A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

"This do in remembrance of me...."

This Sunday, September 11, 2011, is the 10th Anniversary of a most horrendous event in the history of America.  On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, at 8:46 AM, the first of four planes attacked our country.  Nineteen radical Muslim high-jackers took control of two American Airlines and two United Airlines planes.

Two of the planes were crashed into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center, and one crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, DC.  The fourth plane was forced into the ground by alert passengers, near Shanksville, PA.

Our country will never be the same.  "9-11" will always be a dark day in our history.  Two thousand nine hundred and ninety-six people (2,996) died on that day:  2,606 died in the Towers and on the ground, 125 people died at the Pentagon, and 246 died on the planes.  We honor the memory of these people, who went to work that morning or boarded airplanes never to come home. They had an appointment with eternity.

We honor the memory and valiant service of the "first-responders" who rushed into this tragedy to rescue and assist all they could, and never came back out.  New York City Fire Department lost 341 firefighters and 2 paramedics.  New York City Police Department lost 23 officers.  New York Port Authority Police lost 37 officers.  Eight EMTs and paramedics lost their lives, who worked for private firms.  Thank you for your sacrifice!  May God bless your memory and your families who still grieve and miss you!!

Our country was shaken in just a few hours -- we will never be the same.  Almost immediately, people across this land began to pray. The following Sunday, September 16, 2001, church attendance was at an all-time high, as people flocked to the sanctuary to seek God. 

What has happened to us in the past ten years?  We've endured terrible hurricanes, tornadoes, oil spills, and wars in two areas (Afghanistan and Iraq).  Our US economy is in deep trouble.  Unemployment is at a high, and seemly isn't coming down in the near future.  My question:  WHAT DID WE LEARN FROM 9/11?  

I'm not talking about increased security in our airports, train stations, subways, and ports.  I'm talking about SPIRITUALLY, what have we learned?  We prayed immediately after 9/11 -- are we still praying? Where is church attendance headed now?  Is church attendance up or down? or level? Morally, where are we?  Are we more righteous than 10 years ago? Are we more united in faith, or divided?

Something unique happened as the Towers fell on 9/11. Two steel beams were found in the rubble, and they are in the form of a cross.  Out of this tragedy, was God sending us a message?  I think so!

I believe that 9/11/01 was a "wake-up" call for America.  Out of tragedy -- out of an act of violence -- out of a mess -- God sends a message of His love.  On the night that Jesus was betrayed, he took bread and wine, and instituted a "Memorial" of His live, death, burial, and resurrection --- we call it Communion or Eucharist.  Jesus said, "This is my body ... this is my blood".  

On that fateful Tuesday morning, a lot of blood was shed across the land.  However, the most powerful day in history occurred almost two thousands years ago, outside Jerusalem on a hill called Golgotha -- when ONE man gave His life for the world.  Not just One man -- God-Man, Jesus Christ died on a Cross for you and me!  The world will NEVER know peace or lack of war and violence, until Jesus Christ is Lord over all!

As we remember the tragedy of 9/11 -- as we remember the sacrifice given on that day -- as we remember the loss of so many people on that day -- let's REMEMBER HIM!

We often sing, "God Bless America" -- every President in my lifetime has concluded every speech by saying, "God Bless America" --- We want God to bless us, BUT, what are we doing that would lead us to believe that God will continue to bless America?  God HAS blessed this country in the past -- no doubt about it. Thank you Lord for your blessings!

We are seeing a lot of stuff going on in the land that brings to question whether God will continue that blessing.  We must return to God!  We must repent of our wickedness and sin! We must stop depending on ourselves, but depend on God! Our money states, "IN GOD WE TRUST" -- let's do it again! The sacrifice of Calvary is still alive today!

We used to sing a song in church, "Lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget thine agony, lest I forget thy love for me ..... lead me to Calvary"

America -- let's remember 9/11 -- but more importantly, let's remember Calvary!

ANOTHER SOLDIER HEADING HOME

I want to take a moment today and honor the memory of my dear friend, Steve Lambert, who for the past 18 years has been the Senior Pastor of First Assembly of God in Clearwater, FL.  Last Friday (August 26), Steve received a graduation from earth to heaven.  And for that, we rejoice for him.  He and his partner of many years, Ruth, have served the Lord faithfully for many years. 

On the church's web site, Steve tells a little about his ministry background:

"In 1993 my wife Ruth and I came to Clearwater First Assembly of God as the senior pastor. Together, we share a long history in the church. Our parents have served many years as pastors as well as denominational leaders.


