Know and,"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." Psalm 127:3
Know that; "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.
Psalm 127:4
Know that; "Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"
Psalm 127:5
They will be blessed; "The righteous who walks in his integrity -blessed are his children after him."
Proverbs 20:7
Know that we are to; "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6
You, "Should not withhold discipline from a child; if you should strike him with a rod, he will not die."
Proverbs 23:13
Also know; "If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol."
Proverbs 23:14
Know that; "Whoever recieves one such child in My(Jesus) name recieves Me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great
milstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."
Matt. 18:5-6
Not provoke them to anger; " Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4
This is a few words of instruction from the Lord on how we are to love, appreciate, teach, discipline and not make our children angry.
I have been learning the importance of what my role is when it comes to my children. We Christians have fallen in the trappings of the world and lost site of what God says we are to do.
We as Fathers are to teach, and not provoke our children to anger.
It is not the youth pastors job or the church nurseries job to teach or train your children.
No God made it plan and simple on who is to do all of that.
The father and the mother. We seem to have lost site of how we should discipline our children also. We are to use the rod of correction. Not harshly or with anger!!!!
No, but out of compassion and love when they need it.
We don't need Dr. Spock or the Nanny to tell us how to raise our kids. We have the scriptures!
Please look into the word and seek God concerning the importance of our children.
They are needing us to be there for them in all aspects of life.
Train them up in the ways of the Lord and save there souls.
If you love them, you will do as the scripture says.
Amen!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
What do you get with three Christians and two drunk women
You get to be where myself and two others were the other night. There is a gentleman we are ministering to who is leaving the drugs and alcoholic life. He is a man we only met a month ago, but there is a Christ-like relationship developing. As myself and two others were at his house the other night listening and talking two ladies showed up. One is an old friend of his from his old lifestyle and the other was someone she picked up just to ride around and drink with.
I must say it was an amusing time. Seminary nor churchology teaching couldn't prepare you for this kind of ministry. We had discussions of how they were raised in church and know the bible just as well as we do. To one of them wanting to give me her number so she could debate me when she was sober. I will say the word got proclaimed and hugs were given before it was all over. Tension was in the air, but before we left laughter came. You see I feel we can be to stuffy in our theology and presentations of giving the gospel. Sometimes you just need to loosen up and listen. All the while being prepared to give a testimony. I don't know what will transpire from this meeting, but I do know that Gods word won't return to Him void. The word was proclaimed to two women who was drunk and were definately not Christian despite of what they said. Again not passing judgment. I just know that they weren't showing the fruit of the gospel. And that is another one of those casualties from people who were raised in church and told your saved. They are out there and they are perishing. We need to be ready in season and out. Our whole purpose of going to that house was to minister to the gentleman yet we ended up speaking to more than him. Only God can orchestrate things like that.
Amen!!
I must say it was an amusing time. Seminary nor churchology teaching couldn't prepare you for this kind of ministry. We had discussions of how they were raised in church and know the bible just as well as we do. To one of them wanting to give me her number so she could debate me when she was sober. I will say the word got proclaimed and hugs were given before it was all over. Tension was in the air, but before we left laughter came. You see I feel we can be to stuffy in our theology and presentations of giving the gospel. Sometimes you just need to loosen up and listen. All the while being prepared to give a testimony. I don't know what will transpire from this meeting, but I do know that Gods word won't return to Him void. The word was proclaimed to two women who was drunk and were definately not Christian despite of what they said. Again not passing judgment. I just know that they weren't showing the fruit of the gospel. And that is another one of those casualties from people who were raised in church and told your saved. They are out there and they are perishing. We need to be ready in season and out. Our whole purpose of going to that house was to minister to the gentleman yet we ended up speaking to more than him. Only God can orchestrate things like that.
Amen!!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
On "Binding Satan"
This is something I have been wanting to bring out for a while. Especially when in prayer meetings and other meetings. The following site presents some good views of where we stand in this type of warfare.
Click on this:
On "Binding Satan"
Click on this:
On "Binding Satan"
A promise for Christmas..."IT IS FINISHED"
"Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisment for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken, And they made His grave with the wicked---But with the rich at His death. Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deciet in His mouth." Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put HIm to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days. And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,And He shall divide the spoil with the strong. Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors. And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors."
Isaiah 53:4-12
Now that is what Christmas is about! Yes He was born on earth. But let's not forget why He was born.
I was taking my oldest daughter to school yesterday. I told her about one time when Jesus got mad. When He went in and turned over the money changer tables in the tabernacle. I told her why the money changers were there. We talked about how the Jews had to sacrifice animals and why. Then I told her what Jesus did on the cross for us and how He was the ultimate and final sacrifice. I told her what Jesus said before He died. "It is finished." Isn't that wonderful? We no longer have to sacrifice bulls and goats etc.. Jesus paid the price and now it is finished. The law and the prophets were fulfilled when He said it is finished. That is a promise for Christmas and forever. Repent and believe! Read the account in Isaiah and realize what Jesus went through and what God went through during that time. Then realize what was done for us who believe in Jesus. That is an awesome present.
And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisment for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken, And they made His grave with the wicked---But with the rich at His death. Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deciet in His mouth." Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put HIm to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days. And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,And He shall divide the spoil with the strong. Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors. And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors."
Isaiah 53:4-12
Now that is what Christmas is about! Yes He was born on earth. But let's not forget why He was born.
I was taking my oldest daughter to school yesterday. I told her about one time when Jesus got mad. When He went in and turned over the money changer tables in the tabernacle. I told her why the money changers were there. We talked about how the Jews had to sacrifice animals and why. Then I told her what Jesus did on the cross for us and how He was the ultimate and final sacrifice. I told her what Jesus said before He died. "It is finished." Isn't that wonderful? We no longer have to sacrifice bulls and goats etc.. Jesus paid the price and now it is finished. The law and the prophets were fulfilled when He said it is finished. That is a promise for Christmas and forever. Repent and believe! Read the account in Isaiah and realize what Jesus went through and what God went through during that time. Then realize what was done for us who believe in Jesus. That is an awesome present.
I still need a Saviour
You know something saints? We still need a saviour! Isn't that wonderful?
I've been struggling with some issues lately as we all do. Then the other night I woke up with this on my mind. I need a Saviour. Wow, the Lord reminded me that though we are saved and we are being saved that we still need Jesus. All the time! I knew this, but it was a good reminder from the Lord to keep me in line. I then remembered that He who is in me is greater than he who is in this world. That morning I was full of praises. Songs were coming to mind and I was singing them. I was praising my God and Saviour. We will always need a Saviour as we are living in a fallen world. We need to be reminding ourselves that, so we won't get discouraged or prideful. It is not because we are able to do anything on our own. No! It is because of what Jesus did on the cross. He took it all. Now go praise the Saviour.
Amen!!!
