It has been 21 years now that I have read my Bible daily. It always encourages me, challenges me, and gives me peace. Like most, I leaned on what other peole told me as sound doctrine only to find out that this doctrine wasn't Biblically correct. I shiver today when people share with people others that Christianity and Christ is a journey, or process. They quickly tell them that they will always be sinners, and that they cannot ive up everything at once, just work on a few at a time. Really? This doctrine truly deletes the power of the cross and Christ. These folks who quote the following scriptures actually are leading others astray. They quote to these people before they ask them to say a prayer "Greater is He thats in you than he thats of the world. We can do all things through Him who gives us strength, and With God all things are possible." If they truly believe these scriptures yet tell others that it is a process or journey, then they will take their sweet time in dealing with sin in their lives, and if they die in their sin they die seperated from God throughout eternity.
The Journey and the Process has nothing to do with sin. Sin becomes the stumbling block 'If' one does not deal with any sin in their lives. Jesus and the apostles always preached and taught 'Repentance.' This is crucial to 'true' change and being born again of the Spirit. All sin must be dealt with at conversion. One becomes new because their is no old left in them. If people are told to give up only a few sins today and work on the others, then they are not and cannot be truly new. Sin is dealt with and now the Journey begins in our devotion, love and service to Christ. Every day and every year after conversion will be overcoming of sin and living for Christ. It will be a purging of self (not sin) so that we can be truly dedicated to the Lordship of Christ in everything. The journey for me in 1992 began and sin wasn't the issue. I dealt with the sin I knew of and if I became aware of any other sin in my life, I would immediately repent and take care of it. The Journey and process is being more and more Christ like daily, and receiving the joy in our lives because of the righteousness we are living through Him. We serve and love more because the journey has led us to joy that only a life in Him can bring.
Finally..... when we totaly surrender to Christ's Lordship then they will desire to be pure, holy and righteous. We will not want anything in our lives that would lead another astray. Do not buy into the same lie that the journey has nothing to do with sin. Believe in the power of the cross and Jesus because this alone will provide us all the life of victory and overcomers. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead can be had by all. We just have to believe. Deal with sin because the scripture says it will seperate us from God. we have the power through Christ and the cross to do it. Then, the Journey and process will be the one we were meant to be on~
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Welcomed Home~
This afternoon marked the first time in 4 weeks that Judy and I were able to return to our sunday afternoon service at the Juvenile Justice Center 'Boot Camp.' As we walked into the room we were greeted by kids who truly missed us. Earlier this week one of the people that covered for us while we were in Africa told us "The kids really missed ya'll."
We began by asking (something we always do at the beginning) if anyone would like to praise the Lord. It was amazing to hear them talk about how they did well while we were gone (giving the credit to the Lord) and how they missed us. We sang eight or nine songs and watched as the Lord was moving these kids into His presence. We had a guest from the court there with us to observe what we did, and after about five songs, tears trickled down her face while listening and watching these kids.
Yesterday we saw two young men who had graduated from the program while we were gone. They came running and calling out to us. As they reached us they hugged us and their smiles melted our hearts. Unfortunately they got in trouble for just running over to us without asking, but they did not care. As a pastor I must say that there are times in which one questions if what they are doing is worth it, and are we really making a difference. After this weekend I know that we are right where God wants us.
Tuesday and Thursday I was blessed to hear from less fortunate people at the food pantry these words "We missed you." The smiles and the stories of how God answered prayers after we prayed is truly overwhelming. The joy of counseling, praying and providing needs for these people is also overwhelming. Imagine if you will that you have been allowed to give hope to others just because your were willing to give your time.
Not everyone will have the same opportunity to be used by God at a Juvenile Center, or a Food Pantry, but there is a place out there for each and everyone of you. The question is "Are you raising your hand saying 'Here I am Lord!" God wants to use us all and the blessings are waiting for you all if you are willing to give your life, and serve others.
