F4S: April 2013

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Have you lost a loved one and aren't really sure what to think? Need some comfort?

"How blessed are those who mourn, because it is they who will be comforted!"
We just lost a loved one, Dutch Suckley, my little sister's 24 year old son. He witnessed and went through a lot and suffered loss himself at a very young age. I can't really imagine what his life must have been like all that well. But several are shedding many tears now and will greatly miss him in the days to come. 
Wasn't perfect - we aren't either.  
You understand how God can truly be honored in our grieving process as we each draw close to Him and put His Word first. And He can completely comfort us too ..by His Spirit.. the Comforter.. the Spirit of truth.. as we wisely cooperate in love. 
I really don't want you hurting. Why not..we all "do a search" if you will ..yeah, in our hearts and put away any sin if there (you remember how the Bible says we've all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God - we've come short of His righteousness [right living and right standing]), any idols (that we place in His spot), along with any illicit drug or wrong alcohol use, or any hatred of people, or foulness that might emerge on the lips at times, or any selfishness, or pride, or any willful independence from the Lord.. asking Him for His free forgiveness. I mean only if we haven't and need that. 
Let's fully trust in the Jesus of the Bible now more and more and be / become guided by God's Holy Scriptures whether we choose to honor Him one way or another, yes, in this church or in that one...whether our flesh feels like it or not. God wants you safe from that junk! 
Why not remember that people need some latitude to grieve in many ways and let em. I'm gunna try my best. 
You know that God can bring a lot of good out of the very worst of situations if we call out to Him and obey. Roman's 8:28-29 is good, was inspired and it's fortunately still right there in the Bible. And Him continuing to be Lord for us, and even becoming Lord and Savior for many new people during this time is so important to God. It's really on His heart now. Please know that He can't make us do this or that, didn't do anything wrong, but so wants to bring healing, answers, real solace, salvation and restoration to as many hurting people as possible. Will we take heed and let Him?
I don't know how it's been where you are, but a whole lot has been going on with several people around my family. To me it would seem that God is really working so that many will give their lives over to Him, but the enemy is also working to bring confusion, to exacerbate the pain as well as to capitalize if you will on the unbiblical false beliefs, the uncertainty, and the chaos.  
I praise God that everyone is rad-different from each other and that God honors our decisions. And I pray that God will win big as together we do what's honorable, and pray and diligently seek His face. I pray that He will somehow maximize on what went wrong, but bring what's right and bright out of the darkness. Kinda hard to explain. 
"Thanks be to God, not only for 'rivers of endless joys above, but also for 'rills of comfort here below.'" ~ Adoniram Judson
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you." Psalms 55:22
"God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble." Psalms 46:1
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: casting ALL your care upon Him; for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7 kjv
"You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?" Psalms 56:8 
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.'I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you..'" ~ Jesus, Jn. 14:16-18

"..Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." Psalms 30:5

A whole lot seems to be happening around us (..perhaps much of that is common with funerals etc.) that we can't fully understand. Lots of emotions have been stirred up this week for classmates and family members. Tears and more tears. I hate to seem people I love hurting. But let's not start to bitterly blame certain others for this or that or for not doing this or that as so many people choose to do in other places and situations like this. 
As you know, the one who seems to recover more quickly will weep the more deeply ..adding in faith-filled supplications with it. But it is not the one pointing a finger of accusation at this one or that one. God didn't make all of us police personnel with the duty to find out what really happened, so we can prevent it in the future.     
I pray for the comfort of my mom, Betty (Dutch's generous grandmother), for my dad, Kim (his generous and wise grandfather), for dear Lisa Kathy's very best friend and for his brother Kody now, that they all will accept the powerful ministering grace of God... and that God will make each of our grieving time like a bittersweet experience of communion with Christ who also suffered deeply. Matthew tells us that when Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been beheaded, "he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself" (Matthew 14:13). So he knows exactly what it is to go with you there.
We do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize. But He stands ready to accept and warmly embrace for He was also tested in every way as we are — including loss. facebook.com/shareJesus


Thursday, April 25, 2013

We live, we love. We share His love that comes down from above.