I've been struggling with some issues lately as we all do. Then the other night I woke up with this on my mind. I need a Saviour. Wow, the Lord reminded me that though we are saved and we are being saved that we still need Jesus. All the time! I knew this, but it was a good reminder from the Lord to keep me in line. I then remembered that He who is in me is greater than he who is in this world. That morning I was full of praises. Songs were coming to mind and I was singing them. I was praising my God and Saviour. We will always need a Saviour as we are living in a fallen world. We need to be reminding ourselves that, so we won't get discouraged or prideful. It is not because we are able to do anything on our own. No! It is because of what Jesus did on the cross. He took it all. Now go praise the Saviour.
Amen!!!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Will the true Christian please stand up!
When I was a little tike there was a show called "To tell the Truth." The format was there were three people behind a table answering questions from some celebrity contestants. The contestants had to guess which person was telling the truth about what they really did for a living. So the other two people being questioned would be lying about what they did in order to trick the contestants.
Then at the end the real person who was an author, professor or whatever profession the topic was about would stand up revealing that they were in fact telling the truth. If one of the contestants guessed right they would then win a prize.
My question would be as Christians would a person be able to tell if we were trully Christians or not amongst others? You, see I again am around a lot of people who profess Christ, but there is no fruit. The world basically couldn't tell the difference. So there are alot of imposters out there and we are to be a lamp amongst the darkness.
So will the true Christian please stand up!!!
Then at the end the real person who was an author, professor or whatever profession the topic was about would stand up revealing that they were in fact telling the truth. If one of the contestants guessed right they would then win a prize.
My question would be as Christians would a person be able to tell if we were trully Christians or not amongst others? You, see I again am around a lot of people who profess Christ, but there is no fruit. The world basically couldn't tell the difference. So there are alot of imposters out there and we are to be a lamp amongst the darkness.
So will the true Christian please stand up!!!
Friday, December 5, 2008
DEAD MEN WALKING
"And you were dead in trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience---among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
Ephesians 2:1-3
"Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Ephesians 5:14b
As you read I hope you notice the reason for the title of this post. How many of us who are of Christ realize we are walking amongst the dead? And that we were once a walking dead man also. Everyone who is not of Christ is condemned already. They are dead to the things of God. So when we are evangelizing we need to take into account that we are talking to people who are dead in their trespasses and sins. There needs to be a distinction of how we approach people with the gospel. Some may be broken and are coming alive to God and need grace. Others may still be hardened and need the law. We need to use discernment when approaching people.
We must realize that it is God who must awaken the people to hear the words. Or else we are just trying to convince someone to hear. Remember our job is not to bring conviction. It is the Holy Spirit who brings conviction. We are only called to proclaim the gospel. We could be the one spreading the seed, or watering. God gives the increase. So when you do talk or see the broken person that may mean someone already has sown a seed and now they need water. Or when you go out and meet that person who is giving you a hard time just plant and walk away. Someone else will come along and water.
It became so much easier for me to realize that when I talk or proclaim to people the gospel and they give me a hard time, it is not me they are rejecting. No, it is God and He can handle that. Because at least a seed was scattered. The burden of conversion is not ours to bear. We can't raise a dead man from the grave only God.
So when I go out on the streets to proclaim the gospel I know that I am just a planter of the word. I don't yell or provoke, I proclaim knowing that God will do the rest. I don't use gimmicks or sign boards. Except one on my carrying case with one word: REPENT. When I go out I use my bullhorn only to propel my voice and not to yell. It is what we are called to do go out and tell people about Jesus. I love what I do as it is a fulfillment of the great commission.
I've been yelled at, cussed at and a lot of horns honking. Some of the horn honking was in agreement. I have learned to tell the difference. Plus as I was out at times I had people come up and say thank you I needed to hear what you said. How many will not ever touch a door threshold and yet they will walk by in the streets. You see we can't depend on people coming to us we must go to them.
Have you ever seen anyone rising out of the grave in the graveyard? I hope not if so you may want to run. So as you probably won't see that happen chances are you won't see the dead coming to a fellowship meeting. So go out!
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ...."
Ephesians 2:4-5
Ephesians 2:1-3
"Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Ephesians 5:14b
As you read I hope you notice the reason for the title of this post. How many of us who are of Christ realize we are walking amongst the dead? And that we were once a walking dead man also. Everyone who is not of Christ is condemned already. They are dead to the things of God. So when we are evangelizing we need to take into account that we are talking to people who are dead in their trespasses and sins. There needs to be a distinction of how we approach people with the gospel. Some may be broken and are coming alive to God and need grace. Others may still be hardened and need the law. We need to use discernment when approaching people.
We must realize that it is God who must awaken the people to hear the words. Or else we are just trying to convince someone to hear. Remember our job is not to bring conviction. It is the Holy Spirit who brings conviction. We are only called to proclaim the gospel. We could be the one spreading the seed, or watering. God gives the increase. So when you do talk or see the broken person that may mean someone already has sown a seed and now they need water. Or when you go out and meet that person who is giving you a hard time just plant and walk away. Someone else will come along and water.
It became so much easier for me to realize that when I talk or proclaim to people the gospel and they give me a hard time, it is not me they are rejecting. No, it is God and He can handle that. Because at least a seed was scattered. The burden of conversion is not ours to bear. We can't raise a dead man from the grave only God.
So when I go out on the streets to proclaim the gospel I know that I am just a planter of the word. I don't yell or provoke, I proclaim knowing that God will do the rest. I don't use gimmicks or sign boards. Except one on my carrying case with one word: REPENT. When I go out I use my bullhorn only to propel my voice and not to yell. It is what we are called to do go out and tell people about Jesus. I love what I do as it is a fulfillment of the great commission.
I've been yelled at, cussed at and a lot of horns honking. Some of the horn honking was in agreement. I have learned to tell the difference. Plus as I was out at times I had people come up and say thank you I needed to hear what you said. How many will not ever touch a door threshold and yet they will walk by in the streets. You see we can't depend on people coming to us we must go to them.
Have you ever seen anyone rising out of the grave in the graveyard? I hope not if so you may want to run. So as you probably won't see that happen chances are you won't see the dead coming to a fellowship meeting. So go out!
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ...."
Ephesians 2:4-5
Thursday, December 4, 2008
What is Evangelism.....
My heart has been getting stirred up by the Lord the last two weeks. I have found myself becoming complacent again. Then as one of my earlier posts stated He reminded me of what I am to do. We are called to go out into all the world and proclaim the good news.
How many of us define the words evangelist or evangelism with someone who comes to a church and speaks a good message for revivals? It was over a year ago that the Lord reminded me that evangelist should be going out. And that He(God) is the one who brings revival not man. The best we can do is just temporary. What God does is permenant when it comes to revival.
So check out this definitions:
Evangelism: Zealous preaching and dissemination of the gospel, as through missionary work; the work of an evangelist.
Dissemination: to scatter or spread widly, as though sowing seeds; promulgate extensively; broadcast; disperse.
Promulgation: to make known by open declaration; publish; proclaim formally to set forth or teach publicaly.
2Timothy 4: 1-5 "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word: be ready in season and out of season: reprove , rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be soberminded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
Titus 2:11-15 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."
