Author: hisword295

Testimony of Theodore (Ted) Matteson My story is simple. I’m a sinner in love with Jesus, the Christ. I stand here today through a series of God instances and by God’s grace. I truly live in this grace for He has said in Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I can look back on my life and see all the forks in the road of grace that God was protecting and guiding my walk. I was born and grew up in the Methodist Church. I have always known who God is; however, I did not ask for His gift of eternal life or submit to His lordship in my life. I was a “paid-in-full” member of the Lord’s “frozen chosen.” In my life, I did not do things worthy of God’s notice. I never smoked, drank, or whored around. I made good grades in school, wrestled for sports, did my best to be a good child for my mom and dad. When I graduated from high school, I joined the Air Force which resulted in 26 years 28 days of honorable service. In 1973 I married the love of my life Sherry Dufford, and we were given two daughters and seven grand children before my Lord took her home in 2015. So you can clearly see an unremarkable life from a world perspective. I can identify with Peter. What a blessing it must have been to personally be in the very presence of the Lord. Peter knew the Lord’s love enough so that when he was fixing to drown in the sea during the storm, he called for Jesus. Matthew 14:28-31 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter came down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the boisterous wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Regardless of Peter’s “little faith,” he knew enough to call on the Lord. On 7 September1987, I could not walk, button my shirt, stand unassisted or even write my name on a paper. I was told I had Multiple Sclerosis for which there is no cure. At that point in time, the doctors could not guarantee I would ever regain my faculties. I felt like my world had come to an end. All my years in the Air Force; what was going to happen to me? What was happening to my family? How would I support them? That night, everything I had thought important in my life changed. Isn’t it funny in the truth of His Word when He says Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. But at that time I was scared. My wife and I prayed together for the first time. God’s justifying grace was extended to me. Through God’s sanctification which included Bible study, Christian fellowship and service, and a very special weekend in the Emmaus program, I submitted to Jesus’ Lordship in my life on 1 April 1995. It was then I received assurance of my salvation. 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. I still do not know what God intends in my life but I know I walk in His grace. In grace I seek is righteousness. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. It is in His grace that I walk knowing Hebrews 13:5 ….; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. It is in His grace that I walk knowing Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. It is in His grace I have a place to live with my daughters and be a part of my grand childrens’ life. It is in His grace having good health. It is in His grace my Lord has given me a saint called Alison Harris and allowed my heart to care much for her. It is His grace he allowed me the mind to study His pure Word and obtain Pastor Credentials to minister and pray where He needs me. It is His grace He has set before me a house of worship called the Community EFC Monroe and serve there as an Elder praying for my pastor and congregation. It is His grace…It is His Grace…It is His grace. In closing of the testimony I celebrate this truth 2 Samuel 22:47 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation. Humbly Submitted. Ted Matteson Theodore (Ted) Matteson < < < < < < < Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

“The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb” by Jamin Goggin and Kyle Strobel

From the Book Flap:  “Jamin Goggin and Kyle Strobel believed that Christians today have fallen prey to the seduction of worldly power.  Rather than following the path of kingdom power embodied by Jesus, too many believers chase relevance and influence.”

Jamin and Kyle travel many places to speak with and gather council from great preachers and servants of our Lord Jesus:  J.I. Packer, Dallas Willard, Marva Dawn, John Perkins, Jean Vanier, James Houston, and Eugene Peterson.  The book was an expose of culture in the church today.   It brought tears to my eyes to see how much Christ’s bride has fallen.

“A Place Called Heaven,” by Dr Robert Jeffress

From the book’s flap:  “As a Christian, we know someday we will leave our familiar country and be united with God in heaven.  And yet many of us know very little about this place called heaven.  In this enlightening book, bestselling author Dr. Robert Jeffress opens the Scriptures to answer ten fascinating questions about heaven:

  • Is heaven a real place or is it a state of mind?
  • Who will be in heaven?
  • Have some people already visited heaven?
  • Will we know one another in heaven?
  • What difference does a future heaven make in my life today?
  • Do Christians immediately got to heaven when they die?
  • Do people in heaven know what is happening on earth?
  • Will heaven be the same fo everyone?
  • How can I prepare for my journey to heaven?”

