Today more than ever we need hope in this dark and immoral world in which we live in. Today we need more than ever people that show the world that there is a more excellant way. Today the world is as ungodly as ever. From rampant sin in the streets, sexual immorality on all forms of media, in our schools, and maybe even in homes.
Noah lived in probably days like we live in today. Obviously they were so evil that God decided to eliminate everything He created from the face of the earth. All axcept for Noah. The Lord said to Noah, "Go into the Ark, you and your family, because I have found you righteous in this generation" Noah was 'Righteous!' Even without the aide of the Holy Spirit, Noah was righteous. Even in his enviroment, Noah was righteous. Why did God spare Noah and his family? Because Noah was 'Righteous.'
So, what can we gleen from this passage? That people even prior to Christ, and the Holy Spirit could be righteous. Now that we have (Even more than Noah) the Holy Spirit, we too can be righteous. We also need to hone in to this "And God spared his family too." Out of all living things, man, woman, and animals, God spared this family because of one mans dedication to God.
In Genesis 6:9 we read "Noah was a righteous man, blameless among people of his time, and he walked with God." This is a huge incentive for us. If Noah 'Walked' with God, then we too can walk with God if we choose to be righteous.
What other benefits come with righteousness? Your family will follow in your footsteps, and also live righteous lives before God, and all mankind. Noah's righteousnes not only saves his life, but that of his family as well.
I want to end with this.... Does mine and your family see us living a 'Righteous' life? Are we walking with God, so that our family and those around us desire to walk with God? Are we righteous? Only we can answer these questions. Forget about the excuses of where we work, times have changed, and on and on. If change, we can, walk with God, be righteous, and show a lost and immoral world, that we can~
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
What 'Family' are you in according to Jesus and the Word?
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever." (John 8:34) I know most of us have read through this passage, but maybe we have let our instincts kick in and forgot that we need to slow down and understand what the Word is really speaking to us.
I don't know about you, but I can say "I totaly relate to what Christ is saying." Jesus came down to earth to free us from sin so that we can live Righteous and Holy lives pleasing to the Father. In my life sin kept creeping back into my life and I returned to where I was instead of pursuing the Father and being 'Free' from sin. According to Jesus this passage is so true "I had no permanent place in the family of God."
Matthew 12:48-49 says He replied "Whos is my mother and who is my brothers" pointing to His disciples, He said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. Forwhoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Pretty straight forward here.... I have to ask myself this question "Do I want to be part of Jesus family or not?" If so, then I need to be doing the will of the Father and not my own.
In 1 John 3 beginning with 7 the scripture gives us more insight to who are in the famiily of God and hwo are not "Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been brn of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." So, either we accpet it for what the Word says, or we go on being decieved.
I know that I am a member of of His family, because of what these verses state, not because of a prayer I mumbled or what man has told me. If anything is not right in my life, I get rid of it, so that I am in, and doing the will of God and not my own. My prayer is that we all would take these passages at face value, recognize what family we really are in, and pursue to be one fo God's true children. I believed a lie all of my life until Jesus set me free from sin and myself. It's all about Him and not about us~
I don't know about you, but I can say "I totaly relate to what Christ is saying." Jesus came down to earth to free us from sin so that we can live Righteous and Holy lives pleasing to the Father. In my life sin kept creeping back into my life and I returned to where I was instead of pursuing the Father and being 'Free' from sin. According to Jesus this passage is so true "I had no permanent place in the family of God."
Matthew 12:48-49 says He replied "Whos is my mother and who is my brothers" pointing to His disciples, He said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. Forwhoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Pretty straight forward here.... I have to ask myself this question "Do I want to be part of Jesus family or not?" If so, then I need to be doing the will of the Father and not my own.
In 1 John 3 beginning with 7 the scripture gives us more insight to who are in the famiily of God and hwo are not "Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been brn of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." So, either we accpet it for what the Word says, or we go on being decieved.
I know that I am a member of of His family, because of what these verses state, not because of a prayer I mumbled or what man has told me. If anything is not right in my life, I get rid of it, so that I am in, and doing the will of God and not my own. My prayer is that we all would take these passages at face value, recognize what family we really are in, and pursue to be one fo God's true children. I believed a lie all of my life until Jesus set me free from sin and myself. It's all about Him and not about us~
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Lent?
