Hospital Visit: Dos and Don'ts. A Pastoral Care Note: Fort- Bend Church Presentation

Dos

Be cheerful and make pleasant conversation that focuses on the patient.     NB: You can visit by silence, - Ministry of presence 1.    None verbal communication. 2.    Body language, i.e., touch, nodding etc.

Display concern for the patient’s illness and respect for his or her feelings.

·         Don’t draw parallelism. “My brother had the same problem, unfortunately he died.”

·        
Acknowledge patients feelings. Avoid saying, “I Know” instead, say “I understand.”

Watch for doors that lead to the feeling level of communication and be alert for negative feelings.

Shape the tone and substance of your conversation from cues, verbal and nonverbal, offered by the patient;

1.    Has the patient signed off?

2.    “I am ready”

3.    “I want to go home” DIE?

4.    “I am ok”  “I know I have a few days to life but I am OK”

Listen attentively and be empathetic.

·         Give patient time to talk

·         Eye contact is very important

·         Avoid starring in every corner of the room.

Take notice of what is not said as much as what is said.

·         Body language

·         Eye contact

·         Emotions, i. e tears, sadness, etc

·         Sighs, heavy breath taking…

Share Scripture and prayer; ask the patient if she/he has special needs as you prepare to pray. 

·         Listen for special “unusual needs”

Don’ts

Don’t tell the patient unpleasant news including your troubles.

·         How good the sermon was on Sunday – unless the patient asks.

·         This visit is not about you, it is about the patient

Don’t whisper when talking to relatives or medical staff in the patient’s room.

Don’t assume a comatose patient cannot hear.

·         Great percentage of patients in comatose hear and are aware of the surrounding

What is the purpose of a church visit to the hospital? Here are a few:

1. To share Christ with those who do not know Him (goodwill ambassador)
2. To express Christian love to a person who may be afraid, discouraged, or lonely (fellowship and love)
3. To show friendship to a member of the Body of Christ (relational development)
4. To offer the encouragement of the Scriptures and prayer (spiritual edification)
5. To affirm that the church family is there to support the person (sympathy, empathy and solidarity)
6. To minister to the person and family in times of death, fear and uncertainty (emotional, spiritual and psychological support via one's presence); although theologically questionable, to many people the presence of a pastor psychologically and emotionally symbolizes the presence of God's care.
7. Rewarding people who have faithfully served our church by honoring them with some attention (recognition) when they feel vulnerable. Though this may sound trite, relationships are built around reciprocity.

Needs of the Dying

Spend their last days with their loved ones

Remain in control of their decisions

Be treated with respect

Have their spiritual/personal views respected

Be treated with compassion and kindness

Die with dignity

Religious support for dying and grieving Pastoral care services

Provide meaningful support and guidance for dying people and their families and caregivers. 

At the end of people's lives:

·         Represent the congregation in conveying a community of support.

·         Help individuals discuss their feelings and beliefs about death.( Case: “I am dying and I am unhappy about it)”

·         Discussions about an individual's relationship with God or any need for spiritual guidance and direction. Forgiveness, repentance, etc

·         Emotional and social support , including visits, calls, and check-ins

Case # 1

The case of a patient (mother) who wanted to die and repeatedly said she was ready, but the daughter, the only child was praying for healing

Case # 2

Case of a 98 year old female who was praying that God may “take her “but the family was praying that she recovers. Two of her children were praying that she live two more years to make it 100.

Case # 3

Case of a faithful church member who had stayed in hospital for many months, he became tied of being sick and being in hospital. He asked the church not to pray for his getting better for he was ready to die.

Walking in Water, Illuminating Our Spirits. Matthew 14:22-33. Part One

After feeding the five thousand Jesus “made the disciples get into the boat and go to the other side, while He sent the crowd away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone” (Matthew 14:22-23). 

Matthew does not give us a reason for Jesus sending the disciples to the other side of the lake and hastily breaking up of the crowds. However, In John 6:15 we are told that the crowds were about to take Jesus by force and make Him a king, to avoid this Jesus immediately scattered the people and sent away the disciples, lest they should join with them. Jesus went to a solitary place to pray. 

Although the disciples were doing what Jesus had commanded them to do they were battling a storm. Like the disciples who were battling this storm there are times in our lives when we are obeying the command of the Lord we encounter storms, obstacles. We may not understand the reason for the obstacles; however, Jesus has a purpose in permitting the obstacles. In this incident, Jesus will manifest Himself in a way that will be greater than the stilling of the storm. In the miracle of the stilling of the storm, Jesus was in the boat with the disciples, but now He is not with them. 

The example set before us in the introduction of the miracle, though the wind was contrary and the boat battered by the waves the disciples did not turn around and come back to the shore but was attempting to go to the other side of the lake, as Jesus commanded them. Here is an important lesson, though we may encounter troubles and difficulties in fulfilling the mission in life Jesus has given us they must not drive us from it; but through the midst of them we must press forwards. 

Here is the good news, Jesus going to the aid of the disciples walking on the water reveals His sovereign dominion over all the creatures; they are all under his feet, and at His command. 

It is not necessary to ask how this was done, whether by hardening of the surface of the water or by suspending the gravitation of His body. Jesus walking on the water proves his divine power, for it is God's prerogative to “trend on the waves of the sea” (Job 9:8). It is the same power that made iron to swim (2 Kings 6:6). Jesus can do whatever He pleases to save His people. 

In verse 26, we are told of the reaction to the appearance of Jesus; the disciples were terrified and said, “It is a ghost.” At the time of this account of Jesus walking on water, all except the Sadducees, whose doctrine Christ had warned His disciples against, generally believed in the existence and appearance of spirits. The deliverance from troublesome and dangerous situations is sometimes the occasions of trouble and perplexity to God's people. The perplexing, disquieting fears of God’s people arise from their mistakes and misapprehensions concerning Christ, His person, and offices. The source of the disciples fear could be they believed some evil spirit raised the storm. 

In verse 27, we are told Jesus silenced their fears by making Himself known. He does not name Himself, as He did to Paul, “I am Jesus.” All that was necessary for the disciples to recognize who was approaching them was the sound of His voice.

