Bonzai Ministries

In the past couple of months, I have been given a heart for the lost. I have grown much in my own walk with God, through His grace. Thus, I have a greater passion to share the truth of Christ with others. This passion for God, which resulted in a passion for lost souls has made me work to create a compilation disc entitled 'The Bonzai Files - Volume I'.

In the summer of 2007, my friend (Raye) and I (Jakab) decided to create a Christian website. We couldn't come up with a name right away... but I wanted something different yet representative of God. Ultimately, we chose 'Bonzai Ministries'. I chose this because I had always been a fan of the Karate Kid movies and liked Bonsai Trees. But, also because the story of the Bible is related to trees, somewhat. A summary of the website/Ministry is as follows:

Bonzai Ministries is meant to be a beautiful creation of God, just like a ‘Bonsai’ tree.
Sin entered into our world because Adam & Eve disobeyed God and ate from a tree.
Christ died on a tree (cross) to pay the price for all sins,

so that we could be redeemed as children of God.

The ‘Bonsai’ Tree represents the union between the sinner and the Savior.

We pray that people will recognize this message of Salvation and be reconnected with The Father, through Repentance and Faith in the LORD Jesus Christ.

Yes, I know that 'Bonzai' is not the correct spelling of the tree. But, we wanted something different. I've always liked the way 'Bonzai' is spelled, even though the correct spellings are either banzai or bonsai.

Until now, Bonzai Ministries has just been a website. But, now the ministry is taking action. I have put together over the past few months a huge data collection of various items onto Data DVD Discs to hand out freely, entitled 'The Bonzai Files - Volume I'.

Items Included in 'The Bonzai Files - Volume I' are...

01. 22 Audio Sermons

02. 59 Audio Sermon Jams

03. Audio Set - HeartCry Missionary Conference 2005

04. 11 Bonus Audio Files

05. 17 Video Sermon Jams

06. 6 Video Testimonies

07. 16 Video Sermons

08. 24 Other Videos

09. 60+ Christian Website Links

10. 5 Bonus Christian Rap Albums

11. Christian Wallpapers

12. Christian Literature

13. Gospel / Concert Footage

14. Two Witnessing CD's

15. Other Bonus Items

Speakers included on this disc are as follows: John Piper, Paul Washer, Tim Conway, Paris Reidhead, Ravi Zacharias, Carter Conlon, Charles Leiter, Kirk Cameron, Ray Comfort along with some others.

I have gained permission from all of the organizations/churches for the resources provided to make this project happen. I have tried to be as careful as possible with this project.

But, I have a sort of dilemma. You see, many of these resources may help bring the lost to Christ... but many of these resources may also help Christians grow in their faith. What a wonderful dilemma to have! May God get all the glory from this work.

Click Here to see The Bonzai Ministries Website!

Please listen. I don't want any glory out of this. Anyone who follows my blog knows that I never even write about myself or my works. But, I felt the need to write this to show how God is using even me to further His truth. I only pray that God would use this project to save wretched sinners and strengthen the saints all for His Glory Alone.

Prayer: Father, you have granted me the amazing privilege of knowing the gospel of our Gracious Lord. I pray that as I share it with others through this compilation that you would work on the hearts of sinful men, women, and children bringing them to a place of repentance and faith and granting them salvation. I pray for every soul that receives one of these discs that your hand would guide them to use it wisely. You deserve all praise and honor, Lord. Please use this project for Your Glory. Amen.

+ Jakab +

The Lordship of Christ

Pastor Tim Conway in this sermon illustrates for us the difference between a true faith and false simple belief. In this blog, I will attempt to refute both false versions of salvation while upholding the truth as found in Scripture.

Easy-Believism - a movement of many religious people to say that salvation is accomplished by a simple belief or acknowledgment of facts.

Works-Righteous Salvation - a movement of many religious people to claim that in order to be saved you must earn your way to Heaven through works and good deeds.

Easy-Believism or Works-Righteous Salvation? Where is true Salvation found? NEITHER!

True Salvation is by faith alone. But, this faith is not just a simple belief or confession that 'Jesus is God'. This faith is a truly repentant faith where one acknowledges his sinfulness and repents of it, running to Christ as his Savior and Lord. Christ said 'Repent and Believe the Gospel'. Those who truly repent and truly believe in Christ Jesus will be saved. This salvation will be evident by the continual repentance and faith and also the fruit that comes forth in keeping with the truth.

For a while now, many people (especially Americans) have tried to make salvation a little business on Sunday mornings. Come hear a good lovey-dovey preaching, good up-tempo music, and receive the free gift of salvation... just make sure you don't forget the offering plate. Many of these churches preach an 'easy-believist' type of doctrine. Basically, if you say a little prayer or a couple of words with the pastor, then salvation is yours forever! One of their favorite scriptures is the following...

