Today, even amongst Christians, there can be found much of that spirit that wants to give as little as possible to the Lord, and yet to get as much as possible from Him. The prevailing thought today is of being used, as though that were the one thing that mattered. That my little rubber band should be stretched to the very limit seems all important. But this is not the Lord's mind. The Lord wants us to be used, yes; but what He is after is that we pour all we have, ourselves, to Him, and if that be all, that is enough.
Watchman Nee
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
LIFE!
“One hundred religious persons knit into a unity by careful organizations do not constitute a church any more than eleven dead men make a football team. The first requisite is life, always.”
... A.W. Tozer
... A.W. Tozer
Friday, March 26, 2010
New Podcast
Be sure to check out mine and James' New podcast entitled 2 Walk 2 Gether. Where James and I share more of our hearts on what God is doing with us on this Journey of faith. If you can't listen right away, download and listen later. We hope it will be a blessing to you. God bless.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Conformed To My Image???
For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. Rom 8:29
Jesus gave His Apostles a command that we have all titled "The Great Commission Mat 28:19". It is a common teaching in Christianity that says that this is also our command to go out and make disciples. I am in no position to debate that, but I would however, like to point out a few things that are rolling around in this thinkers mind.
I would first like to ask who's disciple we are to make people. Was Jesus saying that we are to start a religious order and then teach people to follow a particular doctrinal foundation that has been agreed on by those men and women who have started such an order? Are we to take a person that has believed in Christ and then conform that person into our particular ideal or interpretation of what we believe is "True Doctrine" of Christ?
Where I come from, when one says we need to do better in disciplining someone, what they are really saying is we need to better teach this young mind to be a good Baptist, or Methodist, and so on. You know, I don't think there is one version of the scriptures out there that translates what Jesus says here in Mathew to mean we are to go out and make Pentecostals, or any other such divisionations (aka Denominations). I know each particular denominational structure out there really believes that are living out the true teachings of Christ, thus the disciplining they do is correct. Unfortuantly, I never see where Jesus ever said that what makes a disciple is one who agrees with the ordinances, bi-laws, or particular stance on rather or not one can loose their salvation. Let us quickly take a look at what He did say defined a disciple shall we.
We will find three deffinitions of what qualifies a disciple; all of which are in the same chapter in Luke. 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life also, he Can Not Be my disciple.
14:27 "who ever does not bear his own cross and come after me Can Not Be my disciple.
14:33 "So then any one who does not renounce all that he has Can Not Be my disciple.
My thought today is simply, should we not do better at making disciples if what they would learn is to lay their life down, all that they are holding on to, and put on Christ? All three of these verses are descriptions of who Jesus is, and what He did for us. Maybe the truth is, it is easier to teach the ways the Baptist believe on certain scriptures than is is to teach someone to lay their life down. Maybe we are not able to teach one to be a true disciple because we don't know how to be one ourselves. It is much easier to teach one to just pay their ten percent, go to church every time the doors are open, and do their best to live out what they have learned in Sunday School, than what it actually looks like when one becomes a living sacrifice that is holly and pleasing to the Lord.
We are not called to be like some denominational structure; we are called to be LIKE CHRIST. We are to be the very image of Christ, yet we are conforming these young believers into OUR image. We even define people by what Name they have on their church sign. I believe I can say with confidence that, just as Paul said, You have not so learned Christ. We must first learn to let go of everything but Christ alone, and then, and only then, we can "MAKE" disciples of Jesus. We must always point people to Christ, and not our doctrinal statement. Christians where first called Christians by non believers who thought that the Christian looked and acted like Jesus. Christians did not label themselves with such a title. When was the last time a non believer called you such a name?
Father, I pray that you would conform us into the image of your Son, and not some image man has created to define what they believe. Teach us to love as you love and to pick up our cross and follow you. Teach us to lay down our lives for the brethren, and to care nothing of our own lives. Teach us to walk in this world in such a way that all who would look on us would only see Jesus. Then help us to teach others to do the same. Amen
I would first like to ask who's disciple we are to make people. Was Jesus saying that we are to start a religious order and then teach people to follow a particular doctrinal foundation that has been agreed on by those men and women who have started such an order? Are we to take a person that has believed in Christ and then conform that person into our particular ideal or interpretation of what we believe is "True Doctrine" of Christ?
