TWO OR THREE

You’ve heard of or read the verse that reads: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt 18:20). I have heard this verse of Scripture miss-quoted and miss translated my whole life. The typical translation sounds like this; “I know there is only a couple of us here, but the Bible says where two or three are gathered together, God is here.” For years many has justified their not attending church by trying to site this passage as their excuse. Truth is the verse has nothing to do with “attending church.” The focus is on a fellow Christian sinning against another Christian and refusing to repent. The instructions are given in Matthew 18:15-20 to address the sins of a fellow believer. The final step is to take the offending believer before the whole church to repent and if he will not, then the leadership is to separate the offending believer from the church. Like a disease, you must cut the disease out of the body in order to save the body. You do not save the disease and lose the body. And when the action is taken by the church leadership and the church body to separate the offending believer, Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered (pass judgment) in my name (representing me) there will I be in the midst of them (I will stand behind their judgment against the defiant offending member.” The passage is about authority, not church attendance.

Jesus Sat Down

“Jesus, after he offered one sacrifice for sins forever sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool” (Heb 10:12-13).

I have for near 50 years have heard Christians pray, worship, sing and even preach suggestive words of such requests, demands or even declaratives that Jesus is to go out and move on someone’s heart, save the lost or go and heal the sick. In other words, our theology sounds like we Christians are telling Jesus to go out into the field and do what Jesus told us to do.
Yes, I am saying that it is NOT truth that we Christians have any position to TELL Jesus to go out and do what he told us to go out and do. We have no more power, right or position to tell Jesus either in prayer, worship or sermon to go out into the highways and byways and save the lost, heal the sick or deliver the oppressed.
Ridiculous! It was Jesus who told we Christians to “go out into the highways and byways and … heal the sick, raise the dead, freely you have received, freely give” (Matt 10:1-5). The Bible fact is, Jesus came and DID his purpose on earth (written in the gospels) and died, buried and rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and SAT DOWN. No, Jesus is NOT going to get up and do OUR work for us. It was Jesus who SENT US OUT into all the world to win the lost, heal the sick and raise the dead.
I hope and pray that our misunderstanding or ignorant theology is the fault of our wrong belief and not our ineptness. I pray that our false allusion of Jesus being responsible of doing the work of the church is based on our miss guided teaching through the centuries and not our choice apathy. Yes, this is hard language, but after near 40 years of ministry worldwide, my words are mild to what I’m sure heaven is saying about the church’s lack of ministerial fulfillment. Let us all rise up from our couch of comfort and get to work for the Gospel of the Kingdom. “Jesus said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

Promiseland Newsletter 2-10

IN THE MARKETPLACE
It is quite clear that Jesus was in the temple every week on the Sabbath day (Luke 2:27). In fact, Jesus started His ministry in the synagogue (Luke 4:16). We find Jesus in the temple teaching the doctors at a very young age (Luke 2:46). The scriptures record very accurately that Jesus was faithful to the Temple of worship (John 18:20). However, when it came to Jesus seeking and saving the lost, He took his mission to the Marketplace. Jesus taught a parable about the Lord sending His servants out into the highways and hedges compelling anyone to come that His house might be filled (Luke 14:26).
The market place was where the people were. It was like our shopping centers and malls today. The marketplace was the place where people did business. The highways were where the commerce and trade took place. Jesus was teaching His disciples to get out from behind Church walls and to where the people lived on a daily bases. Where the people worked and did business was where Jesus had in mind for His disciples to reach the unsaved.
If any serious businessman today starting up a small business wishes to succeed, he knows he must go out to where the people are. Sad, but more than 80% of all small businesses that start up close down within 3-5 years. Why? They commit the ultimate sin: thinking that all one needs is get a shop, put a sign up and wait till customers come. Wrong! The same sin is for any church to believe that all is needed is to get a building, put a sign out and wait till people come. Worse, we Christians get a building, put up a sign and the tell God to go get the sinners and bring them to church. We religiously call this praying for a revival.
Marketplace evangelism was what Jesus originally used and is the only guaranteed method of the Bible. The perfect business success model is to find a need and meet it. The same is for the church. If we are going to succeed in growing the church (salvations) we must discover the needs, hurts, and desires of our local community and create a way to meet that need.
How is it that the early Church did their ministry of saving souls, healing hurts and meeting needs in the “streets” and we twenty first century Christians don’t? True, our culture provides great opportunities via civic buildings, such as performing arts, parks, theatres, malls, convention centers, etc. However, about 95% of all “Marketing” is done OUT WHERE PEOPLE ARE. We must get church out of church if we are going to make a dent in our mission.
Join me this year in becoming “Engaged” in Marketplace evangelism. Come go with me out into the streets where people are. Take a good hard look into the mirror of your soul and find the gifts and compassion to help others. I know inside everyone of you reading, there is a longing to reach out and offer to others what you wished someone had done for you. Some of us are where we are because there was someone who loved us to Christ and now we want to do the same for others.
2010 is the year of Opportunity. It is the year of multiplication. This is our year to do and become what our soul is crying to do. This is our year to leap from our coach and step out into the Marketplace and make our life count. Listen, do you hear that? It’s the hustle and bustle of hundreds and thousands of people reaching, looking and asking for someone to show them the way, answer their questions and offer them a way out from where they are to where they want to go. And you, yes I do mean you have exactly what they need. Come on, let’s go.
By Dr. Tim McClure