Note the words of Jesus to the disciples, first He tells them “Take courage.” If Christ's disciples cannot be cheerful in a storm, it is their own fault. Second. Jesus told them who it is who is coming to them in their present situation. Third, ‘do not be afraid.” In other word, “Be not afraid of me, now that you know it is I; surely you will not fear, for you know I mean you no hurt." Here is the good news; Christ will not be a terror to those to whom He manifests Himself. What is Jesus telling the disciples in the boat and us in our present situations? “Do not be afraid of the situations you find yourself in, though threatening; do not fear them, while I am so near you. I am He that concerns Himself for you, and will not stand by and see you perish.” Note nothing needs be a terror to those that have Christ near them, and know He is theirs; not even death itself: To continue on part two...

Work Cited:

• Henry's Matthew Commentary to the whole Bible
• Holman Concise Bible Commentary and Dictionary
• Commentary on The Gospels - John Lightfoot
• RSV bible

Check part two in is this series above :)

THE BUCKET LIST - LET'S GAVE IT A TRAIL.

Have you watched this movie? If not I recommend that you watch it regardless of where you are in your life stage. It is about a rich man (Edward) Jack Nicholson and a poor man (Carter) Morgan Freeman, who meet in an unusual place and became best friends. They develop a plan of doing interesting things before their demise which was ultimately coming soon.

Before they developed the BUCKET LIST both men have nothing in common except for their terminal illnesses, both had terminal cancer. While sharing a hospital room together, they decide to leave it Hospital) and do all the things they have ever wanted to do before they die according to their bucket list. In the process, both of them “heal” each other, become unlikely friends, and ultimately find “joy” in life.

Both Edward and Carter become friends as they undergo their respective treatments. Carter is a gifted amateur historian and family man who had wanted to become a history professor, but in his youth had been "broke, black, and with a baby on the way" and thus never rose above his job at the McCreath body shop. Edward is a four-times-divorced healthcare tycoon and cultured loner who “enjoys” nothing more than tormenting his personal valet/servant, Matthew, whom he calls Thomas. He makes Matthew serve Carter as well as him and orders his employee and doctor (Morrow) to familiarize himself with Carter's health.

Carter begins writing a list of things to do before he dies hence he calls it THE BUCKET LIST. After hearing he has less than a year, Carter folds the list carelessly and tosses it on the floor. Edward finds it the next morning. He urges Carter to do everything on the list, suggesting he add things like skydiving and offers to finance the trip. Which he did. Carter agrees, despite the protests of his wife, Virginia who thought that Jack is misleading Carter for his own gain. At some point Virginia is seen storming the hospital room shouting to Jack “ My husband is not for sale.”

In this moving movie both Edward and Carter are see in around-the-world vacation, embarking on race car driving, skydiving, climbing the Pyramids, and going on a lion safari in Africa. Both discuss a rare coffee and its unusual taste. Which sounds out of place based on the theme of the movie, but a keen ear and mind will understand it to mean their relationship with their families. They also confide about faith and family, revealing that Carter has long been feeling less in love with his wife and that Edward is deeply hurt by his estrangement with his only daughter, who disowned him after he sent some people to "take care of" her abusive husband hinting at physical assault, but ruling out murder. At this point the movie turns to be a pity to both of Edward and Carter.

One of the items in the list was to visit places like Hong Kong. While in Hong Kong Edward hires a prostitute for Carter, who has never had sex with any woman but his wife. Carter declines and asks to return home, and reciprocates by trying to reunite Edward with his daughter. Edward angrily storms off. Carter returns home to his wife, children, and grandchildren. The return home for Carter was short lived. Carter suffers a seizure and is rushed to the hospital where he dies during surgery. The cancer has spread to his brain. However before he dies Edward visit him in his hospital bed and they both are seen having light moment, which accomplished an item in the list, “laugh till I cry"

At Carter’s memorial service, Edward delivers a eulogy, explaining that he and Carter had been complete strangers, but the last three months of Carter's life were the best three months of his (Edward's). We see Edward crossing off "help a complete stranger for a common good" from the list. We see Edward finally attempt to reconcile with his daughter. She not only accepts him back into her life but also introduces him to the granddaughter he never knew. After greeting the little girl with a kiss on the cheek, Edward crosses "kiss the most beautiful girl in the world" off the list.

In the epilogue, we learn that Edward lived until the age of 81, and his ashes were buried in the top of the Himalayas Mountains. It turns out that Matthew, Edward’s servant is the one who places Edward's ashes alongside a can containing Carter's ashes, he crosses off the last item on the List "witness something truly majestic" and places it beside the remains of both Carter and Edward.

Both seemed to be happy with their endeavor to fulfill the list.

Critique: Both have terminal cancer with Carter having only one year to live. In the movie they don’t look sick people apart from the short time seen in the hospital. Edward is in remission, however his health improves daily. We don’t see him (Edward) going for checkups by his doctor which would be the case of cancer patients in remission. However it is only a movie.

In the opening of this summery I suggested that if you have not seen this movie, you make efforts to do so. It is an eye opener to doing all the things we would love to do in this life. Life is short, but if well lived there will be no regrets. Should one be sick to write a BUCK LIST? No.

This movie was suggested to me by a patient whom I was visiting, (Name and place withheld). He had watched the movie a few hours before I visited and he had his bucket list ready by the end of movie. I could remember one of the items in his list was to drive a truck (18 Wheeler) across the US. Unfortunately he died before he did this. However, he gave it a trial. The same with each one of us, let’s give it a trail and have our BUCK LIST.

Doing Good, Doing Better - Mission for a Miracle

What are the benefits of short-term mission trips? Who should be going on mission? What are the disadvantages of going on a Medical mission trip? It is time for me to soliloquy, these thoughts as I prepare to wide up a two weeks medical mission in Nakuru - Kenya. At the moment I am in the comfort of my Guest house thinking about what we as a group have accomplished. Based on the many needs and the problems people have, I kind of think that we have done very little. However, little here little there equals to too much.

In this group are; one doctor and six nurses all of whom have variety of qualifications and specialties. Two of the nurses are forensic nurses, three are women specialty, and one is a general practice nurse working with children. Many people who go on medical mission trips with our team are not medical doctors or nurses. One can go on a trip in a support role like I did as a chaplain and organizer.

