Good morning! How are we faithing? Computer woes. My tower died. It served me well for 8 years so now this old laptop is put in service!
I have been reading and pondering many things this past week or so. I watch and listen to people talk about and act upon ideas of what church is. I hear glowing reviews about this or that church, about this or that preacher and this or that program. In all of the listening I see one common denominator. The lack of a common denominator. How can one baptist church be so far from another? How can one preacher speak opposite of another? How can professed believers act like the ones who don't believe? I have come to the conclusion that society has influenced the churches. The enemy of all Christ followers has infiltrated our sanctuaries. The Word warned us he would devour and invade. The Word is what is important. Oh sure, some preachers hold our attention while others do not and what holds my attention may not hold yours therefore dissing one preacher over another is evil and completely counterproductive in the cause for Christ. The unity of the church has got to start with us. We have got to remember why we even go to church. We have got to keep in mind that our comfort or our enjoyment of the programs is secondary to truth, love and holiness and just because I don't like someone elses sin as much as mine doesn't give me the right to talk bad or gossip. I have been known to raise eyebrows by speaking how it is and not pulling punches and at the same time rub elbows with unbelievers in compassion because Jesus did and what better example is that? Jesus loved all. Jesus went out in the hedges and never failed to reach out. When we as a church pay more attention to our own repentance while speaking and living the gospel message, then we will be able to minister to the lost and lead them to Christ. Isn't that our mission or am I all wet?
Rom 15:2-3
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."
Eph 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Php 2:3-7
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
remember the lost and the poor...remember our leaders...
Heavenly Father,
Forgive our sins Lord. Help us live as you would have us. Help us not focus on the bad thing being done but on the holiness of you. Let us see the heart and not the sin in others. Help your Word come to mind in all situations. Help us reflect your perfect light. Keep us ever aware of our own shortcomings so we will not judge others. Bless this nation as we repent and seek your face, in Jesus name, amen
I have been reading and pondering many things this past week or so. I watch and listen to people talk about and act upon ideas of what church is. I hear glowing reviews about this or that church, about this or that preacher and this or that program. In all of the listening I see one common denominator. The lack of a common denominator. How can one baptist church be so far from another? How can one preacher speak opposite of another? How can professed believers act like the ones who don't believe? I have come to the conclusion that society has influenced the churches. The enemy of all Christ followers has infiltrated our sanctuaries. The Word warned us he would devour and invade. The Word is what is important. Oh sure, some preachers hold our attention while others do not and what holds my attention may not hold yours therefore dissing one preacher over another is evil and completely counterproductive in the cause for Christ. The unity of the church has got to start with us. We have got to remember why we even go to church. We have got to keep in mind that our comfort or our enjoyment of the programs is secondary to truth, love and holiness and just because I don't like someone elses sin as much as mine doesn't give me the right to talk bad or gossip. I have been known to raise eyebrows by speaking how it is and not pulling punches and at the same time rub elbows with unbelievers in compassion because Jesus did and what better example is that? Jesus loved all. Jesus went out in the hedges and never failed to reach out. When we as a church pay more attention to our own repentance while speaking and living the gospel message, then we will be able to minister to the lost and lead them to Christ. Isn't that our mission or am I all wet?
Rom 15:2-3
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."
Eph 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Php 2:3-7
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
remember the lost and the poor...remember our leaders...
Heavenly Father,
Forgive our sins Lord. Help us live as you would have us. Help us not focus on the bad thing being done but on the holiness of you. Let us see the heart and not the sin in others. Help your Word come to mind in all situations. Help us reflect your perfect light. Keep us ever aware of our own shortcomings so we will not judge others. Bless this nation as we repent and seek your face, in Jesus name, amen
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