A Partaker of Christ: Guest Post by Larry Linton

This is post is used by permission.

“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;“ Hebrews 3:14

It says we are made the partakers of Christ. We are made, denotes that it is nothing we do, or have done but entirely of God’s grace.

I am baking bread today and not one loaf can say that it made itself. I measured the flour, sugar, salt, water and oil and I pounded it until I was satisfied. The end product passed through the fire but not of it’s own choice and now I have nice brown loaves cooling on racks with no effort of their own at all.

I as someone outside of themselves did all the work and I’ll admit I might have been hard on them a few times but the end product is worth the toil and the pain inflicted upon each and every loaf of bread. There will be no halleluiah dance tomorrow when I put them in the van to sell, and not one will lift up it’s head if pride because of all that they had done to make that oven so hot.

As Christians we have a far too high opinion of ourselves and the things that we have done to make things happen down here on earth.

The passage says for we were made partakers of Christ. The Christ was the name for the long awaited one or the redeemer of Israel, or the man upon the throne from the very beginning. He is the one that picked out the ingredients for His Church and He is the one who designs our trials to fit each one of us.

But then some preachers talk of all the things that they have done, as if God had been nowhere in sight. We are nothing of ourselves but we have been made partakers of the Christ the redeemer, and it is only in him that we live and move and have our being.

This being a partaker of Christ is only possible when we remember who we are and where we came from.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8, 9 & 10

We plainly see here that we are saved by God’s grace and not by our own works, and it gives us a reason for this in verse 10. We are His workmanship and we are created in Christ Jesus for the express purpose of good works, and not works of our own choosing, but, after our salvation by grace, whereby God purchases us, for His own glory. He has chosen works for each one of us to do based upon our “God given” talents.

Both Ephesians and Hebrews tell us the same thing. Hebrews says that we are to hold the beginning of our faith steadfast unto the end and Ephesians says we were chosen to perform good works, which God hath beforehand ordained that we should walk in them.

It is very necessary to remember where God found us,----- on the road to Hell, and He chose us and saved us by His grace, never think more highly than we ought to think, we are nothing without God and God performed everything, all of the way.

Praise His Holy Name.

God Bless!

Larry Linton is a retired widower, a former Pastor and Church planter, who studied Bible Exposition at New Brunswick Bible Institute. He is an avid blogger on Facebook, posting almost daily going through the Bible book by book, verse by verse.

Larry also is a baker, who's fresh breads help a mission in Mistassini, Quebec.

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The Greatest Story of All-Guest Blog: Grant Norsworthy

This post is used by permission. To read more from Grant, visit his blog and webpage.

http://grantnorsworthy.com/blog/ & http://grantnorsworthy.com/

The Greatest Story Of All

J.R.R. Tolkien is best known as the author of two GREAT stories: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Both stories are incredibly powerful and wildly popular. I wish I could say that I’ve read both numerous times, but I can’t. Like most people (I guess), I had to settle for the Peter Jackson directed screen adaptations.

I’m a fan of both stories, but I do find The Lord of the Rings to be far more engaging. What about you? If you’re like me and prefer The Lord of the Rings, we are not alone! The Hobbit has sold about 100 million copies, while The Lord of the Rings has sold in excess of 150 million. The Lord of the Rings movies grossed over $10 billion at the box office, while The Hobbit trilogy gathered less than $3 billion. All impressive numbers, but the difference is huge.

Both of these incredible stories – like any good story – describe a conflict and its resolution: An obstacle that must be, and is overcome. But while The Hobbit is about some greedy dwarves and how they get their treasure back from a dragon, The Lord of the Rings depicts the incarnation of absolute evil in Dark Lord Sauron and the war fought by the good beings whom he would seek to destroy and rule over. It’s the supreme struggle between good and evil! What could be more compelling than that?

Generally speaking with stories, the bigger and more overwhelming the obstacle, the sweeter triumph over that obstacle tastes. The more difficult the conflict, the more satisfying the resolution. Stories with BIG conflict and a correspondingly BIG resolution will make a BIG impact. They engage us like nothing else can.

The story of a person from an uneducated, deprived background earning a Ph.D. is more compelling than a 5th grader moving from a B to an A in mathematics. The story of escape from a Nazi concentration camp is more compelling than escape from a large, wet, brown paper bag.

The conflict that is resolved is bigger in The Lord of the Rings than in The Hobbit. That’s why it connects more deeply and more widely. But, to me, there’s a story far more important and powerful than even The Lord of the Rings!

I believe the greatest and most important story of all is of God and his created human beings – you and me – all of us. It’s the story described in The Bible. It’s the ultimate struggle of God’s goodness versus the evil of Satan – the devil. And it’s not just some made up story! You and I are characters in this epic, real-life, unfinished story.

In perhaps its simplest “elevator pitch” version, this great story’s central theme is worship. The plot? Having been rejected by His own creation in the Garden, God summons his beloved people to return to Him – to worship Him above anything else. He knows this is the only way that people will be able to truly live as we were created to live.

As God spoke through the first of His Ten Commandments:

“You shall have no other gods before me.”

Exodus 20:3

But forces of evil stand in defiance against God and use all manner of sinister deception, power and influence to entice people to worship anything but God.

The story has always been about worship: The worship of God or the worship of something – anything – else. From the dawn of time to this very moment, there has always been a monumental conflict for humankind between the worship of God or Satan’s counterfeit, idol-gods.

But where’s the conflict and resolution in the Christian “worship” of today? Where’s the irrepressible attraction of the greatest story if “worship” becomes something that happens only once a week inside a church building designated by very specific, semi-passive activities?

With the imperative attraction of conflict and resolution removed from what we call “worship”, is it any wonder that many people turn away – leave The Church – or perhaps sit inactive and passive in a pew – unengaged, unmoved and uninspired?

And so, let’s expand our view of worship. Let’s move more deeply into the overwhelming, monumental conflict that is raging over our worship.

As we should have learned in school, the elements of story are:

Setting

Characters

Plot

Conflict

Resolution

The setting of worship is not just inside a church building. The war rages anywhere and everywhere we find ourselves.

We are all characters in this great story – not just the people with microphones on the platform, or in the stories we hear from The Bible.

The plot of worship is so much more than what happens during that hour or two on a Sunday morning. The plot is deep and wide and rich and woven through every facet of our lives.

And there is conflict. And there will be resolution to this epic, life and death – eternal life and eternal death – struggle of worship.

Therefore brothers, in view of God’s great mercy, offer yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, and let that be your spiritual act of worship.

Romans 12:1

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To read more from Grant, visit his blog and webpage.

http://grantnorsworthy.com/blog/

http://grantnorsworthy.com/

Grant Norsworthy is an Australian speaker and musician, based in Nashville, Tennessee, USA since 2002. With a message birthed from an intriguing personal journey profoundly impacted by the Word of God, Grant is uniquely qualified as a compelling voice on a number of important topics to all sincere followers of Jesus.

Grant has encouraged, challenged and entertained audiences of all ages, sizes and flavors in almost all of the fifty United States and in many countries around the world. With his engaging blend of storytelling, illustrations, humor, solid Bible teaching and music, Grant’s involvement elevates any event or Church service.

As a former member of top CCM and “worship bands” Grant passionately speaks to the meaning of worship: To refine and elevate the imperative role of music in the Church, but also to clarify what it means to offer ourselves as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).

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Love & Grace--the Ministry Engine

Ministry for God, as witnesses to Jesus is the work that gets the gospel of salvation to the lost. Without love it is impossible. Love is the manifestation that you are of God

"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophecy" 14:1.

"Pursue love" Jesus said that everyone will know who Christians are because we love each other with the love with which He loves us (John13- 17). Love is the foundation fruit of the Holy Spirit (Mark 12:29-31, Galatians 5).

Desire spiritual gifts" The word 'gifts' is added in the English to help convey what is meant, but the original language says 'desire the Spiritual'. Desire to be filled with the love of God and the power of God to be a witness to the work of Jesus through the cross (Act 1:8) Everything that the Holy Spirit does points to Jesus and the Father, (John 13-17)

So, desire to be the instrument that reveals Jesus and the Father to the world seeking the true and living God. That takes letting the Holy Spirit indwell and fill you. And that is amazing!

'especially that you may prophecy' Paul, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, added this clause with the conjunction 'But' (However, Also, To be sure). It is this kind of speaking witness to Jesus that is the capstone to the work given to born again Christians. For a Christian to correctly speak from and teach from the Bible is how the lost receive the truth of God, (Hebrews 1:1, Romans 10:8-15, 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17)

We serve an amazing God!

Grace is the foundation of all God's works. Without grace we could never be connected to God. It is His grace that supplies the love and life through Jesus Christ.

God's grace is the fuel for all works in Jesus' name.

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. For it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything f...or all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11.

If God gives you a ministry and you put all your heart into it and make your sacrifice and offering to God for the ministry to save the lost, God takes all that you give, whatever that is, and multiplies it in ways you cannot imagine.

He uses whatever it is you give, whether material, time, or monetary, for His glory and the purpose of saving the lost. And because you can see His grace abounding for all through your love and service to God and people in need, your thanksgivings will multiply and your praise will be sweet.

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The Bible, A Book Like No Other!

This is an excerpt from chapter 2 of my EBook Squished! Why God Seemingly Destroys Our Fruit.  The book was written from the experience of when my home church split in a disagreement among the elders and pastor. This was one of the bits of knowledge I learned as I felt and watched how my brother and sister Christians responded to the upheaval.

The Bible, A Book Like No Other:

If there is a book today that tries to describe God in any way other than the original text, then God did not have anything to do with its production. I believe that God has one Book He wants mankind to read above all else—the Bible.

Ecclesiastes 12:12, 13, “And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: ‘Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.’”

Have you ever looked at the marvels of the book of Judges? Who witnessed Samson asking the servant boy to place his hands on the pillars inside the pagan temple? Who told the story of what happened? Everybody died!

Consider the story of Esther. That is a great example of holy living in a pagan world but who told the writer what was going on in Haman's house? GOD was the witness! God imparted that information to the writer; maybe it was a servant in Haman’s house, maybe one of his henchmen babbled it after the hanging. No matter how the news got out, ultimately God made it known.

Because God wanted us to have it, we have the amazing testimony of Job. Just the first chapter should raise goose bumps. God gave the writer the information about what happened before His throne in Heaven. Who else was there?

In the New Testament, who told the writers the truth about what went on between Jesus and Pilot? Could that information have come from the Roman guards that came to know Jesus as Lord after the crucifixion and resurrection? Wow! What incredible grace if that is how it came to be included in the Bible? God knew!

What about Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, that was only between Jesus and the Father. The only other people there were asleep!

The Bible is truly God's book! It's all true. It truly is a living book, a miraculous book!

We must confess we don’t understand it all and at times it can blow our thought processes, however if you are truly born again you know the Bible is true. We accept the things we cannot understand because we know God is that amazing!

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Re-Posting: They Missed Christmas: originally posted 12/14/13

(2015), I expanded this into an hour long Christmas program performed by my home church on Christmas Eve.

They Missed Christmas

The innkeeper missed Christmas. He turned away a woman heavy with child because she and her husband could not pay enough for him to bother to oust another paying guest.

The guests of the inn missed Christmas. Not one of them took pity on the woman to give up their room for her comfort.

The town of Bethlehem missed Christmas. When the shepherds came into the city seeking the wondrous thing proclaimed by the angels, no one ventured to search out why they were excited.

Months later, the Priests and Scribes missed Christmas.An entourage of men, Astrologers from another country, came because of a new star that had appeared. They knew the prophecy that this new star announced the birth of the King of the Jews. When questioned by Herod about what these travelers were talking about, the Priests and Scribes answered correctly that the King would be born in Bethlehem. Nevertheless, they never went to see for themselves.

Herod missed Christmas. He believed the Travelers about the new King and out of jealousy, he tried to kill the baby to get rid of the threat to his reign.

Many people on December 25 will miss Christmas. Millions will have parties; laugh and exchange gifts but they will miss the real gift of Christmas.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulders. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son and whoever believes on Him will not die but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Let us not miss Christmas.

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Do You Want Revival?

Brought dynamically alive by God for His work would be great!

But, is it possible, if God the Holy Spirit revealed Himself to some congregations today, might there be more weeping than rejoicing.

To have the perfect presence of God come into the midst of a Sunday congregation would expose how terribly sinful we are and how unfit we are for His work. When Peter saw one miracle, he fell at Jesus' feet and begged Him to leave,(Luke 5:5-8). And Peter was a godly man seeking the coming of his Messiah, (John 1:40, 41).

In the past, when the God's revivals came, the men and women went into small groups of prayer, and earnestly sought God for themselves, fasting, asking to be cleansed, forgiven, and made right for the work. And then they turned their prayers toward the needs of others.

And God answered their faith and faithful prayers to change them and the areas around them for a generation.

"Fear of the LORD is instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility" Proverbs 15:33.

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" 1 Peter 5:6.

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction, but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Now to Him who is able to keep
you from stumbling, and to present you faultless
before the presence of His glory
with exceeding joy, to God our Savior,
who alone is wise, be glory and majesty. dominion and power,
both now and forever.
Amen."
Jude 20-25.

To be revived, you must admit you're dead and without power in yourself, trusting God to bring life back to your body.

Wanting revival shouldn't be for personal benefit, it should be a desire for our God to be revealed and glorified by the changes in our lives and the lives of those who will be saved by His grace and love.

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Insult My Sacrifice To God

Leviticus Chapter 22 has an interesting list of people God says can and can't eat the holy and most holy offerings.

"And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to Aaron and his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they do not profane My holy name by what they dedicate to Me: I am the LORD'" 22:1,2.

The church should be careful to maintain holiness to God as we share meals with unbelievers. Our contributions should be realized as holy offerings to the Lord our God. Taking donations from the unsaved should be forbidden so as not to profane God's holiness in their eyes.

Though the Hebrew Law isn't an integral part of what the church follows, we do know the need for keeping Jesus' Name and Person holy. And in light of some practices where unbelievers are invited to share meals in a church building, I think we need to be a bit stronger in showing holiness of Jesus' Name and Personage to unbelievers today. (I am not promoting legalism)

I say this in regards to the practice of many church's 'public suppers' where a donation is taken or a fee is charged. The unsaved have no concept of God's holiness, His Sovereignty, or that He doesn't need anyone's money.

If a congregation cannot afford the offering of a meal for God's glory then they shouldn't be having 'public suppers' and making the unsaved pay for it.

No money should be taken from the unsaved person who comes to share the meal, and their attempted donations should be refused,  so as to let God show Himself mighty in the congregation and among the lost.

You can't keep people from trying to pay for their salvation on a Sunday, or anytime you pass an offering basket. To help alleviate this problem, it should be remarked upon as the offering is taken. But if a person goes away offended because a church wouldn't take their money at a Free Supper, AMEN & so much the more glory to God!

There are far too many 'churches' that get their support by selling suppers. For me. if a church refuses to accept money for any meals served where the general public is invited and gets a reputation of being the only church that doesn't take money, then they've set a precedent for the other Bible-based churches to follow.

They've become witnesses to the unsaved public, and other believers, that they know their God can supply all our needs according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:17-20)

Too many unsaved people have too many opportunities to try to buy their way into heaven through churches that accept any and all donations.

And on the particular night when inviting the general public to a supper and a believer tries to donate, I would turn down their money also. Just to set the example and not give any area of confusion as to the offering we are making to our God.

I mean, a believer has any number of opportunities to give. If we have the meal planned and enough of everything, then donations are superfluous at that time. It's like they're telling me, "You can't afford to give this much to God, so take this money and replenish your out of pocket expense." I would consider their money an insult to my faith in God. And a further insult to my sacrificial offering to my God.

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The Bible, a book like no other

This is an excerpt from chapter 2 of my EBook Squished! Why God Seemingly Destroys Our Fruit

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II. The Bible, a book like no other

“Then I said, “Behold, I come: In the scroll of the book it is written of me” (Psalm 40:7).

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Ever think about why you enter a building on Sunday or any other day of the week and, with a crowd of listening people, stay attentive to a man standing on a platform at the front of a large room and speaking from the Bible? Sounds crazy doesn’t it. What in us desires such dedication? Could we even describe it? As crazy as it sounds, Christians the world over do gather for mutual worship and to listen to godly men teach from the Bible.

Isn’t it amazing how simplistic worship of God is for His people? We know God loves us to frequently gather and listen to teaching of His word.

Wow! And that’s worship!

Have you ever thought about what we are listening to each week in a Bible-based sermon? What exactly do we hear? Are we merely listening with our ears, or our whole being, our soul and spirit?

We have something the earliest Christians didn’t have. Before God spoke through men to write down His words as the Bible we have today, God-fearing people had few copies of the written word, and contained the history of God mainly by memorization and recitation. Oral stories are great but do many of us actually study and retain the word of God when we hear it? Apart from the written word, how accurate is your knowledge about God? How much of the Bible can you tell to someone?

**

Bible study:

“…it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed” (Luke 1:3,4).

Luke and his friend corresponded about Jewish history. Theophilus must have had bits and pieces of information and Luke wanted to set it straight for him to grasp the significance of it all. Luke and Theophilus had a detailed Bible study. Studying the Bible with a friend—what a wonderful privilege between Christian brothers and sisters.

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What if God didn’t give us any information about Himself and we had to find it on our own? Ever think about not having the Bible to tell us about God in today’s world? What if God had never given us the Bible, from where then would truth come?

What would happen to you if the Bible somehow disappeared, as if it never existed? Do you know enough about God to sustain your relationship with Him? How much Scripture have you memorized. How complete a picture do you have of God?

Is the only time you open your Bible is when you attend church service? What would you rely on if disaster struck? What comfort would you have if you had no access to Scriptures? Would you have to run to another Christian or your pastor for a word from God? What do you do if you lost the availability to that person to help you understand the will of God?

Scary thought isn’t it.

The Bible is a gift we should praise God for every day.

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It Is Today's Commission Too--Guest Blog by Joel Littlefield

This is an excerpt from the 30 day devotional Grace In Crossville by Joel Littlefield, Assistant Pastor at Calvary Chapel Crossville Tennessee.

This is used by permission, with minor editing and change of formatting.

Day 18

It Is Today's Commission Too

"And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority

in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the

Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe

all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am

with you always, to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:19

Allow the words of Christ to sink deep into your life, so you will not forget. Shape your life, your church, and your family goals around this Great Commission. This not a mere suggestion as I'm sure you've heard before, but it is a holy command That comes fully equipped with the power to carry it out.

The Creator, Jesus, the one who upholds the very universe we live in, the one who flung the stars into the deepest space, the one with the authority to save a soul from the pit of hell, He is with you until the very end. He has commissioned you, His Church to make disciples. the fields of your communities, towns, workplaces, and even your homes are white for harvest. Bring the love of Jesus to someone. lead them to the cross. Baptize them as a testimony to the world of the all sufficient blood of Christ to cleanse man from sin. teach them the word of God with your very life, and remember that you are not alone.

Jesus is building His Church and has chosen to use you in His mission to save souls out of every nation, tribe, and tongue. The words of His commission were among the last words of the savior. Cherish them unto obedience.

Father, You sent Jesus, and now Jesus sends me.

The world He came to was dark, and so is the

world that I live in.

Even still, You have commissioned me to be

Your witness. Show me the harvest that I

should take part in. Burden my heart with

Your compassion for the lost, and give me

boldness to proclaim the gospel, the only

message that saves.

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Joel Littlefield is the father to 3 wonderful children, and blessed to be married to Callie. Joel currently serves as the worship leader and assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel in Crossville, TN.  His passion is to preach and teach Christ to the Church, and show that His glory, His joy, and His will are our primary mission in life as Christians.

Joel is the author of

Grace In Crossville (Amazon)
and
Beeline to the Cross (Barnes & Noble)
(Tate Publishing & Enterprises LLC.)

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Father's Day---Not Very Good Memories

My earth Father worked hard and played hard.

A farm boy with an 8th grade education, my father was very smart. He was a superb machinist, and could draw in 3D any machine design inside and out. If he had the right tools he could build it to any scale needed or build the tools needed to build the machine!...

He was a superb auto mechanic and metal body builder/customizer.

He dreamed big and wanted the best things.

Six feet tall, he was ruggedly handsome with shoulders and chest of a body builder. His hair was thick, black and wavy. He was a great dancer, even on roller-skates. His singing voice was a deep tenor. He could sit in on a 'red-neck' band, playing the spoons, mouth harp, harmonica, washboard and the saw blade. He was a wonderful cook.

He married a sweet, dark haired girl, who matched his wisdom. When she helped my brother Mike with a paper he had to write for school, his teacher failed him for it, stating it was obviously written by a college graduate and not a sixth grader. (Mother also an 8th grade graduate.)

Together they raised 5 very smart children.

*********

I hated my father.

My father was a pedophile who molested his own daughters, messed up the lives of his sons, and battered his wife.

I didn't attend his funeral and I have never been to my father's grave.

**********
If there was ever a dysfunctional family, we were it. But today, I have a great Christian family at Grace Bible Church.

I've had to learn to love. And I have found love.
God has shown me love and has helped me love Ivan as I have never loved anyone before.

I have forgiven my father. I do hope he asked Jesus to forgive him before he died. I would love to have my father greet me in heaven.

He was asking for a priest on the day he died in Togus but he died before the man came.

A priest cannot absolve anyone of their sins, only God can do that when you ask Him, so that information has little meaning, but if my father was thinking he needed forgiveness, he may have cried out to God at the end.

God is that loving and gracious and would have forgiven my father. God died on the cross for the sins of my father. All he needed to do was ask Jesus to save him.

Praise the Almighty Lord Father God!!!

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God is my Father in heaven. I am born into God's family through Jesus Christ. He has made me one of His daughters and loves me much more than any earthly father ever could.

"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15.

But.......

Father's Day doesn't have good memories.

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Don't Interrupt My Song To God!

I can't sing. I can't read music. I do not know what the notes are in the music scale. I can't go up or down in a lyric until I've heard someone else sing it. I sing mostly in monotone. After I have learned a song by mimicry, I can then do a good rendition of it from whomever I have learned the song.

For all of that, I enjoy singing to God.

I am not sure if I would say I have a handicap to the singing part of worship, but it means I need the Song Leader to sing the songs the same way each time. I need the Song Leader to sing what is written in the Hymnal, the Chorus Book, on the overhead screen, or on the song sheet I have been given. If the song is going to be sung differently, the Song Leader needs to tell me at the beginning and lead me in the new set-up. Don't change it in the middle of the song.

I am singing to God. My voice is lifting to God. My mind is on God. I am worshiping God.

When I sing in a church service, or where God is worshiped, I am following the written lyrics, or memorized lyrics, word for word. Because of this, when the Song Leader's voice breaks in to say something not on the page or screen, suddenly I am interrupted. My mind is stolen from God because I have to stop to find out what the person wants me to do.

They've stolen my worship when they break into the lyrics to say something.

There have been issues where older congregations have failed to embrace the new music of worship. I tend to enjoy the older hymns and choruses also but on examining what I dislike is what I am explaining here. I can sing along with the 'contemporary' music on the radio with no difficulty lifting my voice to God with the newer style. I don't mind singing with a guitar, drums, horns, or any instrument but I need that instrument to be helping me to sing my worship to my Lord and Savior. I've discovered it's not the music, so that leaves the presentation.