Yeah, let's GET OUT and do what we were meant to do, what we were designed to do.. were planned to do.

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible, wonderful, unspeakable gift - eternal and very abundant life in the Son. 

Yeah ..the gift is not like the trespass. There is a great difference between Adam's sin and God's gracious Gift.

For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Yes, there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam (the first Adam), brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man (the last Adam), Jesus Christ. And because of Him and His finished work at Calvary...

We live and forgive.. we share the LOOOVE that comes down from abooove..not with some kinda mean shove. #dove 

This life..it's such a gift

Why should any of us recklessly live for self or pleasure or hang tight with the wrong company when that only negatively influences us in a whacked direction? Why should we take life for granted? Instead, let us full-on hang tight with Christ and His growing kinda people (not the fake ones, hurting others n living how they want to) at His house of love. In #church #livethelife facebook.com/shareJesus


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Have you been feelin' down and depressed lately? Hey, got some up-lift for ya!

Have you been troubled? How troubled, how down ..and for how long? Had some stress, loss or failure lately? Have you seen a doctor ...or better yet (or perhaps in addition to that).. have you run to visit the Great Physician (Christ) first? That's so advisable! He can do more and knows much better. 

He might not heal everyone out there on this side of eternity, but He does heal people. Need some healing, hope or comfort? Ask in faith. 

I want you to know that in no way are you alone in your sufferings. You are not an orphan, believer. God cares, He has a good plan, and He will not leave you there alone. Please know that Christ not only bore all of our sins up on that tree at Calvary, He also bore all of our sorrows, distresses, and heartaches... therefore fully cast all of your cares upon Him who indeed cares for you.    

You know it's been pretty crazy out there in the world lately. People all over need new hope, a touch, some protection and fresh vision. As I've been watching our world ..that's more and more gone far astray, I often wonder how savage will our times be? Do you as well? Yeah, I just get curious about this. 

"O come on, be positive, Kurt. Why should we think about those real issues that we and our troubled communities experience?" 

Well some say "It'll be better", but in reality it's going to get worse ...before it gets better for believers. 

Hearts down here will fail for fear. Lawlessness and iniquity will become more rampant than before and the love of many people will literally wax cold. We are already seeing countless young (and not so young) people suffer due to being deceived. They have all the latest tech widgets n toys and really hurting hearts. Many fathers have unreasonably ditched em. In fact minors, young adults and yes countless older folks say on a fixed income (pre-cost-of-Obamacare kickin' in) like never before have been running in the wrong direction ..away from their Heavenly Father for pleasure, for the world, for money, for some security etc. Some have long, long, no really long-term just turned away from their own folks and family members who love them. You know, they're quick to make their new lovers or misguided gang-banger buds their new families. Where did purity, responsibility, and wise maturity go? Where is faithfulness, loyalty, and stability any more?

Yes, these are now savage, perplexing, and for many people even desperate times. Other countries from centuries gone by would have already quickly repented and humbly returned to God by now if they had only seen what we are now seeing.. but us? No, we are too advanced for that (stubbornly, arrogantly independent, self-loving (too much), all kindsa pleasure-loving, and sin-loving (but not calling it sin - man, I've been there). Who was it here that turned the term "selfishness" into "fulfillment"? Why don't we as a people actually hang a U-turn back to God and to His Bible? We've been killing millions of babies (as uber-sexual and porn-grasping societies have done before). We've been teachin' our kids in our schools that they come from animals and then we scratch our heads in surprise and wonder why they go act like animals breedin' with so to speak (strangers even, minus marriage commitment) growling, clawin' at  (bullyin' like they see in their violent vid-games) and devouring each other.. youth killin' kids and other youth. It happens at the movies, in clubs , in wild house parties, on campuses and at now marathons like the one in Boston. Hello! With all due respect, it's time to board the clue-bus Mr. President and America.   

I talked with and prayed for Sam today, a bright young man under 25 years of age from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Really enjoyed it. Great guy!