Where I come from, when one says we need to do better in disciplining someone, what they are really saying is we need to better teach this young mind to be a good Baptist, or Methodist, and so on. You know, I don't think there is one version of the scriptures out there that translates what Jesus says here in Mathew to mean we are to go out and make Pentecostals, or any other such divisionations (aka Denominations). I know each particular denominational structure out there really believes that are living out the true teachings of Christ, thus the disciplining they do is correct. Unfortuantly, I never see where Jesus ever said that what makes a disciple is one who agrees with the ordinances, bi-laws, or particular stance on rather or not one can loose their salvation. Let us quickly take a look at what He did say defined a disciple shall we.
We will find three deffinitions of what qualifies a disciple; all of which are in the same chapter in Luke. 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life also, he Can Not Be my disciple.
14:27 "who ever does not bear his own cross and come after me Can Not Be my disciple.
14:33 "So then any one who does not renounce all that he has Can Not Be my disciple.
My thought today is simply, should we not do better at making disciples if what they would learn is to lay their life down, all that they are holding on to, and put on Christ? All three of these verses are descriptions of who Jesus is, and what He did for us. Maybe the truth is, it is easier to teach the ways the Baptist believe on certain scriptures than is is to teach someone to lay their life down. Maybe we are not able to teach one to be a true disciple because we don't know how to be one ourselves. It is much easier to teach one to just pay their ten percent, go to church every time the doors are open, and do their best to live out what they have learned in Sunday School, than what it actually looks like when one becomes a living sacrifice that is holly and pleasing to the Lord.
We are not called to be like some denominational structure; we are called to be LIKE CHRIST. We are to be the very image of Christ, yet we are conforming these young believers into OUR image. We even define people by what Name they have on their church sign. I believe I can say with confidence that, just as Paul said, You have not so learned Christ. We must first learn to let go of everything but Christ alone, and then, and only then, we can "MAKE" disciples of Jesus. We must always point people to Christ, and not our doctrinal statement. Christians where first called Christians by non believers who thought that the Christian looked and acted like Jesus. Christians did not label themselves with such a title. When was the last time a non believer called you such a name?
Father, I pray that you would conform us into the image of your Son, and not some image man has created to define what they believe. Teach us to love as you love and to pick up our cross and follow you. Teach us to lay down our lives for the brethren, and to care nothing of our own lives. Teach us to walk in this world in such a way that all who would look on us would only see Jesus. Then help us to teach others to do the same. Amen
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Walk of Faith
In a song by Ricky Skags and Kentucky Thunder entitled "Are You Afraid To Die" Ricky inserts the voice of Evangelist Billy Graham Where Mr Graham said "I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future". These are true words of Faith. Faith says I have know idea what in the world tomorrow will bring my way, but I know that God will be there when I arrive.
Our job as a disciple of Christ is to hear and obey the One we follow, and then leave the rest up to Him. We must trust that if God says so then He will. That is Faith. With out such we have no chance of ever pleasing Him. There is one thing you can count on however, such a life of faith is one awesome adventure.
A friend of mine once said that God leaves us to do the things we are capable of doing, and we are to leave the impossible up to God. God works the works of impossibility. It is through such a work that man can truly see God. We may have a word from God that we must follow, yet we have no "earthly" idea how it could could possibly work, but that is when God truly shines. We are just to obey, and nothing more, except to have faith that God has it all worked out.
What could we even remotely worry our little heads about, when the God who just spoke a Word and created all your eyes can behold, has our tomorrow in His hands. Lets us walk this walk known as The Way, and enjoy the greatest adventure you could ever dream of.
Still thinking.
