Moving up to a Higher Level of Faith

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We had Dr. Steve Ross as our retreat speaker this weekend. Dr. Steve is pastor of Living Word Christian Fellowship, in Richmond, Indiana.

(10/2/2005) Steve’s message was one that every Christian could agree with, I believe. He spoke of defending the faith. By this he means obeying the Scripture in all it commands. There certainly is a need for this today.

Steve has encountered many problems in his church recently which were quite beyond his control. As a result, the power of God was at the retreat and at the church. Steve preached with anointing and power because of the pressure on him.

He referred to the fourth chapter of II Corinthians, which is one of my favorites. We are But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (II Corinthians 4:7-12—NIV)

Isn’t it the truth? Have you been there, done that, and got the T-shirt as they say. I certainly have! Have you been hard pressed on every side lately? You will not be crushed, because of the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus. He never forsakes those who trust in Him!

Are you perplexed, having a difficult time trying to understand what is taking place in you life? Not to worry! :His Life will keep you from despair. "God, I do not understand you but I trust you (Basilea Schlink).

Are you being persecuted? The Lord will never, never, never leave you. You can count on that! Have you been struck down? Just hang in there. The power of Christ will lift you up.

Also, the people whom you affect will experience the Life of the Lord because Christ will give enough power to lift you and bring life to them. There simply is no true Christian life apart from these pressures.

Sunday evening Steve spoke about something I never heard of. He called it Shadididiah. No, I did not misspell it. It means God Almighty.

Steve said that when you put a stethoscope over someone’s heart, what you hear is Shadididiah with every beat. Steve’s point is that every person living on the earth is proclaiming the Glory of God Almighty. I would not doubt this for one minute!

Steve’s entire message, Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday evening, Sunday morning, Sunday evening, was practical and anointed. He did us a lot of good.

If some pastor is reading these words, I can put you in touch with Steve. I do not believe you would be disappointed if he spoke in your church.