The Way

Now is the time to start, maybe restart our reading God's word.  Peter said to (like a baby) desire the pure milk of the word, that we can grow spiritually.  The alternative is to walk this journey led by my emotions.  Many do not grow in maturity; we merely grow taller.  You and I are selfish, throwing tantrums. I want it my way, could it be I desire all the attention.

Whether you know someone like this or you are the one.  We can begin a methodical. discipline of love reading the Word of God and applying it to our lives. "I don't understand Revelation."  Well then go back to Mathew or the letter to Ephesians.  In Ephesians there are three chapter of doctrine and the next three tells us then how then, shall we live.

When the divorce comes or doctor report, or maybe the washing machine breaks down.
we can stand on the Biblical principles that lead us to the shadow of the most high God. Let's follow the guiding light and react to what God suggests or even commands.

The Bible declares the Gospel of eternity spent with God through faith in Christ.  Also, God's will for the here and now!  

Let's disciples now go and make disciples.
                                                                                                                         Tim.

A Thunderous Voice!

 It's a great idea to check out Psalm 29.

While we grow older, we hear many voices;

Parents, teachers, pastors, doctors, friends, even our own doubts, or egos, whispering to us.

Psalm 29 intentionally reminds us that there is one voice we need to listen to above all the others.

The chapter repeats the phrase; "The voice of the Lord." the author DAVID WANTS US TO KNOW THAT GOD IS NOT SILENT!

Verse four of Psalm 29 shows us that His voice is powerful. The lords voice can cause a storm and give courage when we feel weak.

The Lord's voice is not only POWERFUL, but also PERSONAL. 

God speaks not only to the world around us, but also to...you. sometimes He speaks through the Bible, or through prayer, a song, a sermon, a friend. He often let's us know; "I am with you."

God's voice give peace and strength.  vs 11 says;

"The lord will give strength to his people. the lord will bless His people with peace."

We never stop having the need to hear the Lords' voice and He is always faithful to speak. 

You might want to ask yourself; "Am I listening, or am I always distracted?"

He says my sheep know my voice. Are you in the family or flock of God? and are you listening?

Re-read Psalm 29.

Read John 10: 22-28.

Listen up!

community building boom!

   "Go into all the world"! That's what Jesus commissioned His followers to do! They jumped all over it in the first century and here we are still telling others who Jesus was and what He did.  There is still a small window of engagement that have never heard.

     People all over the world from Russia and Indochina, France and the United States, that believe in and are trusting in Christ's work, as their only hope to spend eternity with God, make up His church. The church is growing in number. The writer in Revelation said he saw a number of people you couldn't count, there were so many!

     Many do not believe, indicating our work is not done.  Christians all over the world still must make Christ known.  There are many doors now open for missionaries as well as local churches that are the avenue God can use.  Let's go and tell the good news of Jesus Christ. Opportunities today range from Family, Art shows, concerts, and service to the neighbors.

      I Talk about building the church while there are those that would tear down or even injure other members of the body of Christ for whatever reason.  In our ranks it is true, many have fallen and sinned etc. It is often said of us, instead of helping them we shoot our wounded and say, "they got what they deserved".  The Apostle Paul writes we have received spiritual gifts for the the building and good of the body of Christ. We are to build one another up.

     Let's: Pray for one another
             Give to one another
             Encourage one another
             Die for one another
             Live for one another

     The Christian community is growing globally.  The call is now to equip with God's word, love and power and then engage our local community giving God the glory!

Develop your community to the glory of God.  Hello to my brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.

Confusion and Chaos

 We have read They call good evil, and evil good.  That's not just an old saying from the Bible. It's a modern description of your culture today.

That verse is not just describing the culture around us, but also within the so-called church today. 

It is time we stop going through the motions and talking the talk.  It is time for finding out who God is and who we are and what we have in Him!

Read the Word, pray and converse with Him, continue in community with the other believers and love one another and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit to those around us.

The Apostle Paul wrote to us saying, as you have received Christ, walk in Him, rooted, established built up.  Let's answer that challenge.

It's time to be prayer warriors, that also invest time being a light in the circle the Lord has placed us in.

