The war between...

We read about them all the time.

The wars that are going on in the countries around us.

We read little to nothing about the real war that is happening.

It is the war that is happening on our own soil.  The soil of our heart.

We may even realize it from time to time.  

I am talking about the war between our flesh and spirit, and it is not our

backyard, but the very condition of our heart.  (Read Matthew 13:1-23 for more)

Galatians 5:17

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 

I say we, only in an attempt to make myself feel better, as I'm really talking about myself.

The more I try and pull back from the world, mostly via technology, but food is a biggie in this battle as well; the more I find the world just pushes all the harder right back and pulls and tempts in all the right ways and at all the right moments.

This is the war I am talking about.  This is the battle to which we all need to keep attuned to.

The reason is this; we are told to store up treasures in heaven and not on earth.  So that is where our focus must stay, even if this world bares all it has against our flesh, we stay focused on treasures in heaven.  The true treasure is Christ our King, make no mistake.  To be able to spend an eternity with Him, compares to nothing else.  We are given a description of heaven, but still, without Christ, heaven would be nothing but beautiful material things.

It is Jesus Christ who gave His life for all and it is Jesus Christ and His wonderful gift of grace that gives us hope.

The world would have us keep our focus on us and our flesh, but we need to be intentional about keeping the eyes of our soul focused on Christ and His plans and purpose here on earth to the glory of the kingdom of God.  

This is so much larger than me and it is going to take the power of God to complete the work He has started in me.

I have said it before and I will say it again:  the first scripture the Lord gave me was 1 Timothy 1:15-16, and it is true, I am the worst, however;

Philippians 1: 6

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Jesus Christ is faithful and it is in Him I trust, not my sight and not my emotions.

I do love you all.

Jim

K I S S

All I can do is say WOW and shake my head.

My beautiful bride and I are working to simplify our life, cut some things out, and establish some
boundaries.

As we push forward to do this, this world is seeing fit to push right back and really push back pretty hard.

As frustrating as this is, it tells me that we are heading in the right direction.

We are praying that we keep those things in our life that glorify God and that He wants us to keep working at, and let go everything else that He does not desire for us.

His will be done, not ours.

As easy as this sounds, it is proving to be rather difficult!

"My peace..."

As I sit here, in life, not just my chair, I am really struggling with my son, Justin, going over to the middle east.  He has gone several times before, however this is the longest time he will spend over there and with the state of unrest in the middle east towards the United States, I am
not happy at all.

So while I am processing this and taking it to the Lord, John 14:27, which speaks to Christ giving us His peace, comes to mind.

John 14:27 (KJV)

Why is it so hard to accept the peace of the Lord, when He freely gives it?

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

I really try not to take just one or two pieces of Scripture, but the whole chapter into understanding.

What an amazing chapter John 14 is.

Starting with verse one:

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."

Oh, let me tell you my heart is troubled.  But then I read "believe in God, believe also in me," and I have to say, Lord, forgive my unbelief which makes me think of the Scripture Mark 9:24:

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

Why is it so easy to let the world encroach upon my heart and weigh me down?

When struggling so with worldly issues and issues of the heart, I know only one thing to do.

Take them to the Lord.  He has been ever faithful in helping me work through all issues pertaining to my life.

Prayer and soaking in the Word of the Lord is where I will find His peace, for He is faithful and sufficient.

Temporal vs. Eternal

As I'm reading and gathering my thoughts and turning this day over to Christ, the words temporal and eternal come to mind.

As I begin to dig into what this may mean and do a quick study, it leads me to Spiritual warfare.

The second definition for temporal on dictionary.com is this:

2. pertaining to or concerned with the presentlife or this world; worldly

In fairness to definition's, eternal:

2. perpetual; ceaseless; endless:

The reason there is this battle within us is this:

We were created from the earth.  

Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
John 17:6-18


So out of the earth we were created, this is temporal because of the fall of man.

Our life comes from the eternal, the spiritual, the very breath of our Father, God.

This is eternal because of the love our Father has for us, proven by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

When we become stuck in becoming connected to the temporal, this world, it drags down our spiritual eternal beings.

This is why Christ tells us:

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

⁶ “I have revealed you^[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. ⁷ Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. ⁸ For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. ⁹ I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. ¹⁰ All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. ¹¹ I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of^[b]your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. ¹² While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by^[c] that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
¹³ “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. ¹⁴ I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by^[d] the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

And Paul tells us:

Romans 12: 2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We are called to worship in spirit and in truth in John 4:24.

