Volume 1 Issue 1

Winter/Spring 2007

Mustard Seed Expands

Welcome to Mustard Seed Ministries.  We are pleased to offer this newsletter and a new forum to share in the truths of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  A wealth of knowledge and spiritual guidance can be found on our website, mustardseedministries.org, including such articles as  Heaven-The Real World and Why did Jesus come to Earth?.  As evidenced in our mission statement in the left-hand column, our goal is to provide a clear and Biblically sound path to salvation and a deeper understanding of God.  This newsletter is set up as a supplement to the website to delve into relevant topics for Christians in their daily living.

The goal of this ministry is to spread the truths of God and Jesus Christ to a global audience.  It is our hope and our prayer that every nation can be introduced to the gospel message, and we believe the Internet offers an avenue to reach believers and unbelievers around the world.  Through our interactive website we can answer questions of faith and biblical application.  We can also create networks around the world to mentor new believers and provide guidance in chruch-building.  The possibility for growth in this ministry is immeasurable.  Though we are small at this time, we believe the spirit of Christ will use our humble talents and expand as the need presents itself.  We welcome you to join this ministry and reach a world that desparately needs the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  Feel free to share this website with your friends and encourage them to subscribe to this newsletter.

Harry

Editorial: Challenge to the Christian Electorate

I listen to talk radio. For several weeks now, conservatives such as Rush Limbaugh have speculated that the new Democrat-controlled Congress will impeach President Bush and install Nancy Pelosi (a liberal Democrat from California) as the new president.  Such threats are meant to get a visceral response out of Republicans to send them in droves to stop such a future.

But as Christians, and not Republicans, how do we respond to such "threats" and the liberal reality that now seems to exist in our nation?  Well, the Bible commands us to pray for our leaders and remember that God allows governments to be put into place.  So first off, let's relax a little bit.  God wasn't caught off guard by any liberal uprising.

I know it's tempting to feel afraid about all the liberal policies that Democrats might implement.  It's tempting to even feel anger over "losing".  But instead, I would like to present a different view.

Forget about the supposed power these people have.  Look at these people as souls who don't know truth.  Look at these people as souls who need to know truth.  Do not look at them as opponents in a political arena.

I think we should focus not so much on making sure our "side" wins (though I think it is wrong to equate Republican with Christian), but holding our elected representatives to a higher moral standard.  I think if we put more emphasis on reaching out to the unsaved as opposed to beating them in a silly election, we would not only be better fulfilling God's will, but we would have an impact that would reach far beyond a couple of election cycles.

So as Republicans across the nation today wring their hands, wipe off their sweaty brows, and lament about the future, pray for President Pelosi.  Pray for Senator John Kerry.  Pray for Hillary Clinton.

Chet

From the Bible:

Jesus Christ is the Son of the one, true living God.  He lived in Heaven with his Father and watched humans struggle with faith.  Jesus came to this earth to teach people how to worship and serve God.  He lived on this earth as flesh and blood and experienced our pains, sufferings and temptations, yet remained sinless.  From the beginning of mankind, people burned sacrifices to please God, but it was never enough.  People continued to forget about God and the love He had for them.  Jesus came to this world to be the only necessary sacrifice.  Even though Jesus was in constant prayer and communion with God while he was on Earth, He allowed God*s will in his life and surrendered to the hostile Jews who wanted to crucify Him.  Jesus died like you and me, but after 3 days He arose from the dead, and walked on Earth as a human once more.  Shortly afterward He ascended into Heaven to be with His Father.

Here is the exciting part for Christians: Jesus sits in Heaven with God and asks Him to forgive our sins.  He is the sacrifice that is satisfying and pleasing to God.  He will do that for you if you invite Him into your heart and ask for forgiveness.  Just like Jesus arose to Heaven to live life eternal after His death, so can you, if you love the Lord and follow Him.

It doesn't stop there.  Jesus likes to give, and will provide help for your daily needs.  His Spirit will live within you and guide you.  Only through a relationship with Jesus Christ can you truly understand peace and the freedom it offers.

For a more in-depth discussion of what Jesus can do for you, visit our website, mustardseedministries.org
browse to the Sermon icon.

MSM Staff

Devotional: God's Time

Recently I was faced with a dilemma over a new job.  I work about 40 minutes from my home and always viewed this job as temporary.  But the longer I work there the more I feel like I belong there as a light in a dark place.  This Spring my minister gave me a tip about a job close to home.  It just so happened that my mentor for an internship I completed several years ago was retiring.  The down side was that the corporation has failed to settle a contract with its workers for the past 5 years.  I was suddenly faced with a possible job that would be close to home, include comparable pay and benefits, and severely boost my prestige in the community.  This should be a "no-brainer".  I made pro and con lists.  I talked with my wife a lot and shared with several friends my feelings about the job.  Most importantly I had more than a month to pray about it.  Part of me really wanted this job, and part of me really wanted to stay away from a bad situation.  I decided to go to the interview to get a feel for the situation. 

The interview went well and they told me they would call on Friday to let me know if I qualified for a second interview.  I still did not have peace about which job God wanted me in.  As I was driving home from work on the Friday they were supposed to call, I was praying for an answer.  After all I had 40 minutes to pray about it.  I can remember exactly where I was when I suddenly felt this peace not to take this new job.  I have never regretted the decision to decline the second interview.  I feel like God has work for me to do still in my current job.

Harry
Bluffton, IN

Statement of Faith

1. We believe that God is the Creator of all things and exists in three Persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and that He is perfect in every way.

2. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, born of a virgin, and that His sinless life qualified Him to die on the cross in our place. Jesus died, was buried, and arose from the grave so that men and women would have the opportunity to be reconciled to God.

3. We believe that men and women are sinful by nature and must repent, and be born again (converted) to walk with God and have the hope of eternal life (Paradise).

4. We believe that men and women have the ability to call out to God and if this call is whole-hearted that God will provide the grace for them to be transformed, converted, born-again, and live in a close personal relationship with Him.

5. We believe that God is immeasurably more powerful and intelligent than mankind and with His moral perfection is the perfect guide for humanity.

6. We believe that the primary purpose of humanity is to learn to love (and trust) God with all their hearts (and lives) and show His indwelling Spirit by loving their fellow man as themselves.

7. We believe that the Bible is the complete expression of God's will and plan for mankind as written through the personalities of men who loved, trusted and depended on God.

8. We believe that death will bring eternal joy (Paradise) to those who have whole-heartedly dedicated their lives to serving the Lord and eternal suffering in hell for those who have not.