Do you celebrate Lent, Fat Tuesday, and Ash Wednesday? If so, then why do you? Growing up in a main line denomination, I too went through the ritualistic events every year. I thought and believed that these rituals are what Christians do. In some wierd way I saw significance and understanding to these rituals because that is what others professed to me, including the church. I thought "Why would thousands upon thousands of people go through Ash Wednesday and display those ashes all day in public if it wasn't so?"
Lent is not scriptural at all. No where does it say in scripture that we should celebrate and go through these acts. Let me explain in 'Common Words' the short of this season. Beginning monday people live it up in debauchery, lewdness, drunkeness, etc, until midnight Tuesday knowing that Wednesday would be ash Wednesday and then reflect on Jesus death and resurrection. You did not have to give up everything that was wrong in your life, but at least one things and only for 40 (forty) days.
When I became a 'Real' Christian this season of Lent and all the man made affiliation's with it only became more questionable and down right hypocritical. When I had surrendered my life to the Lord for real, I surrendered everything...all. 'BC' (Before Christ) I would give up Drinking, Gambling, or Cussing fully knowing that it would only be for 40 (forty) days. How could I focus on the cross and the meaning of the season when I began counting the days before I cold pick these things back up? SO, Lenten celebrations and ituals are merely a mockery of what 'Real' Christainity is all about. Dying to self of all things that keep you from righteousness is for life and not a season. Many view 'Lent' also as a time of fasting, but from just one or several things, not all.
I pray that each of you that read this blog will see that 'freedom in Christ' and being a Christain is an everday offering to the Lord, and not a 40 (forty) day partial fast. If we truly 'Believe' in the death and resurrection of Christ, then we will lay down anything in our life that is not pure. We will not party no more with hopes of getting cleaned up for a span of time. To me.....Everyday is Lent and Dying to self of anything that is not right in my life. This is the same for all who are true Christians. Learn more about this season and share with people the true gospel of Jesus Christ that changes lives for eternity~
Lent is not scriptural at all. No where does it say in scripture that we should celebrate and go through these acts. Let me explain in 'Common Words' the short of this season. Beginning monday people live it up in debauchery, lewdness, drunkeness, etc, until midnight Tuesday knowing that Wednesday would be ash Wednesday and then reflect on Jesus death and resurrection. You did not have to give up everything that was wrong in your life, but at least one things and only for 40 (forty) days.
When I became a 'Real' Christian this season of Lent and all the man made affiliation's with it only became more questionable and down right hypocritical. When I had surrendered my life to the Lord for real, I surrendered everything...all. 'BC' (Before Christ) I would give up Drinking, Gambling, or Cussing fully knowing that it would only be for 40 (forty) days. How could I focus on the cross and the meaning of the season when I began counting the days before I cold pick these things back up? SO, Lenten celebrations and ituals are merely a mockery of what 'Real' Christainity is all about. Dying to self of all things that keep you from righteousness is for life and not a season. Many view 'Lent' also as a time of fasting, but from just one or several things, not all.
I pray that each of you that read this blog will see that 'freedom in Christ' and being a Christain is an everday offering to the Lord, and not a 40 (forty) day partial fast. If we truly 'Believe' in the death and resurrection of Christ, then we will lay down anything in our life that is not pure. We will not party no more with hopes of getting cleaned up for a span of time. To me.....Everyday is Lent and Dying to self of anything that is not right in my life. This is the same for all who are true Christians. Learn more about this season and share with people the true gospel of Jesus Christ that changes lives for eternity~
Monday, February 13, 2012
Everyone has a Testimony
As a Pastor I have alot of people telling me that they do not know the Word enough to share their faith. Some even will go as far as saying "I don't know what to share with people." Let me share with you all what Jesus tells us to do in the scripture once you have truly encountered His love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and healing.
In Mark 5 Jesus comes across a man named 'Legion.' This man was in torment and was totaly controlled by 'Demons' tha possessed his life. We all know the story and how Jesus sent the demons into the pigs and they ran down the cliff and drowned.What we fell to recognize is that the 'Demons' were very comfortable where the were at. They wanted to stay in the area, and not move on settling to even inhabit 'Pigs.'
Does this remind of us anyone? Things that are not pleasing to God, or things we won't give up for Him are no different than 'Demons' within us. Why else would we rebel about laying them down? We have grown 'Comfortable' where we are and we don't move on free from them. This man had over 6,000 demons possessing him (a legion of them) and Jesus removed them all from him. Now we might not have 6,000, but even 1 can do the same thing in our lives if we let them.
