Sermon Podcast: “The Benefits of God”

Sermon Podcast Weblink: Sermon “The Benefits of God”

Psalm 103:1-18 (NIV)
¹Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
²Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits–
³who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
⁴who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
⁶The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
⁷He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
⁸The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹²as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
¹³As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; ¹⁴for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
¹⁵As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
¹⁶the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
¹⁷But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children– ¹⁸with those who keep his covenant and remember (To do them) to obey his precepts.

God’s Benefits

Benefits of membership:

Costco membership: you pay a yearly/monthly fee but you get discounted savings and additional benefits to being a member.

Benefits of being a member of God’s family:

1. He forgives (v3)

* What does his forgiveness cover? Everything!

* It covers all of a believer’s iniquities and sins…notice though this is for believers!

* Before we become members and experience the benefits of God there is nothing good in us, nothing to justify us or make us right with God. We are lost in our sins. Without our membership, without our belief in God’s redemptive power we are hopelessly lost. But once we believe in Him he brings to us this unmerited grace in the form of forgiveness for all of our wrong doings. We find redemption through Jesus Christ.

2. He heals all our diseases. (v3)

* Psalm 23 says “He restores my soul”

* This is what the benefit of God’s healing entails…he provides a restoration for our bodies, souls and minds.

* He cleanses the soul of all malice, envy, lusts, backbiting, unbelief, all disease of the heart and of the body.

* 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

3. He redeems your life from destruction! (v4)

* When we believe in God we get the benefits of that belief. These benefits include a restoration and a healing from our iniquities’ and our sins but God’s redemptive power takes it a step further. He not only removes our iniquities but also the causes of these iniquities in us. Sin itself is removed from our lives.

* Removing mold…can’t simply pour bleech on it and pretend it will go away…if there’s a leak in the roof that let the moisture in in the first place then the roof has to be fixed.

* Again let’s look at 2^nd Cor 5:17…The old is what? Is it just under the surface? NO! Is it in hiding for a day or two? NO! Is it gone? YES!!!

*God has removed the cause of our spiritual disease in our lives. He has taken that burden away from us.

4. “He will renew us and satisfy the desires of our hearts!” (v.5)

August 11, 2013 0

General Cox Appoints his Chief of Staff:

General André Cox writes:

You will understand that within a very short time of accepting my election to the office of General, I began to give serious thought to whom I might ask to work alongside me as the Chief of the Staff.

After several days of prayer, reflection and wide consultation with a number of senior leaders, I have decided to appoint Commissioner William Roberts as Chief of the Staff, effective 1 October 2013. Commissioner Nancy Roberts is appointed as World Secretary for Women’s Ministries.

Commissioner William Roberts returns to International Headquarters with a wealth of experience and knowledge of the international Army. After initial appointments in corps ministry, he served in divisional finance appointments for a number of years, before being appointed as a divisional secretary in two divisions and then as divisional commander in two divisions. Commissioner Nancy Roberts shared those years of ministry, involving herself also in the leadership of the League of Mercy and the Home League, and as Social Concerns (Moral and Ethical Issues) Secretary.

December 2001 saw Commissioners Roberts move to the southern part of the Americas and Caribbean zone, when they were appointed respectively as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Organizations, South America East Territory. Four years later the commissioners reported for duty at International Headquarters – Commissioner William Roberts as International Secretary for Business Administration and Commissioner Nancy Roberts as IHQ Chaplain and Secretary for IHQ Staff Development. In March 2008 the commissioners became the first territorial leaders of the newly formed Kenya West Territory where their leadership and ministry made a deep impact on Salvationists in the western part of Kenya. From there they returned to their native USA as the national leaders.

Commissioner William Roberts is a leader of varied expertise and wide knowledge. As well as having a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Religious Studies, the commissioner has interested himself in minority ministries, cross-cultural ministries, leader development, evangelism and church growth, and social service.

With such a background, and a commendable record of service in North America, South America, Africa and at IHQ, I am confident that the commissioner is more than well prepared for the task to which he is now appointed, as is Commissioner Nancy Roberts who will work alongside Commissioner Silvia Cox in the interests of Women’s Ministries around the world.

Please join me in praying God’s rich blessing upon Commissioners Roberts as they take up their significant leadership roles at the heart of our Army.

God bless you.

via web link: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/news/announcement090813

August 9, 2013 4

1st Official Interview of General Andre’ Cox:

A DISCIPLE OF JESUS

The newly elected international leader General André Cox spoke with Major Jane Kimberley at the conclusion of the 2013 High Council

How do you feel after just being elected as the 20th General?

I feel an immense sense of privilege and awe because of the responsibility that goes with the role.
I also have a sense of peace. I have never identified myself by either rank or role, I am who God made me to be and I am growing into the person he wants me to be. A General or anyone else is but a disciple of Jesus and I think that gives me comfort because it’s not all on my shoulders.