This is because our Triune God is a Spiritual God and He has created us to be spiritual beings in a temporary body here on earth.  

We are aliens to this earth and are meant for a life after.

So the battle as I see it:  To become less attached to this world and more attached to our God and Father through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  To pray upon the Holy Spirit Who was sent to us as a Helper and Guide, to seek Father's will on earth as it is in Heaven.

To partake of His daily bread instead of the left overs of this world.  Drinking of the Living Water, rather than trying to fulfill ourselves with the things of this world.  

The sin trap...

You are what you eat, you are what you think, you are what you take into your body.


Christ mentions this in reference to our eyes and is found in two places in Scripture.

Matthew 6:22 (NASB)

“The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light."

Luke 11:34 (NASB)

"The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness."


If we speak to actual food, if we eat junk food and food that has poor nutritional value, then we will not feel well nor will we look well.


If we eat good healthy food, in healthy portions, then we will typically feel better and look better.


This concept works the same with what we take into our body through our eyes, ears, and senses.


If we fill ourselves with junk from this world, we will not feel like we should, nor will we look like we should.


My wife was telling me about one of her classmates the other day.  She said she looked at the student in her class and knew she was a believer in Christ.  Upon speaking with her, she was right.  My wife said she saw a light in her eyes.  I have heard this before from people who are walking out their faith in Christ.


What is it you are filling your life with?  Even as a believer we must guard ourselves, our senses, diligently!  If we must take drastic action, then so be it.


My wife and I do not have cable by choice.  We find no value in what is shown on television.  It is not worth the money nor is it worth letting the junk into our home this world would like to fill our home with.


This is our home, we must guard our bodies even more aggressively.


As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  This Scripture from Joshua 24:15 just doesn't speak to our physical house of where we hang our hat, but our bodies as well.  


Who does your body serve?


Have you ever worked in an aggressive environment?  How people act and how people talk, and what is spoken into the atmosphere around us has an affect on us!


I worked in an office where there was a lot of cursing.  It was affecting my attitude for the worse.  I started to pray silently and quietly and play worship music at low levels so I could hear it.  Only if you came around my desk area would you hear the music.  Slowly but surely the atmosphere in the office began to change for the better.  People were not cursing nearly as much as they were before and if cursing started,  I would start to pray and I could literally hear their speech change for the better!  God is faithful and will work through His Spirit if we pray according to His will.


The sin trap is this:  in the areas we are prone to sin, we need to eliminate those things that cause us to be tempted.  If you look at women lustfully, it could mean not having cable.  Do you have pornography problem?  It could mean not having internet or cable!


Find a loving brother or sister in Christ to help hold you accountable.  Drag into the light that which Satan wants you to be embarrassed about and keep in the closet.


It starts with a relationship with Jesus Christ.  He is the only way to the Father.  From there we must identify our sinful nature and begin work to remove sin from our life.  


Without a relationship with Christ, we do not have access to the Father and we are not given the Holy Spirit as our Helper.  We must listen to the Holy Spirits convictions and follow His lead.  We can do all things through Christ and He doesn't give us more than we can bare, but we must be willing to bare it.

Paul was willing... and he found Christ's grace to be sufficient.

If we fail to strive to eliminate sin from our lives, we will never reach the potential that God has planned for our life!


Read your Bible, pray pray pray.  Find a Bible believe Bible preaching church.  Find a group of Christ followers who will love you and help you.  There is power in numbers!


Don't let pride get the better of you.  If you do Satan has you right where he wants you.


Are you in the sin trap?

sin + confession + forgiveness = ?

Whether we realize it or not, our life is meant to be a journey.  Our God, the Creator of all things, has set before us a path that we are to walk.  He speaks to this path in Matthew 7:12-14.

In walking along this path, there are conditions of our heart that we must deal with and it is called sin.  Sin is something we all have! Romans 3:23

Our condition of sin is a far cry from what we are called to be, for we are called to be a holy people. 1 Peter 1:15-16

So, how do we get from this sinful wretch of a person, to a holy child of God?

We must first understand our condition.  1 Timothy 1:15-16 tells us that we are all the worst of sinners.  When I say understand this, I mean exactly that.  We must know in our heart, that we have fallen so far short of the glory of God, that there is nothing that we, in and of ourselves, can do get that ground back.  It has been that way since the first fall, and has and will always be that way until Christ returns.

