Day 5 of Thanksgiving

Luke 12:32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
Day 5 of Thanksgiving: I woke up after a long Sunday tired and drained thinking what can I be thankful for today. I remembered yesterday and the people at our local church. I am thank Yahweh called and sent me to be a shepherd of His flock.
I am thankful to be able to know people I would have never known at their best and their worst and how Yahweh moves in their lives to love them and bless them where they are at now.. Yahsuha spoke to me once and said to me “Lift up your eyes to the people of the earth for I love them” I am thankful I can be His eyes to look on people whom He loves.

Day Four Of Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for my father and mother Thomas and Virginia Chambliss. I am grateful for the gift of lift I received from them. they brought me into the world took care of me as a child and gave me an opportunity to receive eternal life. Without being born I could have never met and received Yahshua as my Lord. I would not have met and become a son of the Most High. I would have never experienced the Presence of Holy Spirit in me. They gave me literally the opportunity of a lifetime. My father gave me his sense of humor and storytelling ability and his good looks. He always said I wish I had been born rich instead of so good looking. From my mother I received the love for the downtrodden, a passion for art and a love of the soil and plants . She found beauty in what others cast off and made it live. Thank you Lord I bless my parents for their gift to me.

Eph 6:2  “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise:

3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

Baja Thanksgiving

This day I STOOD I STOOD with my husband of 18 years, Francisco
Arriaga. We gratefully stood together after his having had the outer
screws removed from a shattered femur. These screws are normally NEVER
removed before the 3rd MONTH of recovery in mexico let alone the 3rd
WEEK.
WE wept and stood together in the balcony of the Harvest of Faith
Missions House at 2pm and thanked Yahweh for being our healer and
provider for 14 YEARS on this mission field ..
we had so much to give thanks for that yes, after 20 minutes Frank
had to take up his walker.
BUT, we have no doubt he is heled in Jesus’ Name.
I wrote it in a notebook I keep of Yahweh’s miracles in my
life………………..
I urge everyone to join in these remaining days of Thanksgiving as it
glorifies a MIGHTY MIGHTY God and pushes back despair and depression.

I lift high tonight the standard of my LOrd Jesus CHrist who has stood
by me since my natural birth then throughout my spiritual birth and
my years of letting Him down and turning my back on Him. Still thru
drugs prostitution, adultery and sins I am even fearful to write
Jesus Christ stood by me stood with me sent people and angels to stand
with me and no matter how hard I tried to push Him away He STOOD with
me.

I thank God for a people such as Harvest of Faith that care for and
love ofs from so many miles away.

I thank Him for saving the life of my Pastors Richard and Pamela
Chambliss, for allowing them to marry again my one true husband , I
thank Him for giving me so many wonderful children and grandchildren
of numerous nations. I thank Him because above all else HIS WORD is
TRUE. I thank Him for making me recognize this anew while in a private
vehicle speeding my dying husband to a far away hospital and for
allowing my husband to live and more to speak to love to be grateful.

Dear God I thank you for SO VERY MUCH! Please recieve my praises and
let them spark thanks and praises in otheres who are close to growing
cold.

And thus says the Lord, “to those who are are growing cold who feel
the fire going out-STOP NOW! Think upon My faithfulness not upon minor
victories of the enemy! The enemy deserves not even one more thought
in your life. You allow him to live and work in you while I desire you
to let Me truly be your true King. Let it go Let it go. Let IT GO>
NOW, THIS NIGHT drop it at the altar of prayer and refuse to pick it
up again. I the God of every world and nation of every government and
tribe am CALLING YOU BACK. Not tomorrow BUT TODAY.”

Detra says simply “Give thanks.” I know my husband could be dead to me
today but HE LIVES SOLELY because Yahweh desires it to be . Thank you
Lord a trillion times, thank you, YOU are our KING.

