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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Three Things Everyone Should Know About Biblical Hell--Guest Blog by Joel Littlefield

Joel's Blog is posted here by permission:




“when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

Hell is the presence of God’s wrath and holy justice.

Some say that Hell is what it is because God’s presence is not there. Even Paul, in the above passage, speaks of hell as eternal destruction that takes place “away from the presence of the Lord”

But tell this to a person who doesn’t want to be with God in the first place.

The conversation may go like this:

“Don’t you believe?”

“No, I don’t”

“Unless you believe, you will die in your sin and be cast into hell apart from his presence forever”

“Well, good! I’m not sure I want to spend eternity with God anyway.”

See what I mean? The unbelievers logic is solid here. Why would someone who wants nothing to do with God mind being in hell if all it means is that God is not there? So, is God’s presence there? Or is it not?

Consider this text:

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee? If I go into heaven you are there, and if I descend into Hell, you are there.” Psalm 139:7

If God is truly omnipresent, and He is, then He is also in Hell. But it’s a different kind of presence altogether than what the redeemed will experience. In that outer darkness His presence will not be enjoyed. The comfort that his presence gives to those who worship Him will not be there. That is why Paul said that part of the punishment is to be away “from the glory of His might”

Hell is the very real presence of God’s anger, wrath and judgement. One may wish for annihilation there, but the end will never come. The torment will be forever.

Hell is Eternal Dying

Charles Spurgeon once said that “It is the hell of hell that everything there lasts forever. Here, time wears away our griefs, and blunts the keen edge of sorrow; but there, time never mitigates the woe. Here, the sympathy of loving kindred, in the midst of sickness or suffering, can alleviate our pain; but there, the mutual upbraidings and reproaches of fellow- sinners give fresh stings to torment too dreadful to be endured.”

The Scripture concurs with this thought that the fires and torments of hell are unceasing.

Mark 9:47-48 “And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’’

A God who loves perfectly also must hate that which opposes His perfect love. A God of perfect kindness and grace must also be a God of perfect justice and judgement against all who do not obey His truth. Jesus shed his blood at the cross, and in so doing, killed death for all who believe in Him. But Hell is where death never dies, for those who go there did not believe in the Resurrection and the Life.

“and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:26

In Light of Hell we Preach Christ

Hell is mercy removed and grace withheld. It is unrelenting slavery to sin and the filth of the flesh. The drunkard will desire to be drunk, but with nothing even to temporarily satisfy. The thief will be constantly haunted with his evil desires to take what is not his. The covetous man will covet forever but gain nothing he desires. Hell is constant emptiness with no reprieve in sight. With this, let us look upon this world, not with apathy, but with compassion. We have the only news that sets souls free.

Do not be ignorant about what happens after death. All who believe upon the gospel with genuine faith will be saved. All who do not will perish forever in everlasting torment and unrelenting regret. Their punishment will be just. But we do all we can to join in Christ’s mission of reconciliation and redemption.

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;” (2 Corinthians 5:18)

The devil’s first heresy was this, “You will not surely die.” But we did die, all of us. Man is so deeply depraved that no one can pull himself from the despair. Only by God’s grace can man have life. Through the One who is eternal life can life be restored.

“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

Joel Littlefield

Joel is a husband, father of three, pastor and worship leader. His desire for blogging and writing is from a heart for the Body of Christ to glorify God in everything, and through every season.

To read more of Joel's writings, visit Made to Make Disciples 

Joel is the author of

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

Beeline to the Cross

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I Can’t Believe Spurgeon Didn’t Say That-Guest Blog by Joel littlefield

This article is posted by permission. Visit Joel Littlefield's personal Blog Made to Make Disciples to read more.



I Can't Believe Spurgeon Didn't Say That

A couple days before my new book, Beeline to the Cross, released to the public, I found out some slightly disappointing news. I had been speaking with Christian George, one of my book’s endorsers, about some possible promo ideas. The thought of having his help to get the word out about the book was tremendous. If you don’t know who he is, Christian is the Curator of the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Theological Seminary, and the assistant professor of historical theology.

