Tag: Jesus

The Bride of Christ

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

Today I would like to speak about the Bride of Christ as opposed to the Body of Christ.  I will attempt to explain my reasoning why I believe that they are two distinctly different entities of the Church.  The Body of Christ consists of all who have confessed Christ as their savior.  The Bride of Christ are the ekklesia or the sold out bond-servants of Christ.   Let me explain.

I do not believe there are different levels of Christianity.  Some worship Christ for salvation only, and still enjoy  worldly desires.  They may even be oppressed in mind or have certain desire or lust they are trying, but unfortunately not able to completely overcome.  They settle for a good Christian life, but with fleshy struggles.  Their Bible study and prayer is sporadic and their discipleship is non- existent.  The growth track they are on keeps their desire in the milk of the Word, not meat.  They have not exercised their learning beyond the simplistic doctrines of the Church.  They live in the elementary aspects of basic Christianity.  To grow in Christ, find a mentor, get into a good Bible Study, find someone you trust to be a battle buddy to share and pray with.  Most importantly read the Word!  Neglecting the Word is neglecting Jesus. (John 1:1)  Remember Jesus was not a man that became the Word, but the eternal Word who took on flesh and became a man.  (Philippians 2:5-11)  Fully God and fully man.

In Matthew 25 we have a parable of the wise and foolish virgins. The wise virgins are a type of the true Bride of Christ.  They have a full supply of oil (Holy Spirit) and are ever watching for the Messiah to come back.  May I ask, are you full of the Spirit, and longing to be filled every day? Their desire is to follow and please the Lord Jesus.  They are aware of the time we live in, meditating on Christ and praying even if it is just a few minutes several times throughout the day.  Following Paul’s admonition to pray without ceasing. The constant desire of  bond-servants of God is to be pleasing to Christ and walk in submission to the  Holy Spirit.  They aren’t perfect, but they long to be transformed into the very image of Christ, “partakers in the divine nature of God”.  (2 Peter 1:2-3),

The church is to be, sanctified, cleansed and presented to Christ without spot or blemish. (Ephesians 5:26-27)

A glorious church. 

There are two priorities of the Bride, the Word and the Spirit.  Worshiping in Spirit and Truth. (John 4:24)  Live in the Word, and walk in His Spirit!

 The Spirit and the Bride say “Come!” (Revelation 22:17)

 You were born for such a time as this.  Be strong and courageous for God chose us for this particular time.  If He chose us, He will sustain us!

Maranatha – Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.  Amen!  Rh

Ex-Terrorist Confirms Mass Visions of Jesus in Gaza, Says Thousands of Muslims Will Come to Christ reported by Talia Wise/CBN News

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

A former Palestinian sniper turned Christian believes revival will break out in Gaza and thousands will come to Christ after the end of the Israel-Hamas war.

Taysir “Tass” Abu Saada, a former aide to the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, recently told CBN News’ Global Lane that God’s Holy Spirit is already changing Palestinian hearts through dreams and visions. 

“Many Muslims are looking for an alternative to Islam,” he said. “My team is, naturally, sharing Christ. So we are looking at a good revival going on already in the Gaza Strip.”

It has been 104 days since Hamas terrorists carried out the savage massacre of hundreds of Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, marking the start of the Israel-Hamas War. 

And many Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip have been caught in the cross-hairs. Evidence has shown how Hamas has prevented evacuations of Palestinian civilians, keeping them in harm’s way and even using them as civilian shields against Israeli attacks that are only intended to target terrorists.

As a result, the Hamas-run government of Gaza claims more than 24,000 people have been killed there since the war began, and thousands more are injured or presumed dead. 

But Saada believes good can come out of the destruction and pain. 

“Despite the destruction that is taking place, I believe God has a purpose to get the Palestinians in Gaza (to) wake up and look at a different alternative to what they believe,” he explained.

Let us pray for revival among the people of Gaza. Rh

Amos 6:1 Woe to those who are at ease in Zion

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

Complacency is the enemy of the very progress that is needed in the Church today.

