Is It Right to Judge?

Main text: Matthew 7:1-5 & John 7:24

Jesus is instructing us against engaging in hypocritical judgment.

In Matthew, Jesus tells us "Do not judge, or you too will be judged…" Possibly the most misquoted scripture in the Bible. People pull this scripture out of context AND never quote the many other scriptures on scriptural judging.

Let's first look at Matthew 7:1-5.
Let's not stop at verse 1 but read on. This passage includes significant detail later in the verse, "FIRST take the plank out of your own eye, THEN you will see clearly to REMOVE the speck from your brother's eye."

In John’s Gospel, Jesus is more succinct. First, He tells us what is unacceptable and then He tells us what is acceptable. "…Stop judging by mere appearances (unacceptable), and make a right judgment (acceptable)" (John 7:24).

So you think we’re "NOT TO JUDGE"? Let's go on!

Jesus taught men to judge rightly, insisting they “judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24) and He praised a man who “rightly judged” (Luke 7:43).

Paul shamed the Corinthian Christians because no one among them was willing to “judge the smallest matters” (1Cor. 6:2). As the Apostle Paul wrote, “He who is spiritual judges all things” for “we have the mind of Christ” (1Cor. 2:15-16).

We must let God’s word JUDGE people and then, based on the WORD (BIBLE), we must then speak His Word in LOVE - ALWAYS IN LOVE).

Jesus taught men to judge rightly, insisting they “judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24) and He praised a man who “rightly judged” (Luke 7:43).
Paul shamed the Corinthian Christians because no one among them was willing to “judge the smallest matters” (1Cor. 6:2). As the Apostle wrote, “He who is spiritual judges all things” for “we have the mind of Christ” (1Cor. 2:15-16).

Now let's look at some things that the WORD OF GOD judges, and when we agree with the WORD, we are not really judging people, but God's Word is judging them.

1Cor.6:9 states: "Make no mistake about it: those who lead immoral lives, or worship idols, or who are adulterers, homosexuals of any kind, or thieves, exploiters, drunkards, gossips or embezzlers will NOT inherit the kingdom of heaven."

Gal.5:19-21 it states: "Immorality, impurity and shamelessness (sensuality), idol worship and magic, ambition, division, factious, and envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like. I again say to you what I have already said: those who do these things shall NOT inherit the kingdom of God."

Rev.21:8 it states: As for cowards, faithless, depraved, murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, liars, THEIR PLACE is the lake of burning sulfur(or lake of fire). This is the second death."

In all these sins it is not a one time incident that is repented of, but a way of life (repeated).

Judging is proper ONLY when done from a right heart (free of plank/2x4 plus in Christ’s LOVE) and based on God’s Word (Bible) as our standard.

So let's be bold enough (in LOVE) to judge sin as sin.

Based on the Holy Bible as our standard.

Have a Jesus blessed day!

Jim (jim@biblefood.org)

"Seeing the Big Picture" by Os Hillman

I didn't write this one but it was so good I wanted to share it with you all:

.."Everything is against me!" - Genesis 42:36

Eventually, Benjamin along with Jacob's other sons learned that their brother Joseph was second in command in Egypt. Joseph revealed his identity, and Jacob was reunited with his son whom he had not seen for more than 13 years. He had thought Joseph to be dead.

So often we believe our dreams are dead. There seems to be nothing left in our world to live for. Everything appears to be against us. During these times, God is doing His deepest behind-the-scenes work. During these times, God is performing a deeper work in each of us-a work that cannot be seen.

When clients began leaving my ad agency and it dried up for no apparent reason, it appeared "everything was against me." I could not see that God was orchestrating a whole new calling on my life. At the moment, it seemed like the worst thing in the world. It seemed that I had been a failure. But God said, "No." All the years before had been preparation for what God's ultimate calling would be. One of God's methods for directing His children's steps is through drying up resources: a job loss, a career change, or a disaster. In these times we are willing to listen more intently, and to seek God in ways we would not normally do. C.S. Lewis once wrote, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." [C.S.Lewis, The Problem of Pain, 93.]