Ya Wanna Find Jesus?
A country drunk man stumbled into a church where there were baptisms being performed. The preacher noticed him and asked him if he wanted to find Jesus. "Sure," said the drunk man. "I'll find Jesus." So the preacher took the drunk man and dunked it into the baptismal waters. The drunk man jerk and swiveled and waved around till the preacher almost lost him. When he came up for air, he was sputtering and coughing. “Dag Gum It”, said the country drunk man. "Are you sure he fell in there?"

Hidden behind closed doors, by Tim McClure
Shall we keep truth hidden behind closed doors, While evil walks the streets for souls to lure? Shall we merely let the world see truth through stained glass, While sin freely lies in the streets for children to grasp? Let us rise and walk out into the streets, And share the love of Jesus Christ to everyone we meet.

COMING EVENTS
Feb 2010 – Relationships – Theme for February, 10:30 AM Sunday’s
Feb 7 – Super Bowl Sunday – Promiseland – 10:30 AM
Feb 14 – Couple’s Social – Mark Gungor @ Promiseland Café – 6 PM
Feb 19-21 – Fellowship groups – @ a place near you – call 321-216-8030
Feb 28 – SS Teacher’s Luncheon – Promiseland Café – 12:30-2:00 PM

Promiseland Church
1855 Lansing St. Melbourne, FL 32935
www.promiseland.org
http://www.oikas.biz/blog.php?user=Timmcclure
http://www.thehomebusinessacademy.biz

Osmond Collins Concert

Osmond Collins is one of the most sought after Christian Singing Artist in the body of Christ. He has been seen on Daystar, Word Channel, God Channel and many more. Osmond’s highly anointed style will move you into the presence of God like you have not seen or felt in a long time. Osmond Collins music style is a mix of a soulful worship that is smooth as glass. He then will pick you up on your feet with his Jamaican flare of “Reggie” pop that will put a smile on your face and a dance in your step.
I don’t know of another Gospel artist as prayerful and anointed then Osmond Collins. His Christian disciplines and fasting – prayer regimen is unprecedented. Call your friends and family and bring a car load to Promiseland Church 1855 Lansing St Melbourne, FL 32935 this Saturday night at 6 PM for a “Night of Praise.” For directions, log onto www.promiseland.org and get directions or call 321-254-5779.

Highlights & Hallelujahs

Have you ever found yourself sitting around remembering days gone by from when you were a child? Ever remember particular fond memories of playing, riding a bike or experiencing something fascinating? And the very moment now that you remember those times, your heart races, face smiles and your soul is lifted. I have found myself many times in moments of deep thought with issues I need to contemplate to fix, deal with or overcome some somewhere my mind walks down a hallway without purpose. Then all of a sudden, I look around in my mind and see myself playing with army men under the house, or in the back yard playing ball. In those moments I remember a “Highlight” of history that causes me to take a glimpse of yesterday when life was good. And then at that time, my heart sighs a “Hallelujah,” better days are real. Don’t allow your present moments to become so toxic that you can’t stroll down memory lane and find something to thank God about. My struggles yesterday didn’t drown me, so “Hallelujah” they won’t drown me today: HALLALUJAH.