What happened after they were gone? Mark 5:15 tells us this "When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been demon possessed sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid." Why were they afraid? Becuase they knew that if Jesus could change this mans life then the threat of changing them would also come. They were comfortable where they were at, and did not want change. Today, many are the same. They are afraid (as I was for many years) to surrender 'Their' ways to Jesus because they too would have to be purged of all that is not right in their lives.
The scripture goes on to say in Mark 5:18-20 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged him to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said "Go Home to your famiily and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for Him. And all the people were amazed.
Why did Jesus not allow him to go with Him? Because this man's testimony would give hope to all that had known him. This man's testimony would draw other to the Lord. This man's testimony would spread throughout his community and surrounding areas. This man would serve Him greater where he was instead of outside the surrounding areas.
How about us? We all have testimonies (I pray) of where we were and where we are today because of God's love, mercy and grace. We might not all know the scripture, but we know the mircale He did in each of our lives. I tell people all of the time that they can argue about scripture, but hey cannot argue about what God's done in our lives. If we all shared what Christ has done and testify to those around us what He is doing each and everyday of our lives, then revival will spread and people will come to desire the Jesus we profess as our Savior. We once were blind, but now we see. We once where controlled by demons in thought and action, but now we are free to serve the risen Lord. We will be able to love as He loved, and we will not be abe to hold it back. Begin sharing today with your family, your friends, your co-workers, and aquaintances, what Jesus has and is doing in your life. Remember this "No change, no Jesus." Lord change us and use all the days of our lives for Your glory!
In Mark 5 Jesus comes across a man named 'Legion.' This man was in torment and was totaly controlled by 'Demons' tha possessed his life. We all know the story and how Jesus sent the demons into the pigs and they ran down the cliff and drowned.What we fell to recognize is that the 'Demons' were very comfortable where the were at. They wanted to stay in the area, and not move on settling to even inhabit 'Pigs.'
Does this remind of us anyone? Things that are not pleasing to God, or things we won't give up for Him are no different than 'Demons' within us. Why else would we rebel about laying them down? We have grown 'Comfortable' where we are and we don't move on free from them. This man had over 6,000 demons possessing him (a legion of them) and Jesus removed them all from him. Now we might not have 6,000, but even 1 can do the same thing in our lives if we let them.
What happened after they were gone? Mark 5:15 tells us this "When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been demon possessed sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid." Why were they afraid? Becuase they knew that if Jesus could change this mans life then the threat of changing them would also come. They were comfortable where they were at, and did not want change. Today, many are the same. They are afraid (as I was for many years) to surrender 'Their' ways to Jesus because they too would have to be purged of all that is not right in their lives.
The scripture goes on to say in Mark 5:18-20 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged him to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said "Go Home to your famiily and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for Him. And all the people were amazed.
Why did Jesus not allow him to go with Him? Because this man's testimony would give hope to all that had known him. This man's testimony would draw other to the Lord. This man's testimony would spread throughout his community and surrounding areas. This man would serve Him greater where he was instead of outside the surrounding areas.
How about us? We all have testimonies (I pray) of where we were and where we are today because of God's love, mercy and grace. We might not all know the scripture, but we know the mircale He did in each of our lives. I tell people all of the time that they can argue about scripture, but hey cannot argue about what God's done in our lives. If we all shared what Christ has done and testify to those around us what He is doing each and everyday of our lives, then revival will spread and people will come to desire the Jesus we profess as our Savior. We once were blind, but now we see. We once where controlled by demons in thought and action, but now we are free to serve the risen Lord. We will be able to love as He loved, and we will not be abe to hold it back. Begin sharing today with your family, your friends, your co-workers, and aquaintances, what Jesus has and is doing in your life. Remember this "No change, no Jesus." Lord change us and use all the days of our lives for Your glory!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
John 6...66
John six (6) is one of the most powerful teachings in scripture. Many throw their hands up and say "I don't really understand this." Probably the reason they do not is that they truly don't believe. Jesus had thousands of people following him at this time and once he shares this message, only twelve remained standing. This is why it is paramount today in order to turly know if we are His or not.
Jesus message (Paraphrased and condensced) is simple to all who believe. Unless we partake of Him, allow Him to consume our every being and all that we are, and do the will of the Father; then we cannot be His, or even have 'Eternal Life.' You may be thinking "I believe, I'm saved, I amd His." So did the other disciples that had followed Him great lengths ot cling to His every Word.
