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Today is October 31st, and across our nation, children are eagerly anticipating tonight’s activity. Although Christians have differing views on Halloween, the reality is that today is a time when children – and even many adults – are given opportunity to look like someone else. Talk to six-year-olds in September about what they are going to be for Halloween and they will have known for months: this year a princess, next year a doctor or perhaps a pumpkin, rock star, fireman or a police officer. The costumes and masks we wear allow us to be someone or something else, even if it is just for a night.

The problem is, when many of us grow up we don’t stop wearing our masks. Perhaps you have had times in your life where just before you walk out the door, you put on your mask of contentment. What were you hiding? Loss, pain, burden, pride, selfishness, fear, perfectionism? Sometimes these masks help get us through the day; however, the more you wear the mask the harder it is to take off. The more you continue to bury your emotions and fears and hide behind what you think the world wants to see, the more you risk losing yourself.

In Luke 13:10-13, we read of Jesus healing a crippled woman. This woman had been bent over for eighteen years. When Jesus sees her, He says, “You are set free from your infirmity.” Set free. What wonderful words from our Savior. He puts His healing hand on her and the Bible says she immediately stood straight. Don’t you want to stand straight and come out from behind the mask you have been wearing?

Jesus came so that we all could be set free. He wants to free us from the bondage of sin, fear, pride, the world. Can you hear Him whispering in your ear, “Be free”? He wants to heal you just like He healed the crippled woman. He wants you to be set free from anything that cripples you and keeps you from having a relationship with Him. He wants to free you from anything that drains your hope and joy. He wants to free you from whatever entraps you. He wants you to know He sees through the mask and He loves you just as you are. Ultimately, He wants to help you peel off the mask you hide behind.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 8.44. Live for God, on purpose, set free to be who He has called you to be!

Will You Speak About the Election?

by Jeff Leake

As Election Day approaches, I am being asked this question from a growing number of people. What do you think? McCain? Obama? Who should a Christian vote for? Now, I know in just listing this question on the blog, there is the potential for a flurry of comments for or against candidates and issues. Can I ask for you to guard your words in leaving comments? Please don’t use the comment section as a plea for one or another of the candidates. (Read on to see why)

First, my hope for the future of the USA does not rest in this election. I believe in voting. I also believe that good leadership is critical to any nation, church, family, or business. But I believe that God is big enough to work in and through whatever happens on Nov 4th and beyond.

Second, my primary concern is with the Kingdom of God and not with the United States of America. I know that sounds almost offensive to some people. But the USA is not the centerpiece of the vision that God has for the world. His primary concern is with souls coming to know Jesus. Often it seems that Christians in the USA think that God’s main concern in the world is with our own nation. The world is so much bigger than that. He is just as concerned with Rwanda or Nicaragua as He is with the USA. Mostly He is concerned with the lost, the hurting, the poor, the innocent, the vulnerable.

Third, I believe that a believer should consider moral values, character, and vision when they make their decision to vote. I think that every voter should get educated about the candidates that are running, not just for president, but for local offices as well. Some of the values that I will be thinking through will have to do with the unborn, the definition of marriage and the family, with helping the poor, the end of racial injustice, and with standing up for human rights in parts of the world where people are at risk (just to mention a few).

Fourth, my responsibility is to pray for and even bless governmental leaders, even when I disagree with their policies. Whoever is elected as President, I will bless. I am not going to speak evil, spread false rumors, or run down my leaders. Some people’s Christianity will be tested on the Wednesday after the election as to whether they will act in love, faith, and blessing toward the person who has been elected.

Fifth, I think at times we can over-estimate the election season. As I look back on the past 16 years, we have had 8 years of Bush, and 8 years of Clinton. Neither one proved to be the messiah and neither one was the devil. Both have been imperfect people who accomplished some good and some not so good. The next President will be the same. And regardless of who is elected, we need to remember that we can still influence policy and decision making by staying engaged in the process.

Sixth, my passion is to represent Jesus well in the world. Partisan attitudes often divide. When we speak harshly or unfairly of one candidate or another, we affect things as much by our negative fear based attitude, as we do by our words. One reason why younger people in our nation are closed to the church is due to the perceived anger and self-righteousness of people identified as Christians. I believe we should stand for what we believe in, but with humility, kindness, patience, and grace.

Seventh, I want to protect the unity of the church (not just APC but believers all throughout this nation). I personally know many believers who are passionate for Obama. I know many who are just as passionate for McCain/Palin. I like to imagine what it is like to worship in Rwanda where Hutu’s and Tutsi’s worship in the same church. Remember that 800,000 or more died in genocide a few years ago in Rwanda, but somehow these of different parties have learned to forgive and live in love. In the church where my father-in-law pastors, there are Contras and Sandinistas who worship together. These two groups had been in civil war for years. Surely, Republicans and Democrats can worship together and yet disagree on who to vote for?