In His Service,
Jim (jim@biblefood.org)
www.biblefood.org
www.goproclaim.com

"The Making Process of becoming His Vessel"

Today's devotion is taken from my sermon titled:
“The Joseph Process to Your Greater Purpose for God” - Genesis 41:1-46 - Recommended reading

Joseph spent another 2 years in prison forgotten [after giving Cupbearer his dream interpretation], a total of 13 years of ups and downs for the process to be completed in God’s plan for Joseph’s life.

This process will break down that deadly sin of human PRIDE – Prov. 16:18, I Cor. 10:12 A difference in PRIDE and CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST.

A.W. Tozer stated, "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He [God] has hurt [or broken] him deeply".

A broken and contrite heart God will not despise – Psa. 51:17

This is a person who has come to the total awareness of their spiritual bankruptcy apart from Christ.

Looking at Joseph, I’m sure there were some Eygptians who questioned how this JEW got to the TOP so quickly in Eygpt. But they didn’t have the SLIGHTEST idea what had gone on in Joseph’s life in the 13 previous years leading up to God promoting him.

Today I want to relate Joseph’s life to what I’ve gone through over the years as they are so similar, and I believe will help you understand why I am so PASSIONATE with my vision to reaching the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ. I’ve been told at times to calm down. For the record, I am at peace in my heart. But the hour is short, the harvest is ripe, we need to get busy gathering in the Last of the last days’ harvest.

My background: I was saved in 1975 at age of 15, and then I had a vision/dream in my heart of my calling to ministry at age 16 (after reading “the Cross and the Swithblade”). I then went to Bible School [after finishing High School] and finished it by age of 21, then I took my first pastorate from the age of 22-27.

Then comes THE REST OF THE STORY.

I pastored in the 80’s, and loved the LORD, but I had some spiritual struggles. I also had not yet experienced the level of the breaking of the self-life that the LORD was going to require of me. I thought I was a good solid Christian, in the Word daily, almost daily running off alone to be with God. I pretty much felt I had my Christian life under control, I was in charge of my DESTINY, then it all collapsed in one day (24 hour period)! I literally lost everything in one day – Church, ministry, transportation (my car totaled), and also due to all that I needed to move out of my rental. I ended up having nothing! That was on August 8, 1987.

BOY, DOES THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN LOOK FAR FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VALLEY.

Then I went through what I call those QUIET YEARS. I still remembered the vision of God’s call on my life at age 16 and here I am (in 1987) almost 12 years (1975) after God’s vision/dream and it’s ALL GONE!

I could hardly see the vision God gave me at 16. I felt like absolutely nothing was happening in my life, when in reality, God was establishing me, perfecting me, and refining me. NOT THE MOST FUN PROCESS!

Read: Job 23:10 – “…When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Refining process = As Gold purified/tried by fire – Read 1 Peter 1:7 and 1 Peter 4:12

I believe trials serve to:
1. Remind us of our need of Christ.
2. Strengthen our faith.
3. Remove impurities.

Then in 1994 or 1995 the first sign of something as to my calling revived – God has me start a monthly men’s Bible Study with approx. 10-20 guys.

Also during that same time period (1994-1995) I go through the book “Experiencing God,” and then end up faciliting to approximately 10-12 people (I shepherded them with all my heart for those few months).

Then, in 1998 I was impressed of the LORD to start an online Bible Study called BIBLEFOOD/Go Proclaim Ministries (Weekly Devotional) started with, I think, 3 members and growing. That year we grew into the 100’s. I was so excited!!!

Then by 2000 growing into the 1000’s and today we have over 6,000 members of BibleFood. My heart as a pastor grew during this time as many wrote me for prayer and guidance.

Then in the winter of 2004/2005 the LORD said it’s time to sell the house and move into ministry where I can personally be involved in peoples’ lives, not just by the internet.

The door opened in the Spring of 2005 for a home missions/pastor position in Kane, PA. Where’s Kane??? Pennsylvania Isn’t it COLD in PA? Though I don’t like the cold weather, I believed (and still believe) God sent me to the little town of Kane, PA (known as the Icebox of Pennsylvania).

Now, as we move into 2006, the vision to reach the world, not only by internet but in person, swings open. I am invited to AFRICA (a dream of decades – It will happen in 2007), then Pakistan, then INDIA (going to India NEXT week).
See: www.goproclaim.com/india.htm

What has happened? What is going on?
God is bring me through THE JOSEPH PROCESS!

