Feeling Frustrated? ... Join the Club!

I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is the highest privilege that I know.  To know that I have a relationship with the creator of the universe is awesome! My sins are forgiven, I have the Holy Spirit living inside of me, I am a member of Christ's church (His living body on earth), and yet I am frustrated.  Why? That's the million dollar question.  

I am frustrated with what I have seen for so many years of my short lived life on earth.  I am frustrated about all of the division within Christianity.  I am tired of hearing 10 different ways of how to "get saved", a 100 different ways of how to worship God, a variety of books out there professing to be the word of God, and so many radically different messages coming from the pulpits on any given Sunday.  Pastors, Bishops, Preachers, and teachers all proclaim to speak the truth of God's word, and yet there are too many interpretations that lead to too many different practices. Why? Something is wrong with this picture, folks!

Consider these passages of Scripture and meditate:

• Psalm 133:1 ~ "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!"
• John 17:22-23 ~ "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
• Acts 2:44 ~ "All the believers were together and had everything in common."
• Acts 4:32 ~ "All the believers were one in heart and mind."
• Romans 15:5 ~ "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus ..." 
• 1 Corinthians 1:10 ~ "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."
• Ephesians 4:3 ~ "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

These passages of Scripture (both Old & New Testaments) affirm the will of God for His people to live in unity with each other.  But today we see a vastly different picture.  There are so many different denominations, and so many different opinions and interpretations about how to serve, honor, worship and obey the one true God.  

How can we all profess to worship the same God, and yet have so many vastly different interpretations of how to honor this God? Sometimes it is as simple as this: man wants to do things his way rather than God's way.  In taking that position, man finds himself ignoring God's word and thus creating new philosophies/ideologies that lead others away from the original paths of truth and unity.  

May God help each one of us seriously begin a journey of intensely reading, meditating, and obeying the word of God in our lives, and then encouraging others to do the same thing that we may return to the paths of truth and unity.  As the Scripture says, "There is one body and one Spirit —just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." ~ Ephesians 4:4-6   

GOD WANTS YOU!! 

The Land of Uncertainty

The sports world was ready when Peyton Manning announced he would be leaving the Indianapolis Colts yesterday, but it was still a shock to hear him utter those words. What does it say about a four time NFL MVP (most in NFL history) who also won a Super Bowl with his team, to be cut (released the more PC term) after 14 seasons with the same organization? It underscores that nothing lasts in this world. It suggests that people will only keep you around when you can benefit their needs. It's a cold world, folks!

But this also highlights the importance of placing our trust in the proper Person. God is described in the Bible as a Rock. That means that He is solid, constant, unchanging, reliable, and dependable. Consider these passages:

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge." - Psalm 18:2

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[a]; trust also in me.- John 14:1

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8

The seasons change, but God is consistent. People's motives change, but God is trustworthy. The economy fluctuates, people lose jobs, and families have to move to new neighborhoods, but God is still God! This is Good News for the person who decides to turn his or her life over to the Great I AM! :

Who do you trust?

Giving Thanks

As a nation, the United States just celebrated Thanksgiving Day. Many of us were blessed enough to sit down with our families, enjoy a tremendous amount of good food, and watch some good football games.

America is a free nation. We are not perfect, but we enjoy many freedoms that a lot of other people around the world do not enjoy.

The message of the Bible is that we should always give thanks - not just once a year, but everyday.

Consider the following Scriptures:

1. "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
2. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name." - Psalm 100:4
3. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6

As Christians, we have a lot to be thankful for. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins, and was resurrected from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:25). We have a hope of spending an eternity with God in heaven, and we have a mission of trying to get as many people on earth to join us in this ultimate victory.

The Rewards of Rest

I am enjoying rest from graduate school for a few weeks. Rest is a gift from God. It is a time to relax, reflect, refocus, and renew commitments to fulfilling goals.

The Bible has much to say about rest for God's people.

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." ~ Psalm 62:5

"The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble." ~ Proverbs 19:23

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." ~ Matthew 11:28-29

"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his." ~ Hebrews 4:9-10

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” ~ Revelation 14:13

The Benefits of Being a Child of God

God is my Father - Galatians 1:3-4
Jesus Christ is My LORD and Brother - Romans 5:1; Hebrews 2:10-12
The Holy Spirit is My Counselor and Intercessor - John 14:16; Romans 8:26-27
My Sins are Forgiven - Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5
I am an Heir of God and a Co-Heir with Christ - Romans 8:17
I am a Slave of Righteousness - Romans 6:18
I am in the Kingdom of Light - Colossians 1:12
God Hears My Prayers - 1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 5:14
I have been Raised with Christ and Seated in the Heavenly Realms - Colossians 3:1; Ephesians 2:6
I am a New Creation - 2 Corinthians 5:17
I have Direct Access to God - Ephesians 2:18
I am in the Body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12:27
I am Part of the Royal Priesthood - 1 Peter 2:9
My Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 6:19
I am a Citizen of Heaven - Philippians 3:20
I have Eternal Life - 1 John 5:13