Focusing on the wondrous works of God!

   Yesterday evening Jon and I were leaving for the hospital to visit a friend of his that is in a coma. Last week he was recovering from a massive heart attack and subsequent triple by-pass, and was up talking with us and doing well. He was released. On his way home he suffered another heart attack. He is in a coma, but responded to Jon's voice. They are hopeful. The world views hopeful as wishin' for the best. As a Christian I view hope as confident expectation to see God's Word manifest. I do not concern myself with the "percentages" or "prognosis". My part is to stand on what God has promised, believe that, and not waiver. I don't mix fear and what I see in with the hope I have in my faith in God. (Waiver here: there are factors that involve the person that can usher in or quell those promises.)

   When we were leaving yesterday, I looked up to see yet one more beautiful Oklahoma sky. I was reminded of God’s mercy that endures forever, and the power of His faithfulness, goodness and love. While reading in Psalm 119 this morning I remembered those clouds and how truly awesome our God is. I thought I would share the clouds and the verse that touched me just now.

Guy Fawkes Night of Thanksgiving at The Chapel

   A dear friend of mine sent me this photo of Guy Fawkes night being celebrated in Reading, England at their Chapel.

   Guy Fawkes Day/Night commemorates the unsuccessful attempt by a group English Catholics to assassinate Protestant King James l of England. Though this attempted plan seemingly had the savvy to succeed, it failed. Guy Fawkes, a part of this plan and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, was caught guarding the explosive matter positioned to kill the king on November 5, 1605. January of 1606 those involved and arrested were to be executed. Days before they were, a member of Parliament, Edward Montagu, proposed that there be a day set aside to give thanks for God’s intervention and deliverance from harm to King James l. This has been a celebration of England’s giving thanks ever since. The Church of England still uses the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. A form of service was written just for Guy Fawkes Day. The saving of the King was huge, and to this day they use that prayer service as Thanksgiving on November 5.

   We are headed for our Thanksgiving here in the USA. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, not because the food is so wonderful, but that is a day to thank God for all the blessing He gave us through His Son. All good things come from God. I think we should do Thanksgiving days throughout the year. I say Well done!, England for your diligence in thanking God for your King’s deliverance!

For any history buffs or any other Anglophile’s reading this, here is a link to that Book of Prayer’s Fifth Day of November Prayer.

   Here is a link to a blog I have enjoyed whose author is English and now lives in, and is a citizen of the USA. This link gives a wonderful account of Guy Fawkes Night from her perspective.

Peaceful unity promotes the Gospel!

These three verses are very dear to my heart, two are exhortations, the other an edifying encouragement. 

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 

James 3:16

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 

Romans 12:8

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 

Psalm 133:1

   I enjoy life pleasant and do not like evil- ever. I live a life where being spirit-led is very important to me. I trust the Holy Spirit to lead me in living in such a way that those verses are not just words in a book, but written on my heart and manifested in my life.

I think Bob Yandian is one of the best Bible teachers of our day, and this article is so needed in the body of Christ.

Bob Yandian SETTLING DIFFERENCES If another believer sins against you, go privately and out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17 NLT Jesus tells us that the most important thing is not who is right or wrong in a dispute, but that peace is kept between brothers and sisters in the family of God. In other words, winning your brother or sister is more important that winning an argument. The “one or two others” mentioned are to be impartial. As impartial observers and hearers, they can make an objective and prayerful decision. Again, the desired result is the gaining of the brother or sister. Settling strife is the honorable conclusion God is looking for. When issues are settled behind closed doors, the first benefit is to the local body of believers. Because little or nothing is known by others, gossip and discord cannot begin. The next benefit is toward unbelievers. Because strife is not seen, the issue of the gospel can be kept clearly before them, even by those believers who at one time had contention between themselves. The Holy Spirit is involved in the private settling of strife and in the public declaration of the gospel. When strife and contention become manifested before the world, the issue of the gospel is lost behind the smokescreen of accusations. We are to go into all the world to preach the gospel, but into the closet to settle our differences. Yours in Jesus Christ, Bob Yandian

You can visit Bob's website here.

   

Doing Church

   This post is about an article I just read that a friend put on Facebook. Before you read any more of what I have written, you might want to read this article.

   I wish each of you that just read that article and I were all in a room together so I could hear your responses, and chat about them. The author begs the question, "If a worship service includes no prayer and no Bible reading, can we even recognize it as Christian worship?” 

