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!

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

DON'T WORRY

   "I can't seem to make ends meet"! "My present status is terrible, where does that leave the future"?  You get out of one situation and here comes another one, bang! bang!  Or there are two or more at once that keep us wanting to stay in bed like;  Tuition, house, family, repairs and promotions/unemployment.


                                                     I CAN'T MAKE LOOSE ENDS MEET

    Accompanying the reality of the need of "things comes the depression, sadness, tears, hopelessness and fear and worry. Jesus told His followers (I hope you are one) "Do not worry"  "Look at the birds and consider the lilies.

                                                      MEET THE LORD OF THE LOOSE ENDS


     Jesus later told them: "I leave you peace,. not the peace the world brings but the peace I give".  He gave some strange advice. Look at the birds. and think about the flowers

.
                                                       "TWEET, TWEET, RETWEET"

     It does make sense.  He said the birds don't have barns and store food for the winter.  They don't have a bird Walmart with little bird greeters to buy seeds.  Jesus says they go flying into all of the seasons knowing God is going to feed them.   The flowers don't sew or make they're own clothes or own dye.  Jesus Said God clothes them with colors and different shades of beauty.

                                            "HOW MUCH MORE DOES GOD LOVE YOU!

STORE FRONT CHURCHES

    Maybe some of you remember "back in the day" when there were store front churches.  It wasn't a pretty sight.  While the uncovered hanging light bulb cast shadows on the blank walls, the song leader would almost lead a tiny congregation in singing, accompanied by an out of tune piano that was accompanied by a congregation that could be heard for blocks.

        There has been a revolution of doing ministry and  seeing life transformation.  A new avenue many are taking advantage of,  for ministry and slim mobile church sites.The new method is church ministry done at a STORE FRONT!! In the community strip mall. 

      These are attended by an army of Disciples and Jesus followers//Christians.  A slim no nonsense approach to doing ministry in the community.  Though now there is great lighting and the location might be in a new strip mall the attendees will be of all ethnic and economical persuasion  The main idea is not the building but the message focusing on added souls, connect groups/Bible study, worship and community service.  The method is not come and see but go and tell.  These store fronts  are once again reflecting the ethnicity of the neighbors. While sending finances across the globe they also minister in the community nearby.
                                                                     Acts 5:42

    In these last days it is time for the traditional church and the planted store fronts engage their circles with the loving message that God so loved the world that gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not die but have everlasting life!

Bullied ,Battered and Blessed.

 

The church or the body of Christ is being persecuted in many nations today.  As Pastor Abedini Held in Iran. Regardless of the charge, the world knows it is because he is proclaiming true Christianity.  One can read the stories from "Voice of the Martyrs" and realize this is not some happening of the first to third century terror on Christians. It is happening as we speak or should I say while I sleep.
                                                                    SUCKER PUNCHED
  In the U.S. It is much more subtle.  I suppose it has always been there. We can bet the loathed censoring in the early days of television kept it to a minimum and for many years we had been seen as a Christian nation  and people of faith were looked at with approval.  The followers of Christ in the west seem to be on the end of verbal and/or political bullying, where elsewhere in the world it is actually being battered.
                                                                      BLOCKED
  The body of  Christ continues to grow!  The message of God is still being spread and producing heart and life transformation.  How can something with imperfect followers and so harassed,bullied battered and persecuted in whatever form, thrive?
                                                             STRIVING YET THRIVING
  The letter from the Apostle Peter speaks to the persecuted church.  This word of inspiration, encouragement and comfort in bad or good seasons, tells the Christian to:

  1.  Arm yourself with the mind of Christ.  As The true Bible believing Christ follower spends time in prayer, and looking into God's Word will soon realize the mind of Christ, who said to love God and your neighbor as you love yourself and also to love your enemies.  Christ suffered and endured the pain on the cross looking forward to the ones who would believe on him as well as his returning to life and eternity back with God.
Peter tells the suffering Christians to have that same mind and thinking of Christ.

  2.  Live the new Life   The condition of the place in where the disciple lives may be difficult but the position of the believer is in Heaven. HOW? "In Christ". We are to then live a life that will be a lifestyle of worship and be pleasing to God. The Apostle Paul writes about the life we "once conducted or once walked".  The believer has peace with God. This relationship with God brings us great JOY whatever the situation. The Bible says "old things are passed away and have become new"  that describes the persons spiritual position as well as the way they conduct  themselves during prosperity or poverty, peace or war kindness or persecution. This results in living the true "Good life".

  3.  Being a profitable member of the community. The community of the church goes into the community God has placed them in and begins to "show and tell" the good news of Jesus Christ.  Having the mind of Christ (loving God and loving people) and looking forward to spending eternity with God while living a "New Life" empowered with God's Spirit strives to see Godly community development.. All the while being Bullied, battered and  yes  Blessed! ----------Check out Acts 5: 39-42.