“The quest of Jesus Christ on the earth is greatly crippled by wrong notions of the sovereignty of God. God is sovereign, but in His sovereignty, He has limited Himself,” per Pastor Jack Hayford. You see many Christians believe, whether consciously or unconsciously, that God is in control of everything and will do what He wants, regardless of our involvement.  God works on earth through people. He needs our cooperation.

The Church of today loves it’s comforts. We like the songs of praise for past victories and even future ones.  Nothing wrong with that, but we need to understand that we as the body of Christ need to continue the good fight of faith. We live in the most decadent, immoral, narcissistic and compromising period in church history. The world has heard more sermons and seen more church services than ever before. Yet Apostacy is rampart in the world. The purpose of the Church is “to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places Ephesians 3:10″. We must stand tall and fight as if our very lives and our families lives depend upon the outcome of our activities. It does! Our nation is on the brink of disaster and most of the church still sings songs of victory without any battle scars. We need warriors for Christ. We must earnestly contend for the true faith. We must learn spiritual warfare and stand for what is right, not just what is almost right. 

We are running out of time. What Jesus has called you to do, do it quickly!

A final word for 2024, Don’t look to the prophets for what is going to happen in 2024, but go to God and make something happen.

I want to die with my hand around the sword (which is the Word of God). Eph. 6:17

Get Ready To Fly! Rh

Three Things for the Church

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

The Church is in business to do 3 things really well. Many churches in America and around the world may do one or two great but fall off on the other. The primary mission of the church is to make disciples. The last words of Jesus Mt. 28:18-20, were to go into all the world and make disciples. Teaching how to observe His commandments. Impacting the culture and healing the sick and hurting. Never has there been more hurt and confusion in the world than now. For the Church to be the Church these three must be done. For a further word of encouragement please click on the below link.

Despairing of Life

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

Doing my Bible reading this morning, I came across a text in 2 Corinthians 1:8 that got me thinking of present day Christians. Being an “old guy” I am not expecting the world to be all rosy and perfect. I understand living in the real world. I like to think I am a realist not a pie in the sky kind of person. However, I am a man of faith and have experienced God do great miracles and moved spiritual mountains for me. The text here talks of Paul despairing of life so much that he says he “had the sentence of death within ourselves,” even more he says “we would not trust in ourselves.” Can you imagine the great Apostle Paul feeling down and depressed? Not sure of where to turn or what decision to make? Makes me feel better. I have been there. Down and sad and not sure of my next decision.

Don’t be afraid of showing the Lord your feelings, he already knows. Life is tough and this present world is sick, but the Lord is a very present help in our time of need. He already knows our feelings and Jesus is touched by our pain. He stands ever ready to help us and comfort us.

Notice what Paul says next, “but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope.” When we place our hope in Jesus we will never lack or be disappointed.

Much of what I do with CCCoalition is outside the church and I have learned that the Lord is always present to help. Don’t give up, keep fighting, God will see you through it. Rh

Resurrection Sunday

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

Tomorrow is a red letter day in Christianity. We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and opened up a way into the Father. We believe that our sins are forgiven because of Jesus death on the cross. Innocent blood had to be shed to gain redemption and justification in God’s eyes.

Many may ask why is it important for Christ to rise from the dead. Paul answers this in 1 Corinthians 15:17 “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” He further states in verse 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. As Christians our blessed hope is to be with Christ in eternity.

May you have a joyous day in the Lord tomorrow on Resurrection Sunday. Celebrate Jesus!

Sanctuary or “Holy Place”

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

As I was reading in Ezekiel this morning I came to a powerful insight for us today. Ezek.11:16 talks about how God is dispersing Israel because of their sin and apostacy. But in the midst of that God tells them in v.16 that when they are driven out of Jerusalem, and scattered “He will be a little sanctuary (Holy Place) for them in the countries where they have gone”.

Powerful, even under the judgement of God, which I believe America is under at the present time, God always tempers with grace. Grace is divine favor or getting what we DON’T deserve! What a beautiful picture of the everlasting love of God.

If you are in a tough place this is not the time to give up. Reach out to the Lord, He is only a whispered prayer away. Rh