What is sin anyhow?  The definition in the Holman Bible Dictionary says this:
"Sin - actions by which humans rebel against God, miss His purpose for their life, and surrender to the power of evil rather than to God."

This definition tells us we have a choice:  We serve God or we serve Satan.  There is no middle ground here.  What is your choice?

For me and my household, we will serve the Lord! Joshua 24:15

That being the case, we must fully understand our being the worst of sinners.

When we realize our sin, we need to confess those sins to Christ.  Yes the Lord already knows our deeds and our hearts, but He wants us to realize our hearts and come in humility. 1 Peter 5:5

If our confession comes from our broken and contrite heart, then God is faithful and will forgive us. 1 John 1:9

Once God gives us this forgiveness we must receive, which means we must also forgive ourselves.  This does not mean do not grieve, however we must be-careful not to linger or hold onto our confessed sin, as it may rear it ugly head once again.

It will helps us greatly to understand the state of our sin.  Many times our sin will have layers to it.  What I mean by this is, the sin that is most visible and may be the "only" visible sin at the moment, may be caused by other sins in your life.

If we have the sin of lusting after the flesh and looking at women in a sexual manner, which brings about thoughts of sex with these women, we know Christ tells us that if we look at a woman with lust in our hearts, we've already committed adultery.  Matthew 5:28

Though adultery is the most visible sin, where does this sin actually begin?  If all we do is confess the adultery, we will not be fully delivered, we must mortify the flesh in it's entirety.

If we do not cut the root cause of our sin out, we will be tempted once again, and will undoubtedly fall once again.

Read this Scripture in Matthew to see what is says about our eyes.

Christ talks about how we must deal with our sin.  He mentions the different parts of the body and what He suggests we do.

I can tell you He doesn't desire us to cut of or mutilate portions of our body, but I can tell you that we serve a Holy God and He desires us to be holy because He is holy!

We must get to the root cause of this sin.

You might be thinking that you are a good person, "I am always nice, kind, helpful," but...

...if you've ever stolen anything, great or small, lied about anything great or small, looked a person with less than honorable thoughts sexually, or cursed in the name of the Lord, how do you believe God will judge you?

Only through our relationship with Christ are we saved and justified.  Only by the pure gift of grace from our God, are we offered this.  Ephesians 2:8

Our belief in the fact that Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was punished and hung on a cross where He died, and after having been buried for three days, rose from the dead.  This is where our hope lies.  Christ died on the cross for us.  For our sins.  Through the spilling of His blood on that cross and our belief in Him, we are able to confess our sins, except His forgiveness and become a brand new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17

We can not do this on our own, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of the Living God, we have the ability to do all things in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13

Though this gift of grace is a free gift, there is a responsibility that comes with this gift of grace.  If we truly believe in Christ and that He is the Son of God and that He did live sinless life and died on our cross as our sacrifice; that He did rise from the dead three days later and we have truly tasted and seen that the Lord is good, we will seek the Lord will all our heart and He will reveal Himself to us.

This relationship is one that takes work, focus, and should be the utmost priority in your life!  Exodus 20:3 only begins the journey!

The sin in our life is a huge deal and makes all the difference in our life in how we deal with it or do not deal with it.  If we fail to deal with the sin in our life, then we neglect the relationship with our Savior.  We grieve the Holy Spirit, which is sent to us.  The Holy Spirit is here to help us and if we distance ourselves  in this relationship, we lack the power and guidance to live a life pleasing to God.

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we are not expected to be perfect, but we are expected to make changes in our life and begin to grow in His likeness.

sin + confession + forgiveness = ?

? = freedom from the ways of this world and a glorious hope of a life with Christ.

THE CHURCH WHICH CHRIST BUILDS

Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots

by J.C. Ryle

THE CHURCH WHICH CHRIST BUILDS

Chapter 13

Ref.   “Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”—Matt. xvi. 18

The Church of our text is made up of all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, of all who are really holy and converted people. It comprehends all who have repented of sin, and fled to Christ by faith, and been made new creatures in Him. It comprises all God’s elect, all who have received God’s grace, all who have been washed in Christ’s blood, all who have been clothed in Christ’s righteousness, all who have been born again and sanctified by Christ’s Spirit. All such, of every name, and rank, and nation, and people, and tongue, compose the Church of our text. This is the body of Christ. This is the flock of Christ. This is the bride. This is the Lamb’s wife. This is “the holy Catholic and Apostolic Church” of the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. This is “the blessed company of all faithful people,” spoken of in the Communion Service of the Church of England. This is “THE CHURCH ON THE ROCK.”


http://www.ccel.org/ccel/ryle/holiness.iii.xii.html

Psalm 51: 7-10

"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

A refreshing of the season of prayer.

