Sound Bytes

Ministry is abundant, alive and well on social platforms... I will go "where the attention is."  It is a no brainer.
The sad thing is a number of us will use sound bytes and 2 minute videos sadly for our own glory.

We all minister through these venues.  Let's not hide behind it. Quality is important but content of the heart is all important in order to supply content of God's word, to His praise.

Let's be honest, worshipping Him/sharing God's Word, in Spirit and Truth!

Casual Christianity

  In the face of economy and persecution, first century Christianity seems to be led, empowered and compelled, by the Holy Spirit.

The preaching of the Cross and heart transformation resulted in life transformation. There appeared to be supernatural lifestyles, as they sang on their way to the lions mouths and being torn asunder.

I am glad though,  there were those people mentioned in God's Word, that weren't so Superhuman and often failed or slipped up, followed by repenting, then returning to the journey they were called to. This gives me hope!

Today's believer appears not to be so committed or connected with Christ and power.  Though there is hope, there is also much to be shared and accomplished for the cause of Christ.  This includes, the souls that are lost, those that are physically and Spiritually hungry. I would suppose they will have to wait until we get over our buzz, laziness and church hurt.  They and I must stand on the word of God and power of His Spirit. We in unity, caring not only for our own interests but also the interests of others.  If not us who? If not now when? Casual Christians soon become casualties!

There is love.  There is mercy.  There is also duty.  What if we all just didn't feel like it?  Didn't feel called?  I'm glad the others before me had the love and fortitude, while in their mess, told me about the good news of faith in the Cross and blood of Christ!

Look into Ephesians, Acts, Thessalonians.

OPERATION: CHURCH HIJACK

 In today's church attendance roll call you'll find the; hypocrite, gossip, complainers, faithful, team member, the righteous. You can add to the list: prideful patriarch and the opportunist.  I know this is a negative look and we get enough of that but I believe we have to start at home.

 Acts 20: 27-31

In the world of dying churches and the work of revitalizing them, as well as churches planting the new futuristic contemporary plant, that brags "it's not like grandma's church" soon realizes it's still the same song and dance since the fall of man.

The pastor or planter arrives with a new vision and direction of evangelizing and service to the community looking  forward to those who according to Galations 5:22 exhibit; "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance."

As they develop a core group,
the boa constrictors called patriarch and opportunist begins to squeeze the life out, hijacking the dream or vision of ministry God has given.

SAME OL' SONG AND DANCE

THE PRIDEFUL PATRIARCH is more concerned about meetings, votes and show of power. The prideful patriarch (God bless the humble patriarch) argues about "carpet color" and the cruise ship (church) than the ones drowning in the lost eternity they themselves had been rescued from.  In the Bible John writes in 3rd John about Diotrephes, vs.9 "who loves to have the preeminence among them, receives us not." The prideful patriarch says: "The church was full (or) we had a great park ministry when we played  the banjo and kazoo. Let's keep or go back to doing that." If they would look out the window or take a few steps down the street they would discover the kazoo lovers have moved away.  Soon the life, desire, maybe the pastor is departed.

 A STAR IS BORN !

THE OPPORTUNIST has to be seen, has to be on the platform, video screen "leading a class" and if they are not, they are gone.  The opportunist usually slithers into a small dying church or a new full of blood church plant.  Many times hijacking the direction and Godly vision of a Pastor or group, with their agenda, grieving the spirit of God. They dislike the vision and teaching of the leadership and attempt to spread their negative poison. There is also the wolf that will turn worship into a time of self promotion or a time of entertainment. Soon the life, desire, God's love and power is gone.

In these last days, many of the prideful patriarchs and the opportunists are soon exposed yet damage has been done. They move on to another ministry or church. While the prideful, complaining, venom filled, having to have a committee patriarch, arrives at your third pew/row. You then are shaking hands with the opportunist that can "be a blessing" and has the songs he wrote and the list of small group sessions he's led and is here to be a blessing to you,  because they "limited his creativity and anointed ability" at the last church.

 With the power and love of God let us pray for discernment to see this wolf in sheep's clothing, see life transformation, that they will be willing to submit and be a part, as well as follow God's divine vision for the church, wherever God has directed it.

It will take an empowered pastor and church, with a Divine vision, to disciple us all.  Jesus said: "I will build my Church." so... let's (you and I)  pray; not my will, but yours be done.

In Christ Alone!

Life without love
needs a touch from above.

Sad tears indicate no hope.
Arise! in Christ you can cope.

New heart realized
maniac civilized.
                                -Tim Flener

Summer Rain

The hot sun beating down making temperatures rise to headache levels, can bring havoc to some flowers and farms.  The absence of rain obviously will bring drought and death to life.

Gardens of flowers and vegetables have to be maintained.  Weeds are to be pulled out, stems occasionally need pruning. Many a gardener spends countless hours, working prior to sitting back to enjoy the fruit and beauty of their labor.

No difference in our Spiritual growth and exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5/ Rom. 8). There are harmful beliefs, thoughts,  as well as behaviors, needing to be rid of.   The watering of the Holy Spirit is needed to clean, nourish the church and individual believer!

Roman5

Ephesians 3,4.

1 Corinthians 13.

Troubled

It's not always a process.  We don't have to take a class to see change.  The new mind and heart revival, can come at a time spent in prayer and standing on the promises of God's Word!  Jesus says, He is the Way, Truth and the Life.

"DON'T BE AFRAID!"

  Christ follower Paul, is in the middle of a storm, on a ship headed for Rome, where the Apostle Paul is to stand trial for causing riots and turning the world upside down for merely speaking and teaching; You can spend eternity with God when you;  believe it is by grace alone, through faith alone,  in Christ alone.



  He told them not to set sail but who's going to listen to a preacher on the way to court?  Later Paul says; "Keep up your courage, Don't be afraid."  DON'T BE AFRAID?!?  Paul, perhaps you didn't read there in acts 27: verse  20.  (Of course not. He was busy living it).    "Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up."  That was written by Luke.

  Ever been there, in a hopeless situation?  It seems there is no way out. Ol' Devil says "You aint comin' out of this one!"  Maybe you are there now, (living it).  Dr. report comes back and he wants to see you A.S.A.P. refrigerator goes out,  divorce court or the grave site. You might be handed a hard time because you are a follower/believer in Christ.

  Paul shouted "I have faith in God, that it will happen just as He told me!" Good or bad, God is in control.  God knows the big picture.  You and I see one float at a time, while God sees the whole parade.  In this storm and yours, you'll get to see the Power, Provision and purpose of God.  The Lord had told Paul he was going to Rome.

  Rome was God's plan and vision for Paul.  I'm sure it was not the mission trip he would have planned, but on the other side of the storm we discover the purpose and character of God.  The message Paul gave while in court and Roman prison is still today, causing a riot and turning the world upside down.

  We have had storms and some are always in one. Keep trusting God.  In a hopeless situation- that seems easier said than done.  That is why I have to trust His promises and not my emotions.  God has a direction for you to go.  Across the world or across the street.  He wants us to go and make disciples.

Bed of ease or fiery seas; Let us simply, intentionally and with courage and compassion enter our community; and Worship God,  Connect with His Word, and serve others. Living by faith and not by sight!

Fear Is a Liar - Zach Williams