The words to Timothy from Paul speaks volumes. We are to be ready in season and out of season to proclaim the word. We are to rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
We should be zealous for good works. A Godly zealous not a pep talk type of zealousness that fades away after the meetings. We need to be wanting to proclaim the good news. My heart is to go out and reach the lost. Granted it was God who put this on my heart heavily. It is something I long to do. The lost are out in the world. The lost are in our own fellowships. The lost are in our own families. We can all evangelize. We all are called to evangelize. Some may be on the street, inside buildings. And all in our own homes.
Most of all as Paul told Timothy " Let no one disregard you."
How many of us define the words evangelist or evangelism with someone who comes to a church and speaks a good message for revivals? It was over a year ago that the Lord reminded me that evangelist should be going out. And that He(God) is the one who brings revival not man. The best we can do is just temporary. What God does is permenant when it comes to revival.
So check out this definitions:
Evangelism: Zealous preaching and dissemination of the gospel, as through missionary work; the work of an evangelist.
Dissemination: to scatter or spread widly, as though sowing seeds; promulgate extensively; broadcast; disperse.
Promulgation: to make known by open declaration; publish; proclaim formally to set forth or teach publicaly.
2Timothy 4: 1-5 "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word: be ready in season and out of season: reprove , rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be soberminded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
Titus 2:11-15 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."
The words to Timothy from Paul speaks volumes. We are to be ready in season and out of season to proclaim the word. We are to rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
We should be zealous for good works. A Godly zealous not a pep talk type of zealousness that fades away after the meetings. We need to be wanting to proclaim the good news. My heart is to go out and reach the lost. Granted it was God who put this on my heart heavily. It is something I long to do. The lost are out in the world. The lost are in our own fellowships. The lost are in our own families. We can all evangelize. We all are called to evangelize. Some may be on the street, inside buildings. And all in our own homes.
Most of all as Paul told Timothy " Let no one disregard you."
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
SAVED by GRACE not Seminary
This is just a thought that came to me today. In todays modern American church most people who are in the mainstream reformed ministry are seminary trained. Not all, but most. I know a few and love their insight they have on the definitions and meanings of the scripture.
Now after prefacing this with what I just said. I am finding a lot of people are reading and devouring books by the Pipers, Mars Hills movers and shakers to name a couple. In doing so they seem to be ignoring the scriptures. They love to quote these other men and their wisdom or insights without seemingly remembering these are mere men.
So that is what the title is about. We are saved by grace. And that not from man and their seminary teachings, but a gift of God.
I feel we are becoming to much like the Greeks. Seeking wisdom over seeking the one who gives us wisdom. In turn our outreaches are not maturing or happening. I challenge those with seminary degrees to go outside of the "church" and into the streets. I know one time when I mentioned to someone that I was going to street preach and they just looked like I had just said a bad word. It is as if you are not trained by "professors" or such that you can't go out and reach the lost. We have houses full of babies and no one is maturing. We are losing to the world because we have become like the world. I am not against seminary teaching or students. No, I just would like for the seminaries to truly do more organic teaching outside of the classrooms. Then maybe reality would hit the students and instructors as to what is really happening in the world.
Somethings can't be taught out of a book they must be learned first hand. I struggled in school trying to read and learn from books. I have been more hands on and that's what God is doing for me now. I am learning hands on what the bible is about. Reaching the lost with the gospel. Granted not everyone is an evangelist for the streets, but we can all learn from each other.
Now after prefacing this with what I just said. I am finding a lot of people are reading and devouring books by the Pipers, Mars Hills movers and shakers to name a couple. In doing so they seem to be ignoring the scriptures. They love to quote these other men and their wisdom or insights without seemingly remembering these are mere men.
So that is what the title is about. We are saved by grace. And that not from man and their seminary teachings, but a gift of God.
I feel we are becoming to much like the Greeks. Seeking wisdom over seeking the one who gives us wisdom. In turn our outreaches are not maturing or happening. I challenge those with seminary degrees to go outside of the "church" and into the streets. I know one time when I mentioned to someone that I was going to street preach and they just looked like I had just said a bad word. It is as if you are not trained by "professors" or such that you can't go out and reach the lost. We have houses full of babies and no one is maturing. We are losing to the world because we have become like the world. I am not against seminary teaching or students. No, I just would like for the seminaries to truly do more organic teaching outside of the classrooms. Then maybe reality would hit the students and instructors as to what is really happening in the world.
Somethings can't be taught out of a book they must be learned first hand. I struggled in school trying to read and learn from books. I have been more hands on and that's what God is doing for me now. I am learning hands on what the bible is about. Reaching the lost with the gospel. Granted not everyone is an evangelist for the streets, but we can all learn from each other.
Acts 17:26-27
"And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;" Acts 17:26-27
How awesome is that scripture? It shows the soveriegnty of God all through it. He made from one BLOOD every nation to dwell on all the face of the earth. Every color of men and women have been made from one BLOOD. JESUS!!!!
And not only that, but He determines where and how we live. All so that we should seek HIM in hope that we may grope for Him and find Him.
Are you seeing the awesomeness of God in this scripture? It is self explainatory. We are where we live so we can seek God. Seek God! Brothers and sisters seek God. He is not far from you.
We were made to worship Him. We were saved to worship and serve Him not ourselves.
We think we make the decisions on where we live. Ha Ha Ha!! NO, God predetermined that for us. That is glorious!!! Call me crazy, but I am glad that God is in control. He is awesome!
Give Him a shout of praise.
Amen!!!!
How awesome is that scripture? It shows the soveriegnty of God all through it. He made from one BLOOD every nation to dwell on all the face of the earth. Every color of men and women have been made from one BLOOD. JESUS!!!!
And not only that, but He determines where and how we live. All so that we should seek HIM in hope that we may grope for Him and find Him.
Are you seeing the awesomeness of God in this scripture? It is self explainatory. We are where we live so we can seek God. Seek God! Brothers and sisters seek God. He is not far from you.
We were made to worship Him. We were saved to worship and serve Him not ourselves.
We think we make the decisions on where we live. Ha Ha Ha!! NO, God predetermined that for us. That is glorious!!! Call me crazy, but I am glad that God is in control. He is awesome!
Give Him a shout of praise.
Amen!!!!
Friday, November 28, 2008
The message of the cross is foolishness......
...to those who are perishing.
"For the word of the cross is folly, to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
"Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand a sign and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucifed, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the fooishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." 1Corinthians 1:20b-25
"And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
I was reminded of this scripture the other day. It was like the Lord pointed out to me all over again reminding me why I am out evangelizing. He showed me the words of Paul and I was in an uproar emotionally because I had forgotten this scripture. I have forgotten that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. We tell the lost about salvation, baptism and life with Christ. Yet first we forget to tell them why they need salvation, why they need a savior. We give them a message that is more for believers than unbelievers. We pour over them with wisdom that sounds good, but there is no power unto salvation. The reason? It is man centered. We want instant results so we do what we can to get a person to say yes. Sort of like a car salesman whose whole purpose is to get the sale so they can get the commission and in turn we drive off in a car we didn't want or need. Whatever it takes.