Basically, if you want to know something about Spurgeon’s life and ministry, he’s your guy. And if you want to promote a book that has a title that was inspired by Spurgeon, then he’s your man. That’s why I reached out to him in the first place. I’m grateful to have connected with Christian.

In the process of our discussion he asked me if I could tell him where the original source is to the quote that inspired my book’s title. Charles Spurgeon is credited thousands of times by authors and theologians all over the world for saying, “I take my text and make a beeline to the cross.” It’s such a good quote and it sounds so much like Spurgeon that I never thought for a second as to whether or not he actually said it. How couldn’t he have?

So I began searching as deep as I could. Mostly google of course, but digging into sermons and old biographies, trying to find a place where Spurgeon actually said it himself. I kept coming up with pastors, authors or Church historians saying, “Spurgeon once said in regards to his preaching, ‘I take my text and make a beeline for the cross'”. Hey, that’s exactly what I said.

I was getting frustrated and honestly a little discouraged. Was the original “quote” that became the early inspiration for my book actually a falsehood?

Christian George and a team of guys at the college had also dedicated some time over the summer to finding this citation. They came up empty handed too. If they can’t find it, I’m not sure anyone can. So, now what? Is my book a fake? Was it not worth publishing because quite possibly Spurgeon never said what I, and so many others, thought he said?

I don’t think so. And here’s why.

Whether or not Spurgeon said it, he still did it. I believe he displayed a dedication to getting himself and his people to the cross in nearly every sermon. Was it always a direct line to the cross? Maybe not direct, but he got there one way or another. I’ll be encouraging people to make a beeline to the cross till the day I die.

That’s the whole purpose of the book. That’s why I wrote it. Because I believe it!

The Apostle Paul spoke strongly about preaching Christ and Him crucified. In fact, he made it a determination in his life to be known for that. He didn’t want to be the preacher who was known for his eloquence, his style or his many accomplishments regardless of the method. He wanted Christ to be exalted in the Church and for people to know the love of God in Christ; a love that was displayed perfectly at the cross.

I believe the message of the cross of Jesus is so significant and so powerful today that whether you’re a preacher, a student, a factory worker or school bus driver; your life can be dramatically altered in going there. As a believer, as you grow in your knowledge of the work of the cross you will experience needed change, life-strengthening power and the inspiration you need in order to do all that God has called you to do.

I stand with confidence on the premise of “Beeline to the Cross”. Not because Spurgeon did or didn’t say it, but because the cross should be and needs to be that important to all of us.

So what did Spurgeon say about the cross? Here’s just a few.

“The cross is the focus of all human history—I was almost going to say it is the centre of the life of God, if such a thing can be. All the ages meet in Calvary. Jesus is the central Sun of all events.” Sermon #786 – The Great Mystery of Godliness.

“No scene in sacred history ever gladdens the soul like the scene on Calvary. Nowhere does the soul ever find such consolation as on that very spot where misery reigned, where woe triumphed, where agony reached its climax.” Sermon #126 – Justification By Grace.

“The cross is the standard of victorious grace. It is the light-house whose cheering ray gleams across the dark waters of despair and cheers the dense midnight of our fallen race, saving from eternal shipwreck, and piloting into everlasting peace.” Spurgeon Sermons Volume 31 – The Cross Our Glory.

“I wish that our ministry—that mine especially—might be tied and tethered to the cross. I have no other subject to set before you but Jesus only.” Sermon #1940 The Best Bread.

Salvation, life, victory, forgiveness, joy, friendship with God and true satisfaction is found in Jesus Christ; at His cross. Once you’ve discovered that that is the source; the spiritual life-giving nectar for the Christian life, return to that source every minute of every day. Do not turn to the left or to the right, but look only to Jesus; to His cross, and to the work He accomplished there on your behalf.