Those going on our medical missions have to make arrangements to have someone on call, take care for patients while one is gone. During these medical missions one is giving up income while he or she is gone. There are expenses of going...time away from family. Much of this is true for anyone who goes on our medical missions to Africa.

What are the benefits? You will use the skills you were trained to use. You will have to connect with people and provide what care you can. You won't get bogged down with insurance, h.m.o's, prescription plans, etc.

You can have the opportunity to practice medicine in a different context, and the opportunity to help save many lives. Lives that could have perished if no one make this trip a reality. Skip one of the nurses in this group said; “I never have seen so many patients in such s short time.” This trip was so successful that the group managed to see over 35,000 patients in 9 days. Because of time constraints, the number of people who need health care, and a variety of issues you see, there is a sense of immediacy and urgency, in doing a follow up trip in the near future.

What are other benefits when you join a medical mission trip with us? A better understanding of what it is like in other countries. You realize that other countries and cultures are different. Having lived in the US for close to 10 years today, I have learned that many people have not been outside of the US, which makes their world view different from others who have traveled on missions. This because US is a developed country unlike third world countries. While on missions you will learn that other people have different ways of looking at life and doing things. Your thinking will expand to consider other ways of doing things which you never have before.

This will help you to have a better understanding of people and their universal needs. You will find out that people, though they may look different, are the same all over the world. They have the same feelings, hopes, and desires -- they are human just like you are. Pastor Kelvin McFelin who was on our medical mission on support role exclaimed on arriving at the Airport of exit, “Kei, ( referring to me) why didn’t you tell me there are so many black people here.” Apparently Pastor Kelvin happened to be an African America visiting Kenya for the first time on medical mission and he was thrilled that are many Black people in Kenya. Isn’t that something?

Finally when you join a medical mission you will have more empathy for missionaries and the problems they face. When you experience it, you know what it is like. You will have a greater compassion and concern and be more likely to help. A greater appreciation for what you have at home. Most people will have a more thankful attitude, and less desire to complain about their life, after a mission trip. Most of us have felt sorry for ourselves over insignificant things. We are more apt to realize this after seeing what people in other places face.

If you would like updates on these medical mission trips, please let us know so that we can help you be part of mission for a miracle, something that will charge your life and your view of the world in general.

Our Second mission for the year 2011 is under way in September.

Priesthood of all believers. A personal Doctrinal Believe

Recently a close relative of mine received a prayer cloth from a self styled bishop with prayer requests. In return the bishop requested that the cloth be returned to him and he will pray for the requests. What made me doubt the need for the bishop to want to pray for my relative was the request he made. In his letter in which the cloth was enclosed, the bishop asked my relative to enclose send the cloth back to him with $ 35.00. His implication was that he, as a minister, was closer to God than ordinary Christians like my relative. Therefore God would hear him and grant the requests.

This self styled bishop was offering to act as an intermediary between God and those who would write to him. I am sure he also expected “Seed planting” to be sent along with the prayer requests. A couple of years ago I was invited by a self-proclaimed charismatic "apostle" to come under his apostolic convention. He also like the bishop was offering to be my intermediary between God and I, pointing that he will pray for me during the convention and God will answer to my long awaited prayers. I declined this offer very gracefully since I believe in the priesthood of all believers. Needless to say I am an ordained minister of the word which he did not recognize. I am sure he also hoped to get some money for this apostolic service!

The biblical doctrine of the priesthood of all believers is not practiced by many churches, in fact it is denied by many Protestant churches. This denial is based on the assumption that ordinary believers in Christ are not good enough to approach God and that they need an intermediary to look after them for a fee. Thus there is money to be made in evangelical popery today just as it was in the middle Ages through the sale of indulgences. See my article under “LUTHER DVD SUMMERY” As long as there is little sharing of the word of God, self styled “Evangelists” will thrive in the soil of evangelical ignorance. It is a shame.

The doctrine of the priesthood of all believers opposes the unbiblical doctrine of sacerdotalism (acerdotalism is belief that priests act as mediators between God and humans) When Martin Luther the reformer posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church of Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, he was declaring war against the idea that salvation was mediated through the priesthood via the sacraments. His theses were anti-sacerdotalistic1 and spoke against the theology that ex opere operato supernatural life could be created through baptism, brought to growth by confirmation, nourished by the Mass, and healed of all diseases by penance and extreme unction. Luther rejected the idea that through sacraments a priest could control an individual's life both here and hereafter. According t the Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Sacerdotalism is the idea that a propitiatory sacrifice for sin must be offered by the intervention of an order of men separated to the priesthood. This system of the priesthood is taught in the OT

In Christ every Christian is a son of God. Clothed in Christ's righteousness, a Christian comes to God the Father directly. As a royal priest, he serves God in gratitude for his salvation all his life. He is anointed by the Holy Spirit, (1 Cor. 12:7) and in the Anointed One, he functions as prophet, priest and king. (1 Pet. 4:10). A Christian is free from the tyranny and yoke of mediating priests, self styled bishop, apostles, evangelists and the like. He recognizes Jesus Christ alone as his Mediator and High Priest whose sacrifice alone has ushered him into God's presence. Everyone is given grace, everyone is a priest, and everyone must serve God as a priest together with all others. Sacrificial service to God results from enlightenment from the Scripture and is empowered by the Holy Spirit and performed in relation to Christ's church. The Bible says: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). It does not say, "Look to the priesthood and the church." As a royal priesthood, then, may we live and die in the presence of God knowing that it is by Grace that we are brought closer to God

Work Cited:

1. Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield, Studies in Theology, Vol. 9 (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981), 485.
2. 
   Luther's Primary Works , ed. Henry Wace and C. A. Bucheim (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1896), 399
3. The Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Web Pages. No date. No Publisher. Not relaible.
4. NIV Bible

Hospital "Blessing of Hands" rite gives spiritual boost to its employees

Many received blessings at OakBend Medical Center Hospital Wednesday, but the focus fell not on the patients but on the doctors, nurses and staff members.

This preceded Ash Wednesday, with the chaplain providing "Blessing of Hands" an event that brings the opportunity for recognition for the many who work quietly to help heal patients.