The Army belongs to God, it’s not mine. I have a role to play, but I was called to proclaim the gospel and I will do just that.

What impression stands out for you from the 2013 High Council?

We were all in one accord in a peaceful, secluded and very holy place. From the moment we started the pre-High Council conference we sensed that this was right. We were not rushed and knew that God’s hand was upon us. It was good to be in his presence.
This was the third High Council that I had attended and perhaps the one that I cherish the most because of the sense of God’s presence. The prayer fellowship was phenomenal.

What will be the main challenges you face as General?

Multiple challenges impact The Salvation Army’s global mission, including poverty, social exclusion, social injustice, the increasing gap between the rich and poor, sexual exploitation, human trafficking and lack of respect for the things of God. When faced with secularism and materialism we need to rediscover our confidence in the divine inspiration and authority of God’s word.

I believe The Salvation Army must continue to have a strong bias for the poor and the marginalised. There is a lot more that we can be doing in mobilising our corps. For too long we have relied upon institutional social care. Many problems today demand that we are fully engaged in the communities in which we serve and not serving ourselves and sitting in comfort. We need to pay more than lip service to things we believe and truly live out the values we proclaim. Belief and actions should go hand in hand.

My vision is that as an Army we will be fully mobilised and committed to the calling God has given us. We are a covenanted people, we have all signed a covenant and I would like to see us live up to that.

How important in your opinion is the Army’s relationship with other churches and other faiths?

The links with others are very important. We need to recognise that we all belong to the same family. In the Christian churches we have a strong bond and can learn from each other. We don’t have to compare ourselves with any other because God has given us a specific calling as The Salvation Army. We need to feel secure in our own faith and we don’t need to be judgmental about other people. I have seen evidence in projects and development work of people of different faiths working together in harmony for the common good.

One of the challenges of an international Salvation Army is diversity. The office of the General is vital in holding that together. How do you find unity in diversity?

Diversity needs to be celebrated. We shouldn’t see that as a problem. There are so many things that bind us together as The Salvation Army, including belief in the Bible, faith in Jesus, doctrines, the mercy seat, 24-hour prayer, uniforms and orders and regulations. I am a great believer and supporter of the internationalism of the Army, believing this to be one of our greatest strengths. The High Council met as a group of many different cultures all drawn to the light of God through Jesus Christ his son. I hope that we can celebrate our differences because the things that bind us together are far stronger than the things that separate us. Having lived in different cultures, I have learnt that no one has ‘the’ right answer and that there are many right answers.

What role does your family play in your life?

They keep me sane I would think! We are very proud of our children and have four grandchildren – two born within the last five weeks. One of our priorities, when we get a moment, will be to go and spend some time with them. Our family is very important to us; we thank God for the blessing. My mother, sister, brother and his family live in the UK but our children are all in Switzerland. We shall soon have a mountain holiday!

Who has influenced you most over the years in your personal development?

In my recent journey General Linda Bond has been a real example of courage and faith and that has spoken to me strongly.

I have had the privilege of considering General John Larsson as a fatherly figure. He first appointed us to territorial leadership in Finland and he has always been a good and steadying influence.

In my early years of officership General Eva Burrows was a real inspiration to me and helped me to aspire to do something greater in my spiritual development.

What about the International Vision?

I am grateful to my predecessor General Linda Bond for her visionary leadership, for her submission to the will of God and for the fact that she inspired our International Vision of One Army, One Mission, One Messageand that must continue. A change of General does not change that focus.

Major Jane Kimberley is Editor of the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland’s ‘Salvationist’ publication

Additional photographs by Major Nigel Bovey

-Via IHQ Website: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/news/interview060813

August 6, 2013 1

“Get Off Of Your Laurels!”

“Nothing wilts faster than laurels that have been rested upon.” –Percy Bysshe Shelly

The hero takes the stage as the crowd explodes into cheerful celebration. After grueling torment and near defeat, the hero stands alone from the rest of the competition. He has defeated his adversaries masterfully and now he is crowned with a laurel wreath on his head and the affections of the crowd. He is their champion and hero.

But what happens to many champions after victories such as these? What becomes of them? Some continue to strive for excellence and gain victories again and again, while others stumble and fall upon their pride and face humiliating defeats later on.

Dare I say it is what happens after the victory that matter most! In the Christian world we face temptations on all sides. We experience real spiritual warfare for our souls. Sometimes we go to revival meetings, camps, youth/adult conventions and we experience real victories by the Holy Spirit in our lives at the ‘High Places’. These are mountain top experiences and we cherish these experiences for the rest of our lives. They are milestone markers in our relationship to Christ. These moments in actuality become sacred to us and rightly so because they were real tangible moments when we felt God’s presence in our lives.

