If God Doesn't Say It Why Do We Do It?

The older I get the less I get. I wonder how many people among the living are also among the thinking. Much of the information we share with each other is regurgitated rhetoric from some source we "trust". Even Biblical doctrine has sadly become heavily based on this. The myth of tolerance only get the majority view heard and takes that a the norm without proof. The suggestion of personal study as the Bible recommends has fallen to the wayside as the microwave society takes another opinion as their own. This to me has made it frustrating as in the "so-called church" you see souls get moved away as a priority. If a person of a certain look, culture, race or social background comes into a house of worship they are an inconvenience rather than an opportunity to show God's Eternal Life. If they are welcomed the other problem is that they have so much doctrinally shoved down their throats that they run in fear. They are babes and need to be weaned. The culprit is church being a success by numbers of people not in developing successful people. I always felt learning how to live the Christian practically has been missing when training a new believer. Don't get me wrong there are churches getting it done. Not as much as there used to be sadly. Heavy revelations are good but for those starting out they need to know about the gift God gave them. Discipleship is key but has to been done properly if you expect those new disciples to make more. One key problem is that people don't know the basics of the faith. Most ministries teach off of their drives and forget to give the basics. Leaving these disciples open to be pulled by any wind of doctrine because they just don't know. Another reason this is done is selfishness. If you don't have a heart for others you won't do things for them that won't benefit you. But Christ lived that way. This fact to me is the most scariest. There are people who ask why i don't just cut people completely off because of something that was done or perceive done. I always answer why should I? What gives me the right? I know what gives other the right. They are on the throne of their lives and don't see the damage done to The body of Christ by such behavior. Just because you don't stay connected and God moves someone gives no right to cut them off or drag them through the mud with your mouth and actions. Words separate once spoken and even if never verbalized though the parties the weight of them not repented for are a weight between relationships. Most relationship just go on that way. These couldn't exist if we taught the basics of Eternal Life to our new believers. I personally believe if we can't agree on the foundational things agreement concerning anything else will never be possible.

Seeing What God Wants

I am thoroughly convinced that if people understood God in the way scripture shows Him the would be slow to give their synopsis of what they perceive. There are moments when we are not hearing from the Holy Spirit and we move on what we think, would do or how we see a situation. My friend reminded me of something I said a few months ago. I basically said you can't make an elbow a knee. Yes they both bend and do similar things but an elbow on your leg would be out of place and wouldn't work right. I learned to be careful before I speak now. Being a very passionate and emotional person who takes things to heart I must be careful not to engage in things too much that God didn't call me to war in. I've found God raises up people for certain tasks and sometime those things are not your heart. The problem is that we get so passionate and sold out that we want everyone to see what God has called us to do that way. Not going to happen. Does it mean they don't believe in it or support you? Of course not. That's a childish mentality. Remember when you would go to do something wrong when you were a child? You didn't want to do it alone. You would convince and bagger your friends until they went. As Christian adults we shouldn't do that we should find people who want to go with us then we will have people who stay the course because they're heart is in it. There are many things I have the ability to do, then there are things I love to do. Put me behind an instrument, soundboard, training or working with kids and youth then I'm in the zone. Try to make me do things that I can do but don't love I become frustrated and lash out. The problem is that we see a gift or talent in somebody we want to fit them into our call and plans or ride their coattail. Instead we need to ask God what did you create them to do. When I pick people to train I always ask God to show me the hidden ability not developed or mentored yet and then go from there. Needs are real but putting somebody where they won't thrive can be detrimental to not only their gift but Christian walk. Using somebody but no caring what God has for them can birth bitterness. (I have ben there a few times and refused to do it again.) When God shows me something I want to know is it time or should I just start preparing in this season. Timing in life is pivotal. I believe we want somebody who can come into the church and go gung ho instead of training what God has already placed in the house. We wear somebody out physically and mentally and wonder what happened because we did not even watch over who God put in our care. I usually find that when youth are active in a church they fill gaps that lack but most churches don't invest in their future. We need to step back and ask God what to do with what He has placed in our hands and be responsible for it.

You Know What Happens When You Assume...

It's one of those things in life where people size you up and they believe they know your motives in life. We all experience this on a day to day basis. But a conversation with someone I deeply respect gave me some personal insight. We all thing we are some sort of gurus in our own mind and for the most part people equate how why someone is doing something on the way they think. This causes problems. I remember years ago trying to tell someone the truth but their reaction and actions showed they didn't believe me because of an idea stuck in their head. Basically for me this taught me to learn to listen and quiet my mind to what I think. The Bible clearly tells us only God knows the heart and though He might reveal something to us it's only a piece of the puzzle. Most of the problems would be avoided if people would be able to honestly communicate. The majority of people I dealt with in life like to sweep things under the rug and not deal with them. This usually causes an unexpected reaction of some sort that could have been avoided. Even if there is communication we have to try to avoid "translation" (trying to decipher instead of listing to what's communicated) or assumption. If we really trust the person even though it doesn't make sense to our train of though we should try to understand what's going on with them as much as we can. (Granted these tips are for people who want real relationships and not superficial ones.) A relationship like a marriage is work and must be cultivated. Everything else is just a facade that will fall apart as soon as somebody doesn't get what they want from you. My best relationships have survived distance, drastic life changes and trials of life. They are usually based on who you are and not what you do.

-Shamik

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.

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

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

Happiness

We often attribute our happiness to things around us. We like the way someone makes me feel. If somebody doesn't notice something we changed we get bent out of shape. We look to external things to bring us happiness and joy. A major place people try to fulfill their personal happiness is in romantic relationships. When I lived in Columbus I though I knew what was up. I find as I mature that I was so clueless to the dynamics of a relationship and had a bunch of false expectations. One was that the other person would make me happy. Then after that God didn't let me have relationships because I had to deal with my own heart and issues i swept under the rug. One of the lessons I learned (the hard way) is that no body else is responsible for my happiness. A real relationship will be tested and you can't depend on anyone else to keep you happy or motivated during the "hard" times. You have to find the strength from God and choose no matter what I will be happy. I will love despite. (We act like we don't do things that irritate and annoy. We all have things that need work). The problem (especially mine in the past) was that we focused on ourselves instead of letting the way God says we should approach thing take precedence. Love is patient, kind, does not envy and so on (Check 1 Cor. 13). We need to love Him and be so close to Him that we learn to love others. Our relationship will also teach us how to express our love properly. (This lesson I am personally learning now.) Intimacy removes the fear of the unknown. Fear is due to us focusing on our own shortcomings, insecurity and possibility of rejection. I learned that the seed of rejection doesn't like to go away easy and tries to hinder and destroy what God wants. We must let God deal with those things (surgery gets messy) and be free to have healthy and happy relationships.

-Shamik