Ruth is a graduate of Southeastern College. As a gifted pianist, she serves as a member of the worship band. We have been blessed with three children: Crystal, our oldest child, is married to Steve Mason, Youth Director, Alabama District. They have three children which have made us grateful grandparents. Our son Steven lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia. Our son Taylor lives and works in St. Petersburg, Florida.


After college, I served a number of churches as an associate pastor in music. In 1979 I was assigned my first church as senior pastor at Bagdad Assembly of God, Bagdad, Florida. Subsequent assignments as senior pastor include Grayson Valley Assembly of God, Birmingham, Alabama; Assembly of God Tabernacle, Gadsden, Alabama; and Queensway Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. As a graduate of Southeastern University, I hold a masters degree in church leadership and have co-authored Connecting Points and most recently The Joy of Connecting."


Today, September 1, 2011, Steve's body will be laid to rest in his home town, Montgomery, AL.  The church family in Clearwater will miss their pastor.  The Lambert family will miss Steve as husband, father, grandpa, brother, and son.  Our prayers are with all the family today.

Steve "fought a good fight, and kept the faith" -- He now wears the "crown of righteousness" !

He cannot come back to us -- but we can join him soon, because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross. If you die today, are you ready to stand before God?  If you die today, who will miss you? 

If you don't know that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior -- meet HIM now!  Pray (simply talk to God), Repent (turn from your sin), and Believe (trust Jesus Christ to save you now).

At the "Celebration of Life" for Steve this past week in Clearwater, the church sang one of Steve's favorite songs, "Won't It Be Wonderful There"

"having no burdens to bear.....joyously singing, with heartbells all ringing.....won't it be wonderful there!"

I can almost hear Steve singing now!  He's having the time of his life!!!

HEAD OF THE CHURCH

Do you remember the last time you sat in a doctor's office .... and waited .... and waited.... (I guess that's why we are called 'patients' or is it 'patience') --- while you waited you looked at all the charts and photos on the wall..... maybe you saw the one pictured above.... an anatomical photo of the head, with all it's parts, etc.

Have you ever stopped to think about the headship of the church lately?? Who really is the head of the "church" --- okay, you know this answer ..... Jesus Christ!  Right??  

Yes, you are right -- Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church!

In reality, we don't deal with the invisible head - Jesus - it is the visible "head" we deal with, don't we?

For much of the world, the "head" of the church is as pictured below.....

To another segment of the world the "head" of the church is the gentleman pictured below....

To millions of  people the "head" of the church is pictured below....

Now I mean NO disrespect to either of these men ... they are, I'm sure, wonderful and fine Christian men, who lead millions of people in their respected organizations. 

I'm writing this blog today to call our attention to the what I call the LOST MINISTERS and LOST MINISTRIES.....

Paul wrote to the Ephesians (Eph. 4:11-13 NIV)  "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 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

What Paul was saying -- CHRIST (the Head of the Church) gave 5 ministries to the church .... Christ gave these "office" ministries to the Church .... to prepare and unify the church.

We ALL know about the Pastors .... they are now the most prominent of the 5 ministries.  Everybody knows a pastor ....  who knows an apostle?  who knows a prophet?  who even knows an evangelist?

Everybody knows a teacher -- both in and out of the church world.

I did an unscientific survey --- called a google search -- of the words, 'Pastor', 'Apostle', 'Prophet', 'Evangelist', and 'Teacher'.

And the winner is .... (by how many 'hits' on google came up) .... 

Teacher -- 783 million

Pastors -- 186 million

Prophet  -- 97.3 million

Apostle -- 27 million

Evangelist -- 22.2 million

Now I love the Pastor ....  I've had the honor of being a Pastor for many years of my ministry years, so far.  I have so many friends in the ministry, who are called Pastor.  I honor them - love them - and bless them.

I also have the honor of saying that I know Apostles too!  I know some Prophets too! (real deal - not hit or miss men).  I know many Teachers too.  I even know many Evangelists..... fact is, I AM ONE !!

My point is .... as we look at the HEAD of the Church ... in the visible world today, we don't look to just one type minister -- but Christ, the Head, gave a 5-fold ministry to the church.

The Church today needs Apostles .... the Church needs Prophets ... the Church needs Teachers ... the Church needs Evangelists ... and of course the Church needs Pastors.

The Church needs the 5-fold Ministry that Christ gave.  The Pastor cannot do it all ... he is not called to do it all ... the healthy church locally should take advantage of the ministry gifts of all 5 that Christ gave so that we can be prepared and unified to do His Work!

Church member -- make sure your Pastor has all the help that Christ gave to the Church.  Talk with your Pastor about having an Evangelist come by ... have an Apostle visit ... have a true Prophet come ... have a Teacher come and instruct.... you as a congregation will be healthier than you can imagine, and your Pastor's hands will be "lifted up".

