EXCHANGED
October 2015
Fall Update On Our Ministry Activities
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hank you for your spiritual, relational, and financial support to the mission our Lord has given us. Your devotion in advancing the message of the Cross is held dear to our Savior’s heart!
Anyone, who has walked with me through the trenches of global ministry, certainly knows my commitment to advancing the message of “Not I, but Christ.” A friend recently said to me; “If I cut you, you would bleed Identity in Christ wouldn’t you?” To that I said; “I certainly hope so.” It is one of my greatest honors and privileges to share with you the opportunities and ministry developments that Jesus has accomplished through the frail, but dedicated, IOM volunteers (servants) of our Lord. 2015 has been a busy year - in more ways than we expected. My precious wife (Jane) has stated several times over the past couple months that this year has been the most difficult in all the years we have been in ministry. Through Christ using our little ministry, we have seen conversions in the likes of a Chancellor of the UN, to a Hindu Guru in the sticks of India. But the real struggle for us has been the heartache and personal burden we carry in personal relationships. It is no newsflash that we are living in the Great Apostasy the Word speaks of in the Bible. We also understand that the closer we get to the final standoff between Satan and Jesus, the more the body of Christ will suffer temptations of deception like never before. What we weren't quite ready for was the betrayal of family and friends. In this past year, we have watched the enemy destroy some of our most valued relationships. (Continued on page 2)
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Your devotion in advancing the message of the Cross is held dear to our Savior’s heart! - Phinney
Note From The Founder: (continued from page one) Never have I understood the words of Jesus more than I do today: “And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household’” (Matt 13:57). One of the most curious things to me is, our little ministr y has a wor ldwide impact; but yet locally, in our community and family, it appears we are despised and assaulted on all sides. Again, as my wife says; “People we love and minister to expect us to be strong and never allowed to be hurt and suffer.” I have suffered more despair this past year than any other year in ministry. The betrayal of others has pierced my soul more than human words can define. I have seen who I thought were faithful friends in the Exchanged Life community not only turn on me, but spread rumors that are damaging to Jesus advancing His mission. I have witnessed a shunning by the very community we live in—to such a degree that recently I was told, “We will work to bring your ministry down.” Honestly, I expect this kind of ignorance and rejection from “outsiders” - but our greatest pain (by far) has been from family, friends, and disciples who have been at our side. To be betrayed by those who say, “We love you and are committed to stand with you and your family.” This is the worst kind of pain for mankind to endure. But as usual, Jesus reminds me of these words: “‘You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved’” (Matt. 10:22). I hate my flesh, and my introspective self-pity has only left me throwing an internal temper tantrum—that of loneliness, despair, and demands that I deserve better. Do I deserve better treatment than that of Jesus? Am I ashamed to be associated with the sufferings of Jesus? Do I actually fear tribulation? "“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name’” (Matt. 24:9). My answer to those questions is an absolute, “yes.” My self-pity flesh demands that I am appreciated, loved, and rewarded for all my investments in the Kingdom of God, plain and simple. But it is in this dark place that I remember True Grace. It is really important that we understand "grace" in the specific way it is used in the New Testament Scriptures – not by the Emergent Church of today! We need to have a new covenant understanding of "grace" in relation to Jesus Christ. In evangelical theology today, the inadequate definitions of "grace" are leading to some disastrous theological perversions, like: law-oriented, "works"-oriented, performance-based “Christian” living, which are still being designated as "grace.“ There are many ministers, today, who are reading their emergent understandings of "grace" back into their interpretations of what the Bible has to say about grace. They end up with universal theologies; and sadly, miss all that God has for them in the "grace" of the Lord Jesus Christ. John explains in the opening of his gospel that "grace...was realized in Jesus Christ" (John 1:17); i.e. grace "came into being," "came to pass," "happened" historically in Jesus Christ. This is why there is not a word for "grace" prior to the time of Jesus Christ—Grace is a Person. In the Old Testament, the word “hen or hanan” is used to describe God's attribute of "graciousness (merciful), kindness or compassion." "“I will be gracious (merciful) to whom I will be gracious (merciful)"“ (Ex. 33:19). "Thou art a gracious (merciful) and compassionate God" (Neh. 9:31). To note that God is gracious, (that a quality of God is graciousness, kindness, or compassion), is certainly not the
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same as the particular activity of God in Jesus Christ, which we find in the New Testament. There is nothing in the Hebrew language that suggests or directs us to the true meaning of "grace" as we find it used and explained in the Life of Christ. There is no mention of the "gospel of grace" proclaimed in the Old Testament. To differentiate the acts of God by His attribute of "graciousness" from the acts of God in Jesus Christ, the modern universal theologians have sometimes referred to "general grace" or "common grace" as distinct from the "particular grace" of God in the historic Savior, Jesus Christ. Such a usage of terms only serves to perpetuate the uncertainty over the word "grace," and is not biblically sound. Sometimes writers refer to the "providential grace" or the "sustaining grace" of God. Some attempt to support the idea of "preordained grace" by noting, "“He (God) causes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good" (Matt. 5:45). The idea of "sustaining grace" is sometimes documented by the New Testament statement, "...in Him all things hold together" (Col. 1:17). There is no doubt about the Heavenly providence and sustenance of God. And since Jesus is Grace, it is certainly debatable whether these should be called "grace.“ The Greek word charis was derived from the root word char, which meant "well-being, that which was pleasant and delightful." Another derivative from char was chara, the Greek word for "joy." Charis had a double meaning. (1) beauty, charm, attractiveness, that which is lovely and delightful. (2) the expression of kindness, favor, friendliness. (This double meaning has led to many self-proclaimed views when alternately applied to the reality of Christ in the believer, apart from a clear understanding of God's "grace" in Jesus Christ.) Now that we know that Jesus is Grace, we can embrace the TRUTH that our bodies house the eternal life and light of Grace as a real Person possessing His Temple, which was chosen and ordained by His Father. The next time you talk about Grace, keep this in mind:
Grace is not an action – it is a release of the Life of Christ onto another through His chosen Temple, you. Furthermore, to embrace that True Grace is manifested the most in times of tribulation and despair - well, this is nothing short of an impossibility for man. Grace is all about the release of the Life of Christ and less about an action to practice. To know that the Bride of Christ has mercy and grace from God through Christ in me - this is my greatest hope.
