Short and Sweet

“And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:4-6)

Christians governed by the Holy Spirit do not minister to all people all the time, but rather minister to specific people at specific times, every time.

“Give to the one who asks you” (Matthew 5:42)

A Divine Loophole!

The lame man told Peter what he wanted, but the Holy Spirit, through Peter, gave him what he needed.

Off on a technicality?

Not at all – we’re off on another mission!

*Please leave your comment(s) below

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Jesus the Garbage Picker

 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.  Proverbs 25:2

People throw out the best stuff. 

Vacation Bible School (VBS) season is upon us and for me that can only mean one thing: time to do some serious garbage picking. Last year’s VBS theme was focused in and around Babylon, so my wife and I set out to recover ever-so-slightly used items that might represent that Chaldean dynasty look the church was going for. We recovered many lovely Persian-esque rugs, pillows, lamps, and vases to decorate the classrooms and craft tents.

This years theme is similar. It’s called Kingdom Rock, and although not Babylonian, were going to need much of the same type of items. At this point you might be wondering,

Why didn’t you just save the stuff you collected last year?”

There are a few reasons. First, where’s the fun in that? Do you know how much fun dumpster diving is? Second, at the end of the day most of the stuff is still junk and not worthy of holding onto (you get the picture). But then there is a third reason . Every once-and-awhile you find something like this…

Can you believe someone actually threw this out? Solid, vintage oak, without a scratch worthy of mentioning! They discarded the hurricane lamp too! And it was buried in someone’s trash. Sadly, (wink, wink) this treasure isn’t going to make it to VBS.

I have found and redeemed it and it is mine!

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46

This all kind of reminds me of how Jesus often operates. It is my testimony that the Messiah found me at the curb amongst the rubbish, brought me home, cleaned me up, and redeemed me — all at a great cost. Jesus took the time to seek me out and restore me to what He had always intended me to be and today, I am back with my rightful owner! He didn’t have to go garbage picking, He wanted to go. Our Lord takes great pleasure and delight in these finds. Fact is, the angels rejoice and celebrate with Him in Heaven when He brings home one of His treasures.

…When (Jesus) had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” John 9:35-39

The truth be told, I pulled a few other treasures from this curbside heap. I felt for sure that these people didn’t know what they were doing, so I knocked on the door and spoke with the lady of the house. I even offered to give her some money. This woman was so gracious, she simply told me that she was aware of its value, but she was quickly moving and it all had to go. She would not take my money, but assured me that she was grateful the items were going to a good home. Her grace reminded me of our Savior who taught us that we cannot repay Him [either] for the things He provided; priceless things that we do not merit.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 

If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, it is not a coincidence that you have read this far — Jesus has found you and led you here by His Holy Spirit. As kooky as it all may seem, it is true. The choice that you now have is to follow the One who found you. My recommendation would be to stop reading and pray right now, asking Jesus into your heart. Jesus went to the cross for all our sins and He is the only way to Heaven. Believe it (no one said you have to fully understand it) and pray right now.

If you prayed, let me know by leaving a comment. I’d like to connect with you.

Here’s a way to find a church near you: HERE

These articles may or may not be related:

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• Joseph of Arimathea: Sometimes doing what’s right means risking it all – Take courage (prepareforthelamb.wordpress.com)
• In My Name?? (christiaansite.wordpress.com)
• #let’s Pray# (markohenry.wordpress.com)
• Another Look at Communion (christophercrandolph.wordpress.com)
• Praying For Grace To Give Our Best Treasures To God´s Glory. (greatriversofhope.wordpress.com)
• New Series: Missionary Stories (theindifferentstylist.wordpress.com)
• How much is it worth to me? (mww1954.wordpress.com)

If you enjoyed the blog please LIKE it, share it, subscribe to it, or leave a comment. I am blessed that you took the time to read it and I hope God bless you as well.

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Taking it to the Mall

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

This past weekend I was really encouraged by three Bible-based teachings: two from Mark Cahill and one from Pastor Joey Rozek. As a result, I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to ‘step it up a notch’ in regard to my evangelism efforts. The Lord used Mark Cahill to emphasize the importance of faith-filled discussions, as opposed to faith-filled presentations, while the thing that stood out from Pastor Joey’s message was his definition of the word ‘responsibility.’ He described it as, “Our ‘response’ to His ‘ability.’ ” I found that to be very profound, and also Biblically accurate.

