SO many of us in the Kingdom strive every day to walk uprightly with God. However, sometimes this can be a great battle, in which many soldiers have been consumed. When we give in to the temptations and fall backward in our walk, we are left feeling ashamed, guilty, and rejected - by people, and by God Himself. But, Acts 5:31 states that, '...God exalted Him with His right hand to be a Prince and Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Do you get what this scripture is saying? Imagine God sat on His throne and saw the evil in our hearts. But, His great love is so strong, so pure, so real that He didn't want us to go to hell. So, He sent His Son, to come and lead us like sheep back into the fold - so that we could repent, so that that we could make a decision to turn away from the evil things that satisfy the flesh. And, when we make the decision to walk away from sin, God doesn't just leave us there stranded, but instead He pours out His forgiveness upon us! What a Mighty God we serve!
My brothers and sisters, God knows that we are trapped in flesh. He knows that even after we have chosen to live for Him we may fall back many times into diverse sin. For me, that may mean giving an attitude, or harboring evil thoughts, for others it may be going back to addictions and behaviors that are questionable. But, being the loving God that He is He already made provision for us for when these things happen. Lamentations 3:22 - 23 tells us that God's mercies are new for us every morning. He knew we would need His mercies every single day. He said that none of us are righteous and that we fall short of His glory, daily. God is not turning us away because of our shortcomings. He is offering us His mercy and His forgiveness so that we can move forward in our walk with Him...
Don't fall and stay down. Get up and Move Forward!
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Evangelizing is Serious Business!
According to the Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary, to Evangelize means 'to try to convert (a group or area) to a different religion (especially Christianity). In my understanding, I figured it was telling people of the great, awesome God I met, and how one encounter with Him changed my life. I believed that I had a responsibility to let them know how much they are loved by the God who created all things and that nothing they ever did - wrong or right - could separate them from the marvelous love of God. As long as the person had received the Word, and came to baptism, I thought the rest of Christianity was up to them. But, I am learning that it takes more from us. We still have work to do.
People get baptized and commit themselves to the house of the Lord for many different reasons. If those reasons do not center around desiring a true, intimate relationship with God, then sadly, we watch people fall back into sin. It's easy to sit back and think to ourselves that the person didn't truly connect with God, or that they were deceived by the enemy, or they simply gave in to the lusts of the flesh. But, I can't help but feel that we have to be more diligent and active in their spiritual growth as they move from babes to mature children of God. Maybe we need to pray for them, encourage them with a Word, listen to their problems and help them to seek counsel from the leadership of the church. Maybe we need to pick them up and bring them to church so they could develop a sense of commitment. Maybe we need to involve them in activities that would help them to fit in and feel accepted. Maybe we can help them develop their prayer habits, and pair up with them to fast. Maybe, just maybe, it is much more than 'leading to the pasture' but includes teaching them to graze!
I am saddened to see many men and women, with such great calls upon their lives, walk out of the Kingdom to return to the old things. It pains me to know that they felt so burdened, so hurt, alone, and broken, that the weight of their lives got too heavy, that they never truly experienced Christ and so they turned their backs on the ONLY one who could love them so deeply, so purely, so unconditionally...
Let's not look at backsliding as only their problem. Today let's search ourselves to find out where we could have been more instrumental in helping them to truly come to a place where they could seek God, and find Him, where they would refresh themselves daily in His Word, where they can be truly rooted and grounded in His Kingdom. Let us help people to come to Christ - and let us do what we can to help each other to STAY under the shadow of the Almighty...
Love You ALL in Jesus Name.
People get baptized and commit themselves to the house of the Lord for many different reasons. If those reasons do not center around desiring a true, intimate relationship with God, then sadly, we watch people fall back into sin. It's easy to sit back and think to ourselves that the person didn't truly connect with God, or that they were deceived by the enemy, or they simply gave in to the lusts of the flesh. But, I can't help but feel that we have to be more diligent and active in their spiritual growth as they move from babes to mature children of God. Maybe we need to pray for them, encourage them with a Word, listen to their problems and help them to seek counsel from the leadership of the church. Maybe we need to pick them up and bring them to church so they could develop a sense of commitment. Maybe we need to involve them in activities that would help them to fit in and feel accepted. Maybe we can help them develop their prayer habits, and pair up with them to fast. Maybe, just maybe, it is much more than 'leading to the pasture' but includes teaching them to graze!
I am saddened to see many men and women, with such great calls upon their lives, walk out of the Kingdom to return to the old things. It pains me to know that they felt so burdened, so hurt, alone, and broken, that the weight of their lives got too heavy, that they never truly experienced Christ and so they turned their backs on the ONLY one who could love them so deeply, so purely, so unconditionally...
Let's not look at backsliding as only their problem. Today let's search ourselves to find out where we could have been more instrumental in helping them to truly come to a place where they could seek God, and find Him, where they would refresh themselves daily in His Word, where they can be truly rooted and grounded in His Kingdom. Let us help people to come to Christ - and let us do what we can to help each other to STAY under the shadow of the Almighty...
Love You ALL in Jesus Name.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Are You Ready?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mLWdM4KAr0
The above video clip highlights strange loud booms like those of a trumpet being reported in various places around the globe. People are hearing these loud sounds for hours, sometimes days at a time, and cannot find its source.
As a Christian, I'm thinking it's a sign from Heaven that is warning us that the coming of Christ is near! In the book of Revelation, chapter 19, verses 11 - 16, tells us about the anticipated event of the figure of Christ clothed in white and coming on the clouds on a white horse. Here, He has an army behind Him dressed in the same way and all on horses ready to enter the earth! For me, I am not prophesying that this is the exact time, but I'm merely saying it is time for self-reflection and self-examination. I don't know if I am ready for the coming of the Lord. I don't know if I have made it right with Him daily. I don't know if my thought life glorifies Him. I am not sure that ALL my actions, words, behaviors, and deeds are well pleasing to Him. I know that I need to work on my prayer life more. I know that there is so much more I could be doing for Him. I know I am not perfect and still need Christ to work in me and through me before His coming. I know I am a work in progress. I may not be ready - but these sounds and other unexplainable happenings are surely enough to persuade me to GET RIGHT WITH CHRIST!!!!
Are You Ready??
The above video clip highlights strange loud booms like those of a trumpet being reported in various places around the globe. People are hearing these loud sounds for hours, sometimes days at a time, and cannot find its source.
As a Christian, I'm thinking it's a sign from Heaven that is warning us that the coming of Christ is near! In the book of Revelation, chapter 19, verses 11 - 16, tells us about the anticipated event of the figure of Christ clothed in white and coming on the clouds on a white horse. Here, He has an army behind Him dressed in the same way and all on horses ready to enter the earth! For me, I am not prophesying that this is the exact time, but I'm merely saying it is time for self-reflection and self-examination. I don't know if I am ready for the coming of the Lord. I don't know if I have made it right with Him daily. I don't know if my thought life glorifies Him. I am not sure that ALL my actions, words, behaviors, and deeds are well pleasing to Him. I know that I need to work on my prayer life more. I know that there is so much more I could be doing for Him. I know I am not perfect and still need Christ to work in me and through me before His coming. I know I am a work in progress. I may not be ready - but these sounds and other unexplainable happenings are surely enough to persuade me to GET RIGHT WITH CHRIST!!!!
Are You Ready??
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