It was April 15th, 2012 that the Lord encouraged me to commit to a 21 day Daniel fast.  I had been seeing God moving and working in, about and through me so much, I wanted to draw closer to ensure I wasn't going to miss anything.  I didn't want the distractions of this world, even food, to take my focus.


That night when I was in bed trying to sleep the word "prayer" was embedded into my heart.  As I woke the next morning the word "prayer" was still very much there.


As I began my morning rituals, I checked a couple of posts on the Severn Covenant Facebook page and saw a post about a book called: The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, which is a book about prayer.  The more I learned about the book, the more I knew it was meant for me.  I found it on iTunes for 3 bucks and downloaded it.  As I began reading this book it resonated with where God had me, all things prayer.


It wasn't two days later, as I met with a pastor from a local church, as soon as I began to tell him about what the word of "prayer" from God and began mentioned a book, the pastor cut me off and said: "The Circle Maker" it will change your prayer life!


Only God can orchestrate such things in our life if we let Him.


It was last March I believe, as I'm walking my dog Molly, 

I was feeling very grateful and thankful to the Lord for all His many blessings.  It was like we were having this two way conversation, the Lord and I.  


I asked Him this question:  
"How many people actually have a two way conversation with You?"


The Lord's response was immediate and powerful.  I was immediately brought to tears and He said:  "Not enough"


The Lord showed me just the smallest fraction of His heart that day, anymore and the grief would have killed me I have no doubt.


What is prayer anyhow?  Simply a conversation between you and the Lord.


Prayer is something we are supposed to do all the time:


"pray continually" 1 Thessalonians 5:17 
"in everything by prayer and petition"  Philippians 4:6-7
"pray in the Spirit on all occasions" Ephesians 6:18


Prayer is mentions in 43 books of the Bible in the NASB version, and in 362 verses, from Genesis to Revelations.


In any relationship, communication is vitally important to the health of that relationship, and it is no different in our relationship with Christ.


Our Lord desires a relationship that has depth, intimacy, trust, and open communication.  A relationship between you and He where there is conversation and listening.  


Romans 8:26-27 (NASB)

²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; ²⁷ and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Meet with your Lord today and see what He has to say!

In His Service,
Jim

Neither sleep nor dead...

"The devil does not sleep, nor is the flesh yet dead; therefore, you must never cease your preparation for battle, because on the right and on the left are enemies who never rest." Thomas A Kempis - The Imitation of Christ

What do we do in preparation for this battle?

We meditate on God's holy Word, both day and night. Psalm 1: 2
We pray unceasingly. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
We confess our sins.  James 5:16

Time to revisit the past...

This is not in the form of looking back, like how Lot's wife was looking back in want and desire for the things she left behind in Sodom.  If you do not know what happened to her, read this:  Lot's wife

I revisit the past to see how I've grown and changed.  This helps me to see and not take for granted the work that God has been doing in my life.

I look at many of my posts both here and on Facebook about altars and have to say that the tearing of altars in my life began here:

As you read, what altars come to mind that you need to get out of your life?

TEARS

by Jim Shiloh on Saturday, December 20, 2008 @ 10:30pm

Every since the death of my father, God has been working on me. I am sure that He was working on me prior to that, but it took a harsh significant event to get my attention. I in no way shape or form blame God for the death of my father.

Seeing me through the death of my father, two divorces, the death of my sister, a third separation, and a strong hold of strong holds, God has been nothing but patient, trustworthy, and just.

Right down to my current situation where I am moving from a home I can no longer afford and not able to sell, to where He wants me to be.

I battle against my own desire for things of this world and God simply says, “you will not need this where you are going.” I do not mean Heaven, but His purpose for me in His kingdom.

Desires.

I have a 32-inch boat anchor of a TV. It is cumbersome, heavy, and needs external speakers to work properly, but it does work well. My intention was to give the TV to my pastor and his family and purchase a smaller more manageable TV. I went to Wal-Mart, thinking a smaller flat panel would be ok. I was looking at 22-inch models, which they did not have in stock. The worldly desire took hold and I could not walk away, nor go smaller. I walked out the proud owner of a new 26-inch TV.