Romans 10:9 - if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Many of these churches take Romans 10:9 out of the context of it's surrounding scripture, the context of the time period it was written in and roman church it was written to, and the context of the entire Bible's view of Salvation. People take this verse as the 'one and only Salvation verse'. It's almost like a game show in many churches today... 'Confess Jesus is Lord, Come on Down receive Salvation... Just say these words and walk away with the prize!' This is pitiful and a complete misuse of the scriptures.

So let's look at the ways in which people misuse this scripture.

1. People misuse Romans 10:9 by ignoring it's context through surrounding scripture.

Romans Chapter 4, speaks clearly about justification through faith in Christ Jesus, not a simple recital of words. Romans Chapter 6, speaks of those who truly having faith in this Son, will be new creations who have died to sin and live for Christ and His Glory. You see, the surrounding context of the entire book of Romans gives light unto the fact that this passage is not talking about 'those who say a couple of words with a preacher' are saved. Rather it is saying that those who are truly SAVED by faith (truly believing) will confess 'Jesus is Lord' because they are new creations in Christ Jesus. By ignoring the context in Romans, people tend to misuse this scripture as meaning simply reciting a couple of words.

2. People misuse Romans 10:9 by ignoring that it was written to the Roman church during a time of harsh persecution.

The Church is Rome was persecuted heavily for their faith in Christ Jesus. Many first and second century Christians were killed for their faith. Some were set on fire, others were crucified, others were stoned to death. This was clearly a place and time of heavy persecution. So, by someone standing in public and confessing 'Jesus is Lord' could cost them their life! It wasn't just a 'couple of words' back then. It was in many cases counted as unlawful and even treason. By ignoring the fact that 'confessing Jesus is Lord' meant basically being willing to die for the Christ, people tend to misinterpret this scripture to mean simply reciting a couple of words.

3. People misuse Romans 10:9 by ignoring the context of the entire Bible.

The Bible speaks much on salvation. Jesus mentioned many requirements for salvation. Jesus says 'Unless a man repents, he will likewise perish'. Jesus says 'that whosoever believes in [Me] shall have everlasting life and not perish. Jesus says 'no one will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, unless he be born again'. So, here we have three verses stated by Christ Himself that completely dismiss the idea of salvation by reciting a couple of words. So, why is it that these verses are ignored?

Probably because they aren't as familiar as the others. It could become a problem for seeker-sensitive churches because salvation doesn't quite sell to the public as well if it isn't easy and humanistic. Another reason is because many people are just plain ignorant of Soteriology (the study of Biblical salvation). But, nevertheless Salvation as clearly outlined in scripture is not a simple recital of a couple of words, but rather a truly repentant faith in Jesus Christ of which we are made new creations by the grace of God.

Many easy-believists will not adhere to any kind of actual repentance. They run off into lala-land where repentance is a bad word and offends people. Well, scripture proclaims repentance, whether it offends people or not. Actually, their famous verse Romans 10:9 when accompanied by another verse in scripture makes it perfectly clear that those who truly believe and confess Jesus as Lord, must repent of their sins.

2 Timothy 2:19 - Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

Salvation is not a carnal work of man to say the right words in order to enter Heaven (Easy-believism). Salvation is not a carnal work of man whereby he does the right things and performs good deeds as to earn his way into Heaven (Works-Righteousness). No, Salvation is a supernatural event whereby God graciously grants repentance and faith to the lost sinner in need and makes them a new creation in Christ Jesus (Biblical Salvation). All of the glory in salvation goes to God, not man.

Something is seriously wrong with the way many preachers understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, nowadays. I don't know what caused this horrid time of Christ-less preachers to arise... but I do know what will fix it. We need to run to Christ! We need to study His Word! We need to not desire to be like the world, but rather understand that we are set apart for His work! We need to teach the truth! We need to be Unashamed! We need God's Grace and Mercy.

Let us now go and do the task to which we were called.

Prayer:
Thank you Lord for true salvation! God give us the stength to stand up and proclaim your gospel to all who will listen. Equip us with the truth, so that we may proclaim the saving gospel of Christ without error. Empowerer us with the power of the Holy Spirit so that souls will turn to you with a truly repent faith and be made new. Oh God save us from the wickedness around us. We trust in You alone. Amen.

+ Jakab +

The Infinite Love of God

God's Love is completely infinite. His Love for His Son is completely infinite. His Love for us is completely infinite. His Son's Love for us is completely infinite.