Think about it!  What do YOU think??  Let me know!

GOD IS ON THE MOVE!

GOD IS ON THE MOVE TODAY!

I just returned from a special week of meetings and services in the nation of Kenya, and I am happy to report that "God is on the move today, in the nation of Kenya."  Years ago, my wife and I had the honor of preaching 'Good News' Crusades under the Gospel tents in the nation of Sierra Leone.  There was a song we sang every night in those three weeks of services -- "God's Spirit is moving ... all over the world"  Well, HE still is moving.

Back in March of this year, a team of Pastors and lay ministers went to Nakuru, Kenya for a week of services. (I have reported on this blog, before, the results).  Not only did 6,000 + people get saved --but Maasai leaders were lifted up in the Lord -  God sovereignly moved among the Mungiki youth -- even Muslims were being converted.  That's why I went back this time, to prepare the way for Biblical training for the Maasai tribe and for the other groups who have come to Christ.

"

I had several meetings with the Bishops and Pastors among the Maasai tribe.  Each time they told me how much their Pastors need Biblical training.  One Bishop expressed grave concern over false religions and doctrines that are coming into the country, and how his men desperately needed to have a solid foundation in the Word.

God has led us at ICCL to a strategic alliance with Dr. Berin Gilfillan, the founder and CEO of the International School of Ministry (ISOM).  Dr. Gilfillan has compiled the 'best of the best' Biblical teachers and Pastors, who have video taped their instruction (now over 160 hours of training) - and it is translated into over 70 languages of the world.

Through the use of technology -- all the 160 hours of training, which is translated into Swahili (the working language of Kenya), is available on a hard-drive which connects through a special box directly to a TV.  Notes will be provided and these Maasai men will be trained, along with other ministers who will teach in "live" sessions.  Thank God, we live in a day, where this is possible.

Incidentally, these ISOM teachings are available in English for any and all churches here in America to use to train your leaders. Got a Hispanic congregation in your church - get ISOM in English/Spanish. It works!!! 

 Check it out on their web site:  ISOM

One of the highlights of this trip was the occasion when I got to meet and spend some time with the national "chairman" of the former "Mungiki" group.  These young men were organized back in the 80's by the former President of Kenya -- they soon became the "Mafia" of Kenya.  Over the years they have ruled by intimidation, robbery, extortion, and murder.  They are feared by all.

Good News -- the national "chairman" has become a real Christian - and is now teaching his men to work honest jobs.  Hundreds of these former "Mungiki" have now become Christians.  They desperately need Biblical training -- NOW !

I met with a large group of these dear "brothers and sisters" in Nakuru -- and they begged for a school, and promised that 100 men would come to the first class.

What we need now is more financial partners to make this possible.  A wonderful church congregation in Panama City, FL. - St. Andrews Assembly of God - pastored by my good friend, Jeff Scalf, has given the "seed" money to get the first school going for the Maasai.

We need a school for the Mungiki!  We need a school for the Sudanese refugees.  We need a school for the Muslim ladies (now over 17) in Nakuru, who are coming to know Jesus Christ as Lord (not just a prophet).  We need a school for the prisoners (both men and women) in Nakuru, who have come to Christ.  We need this NOW!  

I talked with a wonderful man of God in Nakuru, a Bishop over 85 churches, and he begged me to bring this training to his men.  The need is great!  The door is open!  The time is NOW!

What can you do?   Two things:(1) Pray, (2) Give!

You may make tax-deductible contributions to ICCL -  you can go to our web site to donate, and to get the mailing address to mail your gift. 

 Mark it "School in Kenya" --

ICCL

There is a link to ICCL on my web site:  Don Railey Ministries

In these strategic days, the devil, "as a roaring lion" is seeking to devour all he can. Let's support the work of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah - JESUS - and let's equip Kenyans NOW to win their people to the LION OF JUDAH!

HERESY!

Maybe it's time to stop listening and supporting Harold Camping's Radio Network -- Family Radio!!!

I have never suggested this before, but just the other day, I was driving back from Florida to Atlanta, and I searched the FM radio dial and came across Family Radio playing some of the most inspiring hymns and spiritual songs.  I was so blessed by the special rendition of "Grace Greater Than Our Sin" -- it was beautiful! 

THEN....

"Open Forum with Harold Camping" came on.....LIVE.... so I continued to listen --- Remember Harold was the man who predicted the Rapture on May 21 - Judgment Day!  Thousands of billboards were all across the nation announcing 'JUDGMENT DAY - MAY 21'.

