every means he can to deceive us. He appeals to logic, pride, and the desires of the flesh. His goal is that we will move separate from God and rely on our own strength. God wants us to move in union with Him and rely on His strength.” “Each one of us today is facing a critical, life changing decision. Will we believe God and take a step of faith in truth, or will we listen to the lies of the enemy. One leads to life, the other to death. The significance of the choice is critical. It does not seem so important, but the issue is one of life and death.” When Jesus stood for truth at the Cross it cost Him His life but opened the door for us into His life We are brought into the life of God as we believe in Jesus (who is truth) As we abide in Christ and walk in truth, we experience the overcoming life of God in all things If we question God (listen to the lies of the devil), our relationship with God is deeply affected. If we do not repent, turn from our unbelief and disobedience, we are on a pathway then ends in death. A stand for truth must always be coupled with love (relationship) Jesus said that “He is the truth” All truth leads us into union with Christ To walk in truth we must walk in union with Christ Truth cannot be known separate from Christ The danger is that we will try to ascertain truth through human logic Jesus also said that “He is the Life” Jesus came to give us life God’s life is experienced in union with Christ Life overcomes death Christ rose from the dead by the power of God’s life We are called to abide in Christ God is constantly revealing more of Christ to us Every revelation requires a step of faith to experience and apprehend The enemy appeals to the weakness of our flesh Our responsibility is to live every day in constant dependence on God Living out of our own resources leads to defeat and death Living out of God and His resources by faith leads to victory and eternal life with God Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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118 Manifestations of the Spirit
05/17/2018
118 Manifestations of the Spirit
Episode 118 Manifestations of the Spirit What are the manifestations of the Spirit of God? We read about divine manifestations of God in the early church. Can we expect similar manifestations today? If so, what does God expect from us for Him to reveal Himself through us for His purpose and glory? In I Corinthians chapters 12-14 we read Paul’s instruction to the Corinthian church regarding the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. These manifestations are different from the fruit of the Spirit described in the letter to the Galatians. I believe the scriptures teach plainly that we need both the fruit and the gifts of the Spirit to be able to function as a spiritual person and a spiritual expression of the Body of Christ in this world as God intends to meet pressing needs. Today we share ministry by Gordon Gentry on this subject given in 1998 in a home fellowship. He concentrates on the difference between intellectual belief and faith that is originated and completed by Jesus. His message is that we need all of the manifestations of the Spirit to be able to meet the many demands that come our way in the ordinary affairs of life. We share this ministry with the prayer that God will use it to encourage all of us to be more hungry for these manifestations leading into a greater experience of God and the riches of His grace. Jesus opened the door for us. Let us press in to all that God has provided that His purpose would be fully realized in our lives and our locality. Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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117 The Church at Prayer
05/10/2018
117 The Church at Prayer
Episode 117 The Church at Prayer Prayer is one of the great mysteries in the working of God. It defies human logic, but it is at the center of our warfare against the enemy. When all else fails, prayer connects us to the throne of God and releases His power for His purpose and glory. There are many aspects to prayer. Basically, prayer is two-way communication with God. The prayer that is effective is prayer that is initiated in our hearts by the Holy Spirit as He knows the mind of God and intercedes for us according to the will of God. His intercession is not only for us (we are the object of His intercession) but He intercedes through us (we are the vehicle through which He intercedes). Thus we become an integral part of this work of God. But this is not only a personal matter; it is also the ministry of the church as a whole. Today we share some ministry on this subject by Harry Foster taken from a small booklet entitled The Essence of all Prayer (“That I May Know Him”). Harry labored with T. Austin-Sparks, and this was published in 1947. May the Lord enlarge our vision of our responsibility before God in corporate intercession in the church for His purpose and glory. Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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116 Holding Truth in Love
05/03/2018
116 Holding Truth in Love
Episode 116 Holding Truth in Love Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians that we are to speak the truth one to another in love and that this is a very important key in growing up into Christ. What does this mean in practical terms? How do we do this without compromise and without breaking relationships? Right relationships are critical in the working of God, right relationship with God, and right relationships with others. To avoid conflicts, we often choose to be silent on important issues where God is not silent. Then sometimes we get stirred up on a particular issue and speak out in such a way that the main result is broken relationships which are very difficult to mend. Is there an answer to this dilemma? Relationship with God is the foundation We maintain the unity that God has made (Eph. 4:1-6) Our unity is in God’s life To maintain our relationship with God we must walk in truth Jesus is Truth The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth (John 16:12-15) We are called to walk in truth (express truth) (I John 3:18, 2 & 3 John) We are also called to walk in love Love is the very nature of God Love is expressed in a Godly care for others Love is selfless (does not consider self) Love is expressed in action (deeds of righteousness) If we hold truth separate from love it kills (2 Cor. 3:6) If we seek to love separate from truth we will compromise (Luke 18:18-23) We cannot be afraid of losing the relationship by standing in truth We must know God is directing us to address critical truth in His time and way If we hold truth in love God is there to sustain and reveal light to walk in (I John 1:7) How do we love Jesus? Keep his commandments (John 14:15, 15:10) Serve others (John 13:14) Feed my sheep (John 21:15-17) It is not possible to love God without loving others (I John) Love is most fully expressed in the context of God’s structure in close relationships In the natural family In the spiritual family The power for love is The indwelling God (the Holy Spirit) A crucified life (dead to self-interests) An active relationship of abiding in Christ Love is the final test of all things (it does not pass away—I Cor. 13, John 17) Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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115 Exercising our choice in the will of God