So prior to today, much of what I’ve done in this regard revolved around playing the guitar and singing ‘Jesus music‘ on the street and/or handing out Bible tracts, but without too much dialog. I will continue to do that, but today, compelled by the love of Christ and the guiding of the Holy Spirit, I set out for the mall. Just prior to setting out, I asked my Facebook friends to pray for some Divine appointments.

Well, they must have prayed, because I met some wonderful people and had some great conversations. I met one young guy named Rich who was filling out an application in front of the pretzel place. After talking for about 15 minutes, he received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Praise be to God!

Another guy I met named John expressed a desire to recommit his life to Jesus. He was working one of those cell phone kiosks in the middle of the mall, but our conversation was interrupted (he was working after all), so I wasn’t able to pray with him.  I did encourage him to return to church and follow through with the things we were discussing.

I also had ‘pleasant’ conversations with a Muslim and a Jehovah Witness who each took a Bible tract and agreed to ‘investigate’ some of the issues we covered. Additionally, I met some Christ followers and had some nice fellowship time. All in all, about 6 or 7 people agreed to stop and talk with me. I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that there was also about the same number who did not want to chat. I found walking up to people and initiating a conversation rather easy, but simply saying, “Okay,” and walking away when they didn’t want to talk to be the difficult part. It was there I had to fight the urge to start a debate.

Anyway, I hope this didn’t come off sounding prideful, as in, “Hey, look what I did today,” but encouraging.  The testimonies I heard this past weekend encouraged me and I wanted to encourage you. Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and that’s exactly how I found it to be — light and easy! Most importantly, I’m here to tell you that my fears of being arrested at the mall for handing out Bible tracts and witnessing o strangers, never came to fruition.

Again, praise be to God!

These articles may or may not be related:

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If you enjoyed the blog please like it, share it, subscribe to it, or leave a comment.

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This is God’s Will

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

Making Godly Decisions

Arguably the number one question Christians ask has to do with God’s will. Personally, I believe discerning God’s will is an easy thing; especially as it pertains to understanding our role in His plan for the present moment. Let us consider a few passages on the topic of God’s will, keeping in mind that these are just a sampling.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:11-18

That verse concludes that all the recorded activities, although not an exhaustive list, are the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. So if you woke up this morning saying, “Gee, I don’t know what God wants me to do,” start with these:

1. Comfort and/or encourage someone (this is God’s will)
2. Recognize & esteem your pastor and elders (this is God’s will)
3. Keep the peace (this is God’s will)
4. Patiently educate and/or care for the needy (this is God’s will)
5. Fight evil by pursing goodness (this is God’s will)
6. Rejoice (this is God’s will)
7. Pray (this is God’s will)
8. Give thanks (this is God’s will)

Have you done any of these things today? If you haven’t, you should know that you are not submitted to God’s will. Have you even prayed? Pastor Chuck Smith has said repeatedly, “We can do more after we pray, but we can’t do more until we pray.” That my friend is pure, God-inspired wisdom.

Here’s another one:

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men 1 Peter 2:13-15

The Father has placed each of us under various authorities; from the President of the United States to the cops in our local police departments, from our parents to our teachers, from our bosses to the mall security guards. It’s a huge list and it’s God’s will that we’re obedient to their lawful rule, providing it doesn’t contract His authority.

I believe that when we are disobedient, we effectively move ourselves from beneath the spout where God’s blessings pour out — God doesn’t stop the flow, but we move away when we sidestep His will. And I can argue that sidestepping is the equivalent to back-sliding.

One more:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

What’s God’s will for you today?

Be a nonconformist!

Walk away from what the world and satan wants you to become and allow the Lord to give you a Holy make-over. If you have been waiting for God to reveal His specific plan (will) for you, but sense you’re not receiving any divine direction, there is a chance you haven’t been walking in His will with any consistency. Today is the day that can change.

Future Decisions

What about God’s will in regard to the choices we  make: should we go there, should we buy this, should we marry that guy; how are we to know? Well, assuming we have been faithful with these other things, there are essentially four (4) criteria that we should consider before making every decision.

Number one:

What Does God Say?