The occasion began with a prayer, a hymn “Blessed Assurance Jesus is mine”, followed by scriptural reading from Matthew 28:19ff.

There were different faith represented and various denominations. The chaplain held the hands of each attendee (those who heal the sick) and blessed each of them individually. They too need renewal and affirmation. The chaplain blessed the hands of healers who touch many people.

One of the participant said, "It actually puts a very relaxed feeling with what you're doing, and it kind of gives you the inspiration for the rest of the year." This participant appreciated the ceremony of Blessing of Hands, hence giving it meaning, “A Spiritual encounter for staff.”

After the ceremony there's that spirit that helps heal you to know that you can go forward and you can take care of others, that no matter what you're facing, that you actually have gentle hands to take care of patients with, making you an instrument of Gods healing through touch. This “come and go” celebration of service has become very important to the hospital staff at OakBend medical Center for the last three years.

There have been some studies that people who have had their hands blessed or have been blessed, they do well and their patients do well. For the chaplain (the blogger) it's kind of a privilege to be here, to do the Blessing of Hand ceremony with the staff. They feel appreciated and valued as they provide care to patients. In the prayer the chaplain mentioned to each, that the hospital appreciates what each one of them is doing. After the ceremony the chaplain felt blessed too.

For me as chaplain to see the chapel full with health care providers coming for Blessing of hands, is to know that spirituality is being recognized as a necessary part of medical care. I saw a lot of new faces and of course old once (regulars on Wednesday chapel service) and that touch my heart, that I can touch the hearts of many.

Each year, this "Blessing of Hands" becomes more popular with both the caregivers and the interfaith representatives and OakBend Medical Center attending.

Concerning Knowledge and Foods. 1Corinthian 8: 1- 13

I asked my Sunday school class whether there are foods that Christians are forbidden to eat, and the answer was a straight no from over 7 responders. Do we have foods forbidden for Christians not to eat?

The simple answer to this question is of course there is, or at least there was. Ask any Christian, however, and their initial answer to this question will probably be an unqualified no. Since everyone in the group purports to believe that the bible is the word of God the No answer was illogical an unconceivable according to me. Lev 11:4

However, that’s the culturally sensitive answer you will get from most Christians. They seem to ignore the fact that it was the eating of prohibited food that perpetrated the fall of man. Adam thought it alright to do as he please and ignore God’s instruction and eat the forbidden fruit (.Genesis 2:16-17). The consequence of his decision has affected all of mankind. In this post biblical age, “Arise Peter slay and eat”, has become the mantra of most Christian churches. It is no secret that Christians love to eat and they will eat whatever food that is before before them and ask no question for conscious sake. Prov. 23:21, Luk.21:34

At some point in its history the Christian church decided to ignore God’s instruction in regards to forbidden foods. The consequence of this decision is that we are now faced with modern day diseases such as obesity, hypertension, COPD, and certain types of cancer including lung, colon-rectal, esophageal, and liver that can be directly connected to our dietary habits. The bible teaches a healthy wholesome and sound lifestyle, which also include good dietary habits. Of course you wouldn’t know it by the way church folk eat, for nothing is out of plate for them.

God’s dietary instructions (Lev 11:13-20) are as important to his people today as they were in the Garden of Eden. Adam caused death to pass unto all men by the very act of eating food which God had instructed him not to eat. This simple fact ought to cause any God fearing person to pause when it comes to choosing what foods to eat. The almost always forgotten and seldom mentioned is the quantity of food we consume gluttony (Deut 21:20) or surfeiting is also forbidden by God. In the quest for a healthy diet how much we eat is of the uppermost importance, even above what we eat.

Why God would forbid any kind of food I don’t know. But according to the bible He did. Christian churches teach that the food laws of the bible are more or less done away with. Thus producing a culture in the church of “arise Peter slay and eat”. Acts 10:13. Are there God forbidden foods?

The question came about as I moderated through the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians chapter Eight. Paul did not say that Christians should not eat meat. He was advising young Christians in Corinth not to eat foods that will become an obstacle to young believers. Paul makes the principle clear, 1 Corinthians 8:13. Our actions can never be based just on what we know to be right for ourselves; we also need to consider what is right in regard to our brothers and sisters in Jesus. This however does not mean that Paul is advocating eating of all foods including the forbidden, NO. God’s criterion for eatable meat is the animal must have split hooves and chew a cud. This being said, I believe strongly that there are foods that Christians are not supposed to eat. They (we) eat them anyway.

Christian Talk and Use of the Tongue - A Christian Viewpoint

We’re talking about something this morning that all of us do every single day. We all talk. Some of us more than others, but many times a day, we breathe air into our lungs and push it through our vocal chords and produce sound waves that our mouths and tongues shape into phonics that we call language. Verbal human expression is a marvel. A mental concept in our mind can be translated into sound waves that convey that concept through the air and into the ear canal and eardrum and down the auditory nerve to the brain so that the concept in my brain becomes a concept in someone else’s brain. Speech is a wonder and we do it every day thousands of times. According to studies, the average man speaks 12,000 words per day. The average woman speaks 30,000 words per day.

One husband was reading about this statistic in the paper and noted to his wife that the average woman speaks twice as many words per day as the average man. The wife replied, That’s because we have to repeat everything twice. The husband said, What? The book of James revolves around two primary motifs, Christian walk and Christian talk.

True saving faith shows its own reality by doing good works. Like heat to fire, good works always go with true saving faith. Anybody feel some heat this week?

One category of faithproducing good works is speech. Talk. The words that I say; the way I use my tongue and the incredible power it has to do good or to destroy. How many tongues do you have? One would seem to be the right answer, but in reality, we all have many tongues. James is going to describe four tongues in 3:112.

The Teaching Tongue (Verses 12)

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. What teachers is he talking about? He is talking about the role of pastor/teacher in the local church. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Ephesians 4:1112)

The risen Christ has given spiritual empowerments/gifts to His Church for it to grow spiritually. The most public of those gifts is the gift of teaching and preaching. Teaching entails someone with spiritual understanding of God’s Word communicating that truth to Christians in ways they can both understand and apply to their lives. Good teaching and good teachers are a source of tremendous spiritual blessing to a church. A teaching tongue has tremendous influence. The church at Jerusalem began with the teaching of Peter and the other Apostles. The church at Antioch listed their five main teachers in Acts 13:1, including Barnabas and Saul. Where there are good and godly teachers, there you find spiritual vitality in the church.