We began by asking (something we always do at the beginning) if anyone would like to praise the Lord. It was amazing to hear them talk about how they did well while we were gone (giving the credit to the Lord) and how they missed us. We sang eight or nine songs and watched as the Lord was moving these kids into His presence. We had a guest from the court there with us to observe what we did, and after about five songs, tears trickled down her face while listening and watching these kids.
Yesterday we saw two young men who had graduated from the program while we were gone. They came running and calling out to us. As they reached us they hugged us and their smiles melted our hearts. Unfortunately they got in trouble for just running over to us without asking, but they did not care. As a pastor I must say that there are times in which one questions if what they are doing is worth it, and are we really making a difference. After this weekend I know that we are right where God wants us.
Tuesday and Thursday I was blessed to hear from less fortunate people at the food pantry these words "We missed you." The smiles and the stories of how God answered prayers after we prayed is truly overwhelming. The joy of counseling, praying and providing needs for these people is also overwhelming. Imagine if you will that you have been allowed to give hope to others just because your were willing to give your time.
Not everyone will have the same opportunity to be used by God at a Juvenile Center, or a Food Pantry, but there is a place out there for each and everyone of you. The question is "Are you raising your hand saying 'Here I am Lord!" God wants to use us all and the blessings are waiting for you all if you are willing to give your life, and serve others.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Africa/People
Well I am finally home from an almost 3 week journey from Corpus to Maputo, Mozambique. I personally dread traveling any distance at all from home now, but it was well worth it. Today I am always looking forward to "What will God show me" when I get back from these trips. Here it goes...
We arrived just in time for our grandaughters second birthday. We were a little frazzled, but it was still a blesssing. We went to the Hospital the very next day. In case you do not know, our youngest daughter and her husband Jon are missionaries in Maputo. They had other ideas of what they would do in Africa when they moved over there, but God had other ideas for their lives. They go almost daily to the government hospital and love on the people in the 'Oncology' department. This hospital is not anything like one would imagine here in the states. There is no air conditioning, sheets do not get changed very often, the semll of death and sickness is almost overwhelming, and just walking through the door makes your mind question whether it is safe to be there or not. Amputee's, people with tumors, and eye's openly gone with nothing but a socket staring at you are common, and their pain engulfs you. As the men and women of the hospital saw Jon, Layne, Judy, Me and our two grandaughters approaching, smiles quickly said it all. They were glad that people who loved them were coming to spend time with them in the dreaded filth and disease that is prevalent around them. I need to let you all know one other important thing "90-95%" of all of these people will die. It is an amazing thing to witness the joy and smiles of all of these people when they see love coming. Yes, they are dying, and yes there is no reason for anyone to even feel joy in their enviroment. What my son-in-law and daughter do, they do well. Giving hope to those who have no hope with little time left here on earth.
As you drive through and around Maputo, you find yourself extremely grateful for everything you have here in america. Each and everyday that we drove out to our destinations had me comepletely mesermized by people always running aroud like ants. People here, people there, and people everywhere you looked. The streets are lined with vendors trying to eek out some kind of living, and I really don't recall any street that did not have someone selling, working, walking or driving. Traffic is unbelievable and usually the 'Bigger' car wins the battle for space and right of way.
My daughter and son-in-law saved up their money and took Judy and I to a nice secluded beach for a couple of days. It was truly a blessing and another way to see God through people and beauty. After the long trip, the party, and the hospital, it was a true blessing.
When we arrived home and went back to the hospital we found out that three people we had just met died over the weekend. Still, the remaining turned their frowns into smiles as we once again walked up to that dirty, dingy hospital full of death, sickness, loneliness and filth. The living still saw hope in their situation.
On our way and while I was there I read three books, 'If I Perish', 'Heavenly Man' and 'No Greater Love.' My faith was challenged by all three of these books, and the sheer enviroment in which I treaded daily was a test of my true love and devotion to Jesus Christ and serving others. When we arrived in Washington I began reading 'Enough.' As I read through the pages of this book I found myself once again challenged to the depths of my heart. What is 'Enough?' Why do we yearn for more when more still leaves an explainable emptiness.
