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UPDATED WAR REPORT

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By Ken Blue

“There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war…” Ecclesiastes 8:8

Most of you are aware by now that I have been battling ALS, or what some call Lou Gehrig ’s disease for some time. It continues to weaken my body and some important changes are taking place.

Joyce and I concluded that this winter would be the last opportunity for the two of us to take an extended vacation, so we took four month and went to Arizona and Arkansas. I did all the driving. We had a wonderful visit with friends and family. I was able to preach for Pastor Dave Crichton once, for Pastor Andy Wirtz three times, for Pastor Szydlowski once, for Pastor Ken Bates once, and for Pastor Nathan Cook once. I have preached for Pastor Murphy twice since returning home.

I am scheduled to preach for Pastor Bill Bailey all day, May 16th, for Pastor Murphy all day, May 30th, for Pastor Al Hughes August 8th in the A.M. service. Please pray for God’s blessing on these churches. As you may know, I must preach from my wheelchair. I am no longer able to walk or stand. I praise the Lord for those open doors.

I have given up driving, since transferring and safety have become an issue. Joyce does all the driving, and I now have the white knuckles.

Friday, the 23 of this month, Joyce and I will be traveling to Wenatchee to finalize the arrangements for my funeral. Now, don’t get too excited; I have no idea how much time God will give me. It may be six month or a few more years. I simply want everything taken care of before the time comes. You know me, I hate surprises. Until God is through with me, I hope to continue to write and speak for Him.

Thank you for your faithful prayers for us. Please remember to pray for Joyce and the family, as this is more difficult on them than on me. I am thankful that we are co-labors together with Him. May God bless you richly.

HOW TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE BIBLE

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A NOTE ON RIGHT DIVISION

right division

By Ken Blue

“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:7-13

There is a difference between an age, a dispensation, seasons, and times. Finis Dake’s Bible notes say there are five ages within time. The ages to come are two; one is the kingdom age; this begins at the Second Advent of Christ and lasts 1000 years. The final is the eternal age which begins with the new heaven and new earth.

The “times past” refer to those times prior to the church of this dispensation of grace. “The times past” reach back to Abraham, or perhaps to Adam. They continued up to the birth of the church in Acts.

The statement, “But now” suggest the third division in God’s economy. It began with the birth of the church and will continue until its rapture to heaven. Within each of these divisions are different dealings by God.

It is important that the believer understands these three divisions and the teaching that belongs to each one. Failing that, there will be great confusion and mishandling of God’s Word.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Failing to divide the Bible rightly can cause great confusion and mishandling of God’s Word.[/perfectpullquote]

Paul said. “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:” 1 Corinthians 10:32. We see that the Scripture not only divides into past, present, and future; they also divide into various groups, to whom they are written.

If a Christian brings a teaching from one section into another, or if that which is addressed to the Jews is forced on the church, all kinds of confusion and false teaching will result. “Right division” is imperative to correct doctrine.

Romans through Philemon are church epistles for the “but now” period and contain church doctrine. Genesis, through the Gospels and early Acts, is for Israel and their Kingdom and fit the “times past” period. Hebrew through Revelation is Jewish and will assist them through the Tribulation and the Kingdom when God jumpstarts His program again with them. This is the “ages to come.”

Most of the confusion and division in Christianity is due to the failure of right division, and the forcing of a text from one dispensation into a place never intended. The Baptist are notorious for this. It ought to be obvious; you can make the Bible teach anything you like if you disregard proper divisions.

ISLAM; NOT A TERRORIST RELIGION NOR CRUEL TO WOMEN

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The following article is from “theage.com.au.” It is just one more proof of the teaching and behavior of Islam; not only do they hate Jews and Christians; it has a distorted view of women.

Refugee jailed for strangling ‘too Australian’ wife

KATE HAGAN

April 8, 2010

“A man who killed his wife by using her veil to strangle her in their Melbourne home did so in the belief he was entitled to dominate her, a Supreme Court judge has found. Soltan Azizi was today sentenced to 22 years’ jail by Justice Betty King, who said the Afghani refugee had been physically abusive towards Marzieh Rahimi throughout their 14-year marriage. Justice King said Ms Rahimi had sought help from social workers and was intending to leave Azizi, despite him warning that he would kill her if she tried. She said Azizi had complained to Ms Rahimi’s sister in the days prior to her killing that his wife was becoming “too Australian”, meaning “she was not a docile and good wife in the terms you expected her to be”.

“It is clear you were unable to accept that your wife had rights, which rights included the ability to leave you if that was what she desired,” Justice King said. “… Her death clearly resulted because of your belief that you were entitled to dominate and dictate to your wife what she could and could not do.”

The couple, who had five children now aged from 14 to 2, came to Australia in 2005 after fleeing Afghanistan and spending seven years in refugee camps in Iran. Azizi will serve a minimum of 17 years and six months before he is eligible for parole.”

THE PASTOR SHOULD EXPECT TROUBLE; NOT CREATE IT

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INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT TROUBLE FOR THE PASTOR

pastorBy Ken Blue

“And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.” Luke 4:13.

“He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.” Proverbs 26:17.