Work cited:

1. The new Bible commentary- Lews and Burnes(Editors)

2. Henery Matthews

3. New Revised Stardard Version- Bible

The Disorder of worldly culture among Believers(Part one) -1 Corinthians Chapter 5: 1- 8

Bible study at friendship Church sunday January 23/211.9:30am-9 attendees: dialogue with modoration - the bloger.
Aim: Teach christian morality.

Many Christians and their contemporary churches are just as worldly as the surrounding culture, except that they practice their worldliness in the name of Jesus -- thinking and saying one thing while doing another. This is not how things should be. Christians are to be actively involved in the centers of human culture, influencing those centers with biblical values and practices. Christians are to influence the centers of culture, not be influenced by them. The difference is critical and has proven to be difficult to accomplish.

The classic formulation is for Christians to be in the culture but not of the culture, to live in its midst without being caught up in it, without being defined by it, without finding their identity in it. Unfortunately, too many people today are in the church and of the world. They have it backwards. They are caught up in a baptized version of popular culture through without realizing that there is not much difference between those who covet sin a little and those who covet sin a lot.

This is the primary mechanism that drains Christianity of its strength in our day. People think that they are Christian because they "walked the aisle," or because they go to church, or because they grew up in the church. The world and the church are awash in a kind of logical disconnect, where people say they believe in something but act as if they don't -- except possibly sometimes at church. At church they dress their secular beliefs in Christian clothes. They believe those who teach that church and God and religion are fine, but must not mix with government, politics or the work place, that it is wrong to practice Christianity if someone objects to it. But this flies in the face of the biblical created order.

In God's culture Adam was created before Eve, and she was created differently, by a different process, a derivative process, and to function in a different role. Adam, the man, had greater responsibility because he was created first and given a job. Eve was to be his helper. So, his greater responsibility required greater authority. Sinful women have envied Adam's position of authority over the years, thinking him to have been more important or of a higher status in God's eyes. That's not the way that God sees it, but it is the way that sinful people see it. Women (and others) have striven for equality without understanding that their claim to equality is based on the presumption that they know more than God, who created them, or that they are more moral than God, who did not institute the kind of equality that sinners want.

The following facts are evident in 1 Corinthians chapter 5:
It was common knowledge that there was sexual immorality going on in the Corinthian church. Vs 1-2.
Sexual immorality had been pretty much a way of life for these people before they were converted, and they evidently didn't see anything terribly wrong with it.One church member was living in sin with either his mother or step-mother, and the brethren were tolerating it.

• At times, tolerance can be downright treason.Paul rebuked them for not mourning over this tragedy. See James 4:9 and Psalms 51:17.

• Paul's heart had been broken by this corruption, 2 Corinthians 2:4. Paul judged the man guilty, as his sin was common knowledge and orders him to be dismissed from the church.

Work cited-Herny Matthews commentary, Hoffmans commentary on 1 Corinthians, New International Version Bible.

Watch for part 2 on: The Disorder of Mixing the World with the Church – 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

Healing through the Word. October 3/2010 at AG-Church(Friendship)

The healing anointing is manifested in several ways and we can see it in the scripture as healing through the Word. Psalm 107:20 says,

• “He sent his word, and healed them.” Whenever the Word of God is spoken in faith from the lips of a believer, then God’s healing power is activated.

• Jesus often spoke the word and many were healed.

Remember the story of the centurion who came to Jesus seeking healing for his servant? The centurion said to Him, “Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

• (Matthew 8:8, 9). Jesus said that had not found so great faith in all of Israel. The centurion’s servant was healed when Jesus spoke the word.

God's Word Is Christian Faith's Highest Authority

We believe that God's Word is Christian faith's highest authority, and thus Christian faith's guiding principles and doctrine must be examined and evaluated in the light of God's Word. (2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Tim. 3:16).

The Power of God's Word

If there is anything our generation of Christians needs to ponder and experience anew it is the power of God's Word. For only when we seize and are seized by the Word of God do we know the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe (Eph. 1:19). And only when our faith stands in God's power do we discover what the Word of God really is (1 Cor. 2:5).

God’s word is spoken of in Proverbs 4: 22 as being medicine to all our flesh. The word of God is the most powerful medicine available today, and it is capable of bringing lasting healing to every part of our lives without negative side effects

God’s Word is unchanging and eternal

According to Jesus, the content and the message of the Word of God does not change along with changes in the world. God's Word is always timely. Heb. 6:13-18

Jesus Christ was existing in the beginning as the Word of God. He was being with God and He was being God (John 1:1-2). Jesus is called the WORD of God because He is the fullest and most precise expression of Who God Is.

• In order to distinguish God's healing from other forms of 'healing ministry', it is vital to acknowledge that Jesus is the healer at all times (Isa 53.4; Mat 8.17).

Exploring a Christian- 1 Corinthians Chapter 3

The Christian's relationship to God is described by several metaphors in the Bible. One is seeing a Christian as a child of God. "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together Romans 8:16ff. As children of God, we then have the right to inherit from our Father.

Paul speaks to the Corinthians in chapter 3 as unto men who were still in great measure carnal (Vs 1-4) as unto babes in Christ - Still weak in grace, though eminent in gifts. 1 Corin 1:15. Paul says "flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God". Men may have much doctrinal knowledge, yet be mere beginners in the life of faith and experience. But it is to be lamented, that many who should walk as Christians, live and act too much like other men. The Corinthians show themselves to be yet carnal, by vain-glorious strife, eagerness for dispute, and readiness to despise and speak evil of others.

Paul condemned any division among them, even though it was in favour of himself, or the dearest friend he had in the world- Apollos. 1 Corin 3:4 .The Word of God is very clear that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. That means that unrepentant sinners are not Christians. The Christian is not perfect, but does seek to live a repentant lifestyle by the grace of God. On the other hand, as Ken’s post showed us, there are plenty of “Christian’ leaders out there who want to open wide the narrow gate and allow the unrepentant into God’s Kingdom. Let us look at a passage that teaches the opposite.