But what happens when we come down from these mountaintops with our laurels of victory having done battle with sin and temptation? Do we think those temptations and sins will simply disappear on our descent into the ‘real world’? Can we ride that victory all the way to the gates of heaven? Of course not! The real battle is still ahead of us. We have to enter our lives again fresh from victory and engage the enemy (sin) once again. That doesn’t necessarily mean that we go into the world looking for sin, that’s not what I mean. But in our attempt to live holy lives we will most certainly face sin again on the battle field. When we come down from the mountaintop we must realize that Satan is waiting for us. He doesn’t want us to succeed continually in our victories but would rather we face the cold realities of a world wrought with sin.

When we come down from a mountaintop experience, high with the Holy Spirit, we need to be mindful that we cannot rest on yesterday’s victories to get us through today or even tomorrow. The Apostle Paul wrote of his own struggles, and in his wisdom he said this: ^“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

What Paul is saying here is that though he had won other victories at other mountaintop experiences he couldn’t rest his laurels on the past because the prize “heavenward in Christ Jesus” was still ahead of him. He had to keep on going, and this is what we must do as well!

We cannot rest on our laurels from previous victories and expect to grow into holiness without engaging in our present battles as well. I think there are two key words here to remember: “Pride” and “Press”.

Pride:

The Apostle Paul understood the dangers of pride in his life and clearly says, “I am not there yet, my destination isn’t complete.” C.S. Lewis once said, When we allow pride to enter into our hearts (pride in what we’ve already accomplished, pride in our holiness, pride in our efforts) we, unknowingly take two steps backward. We begin to compare ourselves with other Christians along this same journey instead of comparing our image with that of Christ’s. Pride allows us to keep our laurels yet resting upon them will not propel us forward rather will create in us a stagnancy and therein lies the real danger of an atrophied soul!

Rather…

Press:

Instead of pride leading to our spiritual demise, we ought to humbly press on toward our ultimate prize which is the very image of God within us – Imago dei. Without this heavenward goal, which is holding captive our thoughts, actions and speech, we can become so much like the world around us that we blend in completely and are no longer ‘set apart’. We must press on from victory to victory…keep on keeping on. We don’t have time to hang our laurels. We don’t have time to rest and admire them, but we journey on because we haven’t reached our destination yet.

Let me ask:
Are you resting on your laurels of past mountaintop victories? If so, it is time to set them aside as glorious as they were and press on. Our ultimate victory is assured in Christ if we are faithful to Him. Our goal to be like Him and in so doing we shine before the world so that His redemption is visible to all. Eternity is our reward as we press on towards our goal!

August 6, 2013 1

15,000 views reached! Thank you readers!!

Hey everyone, I just wanted to take a moment and thank you all for tuning into this little blog site! It’s unreal that in just over six months that this blog has reached 15,000 viewers. I will do my best to keep this going, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in the process! Hallelujah for this wonderful opportunity and for the blessings God has granted me in this area of ministry!

In January I felt the Lord convicting me to share more from my heart in the form of writing, and so I began this venture…I really only got into it in March of this year! So with that said, I wish again to thank you all and keep reading and I will keep writing in His name!

-Blessings on you!

August 3, 2013 2

Here’s to you PCUSA Committee!!

In Christ Alone

August 3, 2013 0

High Council: GENERAL ANNOUNCED

And there you have it…the announcement has finally been made:

Our new General is: General Andre’ Cox

Here is His profile –

CANDIDATE PROFILE: COMMISSIONER ANDRÉ COX

Chief of the Staff
International Headquarters

Date of birth: 12 July 1954

Nationality: British/Swiss

Home corps: Genève 1, Switzerland & Austria Territory

Commissioned: 25 May 1979

Married: Silvia Volet, 25 September 1976

APPOINTMENTS

Switzerland and Austria Territory
Corps (June 1979)

Zimbabwe Territory
PR (July 1987), THQ (June 1992)
Financial Secretary (April 1994)

Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Territory
Head of Communications Department (October 1997)
Business Administrator (February 2002)

Finland and Estonia Territory
Territorial Commander (July 2005)

Southern Africa Territory
Territorial Commander (October 2008)

United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland
Territorial Commander (May 2012)

International Headquarters
Chief of the Staff (February 2013)

As the General takes His official office he could possibly pick his Chief of the Staff from one of these candidates if he so chooses.