He has been struggling tryin' to get out of a hefty bout with depression. He really wants to serve the Lord in complete freedom now, so he has just recommitted his life over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I believe that God will bless, comfort, restore and use Sam soon. I just encouraged him to read, meditate upon, pray over, and memorize verses in the Word of God daily... also to pray and mean it (developing close relationship and fellowship upwards), to go find fellowship with other growing believers. 

But perhaps you too have been fighting some depression and want to be liberated. It can happen as you simply call out to and look to the Lord. He's real good at that kind of setting free. Would you mind if I shared a few verses that I shared with Sam on this subject? I think they will bless you. 

The Bible says, "The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?" (Prov. 18:14).

"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed" (Isa. 53:4-5).


"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.." (2 Cor. 4:8-9).


"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God.." (Gal. 2:20).

I hope these edify you gobs like they did me. I don't know how it currently is where you live, but here in the States where I am there is Jihad-terrorism. a lot of anxious unrest, partying, countless people feeling really down cuz they are out of work. There's some chaos and confusion (you know, that accompanies some of that stuff), real fear of the future and of lack and of failure. This is pretty prevalent now. And Americans are sadly 'snapping' by the millions. Yes, I run into so many and really feel for em. It's been distressing, savage and perplexing kinda times here lately, but Christ is still the same. He is the Answer for any of us no matter the question or need (see 21|25-27 in Luke). 

Now, I am not at all a medical professional who can precisely tell you about the chemical balance of your body or what you need in that area, but I know that discouragement and depression are probably responsible for more pain, anguish and distress than any other affliction of mankind of our era. Listen to one of my heroes...

"Discouragement often comes when we don't get our own way or when things don't work out the way we want them to. The children of Israel thought that because they were God's children they should be spared adversity and trouble, that Canaan should be captured without a struggle. But this was not God's plan. It never is. We must be willing to die to self before we can know the real meaning of life. We must often bleed (so to speak) before we can be blessed, and a cross must be endured before the crown is to be worn. Discouragement is the very opposite of faith. It is Satan's device to try to thwart the work of God in your life. Discouragement blinds our eyes to the mercy of God and makes us perceive only the unfavorable circumstances." ~ Billy Graham

"So Kurt, is there a way to dispel this dark blighting cloud of depression and discouragement? Kurt, are you saying that God can deal with this sort of thing the best?" That's exactly what I'm saying and that He also might lead you to some more help after you first turn to Him. Yes there is a way out, but if you are counting on your own power or inner strength and clever ingenuity to do this alone.. guess what Buckeroo.. you won't be real successful in that effort. Yeah, you'd sadly be doomed to continue feelin' down and discouraged longer (..and that's not at all what I want for you). The Bible says, "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Ps. 27:14). 

One good way that helps me when I get feeling down or depressed is to remember that Jesus Christ is coming again... coming first in the clouds with the Rapture of the Church and then in His Second Advent. It seems obvious to many that the birth-pangs He spoke of are increasing in intensity and in frequency. And scientists have confirmed this (no worries, I won't set any date). 

Yup, the most thrilling thing - a way-glorious truth is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It will be soon I'm pretty sure. Look around today and you might see gobs of pessimism on every side, but we all need to remember that the Bible is the only book in the world ..even among all religions that there are.. that accurately predicts what will happen in the future. God has thus far got it right 100% of the time and He will continue to. That's why we can trust what it says. He wants to hangout real tight with you and never part ways.  

Christ boldly told us, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me... I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (Jn. 14:1-3).

And God also gives us this prayer from King David to encourage us, "..O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! For Your arrows pierce me deeply, and Your hand presses me down. There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me"..."Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!" (See Ps. 38:1-4 and it's context plus 21-22 nkjv).

Listen, if you've suffered loss ..little or much.. if your life or heart is just aching, dark, depressing and gloomy today, Christ can turn your dark clouds inside out. Yup, you've heard it all before I'm sure, but He can turn your whole situation around in a heart-beat. It's true. The bright shining sunlight of His agape-love and grace can still shine through to you. Yes, into that darkest part of your life to help you ..get up, try again or simply go forwards. Sure, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (Jn. 8:12).