TEXTING PLANET EARTH !

  Hey! Message me, Call me, Text me!!  How many times have we heard that or have read on Face book; "I'm lonely someone text me"  We have the desire for community and relationships and communication built into us.  We have been made in God's image and He is a going and sending and communicating God.    My past couple writings have spoken about God's Word and its' *1.Authority  2. Power.                                                                                   
     Now we look into its' 3. Message.  The Bible; it's a collection of books and letters that encourages,teaches and speaks personally to each of us. The last writing said it had Power and  with the Holy Spirit and being God Breathed can ;
-lead
-inspire
-transform
                                       
                                      You have got to be kidding me?   No Joke.
.
   The Bible is true and contains/is the message of God's plan for reconciliation. Mankind /we, broke the relationship and the heart of God, yet He is the one to come to us with the message "God is Love."  The message of the Bible can be one of love or warning,

                                                         GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS

    The message?  The Apostle Paul writes about it in the letter to the Romans:  "For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God". Then he writes "The wages of sin is Death."  Now you've got a devastating problem.. The payment of sin is an eternity in Hell and away from God.

     The message?  "....The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Paul writes again " If you confess Jesus is LORD and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead You WILL be saved."
Elsewhere  he said " Who ever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  Have you read that message and believed and acted on it?  You can pray (message) to Him right now.  FANTASTIC if you have.

   We who have believed and are trusting in the work of Christ on the cross as our only hope to spend eternity with God, have a message to tell.  The Bible Says: "We are ambassadors for Christ"

   Our message?  He has made Him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Be reconciled to God.  Let's message someone this today.

   OH YEAH! if you are a believer and  have left God the message is "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and clean us from all unrighteousness.

   If you have just this minute told God you heard His message and believe and are trusting in it. Message someone and tell them, You can E-mail me.  I am praying for you.  Will you please pray for me?

A Book That Works!

If you are a follower of Christ  and you are daily in The Bible you know it is ALIVE AND POWERFUL!
Thru God's inspiration and Holy Spirit this book works.  One writer in the Bible writes:  "For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword".  The truth of the Bible is confirmed by it's power to change lives.

The Bible is a collection of books and letters spanning thousands of years written a couple thousand years ago and yet is true and relevant for any high tech guru today or maybe you drive a truck or drive a corporation this book works!  It works, not through any hocus pocus but in the authority and power of God.

Many Christians read it everyday because it is after all God's Word. It displays God's love, wisdom and power and as we read it we begin to take on those  Christlike characteristics in our daily life.  Psalms asks "How can a young man cleanse his way"? and answers "By taking heed to Your Word".

Believers and disciples of Christ can say with the Apostle Paul-"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel  (good news) because it is God's POWER for salvation to EVERYONE who believes."

God's Word is awesome and is powerful!  Are you weak? grieved?confused, need wisdom the Bible will light up your path.  It is powerful you can't  Silence it
                                                  you can't bury it
                                                  you can't burn it
                                               
Kings and presidents come and go yet the Bible still lives. His word says it will endure forever.
                                                                       it lives as a light
                                                                                  as a guide
                                                                                         as a comfort.

People are in different places in life and through prayer and time in His Word, He will meet you where you are.

I encourage and challenge you to open God's powerful Books and watch as it changes ,effects , and empowers you in life change from movement of God's Spirit and His Word.

Any unbeliever read when Jesus powerfully said "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Let me tell you from experience this Bible God's Word is ALIVE and POWERFUL. It works!
we have seen The Bible has authority and is powerful next writing shows it has a message. Maybe you have something to add.  Thank you.

SAYS WHO ?

  Whether your a blogger, parent,teacher or pastor there is someone sometime that will question your authority.  The question usually comes from a person or group that doesn't want to be in submission to anyone.
           
   We witnessed  in the 1960's/70's the authority of  leadership rebelled against while in the 80's/90's they discovered the need for the institutions they had protested (except war of course).

   A policeman has the ability to arrest or subdue someone because they have the authority of the city/U.S. Govt. behind them.  The Constitution of the U.S. has authority

                                                                       Basic
                                                                       Instructions
                                                                       Before
                                                                       Leaving
                                                                       Earth

                                               
    The authority of the Bible has always been under scrutiny and has been proven to have the authority and power of God to direct and bring life transformation through the Holy Spirit of God. I can attest to that in my own life!

    Though we do defend it we merely also have to proclaim it and it will speak for itself.  Martin Luther said that he did nothing but proclaim God's word and it did the work.  The Bible has:
                                                                              -Authority
                                                                              -Power
                                                                              -A Message

                                            THE BIBLE IS JUST ANOTHER BOOK. ISN'T IT?

