Faithful

So much of the world is without a relationship with God. So many people don't know about God and how good he is.

This is where the church comes in; not the church building but the people.

 Yes the church building and services are great, but people with little or no church experience need interactions with Christ. If we have the Holy Spirit then we are the church and we are the body of Christ.

I believe that church gatherings are very necessary. 

  Hebrews 10:24-25 says   24 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

   In no way am I saying "church" isn't necessary. Church confined to a building isn't necessary. It's necessary to bring the church to the world.  

Having a church congregation is invaluable... If one has a connection to it. What about the majority of the world, who we are supposed to seek and save? The people without any knowledge of God's love for them. They may not know anything about attending a church, nothing more than you or I have told them. So we invite them to a church service and the things that comes to their mind may be something like, I don't understand the he bible, I've heard those church people do weird things, what if they ask for my money??

All of these are surface preconceived ideas. Out of all the lost people, many of them have church experience and bad memories linked to those experiences.  

If we know that we're the church, or the body of Christ in other words, then why do we focus on just getting people to church? I think it's because it's a safe place for us, and if the person we are witnessing to comes to church, then we don't run the risk of saying something that will offend them. When all along while we are wondering why someone won't come to church with us, they are wondering why we who say we are the church won't share the truth that we believe with them ourselves.

As the church, if we didn't have scheduled services to attend weekly, and church was just living life and sharing the gospel with people, would we still be considered "faithful" christians? Or is the only thing we are faithful to a schedule?

The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch

  Acts 11:26"... And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."

Like I said, assembly with the church is good and important, but the disciples didn't stay at Antioch forever. Church and being the church for the disciples meant going and sending brethren as help and relief to other parts of the body.  

  Acts 11:19 "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

  Acts 11:29 "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:"

 Based on the example of the church in the book of Acts, even when the church is persecuted and scattered they keep the same focus and stay connected to one another by the Spirit.

If you keep reading chapter 11 from verse 19 you find that as the word spread about parts of the church being scattered, other parts of the church sent men. (vs.22)

In the chapter before Peter was sent by God and bade by men to go to Cornelius' house in Caesarea. The idea of moving around from city to city wasn't the disciples idea, but it was by the inspiration and direction of God.

In Acts 1 after Christ is risen and about to ascend into heaven, He commands the disciples to not leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father. (Verse 4)

Then in verse 8 of Acts 1 he says, "ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

They didn't know what all that would entail at the time, but they received the Holy Ghost and power and started working in it.

The first step is to wait and receive, then second we go and give. 

It's important that we stay in tune to God's voice, otherwise we will try acting in the power of God before we, like the apostles, wait. 

It comes back to faithfulness. We must be faithful in Christ everyday.

We walk by faith not by sight.

Traveling to the uttermost parts of the world for God looks glamorous, and can be. But without first having faith and waiting we will start leading ourself by sight.

Many of the places God wants to take us won't be glamorous at all, but if we're still walking in faith then the reward will be more than we can imagine.

Luke19:17 “And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.”

Music. Why Were We Made?

Music, I only begin to grasp the seemingly endless depth of it.  In doing so, I can't help but think of God, whose depths truly are unsearchable.

All that there is and all that I am, He created.  We create songs, works of music, and works of art.  All of these undoubtedly point to the Creator, but many never give Him credit.

I don't know how it's possible for one to see the beauty in the earth and not know that there is a god

who made it all.

(Paradise, Mt. Rainier) 

 Or to see the beauty of outer space, knowing that there are billions of stars and that our light sourse is one of the smallest of them, knowing the orbital process of the planets and how perfect it is, knowing that there are galaxies beyond our galaxy, and yet not believe there is a god...

As I mentioned at the start, through study I'm grassping the theory of music.  While studying it and getting some understanding, I had the thoughts I'm sharing now. 

Music to me is such a complex subject.  I could fill pages with my thoughts on music.  I don't believe it was something man created, but something we discovered.  Like so many things that we gain understanding in, we take it and use it for an unintended purpose.

Let me explain.  We were created to worship God.  Music was created to worship with, yet what it is used to worship is usually not God.  I question those who use music to "make Him famous", and while doing so seek fame for themselves.  It is a very fine line to walk.  I don't know how someone can worship God, while they're being worshipped.

The fine line quickly becomes blurred, and worship services become more and more like concerts.