Just as Joseph had his testing period before God’s VISION was given to Joseph at age 17 was to come to pass some 13 years later (when he was 30 yrs. old). So the vision God gave me at 16 started to manifest in 1998 (23 years later) and further fulfillment in 2005 at age 46 (last year, some 30 years later), and now my first trip to a third world country this year, and prayerfully more to come.

Are all the valleys done, NOPE! But the valley times seem shorter.

NOW SO IMPORTANT – DON’T MISS THIS!

No matter what you have thought of yourself, REMEMBER THE WORDS OF I Cor. 1:26-29.

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: THAT NO FLESH SHOULD GLORY IN HIS PRESENCE.”

God has NOT chosen many WISE, MIGHTY, or NOBLE…but God has chosen the foolish, weak, base [insignificant], the despised.

WHY? So that NO person shall take pride in himself, but give God all the glory.

Then in I Cor. 4:7 – “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”ALL that we have we received is from the LORD. Since we received it from the LORD, there is no reason to boast about what you have as if you achieved it yourself. It was all given to you by God.

2 Cor 3:5 – says, “…our sufficiency is of God.”


Why such a process?
Because God does not want POWERFUL PERFECTLY POLISHED vessels of the flesh (self-made men), but yielded vessels which HE CAN PERFECT.

I remember my days in the Joseph pits, and would rather stay broken and obedient to my LORD than end up in the pit again.

I KNOW I am what I am BY THE GRACE OF GOD.
I DO what I do BY THE GRACE OF GOD.

My prayer is:
LORD, may Jim never rise to ANY throne, may Jim NEVER forget the working of God in his life, may Jim ALWAYS seek to please his LORD and SAVIOR and not man.

This is what 17 years did for Joseph, it BROKE him and PREPARED him.
This is what 30+ years did for Jim – it has broken him and prepared him (I’m a slower learner than Joseph).


What about you?
Did God give you a vision in your heart of what HE wants to do with your life FOR HIM? YES! He has a purpose in your life for each of us to GLORIFY HIM in some way(s).


Have you lost that vision?
Let God make you into that YIELDED vessel He can use!

It may take you 5 years of preparation, or like Joseph 17 years of preparation, or like me 30+ years of preparation, or maybe more (though I hope not).

PLEASE don’t resist His hand in your life, yield to the LORD in your heart.

Cry out from your heart, “I only want YOUR will LORD for my life and nothing else”.

Then keep crying out from your heart until you actually mean it and are 100% yielded to the LORD.

PRAYER:
LORD, thank you for NEVER giving up on us, in the past, or in the PRESENT or in the future, and LORD help us to be YIELDED vessels that will give GLORY TO YOU WITH OUR LIVES! In Jesus Precious Name, Amen!

In His Service,
Jim (jim@biblefood.org)

“It’s Time to Wake Up the Sleeping Church”

"Therefore let us not SLEEP, as do others: but let us WATCH and be SOBER."—1 Thess. 5:6

Wow, time sure has been flying by! I haven’t had any time to write devotions.

Hopefully, I will have more coming out soon.

Meanwhile, I encourage you all to go to our website: www.biblefood.org as we have many devotions there; and if that is not enough, we have many more devotions in our archives at: www.geocities.com/biblefood/archive.html. Also, also our church site is beginning to include some of my sermon notes at: www.kanepa.org/sermons.htm

The LORD has been moving in our little town of Kane and in Go Proclaim Ministries/BibleFood reaching the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

In November 2006, I will be going to INDIA to minister at a Pastor/Minister Seminar and in churches, villages, and an orphanage in MALAKAPALLI - WEST GODAVARI.

The LORD has been so faithful in providing the finances and blessings to make this trip possible. Now I need your prayers more than ever.

Please PRAY for me to not get sick there, for my strength, and also for my voice, as I will be speaking 25-30 times in 2 weeks. Go to: www.goproclaim.com/india.htm

In preparation for this trip, a brother in Christ called me a couple weeks ago and told me I needed to get the book, “Revolution in World Missions” by K.P. Yohannan. Interestingly, I had picked up the book at a Pastors’ conference a few months back, but amongst my other books, it was overlooked and never. So when this brother told me about the book, I told him I already had two (unread) copies (my wife had also ordered it, not knowing that I had it – that’s another whole God story).

