 Did you know that 27% of the Bible is prophecy? Prophecy was when God spoke through people to tell them what was coming. God spoke of events, judgments, etc. He also spoke about one of the most dramatic events that has, or ever will take place—the second coming of Jesus Christ. When you talk about the second coming, some people think everything bad thing that happens is a sign of His coming. Then others just yawn and mock the idea that the second coming of Christ could be near.
In my new preaching series, I’m going to use the Scriptures to clarify teaching on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I can, through the Scriptures, prove that we ARE in the “last days,” help you to have an understanding as to why all this turmoil in the Mideast, and what will be the outcome. If you need HOPE in these “last days,” I urge you to join us at Delphi First Assembly of God on Sundays at 10am.
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 Health, beauty, fitness, youthfulness—qualities that are sought after today. Our emphasis on these qualities seems to have lead our society to diminish the value of our older generation, who see these qualities fading. Yet, last Sunday at Delphi First Assembly we were able to bring focus, emphasizing the tremendous value of the “older” generation. They have “been through the fire” …and are still standing! They have so much to teach us! Leviticus 19:32 says, “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.” And the Apostle Peter admonishes, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders… be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble" 1 Peter 5:5. As you can see, the Scripture ties the fear of the Lord and humility to honoring, submitting to, and showing respect to the older generation. Twenty seven people, from age 70-96 years old sat in front of us as we called forward our young adults to love on them and pray for them. About a dozen of them had wise words to say to us. Such a special moment! May you be encouraged to be a blessing to an aging parent, grandparent, neighbor, or even one you are passing by today…and not just today, but every day!  Generation Impact: Honoring our Heritage August 2017  The concept of one-stop shopping has revolutionized how people get what they need. While there are still specialty stores, many people opt for going to the one big store where they can get most or all they are going to need in one place. Unfortunately, most people have not yet discovered that God has been offering them this all the time.
People search for happiness, joy, fulfillment, peace of mind, and love. They run here and there, from this person to that, buying this and that…and only temporarily finding the satisfaction for what they want or need. Jesus told us that when He ascended into heaven, He would not leave us as orphans, but would send the Holy Spirit, who would be with us and live in us forever! Later in the Scriptures, it says that the fruit of the Spirit (evidence of the Spirit being in us) would be love, joy, peace, etc. Therefore, when a person is born again—a spiritual birth called salvation, his continuing relationship with God becomes one-stop spiritual shopping. Need peace of mind? It comes by the Holy Spirit! Need joy (inner contentment)—it comes by the Holy Spirit! Need to be or feel loved, or have a greater capacity to love others—it comes by the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit (He) is the fulfillment of all you want or need! Why exhaust yourself by running here and there to temporarily get what cannot fulfill you, when through a relationship with God and the precious Holy Spirit you can be fully satisfied? Jesus describes this as “living water” so that you’ll never thirst again! My message on the Holy Spirit continues, as we learn the importance of the Holy Spirit to our everyday lives. Delphi First Assembly of God, 10am Sundays!  "Our present vision determines the future of the next generation." As God is stirring this thought in our hearts, we have looked around and found in our congregation, approximately FIFTY young adults in their 20s (a few younger, a few older). Wow! What an army this could be for the kingdom of God! It is our intention to give this generation every opportunity to fulfill the purposes that God has for them. Culture and society says live for the moment and look out for #1, but these young adults are going to march to the beat of a different drum! As they arise to serve God and others, they will lead the next generation into living for a purpose beyond their own. Many ideas and plans are in the making, which include several Sunday night services this summer, led by our young adults. But even if you are not a preacher or singer, but simply want to live for a higher purpose, please contact us!
 Seeing a bright full moon is an enjoyable experience. It looks awesome against the blackness of the sky. Yet we know this—the moon’s light is a reflection of the sun. God has designed that His followers would reflect His light, and shine bright in a dark world. I was reading 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) the other day. It says, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord…” In other words, to “reflect his glory,” we must first “see” His glory. Like a lunar eclipse, there are times that things get in our way, where we lose sight of the Lord. Troubles, trials, or circumstances can block our view of God. Relationship troubles overwhelm us and we lose sight of God—this results in discouragement, frustrations, and feelings of hopelessness and despair. However, if we can press in and maintain our “sight” of God…no matter how dark our world gets, we will receive His light(maintain confidence in His presence) and His light will reflect upon and through us for the benefit of others.
