UNIDIVERSAL ANNIVERSARY 2007 NEWSLETTER

What Is Love?

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

I John 4:16

As far back as I can remember people have been asking this question and people have been trying to figure it out for generations. Some try to find love with money. I have seen this most apparent around Christmas time when people will go to great extremes to buy the love of others by buying the most expensive gifts; and then, they must get just one more right before Christmas Eve. I’ve also seen where people try to buy love by out-buying someone else for the love of a child. This is seen mostly between divorced persons. Some others seem to think that love can be found in their pants and that sex equals love and tend to sleep around with many different partners.

The Bible is very clear on this issue. It states in 1 John 4:16 that God is love. It is unclear why people don’t see this because of the love that God has shown all when He sent His one and only Son to take our sin from us

(John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.).

He has shown His love by creating us in His very own image

(Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.).

He saved one man and his family from death in the flood when He could have easily destroyed all of humanity

(Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.).

There are many examples of God’s love through out the Bible.

God’s love is shown in the two new commandments He has left us with to demonstrate that we too can love. One is that we love God with everything we are and the other states that we need to love one another. I know that this has been said many times, but imagine what the world would be like if we were to show more love. However what we see most is hatred first. Hatred seems to be abundant everywhere you look, but there are acts of kindness around too. These acts are seen from people who love others with the love of God because they see people for people and not look at them as if to throw them away. People show these acts of kindness because of a great need for companionship and we get this from God Himself: because He created us for His companionship and that is why He gave His Son so that we don’t have to be separated from His love.

Remember that 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self‑seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Let’s all show love by showing that we are filled with “God’s love”. And this means that we should never judge or condemn or place a stumbling block in front of any other no matter who they are because we are all His creation. Christ paid off a huge debt so we can be with Him; who are we to decide who can come.

Remember He loves ALL of us and loved us first!

Donathan Everron

Unidiversal Minister

On A Personal Note to long-time believers

It's always nice for a Christian to have everything perfect and lead people to Christ who are familiar with church, especially their own church, but most people in this world aren't. So I have some questions for those who have been believer’s for some time:

Have you ever lead anybody to Christ?

Have you ever lead anybody to Christ and the person didn't show emotion when they said they believe?

Have you ever lead anybody to Christ who was very emotional and committed it for a while but then left church?

Have you ever lead anybody to Christ who wasn't familiar with church and stuck with them to patiently help them grow for years or a decade or more?

Have you ever lead anybody to Christ who chose not to continue attending church but still has a heart for God?

I have been in all these situations and there's only one way to help these believers through. That is to be extremely patient, have a heart to get in the trenches with those we witness to, and be willing to help make heads or tails of all the things going on in their life with faith that God is working whether it looks like it or not. People's lives are not clean-cut and if we want God to use us to help anybody grow in Christ then we can't run them off with carelessness about things that are important to them.

Salvation is too important to be willing to say "I don't now" rather than "I'll be there and we'll get through it all together". More than not I have only known people to exclude others from full participation in salvation and ministry when they don't take off the gloves and get dirty by digging in to people's messy lives and walking through difficulties together with them. And if we aren't leading people to Christ with availability to long-term personal attention, if the Lord leads in such a direction, then how can our witness be of any use to God. Leading others to Christ without care for their long term spiritual growth does not fulfill the great commission we are all called to. This is what Jesus was saying so intently when he told Peter to feed His lambs and sheep multiple times. Jesus gave His all and now it's our turn.

(AM I SAVED? continued)

8 And God, who knows the hearts, bares witness of them, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did to us;

9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10 Now therefore why do you test God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

12 Then the entire multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them.

Here is a huge example directly from the Bible showing how people, especially religious leaders, try to add more to the gospel than is required. It took a major meeting of the minds bumping heads to realize one simple thing: That God knows the hearts and gives witness and spiritual gifts to those who believe. Whether “anybody” thinks those hearts are saved or not, God believes they are saved because salvation is by grace alone if we choose to accept it.

I can imagine what it was like to be a believer in the Gentile churches being discussed here. “Are they going to accept us, are they going to decide that we aren’t saved after all?” This was a matter that could have caused people to walk out of the churches in droves after God had recognized their acceptance of salvation. It’s a good thing that no church, leaders, or group of believers can have such control over others today, or the outcome would probably be very different than Peter was able to convince them of then.