I LISTEN TO HEAR WHAT THIS OLD MAN WOULD SAY!

The first caller asked him a Biblical question regarding the passage that referred the "disciple who leaned on the breast of Jesus".

Harold stumbled all over himself, then finally said that disciple was actually Lazarus -- and we should call the Gospel of John - the Gospel of Lazarus.

WOW -- that's a new one!  

I kept  listening.

Second Caller asked about him "missing the prediction" concerning May 21 -- and off he went again.

He said May 21 WAS Judgment Day for all the world.

He said that May 21, 2011 was the last day of salvation.  According to his theory, NO ONE can be saved after May 21, 2011.

The "earthquakes" he predicted that would happen at 6 p.m. in each time zone around the world ---well, it wasn't physical earthquakes --- NO, he said, it was spiritual.  And the world was shaken.  He quoted the Genesis Scripture where man is made from the "dust" -- "earth" to him.....

Then Harold continued....

I heard this old man say that the whole world will be annihilated on October 21, 2011

"Annihilated!"  That was his word!

About that time, I had driven past the strength of the FM signal, and Harold's voice was fading out....

The only word that came to mind:  HERESY

THIS IS FALSE TEACHING!

All I could think about for miles was the beautiful Gospel message presented on this network just minutes before about God's Grace.....then the owner/founder of this network opens the mic and tells everybody they basically can't be saved now -- they missed the date -- May 21, 2011.

WHAT A TREMENDOUS CONTRADICTION!

It's time for Harold Camping to STOP --- GIVE IT UP!  TURN OFF FAMILY RADIO, 

or at least - Get OFF the AIR!

Mr. Camping - you are misguided and you are WRONG!

You are misleading people everywhere!

If Harold won't stop - then STOP listening to Family Radio -- and STOP sending money to him!

I have THREE Announcements:

1.  The last day for salvation was NOT May 21 -- the last day for your salvation is the day you die, or the day that Jesus Christ actually returns to earth.  THIS IS THE DAY OF SALVATION NOW!

GET IN NOW! THERE IS STILL TIME.

2. The world will NOT be annihilated on October 21, 2011 --  Judgment Day will come one day, AFTER Christ returns. Christ is not coming on October 21 -- HE could actually come any day now! Are you ready?

3. The Gospel of John was actually written by John, the beloved disciple that Jesus referred to -- not Lazarus!

JUST THOUGHT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW!

WHAT DO YOU THINK??

REPENTANCE??

WHAT DOES TRUE REPENTANCE LOOK LIKE?

Time and time again, we are being faced with news story after another where individuals appear to be "repentant" - on the surface -- or at least while the cameras are rolling -- then later we are left to wonder? Where they really repentant at all?

It's human nature to react to a sudden event with shock and a sense of feeling "sorry" --- but feeling sorry is NOT repentance at all!

Three cases in point!

Just a few days ago we heard here in Atlanta that Bishop Eddie Long had "settled out of court" with five young men who had accused him of sexual misconduct.  When the Pastor was first accused, he stood before his congregation and vowed to fight and air his side of the story in a court of law, not a court of opinion.  What happened?

According to his spokesperson, Long "settled" so that his ministry could continue and not be hampered by a court proceeding.  Many in his congregation were anxiously and loyally awaiting his defense.....awaiting his assurance of his innocence.  Now all they have are questions? What is Bishop Long hiding?  What did he really do with those five young men?  Why did he pay them money? Was the money "hush money?"
Did the money come from him, or the church coffers?

Only God, Long, and the five young men know the answers!!

Is Bishop Eddie Long worthy of being called "Bishop" any longer?

Has there been any signs of true repentance?

I'll let God be the judge of that one!!!

Case # 2 -  This past week, another man who calls himself, "Bishop" -- opened a new branch of his Church in the Now in Midtown Atlanta.... home of the gay community of Atlanta.

Jim Swilley hasn't even tried to "repent", believing he has nothing to repent from.....

Instead, he goes on ... and moves forward, as if nothing is wrong or out of place!

Before all this "revelation" was made public -- that Swilley was homosexual -- and in his mind, "made that way" -- his church was in financial straits .... now I wonder .... all he lost in "straight" members -- is he making up for it with "gay" members???

I'll leave that question to God!

Case # 3 -  Just a few days ago, another man who carried a title, "Bishop" -- was arrested in Tampa for Driving Under the Influence --  Randy White!

Randy divorced his second wife, Paula, a while back .... stepped down from being Senior Pastor of Church Without Walls in Tampa, stating he has "health issues", and invited his former wife, Paul White, to return as Pastor.  Now he's arrested for DUI??