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worsip the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

True worship is in spirit and in truth.  When the truth is perverted, and worship becomes a show, people won't even realize it.  Worship can still be in spirit.  So the "good feeling" will still be there, but with the truth lacking it will be the wrong spirit of worship.  Is it any wonder someone in music like Katy Perry can be raised in a home that taught the truth, have parents who still beleive the truth, yet say she sold her soul to the devil?  There isn't anything subtle about that, but it's the road to that point that is full of subtleties.  

Does this mean if you play, or like music you're doomed?

No, of course not.  But the question we have to ask ourself is: what am I worshiping?  It's bound to be something.

Music isn't the only way to worship.  Giving of ourselves in reverence to something, or someone, is worship.

I love sports, they're great.  I've always played them.  In doing so, I have found people who play sports professionally to look up to.  I can spend a lot of time looking up to these people.  The more time I give, the more I'll model my play and myself after them.  The more I do this, the more I'll want to know about them.  I will follow them on all social media, and before I know it they've become an idol.

This is just one example of how something becomes an idol; idols are something we worship. 

Exodus 34:14 "For thou shalt worship no other god: for The Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."

Let these thoughts come back to you next time you see the trees, mountains, and stars, and when you hear music.

Remember there is a real god who made it all, the One True God, and He desires your worship.

Let's worship Him together forever!

True Joy (Robin Williams)

"A comic genius!", many called him.  Without belaboring, it's Robin Williams they reference.  His face filled the magazine covers this past weekend with news of him ending his life.  Suicide is something that has affected most in one way or another, and I even referenced it recently in this post.  But when someone world-widely-known of celebrity status commits suicide, and you can't go through a checkout at the store without noticing it, then reality sets in.

To me, the tragedy of Robin Williams is that he devoted his life to a hopeless cause... Sure, he made people laugh, even me, but in all his efforts he wasn't able to do for anyone, not even himself, what he intended. 

I couldn't help picking up one of the magazines and flipping to the story about him.  To no surprise, as I was looking for it,  the writer said of Robin Williams that "He brought joy to many".

This being the deception of many, that sharing a humorous line and causing people to laugh brings them joy.

Hollywood, as a whole, is a tragedy to me; because really it's all a deception.  People seek a role that will gain them stardom, riches, and joy.  What they soon find is that what they've gained isn't true joy at all.  The seeking never ends.

We hear of young celebrities dealing with drugs, wondering why their life has turned into what it now is.  Searching, looking, but very sadly, not finding.  We see middle aged celebrities becoming discontent with yet another spouse.  They go through another rehab, another program, try this other thing, realizing they can't buy into or marry into joyfulness.

Proverbs 17:22  "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." (NKJV)

22  "A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one's strength"  (God's Word translation)

This verse is commonly heard, "Laughter does good, like medicine".  That is actually an improper translation.  I can't find any bible translation, or any definition of the Hebrew word that says "laughter".  It's always merry, joyful, or glad.  

Laughter alone doesn't bring joy.  It can bring temporary pleasure as many of the things of the world can do.

Back to Hollywood and the entertainment industry.  They're aware of the affect of so many little things they do, that we, for the most part, have no clue about.   What they care most about is making more money.  They have no problem using deceitful tactics to do so.  Here's an example :  Have you ever watched or listened to a program that had laugh tracks?  You know, where people are supposedly watching the show be filmed and laughing at every joke, funny or not?  It's all fake, taped laughter played at pre-planned times.  I realized after I learned this tactic that most of the jokes aren't funny at all.

 The laugh tracks trigger something psychologically in our brain that thinks, "because others are laughing whatever was said must have been funny."  Once you understand this then programs you once thought were funny won't be as much anymore.  But that's a good thing, hopefully it will be one less time thief. 

See how easy it is to be deceived and manipulated?  There are weekly programs that people tune into thinking that because they laugh they have, or will gain joy.

It seems, Robin Williams had no joy and lived in depression the last years of his life.  As Proverbs 17:22 said, " "A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains ones strength." (GW translation).  Man made medicine can serve a needful purpose, but without true joy we will remain weak.  

 True joy is found only in Jesus.  It brings me much sorrow, while having this seemingly obvious solution to joy, that so much of the world lives in darkness.  Their eyes are blinded to the simple truth that God is joy.

1 John 1:4 "And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 

 5  This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  6  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth. 