John 6:66 "From this time many of His Disciples turned back and no longer followed Him." As much as we don't want to admit it, we all have done the same from time to time, or are even faced with the same truth "That we don't want to make Jesus Lord of our lives and don't want to except His way (The Word) one hundred percent. I personally don't find it a coincedence that this verse falls at 666! How can we be His and say we truly believe if we are not truly obedient? Followers of the whole sum of the Word and understanding instead of evading the truth.
Many people do not want ot except the fact that even in Christ's times people have, and always will have choice. The scripture did not say that those who followed were listeners with curiosity, but that they were Disciples, followers. According to scripture they chose to leave. These same people had chose to follow Him and had followed Him great distances, but chose to leave in the end. Jesus even gave the twelve (12) a choice in verse 67, "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus was giving them the choice to go "All in" or walk away. Jesus had known from the beginning that Judas was going to betray Him, but He still chose him to be one of the twelve. Judas even had a choice.
So where does this leave us? According to the scripture '666' is the mark of the beast. According to the scripture we can choose to go all in for Jesus or continue to follow the devil and our own desires. We will all face eternity one day, and our choice today will ste the ground for where we will spend it. If we truly believe.....we must go "ALL IN!"
Jesus message (Paraphrased and condensced) is simple to all who believe. Unless we partake of Him, allow Him to consume our every being and all that we are, and do the will of the Father; then we cannot be His, or even have 'Eternal Life.' You may be thinking "I believe, I'm saved, I amd His." So did the other disciples that had followed Him great lengths ot cling to His every Word.
John 6:66 "From this time many of His Disciples turned back and no longer followed Him." As much as we don't want to admit it, we all have done the same from time to time, or are even faced with the same truth "That we don't want to make Jesus Lord of our lives and don't want to except His way (The Word) one hundred percent. I personally don't find it a coincedence that this verse falls at 666! How can we be His and say we truly believe if we are not truly obedient? Followers of the whole sum of the Word and understanding instead of evading the truth.
Many people do not want ot except the fact that even in Christ's times people have, and always will have choice. The scripture did not say that those who followed were listeners with curiosity, but that they were Disciples, followers. According to scripture they chose to leave. These same people had chose to follow Him and had followed Him great distances, but chose to leave in the end. Jesus even gave the twelve (12) a choice in verse 67, "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus was giving them the choice to go "All in" or walk away. Jesus had known from the beginning that Judas was going to betray Him, but He still chose him to be one of the twelve. Judas even had a choice.
So where does this leave us? According to the scripture '666' is the mark of the beast. According to the scripture we can choose to go all in for Jesus or continue to follow the devil and our own desires. We will all face eternity one day, and our choice today will ste the ground for where we will spend it. If we truly believe.....we must go "ALL IN!"
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Jack and Diane
In all of our lives we have seen the hand of God at work in many ways. Over the past several months I was afforded the opportunity to be part of the final chapter in Diane Hart's life. She is gone, but not forgotten. She is in heaven, and her faith and last days will be told to her grandchildren, their grandchildren and theirs.
As people gathered to pay their last respects the song that began the service was 'Jack and Diane.' There were no lyrics, just the instrumental. As the video of pictures ran above you could see the true love that Jack and Diane had for each other and their family. It was a blessing to se Diane healthy and full of life. Mixed within these pictures were also pictures of her frail body at the end of her battle with cancer. Pictures of family and also a picture of Diane holding her first grandchild, born a couple months ago.
Judy and I met the Hart's over 25 years ago at the church we were attending. We had only ran in to them on several occassions over those past 25 years. A couple of years ago I became a board member of the 'Christian Outreach Foundation.' It was there that God had me meet Liz Hart. After several meetings I asked Liz "Do you know Jack and Diane Hart?" She replied "Yes, they are my parents." As we have all done I asked her to tell them hello. Last year when I asked Liz how her parents were doing she told me about her mom's battle with cancer. I told her to let her parents know that we are prayng for them and if they ever needed anything to just let us know. Liz emailed me about four months ago and asked me if we could go see her mom. She said she was not doing and that she was also concerned about her dad.