John 15:9 - As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Remain in My Love.

Jesus here states an amazingly powerful proclamation! The love that Christ has for us is similar to the love that the Father has for the Son. Look at the Love the Father has for the Son! God's revelation to mankind is all about the Son. The Bible is a book completely about The Son! The Old Testament Prophecies are speaking of The Son. The New Testament is telling the actual works of The Son. The Father chose the Son to be the Lord and Savior of all. The name above all names. Christ Jesus.

The Father's great expression of love is given to the Son. But, just as God infinitely and completely loves Christ; Christ infinitely and completely loves us.

God the Father loved us enough to send His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins. But we must remember this... the Son was not forced into bearing the Cross. The Son's Love for us is So GREAT! Jesus Christ willingly agreed to lay down His life for His people! Jesus Christ Died For You! He satisfied the wrath of God our your account by living a sinless life, yet taking on our sins for us and suffering the punishment.

Can you wrap your mind around God's Love? No. It's too amazing. But does He love you with an undying love? Absolutely.

You don't think that The Father loves you?

He satisfied the eternal justice by sacrificing His own Beloved Son for you! How much more proof do you need?

You don't think that The Son loves you?

He laid aside His royalty and bore your sins and DIED for you! How much more proof do you need?

Romans 5:8 - But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!

Prayer:
Father, I pray that we would recognize the love you have for us. I pray that we would think of this great and enormous love and let it move us to love others. You loved us even when we were wretched sinners who hated your name. Oh God thank you for loving us, despite our wretchedness. Thank you for being gracious and merciful by providing us lost creatures a way into your Kingdom through your Son. Amen.

+ Jakab +

Death

Why is it that no one ever talks about death? It's almost like our parents have trained us to think of death as some sort of taboo. Death is coming for each and every one of us. You may not have a home; You may not gain status at your place of employment; You may not enjoy a family; You may not ever think about death; You may not ever truly live your life; But, there is one thing that is completely sure... Each and every one of us will die. The Basketball player, The POP singer, The NFL Quarterback, The preacher on the corner, The mother of five children, The television star, The homeless man under the bridge... All of us will die.

And the Bible speaks plainly about death, even to a culture that tries to ignore it. The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 - "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment". We will all stand before God and be judged according to our lives. We will either be judged according to our own merit and found guilty for our sins and thrown into Hell. Or, we will be judged according to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and found righteous before God and be welcomed into Heaven. These are the only two options!

Sometimes, I witness to people through the internet. I have begun to send random messages saying 'Where will you go when you die?'. I receive many messages that say 'Dude, that's personal' or something similar. Why are people so defensive when talking about death? Our eternity is the most important thing in the World! Why would we not want to talk about it? I think I may know the answer. Because they are scared. Many people are completely frightened at the thought of death, because they are unsure of what is coming after. Death is a frightening thing and an enemy to most, but with the hope that we (True believers) have in Christ Jesus, death becomes a friend.

'Oh Death! Where is your sting?'

Many other people respond with 'heaven' or 'I don't know'. This is ironic. Because the Bible plainly tells us that the way to Heaven is narrow, yet most people think they are going to Heaven when they die... these people are simply misled.

Prayer:

Oh Father. I pray that we would not take death lightly. I pray that we would understand the root cause of death and let it show us our wretched sinfulness. I pray that those who are in fear of death would run to you in faith. I pray that they would call upon You 'the one who has power over death' so that they may be SAVED. I ask that only your will be done. In Christ Jesus. Amen.

+ Jakab +

The Narrow Road

What has happened to Christian culture? The culture of Christianity used to override the culture of secularism. Many of the old school scientists were Christians. Michelangelo & Raphael painted and sculpted beautiful pieces of art representing Biblical characters and stories. The writings and books were filled with Christian ideals and morals.

Have you ever read some of the songs written by John Newton or other Christian songwriters from a while back? They are filled with theology! It's like a sermon in every song! When I listen to many of the great hymns of our faith and compare them to the typical songs on Christian radio nowadays... there is no comparison. Many things played on Christian radio stations don't even mention God. But, those hymns are forever theologically accurate and blessed.

But, thanks be to God that there are those out there that still preach the truth through their art. This video is of a song entitled 'The Narrow Road to Heaven'. I enjoy this song very much. I enjoy the singing, rhythm, and theological lyrics. This song is loaded with Biblical truth. There are also many other artists now that are bringing Biblically solid lyrics in their music. One of my personal favorites is Shai Linne.

Please don't settle for sadly weak Christian music. Instead search for the songs that are deeply-rooted in scripture. Let us glorify God in all that we do.

+ Jakab +