Sunday, November 30, 2008
Nov. 30, 2008
There are times in your life that require action. Words only said but not acted on fall to the ground. There is a time when what you do speaks volumes over what you say. There are those who use speech to bind you and restrict your action while their actions are not a reflection of what they are directing. Jesus summed the up his ministry in two words...follow me. The problem is that today people who tell you to follow them aren't doing what Jesus did. Jesus said He did not do what He didn't see the Father do. Most people want you to follow a doctrine or legislation that is not Christ (but conveniently packaged as such). It stifles the God given giftings and callings of your life and reduces it to the perspective of what they believe God will do with the mantle on your life. God gives us glimpses and people with their own perception try to fill in the blanks and play Holy Spirit. I refuse to be captive to any idea and mandate based in pride again. We say what God is doing in the earth, elections, lives, countries and churches filled with pride because we were a vessel God spoke through before to give His truth. We are trying to advance our lives, country, finances, etc. while God is only advancing His kingdom. We need to all step back and stare into the mirror of the Word of God and check our own hearts and see what we are excusing while we try to reach for a speck while blinded by our own log.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Are We Missing It All?
When did the life of a Christian stop being about Christ in you the hope of glory and tied around events and happenings. We have seemed to put dying to ourselves daily and letting Christ live in us on the back burner. Don't get me wrong we pray it all the time but we don't do it. We forget and revert and not do what God wants.
James 1:22-27(NLT)
"22 And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. 23 For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law – the law that sets you free – and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. 26 If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us."
We've forgotten that if action is not applied and discipline (empowered by the Holy Spirit of course) we only have a form of godliness and we forget what it was God wanted to fix in our lives. When we get away from God's Word and start getting into traditions (things we do ritually and the way we've always done something) and church as usual we end up dry and stale. Growth comes from doing the things God says. I know a lot of people who can say the right things but the actions of their character and heart show another. In Acts Jesus told us to be witnesses . One church was so much like Jesus they started ridiculing them by calling them Christians and Paul said don't be ashamed to wear that name.
When was the last time anybody teased us for being like Christ? My point exactly. When have our personal actions stirred up the Pharisees in our modern church? My point exactly. We have put the emphasis on events and not people. We have forgotten John 3:16 and we are trying to orchestrate a move of God without his primary objective which is souls. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. The lost definitely don't come to us no more because statistically with divorce, children out of wed lock and many other issues we kind of look the same overall. What they need is the uncompromising church that will live what it preaches and is their brother's keeper. The gospel is designed to be lived not only preached. We are so into building a church organization when the church is the people. God is building His church with living stones. Get out of your pew and live it for those around you. You will be the only Jesus some people will ever see. What do they think of Him because of you?
-Shamik
James 1:22-27(NLT)
"22 And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. 23 For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law – the law that sets you free – and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. 26 If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us."
We've forgotten that if action is not applied and discipline (empowered by the Holy Spirit of course) we only have a form of godliness and we forget what it was God wanted to fix in our lives. When we get away from God's Word and start getting into traditions (things we do ritually and the way we've always done something) and church as usual we end up dry and stale. Growth comes from doing the things God says. I know a lot of people who can say the right things but the actions of their character and heart show another. In Acts Jesus told us to be witnesses . One church was so much like Jesus they started ridiculing them by calling them Christians and Paul said don't be ashamed to wear that name.
When was the last time anybody teased us for being like Christ? My point exactly. When have our personal actions stirred up the Pharisees in our modern church? My point exactly. We have put the emphasis on events and not people. We have forgotten John 3:16 and we are trying to orchestrate a move of God without his primary objective which is souls. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. The lost definitely don't come to us no more because statistically with divorce, children out of wed lock and many other issues we kind of look the same overall. What they need is the uncompromising church that will live what it preaches and is their brother's keeper. The gospel is designed to be lived not only preached. We are so into building a church organization when the church is the people. God is building His church with living stones. Get out of your pew and live it for those around you. You will be the only Jesus some people will ever see. What do they think of Him because of you?
-Shamik
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
The Day After...
I'm going to be blunt and honest. The gospel of Christ is not hatred of people. Whether you agree or disagree with who won is not the issue. When people start saying things that are just evil and ungodly to one another that's where i personally draw the line.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Eph 6:12-20
Our business as Christians is to spread the gospel. God has the ability to change people's hearts. My Pastor in NY used to go out 5 days a week to preach the gospel to masses. I see now by not even wanting to go that even I had lost touch with what the church was here to do. We gather to ourselves and don't go out and wonder why things are different in real life instead of what's in the world we created in our minds. We can't effect change for Christ if the world doesn't see a difference. I always believe God is always in control and has everything in His hand. I voted. I'm done. I am first and foremost a citizen of heaven reaching people for eternity one heart at a time. If God rules hearts even what the law dictates won't matter. The righteous will be righteous and all will not follow God. Is my life and actions bringing glory to God or show Him to be something He really is not? People are watching you today to see how God reacts. Jesus never lost His cool even headed for the cross. He knew who was in control no matter what anything looked like. Things must happen for the end to come and to not be prepared is a mistake. Pick up a Bible and find out for yourself what he says. Pray not because we need to but do it because that's what God wanted us doing all along. Don't be moved by so-called circumstances but overcome by the Word of God. Don't be moved by the temporal but be inspired by the eternal.
-Shamik
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