Truth be told, there a several other quotes that have been attributed to Spurgeon which he never said. Dr. Christian George recently wrote the article, Six Things Spurgeon Never Said, that covers that very subject. I recommend you all give it a read. Then head over to Amazon and grab a copy of my book. You can let me know what you think by leaving a good review when you’re done.

Remember, in all of life and in every season, make a beeline to the cross.

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Joel Littlefield

Joel is a husband, father of three, pastor and worship leader. His desire for blogging and writing is from a heart for the Body of Christ to glorify God in everything, and through every season.

To read more of Joel's writings, visit Made to Make Disciples 

Joel is the author of

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

Beeline to the Cross

If not commenting here, for your convenience, please use this link to place comments: SusanEstesRecommends/Facebook

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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Coffee: by Linda Handzel, Guest Blog

Linda is a beautiful Christian with a powerful message. Her love of God motivates her to help others and her speaking engagements encourage many women with her enthusiastic hope and faith in God.

To contact Linda, please visit her webpage  http://lindahandzel.com

                       Coffee

 

Early one Saturday morning I was on my way to speak at a Ladies Conference, and decided to get a cup of coffee to ward off my sleepiness. I knew there was a Maritime store a few miles ahead, and decided I would stop there for a Cup of Joe. Right away I felt compelled of the Lord to stop at the Irving instead. I thought: “I’ll go to the Maritime, they have good coffee.” Again, the strong prompting came to stop at the Irving. In my head I argued with God. (Why do I do that?) The Irving was coming up on the left, and if I was going to stop there, I needed to change lanes. Firm and clear, I felt the Lord telling me to stop at the Irving. I put on my blinker.

Inside the Irving there was a smorgasbord of coffees to choose from. I stood in front of the self-serve counter, not wanting to cut in front of the woman standing there with two cups in her hand, obviously struggling with the choices.

“There’s a lot to choose from, isn’t there?” I commented to her.

“Yes, and I’m getting one for my wife. She’s picky about her coffee!”

We discussed coffees, strengths and flavors.

After we had each made our selections we moved to another counter to add cream and sugar. The friendly banter continued between us about small print on the creamers, and the need for reading glasses. That spot in the store was usually bustling, but on this morning it was just the two of us. She asked if I was from the area, and I told her where I lived. Then I asked her if she was from around here. She said she had grown up here, but was back because her Dad died yesterday. Her casual statement stopped me in my tracks. My eyes instantly switched off the coffee I was stirring and onto her face. Shock and horror filled my voice as I said: “Oh, I’m SO sorry!” She said it was okay, he had been sick for awhile, and it had been difficult to watch him under hospice care. I continued to stir my coffee, suddenly aware of the prompting of God in my heart. This woman needed prayer!

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Lisa”, she said.

“Lisa, would you mind if I prayed for you right now?”

“Oh, yes, go right ahead!” she readily welcomed the idea.

I leaned toward her a little, careful not to overwhelm her personal space. I prayed for comfort and strength in the days to come, and help for her whole family.

I said “Amen” and lifted my eyes to see that she had bowed her head and leaned in toward me, listening intently to every word.

We said goodbye, I paid for my coffee and headed for the car.

As I drove away I realized that the need to stop at Irving for coffee had nothing to do with coffee. Instead it had everything to do with a broken hearted woman who needed prayer!

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To read more of Linda's writings visit her webpage http://lindahandzel.com

Linda Handzel grew up with two brothers in a Christian home, and began her personal relationship with Jesus Christ at a young age. Soon after she completed her college education, Linda noticed a handsome man in the young adult’s Sunday School class. This young man named Michael noticed her too, soon he asked Linda to go out with him. In only six months Michael asked Linda to marry him. Five months later they were married and began a family together. God blessed them with four children whom Linda home-schooled.

Just before their 24th wedding anniversary tragedy struck the Handzel household. Michael was killed instantly when someone hit him on his motorcycle and Linda had to deliver the news to her children: “Daddy’s gone to Heaven.” Through the dark days and long nights of grief, Linda has never been alone. God has faithfully led her through the many trials and transitions that were brought on by Michael’s death.