What scriptures are twisted to make unnecessary expectations on believers today? The rest of Acts chapter 15 tells how these leaders came together to find an agreeable way to handle the situation without unnecessary burdens. They went so far as to write a confirmation letter to the distant believers, here is part of that letter:

24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, threatening your souls, saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

25 It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 Men that have endangered their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 So, we have sent Judas and Silas, who will also tell you the same things by mouth.

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay on you no greater burden…

The letter went on to list a few things that these leaders chose to require but no longer questioned others’ salvation because they had learned that God did not question it so neither should they. Verse 31 expresses how elated the distant believers were when the news came that they would not be rejected:

30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter:

31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, encouraged the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren to the Apostles.

34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to stay there still.

The issues at hand were so stressful for the believers in question that Judas and Silas had to go to great extents to convince them that they were accepted and loved by the deciding leaders. They had a hard time leaving after seeing how horribly concerned everyone was, and Silas continued to stay even longer to continue assuring them. Ending the chapter we find the Apostles going from church to church throughout the region doing the same thing: confirming that they were loved and accepted as they are among the brethren. Oh that the Spirit of God could reach all churches today to bring us all together, like He did then:

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren to the grace of God.

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

A LESSON IN HUMILITY

I share this point time and time again with fellow believers. Nothing expresses the seriousness of judging others salvation more than some of the last words in the Bible. It’s very clear and right to the point. Revelation 22, verse 18 expressly discusses “this prophecy” in this book we know as the Bible. But verse 19 definitively describes “the book” that contains this prophecy. Revelation is the prophecy and the book that contains the Revelation is the Bible:

Revelation 22

18 For I testify to everyone that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add to these things, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Similar to the Acts 15 discussion above, we are not to try to remove the assurance that God has given to others of their salvation. By doing so, we are removing our own salvation by having our own name removed from the book of eternal life. What words can be so serious as the last words someone speaks, or in this case the last “words of warning” closing out the Christian Bible?

Don’t let anyone drive you away from your faith in God for salvation! Doing so does not only bring your own salvation into question. According to Revelation 22:19, it also brings the salvation of those trying to disbelieve your salvation into jeopardy. The goal of salvation is not to jeopardize anybody, it is to welcome everyone who claims faith in Christ for themselves into fellowship and ministry and let the one God who knows the heart move accordingly. Have enough faith to believe that God can and will do what is right and perfect in His eyes and is moving in directions as He sees fit.

BORN AGAIN FYI

Another Biblical expression meaning saved is to be born again. The experience of recognizing salvation for one’s self can become so real and meaningful that it begins feeling like a “new life”, as if being born all over and starting again.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say to you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.

Come drink of the water of the Holy Spirit, God’s presence everywhere in everything you do. God is there and is not surprised by anything you say, think, or do. He’s there for you like a loving parent is for a child. He wants to give you the desires of your heart and has set things in motion to make your life a genuine expression of His love in you. He knew you before the foundation of the world was made and nothing can separate you from Him once you have made up your mind to believe. Rejoice in your salvation as a born again believer!

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Romans 8

31 What shall we say then to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He who spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies [saves].

34 Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. [Who is anyone to condemn?]

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rev Robbie Ousley

UCF Founder, Pastor,

& Diversity Evangelist

AM I SAVED?

John 3:17

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world; but so that the world through Him might be saved.

Acts 16

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.

To Be “Saved”, dictionary definitions

To be rescued from danger.

To be kept safe, intact, or unhurt; safeguarded; preserved.

To be kept from being lost.

To avoid spending, consumption or waste

To be delivered from the power and consequences.

To be stopped from defeating one’s goal.

To be preserved from harm, injury, and loss.

Biblical Salvation: to be saved means to be reconciled to God; returned to God’s care, which includes everything listed above.

The Bible says that if I believe, then I am saved. So what does it say that I need to believe to be saved? Though the Bible says that several things can be included in Christian beliefs, there is one consistent belief expressed time and time again.

No altar, special prayer, ritual, communion, minister, emotional expression, or even any church is required to be saved. Simply recognize that you believe in your heart of hearts that God loves you so much that He gave His only conceived mortal human child’s life for your salvation; and that God raised Him from the dead because Jesus was perfect without sin so that you could have eternal life with Him.