We give a message that is empty of the power of the Spirit. Look at what Paul said, he didn't come to the Corinthians with lofty speeches or wisdom. If one of the greatest evangelist/apostles didn't do it that way what makes us any different? We don't need to give people trinkets that are geared for believers. We don't need to give out gift certificates to get people to hear a message. At one church I belonged to the pastor was so desperate to get the lost people in that he gave $200 to the person who brought the most people to the church. It wasn't that he was foolish. No,he was trying to get the saints to do something. In the same church but different pastor they started doing car shows. After the car shows they did skeet shoots.
I'm also reminded of Jonathan Edwards and Whitefield. They didn't use gimmicks or give aways to get people. NO! They preached Christ and Him crucified! They preached the law first. Once the people saw that they were sinners and they needed a savior, then the cross wasn't foolish to them anymore. Plus it was the power of God that brought the people. Now I am praying that this message gets across in a way where we will start questioning why we do the things we do in outreaches. How do you think we got the sinners prayer? Man's wisdom. And look where that has us. There are a lot of unbelievers walking into churches thinking they are saved just because they said a prayer and someone told them they were saved. I am meeting a lot of "saved lost people" where I evangelize. Yes they are saved, in their minds, but not their hearts. We messed up people and we need to repent as a church body.
My heart is for preaching the full counsel of God to all. Which according to Paul is the folly. But not at the expense of being foolish with man's wisdom.
Amen!
"For the word of the cross is folly, to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
"Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand a sign and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucifed, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the fooishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." 1Corinthians 1:20b-25
"And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
I was reminded of this scripture the other day. It was like the Lord pointed out to me all over again reminding me why I am out evangelizing. He showed me the words of Paul and I was in an uproar emotionally because I had forgotten this scripture. I have forgotten that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. We tell the lost about salvation, baptism and life with Christ. Yet first we forget to tell them why they need salvation, why they need a savior. We give them a message that is more for believers than unbelievers. We pour over them with wisdom that sounds good, but there is no power unto salvation. The reason? It is man centered. We want instant results so we do what we can to get a person to say yes. Sort of like a car salesman whose whole purpose is to get the sale so they can get the commission and in turn we drive off in a car we didn't want or need. Whatever it takes.
We give a message that is empty of the power of the Spirit. Look at what Paul said, he didn't come to the Corinthians with lofty speeches or wisdom. If one of the greatest evangelist/apostles didn't do it that way what makes us any different? We don't need to give people trinkets that are geared for believers. We don't need to give out gift certificates to get people to hear a message. At one church I belonged to the pastor was so desperate to get the lost people in that he gave $200 to the person who brought the most people to the church. It wasn't that he was foolish. No,he was trying to get the saints to do something. In the same church but different pastor they started doing car shows. After the car shows they did skeet shoots.
I'm also reminded of Jonathan Edwards and Whitefield. They didn't use gimmicks or give aways to get people. NO! They preached Christ and Him crucified! They preached the law first. Once the people saw that they were sinners and they needed a savior, then the cross wasn't foolish to them anymore. Plus it was the power of God that brought the people. Now I am praying that this message gets across in a way where we will start questioning why we do the things we do in outreaches. How do you think we got the sinners prayer? Man's wisdom. And look where that has us. There are a lot of unbelievers walking into churches thinking they are saved just because they said a prayer and someone told them they were saved. I am meeting a lot of "saved lost people" where I evangelize. Yes they are saved, in their minds, but not their hearts. We messed up people and we need to repent as a church body.
My heart is for preaching the full counsel of God to all. Which according to Paul is the folly. But not at the expense of being foolish with man's wisdom.
Amen!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD
Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, " Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious;
for as I was passing through and considering the objects of worship. I even found an altar with this inscription:
TO THE UNKOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: " God who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.
Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and bounderies of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us: for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'
Therefore since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by man's art and own devising.
ACTS 17:22-29
I feel this scripture pretty well sums up some thoughts I have been having about the modern church and the ways they implement things to evangelize with.
We are to preach Christ and Him crucified! And yet we come up with schemes or buildings etc. to bring attention to the gospel and Lordship of Christ. We make things out of our own craftsmanship in order to aide us in remembering what Christ did for us. We build beautiful buildings in order to help us worship better. What happened to the simplicity of the gospel?
Man's wisdom is of folly. The words of God are life.
We need to scrap the ways of man, because what seems to work today may become someones idol the next. Men we need to rely on the WORD and not man's way. I feel we are in danger of adding to what Jesus already completed through His death on the Cross.
This all stems from a heart of someone who was raised in a denomination that used statues and other relics in order to help us remember what Christ did for us. I would like to end this with a question. What is the Holy Spirit for then if we need these extra things?
for as I was passing through and considering the objects of worship. I even found an altar with this inscription:
TO THE UNKOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: " God who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.
Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and bounderies of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us: for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'
Therefore since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by man's art and own devising.
ACTS 17:22-29
I feel this scripture pretty well sums up some thoughts I have been having about the modern church and the ways they implement things to evangelize with.
We are to preach Christ and Him crucified! And yet we come up with schemes or buildings etc. to bring attention to the gospel and Lordship of Christ. We make things out of our own craftsmanship in order to aide us in remembering what Christ did for us. We build beautiful buildings in order to help us worship better. What happened to the simplicity of the gospel?
Man's wisdom is of folly. The words of God are life.
We need to scrap the ways of man, because what seems to work today may become someones idol the next. Men we need to rely on the WORD and not man's way. I feel we are in danger of adding to what Jesus already completed through His death on the Cross.
This all stems from a heart of someone who was raised in a denomination that used statues and other relics in order to help us remember what Christ did for us. I would like to end this with a question. What is the Holy Spirit for then if we need these extra things?
Thursday, November 20, 2008
False Humility and Forced Humility vs. TRUE HUMILITY
The reason I chose the title for this post, is that I was at my oldest daughters musical recital today and while there I saw two extreme sides of Christianity.
On one side of the room there were some ladies who were of the old penecostal segment of Christianity wearing there buns and plain dresses with no makeup. And then on the other side there was a local pastor who was dressed nice and outside in front of the school where everyone could see was his nice Cadillac Escalade with the license plate "HOLINESS" on it.
So that is how I came up with the title. On one side you have forced humility. Men making laws that put their women under bondage or as an old friend used to say "bundage". Then on the other side you have a gentleman who preaches prosperity and rubs elbows with the elite in the city. False humility?
I am not casting judgement on either one of these people. The ladies may be the sweetest women around. And the pastor may be a nice person also. It only shows that we have two different extremes of christianity here in the United States. I by far am not a very humble person, and I struggle with being humble.
The question is do we need to show it with what we wear or don't wear? Do we need to show our Christianity with a license plate or a fish symbol. You see people are to know we are Christians by our fruit. Not our outward appearance. No wonder so many are turned off. They see certain ones who have an appearance of Christianity and humility. Lord help us!
The following is just some of what the scriptures says about humility.
In 1 Peter 5:5-5 The word says we are to clothe ourselves in humility.
Romans 12:16 "Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble."
Also in 1 Peter 5:6-7 We read "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
You see we are to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and not man, whether by wearing drab clothing and buns or otherwise.
Jesus became poor. He didn't just look poor he was poor. He gave up riches to come to the earth and die. He didn't garner riches while here. Jesus was and always will be our example.
We are to be humble so that God can exalt us not man. Our fancy rides with our personal license plates making people think we are Christian is not the way to go.
Well, while I'm at it that person who had the nice car and license plate happened to drive way faster than the posted speed limit on the highway when I was behind them. So how is that supposed to speak to the lost when Christians are breaking a law?
On one side of the room there were some ladies who were of the old penecostal segment of Christianity wearing there buns and plain dresses with no makeup. And then on the other side there was a local pastor who was dressed nice and outside in front of the school where everyone could see was his nice Cadillac Escalade with the license plate "HOLINESS" on it.
So that is how I came up with the title. On one side you have forced humility. Men making laws that put their women under bondage or as an old friend used to say "bundage". Then on the other side you have a gentleman who preaches prosperity and rubs elbows with the elite in the city. False humility?
I am not casting judgement on either one of these people. The ladies may be the sweetest women around. And the pastor may be a nice person also. It only shows that we have two different extremes of christianity here in the United States. I by far am not a very humble person, and I struggle with being humble.
The question is do we need to show it with what we wear or don't wear? Do we need to show our Christianity with a license plate or a fish symbol. You see people are to know we are Christians by our fruit. Not our outward appearance. No wonder so many are turned off. They see certain ones who have an appearance of Christianity and humility. Lord help us!
The following is just some of what the scriptures says about humility.
In 1 Peter 5:5-5 The word says we are to clothe ourselves in humility.
Romans 12:16 "Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble."
Also in 1 Peter 5:6-7 We read "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
You see we are to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and not man, whether by wearing drab clothing and buns or otherwise.
Jesus became poor. He didn't just look poor he was poor. He gave up riches to come to the earth and die. He didn't garner riches while here. Jesus was and always will be our example.
We are to be humble so that God can exalt us not man. Our fancy rides with our personal license plates making people think we are Christian is not the way to go.
Well, while I'm at it that person who had the nice car and license plate happened to drive way faster than the posted speed limit on the highway when I was behind them. So how is that supposed to speak to the lost when Christians are breaking a law?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
History repeats itself from scriptures.....Ezekiel 7
I was reading in Ezekiel today in my studies and this scripture popped out at me. It reminds me of what is going on in the modern American church.
"As I live," says the Lord God, "neither your sister Sodom nor her daughters have done as you and your daughters have done. Look this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had PRIDE, FULLNESS of FOOD, and ABUNDANCE of IDLENESS; neither did she STRENGTHEN the HAND of the POOR
and NEEDY. And they were HAUGHTY and committed ABOMINATION before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit." Ezekiel 7:48-50
I know God was speaking to Israel at the time, but how much resemblance is there with what we in America are doing in the churches? The modern church is doing no better than Sodom. Harsh words I know, but look in the mirror per se and see what is going on.
Do we think we can continue to be prideful, and idle? Do we feel we can continue to store up food for ourselves without ever being concerned about the poor and needy. We have some who claim to be Christian committing abominations. No one is calling out the sinners who are hiding in the churches. We need to repent before God releases His judgement on us. After all the word says, that judgement will start in the church before it starts in the world.
"As I live," says the Lord God, "neither your sister Sodom nor her daughters have done as you and your daughters have done. Look this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had PRIDE, FULLNESS of FOOD, and ABUNDANCE of IDLENESS; neither did she STRENGTHEN the HAND of the POOR
and NEEDY. And they were HAUGHTY and committed ABOMINATION before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit." Ezekiel 7:48-50
I know God was speaking to Israel at the time, but how much resemblance is there with what we in America are doing in the churches? The modern church is doing no better than Sodom. Harsh words I know, but look in the mirror per se and see what is going on.
Do we think we can continue to be prideful, and idle? Do we feel we can continue to store up food for ourselves without ever being concerned about the poor and needy. We have some who claim to be Christian committing abominations. No one is calling out the sinners who are hiding in the churches. We need to repent before God releases His judgement on us. After all the word says, that judgement will start in the church before it starts in the world.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Not Ashamed of the Gospel, as long as it is in the church
What's wrong with bringing the gospel out to the lost instead of bringing the lost to hear the gospel, if we are not ashamed of the gospel?
I titled this because as someone who goes out on the street to preach I know of some comments that get made about street preaching. Christian people come out and ask why are you doing that?
Someone said, I get enough preaching on Sundays. That was a comment to a friend of mine who was preaching on the street one time. Some have said that doesn't work. Wow so if the word being proclaimed on the street doesn't work then what does?
I really feel we have come along way from what Jesus, John, Paul, Peter and the others in the New Testament did. They preached on the streets. So if we are so bold to say we are not ashamed of the gospel while in a building why then are we not out proclaiming the gospel on the roof tops?
I titled this because as someone who goes out on the street to preach I know of some comments that get made about street preaching. Christian people come out and ask why are you doing that?
Someone said, I get enough preaching on Sundays. That was a comment to a friend of mine who was preaching on the street one time. Some have said that doesn't work. Wow so if the word being proclaimed on the street doesn't work then what does?
I really feel we have come along way from what Jesus, John, Paul, Peter and the others in the New Testament did. They preached on the streets. So if we are so bold to say we are not ashamed of the gospel while in a building why then are we not out proclaiming the gospel on the roof tops?
Thursday, November 6, 2008
JAMES 1:26-27
I just got through reading another brothers blog. He was hitting on some real hard issues. Then this scripture came to my mind.
"If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but decieves his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." James 1:26-27
I feel we are to quick to say hey I gave my tithe or I showed up at church every Sunday this last year. Or I give at the office. Using this as an excuse to not go out and help others on your own. We pay someone whether through tithes, United Way etc. to do the work for us and then in turn want to get a pat on the back for being "religious". Well, according to the word that persons religion is "useless". And most of these people don't bridle their tongue while all along decieving their own heart. We must be doers of the word and not hearers only. It is not up to one person or a certain group to do all of the labor. No, the Lord has something for us all to do.
When we do go out to help we are not to do what the world is doing by drawing attention to ourselves. If the body of Christ were doing as commanded in the scripture then we would have no need of the government to help. Think about that, all the money spent on our own pleasures could be used to help the orphans, widows and the poor. And the gospel could really be preached to all the world.
"If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but decieves his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." James 1:26-27
I feel we are to quick to say hey I gave my tithe or I showed up at church every Sunday this last year. Or I give at the office. Using this as an excuse to not go out and help others on your own. We pay someone whether through tithes, United Way etc. to do the work for us and then in turn want to get a pat on the back for being "religious". Well, according to the word that persons religion is "useless". And most of these people don't bridle their tongue while all along decieving their own heart. We must be doers of the word and not hearers only. It is not up to one person or a certain group to do all of the labor. No, the Lord has something for us all to do.
When we do go out to help we are not to do what the world is doing by drawing attention to ourselves. If the body of Christ were doing as commanded in the scripture then we would have no need of the government to help. Think about that, all the money spent on our own pleasures could be used to help the orphans, widows and the poor. And the gospel could really be preached to all the world.
Does a farmer harvest from his house?
Of course the answer would be no. The farmer goes out and plows the field, plants the seed and then waits as it grows then he harvest what he has sown.
So what do we do as Christians concerning the lost? You see there is a harvest of lost souls out there. For some the seed has been sowed. Now comes the water. Then comes the increase. The bible says that God gives the increase. Jesus said the harvest is plentiful. So why aren't we going out to gather? We can't hide out and hope the harvest will come in on it's own.
I wonder sometimes how we expect to reach the lost when all we do is go to a place and gather with others to hear a word, sing a song and then go home.
You see we were called to go out amongst those who are sick, dying, hurting. SINNERS!!!
How do we harvest from our house? We don't and that is what is wrong. A lot of "farmers" are gathered at the building while the grain is rotting. We need to be going out and reaching the lost. It hurts me to see so many hurting people and they have no hope and yet we who are believers have the answer. Yet we just go hang out with those who have already been harvested.
We need to be replanting the seed and harvesting when it is ready.
Just think about the title and ask God where have we gone wrong? What part do you need to be playing when it comes to harvesting?
So what do we do as Christians concerning the lost? You see there is a harvest of lost souls out there. For some the seed has been sowed. Now comes the water. Then comes the increase. The bible says that God gives the increase. Jesus said the harvest is plentiful. So why aren't we going out to gather? We can't hide out and hope the harvest will come in on it's own.
I wonder sometimes how we expect to reach the lost when all we do is go to a place and gather with others to hear a word, sing a song and then go home.
You see we were called to go out amongst those who are sick, dying, hurting. SINNERS!!!
How do we harvest from our house? We don't and that is what is wrong. A lot of "farmers" are gathered at the building while the grain is rotting. We need to be going out and reaching the lost. It hurts me to see so many hurting people and they have no hope and yet we who are believers have the answer. Yet we just go hang out with those who have already been harvested.
We need to be replanting the seed and harvesting when it is ready.
Just think about the title and ask God where have we gone wrong? What part do you need to be playing when it comes to harvesting?
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Who counsels the Pastors?
I was just thinking about an issue. In the modern day church who do the pastors turn to when they need advice or help?
You see the way things are structured the people go to the pastor for help or advice, yet don't expect to be able to help the pastor when they need it.
I used to look at my old pastors as knowing everything and not needing anything.
I always thought only we who were sitting in the chairs had issues concerning wrong thoughts, anger etc. . It wasn't until I heard a pastor in Texas at a men's meeting that he struggled with the same issues. I was like full of relief. I know that sounds tacky, but in our modern day traditional churches we tend to elevate the leaders to a higher standard of spirituality. Just as some churches bow down to kiss the leaders hand. Jesus never intended it to be this way. He said, the greatest would be the least. A servant! That's why so many pastors in the modern traditional church setting are failing. They have been put on a pedestal that can't hold up.
The issues stems from the false dichotomy of scripture and the role of leadership.
You see we are all priest in the New Testament. We are all equal in Christ. Those who are spiritual are to help those who are not. Most ,not all men who are pastors are only there because they went to seminary and got a "degree". Yet they may have no experience in the how to's of everyday life. They were only taught how to deal with the issues and have never learned from experience.
That said, we should be ready to help one another including those who are leaders when we come together and throughout the week.
Read the following scriptures:
1 Corinthians 14:26 "What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for BUILDING UP."
Ephesians 4:15-16 "Rather speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into HIM who is the HEAD, into CHRIST, from whom the WHOLE BODY, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when EACH part is WORKING properly, makes the BODY GROW so that it BUILDS itself up in LOVE."
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in YOU richly, teaching, and admonishing ONE ANOTHER in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with all thankfulness in your hearts to GOD."
Hebrews 10:24 "And let US consider how to STIR up ONE ANOTHER to love and good works, not neglecting to MEET together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging ONE ANOTHER, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
1 Thess. 5:14-15 " And we urge you, brothers admonish the IDLE, encourage the FAINTHEARTED, help the WEAK, be patient with THEM all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to ONE ANOTHER and to EVERYONE!"
The scriptures quoted are what we are to do as the church. We are meeting not only to hear a good teaching, but to bring a teaching ourselves, and in doing that we are all being built up including the leaders. No one knows all, so we need all in order to be learning. Stir each other up not just let the pastor, or elders do all of the stirring. Read those scriptures do you have something to bring to the meetings? We all are to be ready in season and out. In doing so everyone will be blessed when we meet. Remember the pastor and elder are just people. Christ is the head and He leads His church. So don't look to the pastor to help you and then never have take an opportunty to do likewise. Again the modern traditional setting we call church is not the way the scriptures have laid it out. That is one reason some pastors are failing, because they are put into a position that was never meant to be used the way it is. If we only need one man to lead then why do we need the gifts or other ministries? Help your leaders and be ready to teach, exhort, and rebuke. All for the building up of one another.
Anyone who is in Christ should be able to bring a teaching, a song, a revelation as the Lord leads not just one person. In doing that all will be built up according to the word of God.
You see the way things are structured the people go to the pastor for help or advice, yet don't expect to be able to help the pastor when they need it.
I used to look at my old pastors as knowing everything and not needing anything.
I always thought only we who were sitting in the chairs had issues concerning wrong thoughts, anger etc. . It wasn't until I heard a pastor in Texas at a men's meeting that he struggled with the same issues. I was like full of relief. I know that sounds tacky, but in our modern day traditional churches we tend to elevate the leaders to a higher standard of spirituality. Just as some churches bow down to kiss the leaders hand. Jesus never intended it to be this way. He said, the greatest would be the least. A servant! That's why so many pastors in the modern traditional church setting are failing. They have been put on a pedestal that can't hold up.
The issues stems from the false dichotomy of scripture and the role of leadership.
You see we are all priest in the New Testament. We are all equal in Christ. Those who are spiritual are to help those who are not. Most ,not all men who are pastors are only there because they went to seminary and got a "degree". Yet they may have no experience in the how to's of everyday life. They were only taught how to deal with the issues and have never learned from experience.
That said, we should be ready to help one another including those who are leaders when we come together and throughout the week.
Read the following scriptures:
1 Corinthians 14:26 "What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for BUILDING UP."
Ephesians 4:15-16 "Rather speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into HIM who is the HEAD, into CHRIST, from whom the WHOLE BODY, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when EACH part is WORKING properly, makes the BODY GROW so that it BUILDS itself up in LOVE."
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in YOU richly, teaching, and admonishing ONE ANOTHER in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with all thankfulness in your hearts to GOD."
Hebrews 10:24 "And let US consider how to STIR up ONE ANOTHER to love and good works, not neglecting to MEET together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging ONE ANOTHER, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
1 Thess. 5:14-15 " And we urge you, brothers admonish the IDLE, encourage the FAINTHEARTED, help the WEAK, be patient with THEM all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to ONE ANOTHER and to EVERYONE!"
The scriptures quoted are what we are to do as the church. We are meeting not only to hear a good teaching, but to bring a teaching ourselves, and in doing that we are all being built up including the leaders. No one knows all, so we need all in order to be learning. Stir each other up not just let the pastor, or elders do all of the stirring. Read those scriptures do you have something to bring to the meetings? We all are to be ready in season and out. In doing so everyone will be blessed when we meet. Remember the pastor and elder are just people. Christ is the head and He leads His church. So don't look to the pastor to help you and then never have take an opportunty to do likewise. Again the modern traditional setting we call church is not the way the scriptures have laid it out. That is one reason some pastors are failing, because they are put into a position that was never meant to be used the way it is. If we only need one man to lead then why do we need the gifts or other ministries? Help your leaders and be ready to teach, exhort, and rebuke. All for the building up of one another.
Anyone who is in Christ should be able to bring a teaching, a song, a revelation as the Lord leads not just one person. In doing that all will be built up according to the word of God.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Who do we invite to our home? Luke 14:12-14
Yesterday (Saturday) we had house church fellowship at my home. During last week my intention was to invite a fellow from the local mobile home park we minister at.
Thursday I went to visit with some of the people we disciple and I stopped at this mans home first. He asked me if I would take him to vote on Friday and I told him I would. I asked him if he would come to eat at our house on Saturday and that I would come over and pick him up. He said yes he would.
All of this has stemmed from the scripture where Jesus said, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the ressurrection of the just." Luke 14:12-14
I have been dealing with this scripture for a while, because both of the places I have fellowship here in my city and also in Texas where I am from this was not being followed. We (myself included), would always invite people from our fellowship to our homes to eat and vice versa. I never really new any poor because I didn't go out in an effort to reach anyone who was poor.
I know some may say well the scripture is just a metaphor or something to that effect. I say that Jesus said it and we must follow as He wills. Since coming to Conway that very scripture has been on my mind a lot. Especially when we were invited to another brothers home to eat and of course then others were at our home also.
Now though reality has hit me. I have been doing an outreach ministry every week where this gentleman lives. Which happens to be one the most run down areas of the city. You name it drugs, alcohol, prostitution, homosexuality, drive by shootings and of course the poor. It's all there at this mobile home park. The very people Jesus spoke about who would be amongst us.
Now back to where I started this post. Thursday night after having invited this man to my home reality hit me. When I say reality I mean thoughts and flesh were being hammered by concerns. This gentleman is like an adult version of Pig Pen from the Peanuts comics. His living conditions are not very hygenic as well as himself. He is a very gentle and kind person.
Anyway during the night some concerns came to light as I was sleeping. I was worried about how he would make my house and furniture smell and what if he brought some cockroaches to my house. With all of this going on in my mind I felt the deep conviction of the Lord weigh heavily on my heart. The Lord showed me where I still had an ill will towards my friend concerning how he dressed and looked. He showed me that as long as I was going over to where he lived I was ok being around him. Now that I was going to bring him to my "clean" home that I really wasn't comfortable with that. After all of the praying and seeking forgiveness with the Lord I went back to sleep with a peace from God. Repentance! I had to repent of the issue still buried within me.
Friday morning I went to pick the man up and I had the peace of the Lord in my heart. Granted my nose wasn't happy, but my mind was. I took him to run his errands (he doesn't have transportation) and then we went to the public library to early vote where we stood in line for over 30 minutes. Then he was ready to go home.
Saturday evening I went to pick him up and bring him over to my house. Well, when I got there he wasn't home. So I went to where I thought he might be and he was walking back to his home carrying his big big duffle bag full of clothes. He has to walk over two miles each way to wash his clothes. I pulled over and told him to get in. I asked him if he was still coming to eat and he told me he wasn't feeling good and would have to cancel. I told him that would be ok and we would pray for him. I took him back to his house and said, I will see you Sunday. As I dropped him off he to told me to tell my family hello and that he really misses them.
There it is, God used all of that to show me where I still had pride and needed to repent. I urge you as you read this to go out of your comfort zone and see the needs of those who can't repay.
Don't forget the poor as they need the gospel and the love. I feel we have become to complacent with just hanging out with those within our own circle of friends and fellowship and in turn have neglected the very words of Jesus. How are we to reach out to people if we won't go to them and in turn maybe invite them to eat. Jesus did a lot of ministry eating with the poor so shouldn't we? I praise God for showing me where I still had issues concerning this. Praise God!!!
Thursday I went to visit with some of the people we disciple and I stopped at this mans home first. He asked me if I would take him to vote on Friday and I told him I would. I asked him if he would come to eat at our house on Saturday and that I would come over and pick him up. He said yes he would.
All of this has stemmed from the scripture where Jesus said, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the ressurrection of the just." Luke 14:12-14
I have been dealing with this scripture for a while, because both of the places I have fellowship here in my city and also in Texas where I am from this was not being followed. We (myself included), would always invite people from our fellowship to our homes to eat and vice versa. I never really new any poor because I didn't go out in an effort to reach anyone who was poor.
I know some may say well the scripture is just a metaphor or something to that effect. I say that Jesus said it and we must follow as He wills. Since coming to Conway that very scripture has been on my mind a lot. Especially when we were invited to another brothers home to eat and of course then others were at our home also.
Now though reality has hit me. I have been doing an outreach ministry every week where this gentleman lives. Which happens to be one the most run down areas of the city. You name it drugs, alcohol, prostitution, homosexuality, drive by shootings and of course the poor. It's all there at this mobile home park. The very people Jesus spoke about who would be amongst us.
Now back to where I started this post. Thursday night after having invited this man to my home reality hit me. When I say reality I mean thoughts and flesh were being hammered by concerns. This gentleman is like an adult version of Pig Pen from the Peanuts comics. His living conditions are not very hygenic as well as himself. He is a very gentle and kind person.
Anyway during the night some concerns came to light as I was sleeping. I was worried about how he would make my house and furniture smell and what if he brought some cockroaches to my house. With all of this going on in my mind I felt the deep conviction of the Lord weigh heavily on my heart. The Lord showed me where I still had an ill will towards my friend concerning how he dressed and looked. He showed me that as long as I was going over to where he lived I was ok being around him. Now that I was going to bring him to my "clean" home that I really wasn't comfortable with that. After all of the praying and seeking forgiveness with the Lord I went back to sleep with a peace from God. Repentance! I had to repent of the issue still buried within me.
Friday morning I went to pick the man up and I had the peace of the Lord in my heart. Granted my nose wasn't happy, but my mind was. I took him to run his errands (he doesn't have transportation) and then we went to the public library to early vote where we stood in line for over 30 minutes. Then he was ready to go home.
Saturday evening I went to pick him up and bring him over to my house. Well, when I got there he wasn't home. So I went to where I thought he might be and he was walking back to his home carrying his big big duffle bag full of clothes. He has to walk over two miles each way to wash his clothes. I pulled over and told him to get in. I asked him if he was still coming to eat and he told me he wasn't feeling good and would have to cancel. I told him that would be ok and we would pray for him. I took him back to his house and said, I will see you Sunday. As I dropped him off he to told me to tell my family hello and that he really misses them.
There it is, God used all of that to show me where I still had pride and needed to repent. I urge you as you read this to go out of your comfort zone and see the needs of those who can't repay.
Don't forget the poor as they need the gospel and the love. I feel we have become to complacent with just hanging out with those within our own circle of friends and fellowship and in turn have neglected the very words of Jesus. How are we to reach out to people if we won't go to them and in turn maybe invite them to eat. Jesus did a lot of ministry eating with the poor so shouldn't we? I praise God for showing me where I still had issues concerning this. Praise God!!!
Monday, October 20, 2008
If you are a Believer are you also a Follower?
Think about that for a minute.
My wife asked me the other day if the word believer was in the bible. I said, I don't know. I do know that the word believe was in there. So I did some research and found some scripture about believers. Some of them are Acts 16:1, 2 Corinthians 6:15, 1Timothy 4:12 and 1 Timothy 6:2. I didn't do any heavy research in the concordances, just what the back of my bibles had. That said, you may say well,what is your point then?
My point is, how many of us who do believe go up to someone and ask people are you a believer in our time of evangelizing? Usually the common answer we hear is yes, I believe in God, especially in the bible belt. Everyone in the bible belt is a believer right? (sarcasm) Anyway in the book of James we read the following: "You believe God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe and shudder!"
A lot of people may say they are a believer for the following reasons; they go to church, they were baptized as infants in the church, they were told they are saved because they said a prayer, or they were born in the United States.
Perhaps it's not always best to ask a person if they are a believer in God when you first meet. Maybe we should say, are you a follower of Jesus. Or maybe we should add, have you been following Him since you believed.
You see a true believer should be producing fruit. I urge you to read the book of 1 John and see what a believer should look like. Listen to this as you read it, 1 John 2:4 "Whoever says, 'I know Him' but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked." So if you say you believe or are a believer, are you walking in the way Jesus walked when He was on earth?
1 John 5:1f "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments."
1 John 5:10-11 "Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning His Son."
People who truly believe in Jesus are called sheep, followers, chosen, and saints. I am not saying the word believer shouldn't be used, but maybe we should be better at clarifying what we mean. Are you following Jesus since you believed? Is there fruit in your life? If you say you believe in God then you should be bearing fruit. You should be humbly seeking Him and wanting to do His will.
My wife asked me the other day if the word believer was in the bible. I said, I don't know. I do know that the word believe was in there. So I did some research and found some scripture about believers. Some of them are Acts 16:1, 2 Corinthians 6:15, 1Timothy 4:12 and 1 Timothy 6:2. I didn't do any heavy research in the concordances, just what the back of my bibles had. That said, you may say well,what is your point then?
My point is, how many of us who do believe go up to someone and ask people are you a believer in our time of evangelizing? Usually the common answer we hear is yes, I believe in God, especially in the bible belt. Everyone in the bible belt is a believer right? (sarcasm) Anyway in the book of James we read the following: "You believe God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe and shudder!"
A lot of people may say they are a believer for the following reasons; they go to church, they were baptized as infants in the church, they were told they are saved because they said a prayer, or they were born in the United States.
Perhaps it's not always best to ask a person if they are a believer in God when you first meet. Maybe we should say, are you a follower of Jesus. Or maybe we should add, have you been following Him since you believed.
You see a true believer should be producing fruit. I urge you to read the book of 1 John and see what a believer should look like. Listen to this as you read it, 1 John 2:4 "Whoever says, 'I know Him' but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked." So if you say you believe or are a believer, are you walking in the way Jesus walked when He was on earth?
1 John 5:1f "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments."
1 John 5:10-11 "Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning His Son."
People who truly believe in Jesus are called sheep, followers, chosen, and saints. I am not saying the word believer shouldn't be used, but maybe we should be better at clarifying what we mean. Are you following Jesus since you believed? Is there fruit in your life? If you say you believe in God then you should be bearing fruit. You should be humbly seeking Him and wanting to do His will.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Pray for the Saints.....not dead ones
In the scriptures as I posted before we are to pray for the Lord to send out laborers to the harvest. Well, in this post I would like to show that we are to be praying for one another and just praying to God daily.
1 Thessolonians 5:17 We are to "pray without ceasing"
1 Thessolonians 5:25 says, "pray for us"...
1 Timothy 2:8 "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting:"...
James 5:13 "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
James 5:16 "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
You see God has set forth a way we can help each other through prayers. He doesn't need us, but He chooses to include us in His kingdoms work. Pray without ceasing, pray for the saints..ie. our brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for those who are in chains, prisons, sick and hurting. Pray without ceasing. Means we need to be ready in season and out in all we do.
1 Thessolonians 5:17 We are to "pray without ceasing"
1 Thessolonians 5:25 says, "pray for us"...
1 Timothy 2:8 "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting:"...
James 5:13 "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
James 5:16 "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
You see God has set forth a way we can help each other through prayers. He doesn't need us, but He chooses to include us in His kingdoms work. Pray without ceasing, pray for the saints..ie. our brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for those who are in chains, prisons, sick and hurting. Pray without ceasing. Means we need to be ready in season and out in all we do.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Pray for the lost and the laborers?
It seems as saints of God we tend to pray only for the lost to be saved. As time progressed I became convinced by the word of God that we are doing things wrong in that area. You see in the scriptures what did Jesus say for us to do?
"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest." Luke 10:2 ESV
You see there is an abundance of lost people (harvest), but few laborers (witnesses). So we need to be praying for the Lord to send out more witnesses to present the gospel to the world so that they may be saved.
The scripture also says, " How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him whom they have never heard? And how are they to "hear" without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?" Romans 10:14-15
So we need to be praying for the lost to be saved Romans 10:1, but also for the laborers to be sent.
Guess who those laborers are? Us, yes we who are called into Jesus' kingdom are the laborers who should be out witnessing, evangelizing and praying. So as we are called we should go. Not just the pastor, or evangelist etc., but all. We are to be praying for the saints (each other) as they and we go out to witness. So there it is now go. Pray for the sick, lame and demon possessed, but tell them about Jesus.
"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest." Luke 10:2 ESV
You see there is an abundance of lost people (harvest), but few laborers (witnesses). So we need to be praying for the Lord to send out more witnesses to present the gospel to the world so that they may be saved.
The scripture also says, " How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him whom they have never heard? And how are they to "hear" without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?" Romans 10:14-15
So we need to be praying for the lost to be saved Romans 10:1, but also for the laborers to be sent.
Guess who those laborers are? Us, yes we who are called into Jesus' kingdom are the laborers who should be out witnessing, evangelizing and praying. So as we are called we should go. Not just the pastor, or evangelist etc., but all. We are to be praying for the saints (each other) as they and we go out to witness. So there it is now go. Pray for the sick, lame and demon possessed, but tell them about Jesus.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
My new blog.....
Hey everyone, I have been talking about getting a blog and now my best friend and brother in Christ set me up one. Thanks, Phillip! This is cool now I won't send out random emails about what is going on. I will use this to bring out what the Bible says about all things pertaining to Christ and His glorious return. I will welcome comments from all who feel led as pertaining to the info. posted. And for my family in other states I welcome you to stop by to say hello.
Steven
Steven
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