 7  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one anoher, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

   Full joy is that simple!  Fellowship the light.  When we do that the darkness will be eliminated.  

It's my prayer that all would take hold of this and seek The Light, because it is a very dark world and in darkness we fall. 

But we can live in joy in this life!  I'm going to spend my life doing so, and by God's grace being a light to others.       

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Prayer VS. Hell

No prayer isn't easy, it isn't fun,

but hell isn't either.

 

I don't like the feel of my sweaty and clamy palms against my face, or the burn that

the tears weapt cause around my eyes.  

But not a drop of water will be

found in hell, nor will the burning and weaping ever cease.

 My elbows become dry and sore and my knees ache,

but no dryer place is there than hell;  there is no relief.

If hell was the only reason we had to pray it should be enough.

But the reasons are endless, as are the blessings if the reasons are right, 

 as is the agony of hell.    

Proverbs 8:17  "I love them that love me;  and those that seek me early shall find me.

A few powerful, no doubt Holy Ghost inspired, books on the subject of prayer:

E.M. Bounds on Prayer

E.M. Bounds Power Through Prayer

Prayer and Spiritual Warfare. E.M. Bounds

The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds

Finding Everlasting Value.

• Value in things 
       In America the society is very much one of want.  Sadly because of excess and never having enough the value of things has been greatly reduced.  What is a drink of fresh water to us when we can get it anywhere?  Having multiple pair of shoes is enough to make us rich in the sight of many yet we think nothing of it.
Because of our spoiledness and loss of value in the things we can come by so easily, our value for life has also been diminished.  Value for our own life and the life of others.  In 2011 there were 39,518 suicides in the US, meaning someone died by suicide every 13.3 minutes.
What causes one to have no value for their life or the lives of all that will be affected by their death? It is that they lack something of lasting value.


 Prov 10:

2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.   KJV
 Rightousness is what we need, but we can't obtain on our own.  It comes from relationship with God, which is the only thing we can leave earth with.  It has everlasting value.

Ever wonder why even when people are successful and have more than enough they still aren't happy?  Holding value in temporary things will never bring happiness to the soul.



    Luke 16:14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 
      15 He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God's sight.   NIV


Holding onto and getting more tempory things of value will only increase our need for something that has lasting value
   Seek Him!
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

(Be sure to read the whole chapter to see the things that will be added unto you.)
    
• Value in others 
How often do we selfishly value ourselves above others?  Or based on outward appearance decide the value of someone.
I think Jesus very thoroughly gave example with His words and actions of what He thought about this.


Phil 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 
4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!



Wow!  God robed in flesh made himself of no reputation, and took on the nature of a servant... He was so humble and valued His creation so much, how much more should we be humble and value what He created that, unlike Him, we truly are equal with?  Much more.  And we should value others above ourselves. 




• Self Value


   Though we should value others above ourselves doesn't mean we should put ourselves down.  God's value for us is more than we can ever understand.


Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

        


Matthew 10:29   Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.


When it's hard to see the value in yourself, then remember these passages from Luke and Matthew.  Search the scripture and see the inumerable examples of God's value in us.


YOU ARE VALUABLE!  And God wants a relationsip with you.  Nothing can fill the void but a relationship with Him.












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Why Circumstances Shouldn't Matter

 With the difficulty of life and the constant running of my mind the quote, "Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but the instruments of the wise", has come back into my thought process.

Everyone, I'm sure, has their weak and wise moments, and I'm sure everyone's circumstances have ruled them to an extent.  They can rule our thoughts, our emotions, and our life; if we allow them to.  

Circumstances seem to never make sense.  Especially when not in our favor such as: mental, physical, emotional pain, financial difficulty, and many more.  God doesn't cause pain and hurt, but he allows it.  It's part of His design.  We have to go through the pain to reach the power of His resurrection.

Because God gives people free will things happen that He wouldn't choose to, but He will use those things to draw us to Him.  

A great example in scripture of this is the story of Job.  Satan met with God in Job 1, and God brought Job into the conversation by asking satan if he had concidered Job.  God then gave satan authority to brinng circumstances on Job and removed His hedge from Job, not leaving him but knowing he had a hedge of his own.  The circumstances that satan brought were the most difficult things I can imagine going through.  All of his children and wealth were taken in an instant.