Now it is time for our youth dinner. I had arranged for a guest speaker who has worked missions for a couple years and met his wife while working missions, who was working missions also. He has an awesome story of just how much God loves and cares for us. He spoke of many things, but the thing that struck me most was that he gave up everything but the clothes he needed and left for Guatemala. He sold and gave away everything he had. Here I sit with a brand new 26-inch flat panel TV thinking I am to go into ministry.

His mention of getting rid of all his stuff was short, just a blurb, but it left me feeling guilty, despite my pastors suggestions to not buy a new TV, “just keep the one you have.” It’s a boat anchor I replied. The 26-inch TV is more of a boat anchor than the 32-inch it was to replace.

Here I sit, feeling even guiltier for the number of boxers and pairs of socks that take up a drawer each: t-shirts and pants that take up two shelves. Shirts hanging on hangers I haven’t worn in such a long time, I can’t even remember. I haven’t even finished unpacking my clothes. I had to stop.

Here I sit, in my new living room, looking at the walls of boxes, piles of stuff on top of furniture, wondering what in the world am I doing. Who is it that I am serving, and Who is it that I am supposed to be serving.

God.

My heart says go, my mind say hold on, and God is saying trust in Me.

They are tears of guilt.
They are tears of embarrassment.
They are tears of fear.
They are tears of want and desire.
They are tears for a God who loves me.

I now have two boat anchors. One is going back. I am going to finish unpacking my clothes and then pack up clothes to take to the Salvation Army. I am going to tear down the walls of boxes, uncover the furniture and sell, give away, get rid of the other boat anchors of my life that keep me from God.

They are now tears of freedom.

2 Chronicles 13-15

These three chapters of Scripture are powerful chapters.  


We read about two kings in the line of King David, King Abijah and King Asa.  Both kings that seek the Lord in the works of their hands.


King Abijah, seeks the heart of the Lord, and as such is able to defeat an army twice his size.  Not only was he able to defeat the army twice his size, but that army also had the tactical advantage.  King Abijah's army: 400,000 - Israel's army is 800,000.


King Asa has a very similar story.  King Asa seeks the Lord as the Ethopian army of 1 million plus 300 chariots threaten to attack.  King Asa has at hand 580,000 men.  


The Lord gives victory to King Asa as well because King Asa sought the Lord.


An important note is that both kings also tear down any altars to any other gods in their kingdom.  This is an important part of the hearts of these two kings and the territory that the Lord has provide them.


Are there altars in the territory the Lord has given you that need to be torn down?


King Asa had to remove altars twice from his land as well as reprimand his grandmother for having such idols in her possession! This tells to the stubbornness of his people and the steadfastness of King Asa's heart for the Lord.


Chapter 16 - 


We see a huge turn of events for King Asa.  King Asa turns to another king for help in battle instead of turning to the Lord and the outcome is not good.


We can learn from these chapters a great deal.  We can learn that we are much better of turning to the Lord in matters that concern all of our life and that by turning to Him, we will have success.  These means turning to the Lord in both the good times and the times of battle.

By turning to man, success may be far from us.


Remember, the definition of success is defined by God and not by us!


Read Isaiah 55: 8-9 for more information on that!

Your personal Scripture

Today at 10:02am

I am curious, what Scripture do you claim as yours? By this I mean, when you read it, it speaks directly to your heart, to the person you are.

It was many years ago while reading the book of Timothy I came a crossed this Scripture:

1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NIV)

15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

This is me, as I know I have received more than my share of Christ's patience.

What Scripture speaks out to you and why?

Thank you for sharing! :)

A picture worth a thousand words?

Fri at 9:42pm

I am a part of group that has brought up some questions into what picture best represents our group. You know how Christians can be, quite judgmental and opinionated.

These are my responses:

Response #1:

James 1:19-20 (New International Version)

Listening and Doing

19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

In all that we do and all that we say, we should measure these things against the Word of God.

A picture in and of itself means nothing. It is the spirit behind the picture that means everything. For us as Christ followers, that spirit is the spirit of salvation, through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. But, the reality of it is, the victory against death was not on the cross, but in the cave, where Christ was buried. The cross was the vehicle that helped to bring about that victory.