In conclusion I want to leave you all with something to think about. Do you really love? Are you truly serving others as Christ served us? Toady was my first day back at the Food Pantry. The long trip and the weariness of it escaped as a mist. I called the first person in to talk with them before they received help and was able to offer them hope. Even in the good old USA people still need hope. The down, the trodden, and even those who have learned to 'Work the System' need to know that there is a more excellant way. There is something that comes without cost, and that something is Christ working in and through you. We are blessed tremendously, and we who call ourselves Christians need to know that the only thing that will ever bring us true joy is Christ manifesting Himself through us. Be of good cheer and thank God for another day......We are blessed~
We arrived just in time for our grandaughters second birthday. We were a little frazzled, but it was still a blesssing. We went to the Hospital the very next day. In case you do not know, our youngest daughter and her husband Jon are missionaries in Maputo. They had other ideas of what they would do in Africa when they moved over there, but God had other ideas for their lives. They go almost daily to the government hospital and love on the people in the 'Oncology' department. This hospital is not anything like one would imagine here in the states. There is no air conditioning, sheets do not get changed very often, the semll of death and sickness is almost overwhelming, and just walking through the door makes your mind question whether it is safe to be there or not. Amputee's, people with tumors, and eye's openly gone with nothing but a socket staring at you are common, and their pain engulfs you. As the men and women of the hospital saw Jon, Layne, Judy, Me and our two grandaughters approaching, smiles quickly said it all. They were glad that people who loved them were coming to spend time with them in the dreaded filth and disease that is prevalent around them. I need to let you all know one other important thing "90-95%" of all of these people will die. It is an amazing thing to witness the joy and smiles of all of these people when they see love coming. Yes, they are dying, and yes there is no reason for anyone to even feel joy in their enviroment. What my son-in-law and daughter do, they do well. Giving hope to those who have no hope with little time left here on earth.
As you drive through and around Maputo, you find yourself extremely grateful for everything you have here in america. Each and everyday that we drove out to our destinations had me comepletely mesermized by people always running aroud like ants. People here, people there, and people everywhere you looked. The streets are lined with vendors trying to eek out some kind of living, and I really don't recall any street that did not have someone selling, working, walking or driving. Traffic is unbelievable and usually the 'Bigger' car wins the battle for space and right of way.
My daughter and son-in-law saved up their money and took Judy and I to a nice secluded beach for a couple of days. It was truly a blessing and another way to see God through people and beauty. After the long trip, the party, and the hospital, it was a true blessing.
When we arrived home and went back to the hospital we found out that three people we had just met died over the weekend. Still, the remaining turned their frowns into smiles as we once again walked up to that dirty, dingy hospital full of death, sickness, loneliness and filth. The living still saw hope in their situation.
On our way and while I was there I read three books, 'If I Perish', 'Heavenly Man' and 'No Greater Love.' My faith was challenged by all three of these books, and the sheer enviroment in which I treaded daily was a test of my true love and devotion to Jesus Christ and serving others. When we arrived in Washington I began reading 'Enough.' As I read through the pages of this book I found myself once again challenged to the depths of my heart. What is 'Enough?' Why do we yearn for more when more still leaves an explainable emptiness.
In conclusion I want to leave you all with something to think about. Do you really love? Are you truly serving others as Christ served us? Toady was my first day back at the Food Pantry. The long trip and the weariness of it escaped as a mist. I called the first person in to talk with them before they received help and was able to offer them hope. Even in the good old USA people still need hope. The down, the trodden, and even those who have learned to 'Work the System' need to know that there is a more excellant way. There is something that comes without cost, and that something is Christ working in and through you. We are blessed tremendously, and we who call ourselves Christians need to know that the only thing that will ever bring us true joy is Christ manifesting Himself through us. Be of good cheer and thank God for another day......We are blessed~
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