Paul provides education about ministers whom the Corinthian contend; Corin 3: 5-9, (1) They should not be put in place of God, (2) The one who plants and the one who waters work (employed) by one master, (3) They work together with God, in promoting the purposes of his glory – Ephesians 4:11

If ever a church needed strong leadership, it was the church at Corinth, which was beset by division and all kinds of problems. Yet Paul's first letter to them is not directed primarily to the leaders, but to the whole community. He does address qualities of leadership in chapters 3 and 4. He stresses their servant nature and that it is God's field and building they are working in (3:5-9). They will be tested at the judgment as to how well they have built on the only legitimate foundation, Jesus Christ (3:10-17). He mentions the stewardship nature of leadership (4:1-5) As we shall see next study, and the danger of putting leaders on a pedestal (4:6, 7).

The apostle was a wise master-builder; the grace of God made him such. 1 Corin3: 10- 15. Let every man take heed; that all his doctrines may be consistent with the foundation. There may be bad building on a good foundation. Paul warns joining a merely human (See: 1 Corin 3:5) or a carnal life with a Divine faith.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corin 3:11; Who, in his person and offices, is the firm, immovable Rock of Ages, every way sufficient to bear all the weight that God himself, or the sinner, when he believes, can lay upon him. Immovable Rock- Matt 7:24-27.

1. Let us consider the tendency of our undertakings, compare them with God's word, and judge ourselves, that we be not judged of the Lord

1 Corin 3: 16 & 17 -it appears that the false teachers among the Corinthians taught unholy doctrines. Such teaching tended to corrupt, to pollute, and destroy the building. Most of these false teachers were Greeks (See Greek Philosophy) For all the boasted wisdom of the world is mere foolishness in the sight of God. Proverbs 19:3.Not only while they think they are acting wisely, but by their very wisdom, which itself is their snare, and the occasion of their destruction- Job 5:13. All this should teach us to be humble, and make us willing to be taught of God, so as not to be led away, by pretences to human wisdom and skill, from the simple truths revealed by Christ. 1 Corinthian 1:18- 31.

He expects the ordinary church members to be mature enough to sort out their own problems and gives plenty of guidelines for doing so. His goal is for a community where everyone, with whatever gift they may have been given, is a fully functioning member. Paul's emphasis is on the common or shared responsibility of all for the life of the church, not with the responsibility of leadership, but of all. Priesthood of all believers.

Get a Vision, Discover your Purpose and be Focused: Motivation Workshop

The year 2010 is now behind us. With the passing of time, as the days roll by and years elapse, we live on, and now we are in the year 2011. But have you stopped to ponder why you are here? Have you taken a break to ask why things happen the way they do? Is life a product of coincidental occurrences or is it supposed to run in a predestined manner leading to a predefined destination? Is life a game of chance?

Many people, including Christians do not really understand what life is all about. Some think they are only here by accident and can be gone anytime without prior notice. Hence, they strive to get the best out of life for personal benefits within the limited and uncertain duration they have. They are full of fear, uncertainty and sometime boredom because to them, life is nothing but a routine – work, eat, sleep, wake etc.

Such people accept anything that comes their way. They live without vision, purpose and direction. That is why most will not make any plans of their lives. Such people get little or no excitement out of life. They have no sense of fulfillment because they actually aim at nothing; they follow the crowd and pursue vanities. Most have no set goals, no dreams they just live each day as it comes.

Life is meant to be enjoyed and not endured. What does this mean? Should we pursue vanities, accumulate the “treasures” of this life and stay relaxed? What’s the enjoyment all about? The true enjoyment in life comes when we know why we are here and we find ourselves fulfilling that purpose. With or without the treasures of this life, we’ll be happy knowing that we are fulfilling destiny. We’ll be content with what we have and God will provide us with all we need to fulfill destiny.

We’ll cease from struggling and the pursuit of vanities. The things men struggle for and run after will begin to “struggle for” and “run after” us. Having the treasures of this life will make no difference to us because will heart will be fixed – fixed on God. We will then be able to use the treasures of this life to store up eternal dividends for ourselves. Then we can have a clearer view of life: working, eating, sleeping, waking etc, are put together to enable us fulfill destiny. Then we would have crossed the ocean of uncertainty and the desert of fear on your way to the land of destiny. Life then has a meaning and we’ll be happy you are here.

Trials will surely come; the dark hours are sure to come, but we can always come out victorious. The night will certainly fall but the thickness of the darkness has never prevented the breaking of the day. With a sense of purpose, life becomes worth living; existence becomes interesting.

We are not an accidental creature, living only to die. We are not to live by chance – following the crowd and taking things as they come.

Get a vision, discover your purpose and be focused. That is the secret of true joy in life. May the Lord help us to get life-visions, pursue God-given purposes and fulfill destiny that God has put before us.

Tips on New Year’s Positive Resolution for Christians

Towards the end of this week, 2010 comes to a close. Some may just want to put 2010 behind them and forget about. Others don't want this year to end. Along with a new year comes the traditional setting of New Year’s resolutions that millions of people make each year in an attempt to better their lives. Follow my FB for tips on making informed resolutions for the year 2011.

If we as Christians make resolutions, what kind of resolution should we make? Many Christian’s resolutions are so general; to pray more, read the bible more or attend church on a regular basis. But if there is no power in your resolution, these resolutions will not last.

Philippians 4:13 tells us, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Put God in the center of your New Year's Resolutions... for better results.

For Proverbs 19:8 says, "He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers." A new year shouldn't necessarily mean a new resolution. If we put God first in our lives and seek his will, then every day will be a "new day" with Christ.

When you are ready to set your resolution, you may need to write it down. Take time to analyze your life so that come next year you can make significant step towards positive goals to enrich your future. Don't forget that you are different and your resolution suits you and not others.

New Year's resolutions can be tricky; many people make them and than slowly forget about them. Do you want to be one of those that make dramatic resolution that would have otherwise changed life and then dump it in one week?

If this would be the case with you, make a resolution to NOT MAKE A RESOLUTION THIS YEAR. Remember you should keep to the goals here too.

