Jesus Is

By Mark VanOuse

I’m hearing a debate going on in some circles between those on one side that say that to effectively evangelize, the lost need a “truth encounter”. In other words, the lost need to be exposed to the teaching of the Word of God, particularly the Gospel.

Others of a more recent vintage are saying, “No, what they really need and will respond to first is a ‘power encounter.’ The signs following mentioned in Mark 16 — casting out demons, healing the sick, raising the dead. THEN, the lost will respond to the Gospel.”

So we have this debate: do the lost need a TRUTH encounter or a POWER encounter?

This is one of those incidents where it’s “both” and “neither”. At least neither in the sense of the “either or” sense. Read the rest of this entry »

By Mark VanOuse

There are things Satan uses to entice and ensare us into sin.

Ideas are planted in the mind, these ideas are pondered, then pandered to. Then full blown sin:

James 1:14-15 NKJV

(1:14) But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. (1:15) Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Notice the lethal sequence: 1) Desire conceived, 2) giving birth to sin, 3) Sin becomes full grown, 4) which brings forth DEATH.

Think of Adam and Eve in the garden at the time of the fall. There they stand, entertaining the enticements and seduction of Satan.

THEY SHOULD HAVE WALKED AWAY RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING. Read the rest of this entry »

By Mark VanOuse

Maybe you’ve heard it said that “Trials come in life to make us strong”.

I’m here to say that’s a myth.

Trials don’t come to make us strong… trials come to make us weak … and dependent on God.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul relates:

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (emphasis added)

Here is the principle: “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Read the rest of this entry »

In this day of flash, fancy programs and endless gimmicks, I was greatly impacted by the following statement from that giant of prayer, E.M. Bounds:

Men are God’s method. The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. … What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use — men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men — men of prayer. …
The training of the Twelve was the great, difficult and enduring work of Christ. … It is not great talents or great learning or great preachers that God needs, but men great in holiness, great in faith, great in love, great in fidelity, great for God — men always preaching by holy sermons in the pulpit, by holy lives out of it. These can mold a generation for God.

[As quoted in HUDSON TAYLOR'S SPIRITUAL SECRET by Dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor]