I have been getting the urge to take a break from the blogsphere. I have gone from one end of the Christian spectrum to the other. All along the way leaving casualties. My heart is to edify and glorify the Lord. That hasn't always been the case the last few months.
Yesterday another brother in the Lord told me to listen to God and take a break. He also has done this and I felt it was a timely word. As I have been sensing this for a few days.
I told my wife that I was going to do just that. I have been so involved in this computer that I have neglected the very things I stand for in Christianity.
Prayer, evangelism, discipleship and loving one another.
Please continue to check in every now and again. As I am not completely leaving the blog.
I am just taking a much needed break until I feel the Lord's leading.
He has me in a place where I feel I need to be seeking Him more than I have been.
The Lord is faithful to those who are His and He will put things in our path that let's us know it is time to take a break.
I love the things of Christ and hope to come back refreshed with a better outlook on the ways of the Lord.
Amen!!!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Jesus Christ and Him crucified......
"For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." 1 Corinthians 1:17
"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
"For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.' " 1 Corinthians 1:19
"Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age?
Has not God made foolish the things of this world?" 1 Corinthians 1:20
"we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jew and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
1 Corinthians 1:23-24
"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." 1 Corinthians 2:1-2
"So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Now we have recieved not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God." 1 Corinthians 2: 11b-12
"And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual." 1 Corinthians 2: 13
"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14
"For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2: 16
There is so much meat in those words above. Just as I was reading and typing I was being filled with joy from the Lord. So much of our little bickerings could just be relinquished by reading and understanding the word of God.
I love to read what Paul wrote to the Corinthians. He was not sent to baptize. He was sent to preach the gospel!
And that not with eloquence of words.
In this day we feel we must be so studied and prepared to preach and teach the gospel. We feel that if we don't present it with the exact points and certain poignant words it won't come across to those we are speaking to.
Yet Paul wasn't worried about all of that. He knew who the one that would open mens hearts.
He knew that no matter how many eloquent words he used it would just fall on deaf ears if the Spirit wasn't in it.
The cross would be emptied of it's power.
How many times are we preaching a gospel that is emptied of it's power because we are speaking with our own wisdom?
We must remember that the cross is folly to those who are perishing. So why do we strain so much in trying to do the best we can with no avail?
For those who are being saved it is the power of God and the Lord will reveal the living word to those who are being saved. Without needing a special presentation of the word.
We don't need to use the techniques of the world in order to reach the lost. The wisdom of the world is foolish according to the word.
Just preaching Christ and him crucified is a stumbling block for most, because unless God is calling them it means nothing.
Were you wise when you were called? Did you have a lot of training and teaching that increased your spiritual knowledge? You see unless we are wholly dependant upon God to do the work when we evangelize then we are just spinning our wheels.
Yet the word does get planted. We may not see the fruit. Also though we don't need a special proclamation to do it. We just need to be able to speak.
No matter how good a sermon is prepared and sounds, it won't have any effect on those hearers it God isn't in it.
The natural person doesn't accept the things of the Spirit. That speaks volumes!
When we are out proclaiming the gospel it should be no surprise on how hard it is to reach the lost. If they are not spiritually discerning then it goes in one ear and out of the other. In some cases it may make them mad.
Paul said, "we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom, but taught by the Spirit.
If someone in your meetings or out in the world are spiritually awakened they won't need flattering words to convince them of the truth.
They will be taught by the Spirit as we impart the word in them.
Be ready to change the way you preach, the way you evangelize or teach because what the world says is the way may not be how God wants it done.
What I like may not be what the Lord wants to use in order to reach others.
Our wisdom is not Gods.
If you have the mind of Christ be ready to hear what He wants.
Don't get into useless debates with the lost either. Again you will be wasting your time. As only the Lord can open their eyes also.
If the Lord is showing you something it may not be for others.
We must be willing to be like Paul in how we interact with others. We must be like Paul when it comes to teaching and evangelizing. I mean it this way.
Understand what God wants and how He will use us.
Paul wasn't doing things his way. He came out of the synagogues well trained. "Seminary trained." Yet he didn't use his oratory ways to convince people about Jesus. He used what God showed him. He didn't follow what men thought was the way to preach. He used God's way of doing things.
So if you are preaching,do it unto the Lord. If you are discipling, do it unto the Lord. If you are teaching, do it unto the Lord. And if you are serving, do it unto the Lord. Not unto man.
"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
"For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.' " 1 Corinthians 1:19
"Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age?
Has not God made foolish the things of this world?" 1 Corinthians 1:20
"we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jew and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
1 Corinthians 1:23-24
"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." 1 Corinthians 2:1-2
"So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Now we have recieved not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God." 1 Corinthians 2: 11b-12
"And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual." 1 Corinthians 2: 13
"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14
"For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2: 16
There is so much meat in those words above. Just as I was reading and typing I was being filled with joy from the Lord. So much of our little bickerings could just be relinquished by reading and understanding the word of God.
I love to read what Paul wrote to the Corinthians. He was not sent to baptize. He was sent to preach the gospel!
And that not with eloquence of words.
In this day we feel we must be so studied and prepared to preach and teach the gospel. We feel that if we don't present it with the exact points and certain poignant words it won't come across to those we are speaking to.
Yet Paul wasn't worried about all of that. He knew who the one that would open mens hearts.
He knew that no matter how many eloquent words he used it would just fall on deaf ears if the Spirit wasn't in it.
The cross would be emptied of it's power.
How many times are we preaching a gospel that is emptied of it's power because we are speaking with our own wisdom?
We must remember that the cross is folly to those who are perishing. So why do we strain so much in trying to do the best we can with no avail?
For those who are being saved it is the power of God and the Lord will reveal the living word to those who are being saved. Without needing a special presentation of the word.
We don't need to use the techniques of the world in order to reach the lost. The wisdom of the world is foolish according to the word.
Just preaching Christ and him crucified is a stumbling block for most, because unless God is calling them it means nothing.
Were you wise when you were called? Did you have a lot of training and teaching that increased your spiritual knowledge? You see unless we are wholly dependant upon God to do the work when we evangelize then we are just spinning our wheels.
Yet the word does get planted. We may not see the fruit. Also though we don't need a special proclamation to do it. We just need to be able to speak.
No matter how good a sermon is prepared and sounds, it won't have any effect on those hearers it God isn't in it.
The natural person doesn't accept the things of the Spirit. That speaks volumes!
When we are out proclaiming the gospel it should be no surprise on how hard it is to reach the lost. If they are not spiritually discerning then it goes in one ear and out of the other. In some cases it may make them mad.
Paul said, "we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom, but taught by the Spirit.
If someone in your meetings or out in the world are spiritually awakened they won't need flattering words to convince them of the truth.
They will be taught by the Spirit as we impart the word in them.
Be ready to change the way you preach, the way you evangelize or teach because what the world says is the way may not be how God wants it done.
What I like may not be what the Lord wants to use in order to reach others.
Our wisdom is not Gods.
If you have the mind of Christ be ready to hear what He wants.
Don't get into useless debates with the lost either. Again you will be wasting your time. As only the Lord can open their eyes also.
If the Lord is showing you something it may not be for others.
We must be willing to be like Paul in how we interact with others. We must be like Paul when it comes to teaching and evangelizing. I mean it this way.
Understand what God wants and how He will use us.
Paul wasn't doing things his way. He came out of the synagogues well trained. "Seminary trained." Yet he didn't use his oratory ways to convince people about Jesus. He used what God showed him. He didn't follow what men thought was the way to preach. He used God's way of doing things.
So if you are preaching,do it unto the Lord. If you are discipling, do it unto the Lord. If you are teaching, do it unto the Lord. And if you are serving, do it unto the Lord. Not unto man.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
David,Goliath, the church and Jesus....
Last week my wife told me about an article in the New Yorker. It was about a gentleman from India who took over his 12 year old daughters basketball team. He didn't know anything about basketball and the kids were new to it also. He watched how the other teams would play. He noticed that all the teams would play just one side of the court. Meaning their goal was to get to the other side of the court with the ball as fast as you can and try to score. All the while the defense would be there waiting to defend the basket. He then decided to play full court offense and defense. Meaning that the team would use the whole court and not do as the other teams play. When the ball was being thrown inbounds, instead of having his whole team on the otherside of the court, he would have them blocking the ball from being inbounded etc. .
This allowed his team to take advantage of the time restraint which allowed his team to get the ball and then score. You see his team of girls didn't have the talent to charge the goal. So they played within the rules and did it the unconventional way.
They ended up going all the way to the championship. Which they lost because the home team got to pick the referees and they didn't like the play. So they would call fouls on every little thing.
To check out the full story here is the title and link:
"Annals of Innovation
How David Beats Goliath
When underdogs break the rules."
by Malcolm Gladwell
www.newyorker.com
Anyway as I had read this article it got me to thinking. That Christianity is an unconventional way of doing things as well it should be. We are after all not of this world anymore.
You see as the story brings out; When David arose to the occasion and went to fight the giant, he was given a sword and armor. Which in turn didn't fit his way of fighting. He didn't use manly weapons of warfare. He used a humble lowly little sling. It worked though. It did what was needed. Knock the giant out until David could then use the sword of the giant to take off his head.
Jesus did that also. He came down to this earth and went against Goliath. The religious system. And without anyone seeing it took down this system of sin and death. The giant in the Old Testament being slain and the giant in the New Testament got slain. Both by lowly little nobody's. Men who were looked at as helpless. Shepherds!
David was opposed, yet he won the battle because God was with him. In turn allowing his future people to live freely.
Jesus was opposed and yet he won the victory by his death. He killed the giant of sin and death.
Again in turn setting those who were and and are in bondage to sin free.
God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.
In this day the church seems to have become wise in it's own eyes. Or should I say what we call the church?
We have become rich and in need of nothing. Now comes along a giant slayer again. Which also is being opposed by the "norm".
Jesus wasn't the norm, and David didn't do things in the norm.
Unconventional wisdom is what God seems to use in order to bring in a new beginning.
Using people who won't compromise their beliefs in order to walk in the ways of God.
I have come to the point where I am not going to allow myself to be described by labels.
I have been a strong advocate of taking the name off the churches for a long time.
In saying all of this conventional ways says you must go to seminary, preach at a church, and fall into the norm.
Unconventional wisdom says you don't need to have a title to be a minister, you don't need be in a church to preach. You don't need a label to describe what you believe.
You see I am no longer calling myself Reformed, Charismatic or anything else that seperates what I believe from what others believe. I am not of Luther, Calvin, Arminius or any other historical man whose movements have been labeled.
No I am of Christ. If that doesn't help people then I can't help that. Because in the kingdom there is only One and He is Jesus.
It is not about IC vs. HC. It is about the New Testament being brought to life through the New Covenant. Jesus came to abolish not to restore traditions of men from the old.
We have become so tied up in our thoughts and in turn left our first love.
People return to the first love! Jesus!
Play the full court and stop trying to make a goal then runnig to the otherside to defend what you just did. We need to be concentrating on the kingdom and what Jesus has told us.
Our walk should reflect what we believe.
Not a name on a building or a label we put on ourselves.
This has gotten us nowhere. Except into useless arguements.
Don't think that I am strange just because I don't call myself one name or another. I personally have not been walking the conventional way for along time. As God has ordained it that way for my life.
The life I am living reflects that of what the Lord has put on my heart. I read the scriptures. I pray daily. I believe the gifts are for today. I believe in divine healing. I believe Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. I believe He is sitting at the right hand of God right now.
I believe He is coming back!
I try to live by faith. My walk has reflected that also.
I am a stay at home dad. That is unconventional. And I believe God told me to do that.
If I want to have a beer, then that is ok. If I want to dance. That is ok.
You see how far we have come? We don't need extra rules in order to be more holy or sanctified.
If you are doing something wrong and are a believer you will be told. By the Holy Spirit.
Granted now I don't drink beer anymore. I don't like to dance.
Yet if you don't feel convicted by it, then do it. Unless it causes your brother to stumble etc. as the scripture also says.
We must break free from the mold that was formed years ago.
Open your eyes to the heavens and realize what is the truth. Read the word of God and seek Him daily on your own and with others.
Goliath is being taken down.
The conventional ways are being destroyed. No more laws made by man. God is the rule maker and He also gives grace. Those who are His will know.
Let My people go! No more going back to Egypt and no more fighting the Goliaths.
This allowed his team to take advantage of the time restraint which allowed his team to get the ball and then score. You see his team of girls didn't have the talent to charge the goal. So they played within the rules and did it the unconventional way.
They ended up going all the way to the championship. Which they lost because the home team got to pick the referees and they didn't like the play. So they would call fouls on every little thing.
To check out the full story here is the title and link:
"Annals of Innovation
How David Beats Goliath
When underdogs break the rules."
by Malcolm Gladwell
www.newyorker.com
Anyway as I had read this article it got me to thinking. That Christianity is an unconventional way of doing things as well it should be. We are after all not of this world anymore.
You see as the story brings out; When David arose to the occasion and went to fight the giant, he was given a sword and armor. Which in turn didn't fit his way of fighting. He didn't use manly weapons of warfare. He used a humble lowly little sling. It worked though. It did what was needed. Knock the giant out until David could then use the sword of the giant to take off his head.
Jesus did that also. He came down to this earth and went against Goliath. The religious system. And without anyone seeing it took down this system of sin and death. The giant in the Old Testament being slain and the giant in the New Testament got slain. Both by lowly little nobody's. Men who were looked at as helpless. Shepherds!
David was opposed, yet he won the battle because God was with him. In turn allowing his future people to live freely.
Jesus was opposed and yet he won the victory by his death. He killed the giant of sin and death.
Again in turn setting those who were and and are in bondage to sin free.
God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.
In this day the church seems to have become wise in it's own eyes. Or should I say what we call the church?
We have become rich and in need of nothing. Now comes along a giant slayer again. Which also is being opposed by the "norm".
Jesus wasn't the norm, and David didn't do things in the norm.
Unconventional wisdom is what God seems to use in order to bring in a new beginning.
Using people who won't compromise their beliefs in order to walk in the ways of God.
I have come to the point where I am not going to allow myself to be described by labels.
I have been a strong advocate of taking the name off the churches for a long time.
In saying all of this conventional ways says you must go to seminary, preach at a church, and fall into the norm.
Unconventional wisdom says you don't need to have a title to be a minister, you don't need be in a church to preach. You don't need a label to describe what you believe.
You see I am no longer calling myself Reformed, Charismatic or anything else that seperates what I believe from what others believe. I am not of Luther, Calvin, Arminius or any other historical man whose movements have been labeled.
No I am of Christ. If that doesn't help people then I can't help that. Because in the kingdom there is only One and He is Jesus.
It is not about IC vs. HC. It is about the New Testament being brought to life through the New Covenant. Jesus came to abolish not to restore traditions of men from the old.
We have become so tied up in our thoughts and in turn left our first love.
People return to the first love! Jesus!
Play the full court and stop trying to make a goal then runnig to the otherside to defend what you just did. We need to be concentrating on the kingdom and what Jesus has told us.
Our walk should reflect what we believe.
Not a name on a building or a label we put on ourselves.
This has gotten us nowhere. Except into useless arguements.
Don't think that I am strange just because I don't call myself one name or another. I personally have not been walking the conventional way for along time. As God has ordained it that way for my life.
The life I am living reflects that of what the Lord has put on my heart. I read the scriptures. I pray daily. I believe the gifts are for today. I believe in divine healing. I believe Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. I believe He is sitting at the right hand of God right now.
I believe He is coming back!
I try to live by faith. My walk has reflected that also.
I am a stay at home dad. That is unconventional. And I believe God told me to do that.
If I want to have a beer, then that is ok. If I want to dance. That is ok.
You see how far we have come? We don't need extra rules in order to be more holy or sanctified.
If you are doing something wrong and are a believer you will be told. By the Holy Spirit.
Granted now I don't drink beer anymore. I don't like to dance.
Yet if you don't feel convicted by it, then do it. Unless it causes your brother to stumble etc. as the scripture also says.
We must break free from the mold that was formed years ago.
Open your eyes to the heavens and realize what is the truth. Read the word of God and seek Him daily on your own and with others.
Goliath is being taken down.
The conventional ways are being destroyed. No more laws made by man. God is the rule maker and He also gives grace. Those who are His will know.
Let My people go! No more going back to Egypt and no more fighting the Goliaths.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Don't be like the little squirrel..Trust God!
Yesterday morning while I was taking my daughter to school there was a little squirrel out in the middle of the road. I was coming on it and slowed down. Another car was coming from the other direction. That little guy tried to go forward. And at the last minute turned back. He ended up getting killed when my back tire caught him. There was nothing I could do. It was in his paws to make the right decision.
The Lord used that to show me something. Sometimes when we are hard pressed on both sides we need to continue to move forward even when it looks worse and we feel safer going back. Because returning to where we were can mean death. Spiritually speaking.
I felt the Lord showed me, that is what would have happened to the Israelites if they would have went back to Egypt. They would have died thinking they were making the right decison.
How many of us in our walk with Christ come upon a situation where we have to make that crucial decision of continuing on or going back?
The lesson I feel is we must trust God even when the going looks rougher than the coming.
Don't turn back to what feels or was familiar. That could mean destruction.
If God has called you to do something or go somewhere then go. He will provide protection and provision.
The Lord used that to show me something. Sometimes when we are hard pressed on both sides we need to continue to move forward even when it looks worse and we feel safer going back. Because returning to where we were can mean death. Spiritually speaking.
I felt the Lord showed me, that is what would have happened to the Israelites if they would have went back to Egypt. They would have died thinking they were making the right decison.
How many of us in our walk with Christ come upon a situation where we have to make that crucial decision of continuing on or going back?
The lesson I feel is we must trust God even when the going looks rougher than the coming.
Don't turn back to what feels or was familiar. That could mean destruction.
If God has called you to do something or go somewhere then go. He will provide protection and provision.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
There is only one God and one Jesus.....
As we go on in our life in the United States it is becoming more and more obvious ,all of the different belief systems. I say systems because that is just what they are. They are systems created by fallen man to justify why they live the way they do. We have different sects and movements in this country.
This used to be a taboo subject and nothing was said. Meaning you couldn't tell who was a New Age or other.
Yet as we become more and more "politcally correct" and "diverse" people are embracing the next new thing. Even people who claim the name of Jesus end up in these trappings of the world.
There is one way that is constant and that is there is only one God of heaven and earth and He has one son in Jesus Christ.
And the word of Gods says there is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus.
All these other so called religions and movements are nothing more than remakes of old systems from ancient days. The Lord said, "There is nothing new under the sun."
Everything in life gets recycled and reused. Especially false religions.
What makes them false? They deny the diety of the Lord Jesus Christ. They deny that He is the Son of God. They deny in some cases His very existence.
As for those of us who know the truth and worship the TRUTH we need to be ready to speak out to those who deny the Lord. We should be ready in season and out to give the word on why we believe the way we do.
The United States is slowly falling down into a non stop spiral toward the bottom.
We have become a socialist secular embrace anything nation. We no longer live in a "Christian" nation. In reality there has never been a "Christian" nation. Jesus never came to take over an earthly kingdom. If that were so we wouldn't be having a problem getting the word out and seeing people saved.
Our life as Christians is going to get harder. We weren't promised prosperity, good health, and long life without trouble. Those are lies from the pit of hell.
Jesus said, we would have tribulation. He said the world would hate us. Our families would kill and turn us over to authorities.
What are we to be doing then?
Praying, preaching, serving, and discipling.
How are you doing on any of these? Have you been praying for the saints, or the government?
Are you out preaching the word to your city?
What about serving? When is the last time you helped another in need.
Who are you discipling? Anyone?
If we truly believe there is only one God and one Lord Jesus Christ, shouldn't we be out in full force telling people the truth?
It is time to get out from behind our hiding places and go forth proclaiming the truth.
Go and make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, baptizing them in the name of Jesus.
Go!!!
Stop bickering and fighting among yourselves about what teaching or doctrine you follow.
Don't put labels on yourselves just so you can be distinguished from one another.
If you are a baptized believer and true follower then the only name we need to be known as is saints.
This used to be a taboo subject and nothing was said. Meaning you couldn't tell who was a New Age or other.
Yet as we become more and more "politcally correct" and "diverse" people are embracing the next new thing. Even people who claim the name of Jesus end up in these trappings of the world.
There is one way that is constant and that is there is only one God of heaven and earth and He has one son in Jesus Christ.
And the word of Gods says there is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus.
All these other so called religions and movements are nothing more than remakes of old systems from ancient days. The Lord said, "There is nothing new under the sun."
Everything in life gets recycled and reused. Especially false religions.
What makes them false? They deny the diety of the Lord Jesus Christ. They deny that He is the Son of God. They deny in some cases His very existence.
As for those of us who know the truth and worship the TRUTH we need to be ready to speak out to those who deny the Lord. We should be ready in season and out to give the word on why we believe the way we do.
The United States is slowly falling down into a non stop spiral toward the bottom.
We have become a socialist secular embrace anything nation. We no longer live in a "Christian" nation. In reality there has never been a "Christian" nation. Jesus never came to take over an earthly kingdom. If that were so we wouldn't be having a problem getting the word out and seeing people saved.
Our life as Christians is going to get harder. We weren't promised prosperity, good health, and long life without trouble. Those are lies from the pit of hell.
Jesus said, we would have tribulation. He said the world would hate us. Our families would kill and turn us over to authorities.
What are we to be doing then?
Praying, preaching, serving, and discipling.
How are you doing on any of these? Have you been praying for the saints, or the government?
Are you out preaching the word to your city?
What about serving? When is the last time you helped another in need.
Who are you discipling? Anyone?
If we truly believe there is only one God and one Lord Jesus Christ, shouldn't we be out in full force telling people the truth?
It is time to get out from behind our hiding places and go forth proclaiming the truth.
Go and make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, baptizing them in the name of Jesus.
Go!!!
Stop bickering and fighting among yourselves about what teaching or doctrine you follow.
Don't put labels on yourselves just so you can be distinguished from one another.
If you are a baptized believer and true follower then the only name we need to be known as is saints.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Global Warming, Abortion, Government the Christians role.
I just want to touch on some contriversial issues for a moment. Because I feel the truth needs to be proclaimed. There is too much false doctrine and deception being brought up in Christian circles. Most of our children are getting in doctrinated with New Age religious issues and other areas we are not called to get involved in.
You may already be thinking that this guy is crazy. Yes, I suppose I am crazy. I am crazy for the gospel truth. We Christian believers should be sold out to Jesus and not chasing rabbits.
I personally feel the enemy has done a great job of distracting Christians using abortion, global warming and other side step issues.
Now before you go off and try to crucify me or call me a name, let me use some scripture to explain where I am coming from. You see the Word of God has answers to all of our problems.
"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." 2 Timothy 4:1-2
We need to be proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to the nation. Jesus never went out and said we need to save the earth. The earth is going to be destroyed by our creator in the end.
Jesus didn't go around saving trees. He cursed a fig tree and was hung on another. The Cross.
He did this so that we woud have eternal life. And in turn we who are called can go out and tell others the good news of the gospel.
I am not advocating polluting or irresponsible living. I recycle and pick up trash, plant trees etc..
I just want people to know that the battle belongs to the Lord. Our purpose on this earth is to preach the word in and out of season. We are to be giving glory to God.
You see the whole global warming farce is a religion in and of itself. It has an old religion with a new name. Nothing we do will save the earth. Because since the fall of man it has been in disrepair and continuing down that road. Just like us. Every living thing has been affected by the curse. The Lord is in control! We must back away from the distractions of the world and become the ones who influence our neighbors with the gospel.
Jesus was concerned with lives! He didn't go and protest the government. He didn't go out and hug trees. He didn't say we need to end abortion. No!
Why didn't He preach on these issues? Again the same religious movements were there in His time. Yet He did not put much thought or concern in them. Because His purpose was to tell people to repent and be baptized. His purpose was to live, die and then live again! Forever.
Read the book of Isaiah as it has a lot about what God is going to do with the earth.
The true global warming will be coming in the end. When He destroys the earth with fire and brimstone.
You may already be thinking that this guy is crazy. Yes, I suppose I am crazy. I am crazy for the gospel truth. We Christian believers should be sold out to Jesus and not chasing rabbits.
I personally feel the enemy has done a great job of distracting Christians using abortion, global warming and other side step issues.
Now before you go off and try to crucify me or call me a name, let me use some scripture to explain where I am coming from. You see the Word of God has answers to all of our problems.
"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." 2 Timothy 4:1-2
We need to be proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to the nation. Jesus never went out and said we need to save the earth. The earth is going to be destroyed by our creator in the end.
Jesus didn't go around saving trees. He cursed a fig tree and was hung on another. The Cross.
He did this so that we woud have eternal life. And in turn we who are called can go out and tell others the good news of the gospel.
I am not advocating polluting or irresponsible living. I recycle and pick up trash, plant trees etc..
I just want people to know that the battle belongs to the Lord. Our purpose on this earth is to preach the word in and out of season. We are to be giving glory to God.
You see the whole global warming farce is a religion in and of itself. It has an old religion with a new name. Nothing we do will save the earth. Because since the fall of man it has been in disrepair and continuing down that road. Just like us. Every living thing has been affected by the curse. The Lord is in control! We must back away from the distractions of the world and become the ones who influence our neighbors with the gospel.
Jesus was concerned with lives! He didn't go and protest the government. He didn't go out and hug trees. He didn't say we need to end abortion. No!
Why didn't He preach on these issues? Again the same religious movements were there in His time. Yet He did not put much thought or concern in them. Because His purpose was to tell people to repent and be baptized. His purpose was to live, die and then live again! Forever.
Read the book of Isaiah as it has a lot about what God is going to do with the earth.
The true global warming will be coming in the end. When He destroys the earth with fire and brimstone.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
What does discipling look like?
Lately there has been a lot of talk about discipling and what it should look like.
I am here to tell you that if you're looking for answers from me then your on the wrong blog.
You see discipling can look different and be different between each believer. God doesn't have a one size fits all way of discipling another. That is something unique. Given to each believer as he or she has need. Each of us has been given certain gifts in order to serve the body. We are all different parts of the body.
In how the Lord has worked through me all I can say is I don't see all the people I had the chance to minister to that often anymore. If not at all.
I want to present how the Lord used me in my walk.
Back in 1997 when I owned a Fitness Center in Texas the Lord brought in a new believer. He was just starting college and wanting to exercise. So he joined me in exercising everyday. We worked out for bodybuilding and strength training sessions. During those times I just kept encouraging him to lift more weight and showed him the right way to workout.
We both helped each other as he spotted for me when I was lifting and I would do the same. We shared the burden of helping one another. Also during the many months I worked out with him I
would share with him what I was learning about the Lord. We both went to different churches. I didn't try to talk him into coming to where I was going. I just talked with him about Jesus and His work.
After about 6 months or so this young man just stopped coming in the gym. He never came to let me know he was going to quit. Then one day I saw his truck at my competitions place. Anyway I just learned to let it go as I knew there was nothing I did.
In 2000 I sold the gym. When I did that I stopped working out. Then in 2001 I went back to the gym and started working out with a young man I was working with. One morning around 5 A.M. when we walked into the gym, there was the young man who years earlier I helped out. I didn't say anything and just went to workout. Then the young man came to me and spoke.
The words that he said was, " Steve how is going?, I just want to let you know how much I appreciated you taking the time to talk with me about the Lord. I've been wanting to tell you that I remember everything you told me and that I never forgot it. It helped grow so much. Thank you!"
Man that floored me. In a good way. I haven't seen this young man in years and always wondered what had happened and then the Lord brought him back into my life long enough to let me know that all was well.
What did I do during those times spent with him? Discipleship 101! No, books, no curriculim just talking about Christ.
Now another story will continue with the other young man I was working with and going to the gym with. He was not a believer. Yet he still listened to every word I spoke to him about Jesus.
I told him about the Lord inside and out. Yet he never became a convert. Because God wasn't ready for him. Years later after I had quit my job I seen him at where I used to live. He had since divorced his wife and was living with an ex-coworker of ours. So what happened during the time I worked with him? Discipleship by planting a word. Though I may never know if that word took, I still had the opportunity to present the gospel to him everyday we worked out together. He listened and never got mad.
There were countless other believers and non believers who lived in our neighborhood who would just come by our house for prayer and to talk. Because they knew about our walk with Christ. I have since found some of whom are now believers.
What happened during those times? Discipleship 101.
As recently as last year I had the opportunity to minister to a family at the local mobile home park. We would meet at their home every Thursday. Sometimes they would be drunk. They would be smoking cigarettes and cussing. Yet I didn't let that deter me. We held bible studies in the home. In November they moved. They moved over two hours away. Yet they still call me and when they are in town they come by my house to visit. What happened during my time of being with them? Discipleship 101.
Also in August of last year there was a gentleman who came to the mobile home park. He was trying to get away from the drug scene. In time he found an apartment. I and some others were able to help get him furnishings for his home. I and one other would go to his place on Thursdays and present the word. A few months ago he went back into the life he left and we have lost contact with him. But again what happened during the time we did spend with him? Discipleship 101.
Where I am going with this is though we may never see the fruit, in the end God will get the glory. You may have someone in your life for along time or it may be for a short time.
So discipling may be long term or it may be short term. It may be by serving, praying or teaching.
It takes on different forms for each task. The point is as long as Jesus is being proclaimed while you are with whomever it may be you are discipling.
My friend over at www.christgloryalone.blogspot.com has a wonderful ministry continuing at the mobile home park I mentioned above. He is discipling while evangelizing.
Checkout his wife's blog www.womanonthevine.blogspot.com to see some of the things going on.
Again in that type of atmosphere you may only have as little as one day to make an impact in someones life.
The idea is to take advantage of what the Lord is giving. He may have you ministering for along time to many or one. Or He may take them out of your life quickly.
The fruit will produce if the seed is planted.
You may never see the produce of your discipling. Then again the Lord may give you an opportunity to see the fruit later. The key is to not lose heart and do not get stuck thinking there is only one way to disciple people.
They will know if you show the love of the Father to them!
I am here to tell you that if you're looking for answers from me then your on the wrong blog.
You see discipling can look different and be different between each believer. God doesn't have a one size fits all way of discipling another. That is something unique. Given to each believer as he or she has need. Each of us has been given certain gifts in order to serve the body. We are all different parts of the body.
In how the Lord has worked through me all I can say is I don't see all the people I had the chance to minister to that often anymore. If not at all.
I want to present how the Lord used me in my walk.
Back in 1997 when I owned a Fitness Center in Texas the Lord brought in a new believer. He was just starting college and wanting to exercise. So he joined me in exercising everyday. We worked out for bodybuilding and strength training sessions. During those times I just kept encouraging him to lift more weight and showed him the right way to workout.
We both helped each other as he spotted for me when I was lifting and I would do the same. We shared the burden of helping one another. Also during the many months I worked out with him I
would share with him what I was learning about the Lord. We both went to different churches. I didn't try to talk him into coming to where I was going. I just talked with him about Jesus and His work.
After about 6 months or so this young man just stopped coming in the gym. He never came to let me know he was going to quit. Then one day I saw his truck at my competitions place. Anyway I just learned to let it go as I knew there was nothing I did.
In 2000 I sold the gym. When I did that I stopped working out. Then in 2001 I went back to the gym and started working out with a young man I was working with. One morning around 5 A.M. when we walked into the gym, there was the young man who years earlier I helped out. I didn't say anything and just went to workout. Then the young man came to me and spoke.
The words that he said was, " Steve how is going?, I just want to let you know how much I appreciated you taking the time to talk with me about the Lord. I've been wanting to tell you that I remember everything you told me and that I never forgot it. It helped grow so much. Thank you!"
Man that floored me. In a good way. I haven't seen this young man in years and always wondered what had happened and then the Lord brought him back into my life long enough to let me know that all was well.
What did I do during those times spent with him? Discipleship 101! No, books, no curriculim just talking about Christ.
Now another story will continue with the other young man I was working with and going to the gym with. He was not a believer. Yet he still listened to every word I spoke to him about Jesus.
I told him about the Lord inside and out. Yet he never became a convert. Because God wasn't ready for him. Years later after I had quit my job I seen him at where I used to live. He had since divorced his wife and was living with an ex-coworker of ours. So what happened during the time I worked with him? Discipleship by planting a word. Though I may never know if that word took, I still had the opportunity to present the gospel to him everyday we worked out together. He listened and never got mad.
There were countless other believers and non believers who lived in our neighborhood who would just come by our house for prayer and to talk. Because they knew about our walk with Christ. I have since found some of whom are now believers.
What happened during those times? Discipleship 101.
As recently as last year I had the opportunity to minister to a family at the local mobile home park. We would meet at their home every Thursday. Sometimes they would be drunk. They would be smoking cigarettes and cussing. Yet I didn't let that deter me. We held bible studies in the home. In November they moved. They moved over two hours away. Yet they still call me and when they are in town they come by my house to visit. What happened during my time of being with them? Discipleship 101.
Also in August of last year there was a gentleman who came to the mobile home park. He was trying to get away from the drug scene. In time he found an apartment. I and some others were able to help get him furnishings for his home. I and one other would go to his place on Thursdays and present the word. A few months ago he went back into the life he left and we have lost contact with him. But again what happened during the time we did spend with him? Discipleship 101.
Where I am going with this is though we may never see the fruit, in the end God will get the glory. You may have someone in your life for along time or it may be for a short time.
So discipling may be long term or it may be short term. It may be by serving, praying or teaching.
It takes on different forms for each task. The point is as long as Jesus is being proclaimed while you are with whomever it may be you are discipling.
My friend over at www.christgloryalone.blogspot.com has a wonderful ministry continuing at the mobile home park I mentioned above. He is discipling while evangelizing.
Checkout his wife's blog www.womanonthevine.blogspot.com to see some of the things going on.
Again in that type of atmosphere you may only have as little as one day to make an impact in someones life.
The idea is to take advantage of what the Lord is giving. He may have you ministering for along time to many or one. Or He may take them out of your life quickly.
The fruit will produce if the seed is planted.
You may never see the produce of your discipling. Then again the Lord may give you an opportunity to see the fruit later. The key is to not lose heart and do not get stuck thinking there is only one way to disciple people.
They will know if you show the love of the Father to them!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Do we still pray in our meetings and at home?
The Lord is continuing to bring me back to the place of being still and waiting. During this time He has reminded me of the importance of constant prayer and communication with HIM.
In my walk through the years I was taught that prayer is more than us talking about our problems to God. Or more than us doing all the talking and then just walking away as if we don't care about what God wants to say.
The last two weeks have been some of the best times I have had with the Lord as He is continuing to place His peace in my heart. I have been spending more time praying and listening.
The morning times is some of the best times I have, knowing I will be able to be with the Lord without distractions. I am always the first one up in my family. So I try to spend that time with God in praise and prayer.
The other day I was watching a Christian show and they were talking about prayer. They used the scripture out of James as one of their examples.
"The effective, fervant prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16b.
The definition of fervant is ; extremely hot glowing, emotion or zeal.
You see in Titus it says we are to be zealous for the work of God. And here in James the word is saying we are to be zealous in our prayer life also.
How many of us spend our time in prayer giving God the "oh wo is me" type of prayers?
Man how would you like to be the one hearing everyones negative down troddened issues all the time?
We need to be effectively fervant in our prayers. Thanking God and praising Him. Then when we pray focus on what He wants from us. He knows what we need before we ask. In Phillipians it says to be anxious for nothing. So why do we think we should be begging God for something?
We need to be giving Him our best. Are you sick ? Than seek Him and ask Him for healing. Have faith to know He is hearing your prayers. Have faith that He is willing to heal.
Don't doubt.
What if you don't know what to pray? Well in Romans 8:26 the word says that the spirit intercedes for us with groanings for we know not what to pray in our weakness. So you see again He provides a way for our prayers to be presented even when we don't know what to say.
Has He put something on your heart to pray about? Then pray right then. Don't wait to ask someone to pray with you. We have an advocate in heaven we don't need others to help us pray all the time. Granted there are times when we are to pray with others, but don't hesitate to pray immediately if God puts something on your heart. You may be the one who He wants to use.
What if an ambulance is called out of the station for an emergency and the driver says well I'll wait until tomorrow when the other workers are here and they can help too? That won't happen and it shouldn't happen in our time of praying for one another.
Jesus says we are not to "lose heart" when we pray. Luke 18:1. That goes back to that oh wo is me again. Don't get down and feel like you have already lost the battle before you give it to the Lord.
Man if we could just get it through our thick flesh that all things are possible through God and if we had faith like a mustard seed. What could happen?
God also doesn't need us to make up excuses why He hasn't answered a prayer. Oh well it is appointed once for man to die and then the judgement. Yes it is, but He can still heal. He can still provide. He can still do all things.
We are to pray without ceasing. 1 Thessolonians 5:17. If you have something on your heart don't stop praying until you feel the burden lifted.
I can't tell you how many times I have had to pray until I felt a peace about something.
Please when you have your time of meeting with one another don't miss the opportunity to pray in a group setting. Our meetings need to be prayer meetings just as much or more than teaching meetings. Acts 1:14
Praying to the Lord is a command. Jesus said, when you pray! Not if you pray.
We must be about the work of the Lord. This includes praying for the saints. The saints are all who walk this earth and are believers.
The saints are not dead people. We don't pray to dead people. Jesus is alive!
We must pray for one another daily.
Please take the time to listen to God when you are praying. He may give you an answer immediately or it may be in time. Yet do we really take time to listen? Remember Jesus said to not lose heart. So if you don't get an answer in your timing don't give up!
If we spent all of our days talking and never listening to those we interact with how far would we get in life?
