1 Accept into your group someone who is weak in faith, and do not argue about opinions. (Romans 14:1, NCV).
Entire Chapter: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+14&version=NCV
You know what they say about opinions, right? Did you know that in the first century church it was the personal opinions of others that challenged the message of the Gospel. The Roman society of the day in which Paul penned these words, being under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of course, parallels the one you and I live in today in many ways. The church in Rome was growing in Christ and as with any growth, if we are not careful, pride comes along with it because we are "getting bigger." One of the most dangerous weapons Satan uses against the church is spiritual pride. Paul was not saying to compromise the Gospel, read the whole chapter when you get time, but he was teaching against arrogance.
I told the new convert class in my study yesterday that living the Christian life is 95% determination and 5% action. It has to be that way. If we try to live perfect by our own power we will eventually end up in failure or in spiritual pride. Those who turn back on Christ usually become frustrated trying live the perfect life. Sometimes they quit because a super spiritual Christian has told them "their opinion" about something rather than explaining to them how to grow in Christ. If you are a new convert understand today that God has a plan for your life and He will get you to the level you need to be at. If you are a mature Christian, then understand that God has a plan for the new convert's life, just as He does yours, and He will get them to where they need to be. Allow the grace of Christ to do the work in strengthening faith: the faith of babes and our own!
Enjoy being blessed: you are!
Br Mike
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
One Gospel: One Church
38 Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against us is on our side. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
[Mark 9:39-41]
I think one thing that has caused the society around us to ignore the church is our differences among ourselves! I teach a class on Sunday mornings called "Everything you wanted to ask about God, Christians, and the Bible; but were afraid too!" Each new group I have always come up with this question: How come there are so many denominations? This passage in St. Mark is where I start with our discussion. The key to understanding the Gospel is to understand first of all it is not from man. God has given it to us that we may spread it. He could have used angels to preach it, and will one day (Revelation 14:6), but for now it is up to us. Men have taken parts of the Bible and made their personal interpretations of what a particular portion of it says, thereby creating divisions among those who may not interpret it their way. Over a period of years these groups have come together as what we know today as denominations; not divisions. A true Christian denomination believes Jesus to be the only begotten Son of God that shed His blood on the Cross that we may be forgiven for sin, and that He was raised to life three days later, ascended back to Heaven, and is at this very moment seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for you and I. The Holy Spirit is now in the earth to replace His physical presence by way of His spiritual presence.
Lets listen to the words of our Lord when we think in terms of denominations: "For he who is not against us is on our side."
May all ya'll be blessed today in the Name of Jesus!
[Mark 9:39-41]
I think one thing that has caused the society around us to ignore the church is our differences among ourselves! I teach a class on Sunday mornings called "Everything you wanted to ask about God, Christians, and the Bible; but were afraid too!" Each new group I have always come up with this question: How come there are so many denominations? This passage in St. Mark is where I start with our discussion. The key to understanding the Gospel is to understand first of all it is not from man. God has given it to us that we may spread it. He could have used angels to preach it, and will one day (Revelation 14:6), but for now it is up to us. Men have taken parts of the Bible and made their personal interpretations of what a particular portion of it says, thereby creating divisions among those who may not interpret it their way. Over a period of years these groups have come together as what we know today as denominations; not divisions. A true Christian denomination believes Jesus to be the only begotten Son of God that shed His blood on the Cross that we may be forgiven for sin, and that He was raised to life three days later, ascended back to Heaven, and is at this very moment seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for you and I. The Holy Spirit is now in the earth to replace His physical presence by way of His spiritual presence.
Lets listen to the words of our Lord when we think in terms of denominations: "For he who is not against us is on our side."
May all ya'll be blessed today in the Name of Jesus!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Shhhhh.
Last week my wife and I attended an awards ceremony in the local high school auditorium. Our daughter was receiving some awards for her work in middle school. As we sat waiting for the program to begin I could not help but notice how loud the kids were! It was just a rumble of sound! I could not understand anything any of them were saying but they were talking it up! When the principle came to the mike, all of them got quite without her ever having to say anything at all! From noisy rumble to almost pin drop silence! It was obvious they all respected the lady.
I begin to think about the Body of Christ: The Church. There are times we need to be noisy and rumble and yet when Jesus comes to the mike we need to give Him our full attention as well, without having to be told to do so! Many times we get busy talking among ourselves and expressing our opinions to the general public that we forget to look toward the stage and see if Jesus is up there! I think (personal opinion) that we (The Church) would be more effective in carrying out the great commission if we look to see if Jesus wants our attention more often than we do!
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:29)
I begin to think about the Body of Christ: The Church. There are times we need to be noisy and rumble and yet when Jesus comes to the mike we need to give Him our full attention as well, without having to be told to do so! Many times we get busy talking among ourselves and expressing our opinions to the general public that we forget to look toward the stage and see if Jesus is up there! I think (personal opinion) that we (The Church) would be more effective in carrying out the great commission if we look to see if Jesus wants our attention more often than we do!
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:29)
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
God is not out to get you: But to have you!
And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. (Job 1:12)
I picked up a kid heading to the bus station yesterday evening. He was going to Lynchburg to start a job this morning. On the way he began to tell me about how his wife had left him and took their three month old daughter. He was heartbroken. He said, "I know I've not been the best I could have been, but I hope that God has not turned against me." I assured him that God was not against him, but for him. I told him about Job.
You may not be a Job today, just as this kid was not. Job had it all; to begin with. God made him stronger in his faith even though God referred to him as blameless and upright at the beginning! As I told the kid so say I unto you: God is not out to get you, but to HAVE you. As God allowed Satan to attack Job so that He (God) could be glorified, He may very well do the same to you and I. What an honor! To have God think of us in such a way! Under attack are you? Feel overwhelmed by the enemy or circumstances? Go to the Bible and read the account of Job. You will feel better!
Father God: Bless each of my fellow laborers today, I pray. Jesus, it is by the authority You have given me in Your name to ask this; Thank You!
Amen.
I picked up a kid heading to the bus station yesterday evening. He was going to Lynchburg to start a job this morning. On the way he began to tell me about how his wife had left him and took their three month old daughter. He was heartbroken. He said, "I know I've not been the best I could have been, but I hope that God has not turned against me." I assured him that God was not against him, but for him. I told him about Job.
You may not be a Job today, just as this kid was not. Job had it all; to begin with. God made him stronger in his faith even though God referred to him as blameless and upright at the beginning! As I told the kid so say I unto you: God is not out to get you, but to HAVE you. As God allowed Satan to attack Job so that He (God) could be glorified, He may very well do the same to you and I. What an honor! To have God think of us in such a way! Under attack are you? Feel overwhelmed by the enemy or circumstances? Go to the Bible and read the account of Job. You will feel better!
Father God: Bless each of my fellow laborers today, I pray. Jesus, it is by the authority You have given me in Your name to ask this; Thank You!
Amen.
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