Carmichael Times-Church News

Marlys Johnsen Norris (Life Message Workshops) Marlys Johnsen Norris believes strongly that every person has a Legacy worthy of writing and she has held workshops during 2006 to help people write them. Marlys is a published author of five books, one of which won Best Christian book from Northern California Publishers and Authors for 2003-2004.

The prophetic words of the Scriptures are recorded in Isaiah 53 telling mankind about the first coming of Jesus Christ. These now fulfilled, we are now awaiting the events of recorded Scriptures pertaining to His second coming. Many Biblical scholars tell us all indications suggest that it can happen at any time. Is the bride/church ready?

The question remains for each individual, are we ready? Our focus and affections should be so much on Christ and his sacrifice and provision for us--we can easily let loose of all earthly possessions. But can we? Have we become so materialistic we have also lost sight of our “first love” and our personal relationship with Him

We mistakenly live in the scope of the temporal and rarely think about the things that are eternal. As we approach the near time when Christ will return, we need to be diligent and ready ourselves for His coming and think more about the eternal. God’s word clearly tells us the “build-up our treasures in heaven” and that certainly does not mean the material things of this world. We build up treasures in heaven by the good deeds done to help and build-up others in their journey to know and love God with their heart and soul. We do not brag about our efforts but give God all the glory for what-ever happens.

Jesus can return at any time. In fact the Word of God tells us-- it will be “in a twinkling of an eye”--but in the meantime, we are to persevere and wait patiently. It is important to know exactly what we believe and live by those convictions with expectations, ready for His Second Coming.

When one lives without overcoming past hurts of an offended heart, every relationship they have is affected, including their personal relationship with God. Reliving and working up those offenses by gossiping about them add stress to ones life. Until a person has worked through them, reactions to those closest are often handled with angry attitudes that are off-base. It is important to put these hurts to rest. Scripture says “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverb 18:21)

When we are offended by someone and they know it, the words we desperately want to hear is, “I am sorry”. However it is often omitted from the offender’s vocabulary or possibly they do not know how to humbly implement this attitude. Holding on to these hurts opens ones heart for attacks of the enemy of our souls. He causes resentment to grow and give one a critical spirit when one has not yielded hurts into the care of Almighty God and let them go. So then, how can we overcome feelings and put these things in proper prospective in our lives?

If we desire to experience relief, renewed joy, peace and freedom; God’s Word tells us “to the measure we forgive others, we also will be forgiven”. Another place it says, “A man’s wisdom give him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverb 19:ll). Oh yes, this is a huge recipe for anyone and forgiveness is always a decision we must make to be in right relationship with God. And isn’t it a better way and more important to have our relationship with God restored by following the precepts He has set before us, than to hold onto those hurts? Let joy, peace and freedom reign in your heart!

Marlys Johnsen Norris LIFE MESSAGE WORKSHOPS “Intimacy Begins Going God’s Way” Marlysj@sbcglobal.net

Did you know that the Bible says that until the time of the flood it had never rained on earth? In Genesis 2, it says that the earth was watered by a mist that came up from the ground, kind of like dew in the morning. The whole atmosphere was different because it had never rained. Some scientists have explained that's probably why they lived longer in those days.

So here's Noah building an ark in the middle of the desert. People around him say, "Why are you doing that?" and he says, "Because it's going to rain." They say, "What's rain?" It didn't make sense. Not only had it never rained, but Noah was at least 500 miles from the largest body of water -- the Mediterranean Sea.

Can you imagine the ridicule Noah received from the town folk? The Bible says he preached for 120 years without a single convert! They all thought he was nuts! One of the real tests of faith in life is how do I follow God's will when I don’t see any progress. How do I follow God’s will when people criticize me? How do I follow His instructions even when they don’t make sense?

The key to being used by God is persistence. I bet there were many days that Noah hated to look at that ark. I bet there were weeks that he wanted to say, "I don't want to work on the ark anymore. I'm tired. I've done my duty." But he is the example of persistence, day in, day out, building, nailing, tar papering... whatever. For 120 years! Noah never gave up. One of the reasons why God does not use many people is because they give up too soon. There are many things that will tempt you to give up, but here are two big ones:

Question: What are you tempted to give up on? Have problems got you down? Have pressures become too much for you? Have people misunderstood or criticized you? God wants to say, “Don’t give up! Hang in there even when there's a delay; even when you don’t see any progress.” One of the tests of faith is how long you can wait. Do you keep on keeping on? Would you say, "Lord, help me to be a persistent person, not to cop out, not to drop out, but to keep on keeping on, doing the things that I know are right even when I don't feel like it. God, I want to follow You as much as I know how.” Pastor Ray

Calvin and Lisa Wulf

Do not run until your feet are bare and your throat is dry. But you said, "It's no use! I love foreign gods, and I must go after them." Jeremiah 2:25 (NIV)
The alarm clock rings, "Time to get up."
The grandfather clock chimes, "Time to go to work."
The computer beeps, "Time for your next appointment."
The time clock punches, "Time to go home."
The microwave dings, "Time for dinner."
The cuckoo clock sings, "Time for bed."