Symbolism in our culture is taken very seriously, as it was back in the times of the 1st century Christians, for their symbol was the fish. <>< This helped them to recognize other Christians and helped them to not get caught and persecuted.

If Christ's death sentence were to be carried out today, what does that look like?

Would it be by electric chair? lethal injection? firing squad?

Would we then place an small chair around our neck? a needle? a rifle?

It is not the symbolism that we claim that is important. It is what we hold in our hearts for those around us, which we are told is to be love. This does not mean there isn't a need to rebuke at times, as everyone of us needs to be held accountable and helped to stay on that narrow path in search of that narrow gate, as we are told:

Matthew 7:13-14 (New International Version)

The Narrow and Wide Gates

13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

If we have truly claimed our inheritance that God has given us through Christ, this walk is a team effort.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (New International Version)

12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

which takes us back to:

James 1:19-20 (New International Version)

Listening and Doing

19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

Response #2 was in regard to what this christian group stood for first and foremost. The answer of love came up, which I would agree with, and then what picture represented a Godly love.

#2

I really think that it goes so much further than a picture. We can spend a great deal of time and energy into this picture thing, or we can focus on what God created us for, the two greatest commandments, loving God with all that we are and loving others.

Then comes the great commission, making sure that everyone has a chance at salvation. There really isn't anything more than that.

I really didn't want to answer my own question, but it is so very easy for us to get side tracked and lose focus of what is truly important.

Satan wants nothing more than for us to be infighting and distracted at the true cause of our group.

What can we do better as a group of Christians to love those around us?

Christ told the prince to sell all that he had and give it to the poor. Are we willing to do just that?

The good Samaritan went far out of his way to ensure that the man on the side of the road was not just taken care of, but taken care of well. Are we willing to do that?

Christ spoke to the woman at the well, going against what society at that time dictated. Who in our life are we to step out of this box of society and speak to?

I have heard on three different occasions since Christmas, Ezekiel 37 about prophesying to dry bones.

We live in a society that is so very dry and we need to be prophesying and praying that the breath of God fills them and brings them to life.

Is there a picture that can do this?

We are Christ's bride and we are not perfect and that is ok. When our imperfections show themselves, we need to ask for forgiveness and move forward towards our purpose that God has created us for. We need to seek the face of the One who died for us and align ourselves with His will, not ours.

I feel like I am on a soap box, but the more I learn and study, the more I realize how far the church is missing it's mark. I include myself in this church that is missing it's mark.

We can continue in the direction that we are going, or we can stand up and make the necessary changes that bring glory to our Father in heaven. We can not afford to let our pride get in the way of correction, as our actions leave their marks on someone around us.

What kind of marks do we want to be leaving?

At the end of the day we need to strive to ensure that all that we do and all that we are keep Christ at our center. We need to be reading His Word daily and be in prayer constantly, in word and in deed.

Jeremiah 29:13-14 (New International Version)

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

The question is, are we willing to let God bring us back from captivity? Are we willing to let God carry us out of our exile?

We can not do it on our own. We need Christ ultimately and we need each other as brothers and sisters as well.


I will reiterate that it is very easy for us to lose focus of what is really important, loving God, loving others, providing the Gospel of Christ to anyone and everyone willing to hear.

All else is for not in the grand scheme of things. The Disciples were sent out with nothing but the robe on their back and their sandals. Everything else was to be provided by God through willing participants. We worry to easily about the things of this world. Myself included.

Radical or status quo

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 12:43pm

After having read Already Gone, it has really opened my eyes to some of the sutilties our culture has plugged into our Christ following faith.

Starting with the word story. Defined by mariam webster dictionary online as:

1 archaic a : history 1 b : history 3
2 a : an account of incidents or events b : a statement regarding the facts pertinent to a situation in question c : anecdote; especially : an amusing one
3 a : a fictional narrative shorter than a novel; specifically : short story b : the intrigue or plot of a narrative or dramatic work
4 : a widely circulated rumor
5 : lie, falsehood
6 : legend, romance
7 : a news article or broadcast
8 : matter, situation

When we are talking with our children and to each other about the "stories" in the Bible, what are the underlying affects of us using the term "story" when relating to the history and prophecy of our faith that is written in the Bible? The definition of the word "story" above I believe speaks for itself and is something that we need to change in our sharing of God's Word. I am currently reading the New King James Version Chronological study bible. Even this version of God's Word uses the word "story" to describe these historical and prophetic accounts.