This is a powerfully written book with one focus…the honor and Glory of God and the work he accomplished at the cross for you and me.  I am in the process of extracting key statements from the book to provide a “cliff-note” evaluation and hope to have it available soon.  In the mean time and any time…I recommend you read this book.  Blessings…

The True Jesus

I just finished reading a book titled “The True Jesus” by David Limbaugh.  I found this book to be some what interesting…it was written in the format of a harmony of the gospels.  Mr. Limbaugh did lace throughout the book some much needed tidbits and golden nuggets of explanation.  It is a good book for someone who is not knowledgeable or has not read a “harmony.”   A summary of the book:  “We mustn’t concern ourselves with the specific time Jesus will come, but we should be get our houses in order beforehand because once He arrives it will be too late.”  (Page 252).  From the book’s cover:  “The True Jesus, you will learn:

  • Why even the apostles failed to completely understand Jesus’ true identity and mission until after His crucifixion.
  • Why Jesus selectively revealed His divinity instead of consistent proclaiming it.
  • The real basis for the rejection of Jesus’ message by skeptics in His hometown and elsewhere.
  • The historical events preceding Jesus’ birth that providentially paved the way for Christianity.
  • How Jesus’ message attempts to portray Him as being non-non-judmental.”

Blessings….

The “Believing Bible Study”

Just finished reading a book entitle, “The Believing Bible Study” by Edward F. Hills. This book addressed the “true” Bible by following God’s promise to “always” preserve His Word (Psalms 12:5-6).   From the book; “What set Hills apart from others, however, was that he was the first textual scholar to approach the biblical text from a presupposition of faith instead of doubt.  He demonstrates that God preserved His Word through the ages not by the logic of rationalism but rather by “the logic of faith.”  Hills challenges us to put our faith in the Traditional text which has been in constant use by the visible church throughout its history and through which God has providentially preserved His Word.”

I recommend this book to anyone serious about God’s Word.  It is time for the church to handle and teach that God’s Word is above all others books and such out there and to stop treating it as merely a manuscript like any other ancient script and subject to man’s own rule and criticism.

The Gensis Flood

The book “The Gensis Flood, The Biblical Record and Its Scientific Implications” is an original written by John C. Whitcomb and Henry M. Morris.

I became interested in this book while reading the Gensis Magazine, it was recommended reading and apparently started a big debate in the early to mid sixties.  The authors are Bible believing Christians.

The book introduced me to a new concept called “Uniformitarism.”  This means things operating now as they were created in the evolution process.  It is a evolutionary theory.

The book starts with refuting secular view points of creation.  It contains great descriptions of God’s creative processes.  The starting point of the reading is “Noah’s Flood.”  When reading the process descriptions after Noah…I could not help but wonder where was man during all these changes being described?   This question was answered and you will need to read the book to find out.  I found this book interesting and recommend it to anyone serious about “in the beginning.”

One of the Few

Dr Douglas Stauffer is one of the few who upon entering a seminary came out of the seminary still loving his King James Bible. I’ve just completed reading his book, “When the End Begins, Refuting a Rapture in Matthew 24-25.” An excellent book. Like Dr Stauffer, I too wish the Christian would rightly divide the Word of God. We are instructed to do so. 2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. I recommend any student of the Word of God to read Dr Stauffer’s books. Some are: Reviving the Blessed Hope, One Book One Authority, One Book Stands Alone, and One Book Rightly Divided.

Holy Spirit

I have been doing a study on the Holy Spirit.  I am reading a book written by Lockyer, “All the Doctrines of the Bible.”  The book is very comprehensive and not for the faint of heart.  There is over 50 pages just dealing the the Holy Spirit.  One thing I understand, it is wonderful and glorious to know the self-same Spirit that created every thing…the same Spirit who held our Lord on the Cross and resurrected our Lord is the same Spirit that abides in the Christian.   What an understang…Praise and honor to Him…Amen