What I need in a church service is for the Song Leader to lead me in singing of praise to God.

Please, if you are a Song Leader, simply do that for those of us who haven't your musical skills.

Singing the same verse/chorus repeatedly does little to help me worship. I end up wondering how many times we're going to repeat this after the first five or six times. That means I've been stolen from God.

If I have the words in front of me, I don't need to be reminded what verse I'm on. An instrumental solo isn't necessary either.

I can sing with a full orchestra in church but they need only help me in worship of God. I like good music, and I like all sorts of music but when I'm singing to God that's what I am doing. The Song Leader is just that---The Song Leader, leading me in singing to Almighty God.

When it's time to sing to God, lead the singing. Don't interrupt my worship.

Don't interrupt my song to God!

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I Challenge Your Faith!

These are some question that I ask in the workbook section of my EBook Squished! Why God Seemingly Destroys Our Fruit. I had to answer these questions for myself when my home church went through a difficult time. I had to ask myself who or what was my I basing my faith in or on? Was my faith real?

How strong is your faith in Christ Jesus, the Lord? I want to challenge you right now to think about the consequences of sudden disasters like those that hit Job. These may sound gloomy but I want you to focus on the joy of the Lord; the joy that we are to have because we are pilgrims looking for the country where we are going. With these scenarios I challenge you to think about how close your personal walk is with Jesus and how much is just earthly baggage.

 What if your house burned down today? Everything in it is now ashes, not one thing survives. Mentally walk through your house right now and look at the things you have. Right now it is gone! It no longer exists!
1. What are you feeling the loss of most?
2. What is going to substitute for that loss?
3. Who are you going to trust to relieve the loss?
4. What is it you are afraid of facing the most at the loss of your house?


What if your spouse died today? Are you walking close enough to the Lord to accept it? If the person you love never comes back to you alive today, what do you think about?
1. Do they know I love them?
2. Have they trusted the Lord as their savior?
3. Have I prayed for them lately? Really prayed for their safety, well being, love, strength, spiritual growth? That they are walking close to the Lord daily?
4. Are they ready to meet the Lord Jesus today?


       If the scenario was your children died today, ask the previous questions for this also.

What if your home church burned, there is not a shred of anything left; to what do you associate the building?
1. What constitutes as loss when the building is no longer available?
2. How does this affect your worship?
3. How strong is your feeling toward the activities that you attended?
4. How much were you accustomed to what was available inside the building?
5. If how you served depended on the material inside the building; how will you serve now?


 What does the pastor mean to you in terms of your church attendance and service?
1. Do you come to church to hear him or God?
2. Do you feel uncomfortable when someone unfamiliar speaks?
3. Do you think this is the proper way you are to listen to sermons?
4. Are you reluctant to listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart through a different speaker?

What if you died today?

1. Are you ready today to meet Jesus?
2. Is your daily desire to meet Jesus face to face?
3. Is your family strong enough to walk with Jesus after your death?
4. Is there someone you need to tell about Jesus? 

     Examine your daily spiritual life.
1. How much of your life since your salvation has been building with straw, hay and stubble?
2.. How much of your life was building with gold, silver and precious stones?

Where are your values? Is it your stuff, your people, your

activities? Today, can you walk through your house and say to Jesus, I throw it all away. I challenge you to do just that.
1. Where have your thoughts been lately?
2. Where are they right now?
3. Do these scenarios hurt?
4. Why? Or why not?

Be Real!

Ask Jesus to clean your house, to show you where your stuff is hindering your service to Him. 

Do you love Him enough to let Him have everything?

Do you fear Him that much?

Think about these scenarios and pray about your thoughts daily.

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Motivating Peter

God wants to show us His great grace and mercy apart from what we already know.

We often talk of Paul's missionary journeys, but Peter did some remarkable things also while out in the field.

"Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda" Acts 9:32

&

"So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner" Acts 9:43

Peter was someplace he'd never been before, yet God knew exactly what He was going to show Peter about His awesome power to save anyone, anywhere.