However, making a tangible resolution will give you a mind set to begin the year on a positive note. A resolution well reasoned will give you a sense of purpose throughout the year.

For those who are looking forward to more spiritual resolutions, here are some tips: Be realistic in setting your resolution. Make sure you don't overwhelm yourself, wanting better results. Note, too many resolutions can result to over commitment. Follow through your goal plan.

Be realistic: Don't aim to Jupiter, when you have not landed on the moon yet. i.e If you are not committed to spiritual matters on a lower lever, don't seek higher level as yet. Don't resolve something like this, “I want to Know God Better" if you have not born again yet.

Don't overwhelm yourself: Don't plan to attend every Church function. In any case functions in the church will not save you. Plan on which function will help you build your relationship with God. i.e. Church services, small fellowship group, small bible study groups e.t.c.

Better results: It is not possible to grow overnight. Growth is a process. You need to realize that it will take time for you to get mature in the things (Word and Knowledge) of God. See 1 Corinthians 13:11.

Follow through your goal: Missing one day in a series does not mean you have lost. Keep pushing to your goal. Remember when you resolve to build your spiritual life; temptations will always be at your door step. Remember Satan is tempter and spiritual enemy. See Matthew 4:3

It doesn't matter what your resolution(s) is (are), one sure thing is that making new year's resolution is a perfect time to recreate your live both at spiritual level and of course physical.

Many others will make resolutions to stop bad habits, ie smoking, drinking, and infidelity among others. In these categories of resolutions, the advice here is: find support system, someone you can be accountable to. In this way you have someone to help you attain your goal.

Support system may be your family member(s), your peers, pastor, face book friend(s), bible study group(s), spouse, and the list is endless...

Always be accountable to yourself even in the midst of the support system. Be conscience of your resolutions and the goals you have set. Remember it is about you not them.

If the resolutions are not attainable in the first week in the New Year, revise them without changing the goal. If you change your goal, one week would go to waste.

Many people will make resolutions relating to health issues. The advice here is that one should be realistic in setting the goal concerning health, i.e. do you want to change your health or improve it?

The following will help you on health issue resolution(s): Is it weight that you want to loss? Do you want to eat better foods? Is it excise that you need?

Whatever your resolution(s) is (are), make sure you set a goal on what you want to accomplish. The goal you set must be personal.

Don't make a resolution like..."As for me and my house we will serve the Lord" Josh 24:15. This is not personal. Serving God can be good resolution, but involving the whole family, marks the beginning of failure.

My resolution is to Keep John 3:16. I want to believe in God that I may live.

So kick off 2011 with a few resolutions, and do not be afraid not to live up to them for where there a will there is a way. Happy new Year You All.

Christmas - A Celebration of Man.

I just finished reading a small book by Lee Strobel entitled “The Case for Christmas” This small book is a gift from my “favorite nurse” at the hospital where I am a chaplain and she is a communicable decease control nurse. In this book Lee investigates from a journalist view point the Child in the Manger. After reading the last chapter of this book, the identity of the Messiah, I was left wondering why man is so much involved in celebrating Christmas with feasts and not faith in this Messiah. Christmas than becomes the celebration of man.

We have all heard the statement, “the feeling of Christmas is in the air”. For most people December brings along with the cold and winter some special feelings. In fact this is my first white Christmas. My family and I are enjoying it in Columbus Ohio.

In December we begin to see the Christmas lights and decorations. We see many nativity scenes, some of which are equipped with live animals. Most of these decorations are in people backyards. We experience the overstocked and busy stores. We see Santa Klaus in department stores bidding children to sit on his lap and leave their Christmas wishes. We soon see gifts wrapped and placed under the tree.

All of these things remind us that Christmas time is here again. This is a season that special feelings cause heightened reactions. It is a season of cranky sales clerks, quick trips to the mall, a season in which we spend more than we have, and eat more than we need. But Christmas is much more than all of that. Christmas is not a time of celebration. It is the celebration of the birth of our Lord. Yes celebrating His birth.

Christmas seems to become more eloquent each year.

Christmas is much like many of the national holidays we celebrate. These holidays are also birthday celebrations of great men who developed our heritage into what it is today. In America we have the president’s day; in Kenya we have Mashujaa Day and so on. These holidays are named after the men we celebrate, or season and events that make us who we are. Christmas is also the birthday of a man who we should admire and give honor to for what He has done for us and given us. We also should be proud to claim what He so graciously has given us salvation.

As we celebrate Christmas, we must remember that Jesus Christ is the heart of Christmas. It is in His name that we gather together and celebrate. The apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:5 it is about Jesus we preach, “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

When we celebrate the birthday of a great man in history, we think about the kind of man He was. As we celebrate Christmas the question should also come to our mind is, what kind of Man was this whose birthday splits time into B.C. and A.D.?

Who was in the manger that Christmas morning? Some say he would become a great moral leader, others a social critic. Still others view Jesus a a profound philosopher, a Rabbi, a feminist, a prophet and more. Who was he really? How can you know for sure? My next article in this blog is the summary of Lee’ book. But the conclusion of Christmas the celebration of man is: Who was Jesus?

The most important question we can ask to determine what kind of man Jesus was is, What do you say about Him? This is the most important question because the answer will determine your eternal destiny. You only have two options. You can accept Him as who He says He is. You can say, “I believe Jesus is the most unique man who has ever lived, and I believe His uniqueness can be confirmed by the fact that He was God himself living among us.” Or, you can say, He was the biggest liar in history and His lies laid the foundation for history’s greatest mockery and foolishness.

Your answer to this most important question will determine whether or not you experience the true meaning of Christmas.

Pitfalls to Watch for in your Christian Walk

Is Jesus just a believe system for you or do you have a vital and living relationship with him? Many people know about him, study him but they are missing a personal and living relationship with him. In this article I will show you four approaches that you have to avoid at all costs in order to enter into a very personal and intimate relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Luke chapter 24. 1-12 we find the resurrection account of Jesus. Three women, Mary Magdalena, Joanna and another Mary went to Jesus’ tomb but discovered that his body was not there. They loved and followed Jesus. Now they are terrified because there Jesus is not there. Two angles appeared and asked them a very important question. The same question is to this day a challenge to you and me:

“Why are you looking for him who is alive among the dead? He is not here: he has risen!”