Finally, I like to consider what Jesus did regarding politics when he walked the earth. The Governmental Leaders in his day were corrupt, evil, and murderous. King Herod slaughtered 2 year old boys. A few years later in Rome, Nero burned the city and blamed Christians. Some Roman Emperors fed believers to lions in the Coliseum. Wow.

Do you know what happened? The Kingdom of God advanced! In fact, in harsh governmental environments, the Kingdom of God often flourishes most. In the past 80 years, China has been under some severe rulers. But the Kingdom has exploded in that nation in spite of the fact that it is against the law to openly preach Christ. Jesus never hung his hopes on a change in political leadership. He worked for a greater Kingdom reality in the hearts of men and women.

I think it is safe to say that neither Obama nor McCain is the hope of the world. That is Jesus. It is also safe to say that neither candidate will be as much a threat as Nero, Herod, or Mao. If the Kingdom can expand under their leadership, I am confident God can continue to work no matter who is elected in 2008.

So I will be voting. I will vote based on character, values, and vision. I will pray for the election. And when I wake up on Wednesday, I will commit to pray for whoever is elected. I will not give into a spirit of fear but I will continue to walk in faith. And more than anything I will seek first the Kingdom of God.

as seen in Pastor Jeff Leake’s blog “The LaunchPad” on Wednesday, October 29, 2008. http://jeffleake.typepad.com/the_launchpad/ Jeff Leake is the Lead Pastor of the Allison Park Church in Pittsburgh, PA. Also, back more years ago than I want to count, while I was the youth pastor at the Monroeville Assembly of God, Jeff was a member of my youth ministry, Crossfire. To this day, he calls me “his youth pastor.”

Survey Says:
God Has Blessed America

New survey results released this week found that most Americans (61%) strongly believe that God has uniquely blessed America, and a similar majority believe that the United States should set the example as a Christian nation to the rest of the world (59%). The nationwide survey of 1,400 adults was conducted to find how religion shapes people’s view of America’s role in the world and its foreign policy.

The poll, conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, Inc., for the PBS news program Religion and Ethics Newsweekly and the United Nations Foundation, also revealed that support for the idea that America is uniquely blessed by God was highest among people who attend religious services weekly (80%), with 86 percent of evangelical Christians sharing this belief. In comparison, less than half (48%) of those who attend religious services less regularly held the same view.

In terms of foreign policy priorities, there was not much of a difference between what the general American public and what white evangelicals consider most important issues. They sharply contrast, however, on priorities in terms of supporting Israel – 65 percent of white evangelicals consider this extremely or very important compared to 46 percent of the general American public. They also disagree on promoting religious freedom in other nations, combating global warming and providing women with reproductive healthcare.

The survey also looked in particular at young white evangelicals. Those results show that white evangelicals in the age bracket of 18-29 are as solidly pro-life on the abortion issues as older evangelicals. But, they are more liberal when it comes to granting some form of legal recognition for same-sex couples, whether civil unions or marriage. A majority (58%) of younger white evangelicals support giving legal recognition to homosexual couples, while older evangelicals are strongly opposed to the idea.

“We found that young evangelicals are indeed less conservative than older evangelicals on a whole host of very interesting issues,” said Kim Lawton, managing editor of Religion and Ethics Newsweekly at a press conference. “But this is not a group of flaming liberals – at least, not yet,” she added.

as seen at The Christian Post (www.christianpost.com)

The Value is in The Owner

by Alan Smith

The story is told of an American tourist in Paris who picked up an amber necklace in a trinket shop. When he arrived at New York and went through customs he was shocked at the high duty he had to pay for the necklace. So when he came home, he spoke with a jeweler and the jeweler told him he would give $25,000 for the necklace. The man was stunned and suspected that there was a reason for the offer. So he took the necklace to an expert who appraised it at an astronomical amount.

When he asked the appraiser what made the necklace so valuable, he told him to look into the magnifying glass and see for himself. When he placed his eye next to the glass, he saw an inscription which read: “From Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine.” It was the name on the necklace that gave it extraordinary worth.

We have no intrinsic value — that is to say, we are not of great value because of who we are or what we’ve accomplished. Our value is determined by the One who bought us and owns us. Those of us who are Christians have the name of Christ “stamped” on our lives to remind us who we are and whose we are. Knowledge of this truth causes us to rethink what we do with our lives.

For example, if you have an old pair of ragged tennis shoes, you may think nothing of getting out in a muddy garden to do some work. But if you’re wearing an expensive pair of dress shoes, you’ll be hesitant to wear them in the mud. The value of what you’re wearing will keep you from going certain places and doing certain things.

Paul says that’s why we as Christians should avoid sexual immorality (as well as other misuses of the body). If our bodies were of little value (as some believe), we would think nothing of “dragging them through the mud.” But knowing the value of our bodies, we’re forced to think twice about where we go and what we do.

“For your were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Look closely at the inscription on your life. You’ll notice the name of the One who bought you and owns you. Your value just went up!