Our job as a disciple of Christ is to hear and obey the One we follow, and then leave the rest up to Him. We must trust that if God says so then He will. That is Faith. With out such we have no chance of ever pleasing Him. There is one thing you can count on however, such a life of faith is one awesome adventure.
A friend of mine once said that God leaves us to do the things we are capable of doing, and we are to leave the impossible up to God. God works the works of impossibility. It is through such a work that man can truly see God. We may have a word from God that we must follow, yet we have no "earthly" idea how it could could possibly work, but that is when God truly shines. We are just to obey, and nothing more, except to have faith that God has it all worked out.
What could we even remotely worry our little heads about, when the God who just spoke a Word and created all your eyes can behold, has our tomorrow in His hands. Lets us walk this walk known as The Way, and enjoy the greatest adventure you could ever dream of.
Still thinking.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The School of Christ.
T. Austin Sparks wrote a book called The School of Christ, which is a great book I may add. It basically teaches of our never ending learning of Christ on our journey with Him, and how deep that walk can go. I have, these past few years, have been on such a journey. It seems every moment of every day has been an intense, fast paced, and painful (at times) journey through True Christianity University. I guess it would be better described as True Christianity Elementary instead of University due to God breaking me down and taking me back to the basics. Christianity 101 if you will. These past few years can be best summed up by using the words of Paul when he used the words "simplicity of Christ". He was fearful that false apostles would lead God's people away from the "simplicity of Christ".
I, as so so many others, have unfortunately been led away, or better yet, never been led to such simplicity. I was taught, as many of you, that Christ is about everything but Christ alone. Ministry, worship service, Sunday and midweek meetings, Sunday School, five fold ministry, Baptisms, Church (denominational) doctrine, revivals, healing, and on and on and on and on it goes. To be honest, I don't know how anyone could have time for Christ when we are so busy pouring all we have into such things. Don't get me wrong here folks, I am not saying ALL of these things are bad of themselves, but as it is said in Hebrews "Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit." If God permits simply means if He (aka Holy Spirit) would lead us to. I am just saying that God has so much more than what we think he wants for us. God is so much bigger than the things mentioned above, and we have replaced, for the most part, God IN US with such things. After all, why would we need to learn to walk "IN the Spirit", as Paul says, when we have all the answers all raped up into this nice religious package of how to DO church, instead of being The Church?
I know I know, hard to take huh? Think of what I have been through the past few years for God to get me to see such. That is where the "pain" part has come in. I am so grateful for what God has done in me these past few years, and I know, as T Austin Sparks says, will be forever learning in the School of Christ. I have by no means "arrived", but I am more excited to see what God is up to tomorrow.
I have been in Rhode Island for almost a year, and God has taught me much here; in fact between Rose Creek Village in Tennessee and the church here, God has forever transformed me. I am such a blessed man to have walked this journey with such great men and women of God. I have seen THE BODY of CHRIST in her glory, and she is beautiful.
I do feel it's time to move on from this leg of my journey. I believe God has called my family and myself back to the bluegrass state of Kentucky. We will be leaving a great deal here in RI, but for the first time, I don't feel I will be separated from my brothers and sisters here. We are truly one. I don't know what God has in store for us in KY, but I can't wait to see what it is. I am today, more than I ever have, willing to go and do what ever God has for me. Even if that means living in all 50 states, and every other Country in this planet, I will do so because, as Billy Graham said, "I don't know what the future holds but I know who holds the future". I will trust in the One who holds the future.
Thank you Church in RI for your love and your service to our Father. I love you all very much. As for me....I will still be thinking....God bless.
I, as so so many others, have unfortunately been led away, or better yet, never been led to such simplicity. I was taught, as many of you, that Christ is about everything but Christ alone. Ministry, worship service, Sunday and midweek meetings, Sunday School, five fold ministry, Baptisms, Church (denominational) doctrine, revivals, healing, and on and on and on and on it goes. To be honest, I don't know how anyone could have time for Christ when we are so busy pouring all we have into such things. Don't get me wrong here folks, I am not saying ALL of these things are bad of themselves, but as it is said in Hebrews "Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit." If God permits simply means if He (aka Holy Spirit) would lead us to. I am just saying that God has so much more than what we think he wants for us. God is so much bigger than the things mentioned above, and we have replaced, for the most part, God IN US with such things. After all, why would we need to learn to walk "IN the Spirit", as Paul says, when we have all the answers all raped up into this nice religious package of how to DO church, instead of being The Church?
