Are You Watching?? by Shalene Kearney

Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way , when you see all these things taking place you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth this generation* will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert and pray! Mark 13:28-33 (NLT)

I had a conversation recently, in which the topic was Jesus' return. Oh how I long for that day! I do not long for the suffering that I know will take place amongst the unbelievers, but I do long to go home. Do you watch and wait and pray for that day to come? Do you even believe that that day will come? I pray for the sake of your eternal soul, that you do.

So many times, we get caught up in our daily lives and the "busyness" of life and don't remember that this life is not all there is. There is a Higher purpose for our lives here on Earth. Are you living your life as though each day could be the last? Do you make a point to mirror Christ's love to everyone you come into contact with, so that you just might be the catalyst for their salvation through Jesus Christ's sacrificial blood? Or do you think to yourself, "I'll do it tomorrow?"

---Lord, I pray today that you show me every opportunity to mirror your love in all my activities. That you will show me every opportunity to share Your Good News. And I pray that you will move within me so that I do share that Good News. I pray that you give me the strength and the wisdom to do so. I pray that you will speak through me, because like Moses, I fear I do not have the gift of speech necessary to convince others. Only through you can I attain the level of perfection that you created me for. I pray for your swift return Lord, so that I may come home, and sit at your feet in worship. In Jesus' Holy Name I Pray.
Amen

My "Church," My "Religion," and My Faith

If you have followed my last few posts regarding "church" membership, fellowship and accountability, then you will understand that I do support the attendance within a "church." I do this not because I support a particular doctrine or place of worship, rather it is because I find that fellowship with like minded believers helps to strengthen my own faith walk. I do not expect others to agree with my stance, nor do I feel it lessens their ability to strengthen their own faith walk, unless they find that they are unable or unwilling to "walk in the Spirit" on their own. There are not many that can do so. In order for most to be strong in their faith and in their convictions that what they believe is the Truth, they need others to help guide their steps. Yesterday, in the church that I attend, our pastor made a good point for this. He gave an illustration of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus took 3 of his closest "friends" and asked them to stand watch for him, because as He said: "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Matthew 26:36-38 (NIV) In Ecclesiastes we read that "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to heop him up! Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV) This was also from our sermon yesterday. The basis for this sermon was being Spiritual Warriors for the Lord, and that we all need others that will help us. This does not mean that we must belong to a "church" as a place, but rather to a "church" as a body of LIKE MINDED believers, regardless of the meeting "place." I do not think it necessary for me to denounce my "religion" as my faith is my "religion." I give myself a label of "Christian" because that is what others would say I am. I am a Christ follower, first and foremost. I am not perfect, only loved by a perfect God! Nor has any other Christian ever been perfect (Jesus was not a Christian, as He did not follow himself.) I do not feel as some do that the Cross is a symbol of warfare, but rather a symbol of all that Christ gave, so that we might have eternal life. I do not worship the cross, but rather the one that died upon it, and then rose from the dead 3 days later! I pray the blessings of the Lord upon all that read this post.

Is There Any Need for Church??

There are those that would say that going to church is not necessary for salvation. There are those that would disagree. Here's what I think: going to "church" is not necessary for salvation. However, I do think that fellowship with other believers is necessary for continued growth and discernment in your Christian faith walk. Jesus said that gathering together to study his words and his message and finding agreement (everyone agreed as to what was meant, and all understood.)

"I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers,* I am there among them." Matthew 18:19,20 (NLT) *Greek: gathered in my name

These were Jesus' words, people! He instructed us to gather together so that we might lift one another up, and be able to discern God's will in all matters, rather than our own. All believers have the Holy Spirit within to help guide their ways, but God did not take away our free will when He gave us the Spirit. We are still tempted, and we will still ignore the Spirit's prompting and need others that will hold us accountable, and take the time to explain why our sin was sin. (I think that quite often our sin may not actually be intentional, or we just have not evaluated whether our actions or thoughts are sinful.)

The only perfect human was Jesus himself, and even He kept fellowship with others so that He might teach them, and so that all might learn from one another and keep each other accountable to the Word of God and to His instruction as Christ followers. Jesus also stated that the church would be the rock upon which His foundation would be laid.

By "church" He meant a body of believers that were in fellowship with one another on a regular and consistent basis. Whether that means going to an organized church every Sunday, or having a bible study in your home regularly, I don't know if it matters. What does matter is that you have fellowship.

In fact, I think it's possible to have virtual fellowships, if they are consistent, and the people in fellowship with one another can truly be in fellowship with one another. I also feel it's necessary that there is some educated knowledge of scripture, with attendees all having various levels of spiritual maturity, but with at least one person that is able to teach the others (because they have studied the word extensively and have tested their interpretations of it.)

Even Jesus went to synagogue regularly. "When Jesus came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. Luke 4:16 (NLT) If Jesus, the Son of God, and Savior of all, went to church regularly, who are we to dissuade anyone??? I for one wouldn't want to take the chance that I might be discouraging someone from seeking the Lord.

If you read 1 Corinthians 12:12-25 You will find that Paul shows us here that we all need one another, because we are each a part of the whole "body of Christ." And goes on to say that "This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it..." 1 Cor 12:25-27 (NLT)

For those that say that the church today is not what Jesus intended, I say this: Many churches and congregations have stumbled in their efforts to spread the Good News, and some have had leaders that stumbled. But who are we to judge? Do we not have logs in our own eye? I do not think that we can lump all churches into this group.