Am I the only one who sees a pattern of inconsistency here??


What is repentance?  Feeling sorry?  Getting caught or arrested?  
Being embarrassed in pubic?
Or does it have everything to do with your heart and God?


I believe that true repentance means you CHANGE!  You change your mind -- you change your ways -- you change your actions -- you become humble, realizing that only God can really change you!




I, FOR ONE, HAVE "HAD IT" WITH FAKE PREACHERS -- PHONY BISHOPS -- AND MEN WHO GLOSS OVER TRUE REPENTANCE!
IT'S TIME FOR AN OLD-FASHION REVIVAL OF REPENTANCE IN THE CHURCH!


What do you think??

IT'S NEARER THAN YOU THINK!

All across the world today, the sceptics, atheists, agnostics, and the media are "having a field day" -- mocking the prediction that May 21, 2011 is the Rapture of "true believers", and that earthquakes will happen beginning at 6 p.m. in whatever time zone you live.  These predictions have been broadcast all over the world on Family Radio and on billboards.....hundreds of thousands of dollars or more have been spent on getting 'the word' out.  Well, the 'word' is out!  Some are watching and waiting for the END to come.  I didn't even flinch this morning, when I boarded a plane for Ohio to preach God's Word to a congregation TOMORROW morning!  Why?  I know the TRUTH, and the "TRUTH" sets me free!

These latest predictions come from 89 year-old Harold Camping, founder of Family Radio.  Over the years I have been blessed by listening to music and teaching on this network of stations across the land.  Harold is no stranger to "predictions" -- Having a degree in engineering, he has an analytical mind that leads him to approach Scripture in that manner.  In 1994, he predicted the "end of the world" -- and he was wrong then.  Claiming that he made a mathematical error, he set out to revise his prediction.

In 1988, I was a Pastor of a congregation in North Carolina, and one day I opened my mail box to see multiple copies of a small book entitled:  "88 Reasons Why Jesus is Coming Back in 1988" --  Author Edgar Whisenaut went on to sell over 4.5 million copies of that little book.  Guess what?  Jesus did NOT come back in 1988.  Undaunted, Edgar edited the book the next year, and mailed me another copy of "89 Reasons Why Jesus is Coming in 1989" --- somehow Edgar admitted he miscalculated. I humorously have said that the 89th reason was -- he didn't come in 1988.

If Harold and Edgar had only read the Bible -- not as a mathematical analytical textbook -- but as a guide- book for life -- they would have noted the words, "no man knows the day or the hour"! Jesus himself declared that only God the Father knows the time of His return!!

Yes, most every "true believer" and a lot of "nominal Christians" realize that we are living in precarious times .... some even say "the end times".  I believe we are in the "end times" season .... BUT ... the SIGN is NOT what Satan is doing....the sign is NOT what Israel is doing....the real SIGN is what is GOD doing in the world!

When the disciples asked Jesus, just before His ascension into heaven, about the "times" -- read what Jesus said:
"HE said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niches in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power. BUT, you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth."    (Acts 1:7-8 Amplified Bible)

I am a WITNESS -- God is doing mighty things in the earth!  Souls are being brought into the Kingdom!  Lives are being changed!  The Sick are being healed!  Miracles, Signs and Wonders, are being done in HIS name!  The earth is groaning and even shaking ... yes, there is unrest .. but GOD is ahead of the game!  What we are seeing is the REACTION to the Action of the Holy Spirit!

Two questions:  
# 1 -- Are you ready to meet Jesus, when He comes?  - No, I didn't ask which church you belong to, or even if you go to church!  I'm talking about a relationship with Jesus.   Is Jesus Christ, God's Son, your LORD and Savior?  If not -- Get on your knees right now, and pray .... ask Jesus to forgive you .. ask Jesus to come into your life ... your own words ... it works!  If you ask, HE will come!!!

# 2 -  What are you doing with the Power HE sent?  Are you daily "filled" with the power, ability, and efficiency of the Holy Spirit in your life?  If you are, then you are involved in the Kingdom work of reaching out to everyone you can to minister to their needs - in every way possible. If you are, then you are so busy doing the "works of ministry" that you hardly have time to worry about somebody's prediction of the "end".  You know the world will not END, until God the Father says so!!!

IT'S NEARER THAN YOU THINK!  

When I hear of these types of predictions, and I see all the media attention they draw, I know that God is really up to something BIG.  We must be closer to the finale than we could even imagine. SO, I will re-double my efforts to get the Word out -- to love people -- to proclaim the Good News everywhere. 

 Jesus IS coming soon!