We live on the clock. It tells us when to go out and when to come in. We either try to beat the clock or kill time. So the pressure mounts. We juggle our lives to keep as many clocks in the air as possible. If one should fall, the whole system shatters

Ever notice that the clock is often the focal point of a room? It's given an honored place on the mantel. Even churches aren't immune. The cross used to be center stage. Today many sanctuaries have no cross but there's a clock in the back so the preacher can get us out on time.

Jesus never said, "Hurriest thou for we are late!" We don't see him rushing around. Yet he accomplished everything that was necessary. That's because he fixed his eyes on the Father, his compass, and not on the clock. Let's get real. Time consciousness fuels our modern world so we can’t eliminate clock tyranny altogether. But we can make better use of our compass. God gives us all the time we need to do what he has for us. Want to stop dividing life into seconds and minutes? Here's how:

Does your wristwatch have you by the throat? Perhaps now is the time to stop juggling and let your timepieces fall to the ground. Don't let clock worship eclipse God's plan for your life. Free up your hands and eyes to follow the one true compass.

Living for God (TM) offers resources on Christian living. Check them out at www.livingforgod.net or call (719) 578-8837.

Christian Newswire -- Kohath Ministries announced today the launch of its new Bible-study series, "REAL LIFE: Living in Abundance." Contrasting all the daily messages of uncertainty in the world, this study teaches Christians to look past their circumstances and make biblical choices that improve their lives

The basis for the "REAL LIFE" series lies in John 10:10, in which Jesus said, "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."(AMP)

Jack Cohen, pastor and co-founder of Kohath Ministries, said, "You don't have to look far today to find people living less than full and abundant lives. Just dealing with the issues of each day can steal our joy and rob us of peace. But this passage in John is clear. Jesus came to free us from our burdens and give us abundant life here and now. That's what 'REAL LIFE' is all about."

The study is made up of a series of topics that people deal with every day - love, fear, pain, failure, trust. Participants spend four weeks exploring each topic, not only in the reference to the Bible but also in how those topics play out in their own lives. "So many Bible studies focus on teaching you something," said Jill Cohen, co-founder of Kohath Ministries, "but the purpose of 'REAL LIFE' is more than that. This study is designed to not only teach participants but also to enable them to experience something meaningful - the life-changing power of God."

The first two topics in the series have already been released, and more topics are to be available soon. Topic No. 1, "Life Is A Pain," deals with the realities of pain in life and the keys to finding joy and peace in the midst of it. Topic No. 2, "Love Life," redefines love and seeks to improve human love relationships with God and others.

"The Bible says God has a plan for each of our lives, but when the daily distractions of life come in, they can prevent us from seeing it," said Jack Cohen. "It is our prayer that this study series will help people break the barriers that hold them back and enable them to experience the 'REAL LIFE' that God intends." For more information, visit Amazon.com (search for "Kohath Ministries") or call 302-438-2473.

Kohath Ministries Incorporated is headquartered in Hockessin, Del., and led by Jack Cohen and Jill Cohen, brother and sister founders.

Consider with me the life situation of Adam and Eve. You will find their story in the first book of the Bible, the book of Genesis, Chapters 2-3. Take it literally or symbolically but either way there is a message about living with constant temptation. You see, as the story is told, there is a lush garden in which Adam and Eve resides along with all the animals. In that “Garden of Eden” they have everything they need for life and happiness. In amongst all the flora and fauna, God the Creator, points out to Adam and Eve two trees. God says one is the tree of life and the other is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now if you have heard this story you know what happened. Eve was tempted by the serpent and she ate some of the fruit from the second tree and shared it with Adam who also ate. They yielded to temptation and incurred eternal consequences.

I, being the son of missionaries, have heard this story since childhood. It was only this past year that I came to understand a new truth from that story. It is a truth that speaks deeply to me about living in a culture of constant temptation. You see, there is no time reference between the moment God showed them the two trees and gave them warning and the moment when Adam and Eve took that fateful bite. So this was their real life situation. They lived every day in between the two trees. The forbidden fruit was there waving in the gentle breeze day in and day out. It caught their eye; it beckoned them; even after the sun went down they fantasized about the tree.

How many days or years went by with Adam and Eve living in a state of constant temptation, living between the two trees? We can only speculate. The day came when they both succumbed to the temptation and the rest is history.

Here is my point. Before Adam and Eve’s first sin they lived with constant temptation.

All those who adhere to religious faith and who seek to live spiritually and morally fit lives need to realize this Biblical reality. Metaphorically, we too live constantly between these two trees. There will always be some person, some material object, or some bit of information that bears the lure and enticement of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. That tree never dies! Living in isolation won’t help, neither will following the injunction of Jesus “if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out …! (Matthew 5:29-30) You can run away from sexual temptation like Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:12) but another temptation waits just around the corner. There are a host of offensive and defensive actions taught in the Bible to help the spiritually devout stay devout Ephesians 6:10-18. Avail yourself of every means to resist temptation. But accept the truth that today and every day we live between two trees, which “tree” are you focused on today?

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