I have read the book with such excitement and vision, as I get ready to go to India. The LORD has been so faithful in providing that I will have money enough to help support some of the pastors in India. As a matter of fact, we have had more money come in for India than has come in for the past 8 years of Go Proclaim Ministries/BibleFood. WOW! What a MIRACLE!

After reading “Revolution in World Missions” by K.P. Yohannan, I have been so encouraged about our being able to support pastors who live in poverty in India.

Please get your free copy of this book at: www.gfa.org/gfa (scroll down to bottom left of page). They will mail it to you absolutely FREE (no shipping charge either). It is also available to download as a big PDF file (book), again, for FREE.

I feel that we are so spoiled in America. I believe originally it was God’s blessing on our country, but we have hoarded it upon ourselves and now what was once a blessing is causing us to FORGET God (See Prov. 30:7-9). I believe economic disaster is in the future of America (and deserved for forgetting God), but in the meantime we still have a chance to help get the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world.

Today, are you among the financially blessed in America (or the world)? What are you doing with that blessing? Are you buying more homes, cars, stocks, toys, etc., OR are you properly using it to spread the Gospel around the world? WHY do you think God has blessed you financially, fellow Christian! Seriously, why has God blessed you financially? HE HAS BLESSED YOU TO HELP SUPPORT THE SPREADING OF THE GOSPEL! Not to buy more homes, cars, stocks, toys, etc. or as the Bible says it, “to build more BARNS” (See Luke 12:13-21).

I am not a money-making machine and have been personally criticized in the past for my lack of a secular trade or skill; and, thus, my lack of ability to make a decent income. Meanwhile, I continue to do what God has called me to do: Preach the Gospel AND do whatever jobs come along to help financially support my family and for the spreading of the Gospel. My wife and I feel, first and primarily, I must spend my time and energy in the work of the ministry as Pastor and all that goes along with that, as well as my calling to be a voice to the Body of Christ worldwide, even if it is but a whisper.

Maybe you are like me and haven’t been blessed financially by the LORD. By Third-World standards, I am considered extremely rich, but in American standards, pretty poor. Past stock market crashes have had no effect on me directly, and neither will future ones, as I have no stocks (guess that’s one benefit of not being rich). Some of you out there are much poorer than I, you wish you had more money to give to spread the Gospel, but God in His infinite wisdom has chosen a different path than riches for you. You still have such power (though not financially rich) in the LORD. Are you praying for those who do not know Jesus? If not, why not? Are you sharing Jesus with those in your everyday life in your circle of influence (friends, family, neighbors, etc.)? If not, why not?

EVERY SINGLE CHRISTIAN ON EARTH HAS A PART TO PLAY IN SHARING THE GOSPEL. ARE YOU DOING YOUR PART? IF NOT, WHY NOT?

This is not to put a guilt trip on anyone, but I believe God wants us to wake up out of our SLEEPING state and seek to do more of God’s will on this earth.

Time is short, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few!!! (See Matt. 9:37,38)

PRAYER: LORD, help us to see our Kingdom priorities and responsibilities as your laborers. Forgive us for our greedy, selfish and lukewarm state of our hearts. Give us a fresh vision of our purpose for being here, and help us to see our part in this end time harvest of souls. In Jesus’ Name – AMEN!

In His Service,
Jim (jim@biblefood.org)
www.biblefood.org

ARE YOU SEEING CLEARLY?

In this day and age we live in many of us get DISTRACTED from the purposes of God and make things priorities that ought not to be.

Today’s devotion will deal with this issue, and prayerfully, help us to refocus our spiritual eyes so that we will see clearly.

Our society (and often our carnal minds) teaches us to want (even lust after) the nice car, big home, big paying job, etc. These things can be nice and SOMETIMES God blesses us with them. But if your mind is occupied with these things as a priority in your life, your spiritual vision is VERY BLURRED. In my own life, I have had to learn to NOT give THINGS too much importance.

In America, as well as in many other parts of the world, success is measured by what type of job you have (i.e. how much you make), by the home you own, the car you drive, etc. But this is NOT how God measures success!

Success in God’s eyes is based on our OBEDIENCE to Him and in our seeking to make an eternal difference.

Our eyes MUST be on the things of God, not on the temporal things of this world.