Detra and Francisco November 16 2012

Day 4 Thanksging

Pamela and I had an old stray cat years ago. We went away for a weekend and returned to find that old cat had gotten tangled up in an old hammock in the closet . He had spent the last few days all tangled up unable to escape. I found him and set him free from the result of his innocent but dangerous curiosity. I named him Osmosis after that because he stuck so close to me that he seemed to be absorbing life from me. He was the only grateful cat I ever knew. I am thankful today that Yahshua untangled me and set me free. I am thankful I can stick close to Him and absorb life from HIm inside out.
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

I am Thankfull

Yesterday I found in the front of my personal bible a note written on the first of the year. it read as follows:

Thursday Jan 12,2012- Richard and I (Pamela) agreed for his total healing and restoration according to Mathew 18:19 ; 1 Peter 2:24 for his liver any ulcers or cancer. 8:59 A.M. It was signed Pamela Chambliss , Richard Chambliss.

When we prayed this prayer I was sick unto death. Jaundice had set in and I was a yellow as a banana deathly ill. This was a prayer of agreement and of faith. There was no outward feelings tangible anointing . Just the grim reality that I was dying and she was losing her husband of then 39 years. We made a choice to believe what we had lived by for years for others.
I am thankful this day to say my last test came back with no sign of liver problems cancer or stomach problems brought on by liver failure. I am in better shape than I have been since I was 20 now at 60 years young.
I am thankful for a believing friend my wife and for Yahweh Rapha the “Lord that Restores”.
Richard Chambliss

“Eliminate the thoughts of Plato from the mind of the Reformed theologian and his lips will go silent..”

What Non-Christians Really Think about Christians by Thom Rainer

One of my greatest joys in research is talking to and listening to those who clearly identify themselves as non-Christians. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not celebrating their absence of faith in Christ. My joy comes from listening to those who don’t believe as I do, so I might be better equipped to witness to them.

Over the past several years, my research teams and I have interviewed thousands of unchurched non-Christians. Among the more interesting insights I gleaned were those where the interviewees shared with me their perspectives of Christians.

In this article, I group the seven most common types of comments in order of frequency. I then follow that representative statement with a direct quote from a non-Christian.


1. Christians are against more things than they are for.
Read these comments and see if you learn some of the lessons I learned.

“It just seems to me Christians are mad at the world and mad at each other. They are so negative, they seem unhappy. I have no desire to be like them and stay upset all the time.”

2. I would like to develop a friendship with a Christian.

“I’m really interested in what they believe and how they carry out their beliefs. I wish I could find a Christian who would be willing to spend some time with me.”

3. I would like to learn about the Bible from a Christian.

“The Bible really fascinates me, but I don’t want to go to a stuffy and legalistic church to learn about it. I would be nice if a Christian invited me to study the Bible in his home or at a place like Starbucks.”

4. I don’t see much difference in the way Christians live compared to others.

“I really can’t tell what a Christian believes because he doesn’t seem much different than other people I know. The only exception would be Mormons. They really seem to take their beliefs seriously.”

5. I wish I could learn to be a better husband/wife/dad/mom, etc., from a Christian.

“My wife is threatening to divorce me, and I think she means it this time. My neighbor is a Christian, and he seems to have it together. I am swallowing my pride and asking him to help me.”

6. Some Christians try to act like they have no problems.

“Harriett works in my department. She is one of those Christians who seems to have a mask on. I would respect her more if she didn’t put on such an act. I know better.”

7. I wish a Christian would take me to his or her church.

“I really would like to visit a church, but I’m not particularly comfortable going by myself. What is weird is that I am 32 years old, and I’ve never had a Christian invite me to church in my entire life.”

Do you see the pattern? Non-Christians want to interact with Christians. They want to see Christians’ actions match their beliefs. They want Christians to be real.

In one study we conducted, we found only 5 percent of non-Christians are antagonistic toward Christians. It’s time to stop believing the lies we have been told. Jesus said it clearly: “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Luke10:2, HCSB).