Once recognized; your faith will begin to grow, your understanding will increase more and more, your desire to comprehend God will increase day by day. There is an enemy of God who will try to stop your growth. And the more you learn to recognize what God is all about, without the religious baggage people have tried to add to Him, the more you’ll find yourself to desire more of God.

Learn More

Read the book of Romans in the Christian Bible’s New Testament, then the Gospels, (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) then go through the rest of the New Testament. After that read about how God saved people through great resistance in Genesis; then Psalms, Proverbs, and Job. And if you want to be even more ambitious, continue reading other books to complete the rest of the Bible and you will see that salvation is limited from no one.

Romans 3

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

But you must make the choice to accept salvation, because the one step God can’t do is accept it for you.

Got Questions?

Sadly, a majority of churches don’t encourage and accept the faith in Christ of ALL people. God loves all people just like He loves you; just the way you are. You’ll find that God is walking with you, step by step, through a process that is exciting and deeply meaningful. Your outlook on life will develop into an ever increasing love for others with faith beyond your own understanding.

I would be glad to try to help with any questions you have. If you are interested, in some situations, I might even be able to recommend a church in your area that is welcoming and affirming of your faith in Christ. You’ll find that God has been helping you all along, and He will continue to help you grow. It’s an exciting experience once you have begun, and it is not comparable to anything else.

SCRIPTURES THAT DESCRIBE HOW WE ARE SAVED

Mark 16:16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved…

Note here that baptism can be a symbol of having accepted salvation, but to be baptized is not to be saved or a requirement of being saved.

Luke 7:50 And he said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go in peace.

Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, unless they should believe and be saved.

Luke 18:42 And Jesus said to him, Receive your sight: your faith has saved you.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Note here that calling on the name of the Lord is a sign of having accepted salvation, not the act that saves.

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Note that the avenue of salvation is the resurrected life of Jesus Christ.

Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what someone sees, why would they yet hope for?

Note that without hope there is no salvation, but we are saved even though we may feel hopeless; and salvation would be hopeless if God didn’t provide it for us. This is the same as being saved by faith.

Rom 10:9 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Ephesians 2

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sin has quickened us together with Christ, by grace you are saved;

6 And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, unless anyone should boast.

Note that “by grace” means that it is God’s grace alone that saves you, and there’s nothing we can do to deserve that grace. It comes through your decision that is based on faith. If we think we deserve grace to be saved, then we become self-righteous and, therefore, un-savable because we aren’t totally depending on God’s provision.

Mat 9:13 But go and learn what this means, I will have

mercy, and not sacrifice: for I do not come to call the

righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Note who saved us; salvation has nothing to do with our own abilities, even though we are motivated to act on faith by sharing God’s love with others.

Acts 16

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.

32 And they spoke to him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

Note that baptism followed salvation, but salvation was assured before and without the baptism. Baptism is a later matter of obedience to Christ and public confirmation of our faith.

A LESSON IN OUR OWN ABILITIES

Acts 15

1 And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.

2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had an intense disagreement and argued between them, they determined that they, and certain other of them, should go to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy among all the brethren.

4 And when they came to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

5 But there rose up certain of the group of the Pharisees who believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

6 And the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

7 And when there had been a lot of arguing, Peter rose up, and said to them, Men and brethren, you know how a good while ago God made a choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

continued /\

2008 Anniversary Newsletter

Unidiversal Charismatic Christian Faith & Diversity Evangelism (UCF)

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Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends John 15:13

Have you noticed that there is no shortage of scripture in the Christian Bible about love? We are to: love God; love others as much as we love ourselves; have the “love of God”; love our enemies; love with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; those who love forgive the most, and loving someone else “because” they love us isn’t enough, but real love can be found in loving the rejected, unlovable, even hateful. Love doesn’t mean we have to cozy up and let people leave us for ruin. It does, however, mean that we need to leave the door open by letting others know that they are more important to us than things and the love of God in us is real. Sometimes that means giving others the upper hand, letting our humbleness be evident so others can know that the Lord is near (inside of us).[see more in Don’s article about love in the current UCF Newsletter]

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not does not know God; for God is love. I John4:7-8

Rev Robbie Ousley

UCF Founder, Pastor,

& Diversity Evangelist

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