04/26/2018
115 Exercising our choice in the will of God
Episode 115 Exercising Our Choice in the Will of God When we come to God we choose to submit to Christ Jesus as our Lord. He gives the Holy Spirit to dwell within us to enable this to be true. Is our choice taken away from us at that point, or do we still have a choice to do the will of God in all things? Often times we do not realize our great responsibility in what God is doing in our time. We rejoice that we have been delivered from sin and brought into the family of God. That is a wonderful beginning and it is accomplished by a mighty working of God’s grace. But do we understand that from that point on we still have a choice, and our progress and usefulness to God depends on us making a conscience choice to do His will? Today we share some ministry by Gordon Gentry on this subject. It was given in a small home Bible study about 1997. Our prayer is that we would all see clearly our responsibility to choose to do the will of God as He reveals that will to us, for it is in our obedience that God is pleased and the very love and nature of God is revealed in our community for His glory. Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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Episode 114 God's Answer, His Spirit
04/19/2018
Episode 114 God's Answer, His Spirit
Episode 114 God’s Answer, His Spirit On the day of Pentecost we are told that Christ was exalted to the right hand of God, received the promise of the Spirit, and then poured out the Spirit for all who will come to Jesus and receive. Have we realized the greatness of God’s provision? Are we walking in that provision? I think most of us are very familiar with the many scriptures that speak of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. God’s answer to every question and every need we have is His Spirit. Who are the sons of God? Those who are led by the Spirit. How can we have victory over sin? By the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. How can we understand the scriptures? The Holy Spirit will teach us. How can we know truth? The Spirit will guide us into all truth. How can we know the power of God to do His will? The Holy Spirit will come upon us. How can the things of Jesus be real to us? The Holy Spirit will take of the things of Jesus and make them ours. The Holy Spirit is God, and has been given to abide in us to bring us into fellowship with the Father and the Son. Jesus did not leave us alone but sent “another” advocate just like Him to bring us into everything that God has for us. Today we share some ministry by Gordon Gentry given in a home fellowship in 1998 entitled “God’s Answer, His Spirit.” I pray that all of us will be greatly encouraged in God’s provision, leading to a fuller experience of the riches of God by His indwelling Spirit for the purpose and glory of God. Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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Episode 114 God's Answer, His Spirit
04/19/2018
Episode 114 God's Answer, His Spirit
Episode 114 God’s Answer, His Spirit On the day of Pentecost we are told that Christ was exalted to the right hand of God, received the promise of the Spirit, and then poured out the Spirit for all who will come to Jesus and receive. Have we realized the greatness of God’s provision? Are we walking in that provision? I think most of us are very familiar with the many scriptures that speak of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. God’s answer to every question and every need we have is His Spirit. Who are the sons of God? Those who are led by the Spirit. How can we have victory over sin? By the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. How can we understand the scriptures? The Holy Spirit will teach us. How can we know truth? The Spirit will guide us into all truth. How can we know the power of God to do His will? The Holy Spirit will come upon us. How can the things of Jesus be real to us? The Holy Spirit will take of the things of Jesus and make them ours. The Holy Spirit is God, and has been given to abide in us to bring us into fellowship with the Father and the Son. Jesus did not leave us alone but sent “another” advocate just like Him to bring us into everything that God has for us. Today we share some ministry by Gordon Gentry given in a home fellowship in 1998 entitled “God’s Answer, His Spirit.” I pray that all of us will be greatly encouraged in God’s provision, leading to a fuller experience of the riches of God by His indwelling Spirit for the purpose and glory of God. Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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Episode 113 Body, Soul, and Spirit
04/12/2018
Episode 113 Body, Soul, and Spirit
Episode 113 Body, Soul, and Spirit The scriptures tell us that we were made in the image of God for God. Paul also prayed that we may be sanctified completely that our spirit, soul, and body may be preserved blameless at his coming. How does this happen? Is this happening to us? The Psalmist says that man is fearfully and wonderfully made. Man is a complicated being and not easy to understand or explain. But there is teaching in the scriptures that can give us some understanding of how we are made and what God is doing to bring us back from the effects of sin that we may enter fully into fellowship with Him both now and into eternity. God is conforming us to the image of Christ and preparing us to be wedded to Him for all eternity. As we mature we can understand more of how this is taking place that we may cooperate fully with the Holy Spirit who is working in us both to will and do for His good pleasure. The makeup of man Body (the physical part of man that is seen) Soul (the inner man—mind, desires, emotions) Spirit (intuition, conscience, communion) The whole man is to be sanctified (I Thess. 5:23) The Body Made for the Lord (I Cor. 6:13) Is how the life of God is expressed (Heb. 10:5-10) Has been affected by sin (Rom. 8:13) The Soul Is the seat of “I” or who I am (including our spirit) Is eternal (Matt. 10:28) Is renewed through obedience ( 2 Peter 1:5-11) The mind is renewed by taking every thought captive to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5) Our desires and emotions must not control (Gal. 5:24) Our Spirit Is seen as distinct from the soul (Heb. 4:12, I Thess. 5:23, I Cor. 14:4) Is made alive by new birth (John 3:6, Rom. 6:4) Is the faculty by which we “know” God (I Cor. 2:11-12) The place of communion with God (I Cor. 6:17) Is the seat of worship (John 4:23) Sanctification Initiated by God (the Holy Spirit, (preparing the Bride, I Cor. 6:11, Eph. 5:25-27) All based on Calvary and God’s grace (I Cor. 1:30, I Peter 1:2) Begins in our spirit (life from God, John 5:40) Works out in the inner man as we are conformed to Christ (Gal. 4:19) Expressed through the body in deeds of righteousness (I John 2:28-3:9) A good reference for further study on the makeup of man Additional resources at Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email
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