The probability exists that your issue has been addressed within the scriptures. In other words, there is a Biblical foundation that you can base a decision on. You may not find an exact match, but if you were wrestling with the idea of getting a tattoo or piercing (for example), you would likely happen upon a complementary directive in God’s word regarding stewardship and/or honoring the temple that is your body. That’s step one.

Next…

WWPD

What would your pastor (or an elder, deacon, etc.) do?

I confess the hardest thing for me to do is ask my pastor his opinion on matters. Why? Because I know he will give me his opinion. Be that as it may, God has placed these people in our lives and they are valuable resources who have the capacity to look at things from an unbiased and Biblical position.

If we look long and hard enough, we can find someone who will agree with us. This is not God’s will — He would rather we ask our pastor or elder who is not afraid of telling us the truth or losing us as a friend.

A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:5-7

History

What has your experience shown you; how does your track record look? If you are in the habit of following the previous steps, you probably have a history of making good choices. A person who prays and patiently waits, searches God’s word, and seeks Godly counsel, typically makes good choices. Is that your testimony? Is it your routine to allow your Creator to search the depths of your heart?

The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9

Who Has Led You to This Point?

How did you get here? When you boil it all down, there is really only two ways you have come to the fork in the road we call choice: you either traveled there on the flesh-express, or the Holy Spirit has brought you to this place. How can you be sure which it is? The answer lies in going back to what you know to be true regarding God’s will and complying with it. Remember, God’s will brings you closer, while satan’s will widens the gap.

‎”However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come…Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” John 16:13, Galatians 5:16

1. What do these passages say about God?
2. What do they say about you?
3. What’s our recourse?

These articles may or may not relate to this blog (I haven’t read them all):

• Courage to Question (myheartsmission.com)
• You Are Special! (aviesplace.wordpress.com)
• Words can nullify God’s work and/or attributes! (keyword-power.com)
• When to make your move (sherrylcook.wordpress.com)
• Choices (attilaovari.com)
• Seek Spiritual Discernment (pttyann2.wordpress.com)

If you enjoyed the blog please share it, like it, comment on it below, or subscribe to it.

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A Witness to the Trinity

But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children…For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God…we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children… 1 Thessalonians 2:7, 9, 11

Family

Teaching by example, the Apostle Paul shares how the Thessalonians could effectively witness to a non-believer by reminding them of how God used him to nurture their faith. Paul shares with us as well. As we read today’s Bible passage, three familiar roles leap from the text: motherhood, brotherhood, and fatherhood. What might not be as apparent is the allusion that connects them symbolically to the Holy Trinity.  Paul is expressing that as the Christian effectively displays motherly, brotherly, and fatherly characteristics, he or she is simultaneously exhibiting attributes of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Nursing Mother

Paul’s illustration of a nurturing mom with her child and the guidance, protection, and comfort that she brings, is a picture of the Holy Spirit who works in our hearts to reprove us and lead us to repentance and salvation. He lovingly reveals our condition and guides us to our only hope in Christ Jesus. He comforts us, He teaches us, and He brings us to a place of remembrance. The Holy Spirit is our seal, our very assurance of eternity and our persistent intercessor who prays for us. As we express this mother’s love, we emulate the Holy Spirit.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

The Working Brother

A working brother is one we can relate to and have respect for. He is consistent, faithful, and reliable. Jesus our Brother finished the work on the cross, but yet He always lives to make intercession for us — Jesus loves us so much, He just won’t stop! When in gratitude it is our labor of love to do the will of the One who was sent, we mirror the best qualities of this working brother, a picture of Jesus Christ.

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work…He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. John 9:4 + 1 John 2:6

The Challenging Father

A loving father desires for his child the very best and the very best requires nurturing, guidance, and correction—all flavored with love, grace, and mercy. Training up a child (or a new disciple) in the way he should go is a full time vocation and it is the father’s duty to ensure the effort is put forth and to supply the materials to get the job done. The person who exemplifies this kind of daddliness, desiring to do the best he or she is equipped to do, is a reflection of our Father in Heaven.

Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, And teach out of Your law My son…do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. Psalm 94:12 + Proverbs 3:11-12

The First Thessalonian passage demonstrates the balance required to be an effective tool in God’s hand. We cannot be overly focused on admonishment to the point we forget to comfort.  We should not be so caught up in teaching  that we ignore the message of the instruction. Nor can we wink at sin or intervene when the trials come lest we jeopardize the refining process, while remembering always that the work and the power belong to God and we are but His conveyance.