God still speaks today. He may use scripture, a billboard, or other people etc.
Be ready to listen. Then test the word with scripture.
More to come!
In my walk through the years I was taught that prayer is more than us talking about our problems to God. Or more than us doing all the talking and then just walking away as if we don't care about what God wants to say.
The last two weeks have been some of the best times I have had with the Lord as He is continuing to place His peace in my heart. I have been spending more time praying and listening.
The morning times is some of the best times I have, knowing I will be able to be with the Lord without distractions. I am always the first one up in my family. So I try to spend that time with God in praise and prayer.
The other day I was watching a Christian show and they were talking about prayer. They used the scripture out of James as one of their examples.
"The effective, fervant prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16b.
The definition of fervant is ; extremely hot glowing, emotion or zeal.
You see in Titus it says we are to be zealous for the work of God. And here in James the word is saying we are to be zealous in our prayer life also.
How many of us spend our time in prayer giving God the "oh wo is me" type of prayers?
Man how would you like to be the one hearing everyones negative down troddened issues all the time?
We need to be effectively fervant in our prayers. Thanking God and praising Him. Then when we pray focus on what He wants from us. He knows what we need before we ask. In Phillipians it says to be anxious for nothing. So why do we think we should be begging God for something?
We need to be giving Him our best. Are you sick ? Than seek Him and ask Him for healing. Have faith to know He is hearing your prayers. Have faith that He is willing to heal.
Don't doubt.
What if you don't know what to pray? Well in Romans 8:26 the word says that the spirit intercedes for us with groanings for we know not what to pray in our weakness. So you see again He provides a way for our prayers to be presented even when we don't know what to say.
Has He put something on your heart to pray about? Then pray right then. Don't wait to ask someone to pray with you. We have an advocate in heaven we don't need others to help us pray all the time. Granted there are times when we are to pray with others, but don't hesitate to pray immediately if God puts something on your heart. You may be the one who He wants to use.
What if an ambulance is called out of the station for an emergency and the driver says well I'll wait until tomorrow when the other workers are here and they can help too? That won't happen and it shouldn't happen in our time of praying for one another.
Jesus says we are not to "lose heart" when we pray. Luke 18:1. That goes back to that oh wo is me again. Don't get down and feel like you have already lost the battle before you give it to the Lord.
Man if we could just get it through our thick flesh that all things are possible through God and if we had faith like a mustard seed. What could happen?
God also doesn't need us to make up excuses why He hasn't answered a prayer. Oh well it is appointed once for man to die and then the judgement. Yes it is, but He can still heal. He can still provide. He can still do all things.
We are to pray without ceasing. 1 Thessolonians 5:17. If you have something on your heart don't stop praying until you feel the burden lifted.
I can't tell you how many times I have had to pray until I felt a peace about something.
Please when you have your time of meeting with one another don't miss the opportunity to pray in a group setting. Our meetings need to be prayer meetings just as much or more than teaching meetings. Acts 1:14
Praying to the Lord is a command. Jesus said, when you pray! Not if you pray.
We must be about the work of the Lord. This includes praying for the saints. The saints are all who walk this earth and are believers.
The saints are not dead people. We don't pray to dead people. Jesus is alive!
We must pray for one another daily.
Please take the time to listen to God when you are praying. He may give you an answer immediately or it may be in time. Yet do we really take time to listen? Remember Jesus said to not lose heart. So if you don't get an answer in your timing don't give up!
If we spent all of our days talking and never listening to those we interact with how far would we get in life?
God still speaks today. He may use scripture, a billboard, or other people etc.
Be ready to listen. Then test the word with scripture.
More to come!
Friday, May 8, 2009
A word re-revealed to me.
This morning my wife and I were speaking about something she dreamt about. It was a dream she feels from God. I agreed as the scripture the Lord spoke to her was one the Lord has given me a lot in my life.
"Be still and know I am God" Psalm 46:10
This goes along way with me. Especially as of late. I have been really trying to stay focused on what the Lord has for me and my family. A lot has changed in the last year and has really changed in the last 6 months.
So much so that I am not ministering where I once was a few months ago. All because the Lord has different plans for me. He allowed me to work with some wonderful men and women of God in the past few years and now it is time to move on again.
As I stated in earlier post this move doesn't mean me leaving my city and going to live somewhere else. No it all has to do with stopping everything in a sense and waiting on Him again.
Sometimes we can get all caught up in a work that was started by the Lord and then throughout the days He is no longer in it. Then it just becomes another situation where nothing seems to be going right. Or if it is still going the joy is not there anymore.
That is a time when we need to be still and listen. God has done this to me many many times in my life. I am no exception when it comes to walking with God. I just know how He deals with me.
My life is not my own and I don't ever want to live it as if it is again.
I have posted many things on this blog in the last six months. Especially the way the church meets and how the leadership structure is wrong in the modern church.
That has not changed. I am although going into a different direction. As I feel inadequate to blog about those topics and I have fellow Christian family who are better equipped for those subjects.
So I again would recommend any number of the blogs I have listed on the side of this blog if you want to learn more on the ecclesia.
My heart has always been toward the working of the Holy Spirit, prayer and the ministering of the word.
In recent months I have done some, but not all. I also have gotten side tracked and ran with things I wasn't ordained by God to do.
I also have been very critical in the way I view how the modern preachers all hang their teeth on what other modern preachers are saying.
Again not to say we shouldn't be listening or learning off one another. Though with that being said, we should also not take everything that is being said by others as the spoken word of God.
So if you ask or have asked what is wrong with reading and learning from other authors?
I shall say nothing is wrong with it at all. Except when people try to use it as the very word of God and ignore the written word.
That is where I am coming from in all saying these things.
Also it has been asked what is wrong with some pastors/teachers giving the sheep study questions to take home and work on during the week with the family members.
Which I shall say nothing is wrong as it sounds like a good thing. Though I never clarified it that way before. The area where I see a problem is that "can" make someone lazy. In some cases to where the thing that is meant to help can turn into a hinderance.
There comes a time when a child has to take the training wheels off the bike in order to learn how to balance and ride it on their own.
You see we have good intentions, but sometimes those good intentions can get in the way of what God is doing in someones life.
So please forgive me as I know I have come off pretty hard on this blog in the past few months.
I only do so to stir things up.
I have tried to do write things with clarity and concern along with trying to do it without sounding harsh. Yet my words I type don't match up with how I am feeling.
I have a passionate heart for the things of God and it shows in how I deal with people.
For too long there has been a passive movement in the body which in turn makes most people think you aren't using enough grace. When bringing up issues.
I would hate to think of how people would handle Paul or Jesus if they were to walk into some of our meetings today. Could tables be turned over? Would Paul rebuke us as he did Peter?
You see for the sake of getting our heads out of the sand there sometimes needs to be a little reality check.
In saying all of this I have so much love for the body of Christ.
It has been and always will be my mission to try and exhort, stir and build up people in anyway possible. We have to be sargents at times as well as privates.
This walk we are in can cost lives. We can be the best teacher and yet never get the truth to become reality. We can be the best servant and yet fail to see that we are doing too much.
Now I suppose the conclusion of this.
I have been running this race for along time. Not as long as some, but still along time. It started when I was 5 years old and I am now approaching 42.
I am still learning also. I suppose the day I stop learning is the day the Lord shows up at my doorstep to take me home.
The bottomline is we are all in this together and we all must be willing to put up with one another.
How many of us who had brothers and sisters always got along with our siblings?
Yet the main thing was no matter how often we ruffled each others feathers we still end up loving one another.
Our walk is not about being a Catholic, Baptist, Church of Christ you name it.
No our walk is about seeking God while He may be found. Being the one that when the end comes we can hear "Well done good and faithful servant."