I‘ve shared my heart above, now let’s look at these things from God's heart through His Word:

3 Things That Blur our Vision:

1 - THE DECEPTION OF THE LUKEWARM CHURCH (I.E. LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN)
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write...........thou art lukewarm........BECAUSE THOU SAYEST, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that THOU MAYEST SEE". - Revelation 3:14, 16-18

"Because thou sayest." What a difference between their thoughts of themselves, and the thoughts Christ had of them! .......There are many in hell, who once thought themselves far in the way to heaven......They were poor; really poor, when they said and thought they were rich. They could not see their state, nor their way, nor their danger, yet they thought they saw it….. Some things must be parted with, but nothing valuable; and it is only to make room for receiving true riches. Part with sin and self-confidence, that you may be filled with his hidden treasure….. Let us examine ourselves by the rule of his word, and pray earnestly for the teaching of his Holy Spirit, to take away our pride, prejudices, and worldly lusts".
- Matthew Henry Commentary

2 - THE COVETOUSNESS OF MAN IS NOT RICH TOWARD GOD

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and BEWARE OF COVETOUSNESS: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, his night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is NOT RICH TOWARD GOD”. - Luke 12:15-21

“Covetousness is a sin we need constantly to be warned against; for happiness and comfort do not depend on the wealth of this world. The things of the world will not satisfy the desires of a soul.…..If we value the beauty of holiness, we shall not crave the luxuries of life”. - Matthew Henry Commentary

3 - CONCERNS OVER THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD (ANXIETIES, RICHES, AND LUSTS) WILL CHOKE OUT THE WORD IN YOUR LIFE

Jesus spoke this parable about a sower sowing seed and the outcome of those seeds sown. Someday, I hope to look in more depth into that entire passage; but for today’s devotion, let’s just look at a small portion of Mark Chapter 4.

“Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow....And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up,and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.......And these are they which are sown among ......thorns; such as hear the word, and THE CARES OF THIS WORLD, AND THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, AND THE LUSTS OF OTHER THING entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful”. - Mark 4:3, 7, 18, 19

3 things are mentioned in this passage that will choke out the Word of God in our lives:

1.Cares of this World - Always worrying and being anxious about the things of life will absolutely cause us to have blurred vision spiritually.

2. Deceitfulness of Riches - Don't buy into the lie that money is success and happiness. This results in blurred spiritual vision.

3. Lust for other things - This would include all lust or "over-desires" in reference to OTHER THINGS not already mentioned that are NOT from God. This, too, will result in blurred spiritual vision.

SCRIPTURE CLARITY COMES BY:

1 – PUTTING (SEEKING) THE THINGS OF GOD FIRST IN OUR LIFE. IT IS THEN THAT GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF THE LITTLE EARTHLY THINGS OF OUR LIFE.
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.... Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; and all these things shall be added unto you”. - Matthew 6:24, 31-33

“Worldly-mindedness is a common and fatal symptom of hypocrisy, for by no sin can Satan have a surer and faster hold on the soul, under the cloak of a profession of religion [Christianity] …..Christ counsels to make our best things the joys and glories of the OTHER world, those things not seen which are eternal, and to place our happiness in them. There are treasures in heaven. … A man may do some service to two masters, but he can devote himself to the service of no more than one. GOD REQUIRES THE WHOLE HEART, AND WILL NOT SHARE IT WITH THE WORLD. When two masters oppose each other, no man can serve both. He who holds to the world and loves it, must despise God; he who loves God, must give up the friendship of the world. THERE IS SCARCELY ANY SIN AGAINST WHICH OUR LORD JESUS MORE WARNS HIS DISCIPLES, THAN DISQUIETING, DISTRACTING, DISTRUSTFUL CARES ABOUT THE THINGS OF THIS LIFE. This often insnares the poor as much as the love of wealth does the rich….. If we take care about our souls and for eternity, which are more than the body and its life, we may leave it to God to provide for us food and raiment, which are less. Improve this as an encouragement to trust in God….. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND MAKE RELIGION [CHRISTIANITY] YOUR BUSINESS: SAY NOT THAT THIS IS THE WAY TO STARVE; NO, IT IS THE WAY TO BE WELL PROVIDED FOR, EVEN IN THIS WORLD”. - Matthew Henry Commentary

2 - OUR AFFECTION (MIND) MUST BE ON THE THINGS ABOVE.