     Apostle Paul wrote:  "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."  So when someone asks "SAYS WHO?" we can say God.

    So we believe it to be God breathed and true and the authoritative word of God. it is the authority in all matters of :
                  -ethics
                  -doctrine
                  -theology
                  -forming an understanding of life as a whole

one man said-  "We submit to the authority of the scriptures, submission to the scripture is fundamental to the churches everyday life."  It has the authority to give guidance and direction when making choices or implementing Godly  moral standards.

    The Bible is God's warning and love letter.  You may not be a believer and say it's just a good book. Stand in line there are even "ministers" that say that.  The Apostle Peter wrote:  "For the prophesy came not in old time by the will of man, but Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

History itself proves this Bible can be read, understood believed and respected.  A great place to start is.."In the Beginning." You might have more to add.. More about this in next writing.

God's Word-The Bible

   Many call it the Good Book and it is but it is more than wise sayings and good advise.  It is the Word of God and His revelation of what God is like and what His will is.  It is not a history book but archeology is proving the evidence of historical truth it contains.  The Apostle John said that he wrote his book so that we might believe.
Paul wrote: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God...."

     I love to read the Bible.  I read it daily and throughout the day. I of course would encourage anyone to read it. Those of us who are trusting in Christ's life, death and resurrection realize the Bible is alive and relevant  while speaking about:
                                              -creation
                                              -The fall of man
                                              -family
                                              -government
                                              -God's plan of Salvation
                                              -guide for relationship with Him and others
it's written in the Bible that Jesus said "You are to love God with all of your heart and your neighbor as you love yourself.

    I write about developing the community and the Bible is the blue print and guide as well as the light to accomplish this with. Maybe you  like me have discovered neighborhood improvement doesn't come
about through:
                                               -money
                                               -education
                                               -politics
                                               -landscaping
   
 You do not have to read all the statistics but take a drive in your car through the dangerous, affluent and even rural subdivisions and observe young and old, rich or poor with relational problems inside and outside of the home. The only true community transformation comes through heart transformation. Transformation the Bible tells us of and guides us to.
  The Book of Psalms says "Your word is a light to my path.." We would be shocked at the stats of "Church folk" that are living in the dark and living on what they heard years ago and never look into the living and loving word and wonder why our churches are closing by the thousands. While daily life withdraws more than we've deposited and things that are black and white are blurry and
dingy gray.

     We can't cover it all here in this space there is more elaborating next writing and we will look into the:
                                                -Authority of the Bible
                                                -Power of the Bible
                                                -Message of the Bible
     Be encourage to pick it up and look into it today. look into: Psalms, proverbs, Acts. You might be glad you did.  Maybe you have something to add.  Thanks again. More to come.
        


                                    

Time Together

I'm home most of the time while my wife works.  The time that is shared is not wasted, even if we are wasting time.  Whether in front of the television or eating dinner and of course sitting and talking to her  is sacred time.
We have known each other a long time, off and on.  We even grew up across the street from one another.  The events of life separated us for a time but we reconnected and every minute (at least to me) has been quality time. I love that we have this  relationship and I always need to improve daily.

                                 ***************************************************
                                  
Since "The Beginning " God has been walking and searching for those to love Him and know Him. How awesome it is to spend quality time with Him. I'm sure He misses that time and it breaks his heart when we lose interest.  David in The Bible wrote"As the the deer pants for water, my heart pants for you Lord".

There are people who have no one and as a result, lonely. There are others who have a large family and/or many friends and are equally lonely. Time either drags on or every hour is fleeting. They wonder if there will ever be any friends or relationships.

I cannot comprehend how church members  who take the name of christian, will ignore others in the same worship area. I spend many hours and even days alone using that as quiet and quality time but it is not good to become individualists and loners and we and others seem to do life alone.

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

But it shouldn't and doesn't have to be that way!  God is a relational and personal God. He is so pleased when He sees you and I in community together.  What a great life we would experience if we lived for others and they lived for us. It is a win win! Let's do life together.

In the Bible Jesus had compassion and went around doing good and I believe He says to you and I,  go and do likewise.

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

Again, God is a going, searching, relational God. The Bible says God is Love.  He loves you and me. The Bible says the community will know you are my followers when you love one another. That may be why thousands of churches close annually. Our own motto has become "What have you done for me lately."

This week could be a game changer as our acquaintances, co-workers and fellow worshipers see the new outgoing, reaching out, you! When people do visit our churches or groups, the first ten minutes are vital. Let's quickly move to respectively touch and speak to everyone. What a great time we will have!