Blessings in Baja

Hey
Thanks 4 message & pics……………….I really rejoiced with pics and will hear message on way to TJ manana. we have to pick up beans and rice,hallelujah.
The pics , amaze Frank. He is convinced EE is meme. Compliment for me so hay I’ll take it! Now this mourning me and Frank struggled and fought to get to Meeting. I mean screamed and fought. Then we got a grip and now know why!!
Great day today. Had oodles of folks , 40 or so al told. It was much fun. Then we went to dinner with some head honchos of Northern Baja Lions Club.. Again my DR set it up………………………….but I felt good and comfortable. FRANK THRIVED, PREACHED AND LED MY doctprs BROTHER AND HIS WIFE TO THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In front of 15 atheists. Doc Norma was flabbergasted.
I want to thank all at HOF who have given so much to us to make moments like today’s possible………….
They always amaze me how so few humble folks come up with finances that enable us to continue. It is CRAZY! But it is like ya’ll too………………..just a few faithful, humble people who hear from the Lord and are obedient. I brag on ya’ll all the time, too. Some of the ministries round here the same size or smaller than us will ask us HOW we make it work?? Where the money comes from?? When I tell them well a little bitty Church in Mississippi supports the Work, they are floored. They do not get it………………..BUT it gives me an opening to teach on faith to folks who do not even know they are being taught!!! Ha.
So thank you all, every one Frank and I pray daily at least once a day, that the Lord will multiply every gift, open the windows of heaven and award ya’ll with every right that is due the giver…………………read Malachi and that is what we ask. That the Lord become your advocate, that He judge those who come against you, that He protect you from witches and adulterers………..well here it is so you mustn’t look it up!
“And I will come near you for judgement, I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers and against perjurers,against those who exploit wage-earners and widows and orphans.
And against those who turn away an alien because they do not fear me , says the Lord of Hosts.
For I am the Lord, I do not change, therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.”
Malachi 3:5-6

Thank you and blessings We love ya’ll abundantly, Yahweh is doing new things here, thanks for being a part of it!

Love,
chips and salsa!

LOVE YOU MUCHO!!!!
Pastor Frank Sister Detra

What is a Christian

What is a Christian? by  Frank Viola
Posted: 18 Sep 2012 04:34 AM PDT
The following post was written by T. Austin-Sparks.  The term “Christian” was first used in Antioch in the first century to describe the early followers of Jesus. Sparks does a great job redeeming the original meaning of the word in a day where the term has become quite murky.

“And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian” (Acts 26:28).

Let us say at the outset that we are using the word “Christian” strictly according to what is found in the New Testament, and it is assumed that this will be accepted. Our enquiry will take the form firstly of a process of elimination, and we shall observe

What a Christian is Not

(1) To become a Christian is not to become ‘religious’, or to adopt a new ‘religion’.

Among non-Christian peoples, a turning to Christ is often referred to as ‘accepting Christianity’, and in what are called Christian countries conversion is frequently referred to as ‘becoming religious’. Such expressions, with their associated ideas, are altogether inadequate and indeed fundamentally false.

There was no more religious man on the earth, in his time, than Saul of Tarsus. Read what he says of himself in Acts 22 and 26, and Philippians 3. Here was a man who was just aflame with religious zeal and passion. No argument is necessary, with history before us, to prove how wide of the mark religion can be.

And that is true of ‘Christianity’, when it is merely a matter of religion. To be a true Christian is not to accept a creed or statement of doctrine, to observe certain rites and ordinances, attend certain services and functions, and conform more or less diligently to a prescribed manner of life.

All this may be carried very far, with very many good works; but those concerned may still be outside the true New Testament category of ‘Christian’. Herein lies the danger of an assumed acceptance with God, which may bring that bitter disillusionment foretold by our Lord Himself in those startling words: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not… by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me (Matt. 7:23,24).

No, religion is not Christianity, either more or less; it may be only a deception. So that when we seek that people should become Christians, we are not asking them to change their religion, nor are we asking them to become religious. Religion, as such, has never made this world happier or better.

(2) To become a Christian is not to join an institution called ‘The Church’.