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth”. - Colossians 3:2

God tells us to set our affection (i.e. mind) on the things above. Lightfoot puts it this way in regard to this passage, “You must not only SEEK heaven; you must also THINK heaven”.

Though the things of this earth are not necessarily bad, our mind, thoughts and attention needs to be on those things that are eternal. In other words, DON’T GET WRAPPED UP IN ALL THIS EARTHLY TEMPORAL STUFF!

Seek God above all else, and set you mind, thoughts first and foremost focused on the Word of God and the things of God, and you will see as God meant you to – CLEARLY!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to get my eyes off those things which are temporal and not of any value to your Eternal purposes. I come to you right now and ask you to help me SEE with Your eyes, and to truly have Eternal priorities. I ask this in Jesus’ Name! AMEN!

In His Service,
Jim (Jim@Biblefood.ORG)

INDIA - Needs Jesus - Do YOU Care! Part 2 of 2

Today I want to share a little more about India as I am excited that the LORD has opened a door for me to go to India and preach the Gospel in November.

Scriptures on WORLD MISSIONS (please read)
Romans 10:14,15
Matthew 28:19,20
Acts 1:8

The challenge (especially to AMERICANS) is to look beyond our immediate surroundings and acquaintances and to see the WHOLE WORLD as our field of labor.

Here are some statistics specifically about India:

Christians in India, Indonesia and Pakistan run the HIGHEST RISK OF LOSING THEIR LIVES. Persecution Ranking worldwide: 26th

In India, Christians only make up 2.43% of the population!

On November 9th - 23rd - I (Jim Mazzulla)have been invited to be daily guest speaker at a ministers conference (a minister to ministers), and to also speak in churches, villages and orpanage in Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh), India.

Actual e-mail from Pastor Babu (who recieves BibleFood Devotionals) dated 6/24/06:

Dear Brother Rev.Jim,
Thank you so much for your kind reply.Really I was blessed to having fellowship with you to grown up in spiritual life to reach the goal. HOLY SPIRIT TELLING ME THAT YOU ARE RIGHT PERSON TO PREACH AND TO TEACH OUR PEOPLE IN INDIA TO FEED SPIRITUALLY FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL GROWTH. My soul encoraging me to invite you to our midst to teach and preach.I have visited your websites and inspired mostly. We are praying the Lord to provide you finances to meet your needs for the outreach work.Our God is trustworthy. Prayerfully and hopefully waiting for your visit to India.We have a Seminar for ministers and pastors during November 14,15,16,17-2006...God Bless you very richly and abundantly.
With Prayers,
Pastor Babu

SEE RECENT LETTER/FLYER:
http://www.goproclaim.com/youth__gospel__crusade.htm

This is an opportunity to minister to an estimated 500 pastors, ministers and church elders for this conference. TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO GO FORTH AND WIN INDIA FOR CHRIST.

Also check out: http://www.goproclaim.com/india.htm

Recent news about persecution in Andhra Pradesh:
March 2006:
Andhra Pradesh saw relatively few attacks against Christians in 2005, despite the murders of pastors K. Daniel and Isaac Raju. However, 2006 has already seen a number of violent atrocities against Christians.

June 2006
Post:Titled "Missionaries Beaten". This is a story about a Gospel for Asia missionary team that was showing a film to a village in Andhra Pradesh, India and some men showed up and beat them and destroyed thousands of dollars worth of equipment.
Link: http://inspirationalkorner.blogspot.com/2006/06/missionaries-beaten.html

June 2006
The body of 67-year old Pastor Prem Kumar, a 67-year-old preacher from the Church of South India, was found Thursday, June 8th in a forest in the Nizamabad district of Andhra Pradesh state. Pastor Kumar was contacted by a young man requesting that Kumar lead a prayer service in the village of Rampur Thanda. Pastor Kumar was attacked with stones and boulders and his head was crushed beyond recognition.

August (2006) from the Hindustan Times,
The state government has ... introduced legislation that would ban the propagation of any faith other than Hinduism in the area. If the legislation is passed, those preaching any other religion could face imprisonment and fines... Those attempting to convert people to religions other than Hinduism could be imprisoned for two years.

Sept. 2006
Several Indian states have recently imposed so-called ‘anti-conversion’ laws to limit the spread of Christianity and discourage missionaries and church leaders of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to non-Christians, church groups say (Source BosNewsLife Research Sept 2006)

In the midst of persecution more than 100 million Indians have viewed the "JESUS FILM."