So do we continue with the status quo of our society and continue to undermine the relevance and reverance of God's Word, or do we do something that may be perceived as radical to our society and take the word story out of telling the biblical accounts?

I had a great conversation with a friend of mine today, Aaron that's you. He talked about the word church. The Bible makes it very clear that we are the church, the bride of Christ. We do not go to church, but we go to a building to offer worship and praise and to learn to and from God. If we reference the building as the church, where does that leave us? Do we continue to call a building what we are to be called? Or do we change and call it what it really is a building. Do we change how and what we say, in that we are going to worship and fellowship, rather than say we are going to church?

Calling this building church is something that has been going on for quite sometime.

From bible stories to going to church, our society has been slowing undermining the value of God's Word and what God says is church. Do we continue to let society go on it's merry way because this is the way that it has been for years, or do we stand up and say enough is enough?

The Bible is much more than a story. It is and should be the foundation of our lives, it is God's Word.
The church is much more than a building. We, being the church, are representatives of the living Christ, and can and should not be confined to the four walls of a building.

Where does this change start? Does it start with you? Are you willing to be looked upon and called radical?

As Christ followers, we need to be willing.

Children

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 5:40am

We are children of the Most High God.

The Great I Am.

We are to claim our inheritance that He has provided for us.

Some of that inheritance we receive on this earth, but

A majority of that inheritance we receive in heaven.

In claiming that inheritance we have a responsibility.

A responsibility to become holy because He is Holy.

A responsibility to seek the purpose for which we were created.

A responsibility to seek His will for our life.

A responsibility to love others, because He loved us first.

We are children of the Most High God.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 8:35pm

I came a crossed this Scripture and I just can't get it out of my head.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version)

16Be joyful always;

17pray continually;

18give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

The Book of 1st Thessalonians was written by Paul to the church in Thessalonica. It is a letter of encouragement to his brothers and sisters in Christ.

We fit that category! For if Paul were alive today we would be his brothers and sisters. So his letter applies to us as well.

These three verses that I came acrossed today, just stand out to me.

It is these four words: always, continually, all, and will.

ALWAYS - in Greek it is pantote, and means just what we think it means, at all times, always, ever.

CONTINUALLY replaces "ceasing" at blueletterbible.org and has without before it - the Greek is adialeiptōs, and means without intermission, incessantly, without ceasing.

ALL replaces "in everything" at blueletterbible.org - the Greek is pas and means each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything.

WILL - the Greek is thelēma and means what one wishes or has determined shall be done,
of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ, of what God wishes to be done by us,
commands, precepts, will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure.

We are to be joyful ALWAYS! Not just when we are in a good mood, or when it's good for us, but always. Even during those inevitable hard times. Those same hard times that are helping us to become the person God created us to be. Those same hard time that are enabling us to help those around us that are less fortunate. They are testing our faith and resolve to seek the face of the One who died for us. That same faith and resolve is where we find our joy in knowing we rest in the arms of a God who sent His only Son die on the cross for us.

Pray CONTINUALLY! Not just when we are in those hard times, but during the good times also. There are no commercial breaks when speaking with the Great I Am. The trick is learning about what prayer really is. It is far more than words, but a way of life that brings glory to our Father in heaven. It even includes the broken lives that we live, for it is what our hearts seek that matters and they need to be seeking Him.

Giving thanks in ALL circumstances. Remember those trials that were mentioned earlier that you struggle with finding joy in? Yup, giving thanks for the good times, the things that bring joy, the love of a family member or a friend, even the times when you are sick, struggling financially, working through a broken relationship, grieving the death of a loved one. I know from experience most if not all those on this list. We can give thanks because we know:

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose.

According to His WILL! Reread the last four words of Romans 8:28. What do they say?

"according to His purpose" We live in a world that encourages individualism and a focus that centers on a sense of self. We are encouraged more and more to find the purpose of OUR will, and if our will does not match that of the One who created us, we are going to struggle to find the happiness we seek. Only in seeking His will and purpose for our life will we be able to be joyful always, and be able to give thanks for all circumstances, and we find all this by praying continually.