Linda’s public speaking ministry began soon after Michael died, and her message to women is that God loves us, and wants to help us through the hurts, heartaches and horrors of life. She shares both personal anecdotes and stories from the Bible, using them to illustrate that God has a perfect plan for each one of us.

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If not commenting here, you may comment on Linda's page, http://lindahandzel.com , or for your convenience, please use this link to place comments:  SusanEstesRecommends/Facebook

Thank you.

The Danger of Relying on Talent-Guest Blog by Mark McIntyre

Guest Post used by permission from Mark McIntyre's blog Attempts at Honesty

The Danger of Relying on Talent

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations

about how Scripture should impact the church

and the world. Mark is the original author

and editor of Attempts at Honesty

If there is one sad story that we’ve seen too often repeated in the church, it is the story of gifted leaders getting off track. The result is a train wreck. Some of the most famous examples have been those who had large radio and television followings.

It may be a great over simplification to say that the story of Jeroboam explains this phenomenon, but perhaps it does give us a clue.


In 1 Kings 11:28 tells us:

"Now the man Jeroboam was a valiant warrior, and when Solomon saw that the young man was industrious, he appointed him over all the forced labor of the house of Joseph."

Jeroboam had talent. He was a mighty warrior and a good manager. He was a man that men would follow. Solomon recognized this and rewarded it.

Jeroboam also had opportunity. A few verses later we are told that the prophet Ahijah came to Jeroboam to inform him that God was giving ten of the tribes of Israel to Jeroboam to lead. Not only would he lead them, but if he led well and followed God’s commands, Jeroboam would have an enduring kingdom like that promised to David.

It was at this point that Jeroboam had a choice to make. He had to choose between living in dependence upon God or relying on his wit and talent. As we can see from the following chapters, Jeroboam chose the latter and Israel suffered. 1 Kings 13:33 tells us that Jeroboam “did not return from his evil way.”

In reality, all of us have this same choice to make on a moment-by-moment, daily basis. In Luke 9:23, Jesus tells us to take up our cross daily. We have to constantly choose the path of self denial and reliance upon God. This is true not only for our Salvation but for our very existence as believers in Jesus Christ.

For those of us who are not in official positions of responsibility in the church, this choice seems like it would have small impact. Yet this is not the case. For the Body of Christ to be healthy, all of the members of the body must be in harmony with the head, Jesus Christ. We cannot be in harmony with the head unless we acknowledge our dependence upon him. Small rebellions can have a big impact.

For those, like Jeroboam, who have been given the responsibility to lead, small rebellions will always have huge impact. I believe this is why James 3:1 tells warns us that teachers will incur a stricter judgment. It is one thing to move yourself out of God’s blessing, it is another to lead a group toward chaos.

For all of us, small or great in the workings of the church, we need to learn the lesson of Jeroboam. Self reliance and self will have no place in the Kingdom of God. We rely on our own talent to our own peril and to the peril of those we lead.

We need to be reminded of the words Jesus spoke to Paul as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

Reliance upon God-given talent, no matter how great that talent is, will always end in brokenness and failure. It’s not worth it; depend upon God and God alone.

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To read more from Mark McIntyre, visit his blog Attempts at Honesty

About Mark
I am a follower of Jesus Christ who has grown up in the Church. I often say that I am a believer in spite of the church, not because of it. Yet, God has used my experience in various churches to spur me on to explore Scripture for understanding of how to be “in the world but not of the world.”

I am a husband, father of 3 girls, a chemical salesman, and part-time home maintenance man. I have had the privilege of having some formal Bible Training at Talbot School of Theology and LeTourneau College (now University).

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If not commenting here, for your convenience, please use this link to place comments:  SusanEstesRecommends/Facebook

Thank you.