Judy called Diane and we went to meet with her and Jack. It was as if we had never been apart. Judy shared wth Diane that she never has forgotten that 24 years ago when Judy went into treatment, Diane was the only one at church that came up and said anything to her. Diane came right up to her and said "I am so proud of you for getting help." It wasn't easy for Judy to go back to to church prior to Diane's comment because of the possible shame that being in a treatment center could bring. There were over 700 members that attended, but Diane was the only one who reached out to her in her time of need.
I was amazed at Diane and Jack. This battle with cancer had been grueling and had taken its toll on Diane, and Jack. There was no cure for the cancer she had, and there was nothing medically they could do anymore. Diane shared about MD Anderson and how she was humbled because there were so many people there that were worse off than her. As she sat there and shared you could see the 'Peace that surpasses all understanding' was upon her.
In the last month we also saw the power and strength of the Lord displayed in her life. In her frailty, she came to QTM. She gave her resources to QTM to help share Christmas with 64 kids. She was able to celebrate and hold her first grandchild. Diane was able to share her last Christmas with her family. Liz said "It was amazing seeing her experessions as she opened her presents. She was a like a little child!" Zach shared that she wanted to "Walk the dog around the block on Christmas day (which she had not been able to do, or even wanted to do for a long time). So they loaded Diane up in her wheel chair, and around the block they went. Liz and Amy spent the final days laying with Diane in bed giving her 'Kisses' on her cheek because she loved it. Diane's mom said in the final days she leaned over and told Diane "Jesus is with us Diane", and Daine winked at her. God gave Diane the strength to have 'Special' moments with her family before He took her home.
The Lord lead me to two scriptures to share with those at her funeral, Psalm 121, and 2 Timothy 4:6-8. I personalized Psalm 121 for Diane, and we all need to do the same with scripture:
Psalm121
Diane lifted her eyes to the hills-where did Diane's help come from? Diane's help came from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He did not let Diane's Diane's foot slip-He who watched over Diane did not slumber; indeed, He who watched over Daine neither slmbered nor slept. The Lord watched over Diane- the Lord was Daines shade at her right hand; the sun did not harm Diane by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord kept Diane from all harm-the Lord watched over Diane's coming and going both now and forermore~
2 Timothy 4:6-8
"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing."
I am going to close this blog with a few questions. Are you in the race? Will you fininsh strong? Will God receive the glory for His power and strength being displayed in you until the end? Diane did.............
As people gathered to pay their last respects the song that began the service was 'Jack and Diane.' There were no lyrics, just the instrumental. As the video of pictures ran above you could see the true love that Jack and Diane had for each other and their family. It was a blessing to se Diane healthy and full of life. Mixed within these pictures were also pictures of her frail body at the end of her battle with cancer. Pictures of family and also a picture of Diane holding her first grandchild, born a couple months ago.
Judy and I met the Hart's over 25 years ago at the church we were attending. We had only ran in to them on several occassions over those past 25 years. A couple of years ago I became a board member of the 'Christian Outreach Foundation.' It was there that God had me meet Liz Hart. After several meetings I asked Liz "Do you know Jack and Diane Hart?" She replied "Yes, they are my parents." As we have all done I asked her to tell them hello. Last year when I asked Liz how her parents were doing she told me about her mom's battle with cancer. I told her to let her parents know that we are prayng for them and if they ever needed anything to just let us know. Liz emailed me about four months ago and asked me if we could go see her mom. She said she was not doing and that she was also concerned about her dad.
Judy called Diane and we went to meet with her and Jack. It was as if we had never been apart. Judy shared wth Diane that she never has forgotten that 24 years ago when Judy went into treatment, Diane was the only one at church that came up and said anything to her. Diane came right up to her and said "I am so proud of you for getting help." It wasn't easy for Judy to go back to to church prior to Diane's comment because of the possible shame that being in a treatment center could bring. There were over 700 members that attended, but Diane was the only one who reached out to her in her time of need.
I was amazed at Diane and Jack. This battle with cancer had been grueling and had taken its toll on Diane, and Jack. There was no cure for the cancer she had, and there was nothing medically they could do anymore. Diane shared about MD Anderson and how she was humbled because there were so many people there that were worse off than her. As she sat there and shared you could see the 'Peace that surpasses all understanding' was upon her.