 My y friend, Evangelist Daniel Norris, writes, “There is more to this faith than what most have settled for. There is more than 60 minutes of church attendance a week. There is more than a four-song concert performed on a stage that we mislabel as worship. There is more than 35-minute self-help talks masquerading as sermons. There is even more than those small group gatherings that simply rehash the preacher’s weekend talking points. There is more!” Friends, there is more! There is the possibility of a living, dynamic, life-transforming relationship with the living Savior, Jesus Christ! Our country is far away from God, and lifeless so-called Christians attending lifeless “form of godliness” churches are much to blame. Wherever Jesus walked, He transformed lives. If we’re not seeing Jesus transform lives through our walk with God or our church, then we must evaluate, is He even there? Let’s not settle for anything less than Jesus came to give—wherever Jesus is…wherever the river flows, there is life!
 Great news! God has prepared you for fruitfulness! Your life matters! It has purpose! It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been. It doesn’t matter what people have said about you, or how many times you’ve failed. Jesus said, in the Gospel of John 15:5 & 8 (NIV) "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing…8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
God gets the glory when someone’s empty life is turned to fruitful! I believe that someone today needs to say, ‘enough is enough,’ and be done with empty living…drinking from a well that never satisfies. Let God graft you in to His Vine and watch the positive changes He will make! This coming Sunday, I will be preaching about this, and about how contentment is possible in all circumstances, as you live out your fruitful life! Delphi First Assembly of God, 9:30am! God bless! Or, watch live stream at http://www.delphifirst.org/livestream.html  “Testimony,” a word defined as evidence or proof of something; a public recounting of an experience. On Christmas Day 2016, a Sunday, three individuals gave testimony of the life-changing evidence of their personal encounter with God. To begin with, we interviewed a man, a rising band leader on the verge of signing a big contract, who through a series of events knew he needed God more. Another man describes in a humorous way, his personal journey of how God pursued him, and has changed not only his life, but his whole family! Finally, a 28 year old mother of four describes how God brought her a miraculous healing from Stage 4 cancer. Watch it at www.delphifirst.org/testimonies.html, be inspired, and know that God still changes lives!
 I arrived back at the office after lunch to find a young man and woman here to meet with me. I was not aware they were coming but they said they had an appointment with me. They were here to talk with me about supplemental insurance. I gave them 10 minutes. However, as we got to the supplemental cancer insurance part, I told them about my wife, Tammy’s diagnosis of Stage 4 cancer. It was at this point our conversation took a turn. As I told them about our trying year of 2015, I told them about God’s faithfulness! I shared the miracles and healings we have seen in the past 2½ years as well. Moved by the testimonies of healing, this young man asked me if I would pray for him. What a blessing!
During this time of fasting and prayer, I am learning that God will bring “divine appointments.” What began as an appointment about supplemental insurance, ended with an appointment about God’s assurance! Walking with the Lord is never boring!  It is obvious from Jesus’ words that one Christian discipline among His followers will be not just prayer, but fasting and prayer. In Matthew 6:16-17, He says, “when you fast…” Today, in an age where people are encouraged to not deny themselves what they desire, Jesus encourages us to deny ourselves one of life’s greatest desires—food, for a time-period to enhance a greater desire, a deeper relationship with Him. One author put it this way, “sometimes I get so hungry, I must fast!” Obviously, hunger here is a hunger for God, the things of God, for the Kingdom of God to come.
The majority of Americans are not following the Lord. The Church, to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission, needs the power of God and the character of God to “be His witnesses,” to those around us. So, let us humble ourselves before God. Let us be cleansed of sin and impurities. Let us be empowered! And may strongholds in our lives be broken, so that we can lead others to salvation and freedom in Christ. This 21-day fast, from January 9-January 29, is called for this purpose. Together, that His kingdom may come! Visit our 21-day fasting and prayer page for resources and devotions. |
AuthorPastor Brent Oliver grew up in Kokomo, Indiana and is an Ordained Minister through the Assemblies of God. Before embarking on God’s plan to establish a church in Delphi, Pastor Brent served in both Peru and Logansport, Indiana encompassing over 29 years of fulltime ministry. His vision and creativity has been the benchmark for the growing ministry at Delphi First and after 23 years, his passion and leadership could not be stronger. Archives
November 2018
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