Guest Post--The Decision: by Linda Handzel

This is guest blog from a friend of mine. Linda is a beautiful Christian with a powerful message. Her love of God motivates her to help others and her speaking engagements encourage many women with her enthusiastic hope and faith in God.

http://lindahandzel.com/blog/

The Decision: by Linda Handzel

    When I changed over to Christian High School for my senior year she was already a student there, starting her sophomore year. I always thought she was beautifully composed, nothing like me! She had a gorgeous alto singing voice and every note was smoothly controlled as she sang praises to God. We spent a lot of time together, but my brother Stan spent more time with Lori than I did. After they graduated from high school together he went away to college for a year. During that time I was able to steal more time with her. When Stan came home at Christmas he asked Lori to marry him and the next summer I was a bridesmaid in their wedding. The weekend after that she was the Matron of Honor in my wedding.

    My husband and I moved a few towns over when we got married, but Lori and Stan stayed in their home area. We had our first three children, and after a few years Stan and Lori gave birth to a boy, then a girl. Our lives got busier and we saw each other at various family holidays, but not as much as we would have liked.

    The summer that we both celebrated our sixteenth wedding anniversaries we gathered together at a Fourth of July family picnic. That day Lori quietly pulled me aside to tell me the news that she had found a lump and the doctor had ordered a biopsy. Cancer ran in her family and she was scared. She was only 37 years old and I knew there was no way a woman that young could have breast cancer! Her sister had a lot of problems with cysts. Surely that would be the diagnosis!

    Mum’s voice was quiet and low when she called a few days later to tell me the results of Lori’s biopsy. “The news isn’t good. It’s aggressive Carcinoma.” I literally reeled and spun around with the impact of those words!

    My whole world came to a crashing halt. I couldn’t think of anything else– my brother’s beloved sweetheart had cancer! For several weeks my mind rocked and whirled with countless reactions. How could this possibly happen? I knew what I would say to someone who came to me with this diagnosis in their family: “God works all things out for His good. He’ll give you the strength to go through this. He’s still a healing God and you can believe Him to heal her. If He doesn’t heal her here, He’ll give you the strength to make it through. God will take care of their two children.” Endlessly those words ran ‘round and ‘round in my head. But I found myself questioning every phrase. Did I really believe this stuff? The verses that came to my mind from memory had never been tested like this before, and my faith was shaken to the core! I questioned the very foundation of all that I had embraced and lived for since childhood. What if God wasn’t really all I said He was? Did He really care? Was He able to heal? If he didn’t heal Lori, would He carry us through this horrifying journey? Just the thought of my broken-hearted brother and their two young children was more than I could fathom. Stan was a pastor! How could God even think of allowing Lori to have cancer?
Lori’s treatment plan was laid out: Radical mastectomy followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Dozens of foreign-sounding medical terms were thrown around while all of us reeled with the reality of the unfathomable. And I questioned: “WHERE IS GOD?”

    Mom and Dad struggled while watching their son’s heartbreaking trial. My whole family was cut to the core. I kept thinking of all the reasons this shouldn’t be happening to us: Mom and Dad had brought us up in a Christian home. We had all been saved as children. Each of us had chosen Christian mates, and now we were bringing our own children up in Godly homes. Each of us was deeply involved in our own church. In spite of doing all the ‘right’ things, it felt like everything was going wrong!

    Maybe God didn’t care! He sure wasn’t acting like He cared! Maybe I couldn’t trust Him at all! Maybe I could find someone else to trust. Maybe I had been wrong all these years, and God wasn’t what I thought He was. Maybe I should just give up on this whole thing called ‘Christianity’. It sure wasn’t working out for the ‘good’ that I wanted!

    For three weeks I wallowed through questions. I was so mired in anxious confusion that my children commented I was sighing all the time. I felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders, and I was helpless to get it off! Nothing happened when I prayed, all the words seemed hallow. What was I going to do?

    Finally I started to recount the many ways God had clearly answered prayer throughout my life. Who else would answer like that? I had always known deep in my heart that God was with me, through every turn in my life. Who else was offering that kind of companionship? I had seen Him perform many impossible miracles in answer to prayer. Who else was capable of doing that?