I personally believe a "persecuted church" is a growing church. Both numerically and spiritually.I'm excited about this opportunity to minister in India. We need your prayers and financial support!!!

Please let me know if you, or your prayer group, or your church is praying for me - It will be a blessing in paving the way for my trip to India and will encourage my heart.

Also, if you can help financially, it is much needed! Please help! THIS MINISTRY IS NOT ABOUT MONEY. NEVER HAS BEEN, NEVER WILL BE. YOUR HELP (IN PRAYER/FINANCES) FOR OUR MINISTRY INTO INDIA IS NEEDED.

If you choose to support me financially as I participate in this missionary trip to India, please make your check payable to: Go Proclaim Ministries. In the memo write: India Trip.

Please pray about the part God would have you to play in this trip, and may He bless you for your prayers and support.

Our Mailing Address is:
Go Proclaim Ministries
Attn: BibleFood
Box 676
Kane, PA 16735

Go Proclaim Ministries is a 501c3 organization and all contributions are tax deductible.

For your convenience you may also give by credit card by going to www.goproclaim.com/donate.htm

Visit:
www.goproclaim.com/india.htm
www.goproclaim.com/support.htm

Please forward to EVERYONE that you feel would want to be involved by prayer and support for my trip to India.

In His Service,
Jim
E-mail: jim@biblefood.org

INDIA - Needs Jesus - Do YOU Care! Part 1 of 2

Scriptures on WORLD MISSIONS:

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how
shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and HOW SHALLTHEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER? And how shall they preach, except they BE SENT? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" - Romans 10:14,15

"GO YE therefore, and teach ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen." - Matthew 28:19,20

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and YE SHALL BE WITNESSES unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, AND UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH." Acts 1:8

There is only ONE mission of the Church: to bring GLORY TO GOD by proclaiming the Gospel and reaping the HARVEST OF SOULS which willworship and delight in God forever.

The challenge is to look beyond our immediate surroundings and acquaintances and to see the WHOLE WORLD as our field of labor.

Now I would like to specifically share about INDIA, which is in what is called the 10/40 Window.

10/40 window means the section of the world located between latitudes 10 degrees and 40 degrees north of the equator.

It covers the Middle East, North Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, and holds two-thirds of the world's population.

Only about one and a quarter percent (1.25%) of Christian mission giving is going to missions work in the 10/40 Window.

Here are some statistics specifically about India:

Christians in India, Indonesia and Pakistan run the highest risk of losing their lives. - June 27, 2006 Persecution Ranking: 26th

The average annual income in India is $370 ($30.83 per month).

I've been told by a Christian who lived there. It is even worse for a Christian (basically treated as outcasts) at around $240 ($20 per month and lower).

In India, Christians only make up 2.43% of the population!

Well I have good news:
November 9th - 23rd - I (Jim Mazzulla)have been invited to be daily guest speaker at a ministers conference (a minister to ministers), and to also speak in churches, villages and orpanage in Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh), India.

We need your prayers and financial support!!!

Please let me know if you, or your prayer group, or your church is praying for me - It will be a blessing in paving the way for my trip to India and will encourage my heart.

Also, if you can help financially, it is much needed! Please help! THIS MINISTRY IS NOT ABOUT MONEY. NEVER HAS BEEN, NEVER WILL BE. YOUR HELP (IN PRAYER/FINANCES) FOR OUR MINISTRY INTO INDIA IS NEEDED.

If you choose to support me financially as I participate in this missionary trip to India, please make your check payable to: Go Proclaim Ministries. In the memo write: India Trip.

Please pray about the part God would have you to play in this trip, and
may He bless you for your prayers and support.
Our Mailing Address is:
Go Proclaim Ministries
Attn: BibleFood
Box 676
Kane, PA 16735

Go Proclaim Ministries is a 501c3 organization and all contributions are tax deductible.

For your convenience you may also give by credit card by going to
www.goproclaim.com/donate.htm

Visit:
www.goproclaim.com/india.htm
www.goproclaim.com/support.htm

Please forward to EVERYONE that you feel would want to be involved by prayer and support for my trip to India.

In His Service,

Jim
E-mail: jim@biblefood.org