This article by Alan Smith, Senior Pastor of the Helen Street Church of Christ in Fayetteville, North Carolina. You can visit his site at http://www.TFTD-online.com

The Preciousness of the Bible

There is a story that when Dr. Livingstone began his great missionary work in Africa he was passionate about reading and his studies. Even though he knew the road would be rough and long he still committed to carrying his most prized books with him on his long journey. When Dr. Livingstone began to make his way deep into the heart of Africa he carried with him 73 of his most prized books in 3 packs. The weight of Dr. Livingstone’s book bags was 180 pounds, but he was determined to keep them all. After his missionary team had gone 300 miles through the jungle Dr. Livingstone knew that he was not going to be able to keep all of his books because of the fatigue they were creating for those who had to carry his baggage. As he continued on his journey his library grew less and less, until he had but one book left – his Bible.

The Bible

This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.

as seen in Rocky Henriques’ “The Timothy Report,” www.timothyreport.com, on October 27, 2008

Getting Things Done

“If any of you lacks wisdom... ask God.” – James 1:5 (NIV)

Large tasks tend to overwhelm us. And overwhelmed people seldom get things done.

So ask God to help you, then apply these principles:

1. Focus on the task. The secret of success is making every action count – being intentional. That kind of focus helps you live without regrets because it directs you and makes the most of your talents and your opportunities. If you know you have talent, and you are energetic and active, but you don’t see concrete results, then lack of focus is likely your problem.

2. Prioritize it by importance. When we don’t prioritize what we must do according to its importance, the tasks begin to arrange themselves according to their urgency. And when the urgent drives you instead of the important, you lose your edge. Instead of activating your talent it robs you of the best opportunities to use it.

3. Order it by sequence. Create a timetable, give yourself deadlines, and stick with them. The biggest lie we tell ourselves is, “I’ll do it later.”

4. Assign it by abilities. When you divide a large task into smaller ones you begin to understand what kinds of people you’ll need to get the job done. The most important step in accomplishing something big is determining who will be on your team. Jesus spent three and a half years discipling 12 men, then He delegated responsibilities to them. And the job got done!

5. Accomplish it by teamwork. Even if you break a task down, strategically plan it, and recruit great people, you still need one more element to succeed. Teamwork! Teamwork is the glue that can bring it all together.

as seen in word for today http://www.rhema.co.nz/index.php#email

Do Unto Others

One stormy night many years ago, an elderly man and his wife entered the lobby of a small hotel in Philadelphia. Trying to get out of the rain, the couple approached the front desk hoping to get some shelter for the night.

“Could you possibly give us a room here?” the husband asked. The clerk, a friendly man with a winning smile, looked at the couple and explained that there were three conventions in town.

“All of our rooms are taken,” the clerk said. “But I can’t send a nice couple like you out into the rain at one o'clock in the morning. Would you perhaps be willing to sleep in my room? It’s not exactly a suite, but it will be good enough to make you folks comfortable for the night.”

When the couple declined, the young man pressed on. “Don’t worry about me; I’ll make out just fine,” the clerk told them. So the couple agreed.

As he paid his bill the next morning, the elderly man said to the clerk, “You are the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I’ll build one for you.”

The clerk looked at them and smiled. The three of them had a good laugh.

As they drove away, the elderly couple agreed that the helpful clerk was indeed exceptional, as finding people who are both friendly and helpful isn’t easy.

Two years passed. The clerk had almost forgotten the incident when he received a letter from the old man. It recalled that stormy night and enclosed a round-trip ticket to New York, asking the young man to pay them a visit.

The old man met him in New York, and led him to the corner of Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. He then pointed to a great new building there, a palace of reddish stone, with turrets and watchtowers thrusting up to the sky.

“That,” said the older man, “is the hotel I have just built for you to manage.”

“You must be joking,” the young man said.

“I can assure you I am not,” said the older man, a sly smile playing around his mouth.

The older man’s name was William Waldorf Astor, and the magnificent structure was the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

The young clerk who became its first manager was George C. Boldt. This young clerk never foresaw the turn of events that would lead him to become the manager of one of the world’s most glamorous hotels.

The Bible says that we are not to turn our backs on those who are in need, for we might be entertaining angels.

Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than the things you acquire...

The Last Impression

There once was a church nursery that felt it was still more economical to use cloth diapers over disposable. The problem soon arose however, that they had trouble getting people to remember to return the laundered diapers and even more trouble getting them to return the plastic pants that went around them, so they ordered a stamp with the church’s name on it. They figured no one would want to be seen using plastic pants with the church’s name plastered on them.

When the new stamp arrived, the nursery director asked the church secretary if she would please stamp the new plastic pants. The secretary was doing the bookkeeping that same day, and accidentally picked up the wrong stamp. The next Sunday, the nursery volunteers pulled out the new pants to find “FOR DEPOSIT ONLY” stamped on them!

This Sunday, WFA will focus on our youth’s missions program – Speed the Light. Nationwide, our Assemblies of God youth are responsible for providing the equipment necessary for our missionaries to spread the gospel – everything from transportation to sound equipment. These items literally accomplish what the name of the ministry says – they “speed the light” of sharing the Gospel!