    I was hanging laundry outside one day when one question suddenly stood out more than all the others: If I abandoned my belief in God, who could possibly take His place? All other thoughts came to a standstill as I wrestled with that one ultimate question: WHO ELSE IS THERE TO TRUST? Right there, on that sunny summer day I concluded that there was NO ONE! I felt a huge weight lift off my heart! Relief flooded my being when I firmly decided that I needed God, and only God! He was the only One who promised He would never leave me or forsake me. In all my life I had never felt abandoned by Him. He was the only One who said He wouldn’t give us more than we could bear.

    As I looked back over my short life I couldn’t think of one time that God had ever let me down. At different times in their short lives my children had been catastrophically ill, yet I felt God’s presence with me while I waited for Him to heal each sickness. I had prayed so many times for wisdom as a mother, and He had led me in ways I had never dreamed of! No matter how I searched, there was not even one moment in my life when I could say God had let me down! I decided I could believe the words of Isaiah that said: “His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. For as the Heavens are high above the earth, so are His thoughts higher than our thoughts!”

    YES, I was going to trust God! I was going to cling to His unchanging hand! I would believe that He would hold my family as we traveled this scary journey! I believed! I did believe and I held tight to those beliefs as I went forward with my family.

    T hat journey wasn’t easy because it was fraught with highs and lows. Lori finished the treatments and felt better for a few months. But sixteen months after the first biopsy, she was diagnosed with bone cancer. They tried other treatments. Stan took her to Mexico for alternative medicine. And we prayed. Oh how we prayed! I’m sure that many thousands of prayers were said, asking God to heal Lori. And He did heal her! At dawn on a quiet June morning the phone rang with the news that Lori had gone to Heaven. I remember so well that it was a wonderfully clear day, a perfect day to fly to Heaven! Lori was only sick with cancer for 23 months and then she was perfect.

    I thank God for the weeks I spent questioning the foundation of my faith. When I decided God was the only answer for me I had no idea I was deciding on a platform that would hold me without faltering for many tears to come. The next sixteen years after Lori died were filled with one heartbreak after another for our family. Too many times I’ve stared at a young body in a casket. In my mind it seems that only old people should be in caskets. Yet I know God is in control! We’ll understand it all when we meet Him (and our loved ones) in Glory! Until then, I still believe His Way Is Perfect!

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http://lindahandzel.com/blog/

 About Linda      

Linda Handzel grew up with two brothers in a Christian home, and began her personal relationship with Jesus Christ at a young age. Soon after she completed her college education, Linda noticed a handsome man in the young adult’s Sunday School class. This young man named Michael noticed her too, soon he asked Linda to go out with him. In only six months Michael asked Linda to marry him. Five months later they were married and began a family together. God blessed them with four children whom Linda home-schooled.

Just before their 24th wedding anniversary tragedy struck the Handzel household. Michael was killed instantly when someone hit him on his motorcycle and Linda had to deliver the news to her children: “Daddy’s gone to Heaven.” Through the dark days and long nights of grief, Linda has never been alone. God has faithfully led her through the many trials and transitions that were brought on by Michael’s death.

Linda’s public speaking ministry began soon after Michael died, and her message to women is that God loves us, and wants to help us through the hurts, heartaches and horrors of life. She shares both personal anecdotes and stories from the Bible, using them to illustrate that God has a perfect plan for each one of us.

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Preaching Is Not The Old Way-Guest Blog

by Joel Littlefield

The early Apostles preached Christ through the Holy Land, into Asia-minor and all the known world. You couldn’t have stopped them if you tried. Their words went out with power and with the Holy Spirit. Necessity laid hold of them and love constrained them onward in the face of opposition and persecution.

Can this kind of movement happen today?

Preaching is not the “old way”, as if some newer, better way has been invented. Neither does cultural relevance have anything to do with its success. With the right content, the power of the Spirit who raised Christ from the grave and willing vessels, the preached gospel can change the young, the old, the rich and the poor who believe.