The all important and challenging question in this story is that of the messenger in the tomb, "Why are you looking for him who is alive among the dead?" Many people today still look for Jesus among the dead.

Firstly:

There are those who regard him as the greatest man and the noblest hero who ever lived - but who also died like everybody else. Don’t fall into this trap. I hope that Jesus is not just a moral model for you. Not just a great person who was and did good. Believing in Jesus means not just to acknowledge that He once lived but that He is alive and well today. He wants you to accept Him as your personal saviour so that He can come and live within you.

Secondly:

There are those who regard Jesus simply as a man whose life must be studied, his words must be examined and his teachings must be analysed. Some Christians tend to think of Christianity and Christ merely in terms of something to be studied. When we come together in our Bible study groups - do we only come together to study, to examine and to analyse and to discuss?

Yes, without any doubt, study is necessary and important!

But Jesus is not only someone to be studied! He is someone to be met in person! If you want to know something about Jesus why not ask Him? Jesus is someone to be lived with every day of our live.

He is not only a figure in a book, even if that book is the greatest book in the whole world - Jesus is a living person. He wants to walk with you, and he wants to talk with you. He desires to be your friend. Wherever you are, whatever you do, he is there with you and He wants you to realise that.

Thirdly:

There are those who see in Jesus just the perfect pattern and example. And yes, he is that. But a perfect example can be the most heartbreaking thing on earth. For centuries the birds gave men an example of flight - and yet not until modern times could men fly.

Can you remember, when you received your first writing book in grade one? At the top it had a line of copperplate writing; below it had blank lines on which we had to copy it. Remember how discouraging it was to try to reproduce that perfect pattern, that example? But then the teacher would come and take our hand into his or hers and guide our hand with his or hers and we got closer and closer the ideal.

That is exactly what Jesus does. He is not only the pattern and the example. He helps us and guides us and strengthens us to follow that pattern and example. He is not simply a model for our life - He is the alive - he is the life.

Fourthly:

Some Christians look for the living Christ in dead tradition. Mark 7.6-8 (New International Version) He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: 'These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

I am so glad that over time many of our churches and denominations did let go of dead traditions and moved into the freedom of the Holy Spirit. For many years it was more important to live by manmade church rules than to obey God’s commands.

If you sang the right songs, used the appropriate instruments, wore the right cloth and had your hair done in the right way, then everything was good and you where a good Christian. You tried top live by those rules but did that satisfy your soul? Of course not! Because pleasing man puts you under bandage. You are trying, but you can never please man.

But pleasing God brings wonderful results. It brings peace and joy. It opens the doors for God’s blessings. It really satisfies you.

My dear readers, I encourage you not to look for Jesus in the wrong places. Don’t look for Him in History. Don’t try to find Him at university. Don’t look for Him under the noble man. And please don’t try to find Him in tradition.

But meet Him as you pray and read His Word. Meet Him while you have fellowship with other believers. And meet Him as you do acts of kindness for your fellow man

The living Christ wants a vital and living relationship with each one of you.

Christian Growth - Morarity

Christians are not perfect and never will be, apart from the fullness of the Kingdom of God in glory. Yet, it is common that non-Christians accuse Christians of thinking that they (the Christians) are better than everyone else. And Christians are too often infected with the pride of thinking the same thing -- sometimes blatantly, sometimes subtly.

There is a sense in which this idea of moral superiority is true, and a sense in which it isn't. Christians do in fact grow and mature in morality, so they do enjoy a kind of moral upgrade. Moral improvement is one of the benefits of Christianity.

At the same time it is a supreme folly and sin for Christians to think that they have been saved because they are morally superior to anyone else. Too often the reverse is actually true. Many heathens are in fact morally superior to many Christians. The point is not that Christians are morally superior to heathens in general because some are and some aren't. Rather, the point is that Christians grow in moral purity. A Christian should always be more moral, more honest, more righteous than he or she used to be. We are not to compare ourselves with others (2 Corinthians 10:12) -- Christian or heathen, but with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ alone is our model. (Comparison to others is not the same as imitation. See the chapter on “Imitation,” p. 61.)

Nor are Christians saved by their moral superiority to other people. No one can practice moral improvement in order to become a Christian. It doesn't work like that. No matter how hard we try, we cannot measure up to the moral requirement established by God in the Bible. It cannot be done, and the fact that it cannot be done is one of the central lessons that the Bible teaches. Israel failed to be what God called her to be. The faithful Jews in Israel were very righteous, very moral by any human standard, including our own -- but not by God's standard.

While moral improvement is a result of salvation, it is not in any sense a cause or foundation of salvation. Rather, salvation is in Christ alone. Augustus Toplady was correct when he wrote:

Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless look to Thee for grace;

Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die.

At the same time, there is no salvation apart from moral improvement. Christians are "called to be saints" (v. 2, Romans 1:7) who are "sanctified in Christ Jesus" (v. 2). Christians grow in grace, grow in obedience, grow in faithfulness, grow in righteousness, grow in moral improvement. Christians are not necessarily better than anyone else, but they are necessarily better than they used to be.

And Christians cannot claim any personal credit (or glory) for their moral improvement. We are what we are, not because we have worked hard to become good Christians, but solely because Jesus Christ died on the cross and dispatched His Holy Spirit to us while we were still awash in sin and disobedience. The Holy Spirit grabbed us by the scruff of the neck and hauled us aboard the life raft known as Jesus Christ. We had nothing to do with it until we found ourselves in Christ. Good thing, too! Because we, like Israel before us, are completely unable in our own strength and ability to be what God has called all people to be. Nor are we now -- yet -- what God has called us to be. But Christ has satisfied God's demands, deflected God's wrath, and provided a way for us to grow in godliness.

Paul proclaims, it is the "Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end" (1 Corinthians 1:7-8). Here is a clear expression of the doctrine of assurance. Our salvation is assured, not because of anything that we can do, but solely because of what Christ has done. Christ's grip on us is much stronger than our grip on Him. Our assurance of faith rests in His grip on us, not in our grip on Him.