If the truth were known, there is no such thing as ‘joining’ the Christian Church. We never took any steps, either of word or deed, in order to get our limbs to become members of our bodies. There is no distinction between our members and our bodies – our members comprise our bodies; but they do so, not by organization, invitation, examination, interrogation or catechism, but simply by life.

So, in the Church of Christ, provided that a true life-relationship exists, a ‘membership’ in the technical sense is a superfluity, and may be a menace. If there is not that relationship, then no ‘membership’ can constitute the Church of Christ.

There are multitudes, we fear, who have ‘membership’ in what is called the ‘Church’, who are not able to stand up to the test which will be presented when we come to speak of what a Christian is. But let us say here that when we appeal to people to become Christians we are not asking them to ‘join the Church’. And it must be realised that Christianity is not just one more institution or society. You may go to many places called ‘churches’, and never really meet Christ, or find satisfaction.

Of course, that is negative. We must realise, however, that when we become Christians we share one new life in Christ with all other born-again believers, and thus we become one in Christ. That really is the Church. It is for us, then, to cherish that relationship and jealously watch over its sacredness. There are immense values in it.

(3) To become a Christian is not to become a part of a new movement.

It is true that there is a sense in which Christianity is a movement, a Divine movement from Heaven. But there are very many who conceive of Christianity in terms of a great enterprise for world betterment or even evangelization. The appeal is so often made that people will come and associate themselves with this great ‘work’.

There is that in most people which makes a response to such an appeal, and would like to be in a great movement. But such a way of approach is to court trouble, or at least to be found sooner or later in a false position. Moses got the ‘movement’ idea in Egypt – and then had forty years’ inaction in the desert.

There is that which comes before the ‘movement’, and the movement is with God, not with us. The greatest value in movement, when God’s time comes for it, often is that we have learned not to move without Him.

We do not appeal to you to join a movement. We do not invite youth, saying, ‘Here is something into which you can throw all your natural powers and youthful enthusiasm!’ We would say: ‘God has a purpose: you are of concern to Him in relation to that purpose. But – you cannot even know or enter into that purpose until something has happened in you which has made you another person. In that purpose you will need much more than natural powers and youthful enthusiasm.’

That brings us to the positive side.

What a Christian Is

In seeking to show what a Christian really is, we can do no better than take the case of one who not only was a great instance himself, but whose experience has been that of every true Christian since. We refer to the one who was addressed by a Roman ‘King’ in the words at the head of this chapter – the Apostle Paul. While the method of his conversion may not be the usual or general one, the principles are always the same.

Here, then, are the first three principles and realities of a true Christian life.

(1) “Who art thou?” “I am Jesus.”

The first thing is the inward realisation that Jesus is (not was) a living Person.

The very first words of Paul when confronted by Christ were: “Who art thou?” To which the answer came clear and strong – “I am Jesus!” It was a startling discovery, and Paul might well have exclaimed, ‘What, Jesus alive?’ Jesus had been put to death, crucified. All that remained to do was to blot out the memory of Him and destroy what represented Him.

To this work Paul (then Saul) had committed himself. We can hardly imagine, then, what a startling and paralysing thing it was to be confronted with the fact that Jesus was not dead, but alive, and in glory. And not only with the fact, but with the Person Himself.

All that this implied and involved has been the teaching of many centuries since. But for those to whom these present lines are addressed, this can be resolved into a very simple matter. We begin our Christian life by an experience of this living reality. Not a Jesus of history, but a Jesus of heart experience.

That He really is alive is the one thing which is open to be proved by us, and it is the most serious matter as to our eternal destiny. We have only to drop our traditions, our prejudices, our suspicions, our questions, our mental problems, and, quietly kneeling, speak to Him (although unseen) as we would speak to one whom we could see; telling Him out of the honesty of our heart what we would tell Him if we were face to face. The first step is definitely to speak to Him, as to a Person.

This is the way of a discovery. We learn from the New Testament that the Spirit of God is abroad in the world just to bring about this discovery – to make real that Jesus lives to save and be our very life. This wonderful realisation, that Jesus lives, comes to the heart of every one who honestly turns and puts it to the test; and everything springs out of that.