The world has anxiously awaited this announcement and I am sure that there will be much thought given to our new General’s mission and vision for The Salvation Army in our world and he will provide us the leadership that we have been praying for. This new General comes at the heals of an abrupt departure of General Linda Bond, who subsequently took early retirement for ‘personal reasons’. Though this event took the Army by surprise, our World Leaders rallied and convened rather quickly to the High Council in order to stem off any additional vacancies or additional issues. It is unfortunate that the High Councils had to convene a year early, but as many have said, the Lord has provided and we will continue to trust in God’s guidance for the future!

On behalf of the Soldiery around the world we wish to congratulate General Andre’ Cox, and we will be praying for his leadership and for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to continue to use this Army for the Lord!

August 3, 2013 4

High Council Day 6: “Announcement Imminent”

So today is the day!

Even on The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters’ Website the promise of an Imminent announcement is posted for the world to see. Below that is the live video link to be tuned in so that everyone can watch the announcement:

http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/tv

Soon, all of our speculations and discussions will be moot as the High Council’s decision will be announced and we will have our next General.

Are you ready?

August 3, 2013 1

High Council Day 5 Official Update

For all intense and purposes the High Council could quite possibly reach a decision tomorrow on the prospective General nominations. They could very well announce this news as quickly as tomorrow (Saturday, August 3rd) as well!

Here is the official transcript of today’s update:

// 02 AUGUST 2013 //

‘¿A QUE tú no sabes lo que en High Council pasó?’ were the words sung by the Hispanic members of the High Council at the commencement of the fifth day of the proceedings of the 18th High Council of The Salvation Army – ‘Don’t you know what happened at the High Council?’

The song explained: ‘Don’t you know what happened in Damascus? The Holy Spirit was poured out on Saul. Don’t you know what happened at the High Council? The Holy Spirit was poured out on everyone.’

The Chaplain (Commissioner James Condon) read from Revelation 1:6: ‘[Jesus] has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father’ (New International Version), then led the council members in singing ‘Unto Thee, O Saviour-King’ (The Song Book of The Salvation Army 532), drawing attention to the line: ‘Body, soul and spirit, all in obedience to thy call.’ The verse, words and songs chosen were extremely apt as members prepared to listen as each candidate and each spouse answered a specific set of questions prepared for them.

The candidates had 24 hours to work on their questionnaire answers and speeches which meant the translators worked into the early hours of the morning to ensure every member was able to follow the proceedings clearly and to have a copy of the speeches being read.

The answers to the questionnaires were delivered without interruption and received in silence in accordance with the Orders of Procedure. After each candidate and spouse had finished there followed opportunity for members to ask clarifying – but not additional – questions.

Later in the day the candidates delivered their speeches, which were again received without comment but followed by a period of contemplative silence.

After the speeches the President (Commissioner William Roberts) adjourned the council for the night with the invitation to return in the morning to begin voting for the 20th General of The Salvation Army.

The Chaplain had the final word: ‘The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer’ (1 Peter 3:12) he reminded council members, before closing in prayer.

Report by Major Christine Clement
High Council Communications Officer

Photo: Major Makoto Yamaya (Japanese translator) gains a perspective of how members will experience voting.

(via the web: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/news/inr020813)

August 2, 2013 0

High Council Day 5 Proceedings (A brief look behind closed doors)

Well, later today we will probably hear of how the presentations of the five candidates went. There would be included in the day an all army inclusive question and answer time as well as a speech from each of the five candidates.

Yesterday each candidate would have been provided an assistant in order to accomplish what they had to write and prepare for today’s proceedings and presentations. As each of the five candidates present their speech and answer the questions to the High Councils, the High Council will in turn assess each candidate. Finally, after the five candidates have all completed their presentations the High Council will begin to vote. If a general consensus or 2/3 vote isn’t accomplished on the first round of voting then the candidate (of the 5) with the least votes will be eliminated as a candidate and they move onto a second round of voting. It has happened in the past that a majority has voted on the first round and a General has been elected, but this is not always the case. Thus, today is quite a crucial day in the proceedings of the High Council. Quite conceivably the High Council could elect its next General by the end of today or more likely tomorrow.

There is much speculation as to who our next General will be given the list and profiles of the five candidates has been available to the The Army world who is on the outside anxiously watching and waiting. But we are not inside the High Council room. We cannot know the responses by the High Council to the presentations nor how the voting will take place. But we do know that soon, very soon we will have the announcement. We all have our preferences and our hopes within these candidates. Some of our concerns and preferences have merit while some are only personal opinions. Thoughtful consideration and prayer are truly viable aspects of this election decision.

additional information on the election process: https://s3.amazonaws.com/cache.salvationarmy.org/f71ade2f-b30f-4554-972a-d2d85b5efcf9_High+Council+feature+-+John+Larrsson.pdf

The office of the General, which is vacant at this moment will be filled very soon. Please be in prayer for the High Council as well as the Candidates today as they have probably come to the conclusion of their participation already today.

August 2, 2013 3