So can I hear an amen?
As I am going to be doing things different again. I got off track in some areas and the Lord is pushing back into the middle ground.
I have not heard the words "Be still and know I am God" in a while.
So I am going to do just that.
Waiting on Him while being still.
"Be still and know I am God" Psalm 46:10
This goes along way with me. Especially as of late. I have been really trying to stay focused on what the Lord has for me and my family. A lot has changed in the last year and has really changed in the last 6 months.
So much so that I am not ministering where I once was a few months ago. All because the Lord has different plans for me. He allowed me to work with some wonderful men and women of God in the past few years and now it is time to move on again.
As I stated in earlier post this move doesn't mean me leaving my city and going to live somewhere else. No it all has to do with stopping everything in a sense and waiting on Him again.
Sometimes we can get all caught up in a work that was started by the Lord and then throughout the days He is no longer in it. Then it just becomes another situation where nothing seems to be going right. Or if it is still going the joy is not there anymore.
That is a time when we need to be still and listen. God has done this to me many many times in my life. I am no exception when it comes to walking with God. I just know how He deals with me.
My life is not my own and I don't ever want to live it as if it is again.
I have posted many things on this blog in the last six months. Especially the way the church meets and how the leadership structure is wrong in the modern church.
That has not changed. I am although going into a different direction. As I feel inadequate to blog about those topics and I have fellow Christian family who are better equipped for those subjects.
So I again would recommend any number of the blogs I have listed on the side of this blog if you want to learn more on the ecclesia.
My heart has always been toward the working of the Holy Spirit, prayer and the ministering of the word.
In recent months I have done some, but not all. I also have gotten side tracked and ran with things I wasn't ordained by God to do.
I also have been very critical in the way I view how the modern preachers all hang their teeth on what other modern preachers are saying.
Again not to say we shouldn't be listening or learning off one another. Though with that being said, we should also not take everything that is being said by others as the spoken word of God.
So if you ask or have asked what is wrong with reading and learning from other authors?
I shall say nothing is wrong with it at all. Except when people try to use it as the very word of God and ignore the written word.
That is where I am coming from in all saying these things.
Also it has been asked what is wrong with some pastors/teachers giving the sheep study questions to take home and work on during the week with the family members.
Which I shall say nothing is wrong as it sounds like a good thing. Though I never clarified it that way before. The area where I see a problem is that "can" make someone lazy. In some cases to where the thing that is meant to help can turn into a hinderance.
There comes a time when a child has to take the training wheels off the bike in order to learn how to balance and ride it on their own.
You see we have good intentions, but sometimes those good intentions can get in the way of what God is doing in someones life.
So please forgive me as I know I have come off pretty hard on this blog in the past few months.
I only do so to stir things up.
I have tried to do write things with clarity and concern along with trying to do it without sounding harsh. Yet my words I type don't match up with how I am feeling.
I have a passionate heart for the things of God and it shows in how I deal with people.
For too long there has been a passive movement in the body which in turn makes most people think you aren't using enough grace. When bringing up issues.
I would hate to think of how people would handle Paul or Jesus if they were to walk into some of our meetings today. Could tables be turned over? Would Paul rebuke us as he did Peter?
You see for the sake of getting our heads out of the sand there sometimes needs to be a little reality check.
In saying all of this I have so much love for the body of Christ.
It has been and always will be my mission to try and exhort, stir and build up people in anyway possible. We have to be sargents at times as well as privates.
This walk we are in can cost lives. We can be the best teacher and yet never get the truth to become reality. We can be the best servant and yet fail to see that we are doing too much.
Now I suppose the conclusion of this.
I have been running this race for along time. Not as long as some, but still along time. It started when I was 5 years old and I am now approaching 42.
I am still learning also. I suppose the day I stop learning is the day the Lord shows up at my doorstep to take me home.
The bottomline is we are all in this together and we all must be willing to put up with one another.
How many of us who had brothers and sisters always got along with our siblings?
Yet the main thing was no matter how often we ruffled each others feathers we still end up loving one another.
Our walk is not about being a Catholic, Baptist, Church of Christ you name it.
No our walk is about seeking God while He may be found. Being the one that when the end comes we can hear "Well done good and faithful servant."
So can I hear an amen?
As I am going to be doing things different again. I got off track in some areas and the Lord is pushing back into the middle ground.
I have not heard the words "Be still and know I am God" in a while.
So I am going to do just that.
Waiting on Him while being still.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
If we Christians spent as much time listening to God as we do talking about Him...
Where would we be if we were to spend more time communing with God instead of talking about Him?
I am a fanatic when it comes to the move of the Holy Spirit in the scripture and the old rivivals of the 1800's. I love to read about the things that happened after people were willing to sacrifice their time to pray and seek God for His move.
There has been no significant move of God in over 100 years. Why would that be?
Probably because most of us Christians are too busy talking to others about the word instead of talking with the One who inspired the word. We are not willing to take the time in order to truly seek Him and hear from Him.
I for one still believe the gifts are for today. They didn't cease at the canonization of scripture. That is a fallacy. They also didn't cease at the so called second coming of Christ. Because He hasn't come back as some people believe.
No, they are still fully functioning today. Just not in America. And it is not because we don't have a need for them because of modern medicine either.
You see these are just some of the comments I have heard from fellow believers throughout the years. Someone told me once that they don't operate in America like they do in Africa or other 3rd world countries because we don't have a need for them.
You see how far we have become? Our unbelief in the American church has caused the Lord to not operate in America. We have all these riches and are in need of nothing. Even the Holy Spirit.
I am not advocating an abusive pentecostal way of speaking in tongues etc. No, I am advocating a true Holy Spirit move of God that is brought about by His people humbling themselves and praying for help from the Lord.
In most of the epistles Paul wrote he is always admonishing the believers to PRAY! In one of the books he says to pray without ceasing.
Jesus told the disciples that what He does they will do also and more because He goes to the Father.
I have come out of a non-denominational charismatic church over 5 years ago when I moved.
Then I went into a church that taught heavily on the soveriegnty of God.
You see there can be a balance. I can still believe in the soveriegnty of God all the while also believing that the gifts are in full operation today. We must see this in the word. Or else why are we told to pray? Why are we told to seek the best gifts. Granted the greatest is LOVE.
So if we love someone wouldn't we be willing to pray for them. If they are sick wouldn't we be willing to pray until something happens.
The word does say that it is appointed to everyone once to die and then the judgement.
Again that is no reason not to pray for a miracle.
Don't go around pray "Lord if it is your will". That is a lame and unfaithful prayer.
We should be praying with fervancy. We have a great redeemer who died on the cross and rose again in order for us to have an abundant life.
That abundant life is not a "prosperous get rich' life. No, it is a life filled with the Holy Spirit that in turn helps us to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
Everything in the bible is about Jesus. The gifts of the Spirit are all about Jesus. We need to be willing to seek God and ask for the Holy Spirit to help us in our daily walk. So when we come upon someone who is dying, maybe just maybe we can give them a hope of the abundant life.
It maybe that they are supposed to be healed so they can be a witness to others.
I have had miraculous healings before. Yet when you mention it to another believer they look at you as if you're from outerspace.
I am here to tell you that the gifts are real. They are functioning in the world and we must continue to seek God and hear from Him on what to do.
We need to get away from our phones, computers, books and whatever other distractions we have and get on our knees to cry out to God for His mercy.
Our lives should depend on Gods holy mercy everyday. We must be taking the time to hear Him and what He wants and not what we want.
Pray for a true Spiritfilled revival to come into the lives of Christians. So we can take this gospel message out with power. "You will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes."