Satan of course did these things with hopes of Job cursing God and turning from Him.  But Job trusted God through the circumstances.  What I find probably most amazing about this story, is that Job never gave satan credit for all that happened, and he never blammed God he just believed that his life was in His hands.

Without a doubt, God had a plan for Job's life, afterall; He told satan about Job.  This gives me such hope!  God has everything orchestrated and designed so brilliantly, that He can use our enemy to help fulfil His will.  I forget sometimes that God has all power, so if it seems like satan has power over me I have to remember it's because God has given it to him.  And I just have to trust God and learn whatever lesson He's trying to teach.

Even as I write I'm gaining hope and trust in God and His plan for my life.  The scripture comes to mind, "If God  [be] for us, who [can be] against us?" Romans 8:31

That's always been a scripture I quote to help bring reassurance in difficult circumstances, but I don't know if I've know it to be true.  But if God uses satan to bring things on us that will better us and fulfill His will, then really! no-one can be against us!!

"Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but the instruments of the wise".  I'm weak but I don't have to let my circumstannces rule, because I know in my weakness He is made strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9 

Whether weak, strong, wise, or ignorant, good or bad circumstances, if we trust God and let Him work, then our circumstances will be instruments that play in perfect harmony.  Only something God can do.  

(P.S. Yes, he can take care of all our circumstances. The physical, mental, emotional, and even financial.)

Coffee Shop lessons. #1

It was a beautiful spring day that I learned this lesson.  I went into my favorite local coffee shop and ordered a four dollar, exactly,  latte.  The four dollar beverages are a rare splurge.  Usually I only enjoy them when they are on-the-house, which isnt often enough..

Anyway, I had beenwalking around downtown, photographing some of the towns icons; the coffee shop being one of them, because it resides in what used to be the train depot.  It's as cool of a place as it sounds.

I was glad to use my current commissioned project as an excuse to get out, explore down town, and have a latte.  My project is a drawing of the city and the things its known for. 

As I began viewing the images I had captured, I quickly wanted to recapture them onto my paper and begin sorting my thoughts.

Unfortunately, I realized I had left my roll of pens and pencils at home due to my eagerness to get out and explore. 

Determined to fully fulfill my purpose for coming out, and not wanting to waste time on just drinking my frothy beverage, I got up and asked one of the baristas to borrow a pencil.  Now I know for most this is a very simple, no-big-deal act, and it was for me on this occasion, but if you know me much you know I'm a thinker.  I tend to overthink things, which many times leads to not taking action. 

When I confirmed that I really had left all drawing utensils my mind began to race.  "What artist carries a backpack but doesnt have a pencil?", I thought, and even though I saw pencils right there I wondered, "What if for some reason they say no?".  Two foolish questions; the answer to the first being: who cares, and the second being:  then they say no and I'm where I started.  After the few seconds it took to process all that, I was granted my wish to loan a pencil. Work began and went on like normal.

I know that's a very small and goofy situation, but if you're anything like me then you know the awkwardness we can create for ourselves at times.  I can come up with a multitude of excuses why not to talk to someone, when in less time I could have talked to them.  Maybe the outward appearance of a person intimidates and deters.

To be transparent,  talking to an attractive girl causes nervousness in me sometimes.

I wish I knew the reason for why we are the way we are socially.  A small amount of study on the subject of psychology has given me bits of understanding; but no psychologist can ever fully understand the mind and all of its functions.

It's my desire to share the gospel of Christ with anyone and everyone.  But I've come to realize on my own I'll fail at doing that with anyone and almost everyone.  Do I use my weaknesses as an excuse?  Yes!  Often, due to my humanity.

But I've learned that in my weakness He is made strong (1 Cor 1:27).  The ability to go outside my comfort zone and engage people one-on-one, speak in small groups, and big church groups, is evidence enough for me to know that there is a God, but also it's evidence that he wants to use me.  As He desires to do with everyone in a unique way.

So whether it comfortable, it's in a coffee shop, a grocery store, or a church building I'm gonna let God use me and I'm gonna speak.

I'm an introvert, so it takes work.  Never did I think I would be able to speak in front of a crowds, but I've been able to speak in my church and multiple foreign countries in time past.  I know the courage and inspiration to do so came from God.  Like I said above, God uses us in our weakness.

Be encouraged and know that it doesn't take a super outgoing personality to do things for God.  It just takes a willing heart, faith, and trust that no matter how crazy the task seems God can use you to do it!