I know I know, hard to take huh? Think of what I have been through the past few years for God to get me to see such. That is where the "pain" part has come in. I am so grateful for what God has done in me these past few years, and I know, as T Austin Sparks says, will be forever learning in the School of Christ. I have by no means "arrived", but I am more excited to see what God is up to tomorrow.
I have been in Rhode Island for almost a year, and God has taught me much here; in fact between Rose Creek Village in Tennessee and the church here, God has forever transformed me. I am such a blessed man to have walked this journey with such great men and women of God. I have seen THE BODY of CHRIST in her glory, and she is beautiful.
I do feel it's time to move on from this leg of my journey. I believe God has called my family and myself back to the bluegrass state of Kentucky. We will be leaving a great deal here in RI, but for the first time, I don't feel I will be separated from my brothers and sisters here. We are truly one. I don't know what God has in store for us in KY, but I can't wait to see what it is. I am today, more than I ever have, willing to go and do what ever God has for me. Even if that means living in all 50 states, and every other Country in this planet, I will do so because, as Billy Graham said, "I don't know what the future holds but I know who holds the future". I will trust in the One who holds the future.
Thank you Church in RI for your love and your service to our Father. I love you all very much. As for me....I will still be thinking....God bless.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Free Indeed
Gal 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Paul here was instructing the Galatians of "the way" that was paved by Jesus which, unfortunately, so many Christians have almost completely missed. We have the Jesus came and died on a cross, so we can go to heaven down pat; however, so many Christians are, to this day, still in bondage. This bondage comes in many different forms.
Paul was instructing the Galatians that they where no longer bound by the old covenant known as the law of Moses, but a New Covenant had been made. As we all know, Jesus came and did what we, mortal men and women, could not; He lived this law to complete perfection. It was sin, aka law braking, that pronounced death to all who would break this law. "the wages of sin is death Rom 6:23" Jesus did not sin, so He did not have to die in that since, yet he freely died anyway. This made a way for men to also overcome death; however, Jesus did much more than just die. He also, from the grave, arose up alive. These two things are what we hear so much about, and rightfully so, but we are missing something more He did. He went back to the Father.
Jesus told His disciples that He had to go, or the comforter could not come. The Spirit of God Himself. The very same spirit that led Jesus to do ALL that the Father told Him to do. Jesus said that everything you hear me say and all that you see me do was not Him but the Father. In the same chapter He says that they will do the same things and even greater things...why you ask...because He goes back to the Father. He said that God Himself would come down and LIVE in His children. Read John chapters 14 & 15. This is the freedom Jesus told us about, and what Paul was so trying to show the Galatians and Romans.
So many are, to this day, bound by the law of Moses. Today, children of God have the law written in their hearts, and have the ability to live it, just as Jesus, because He lives IN us. We can not live this out on our own. So many denominations put so much law on their members, known as legalism, that they have have become just as the Pharisees in Jesus day. We are also still in bondage to material things of this world and other lust that fills the heart of man. Paul reminds us that we have been set FREE of such things.
Now my thought for the day. Maybe we should put far more attention to God in us rather than bible studies about people who already understood this Truth. Not that reading scriptures are a waste of time, you should still read your Bible everyday. I am just saying, that we put so much attention on what we believe, or have been taught, the bible says, while the whole time we have THE WORD Himself living inside of us. If we are ever going to truly walk as Christ walked, we will not do it by reading about people who did. We will do it when we, ourselves, learn to embrace, surrender, and obey Christ in us. It is only then we will truly know what it means to be FREE. I would like to, in the near future, write a whole lesson on this subject. Until then remember...Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.
Still thinking.
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