Everyone might have heard some of these excuses while talking to people about the Lord.  Here is a great resource to study before you engage people who might ask some really tough questions.

1. What is Truth?
2. How do you know God exists?
3. How do you know the Bible is true?
4. How can Jesus be the only way to Heaven?
5. How can there be a God with so much evil out there?
6. What about those who have never heard of Jesus?
7. What about the hypocrites in the church?

The answers can be found at http://www.eeinternational.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=31948

The Servant Leadership Movement

In 1968 Kent Keith was a Christian high school student in Hawaii.  While in high school he got involved in student government and realized there was very little written material about servant leadership.  He organized a student leadership counsel and developed material to train high school students.  These Paradoxical Commandments were developed through the frustration of leading and training student leaders who were excited about going into the world and helping people only to come back beaten up by the very people they were trying to help.

Heritage Christian Center promotes the Servant Leadership Movement found in the scriptures today.

He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.  Mark 11:35

The Paradoxical Commandments

by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001

For more information see his website at  http://www.paradoxicalchristians.com

The subject of Christian authority is one that is often misunderstood because of the lack of solid Biblical teaching on it. As a result, people tend to gravitate to one extreme view or the other on this important topic. On the one side, there are those who shy away from their Biblical authority altogether. On the other, there are those who claim power and authority beyond that which has been legitimately delegated to us.

The Believer’s Authority is a balanced view of this subject based on the examination of relevant passages of Scripture. The detailed explanations of Biblical principles are enhanced by several anecdotal examples that make the concepts easy to grasp. This book will clear up many of the misconceptions that exist regarding the subject of spiritual authority.

1. The Prayers of Paul — Praying the prayers of Paul from the book of Ephesians will bring results. This example of Scriptural prayer introduces the concept of the appropriate use of authority by the Christian believer.
2. What Is Authority? — God is the power behind our authority. When we understand the legitimate use of the authority that has been delegated to us, we can face the enemy without fear.
3. Seated with Christ — The source of our authority in Christ comes from the act of God that raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him on high. We are not to remain stuck at the cross, continually subject to the power of sin. The Bible says that we have been seated with Christ in heavenly places which is our position of authority.
4. Breaking the Power of the Devil — We have been given a sphere of authority for which we are responsible. Those who are unaware of this often plead with God to do something about their circumstances. We must learn what our responsibilities are and learn to confidently rise up against the devil and demand the rights and privileges that fall within our sphere of authority.
5. Exercising Authority — Four Scriptural references that show what the believer’s responsibility is with regard to dealing with the devil. We have the authority to exercise Christ’s victory over the devil in our own household. We can often also help others in varying degrees, but our authority in their lives has many more limitations.
6. Risen with Christ — A look at the passages in Colossians that shed additional light on the topic, as well as some words on the limitations of our authority. We have authority according to the written Word of God, and it is important that our exercise of it be within the bounds set by that written Word. In that way, we can cooperate with the Lord in faith.
7. The Weapons of Our Warfare — Spiritual warfare is defined here as doing the works of Jesus and taking authority over the devil as we go about our daily lives, not going into head-to-head combat with the devil. The devil will try to discourage us from using our authority in Christ, but God has given us spiritual armor to protect us.
8. Authority over Demon Spirits, Not Human Wills — More examples of limitations on the exercise of our authority and how we can help others while they are in our presence. It is important to build a foundation of faith in the Word of God in order to experience ongoing victory in the exercise of authority over the attacks of the devil.

Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin was certainly a man who practiced what he preached. He had a reputation among those who knew him as a man who consistently endeavored to walk in love. The principles he shared came from his years of experience practicing the love-walk.

This book covers several aspects of walking in love, from health benefits and long life to the necessity of forgiveness. Though much of the book comes from the perspective of doing acts of love, there are also sections which cover what love is and how the love of God affects us.

Both the Scriptural exhortation and the stories from life experience in this book give valuable insight that will help anyone seeking to walk in love to grow in their ability to manifest this godly attribute in their lives.

1. Characteristics of the God-Kind of Love — Love defined; Love takes no account of a suffered wrong; Divine love is a peacemaker; Learn to let God’s love dominate; Love is a fruit of the spirit; Walking in the spirit is walking in love; Love works no ill to his neighbour; Love works no ill in marriage
2. Divine Love: The Evidence of the New Birth — How we know we are saved; The love of God constrains us; Learn to put God’s love to work for you; You can mature in love
3. Love: The Law of the New covenant — The law of love supersedes the ten commandments; Why believers can be led by their heart; Love — faith’s power; The God-kind of love fulfills the law; Sons of God are sons of love; Owe nothing but love
4. The God-Kind of Love Forgives — Sanctification; The God-kind of love forgives and forgets; God looks on the heart; Forgiveness under the New Covenant; Forgiveness doesn’t hold on to grudges; Unforgiveness: A hindrance to faith and prayer; Be quick to repent and quick to believe; Forgive yourself too! Paul had to forgive himself; Take God at His Word
5. The Benefits of Walking in Love — Walking in love is profitable; Harboring ill will damages you! Keep your tongue so you can keep your life! Divine love vs. human love; Divine love can be stern
6. Failing To Walk in Love Can Affect Your Health — A right heart receives from God; Harmful effects of animosity; Do you love your brother? The woman who said, I hate my mother-in-law; I’ll take sickness from the midst of you; The number of your days I will fulfill; How to prolong your life; Parents: Walk in love toward your children
7. Judge Yourself — And You Won’t Be Judged — Discern the Lord’s Body; Failure to judge yourself results in the Lord’s judgment; Make the necessary adjustments; The destruction of the flesh; Are you shortening your days or lengthening them? When faith won’t work
8. Love Your Enemies — Show God’s love to your enemies; Do good to your enemies; Pray for your enemies; The love of God in action; Return good for evil and inherit a blessing! Practice staying in an attitude of love; God’s love — The great healing agent; Being a doer of the Word; Do unto others…