   It is Christian’s worshipping, but ‘what is the focus of their worship?’ is the real question here. Emotional comfort, being “seeker friendly” so as not to make a visitor or newbie uncomfortable, keeping the “service” within a certain time frame, downplaying accountability, and being entertained and not edified, encouraged and oh never... exhorted are the elements of the average church Sunday morning gathering.  God’s Word, which He exalts above His own name, true praise and worship~ the kind that isn’t just a rock concert goose-bump moment, but the kind that comes from within and generates true change and more intimacy with God, and prayer (quiet earnest talking with God where you give Him time to talk with you), are not the focus anymore. So, worship-... well by definition that means, “adoration”, “to move toward and kiss”, an “act of homage or reverence”, “to make obeisance (expressing deep respect by a courtesy as before a superior~ a bow, curtsy or other similar gesture)”-...at least worshipping God, is not even close here. That “service", gathering, is more about going to church than being the Church. This is not the Church God left us a blueprint for through the writing’s of the New Testament, this a social club with a better agenda than secular gatherings.

   We are to worship in spirit and truth. I will offer a waiver here for my next sentence in regard to some pretty amazing charismatic church services I have been to. Sadly however, it is not often you see Holy Spirit movement in most churches, and a few verses of God’s Word laced into a sermon almost NEVER rightly divides the Word of Truth. If you are comfortable with this, I would want to ask you how much time you spend in the Word and with the Lord in private. I have heard it said that church is for the fellowshipping of believers. That is true, but not the total picture. We are the Church and that means more involvement than some guitar chords, driving drums and lyrics put to music?? that can not be sung by the masses, 3 points in a talk, a speedy prayer when we gather together, and then the quick exit out after superficial socializing so we can get to lunch. 

   True worship, the spirit and truth kind, is very powerful. This kind of corporate worship will feed your spirit, your soul and give you victory therein for your flesh.  Anything that powerful the enemy is going to do whatever he can to destroy it, and he often settles for diminishing just enough to steal and destroy a Christian’s joy true worship brings, and therefore his power.

   Matthew 15: 9 and Jesus’ statement about “vain worship” has gone through my mind while writing this, but while it to a degree fits here I think that is more about men’s doctrine. This issue  probably comes a bit closer to the word “lukewarm". 

   This Tim Challies, while I have not looked at anything else on his blog making it unwise for me to make a blanket statement about him, or his blog, I will say this article is spot on.  I have SO much more on my mind here, but I need to scoot. Tim Challies' article caused me to revisit what I already knew, but to give me a good little boost in the application of  how important it really is to share God's Word, and invest my life in people for the the glory of God. I hope his article caused you to think about, or maybe even rethink "church".  After-all, 

"...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

Philippians 4:8

God's Word is good, let it be just that!

   Often I see things on facebook, and other places, that sounds very "spiritual", and some of them have some merit. This one I am sharing with you has a completely true statement it in- that being that Jesus came and gave us many, well~ all good things. The most powerful deception comes with a partial truth, and therein is one of my biggest alarm buttons, particularly in the matters of God and His Word. These partial truths that are gussied up with some curtly put paradox, or heart rendering waxing of eloquence are thoughts dropped in the mind of the reader that can, and do, diminish their overall understanding of who God is, what His Word really says, and therefore cripple and diminish the power of that Word in their life. That bothers me, a lot. As children of God we are to be victorious, more than conquerors, blessed, to have peace and joy, and to be prosperous in every area of our lives. That gets compromised when our understanding of God and His Word are compromised in us. I will most likely post on the keeping of the commandment of love before Christmas. I mean after all, it was love that sent Jesus to earth.

   In the meantime, here is a little something that I just spotted on facebook, and felt a post for Honeycomb come on.

   In the overall, eternal picture, it is ALL about what Jesus in His grace, mercy, compassion and love did. Period. But, this statement of Mr. Lucado’s gives far to much room for encouraging a lack of responsibility on us, and is untrue. You don’t have to call it a “list” but Jesus was very clear on these, and other, commandments for us:

So He answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27a

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34      

“...and the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.”  Luke 6:27-28

We are to love God, our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, our neighbors and our enemies. Jesus goes on to tell us to serve, do good, pray for others, care for them, bless them, share the gospel and go make disciples.....  None of these “works” determine our salvation, or God’s love for us. But let’s not put it out there that Jesus came with nothing for us to do.  Negating these things is disobedience and though you can go to Heaven, this disobedience will keep you from going anywhere else God, through the work of Jesus, wants to take you. 