The message that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners and that faith in Christ alone brings forgiveness of sin, must be preached in truth and proclaimed with passion. Why such passion? Because sinners who believe in the gospel receive eternal life.

They turned the world upside down with the finest preaching this world has ever known. It was truth. It was bold. It was risky. And it never came at the expense of good theology. They were martyrs; true and faithful witnesses to the glory of Him who loved this world to death.

So whether on the streets of our communities or in our churches; whether to a friend or a perfect stranger, the gospel must be preached. It must be heard. Let’s boldly tell the world the message of the crucified and risen King of glory until all have heard.

Romans 10:14 “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”

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Joel Littlefield
Husband and father of three, pastor and worship leader. My desire for blogging and writing is from a heart for the Body of Christ to glorify God in everything, and through every season.

Author of Grace in Crossville and Beeline to the Cross

Link to Joel's website Made To Make Disciples

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Prayers For Blessings--Presented by my Husband

This is from the notes on the subject of prayer that my husband Ivan presented to the Silver Saints, a monthly luncheon for the older members of our church. Each month someone will deliver a short Bible topic and my husband was asked several times to speak. 
Please enjoy Ivan's message.

Lesson Topic--Prayers for blessings.
Matthew 6:31, 32. Therefore do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”

Prayer is letting God know your personal wants for yourself and to others even though He already knows. Being able to talk with God one on one, letting Him know personally what you are asking, even when He already knows what you’re going to say. It isn’t selfish to ask for blessing or pray for yourself because He wants to hear from us individually. It pleases Him for us to talk with Him.

If you’re praying for health and wealth and you don’t get it, you may decide your faith isn’t right or maybe not enough. You begin to believe that’s why you’re not getting what you’ve asked for. I think that when we pray or ask for a blessing, we would like to have a response quickly, but time to the Lord is on a different schedule than ours.

Isaiah 55:8 "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways' Says the LORD."

Blessings don’t always equal health and wealth but praying for blessing is a good thing to do. It’s not selfish to ask. God wants to give everything good to us. But a good thing to remember is it’s not always a good thing to ask for yourself. Ask for others to be blessed; family, friends, even the unsaved, and your enemies.

If you prayed for someone to accept Jesus’ salvation and they do accept it at some point, it certainly is a blessing for them. It also blesses you and it blesses God. That’s a positive. And further, now they will have blessings of their own! Just think; if they accept Jesus as Savior, they then would have their lives turned around and their focus changed. They wouldn’t still be seeking the things mentioned in the verse in Matthew. Now, you can join in their happiness too.

I don’t know about you but I don’t think I pray enough. 

Examples of men who diligently prayed are Daniel, Paul, and Jesus.

Daniel 6:10 cf (....knowing the writing had been signed... he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom.."

(Paul’s letters open with praying blessing for someone. Romans 1: 7,  Corinthians 1:3, 2 Cor 1:2 and so forth) 

Daniel and Paul were very steady with prayers, praying everyday and anytime.

We know Jesus often went to be alone to pray and gather strength and get refreshed. Getting alone with God is important, but He prayed for His people. 

Finally, asking for blessings we don’t get doesn’t mean we’re not blessed. We might not receive blessing in our time but in God’s time. 

We are still being blessed. We’re making God happy!

• We awoke this morning. We’re blessed!
• We got dressed. We’re blessed!
• We ate breakfast. We’re blessed!
• We’re breathing. We’re blessed!

The list goes on and on and on………

I found these 2 quotes from Our Daily Bread that I feel sum up prayer.

“I blindly ask for what I crave,
With haughty heart and will so stout;
He oft denies me what I seek,
But gives me grace to do without”

And this quote—If God doesn’t give us what we ask for, we can be sure that He has something far better.

Have faith in the Lord for who He is and what He can do or will do for you or anybody. You can be certain it will come about in His time.

God is the Living God, there is no other we can go to have our prayers answered.

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This was delivered in 2008. Today, because of age and health, Ivan has since become too ill to attend church. But he is still a faithful prayer warrior.

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