There are churches available that teach the Word of God, as it is written; and that strive to be truly godly in their leadership, and encourage their members to do the same. The only thing that is accomplished by discouraging church attendance, is that unbelievers usually stay unbelievers, and sinners die without ever knowing the saving grace of God.

So again I say: Do I think that church attendance is the only way to be in fellowship with other believers? No, I don't. However, I do think you must be in fellowship, in some manner. Do I think that every believer needs another to help hold them accountable? Most assuredly yes. To believe otherwise, is to listen to the deceiver, just as Eve did in the Garden, when she was told that by eating the fruit of knowledge, she would be as God. You cannot be sinless, it is not possible. You can try, and you can come close, perhaps, but all of us are sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God. Even after accepting Christ as our savior. Let go of pride in self, and reach out in love to others that may need your "body part."
Love and Blessings in His Holy Name.

ONLY GOD by Winsome Smith

"The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth" (Psalm 145:18).

We like to feel that we're capable, in control. We know our goals, our resources, and our limitations. We expect minor obstacles on the path, of course, but most of us face times in life when we feel quite self-sufficient.

Dare we name that self-sufficiency for what it is?
When we attempt to live our lives on our own terms, we fall victim to some of the oldest lies. They go back to the Garden. We think God has withheld something that would make life more fulfilling, that our way is better, and that we can do life on our own. Pride tells us that we can live life on our own terms and in our own power.

Eventually we face problems and challenges that introduce a note of frustration into our lives. We are faced with a relationship gone sour, a loved one who is suffering, a need that is bigger than we can handle. We may enlist the help or concern of friends or family. Then we realize that they too are unable to make the problem go away. "It's impossible," we say, and we turn away in discouragement.

Is it possible, dear one, that the challenge you face is the key to a deep, profound joy, one rooted in intimacy with God Almighty? An overwhelming task, a difficult relationship, the burden on your heart can drive you to a deeper dependence on God Himself. Is there some impossibility facing you that you cannot manage on your own? Have you become tired of trying? Invite the God of the impossible into that place.

God alone can change hearts, renew minds, and restore relationships so that they mirror the Father's relationship with His Son. God alone can bring an abiding peace in hearts that have been set in opposition to Him and to one another. God alone can take unspeakable pain and turn it into a place of blessing. God alone can turn mourning to joy and desperation to a rock-solid hope. God alone can make us new.

Only God specializes in the impossible. Will you join with me today in asking God for what only He can do? Take time to talk to Him today about the impossibilities in your life and the lives of those you love.

Prayer: Lord, I face impossible circumstances and relationships today. I lay aside my own agenda and timetable, and ask for Your guidance and provision. Would you work in these situations? Show me who You are in the middle of my difficulty. I entrust myself to You this day, knowing that You alone are my sufficiency.

Will God help me? By Jon Walker

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Luke 10:27 NIV)

You learn to trust God by obeying him in small ways.

At this point in your faith-walk, you probably agree that God is the supreme ruler of the universe, powerful enough to overcome any problem or defeat any enemy. "Everything comes from him; everything happens through him; everything ends up in him." (Romans 11:36 MSG)

And if that is true, then our struggle to take a step of faith is not over the issue of whether or not God can deliver – he clearly can do that.

The real the question is: Can we trust God to be sensitive to our needs(or what we perceive to be our needs?

Perhaps the resistance you and I exhibit when we’re faced with a faith-step is because we seriously doubt God will look out for our best interests – “Yes, I believe God can work this out, but will he?”

And this often lapses into the speech of behavior that says, “I know I can work this out, but I’m not sure God will – at least I’m not sure he will do it the way I want to see it done.”

The incredible thing is this: God patiently understands your hesitancy, so he made the first move toward establishing a loving, trusting relationship with you. He didn't wait until you could be trusted to receive his love, and he doesn’t insist you become trustworthy before he trusts you with precious gifts. (Romans 5:6-8)

This means that by taking small steps of faith, obeying God in small ways, “We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand – out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.” (Romans 5:2 MSG)

So what?

· God is trustworthy in everything (Psalm 33:4) – He is love (1 John 4:16b), and therefore patient and kind; he's never rude or self-seeking; he's not easily angered, and he keeps no record of wrongs; he does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth; he always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres; he never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) He is always fair (Deuteronomy 32:4), and he’s never failed to fulfill one of his promises. (Joshua 21:45)

· Meditate on God’s faithfulness – When you struggle to trust God, meditate upon his faithfulness and love. Remember that, for now, we "know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled." (1 Corinthians 13:9-10, MSG) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way." (Proverbs 3:5-6) God is calling you to grow up in your faith and to trust steadily in him.
(1 Corinthians 13:11-13, MSG)

· Take your fears (lack of trust) to him – God's perfect love casts out all fear, and that means you can safely tell him about your doubts and fears. He isn't angry when you struggle with your faith. Imagine a father watching his child take those first baby steps. Like a father overjoyed that his child is learning to walk, your Heavenly Father encourages you to take small steps of obedience.