Tag: Jesus

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Apostle That’s You!

When believers think of the word apostle they often harken back to what it says in Mark 6:30 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told them all they had done and taught. (NLT) When we look at the word apostle we often think of those men many centuries ago but I contend that all believers are apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are all taught to go spend the gospel throughout the lands. Period!

However, that is just the opposite of what Satan wants us to do. He puts all these negative thoughts about our inability to do it in the correct form or fashion. This gets me into one of my favorite ideas and serves as a reminder to all of us. As believers, we are in the seed-planting business and God is in the construction business.

So even though you may not see yourself as an apostle you really are and then it’s just a matter of how many seeds to decide to plant.

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Church Growth Your Roll

For many of the traditional mainline churches growth is some sort of dream. Well, the church I attend faces just the opposite situation: continued growth. Which is a great thing but comes with challenges.

However, it is important to understand that as the church grows and your faith life changes so does your responsibility to make the new folks feel welcomed because contrary to popular opinion pastors can’t do it all!

So we all need to remember that when we all started to attend our church there were others already there that made you feel welcomed.

However, one of the biggest obstacles we face is that we simply don’t know who these folks are and how can we help? As I have said about the church the more you put into the more you get out of it.

The question becomes how can all of us do more to make the new folks feel welcome? Because as the church continues to grow the needs will also continue to grow likewise. It’s also important for those of us who have more days behind us in our lives than in front of us that we also have a special responsibility to pass along the knowledge we have gained in our faith walks to others. I know all have used the excuse that we don’t have the time.

Here is my response to that excuse. The Lord Jesus Christ found the time to die on the cross for all of our sins and yet we can’t find the time to help further his kingdom?

I guess it all a matter of perspective.

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Devastating News Can Happen At Anytime

As we go through our lives we have something nagging at us that we know we should do but never seem to have “time” for and then when we do find the “time” there is devasting news. That happened to me yesterday and this is not being shared for anyone to feel sorry for me. Because there is no need for that stuff. The woman has a terminal illness and they don’t give her much time. She was the love of my late father’s life, and I am grateful beyond words. Sure when I was told about it I “beat” myself over it as to why I hadn’t reached out sooner. Then again I was letting my personal emotional feelings stand in the way of what I know is true.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV)

In verses 2-8, King Solomon presents multiple pairs of juxtaposing seasons. For instance:

“a time to weep and a time to laugh,
 a time to mourn and a time to dance,”
(Ecclesiastes 3:4, NIV)

We will ever speak again? I have no idea. Will she spend eternity with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for that one I have no doubt.

So if you find yourself in a similar situation reach out because that very well may be God working in both of your lives which I know this to be true.

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Thief In The Night Are You Ready?

Many believers through the years have heard the quoted scripture from 1 Thessalonians 5 : 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. Sounds simple and somewhat tripe but it’s not because that is not all of what 1 Thessalonians has to say.

However, when we go back to 1 Thessalonians 4 we find further guidance in verses 4-11.

Live to Please God

4 Finally, dear brothers and sisters,[a] we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. 2 For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body[b] and live in holiness and honor— 5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. 6 Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife,[c] for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. 7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. 8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

9 But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other,[d] for God himself has taught you to love one another. 10 Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers[e] throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more.

11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 12 Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.

So he will come back like a thief in the night the question is are you following the words of chapter 4 or not?