June Edition
June is upon us. It is the month of graduations, marriages, anniversaries, and vacations. If you have one of these celebrations scheduled in the month of June, I send you my best wishes as you establish memories of a lifetime.
First Place Ministries and the Choose Life Journal have an opportunity to gain exposure through an online platform called YouVersion. YouVersion is currently considering adding one of our studies to its list of Bible study guides. I plan to submit the study in the book of John as a representative selection of the Choose Life Journal plan. It is my hope that as people come to the YouVersion platform looking for study plans, that they will investigate the full Choose Life study plan and schedule via our website. Inclusion on the YouVersion platform is something which I have prayed for. I contacted YouVersion at the end of 2022 and at that time they were not adding new study plans.
YouVersion contacted us a few weeks ago and we are in process of submitting the book of John according to their requirements. Please pray for acceptance of our submission. This would mean national and possibly future international exposure for Choose Life Journal.
Hoping you have the best June ever,
Rolland
SPIRITUAL FOCUS:
RELIGION and SPIRTUALITY
I was introduced to the writings and ministry of Francis Frangipane about five years ago. I have been blessed to read his books, most recently, I found a copy of The Three Battlegrounds: An in-depth view of the three arenas of Spiritual Warfare: The Mind, The Church and The Heavenly Places.
While this book was published in 1989, one would think that it was a current publication. I think that this also substantiates the timelessness of the Word of God.
Two highlights caught my attention. Regarding the battle for the mind, Three Sources of Strongholds, Frangipane says, “If you want to identify the hidden strongholds in your life, you need only survey the attitudes in your heart. Every area in your thinking that glistens with hope in God is an area which is being liberated by Christ. But any system of thinking that does not have hope, which feels hopeless, is a stronghold which must be pulled down” (pg. 29).
Until we are able to identify or willing to honestly self-assess the strongholds we may be under, we will not be able to help someone else be freed from the bondage of a stronghold. Part of our ministry in being sent by Jesus was to deliver and heal. We cannot fulfill this mandate unless we are healed first.
The second highlight has to do with the ongoing battle between the spirit of Elijah and the spirit of Jezebel. “In this age-old battle, Elijah represents the interests of heaven: the call to repentance and the return to God. Jezebel, on the other hand, represents that unique principality whose purpose is to hinder and defeat the work of repentance.”
Frangipane begins this chapter with these words, “To understand the conflict between the Elijah spirit and the spirit of Jezebel, we must understand these two adversaries as they are seen in the Scriptures. Each is the spiritual counterpart of the other. Is Elijah bold? Jezebel is brazen. Is Elijah ruthless toward evil? Jezebel is vicious toward righteousness. Does Elijah speak of the ways and words of God? Jezebel is full of systems of witchcraft and words of deceit. The war between Elijah and Jezebel continues today. The chief warriors on either side are the prophets of both foes; to the victor goes the soul of our nation” (pg. 104).
I will underscore the statement he makes about the “war between Elijah and Jezebel continues today.” I hope you see the conflict in our nation, churches, our minds and the heavenly places are grounded in the Jezebel spirit. Frangipane’s book is a paperback easy read at one-hundred thirty pages and is an asset in our understanding of spiritual warfare. We cannot continue to be unaware or naïve to the battle around us. It is the spirit of Jezebel which has turned our men into spineless leaders, husbands and pastors.
Steve Anderson is a long-time pastor friend, who has held worship in his home for over forty years. Steve and Christy live in Yakima and travel back to Auburn, Washington where they hold weekly worship services. I interviewed Steve and asked him to share his ministry with us and anything which the Spirit was laying on his heart. Please click here to listen. I hope you enjoy our conversation.
Steve’s personal Bio:
My name is Steve Anderson. I am married 43 years and have been blessed to have four children and 12 grandchildren. I am a licensed & ordained minister of 32 years and have been in service ministry for a total of 42 years. I am the Founder of Answer the Call Ministries. So far as a minister I have developed and initiated ministries for the homeless, needy, recovering drug addicts and also have worked in several prisons to prepare prisoners for a quality transition back into society. I have many plus years as both a teacher and public speaker. I have pastored multiple house church gatherings over many years as well.
My current ministry projects are to lead and teach Christ’s disciples how to escape the modern-day trappings of man-made religion and get God’s people back to the roots of Christ’s kingdom. I am called to this apostolic function in the body of Christ. The purpose is to win souls and make true mature disciples who in turn make more disciples.
Steve Anderson
June 18 Father’s Day
June 21 First Day of Summer
June 23 National Widows Day
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