God is a God of order, not confusion, it is time to say not my will but yours be done!

Love God, Love Others!

May the Holy Spirit speak in this simple writing.

Rooted in community

 During trials, disasters, even everyday life, we discover how much we need others. the one saying says; "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

Healthy churches are built by rooted Christians that:

 *Encourage

*Serve

*Forgive

*Bear burdens

*Speak the Truth in Love!

But even the church community gets messy. We read about a farmer that if he is going to have a productive farm business is going to have messy stalls, bulls, goats, horses.  He on the other hand might have spotless stalls, because he has no hay, bulls, goats or horses etc. But he will also have no crops or profits without the animals making a mess.

We can have a spotless church, no broken hearts, no agendas, no tears, but you will not have ministry or community. 

If there is a messy community, you will have a great need and evidence of service and ministry.

If our roots dig deep in Christ, The Word, Prayer...the fruit will soon be seen. The healthy rooted church might be messy but knit together in love.

It's not time to tear apart but be a part!

Check out:

Proverbs 14:4. 

 John 13:34,35.

Acts 2: 42-47

Romans 12,13 .

Let's not just grow up. Let's grow up together!

Deep roots and standing tall

 

We have seen great damage during and after storms. Plants in the front yard washed away, even flowing down the street. Huge trees have been toppled by strong winds, while doing great damage on homes and power lines.

When the trees fall and expose what was underground, plants being washed away indicate a shallow or unhealthy root system. 

When I have seen these exposed roots, many times there are thin stringy type roots. Thin roots obviously make for poor stability, for a tree that looks large and firm.

Even in a sunny climate free environment, there will be no fruit because of the root or no deep roots.

Many people appear to be strong and firm but when the first strong wind of life blows, they topple over, exposing a poor root system and they are washed away by emotion rather than a stable root digging for nourishment and footing.

What are you/we rooted in?  Ideas like education, and family come to mind. Even those in life's hurricane type winds are inadequate to keep us healthy and planted, rooted deep.

We live in a fallen world (have you noticed?). You can go to those early chapters of the book of Genesis and discover the reason for all of damage. 

Check out Psalm 1:

"But his delight is in the Law of the lord,

and in His law, he meditates day and night'

he shall be like a tree

planted by the water, that brings forth it's fruit in it's season.

whose leaf also shall not wither, 

and whatever he does shall prosper."

Let's not be guided by shallow thoughts or rooted in weak emotions. but we can be planted and growing healthy roots of good biblical principles.

Even though the storms of life arrive we can say:

"I shall not be moved!"

What's your power source?

 

They warned us it was coming, but when I could not see out the window and heard the wind, I knew this was the worst weather conditions I had met "face to face."

The power to our neighborhood said; "I've had enough" and moved out. The power moved away from miles and miles away, leaving us in the dark.

We drove from the neighborhood and saw why. There was devastation of nearby woods and trees fallen into yards and into homes. It was enough to make your heart and hope drop.

We had lost power; it was to be out for a number of days. We had wisely bought a generator for the refrigerator etc. from the last storm we had. Gas prices to run the generators made this storm expensive.

But it was beginning to be depressing, it was dark and very warm. I almost forgot what I looked like, looking in the mirror. (that might have been a good thing).

Last night our power was restored. Joy, and hope returned. The porch light returned as well, making all feel safer, because the freaks come out at night.

But... there are some nearby that are still without power. they still have those huge trees down, around and in their houses. Not far away the storms brought major flooding!

They need our prayers, this is not the Caribbean, or someone else, this has now happened to us and our friends, neighbors and relatives. 

May we now have compassion on those around the world that have had storms and lost homes and power (some have never had power). 

My prayers go out on the behalf of those nearby that still are living in the consequences of a storm.

**************************************

Many of us quiet people in a quiet neighborhood, talked and waved more than ever.  I don't believe we'll have a block party. But I can guarantee, we will be talking and waving a lot more. 

A storm often brings a disconnect with power and there is great joy and relief, when the reconnection is made. 

Make the connection with the Lord and others around you, there's great power in it!