…For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 

1. What did these verses tell you about God?
2. What did they reveal about you?
3. How would God have you change?
4. What is your prayer?

~ ~ ~

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Legalizing Love

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,

and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1

It’s the law!

Imagine if it were the law, that when you met a young man or woman and became ‘serious’ you must write love letters, you must hold hands, or you must buy flowers. It certainly is an inane concept isn’t it? It’s silly because when you fall in love with a person these types of things come naturally — they do not need to be legislated.

Love Does More

This is essentially Paul’s message to the church.

We are free of mandatory rites and rituals of religion; we are free because love does more than legalism. Legalism (just so we’re on the same page) is that doctrine that says, “Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ ~and~ something else.”

There is no something else.

It’s just faith in Jesus Christ. If anyone adds the word ‘and’ after the sentence, “Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ, ” run away. Jesus proclaimed that He finished the work on the cross.

It stands to reason that if legalism can drain the passion out of an earthly relationship, it will consume a spiritual one as well. All we need do is examine the church to see all the depleted souls who have given up on Christ because of man’s imposition of religious duty. This ought not to be.

Faith in Christ Jesus on its own will result in free display of passion; enthusiasm, zeal, and love. They cannot be legislated.

If that statement is true, why then do we see flocks of faithful people, those who had routinely declared, “It’s not a religion; it’s a relationship,” walking away from the church?  It’s no wonder why legalists felt it necessary to impose rules and regulations as an aide to salvation.  In that slim, sliver of light, legalism is an admirable, albeit misguided, gesture.

What’s the Answer?

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:19-20

Focus.

The reality is that many seemingly faithful people leave the church because they have not been properly discipled. In far too many instances they don’t even know what the word faith means!  Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines the word in this manner:

Evangelical, justifying, or saving faith, is the assent (obedience) of the mind to the truth of divine revelation, on the authority of God‘s testimony, accompanied with a cordial (sincere) assent of the will or approbation of the heart; an entire confidence or trust in God’s character and declarations, and in the character and doctrines of Christ, with an unreserved surrender of the will to his guidance, and dependence on his merits for salvation. In other words, that firm belief of God’s testimony, and of the truth of the gospel, which influences the will, and leads to an entire reliance on Christ for salvation.”

Chances are if a person struggles with a definition that implies belief, submission, and obedience to God, they probably won’t stay in church very long. Then there are others who remain, but choose to redefine the Christian vocabulary to meet their own desires.  As a result we have always had false teachers who impose their liberal and concocted interpretations on the unschooled, which is all the more reason why Christians must be discipled in the Word, the Way, and the truth of God.

The properly discipled believer will gratefully subject himself to the authority of Jesus Christ — simply put: rules and regulations are not necessary.

Bashing Religion

Never!

Although I used the words religion and religious in a negative context, I am not bashing those institutions. I savor the components of religion (prayer, worship, communion, baptism, marriage, etc), for these are the things I get to do. I do not consider them the things I must do.

Nor do I worship the components — I worship Jesus!

For me, religion is the word that defines the elements of my faith that can bring me into a closer relationship with the Lord. In that context, being religious is not the horrible thing that some believers have made it out to be.

I willingly confess, “I am religious!”

I pray religiously, I study the word religiously, I go to church religiously, I partake of Communion religiously, but I only worship, honor, serve, and obey my Lord and Savior.

And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Romans 5:11

How about you?

1. Are you a victim of legalism and/or religion?
2. Are you faithful in the truest sense of the word?
3. Are you allowing yourself to be discipled in God’s word?

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Fueling Your Emotion

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20

An After Dinner discussion…

These children would be better off if we just let them die and then they would go right to heaven.”

The children being referred to were those who live in extreme poverty around the world. Expounding upon his thought the talker continued, “Same with abortion…aren’t these babies going to Heaven? Why should we interfere with that?”

I listened.

Stunned by the remark my eyes rolled back and closed. Simultaneously my head flopped back into the sofa. Then, in less than a second’s time, anger-provoked adrenalin surged up my spine. My neck stiffened, my eyes opened, and my tongue slipped out to moistening my lips, a signal to my brain that my mouth was clear for takeoff.

The Voice of Reason

Does God talk to you?

He talks to me.