As it was with the 
Jews of Israel out in the wilderness back in the day, we too believers, are travelers off to the Promised Land. Weren't made to stay in beat-down-defeat, depression, self-pity and unbelief. No way! Christ is our loyal Guide encouraging us to advance walking in victory, in the Spirit, in compassion, in faith, in His unchanging Word... and not one day in the flesh! And check it out.. as the Israelites did all their traveling through that vast dry desert area in order to cross over and "arrive," the Bible tells us, "The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way" (Ex. 13:21). So keep on asking Him to be Lord of every area of your life, and to lead you through as well. He'll do it.. Jesus so wants to bless you and more than you want to be blessed by Him! 
Never forget that you were not made to be in that barren wilderness permanently. No, no! You were made for God.. to worship and glorify Him. You matter gobs! There is a purpose for you. And hey, while we're at it.. longing for that better country ..a heavenly one.. while looking forward to that city which hath foundations whose Architect and Builder is God (Heb. 11:10 & 16).. yeah, while purposely exiting this dry fruitless turf for our home in Heaven, let's together do our best to know Him n bring some other weary travelers along with us. Sure, labor in love now while lives are so at stake, fully kick-back, feast and off-the-chain-celebrate (Rev. 19:9) with the Groom then. Sounds reasonable huh.. cuz it is! 

Want some prayer today? I'd be glad to pray for you. I'd be honored really. We can together pray for your life and future. God says, "Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know" (Jer. 33:3). Leave a comment below. 

Monday, April 22, 2013

"No way, there's gotta be multiple options on that. We be about options, Kurt!" Well Buckeroo, not on this entrance. Think again. There's only One really beneficial Option.

Basic stuff:  It really shouldn't be taken as arrogant or rudely presumptuous when our loving Creator and Giver of life says He's the only way, but in these whacko I'll-do-what-I-wanna-do-cuz-I'm-the-only-ruler-of-my-life kinda times.. I ran into a guy on the street who actually felt this statement was. 
Q:  Would a fireman simply doin' his duty inside a burnin' house be for one second taken as "offensive" at all if he was merely pointing the endangered inhabitants to the only fire-exit? Naww he wouldn't.. not so much. And a fire-person doesn't even love (like God does us) the ones he's dealing with.  
Not at all arrogantly but factually, Jesus Christ boldly claimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!" A lot of people in my Land say, "Yeah, I can go with God but not with Jesus, but really there ain't another way to he Father God." Simply put, Christ said, “If you see Me, you have seen the Father.” Real basic stuff here. 

Other religions give people must-dos, traditions, dead rituals, and sometimes very strict rules to live by, but none of them offers the ultimate Solution to man’s wrong-doin's and that old nature inside (sin), or shows us the way to get home to God our loving Father. But Jesus not only shows us the way, He IS the way—yes, believe it or not.. the ONLY way.

Check it out. If your choice made a difference in this life only, it wouldn’t really matter all that much. But Jesus, as God the sinless Son, is THE representative of the One God, Creator of you and of everything, and as we have already seen, our decision to follow Jesus (or reject Him outright or by putting the decision off - yup, the Gospel is an accept or reject, believe with commitment or turn-down, either-or proposition) does have eternal results or consequences if ya will. facebook.com/shareJesus


Sunday, April 21, 2013

Need prayer?

When I was 17 years old while attending Dana Hills High a believer offered to pray for me and guess what... it made a difference. Yeah, God did.. by revealing Himself to me (not in some spooky personal 3D appearance), but in a personal kinda way that was just right for me at the time.

Since that time He has graciously met so many needs of mine. And He will for you as well.  

So, what have you been going through lately? Anything you care to discuss? Are you trying hard to live the Christian life and feel tempted lately, or have you been seeking to make an impact on others for Him..and it's rebuff-city. Hey, no matter. Whether you're a believer or not...

I would love to pray for you.. for sure and earnestly ..if you don't mind.  Would be honored to.  Simply comment back (below) or just send me a private message to let me know how I can intelligently pray for you ..and I will indeed keep it private. God bless you.