I am a fanatic when it comes to the move of the Holy Spirit in the scripture and the old rivivals of the 1800's. I love to read about the things that happened after people were willing to sacrifice their time to pray and seek God for His move.
There has been no significant move of God in over 100 years. Why would that be?
Probably because most of us Christians are too busy talking to others about the word instead of talking with the One who inspired the word. We are not willing to take the time in order to truly seek Him and hear from Him.
I for one still believe the gifts are for today. They didn't cease at the canonization of scripture. That is a fallacy. They also didn't cease at the so called second coming of Christ. Because He hasn't come back as some people believe.
No, they are still fully functioning today. Just not in America. And it is not because we don't have a need for them because of modern medicine either.
You see these are just some of the comments I have heard from fellow believers throughout the years. Someone told me once that they don't operate in America like they do in Africa or other 3rd world countries because we don't have a need for them.
You see how far we have become? Our unbelief in the American church has caused the Lord to not operate in America. We have all these riches and are in need of nothing. Even the Holy Spirit.
I am not advocating an abusive pentecostal way of speaking in tongues etc. No, I am advocating a true Holy Spirit move of God that is brought about by His people humbling themselves and praying for help from the Lord.
In most of the epistles Paul wrote he is always admonishing the believers to PRAY! In one of the books he says to pray without ceasing.
Jesus told the disciples that what He does they will do also and more because He goes to the Father.
I have come out of a non-denominational charismatic church over 5 years ago when I moved.
Then I went into a church that taught heavily on the soveriegnty of God.
You see there can be a balance. I can still believe in the soveriegnty of God all the while also believing that the gifts are in full operation today. We must see this in the word. Or else why are we told to pray? Why are we told to seek the best gifts. Granted the greatest is LOVE.
So if we love someone wouldn't we be willing to pray for them. If they are sick wouldn't we be willing to pray until something happens.
The word does say that it is appointed to everyone once to die and then the judgement.
Again that is no reason not to pray for a miracle.
Don't go around pray "Lord if it is your will". That is a lame and unfaithful prayer.
We should be praying with fervancy. We have a great redeemer who died on the cross and rose again in order for us to have an abundant life.
That abundant life is not a "prosperous get rich' life. No, it is a life filled with the Holy Spirit that in turn helps us to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
Everything in the bible is about Jesus. The gifts of the Spirit are all about Jesus. We need to be willing to seek God and ask for the Holy Spirit to help us in our daily walk. So when we come upon someone who is dying, maybe just maybe we can give them a hope of the abundant life.
It maybe that they are supposed to be healed so they can be a witness to others.
I have had miraculous healings before. Yet when you mention it to another believer they look at you as if you're from outerspace.
I am here to tell you that the gifts are real. They are functioning in the world and we must continue to seek God and hear from Him on what to do.
We need to get away from our phones, computers, books and whatever other distractions we have and get on our knees to cry out to God for His mercy.
Our lives should depend on Gods holy mercy everyday. We must be taking the time to hear Him and what He wants and not what we want.
Pray for a true Spiritfilled revival to come into the lives of Christians. So we can take this gospel message out with power. "You will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes."
Monday, May 4, 2009
Just a fun note using all the blogs I read column. Enjoy!
As I continue to see the Gospel in 3-D it makes me realize how Agonizingly Honest Christianity should be.
Especially when you have a faith Like A Mustard Seed. All along while Reimagining Church.
So How Can I Be Silent when it comes to the Assembling of the Church.
Whether you are a Woman on the Vine, Douglas Weaver or the M Blog. I would still be Hungering for God in Conway Ar. as my Street Sign would say. It is all Real Christianity at work while learning about the Chronicles of an Evangelist.
In the end it is all for Christ Glory Alone, because we are the Family of God.
So, Caesura!
I hope this brings some joy. I just had the idea to use all the blogs I follow on my blog and make a story out of them.
I guess this could be considered a gift I have. lol!
Just don't read this post. Please go search out those blogs. I promise there is some great stuff going on.
Especially when you have a faith Like A Mustard Seed. All along while Reimagining Church.
So How Can I Be Silent when it comes to the Assembling of the Church.
Whether you are a Woman on the Vine, Douglas Weaver or the M Blog. I would still be Hungering for God in Conway Ar. as my Street Sign would say. It is all Real Christianity at work while learning about the Chronicles of an Evangelist.
In the end it is all for Christ Glory Alone, because we are the Family of God.
So, Caesura!
I hope this brings some joy. I just had the idea to use all the blogs I follow on my blog and make a story out of them.
I guess this could be considered a gift I have. lol!
Just don't read this post. Please go search out those blogs. I promise there is some great stuff going on.
You can't love and have joy the way God asks without the Holy Spirit.
Early this morning during my prayer time the thought came to my mind; We can't have a love or joy without the Spirit.
How many of us Christians walk around everyday with a sour look on our faces? Or we say we can't love this or that person?
The reason being is our lack of walking in the Spirit. Our whole life should be centered around God and His way of supplying us. He sent His comforter for us. In the book of Galations 5:22-23
it states;
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
How easy it would be to overcome our issues if we just followed the instructions of the Bible. The words were given for us to live by. The Holy Spirit was given so that we could fulfill the words written.
Nothing has changed since the apostles last walked the earth. We still face the same obstacles and challenges. Maybe in a different culture and time, but there is nothing new under the sun.
We must be asking for help from above.
Yet many times we don't and so the church makes laws for us to follow so that we can be holy.
According to Galations if we were walking in the Spirit there should be no law.
The Pharisees made laws on top of laws in order to keep themselves in line.
We on the otherhand have been given the Helper.
When we walk out of our homes and into the world what kind of face are we giving off?
I realize we have struggles. I know I do. Yet the Lord reminded me this morning that though we may not be happy about circusmstances we still need to be full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
A Christian should be the most dependable person on earth.
We should be the first at every meeting, we should be striving to not be late for work, we should be the first ones to call if there is a problem and we won't be someplace.
When we go to resturants we should be the most gentle and kind people to the waiters.
Are we? In most cases we are the worst people most waiters want to serve.
So don't walk in this new freedom as if we are better than others. No, we should be walking in humility and love all the time.
We are children of the King.
Seek the Lord and pray for His help so that you can walk in the Spirit and show the true fruit of a Christian.
How many of us Christians walk around everyday with a sour look on our faces? Or we say we can't love this or that person?
The reason being is our lack of walking in the Spirit. Our whole life should be centered around God and His way of supplying us. He sent His comforter for us. In the book of Galations 5:22-23
it states;
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
How easy it would be to overcome our issues if we just followed the instructions of the Bible. The words were given for us to live by. The Holy Spirit was given so that we could fulfill the words written.
Nothing has changed since the apostles last walked the earth. We still face the same obstacles and challenges. Maybe in a different culture and time, but there is nothing new under the sun.
We must be asking for help from above.
Yet many times we don't and so the church makes laws for us to follow so that we can be holy.
According to Galations if we were walking in the Spirit there should be no law.
The Pharisees made laws on top of laws in order to keep themselves in line.
We on the otherhand have been given the Helper.
When we walk out of our homes and into the world what kind of face are we giving off?
I realize we have struggles. I know I do. Yet the Lord reminded me this morning that though we may not be happy about circusmstances we still need to be full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
A Christian should be the most dependable person on earth.
We should be the first at every meeting, we should be striving to not be late for work, we should be the first ones to call if there is a problem and we won't be someplace.
When we go to resturants we should be the most gentle and kind people to the waiters.
Are we? In most cases we are the worst people most waiters want to serve.
So don't walk in this new freedom as if we are better than others. No, we should be walking in humility and love all the time.
We are children of the King.
Seek the Lord and pray for His help so that you can walk in the Spirit and show the true fruit of a Christian.
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