In the last month we also saw the power and strength of the Lord displayed in her life. In her frailty, she came to QTM. She gave her resources to QTM to help share Christmas with 64 kids. She was able to celebrate and hold her first grandchild. Diane was able to share her last Christmas with her family. Liz said "It was amazing seeing her experessions as she opened her presents. She was a like a little child!" Zach shared that she wanted to "Walk the dog around the block on Christmas day (which she had not been able to do, or even wanted to do for a long time). So they loaded Diane up in her wheel chair, and around the block they went. Liz and Amy spent the final days laying with Diane in bed giving her 'Kisses' on her cheek because she loved it. Diane's mom said in the final days she leaned over and told Diane "Jesus is with us Diane", and Daine winked at her. God gave Diane the strength to have 'Special' moments with her family before He took her home.
The Lord lead me to two scriptures to share with those at her funeral, Psalm 121, and 2 Timothy 4:6-8. I personalized Psalm 121 for Diane, and we all need to do the same with scripture:
Psalm121
Diane lifted her eyes to the hills-where did Diane's help come from? Diane's help came from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He did not let Diane's Diane's foot slip-He who watched over Diane did not slumber; indeed, He who watched over Daine neither slmbered nor slept. The Lord watched over Diane- the Lord was Daines shade at her right hand; the sun did not harm Diane by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord kept Diane from all harm-the Lord watched over Diane's coming and going both now and forermore~
2 Timothy 4:6-8
"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing."
I am going to close this blog with a few questions. Are you in the race? Will you fininsh strong? Will God receive the glory for His power and strength being displayed in you until the end? Diane did.............
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Do not grow weary~
Galatians 6:9 has been an encouragement to me throughout the years. I want to share it with you all so that you might be encouraged also, "Do not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we reap reap a harvest if we do not give up." These words have given me life and hope for many years now.
Alot of people view minstry as something that will keep them on the right path. They think of minstry as something that is always fulfilling and always self satisfying. The truth is that ministry can be all of these and more, but it also comes with pain, trials, and suffering. There have been times when I myself have thought about 'Giving Up.' Anyone that truly ministers (Not just preach, teach and share, but invest their lives daily in ministering and discipling others) would honestly say the same.
Last October our family had a young man come into our home to disciple and bring up in Christ. We knew going in, and had been forwarned that there would be 'Bumps' in the road. Yes, there were 'Bumps' in the road, but there were also blessings. This past monday Jacob recieved early termination of probation. Upon receiving this termination he chose to go back to where he came from. We had enrolled him and got him started in college. However; with the Pell Grant he received he thought he could make it on his own.
Most of us would probably say "We tried it, and it did not work so thats the end of that." We all had alot of good times and some down times while Jacob was with us. I merely encouraged him (as I did the rest of my family) to take in all the good that took place and disregard anything negative that one might have experienced. Then I blessed him and will continue to pray that one day he will come back and say "Thank you....you made a difference in my life."
This is what ministry is all about. Good when its good and heart wrenching when its not. Was it easy to say goodbye? "No." God has a plan though and if I approach life and relationships with one thing in mind it will be this "God, use me. Whether through good, tests, or trials, allow me to not give up as Your Son did nto give up on mankind. Stay the course. Do good, and in the end we will rep a harvest~
Alot of people view minstry as something that will keep them on the right path. They think of minstry as something that is always fulfilling and always self satisfying. The truth is that ministry can be all of these and more, but it also comes with pain, trials, and suffering. There have been times when I myself have thought about 'Giving Up.' Anyone that truly ministers (Not just preach, teach and share, but invest their lives daily in ministering and discipling others) would honestly say the same.
Last October our family had a young man come into our home to disciple and bring up in Christ. We knew going in, and had been forwarned that there would be 'Bumps' in the road. Yes, there were 'Bumps' in the road, but there were also blessings. This past monday Jacob recieved early termination of probation. Upon receiving this termination he chose to go back to where he came from. We had enrolled him and got him started in college. However; with the Pell Grant he received he thought he could make it on his own.
Most of us would probably say "We tried it, and it did not work so thats the end of that." We all had alot of good times and some down times while Jacob was with us. I merely encouraged him (as I did the rest of my family) to take in all the good that took place and disregard anything negative that one might have experienced. Then I blessed him and will continue to pray that one day he will come back and say "Thank you....you made a difference in my life."
This is what ministry is all about. Good when its good and heart wrenching when its not. Was it easy to say goodbye? "No." God has a plan though and if I approach life and relationships with one thing in mind it will be this "God, use me. Whether through good, tests, or trials, allow me to not give up as Your Son did nto give up on mankind. Stay the course. Do good, and in the end we will rep a harvest~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)