You know how prayer is basically to-the-point two way communication between a human and the God who made them. It's not about putting faith in faith, or in a formula, but it does take faith in the Lord. And He loves to hear from any of us, at anytime. He is full of compassion and understands. The Bible instructs us to pray without ceasing. The fellowship-union is to remain unbroken.


Biblical faith is about a sound belief expressed to God through Christ.. plus taking the right action as He directs. It's about thanking God and letting God know what you need.

Who do you look to to meet your needs? Do you in part look to God and in part look to another? In unity, lets' ask Him together for you.. looking solely to the Lord as our Source cuz that's what on-fire Christians do and more importantly that's what He desires.
 
You know that asking Him is a rule of the Kingdom – it's God's ordained way for His kids to get good needed stuff from Him.

Even if you've gotten a "No" before, together let's ask again. God say's, "Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jer. 33:3)

Faith sees what could be – it's the substance of things hoped for and faith has no back door. We can exercise our faith muscles so to speak by trusting the Lord. And God honors the faith that comes from hearing His Word and then we give Him all the glory.
 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Cruisin' through the book of Luke on this Android tab this morning...

..and I'm thinkin' of Christian husbands some, who get fully rejected and basically excluded (not me..) due to a hypocritical partner's religiously justified (yes erroneously).. embraced-lie of "My spouse is mentally ill" along with an underlying but blatant root of bitterness that constantly pains deeply n torments thoroughly.. or something like that...

.. that self, and friends, and independence, and money, and no amount of personal busyness can comfort or get expelled and that no church affiliation anywhere will erase, or extinguish, or cover. But you know that God can certainly reward both sides equitably / accordingly, and can comfort and deliver and can certainly weed-out any such root when asked.

Also thinkin' of all the tears I've seen shed by believing parents whose kids outright slander, ditch, neglect and mock them.. perhaps due to the same root.. or something like that.. and who reject and literally longterm-replace their parents with fawning strange enabler-friends and worldly lovers for no good reason. But you know that God can certainly reward both sides equitably / accordingly, and can comfort and deliver and can certainly weed-out any such root when asked.

As the perfect parent.... He waits and teaches patiently when allowed to teach.. for each of us. He did and does for me.

Musin' over current fathers and parent-friends of mine locally (imperfect like me).. more than one set.. who have had the same type of thing happen to them.. or something like that.. due to a loved one's serious chemical abuse. Got a call regarding this last night. Heart-breaking story. Tears. Gulping and more tears.

Year after year they wait and pray and wait for that son or daughter to come to their senses a bit... and hope and try to compensate or fill-in somehow for perhaps a hurting little, innocent, abandoned grandchild who doesn't know why the most important person in their life who said they really loved.. totally bailed-out minus any explanation.

Some parents I know have had to slaughter the fattened calf multiple times and are there waiting again year after year. And I just wish I could hug and somehow encourage them with God's Word.

Feeling so very grateful here.. as I hunt and peck with scared index finger.. for a tender-hearted believing wife who has always been above reproach and above hurting, pettiness, abuse and self-seeking. These days good-example-parents are gettin' harder to find it seems.

But if this in any way kinda describes you (above) , just know that Christ understands, will indeed reward and can help.

"Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, 'God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours... God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh. What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.'" http://bible.us/116/LUK6.20.NLT

www.facebook.com/shareJesus

Thursday, April 11, 2013

If you were once close to God, but now are not...

..if you were once an effective witness for Jesus Christ, but now ..somehow you are not.. if you once walked with the Lord, but then stumbled and fell down.. you know, got all bruised with skinned up knees so to speak but not really due to praying. 

Then get back up. Run to the Word of God, not away from Him. Run to church, not away from a decent church ..yeah, even if the enemy accuses you and says you're way too hypocritical and dirty to run to Him again. Ignore. Shun. Resist. Reject Mr. Lu-Cifer. 


Never allow what that loser says keep you away from your first-love, or from fellowship with other growing believers.  

"Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." Mk. 9:50

Just confess, honestly repent, and go on tight with Jesus. "With Christ" as your leader, not you as His. He will indeed restore the joy, the harmony and the peace for you. He hasn't stopped caring. 