   I post here on this because there is so much of this “easy grace” out there, and it is dumbing down the body of Christ. Why do the words "seeker friendly" come to mind? We ARE to do the things Christ did, the very things He did for us, in essence to love people. Those verses above, and many like them,  were not suggestions, they were commands. I understand that the “letter of the law” kills, and I am the first one up to come against legalism. These commands Jesus gave were not “rules", and a “religion” can not legitimately be made out of them.  They are about our relationship with Him, and the entire purpose of these, and other commands are so that we can glorify God, shine our light before all men so they can see God, and to be blessed and prosper in every area of our life. The finished work of the cross of Jesus gives the promise and the power to walk so, but we must walk in His Word. Period.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” 

John 14:15

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” 

John 14:23

   This would probably be a good time to say that joy and peace govern my life because I embrace and walk, to best of my ability with God’s grace and help, in His Word. I don’t have to do it, but I would never NOT do it. I love the life I have with Jesus.

“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” 

John 13:17

   The United States of America has the best of foundations.  Our forefather’s founded this nation on godly and biblical principles, and they are woven throughout The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and can be seen throughout the essays written in The Federalist Papers. We were founded and based on freedom, liberty and the desire to freely serve God. 

    Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:17 that, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

   In the darkest hour of King David’s life he focuses on the Messiah, Jesus Christ, that he knew would come some day and declares in Psalm 22:4 “Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them.”  David goes on in throughout the book of Psalms to declare how God through His mercy, righteousness and love saves and delivers His people.

The recordings throughout Psalms and the entire Word of God also show how rebellion destroyed people and nations.

There is no real need to say “God Bless America”; He has done already done that. What we need to do is be thankful for all He has done, will do, then  “Bless God” with our reverence and love for Him. He will take of everything else once we do. 

"...if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-15  Personally, and I believe most people want to see that for this great nation!

Let’s never forget those that have served and sacrificed for our liberty and freedom. Let’s honor and serve the God that has done everything to give us liberty, freedom and LIFE through the Lord Jesus Christ!

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...” 

Psalm 33:12

Have an amazing 4th of July!

Saint Patrick, humble Scotsman that took God to Ireland.

    It is Saint Patrick’s day! This holiday for many is a great excuse to pinch and kiss people, wear green and drink green beer, drink Guinness Stout, Jameson Whiskey, Baileys Irish Cream, eat corned beef with cabbage and potatoes, soda bread, believe in leprechaun’s and pots of gold, act Irish for the day and party. Be that as it may, March 17 is all about a humble Scottish man that loved God. 

    In the village of Kilpatrick, in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, Saint Patrick was born British to affluent parents.  The precise year of his death is unknown but most of those knowledgable agree it was between 460 A.D. and 493 A.D. Some credible religious accounts written indicate he lived from roughly 340A.D. to 440 A.D. Oddly enough, we do know he died on March 17. At the age of 16 he was captured in Wales by Irish raiders, then taken to Ireland to be a slave in the capacity of a herdsman. It is reported Saint Patrick has a dream while in captivity giving him a clear vision of God’s call on his life to take God and His love to the Irish. Hum... why am I thinking of Joseph serving the Egyptians? He escaped Ireland and rejoined his family, entered the Roman Catholic church, and became an ordained bishop. Returning then to Ireland he became the first missionary to that country, the very country that kidnapped and enslaved him. There he preached the gospel of Jesus, baptized Kings and Chiefs of government~ and in fact brought entire clan’s to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  The good work he did spread across Ireland. How do you spell revival? That so excites me. 

    There are legends about Saint Patrick ridding Ireland of snakes and using the Shamrock to illustrate the Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. There is scripture that tells us since every thing we lost in the Garden of Eden was bought back for us by Jesus, including dominion over the earth, ridding of snakes would have been a possibility. Jesus used vinedressers, farmers, sowing seeds into different types of ground, sheep, goats, weeds, fig trees, and pieces of nature the people could understand to illustrate godly principles. Therefore, I do not think using a Shamrock to illustrate our Triune God is a stretch. And, the Shamrock is now the official flower of Ireland. At any rate, I think it is most notable that Saint Patrick obeyed God and went back to Ireland to share the love of God with those that captured and imprisoned him for six years.

    For Catholics in Ireland this a Holy Day of Obligation where they will attend Mass. For some it is a celebration of their Irish heritage. Some just like it because the river gets turned green and so does the beer they will so happily enjoy. For me, it is remembering and celebrating one man’s love for God that moved him to a place of inspiring forgiveness, and the life he spent devoted to sharing God with the world. Okay, and corned beef, cabbage and potatoes are my little fodder contribution to the day. Oh, except to say that THIS Saint Patricks Day, I am in Cork and Killarney, Ireland! I am at parades ministering to children. I have been here for a few days, and will be here in Ireland for another several days as a short~term missionary, sharing Jesus! Life is GOOD! God is GOOD.......

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Shona Lá Fhéile Pádraig!

Sandi Patty's Farewell Tour

Please click on photo for Sandi Patty's Forever Grateful Tour dates.