Promiseland Newsletter 1-10

AT THE RIVER’S EDGE
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of unbelief, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us.” C Dickens
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have lived and are living inside a vortex. We are living in the "Pendulum Paralysis:" I hear the Lord speaking, “I have set before you this day, Life and death, chose life. I have set before you this day, blessing & cursing, chose blessing.” We are stepping outside of Decade of Difficulty and into a Decade of Destiny. Not just a new year but a new dimension. We are living in the chasm of the Wilderness – we’re not in Egypt, but we’re not in the Promiseland. The Paralysis of the Predictable has incarcerated some into their Couch of Conformity. I see it as we’re are standing at the River Jordon’s Edge, poised to step away from a Decade of Wilderness and into a Land of Promise. We must make our move.
The years 2000 - 2009 made the first decade of the new millennium. I called it the “Decade of Difficulty.” We had natural disasters of our lifetime with the 2004 Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in 2005; The meltdowns of our Central Banking institution and gross government and corporate failures; Still suffering from the largest unemployment in 40 years; and radical Islamic terrorism that brought us “9-11.” It brought doom and gloom on one hand and technological breakthroughs on the other. No matter who you are or where you lived, the Decade of the 00’s was a Decade of Difficulty.
I heard the Lord tell me a few months ago that we are living through the Book of Judges. Israel went from on top of the world to the bottom. They would live blessed and become sloppy then backslide. After an enemy would overtake them, Israel would cry out to God in repentance. God would send them a Judge who would bring them out. This would happen almost every 40 years. I say we as a nation are living on the bottom of such a cycle, moving upwards this roller coaster ride of dysfunction. We are suffering from a “Pendulum Paralysis:” People living from one extreme to the other.
Like Israel during the 40 years away from Egypt became a life in the wilderness, I have seen many these past few decades go through some of the hardest difficulty while on the other had experience some of the most profound miracles. I watch some men of God come onto the scene from nowhere to center stage of ecclesiastical success, while others stepped off the platform into spiritual corruption and deception. From one extreme to the other seemed to parade across the spiritual stage. You and I, if honest can share similar straddling difficulties.
I say we are standing on the River’s Edge with a resounding call to “go across this Jordon.” True, this river is not a “creek,” but a “Flood” (Josh 3:15). Yes, it may seem like the prophetic voice is demanding us to put our feet into a rushing torrent, but faith is wishing to secure us that the waters will roll back for us. I agree it doesn’t look simple. It will take crazy faith, divine unction, and (pardon me) but a lot of “guts” to step away from the comfort zone and into what looks like sure destruction. “But if we sit here, we die” (2 Kings 7:3).
I’m calling the church on a 31 day consecration. Consecration means to commit to a purpose, or commitment with a purpose. I am calling everyone to Matt 6:33 with their life, time, money & talents. "Sow a life, reap an eternity." Sow a seed, reap a harvest. Sow a thought, reap an invention. Sow a day, reap a lifetime of fulfillment. Let’s take the first 31 days of this new year, new decade and Commit to a Purpose – on Purpose. Jesus said, “To this end came I into the world and for this purpose was I born” (John 18:37). He never wavered, but stayed at it until he accomplished his calling. I say let us step into the River’s Edge and walk across into our Promiseland. Don’t look back, stay focused and let’s go, we’re well able to take this land.
By Dr. Tim McClure

Missed Opportunities
One faithful day in the summer of 1980, three buttoned down IBM’ers called on a band of hippie programmers at Digital Research, Inc. (DRI) located in the Pacific Grove, CA. They hoped to discuss licensing DRI’s industry leading operating system; CP/M. Instead, DRI founder Gary Kildall blew off IBM to gallivant around with his wife in his jet. Frustrated with Kildall’s failure to secure a deal, IBM turned back to Bill Gates for their operating system and Gates signed the contract. Gates released his Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS) and thus the PC was born.

Philosophies to live by:
* Life is not so much a matter of position as of disposition.
* Patience carries a lot of . . . "wait”
* Make friends before you need them.
* A small leak can sink a big ship.
* He who throws mud loses ground.
* If you fail to prepare, you are prepared to fail.

COMING EVENTS
Jan 2010 – Consecration – Theme for January, 10:30 AM Sunday’s
Jan 15-17 – Fellowship groups – @ a place near you – call 321-216-8030
Jan 24 – Bishop Malcolm – from London England @ Promiseland 10:30 AM
Jan 30 – Concert – with Osmond Collins – Promiseland 6 PM
Jan 31 – Consecration Sunday – Pastor Tony Hall – 10:30am & 6pm

Promiseland Church
1855 Lansing St. Melbourne, FL 32935
www.promiseland.org
http://www.oikas.biz/blog.php?user=Timmcclure
http://www.memberstar.com/redir_a.php?LFAId=2540

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

There is no other time of the year that spark such a mired of emotions like the short few weeks from Thanksgiving through New Years day. I whole heartedly agree that these days are “the most wonderful time of the year.” I was sitting out on the beach boardwalk the other day just to breath in the beautiful blessings of the moment. The white sands and white caps of the rolling ocean waves painted a picturesque canvas of Florida’s “White Christmas.” Yeah, I know it’s not snow in the “Winter Wonderland,” but you have to admit, it’s beautiful.
I sat there reminiscing over the past 54 years of my life and all that God has given me. I thought of my childhood days in West Virginia, sitting in front of the Christmas tree my dad cut down from the woods and mom decorated. Under it was a few gifts, but to me the framed setting said it all. I can’t recall how or why my minded captured such emotion that I still can remember, but I sensed then and still envision the very nature of God in the whole spirit of “Giving.”
Christmas represents the very core of Christianity because Christmas is about giving, “for God so loved the world he gave” (John 3:16). Study the dancing eyes of a child as he or she tears the wrapping paper away to expose the requested toy. Gaze across the table of family members laughing while they share their life stories over dinner. Watch your own face light up when your spouse, son or daughter or grandchild looks over at you and says, “Thank you – I sure do love you.” There’s nothing like that in the whole world.
I know this maybe another Christmas letter of the many you might receive, but please accept my words that is coming from my heart to you personally. As I sit here and write, my mind is racing over the dozens of family members, hundreds of friends and church family. Imagine with me that I am sitting with you over lunch sharing these words with you. Since you are in our personal rolodex, allow us the opportunity to tell you personally that you matter to us. We’re praying for you and wanted to tell you that we love you and yours.
Please let Jenny and I to wish you a Christmas filled with the precious gifts that only God can give… the joy of close friends… the love of family times… and blessing of glorious memories. May your year end with the gratefulness of God’s goodness and your new year spawn the kind of faith that offers a miraculous flow of opportunities. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With all our love,

Pastors Tim & Jenny McClure