A pastor must be, both alert and restrained. He can’t afford to be naive, or meddlesome. If you are doing anything for God, the devil has you in the crosshairs. You don’t have to go looking for trouble, it will find you. Wherever there is light, you have invaded his kingdom. Expect trouble from him, just don’t create it.

If you are a pastor who is actively getting people saved, getting them to join your church, disciplining them, and sending them off to the mission field, expect his attack. The shocker about his attack is you never know where it will come from. In most cases, it will come from another pastor or members of your church.

Most attacks will be about your policies and procedures. Some will attack how you use money and what your methods of ministry are. Others will find fault with your preaching and standards. There will be those who have a pencil in hand every time you speak. They are ready to make a note of words you say, with which they disagree.

Then, your standards will be under constant attack. This will mostly involve music and dress. There will always be that few who are sure they know God’s will for your church standards. In fact, all they want is for you to implement their own preferences. Then, if anyone finds fault with these, you will get the blame.

Be slow how you respond to all attacks. Once you start chasing brush fires, you have stopped ministering. You don’t have to respond to every criticism. The more you become a man or woman pleaser, the more you will become a frustrated pastor. Pray for wisdom, seek counsel and deal with each problem as wisely and possible.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Jesus could not escape Satan’s attacks, neither can you.[/perfectpullquote]

The devil moves other pastors to be jealous of any success you have. As long as you have less, do less, and know less than them, they will praise you. But once you begin to make a dent in Satan’s kingdom, he will see that you come under attacked. Ignore it if you can, and understand its source and motivation. Jesus could not escape Satan’s attacks, neither can you.

Next, don’t create trouble for yourself. Many pastors think they are failing God if they have not made some church members mad at them. Thus they ensure that they do or say something to fulfill their prophecy. Don’t be stupid. Never pick a dog up by its ears, and let sleeping dogs alone.

Ask God to put a watch on your mouth so you don’t make brainless comments from the pulpit. Spurgeon said, “Pulpits are coward’s castles.” Satan will exploit every stupid comment you make. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1. “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones”. Proverbs 16:24. ”A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Proverbs 25:11.

You cannot pastor a group of people without receiving some criticism or faultfinding. The devil will see that it comes. But, make sure you are being criticized for soul winning, disciplining believers, enrolling believers in service and sending out missionaries.

Remember, envy and frustrated ambition is the source of most of it. Don’t panic. Do as Jesus did; go to God in prayer, seek counsel and stay the course. So, don’t be surprised when trouble comes; just don’t go around creating it and then pretending you are a martyr.

METHODS AND MORALS

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By Ken Blue

I get weary of pounding the same nail over and over! Because of the idiots in the ministry who teach if you use a method from someone they disagree with, you are without Bible standards or morals; I feel compelled to repeat myself. They comfort and reassure themselves by attacking others; and they actually believe God has given them the ministry of finding fault with any who will not follow them. Dr. Charles Keen said, “The devil knows nothing of balance. He will have you to be a dead Episcopalian or a snake handling Pentecostal.”

The two most dangerous people in the world today are the liberals and the radical fundamentalist. The liberals ordain Sodomites to the ministry; the radical fundamentalists hate them and want them to go to hell. (A good godly attitude). The liberal does not believe any Bible is the Word of God; the radical fundamentalists teach that no one is a Bible believe without a King James Bible. The liberal embraces everyone, whereas, the radical fundamentalist believes no one is spiritual or moral except himself. The liberals destroy America with their denial of the Word and their inclusiveness. The radical fundamentalist destroys America with their exclusiveness and mishandling of the Word of God. The liberals are opposed to owning guns; the radical fundamentalists build an arsenal of weapons to attack government buildings. The liberal is for abortion, the radical fundamentalist wants to blow up abortion clinics. The devil uses both of them to accomplish his purpose. The end result will be the same. Both radical groups are terrorists; they simply have different strategies and methods.

Some fundamentalists think every sermon should be an attack on sodomites, democrats, Obama, Catholics, and everyone else outside their “camp.” They act as though soul winning, discipleship, and missions are secondary to their nonproductive ministry. A pastor should be opposed to every one of these things named, but these should not become the centerpiece of his ministry.

Apparently these men hold a philosophy (there, I said it) that the church building is only open to the sanctified. I have known this crowd for 50 years, and they are not as saintly as they would have you believe. I know fundamentalist who are sodomites, pedophiles, steal church funds, ran off with someone’s wife, committed adultery, use drugs, get drunk, watch pornography, smoke cigarettes, and use profanity.

In addition to the above, we add the following list to their sins. “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19. We will not publish their names in order to protect the guilty.

So, when a critic attacks a man’s morals, because he doesn’t like him or his methods, he is simply creating a smoke screen to protect himself and his friends. You can be sure they have skeletons in their closet they hope you never see.

It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish: if you want a few self-righteous manikins, just attack all others. If you want to win souls, disciple believers and send out missionaries; do whatever you can to reach and win the lost.

I must clarify the above statement because of the little people. “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-22.
Pastor, let the Cocker Spaniels bark, and you keep the caravan moving!