Outside the Bowl

Yesterday we had a rare treat - Jae Evans, founder of Outside the Bowl came to our Men's Bible Study and spoke to us about all the great things they are doing in Africa, Haiti and Tijuana, Mexico.   

Ed McCaffrey and Jae Evans have become friends over the last year or so and he agreed to share with our group his ministry.  It was a chance for us men to learn about Outside the Bowl, while also giving Jae an opportunity to say thank you.  Outside the Bowl is one of the ministries we have been able to support through our donut and coffee money.

I knew Outside the Bowl was doing some great things by providing more than 2 million meals and counting to starving people around the world, but I did not know exactly how.  Jae explained his story and exactly what they do in each location.  It started in Africa with their first "super kitchen."  I knew about the super kitchens, but I thought the people came to the kitchen to eat.  That is not how it works.  The super kitchens become the hub or base where all the food is made, stored and processed.  But the real ministry is what happens "outside the bowl."  They work with the local communities with volunteers from churches and other ministries.  They use those helpers to distribute the food to local churches and ministries so that the gospel and message is being preached, while they are getting fed.  The best part about it is once the project is done, the kitchens become self sufficient and run all by themselves by local volunteers and staff.

Jae also brought along Eric.  Eric is currently heading up the project in Tijuana Mexico.  He started the project in November 2010, and is still not finished yet.  Eric explained, although he would love to be finished with the project, God has actually used this extra time to allow Eric to build relationships with the local churches, and the local government which has been very important.  Funding has been one of the reasons why they are still not finished, but God has been faithful and the money continues to come little by little.

If you are interested in giving to this ministry simply go to their website Outside the Bowl.org, and you can find out more on how to give and where to send the money.  

Next week we will continue our study in Romans, picking up in Romans Chapter 2.

Romans - Chapter 1 (Part 2)

Romans 1:18-32

We are back to reading the bible Chapter by Chapter and we are in Romans.  Ed McCaffrey started this study last week and we will continue to study Romans till we finish the book.

All the notes that go along with this study are amazing, they really help me see that the Bible is just one big story with many little stories that are all related or linked by God's design.  We are working on getting those notes uploaded here on our blog, but right now I will need to highlight some of those passages and hope to convey the same message Ed spoke on Wednesday.

The first verse that stands out is Romans 1:20 - "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."  God's invisible qualities - invisible not able to see, can be clearly seen.  That is amazing.  I have read Romans several times in the last 15 years and I missed this simple truth.  That God is visible even when he is invisible.  Most be want to be invisible so that they cannot be seen.  But God's invisible qualities are seen, which glorfies God and shows His true nature.  -- God shows himself in his creation and his people.  We cannot deny that.

Paul finishes the chapter with the depravity of mankind.  How men have turned away from God despite the knowledge of him and seeing him in creation.  Romans 1:28 - "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done."  We have a choice.  We can continue to be full of evil, greed and every kind of wickedness, or we can accept Christ as our savior repent and follow Him - But that will come later in Romans.

Ed left us with 3 questions for table time:

1. What shall we believe ourselves?
2. What can you say and do to/for others to show you are different?
3. What information can you share with other people that can help them see God exists, sin/idolatry lives, there is the hope of Christ for all men?

The Invisible War - Session 8

III. THE MINISTRY OF DELIVERANCE

EPHESIANS 6:18-20

How to Gain Deliverance from Demonic Influence

A. It's Validity

• Jesus regularly exercised this ministry. (Mark 1:27, 39) 25% of his ministry!
• The apostles regularly exercised this ministry. (Luke 10)
• So did the early church. (Acts 16)
• The New Testament provides clear direction concerning it. (James 4:1-10)
• Contemporary, balanced deliverance ministries do exist today and help many.

B. It's Problems

• Extremism & fanaticism tend to negatively color this ministry.
• Confusion concerning demon possession versus oppression of believers clouds this ministry's validity among Christians.
• Fear & ignorance have caused many to simply ignore it.
• Those engaged in it are often tempted by pride or become so singularly focused they fall into theological error.
• Assigning blame of all one's problems to demonic influence versus assuming personal responsibility and using Biblical common sense.

C. The cause(s) of Demonic Influence (Continuum of Demonic Possession)

• Yielding to sin (John 8:34)
• Spiritual rebellion (1 Samuel 15:23)
• Participating in the occult (Deuteronomy 18:10-11)
• Attempting to contact the dead (Deuteronomy 18:11)
• Unresolved anger and bitterness (Ephesians 4:26-27)
• Association with those involved in Satanic activity (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)

D. New Testament Evidences of Demonic Influence

• Severe sickness (Matthew 12:22)
• Divination - telling the future (Acts 16:16)
• Unusual physical strength (Mark 5:3)
• Fits of rage (Mark 5:4)
• Split personality (Mark 5:6-7)
• Resistance to spiritual help (Mark 5:7)
• Other voices from within (Mark 5:9)
• Occult powers (Deuteronomy 18:10-11)

E. The Cure for Demonic Influence

  General Purpose

1. Victory is through the cross of Christ (Colossians 2:14-15)
2. Victory is in the name of Christ (Matthew 10:1, Acts 5:16)
3. Victory is in the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:4)

  Specific Steps for Deliverance from Demonic Influence

1. Accept Christ (John 1:12)
2. Confess sins (1 John 1:9)
3. Renounce works of the devil (2 Corinthians 4:2)
4. Destroy occult objects (Acts 19:17-20, see also 2 Chronicles 14:2, 23:17)
5. Break friendship with occultists (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)
6. Rest in Christ's deliverance (Colossians 1:13)
7. Resist the devil (James 4:7-10)
8. Meditate on and apply the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17, Matthew 4:4, 7, 10)
9. Engage in corporate prayer (Ephesians 6:18, Matthew 18:19)
10. If necessary, exorcism in the name of Christ (Acts 16:16)

           a. By a spiritually qualified counselor (Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 5:18)

• Who maintains humility (James 4:7)
• Who wears spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:12)
• Who knows the Word of God (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10)
• Who is supported by prayers of believers (Ephesians 6:18, Matthew 18:19)

F. Additional Resources For Help When You Suspect Demonic Influence

    The Adversary - Mark I. Bubeck
    Overcoming The Adversary - Mark I. Bubeck
    Powers of Evil - A Biblical Study of Satan & Demons - Sydney H.T. Page