There is only one way, really, of knowing Jesus, and that is by coming to Him. It may seem very unreal and foolish to say something to someone of whose existence you have no inward proof; but might this not be the same in other circumstances? You have heard of a physician.

What you have heard makes you feel that he is just the man for your case. Will you say that you don’t believe that there is such a person? Will you say that there is plenty of evidence available that he was killed some time ago? Will you go as far as going to his house and seeing the man spoken of, and then telling the man that you don’t believe that he is the physician? If you will do this, then either your case is not very serious, or you are refusing to admit its seriousness.

If you are really alive to your need, the very least that you will do will be to go to the physician, tell him your trouble, and say: ‘I am advised that you can meet my need, and I ask you to do so. My coming to you represents an honest enquiry and committal, in spite of many doubts and questions.’

My friend, Jesus Christ was ever ready to make the desired gesture to an approach like that. The discovery that Christ is a living reality is the first thing in the Christian life. This is a test as well as a testimony.

(2) “What wilt thou have me to do, Lord?”

The second thing – in Paul’s case, as in every true Christian life – is represented by one sentence: “What wilt thou have me to do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10).

This represents a new position and a new relationship. How very different from that of the old Saul! Hitherto his life and activity had been out from himself – what he thought he would do, what he proposed, purposed, planned, determined, and desired. Self-determination had been his way of life, although he would have said that it was done in a good cause – even done for God.

What an example Saul was of the fact that a man’s very best intentions and devotions, in what he believes to be God’s interests, may yet be doing God the greatest disservice – and he himself be totally blind to the fact. We shall speak of this again later (chap. 2, sect. 2).

We see here, then, that one thing is a clear evidence of a life truly acceptable to God; it is the absolute Lordship of Jesus Christ. Paul first used that word, “Lord”, at his conversion; it came out spontaneously when he realised that Jesus lives! From that moment Jesus was his Lord, his Master. We know from his life afterward how utter was that surrender and change of government. Everything from that hour was on the basis of “What wilt Thou?”

Yes, it is the hall-mark of a true Christian life when, with the same inward realisation and abandonment, we say to Jesus, “Lord”, and thenceforth have our whole lives governed by Him as Master.

(3) “Christ in you”.

There is one more indispensable mark and feature of the Christian life to which we will point at this time. It is shown in the words addressed to Paul by one Ananias: “The Lord Jesus… hath sent me that thou mayest… be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:17).

The consummation of this basic work, by which we become Christians in the true sense, is that everything which is true of Christ is made an inward thing with us. Up to this point, although everything has been very real and deep changes have taken place, it has been mainly as in an outward relationship with Christ. But it would have been fatal to have left it there, however great the discovery. We cannot live upon something which happened at a certain time.

We cannot meet all the tremendous forces of evil which will oppose us, in the strength of a mere memory, however vivid. We shall never live triumphantly, or serve effectively, or satisfy God truly, on any basis of what is merely outward and objective.

The fact is that only Christ can really satisfy God; only Christ can do God’s will and God’s work. Only Christ can overcome the spiritual forces of evil. Yes, only Christ can really live the Christian life. Hence, the one great inclusive and crowning reality of a Christian is – Christ Himself WITHIN! Paul later put this in these words:

“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).

This becomes true by a definite act when we believe. The Holy Spirit takes possession of us in an inward way. This indwelling of Christ had never been known by any man in history until Christ had died and risen and been glorified. It is therefore the peculiar wonder and glory of the Christian. It is this very thing that explains the New Testament term – “born anew”. There was nothing like it before.

So, then, in a word, our question, ‘What is a Christian?’ is answered in three initial things.

(1) Realising that Jesus is alive.

(2) Enthroning Him as absolute Lord.

(3) Having Him as an inward presence and power by the Holy Spirit.

The testimony of a true Christian must ever be –

‘He lives! He lives!
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me, He talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives,
Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!’