As I unfold our latest Podcast, True Grace 2 Y ou, please pray that I, as the teacher, maintain my focus regarding these truths. Our podcast now has an reach to over 50,000 available listeners and that this an amazing opportunity for Jesus to get His message out to a hurting world.
WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH IOM | TRUE GRACE PODCAST: Identity Matters Productions, in partnership with IOM America, has produced a short video that unfolds Dr. Phinney's new podcast series: True Grace 2 Y ou. This series will disrobe the lies and confirm the real truth about the GRACE of God. You might want to check this out! Click Here
EZEKIEL NEWS | FOUR BLOOD MOONS: What is up with the Four Blood Moons that the world is up in arms about? This news bite quickly reveals the Truth about this controversial topic and offers the answer. Produced by: Identity Matters Productions - in partnership with IOM America. www.IOMAmerica.org You might want to check this out! Click Here
Editorial Comments: Kathy Hill, CO editor@iomamerica.org Entire content of this publication is under © supervision of IOM America 2015 Reproduction permitted when entire publication remains intact. Digital view or copies can be obtained online at: click here All Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963,1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH: IOM | THE INDWELLING: The ministry has been blessed with the production of many videos pertaining to the indwelling life of Jesus. Pray that our new video line, being released this fall, will touch the lives of thousands for Jesus. Enjoy this short film that focuses on the power and TRUTH regarding the Indwelling Life of Jesus Christ in the believer. You might want to check this out! Click Here
IOM | YOUTUBE SALVATION PRAYER: This simple video is for you to forward, download, use in your church and/or ministry, AND for certain - send to those you believe are not indwelt by Jesus Christ (saved). We are in the last days, and the salvation message must be clear - to the point and easily multiplied. Please help us get this video posted worldwide. It also contains the identity statements regarding Christ in the believer. You might want to check this out! Click Here
IOM | WORSHIP VIDEOS: One of our outreach services is the production of Identity Matters videos. Simply put: we either design the video from the artist’s raw footage; or capture their videos, remix the identity truth of Jesus into the video, and return the video to the artist. We have had spiritual success in reaching many artists with the message of “Not I, but Christ” - In fact, most join our network. It is an amazing outreach. Check out our remix of We Believe by the Newsboys. You might want to check this out! Click Here
IOM | CONSTANT CONTACT: If you sign up, you will receive Christ-As-Life articles, news, and updates delivered to your inbox. Join one of the leading Exchanged Life online publications and help IOM get the news out to a world who confuses IN Christ (Indwelt Christian) with being a follower of Christ (Christian). We enjoy thousands of readers being blessed by our writers! Click Here
IOM | SOCIAL NETWORKS: We have been working for years in mastering the art of using social networks to advance the message of the Cross. We have learned that by making use of the technique of a partnership with one single connection—we can reach an average of 500 additional individuals or ministries! What that means is, if we have thousands of our own members, the Lord’s numbers can go exponential overnight. That is what we do on a weekly basis. This is where you come in. Whether it is our e-mails, videos, or podcasts, please consider helping us do “forwards” and “postings” in all of your social network accounts.
IOM | BOOKS & MATERIAL PRODUCTION: Dr. Phinney continues to write on a daily basis, not just in his email publications. Presently, he has eight books on the market and several more in the pipeline—The Soft Side of Satan; 77 Identity Truths; The Indwelling Life; Why The Boy Cried Wolf (autobiography); and Permissible Suffocation (study of J ob)! All are close to completion. Click Here
IOM | NEW HOPE AFRICAN OUTREACH: The ministry of IOM continues its work in Liberia—servicing 400+ children. Lester Wehyee, and his wife Leigh, are faithful workers of IOM. Their dedication (along with 15 staff members) provide schooling, food, shelter, and clothing. Dr. Phinney and his wife carry a passion and burden each day for their outreach there. A mission trip is being planned for IOM to take a team of volunteers to help with a few of our unfinished projects. If you are interested in joining us for this trip, please contact Dr. Phinney directly: drphinney@IOMAmerica.org 4
IOM AMERICA | INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF EXCHANGED LIFE | P.O. Box 71, Sterling, KS 67579 | ChristAsLife@IOMAmerica.org | www.IOMAmerica.org