God told the early Christians that in the power of the Holy Spirit, the church is to go everywhere preaching the salvation of Jesus.

"But you shall receive power when

the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be witnesses to Me in

Jerusalem, and in all Judea and

Samaria, and to the end of the earth"

Acts 1:8.

But the first century church stayed in Jerusalem until after Stephen was killed and the persecution began in earnest. Then they scattered but they took their faith with them everywhere.

Whether Peter was moving around a bit because of the persecution the Bible doesn't say, but we do know that while Peter was not in Jerusalem, God showed him the great expansion of the church.

God does record in Acts that Peter, in his new faith and boldness in Jesus, speaks to a sick person whom God healed, prays for a dead person and sees God bring them to life, and stays with a tanner, (Acts 9:33, 40, & 43).

We're not told if Peter had traveling companions. And the fact it says he was staying at Simon the tanner's house, we can assume no one from Jerusalem was with him. It seems Peter was stepping out of his comfort zone by traveling alone.

Peter's expressions of faith while apart from his fellow Christians is culminated in the salvation of Cornelius, the Centurion. Peter hadn't personally thought about going to the Gentiles before that time. But now, with God's prompting, Peter's submission to do things in faith as he had ever done before revealed to him God 's love for all peoples, everywhere.

Maybe Peter was reluctant at first,

but the more he saw God work,

the easier his obedience became.

Which thing is true in our witness. Even when it is out of our comfort zone, the Holy Spirit may wait until we're in a place where He can do something amazing. This new thing God uses us for will glorify God and grow us in our faith and knowledge of God, (2 Peter 3:18).

Our small steps of obedience can be the very thing God uses to bless all those with which we come in contact. We step out in faith that God is with us and our obedience to that is God's door to His grace.

"(Jesus) answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mystery of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him" Matthew 13:11,12

& repeated in the parable of the talents (money)

"For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him" Matthew 25:29.

Peter didn't have to do anything. Yet, if he hadn't trusted God at His word, Peter would have missed out on seeing God's miracles.

Sometimes God waits to use us after we leave our familiar territory.

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Is Your Life Manna?

And they asked "What is it?"

When the children of Israel needed food in the wilderness, God supplied them with a heavenly substance. It tasted sweet and it sustained their lives.

"So when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as the frost on the ground. So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, 'What is it?' For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, 'This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat."" Exodus 16:14,15

"And the house of Israel called its name Manna. And it was like coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey" Exodus 16:31.

"What is it?"

Good question.

Simply, it was something only God could supply.

In the wilderness, the Israelites were certainly going to starve if they had to fend for themselves. Moses, the man of God in their midst, interceded, asking God to provide for the people's lives. Through His infinite grace, God gave them Manna, which was like a sweet pastry and it nourished them completely, though they had no idea what it was.

"The children of Israel....gathered, some more, some less. So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one's need" Exodus 16:17,18.

No one, throughout the entire camp, went without. The excess was distributed to all as each family needed.

Today, God has given to the world bread from heaven which gives a better, everlasting life. Jesus, as a symbol of the God-given Manna, is our source for eternal life.

Jesus said "I am the bread of life...This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread, which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world" John 6:48 &50,51.

While we cannot and do not physically eat Jesus, we do have Him in ourselves through faith. And because of our faith that He died for us, in our place on the cross, He lives in each believer in the Holy Spirit. We do not fully understand this, but we know He gives us eternal life.

Among the Christian church today, for those in Christ:

"...There is one body and one Spirit, just as you

were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord,

one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all,

who is above all, and through all and in you all.

But to each one of us grace was given according

to the measure of Christ's gift" Ephesians 4:4-7.

But around the world some gather none, while others gather much of Jesus.

Are we, the people of God, interceding for those who are starving for Jesus?

Are we willing to share Christ Jesus with those who have little of Him, or none at all?

Are we giving Christ Jesus away from the abundance He has supplied of Himself to us?

If Christ Jesus lives in born again Christians, giving us sweet, wonderful, eternal life, are people asking "What is it?"

Is your life Manna?

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