Be joyful always;
pray continually;
give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

No Chance of Life By Chance

Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 10:05am

by Bruce Malone from his book: Search for the Truth: changing the world with the evidence for creation.

shared with permission:

No Chance of Life By Chance

In the 1700’s, many scientists believed that life spontaneously generated from non-living matter (such as raw meat or sewage). In the 1800’s, using careful experimentation, Louis Pasteur proved this concept wrong and verified that life only comes from previously existing life. Ironically, many scientists have once again returned to the belief that life came from nonlife…in spite of the fact that there is no experimental evidence to show how that could have happened. The reason for the return of this unsupported belief is that science has been defined to eliminate the consideration of the only other alternative—the creation of life by an intelligent designer.

Even the simplest living cell is an incredibly complex machine. It must be capable of detecting malfunctions, repairing itself, and reproducing itself. Man has never succeeded in building a machine capable of these same functions. Yet, most scientists accept the belief that life arose from non-life despite the ever increasing amount of evidence clearly indicating that it did not and could never happen. It would be easier to believe that a chemical manufacturing facility found on Mars had built itself.

A classic experiment used to support the belief that life “built itself” was first proposed in 1953 by Stanley Miller. In this experiment, sparks were discharged into an apparatus through which common gases were circulated. These gases reacted to form various organic products which were then collected and analyzed. The experiment succeeded in producing a few of the 20 amino acids required by living cells. These results have been heralded as proof that life could have arisen by itself. However, dozens of major problems with this experiment, (clearly understood for more than 30 years), still go unanswered and are not even mentioned to students.1

For instance, our early atmosphere is assumed to have had no oxygen because this would stop amino acid formation. However, with no oxygen, there would be no ozone shield. With no ozone shield, life would be impossible. The fact that oxidized rocks throughout the geological record indicate that oxygen has always been present is ignored.

In addition, the same gases which can react to form amino acids in the presence of sunlight undergo known reactions which remove them from the atmosphere. The required gases simply could not have been around long enough for life to have developed. Further-more, a cold trap was used to keep the reaction products from being destroyed as fast as they formed. Where is this “cold trap” in nature?

The biggest problem is that the amino acids formed in this experiment are always a 50/50 mixture of stereotypes (L and D forms). Stereotypes are like a drawer full of right-hand and left-hand gloves, identical in every way except a mirror image of each other. Life uses only L stereotypes of these random amino acids. Yet, equal proportions of both types are always produced. How could the first cell have selected only L stereotypes from the random, equally reactive mixture produced in this experiment? And what about the other required types of amino acids which have never been formed in this experiment?

These are just some of the myriad problems regarding the fanciful idea that life generated itself. What this experiment really proves is that life could not possibly have developed in this manner. Yet, students are told just the opposite.

No experiment has ever shown that matter has the ability to come alive. The best explanation for life is still that life only comes from pre-existing life. As you search for the truth, perhaps you should consider the possibility that the source of all life... is God.

1. Thaxton, C.B., Bradley, W.L., Olsen,R.L., The Mystery of Life’s Origin, Chapter 4, Philosophical
Library, 1984.

The 2010 resolute

Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 2:36pm

As I'm putting away groceries, the typical thoughts of a new years resolution came round.

I hit the rewind button of the new years gone by and tried to remember what resolutions I've had in the past. I couldn't remember any. They must have been really good!! :/

Here's the challenge. Set a goal, not a resolution. A goal that is measurable and realistically attainable.

Set a goal that revolves around strengthening your relationship with Christ. If you don't have a relationship with Christ, start one. Even if you don't want to start a relationship with Christ right now, still set your goal to learn more about Christ. It is the most important relationship you can/should develop in your life time. Having said that, we are not promised tomorrow, so how long is a life time really?

If we set a goal, with a plan on how to meet that goal, and have someone that helps to hold us accountable to reach this goal, we will be more successful in accomplishing this goal.

That will be a great feeling!

There are a group of guys who have set a goal to attend 8 mens bible studies in a row. We are holding each other accountable so that we don't let excuses get in the way. It is a great feeling to work towards a common goal with a group of friends and be successful.

What does the Bible say?

Isaiah 43:16

16 This is what the LORD says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,

Isaiah 43:18-19

18 "Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

Matthew 4:4 (New International Version)

4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (which is the Bible)

Matthew 7:24

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

My prayer is that God may give you the encouragement to take that step forward in seeking His face, so that you can learn and grow in the purpose that He created you for. When His purpose and your purpose line up, joy, peace, and an excited will fill your life in a way you could never imagine.
(nope, lifes still not perfect, but is so way much better!!)