I can’t explain it adequately, but He does. His voice doesn’t seem to be audible, but to say, “God speaks softly to my heart,” isn’t an accurate statement either. All I know is that He does speak and that He spoke to me on this occasion.

What did He tell me?

“Don’t say it.”

It was enough.

I knew what He meant. I didn’t argue with God. I exhaled silently so as not to sigh, I relaxed my neck, and sealed my lips.

Be angry, and do not sin. Ephesians 4:26

It was another reminder for me that emotions are God-given, and when used properly they serve to facilitate interaction with God through His Holy Spirit. In other words, ‘emotion always leads to choice, choice can lead to Jesus, and in Jesus we will have a solution.’ There is an alternative to anger and it is not merely to be un-angry, but to recognize the opportunity it brings to be submissive and obedient to the Holy Spirit.

And Not Only Anger

How many emotions are there?  No one can say with certainty. A short list of emotions just starting with the letter A might include these:

• Able
• Adequate
• Adoration
• Affection
• Aggravation
• Aggressiveness
• Agitation
• Agony
• Alarm
• Alienation
• Amazement
• Amusement
• Anger
• Anguish
• Annoyance
• Anticipation
• Anxiety
• Anxious
• Apathy
• Apprehensive
• Arousal
• Astonishment
• Awe

When we perceive that emotions can be experienced concurrently, we begin to appreciate how the number of emotional combinations is incomprehensible. If you have you ever angrily or anxiously or amusingly anticipated something, you understand this. Well, know also that while our emotions are characteristically unique, they are common in their singular Divine purse: to bring us to Jesus.

And God never demands that we choose Jesus, but rather consistently affirms that He is the wisest choice.

Choices  

No one acts on an emotion until they have chosen to act on it.  Sometimes our reactions are so quick we suppose the action and the emotion are one and the same, but they’re not. Emotions are not actions until they have been fueled. Having said that, some of us do fuel our emotions before we experience them. This of course is foolishness.  It’s like lighting the fuse before you’ve constructed the firecracker.

So, it begs the question, “What are you using to fuel your emotions, or more accurately, ‘Who’ are you using to fuel your emotions?”

God asks us too,

Are you angry? Are you amused? Are you able? Wonderful! Here is the choice that will bring Me honor, glory, and praise.”

All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. Colossians 1:16b-18

Consider the Colossians passage.

• Does the phrase ‘all things’ include our emotions?
• Does Jesus have preeminence over our emotions?
• Who or what fuels your emotions?
• How’s that working out for you?

~ ~ ~

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Your Bad Day

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

A quote from ‘Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,’ Mary J Blige:

My God is a God who wants me to have things. He wants me to bling. He wants me to be the hottest thing on the block. I don t know what kind of God the rest of y all are serving, but the God I serve says, ‘Mary, you need to be the hottest thing this year, and I m gonna make sure you’re doing that’.”

I’d be curious to hear how Mary Jane justifies her philosophy against the truth found in Ephesians 5:5:

You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world. (NLT)

Tribulation on the other hand is a promise from God. Christians don’t have to go looking for it, it just shows up on our door step.   It shows up, that is, if we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing — glorifying Jesus Christ in all we do.  And if there’s no tribulation in your life, there’s a good chance nobody knows that you’re a Christian.

An odd thing about tribulation — followers of Christ glory in it!

Why?

Because the Bible tells us it’s sanctifying. Tribulation we are told…

Produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope (and) hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5

What’s Hope?

Pastor Jon Courson explains hope this way:

Throughout Scripture, the word ‘hope’ always refers to that which is coming, to that which is ahead. I’m convinced the single greatest problem carnal Christians have is that they don’t know the hope of His calling. They don’t know the reality of heaven. Consequently, they constantly strive for material things and are continually caught up in carnal pursuits. They’re depressed and discouraged because they don’t see the big picture of eternity.”

And the Bible tells us tribulation has another purpose. If we go back to the opening passage and chop-it-up a bit, we can focus on this other aspect.

God…who comforts us…that we may be able to comfort…with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted.

Our Blessings Don’t Belong to Us

In God’s name and for His glory, they’re to be given away. We’re comforted to be a comfort! We’re blessed to be a blessing! Our tests inspire our testimonies and our messes fuel our messages! So that we might prosper?

No!

So that the Body of Christ will.

It’s what we get to do!

Are you doing it?

 

For ye are bought with a price…glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20

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