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 Jn. 1:9, nkjv

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent." Rev. 2:5

"Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'"  Lk. 9:62

Please remember that the Lord isn't surprised, or angry (..it's cuz of the cross) or like us. He is limitless in His Love for you and He is perfect too. He understands fully and will bless again. He shows flawless compassion as well as beautiful agape and mercy to you and me.. yes, in so SO many ways. If another believer or leader has let you down (and they will from time to time), it's no time for you to stay down. Forgive them just like you have been. Sure, it's time to get closer to God than ever before.. looking to Him to meet all your needs. 


Stop and think about it. Was there actually a time in your personal history when you were more on-fire for Jesus.. more all-out in-love with Jesus.. more enamored and focused on Him? ..well, decide right now to get with Him again and get much closer than that. Don't wait or procrastinate. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and do things His way this time. Worship and serve on His terms (according to the Bible) instead of on your own. 

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." Jam. 4:8 

"See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.." Heb. 12:15

"'My wayward children,' says the Lord, 'come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.' 'Yes, we're coming,' the people reply, 'for you are the Lord our God.'" Jer. 3:22

"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:9-11 

I appeal in love. I'm not talking down to you, but it's no time for excuses, self-righteousness, or human rationalizations now. It's simply time to return as you are, to be free, cleansed, confident, absolutely fearless and go tell others about Jesus Christ.. while we still have some time. facebook.com/shareJesus

Thursday, April 4, 2013

You go ..paid professional. We're for you. Do it. Amen.

Go to it Pastor! You do the work of the ministry inside and outside of the local church and we will be the cheerleaders. Go, fight, win...em!
#NoLetsHelpHimOutSoGodIsGlorified

The world doesn't trust Bible teaching churches or spiritually mature pastors. But each para-church minister and real disciple needs to cooperate with and support their healthy Bible teaching local church. And church pastors need not cooperate with or support any para-church minister or so called disciple who refuses to work with or cooperate with the church. 

The biblical way into God's Church isn't by shaking a preacher's hand or filling out a card, but people must be born (again) into it. "But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him." 

It's God who builds the church (His church). He gives the increase. And He uses humble people with His Message and right motives (...and our motives are revealed by the sacrifices that we each make. The only acceptable motive in God's service is love).

He delights to use people that love His Word, love people, and love His church. He uses men on the move (publicly and from house to house). When was the last time you were out on the move for Jesus Christ?

He uses praying twice-born earnest people that are led by His Spirit.. who are models of the faith. He doesn't bless hypocracy and pretense, so be real. Be sincere.
facebook.com/shareJesus

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Don't mind forfeitin' Gucci, Boss or Armani Haute Couture for real love in it's place. God, what could be better than You and Your likeness to wear?

Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ~ Paul, 3|14col

Forgive and give as if it were your last opportunity. Love like there's no tomorrow, and if tomorrow comes, love again. ~ Max Lucado

The Holy Spirit is all about formin' the likeness of Christ in you and me, and He ain't never been a wimpy quitter. 

It all starts after our most important decision is made to repent and believe as we are born for a second time. Yup, He greatly desires.. not that we try to look like the world in order to allure those who are lost in this world.. but for us to simply look like Christ in our character, in the way we express ourselves, in our demeanor, in our private and public prayer lives, as well as in our deeds and attitude. 

Forget all that striving to starve and look as the world says you should look - that's not the primo image. Feast on God's Word and become satisfied... content and full of joy! 

Of course none of us will become "deity" as some so called churches teach (LDS are far off), but bein' conformed into Christ's image, and in how we live in fellowship with the Lord is what's important (see Romans 8|29). 

As a natural outworking of our biblical worship and two way vertical relationship, God can use us to attract others into His Kingdom when we by faith put on the attributes of Jesus. You know.. put on His righteousness, His agape love (v.14), His tender mercies, His patience (Col. 3|12), His kindness, His humility, His meekness, His holy lifestyle. Listen, the Father so loves you just the way you are, and He accepts you whenever you approach Him as you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. That's a good thing. He pours His love in us - He changes us as we simply cooperate.  facebook.com/shareJesus