It's been a while since I posted here. I've just been extremely busy lately.
I've been really struggling though lately with people coming against me and having to deal with troublesome people. Especially in regard to family. Family has always been a problem for me. If ever I had an argument with my family, or any kind of family trouble, it's always affected me a lot. God has really helped me with that, but I still have a bit of that stuck in my heart.
And again, family has been really coming against me a lot lately. Namely 2, possibly three, people in my family. I have one who spreads rumors about me . . . well actually all three do that. My problem is that they each are buddy-buddy with the wrong kind of spirit, and they either spread rumors about me, spread absolute lies, spread assumptions and misconceptions . . . or work hard at getting other people to disrespect me or see me in a bad way.
I'm writing about it here because I'm going to have to bring correction to these family members. I'm not going to enjoy it one bit, but I can't keep letting these things happen. Especially when it's really starting to affect others in Church who are supposed to respect me and everything, and they're being taught to be disrespectful, and believe lies about me. I've had a vicious rumor spread about me since I was a teen, and now it's once again being believed by others. I was teaching a class when I experienced some trouble that was both caused by it, and was the cause of others being taught to be disrespectful to me. These evil seeds are being planted by these family members, into the hearts of those whom God has told me to teach and minister to, and they're playing right into the hand of the devil when they do such things. The worse part of it all, is that those whose hearts they're planting such seeds, will end up suffering the most because when God gives me a word or has me to help them or minister to them, they won't be able to receive it from me. So they'll end up suffering the most.
But, correction is coming. Part of me hopes that the family members read this and realize things are about to change and everything. Another part of me hopes they don't, so that they don't end up coming even more against me. But only 2/3 of the family members giving me trouble, would possibly see this post. The other one goes to other sites and pretty much ignores sites like this.
But anyways, that's off my chest now. Now I just have to carry through with the correction, and hope that the family repents and changes the direction they're headed.
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Remnant
My last post might have caused many to think I was bashing all Christians in America, or something similar to how many other Nations might stereotype Americans as lazy or something like that (as many do, sadly).
However, the way I really see America (or perhaps only American Christians at times), is like Israel and the things they did and went through in their history. They were freed from oppression, set aside as special, given so much . . . and as time went on they basically constantly forsook God and turned to other gods.
However, just as there is in America, some Christians who are indeed true and on fire for God and very knowledgeable in the Word and truly seeking God's face, God said of Israel that even though the nation in general turned from Him so often, there was a "Remnant" that remained sure and set their eyes continually to God.
The same way, I don't want to make anyone believe that I think ALL American Christians are as I mentioned in my last post. No. There are some who are not, and who ARE strong and ARE growing and ARE on fire for God. However, generally speaking, overall Christians in America are Spiritually Unhealthy and on their deathbed, or are carnal babes unknowledgeable in the Word.
However, the way I really see America (or perhaps only American Christians at times), is like Israel and the things they did and went through in their history. They were freed from oppression, set aside as special, given so much . . . and as time went on they basically constantly forsook God and turned to other gods.
However, just as there is in America, some Christians who are indeed true and on fire for God and very knowledgeable in the Word and truly seeking God's face, God said of Israel that even though the nation in general turned from Him so often, there was a "Remnant" that remained sure and set their eyes continually to God.
The same way, I don't want to make anyone believe that I think ALL American Christians are as I mentioned in my last post. No. There are some who are not, and who ARE strong and ARE growing and ARE on fire for God. However, generally speaking, overall Christians in America are Spiritually Unhealthy and on their deathbed, or are carnal babes unknowledgeable in the Word.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
American Christianity
Lately I've really been hurting for the Body of Christ here in America. I've been both angry at the willful ignorance of American Christians, as well as the amount of deception and apathy and lukewarmness that is present in America's Christian churches.
There's a ton of things I really need to say about it, and I will. However, not here, nor now. I need to pray for the right words to say and the organization to say it. I need to be led by the Spirit and not my own thoughts, in what words to say.
But I will say some things though . . . It honestly seems like Christians in America could be seen as weak children in comparison with how Christians should be. I'm speaking spiritually.
I see it too often that people praise the men and pastors and teachers who teach the Word of God, instead of praising the God who IS the Word! I hear it said way too often, people claiming to follow the teachings of "Pastor so and so" and "Brother so and so" and all that stuff. I hear things like "I love the way this pastor/brother teaches" and so forth. The focus has gotten SO MUCH on the people, instead of on the Truth of the Word of God!!
Now, I respect the pastor and I love him dearly. I'm loyal to stick by him and defend him as he teaches the Word of God. However, he is not my god. He is my brother. If he messes up, I'll let him know. He is not infallible or anything of the sort, nor does he claim to be! I remember actually, the first time I actually stepped out and talked to him on my own accord against the wishes of my family, it was because something he said was incorrect. However, I would die for him and will stick by his side. But you will not see me glorify him and deify him as you see others around america do to their favorite pastors and teachers. He is a teacher of the Word of God, and to lift him up higher than the Word of God that he teaches, would actually be doing him a disservice and doing him harm. It's the Word that is important!
That being said, I also see an incredible lack of spiritual strength and integrity and growth among Christians in America. The reason for this is because they are spiritually malnourished! They don't read and study the Word of God!! I see people claim they are good Christians and excellent Bible-believing Christians who are on fire for God . . . simply because they sometimes write down the scriptures that their favorite teacher gave during Sunday Morning service!
Now I'm not basing a Christian's walk on works of how much time they spend in the Word of God or how much they pray or anything like that. No. I'm basing it on the desires of their heart, and I'm basing their spiritual maturity on how much time they spend in the Word of God, and in Prayer, and in seeking the face of the Lord God Jehovah!
American Christians don't DESIRE with their hearts, the Word of God or Praying! They see reading a Chapter per week or month or year, and writing down scripture references given to them once or twice a week, as being not only sufficient for their spiritual life, but they see it as making them strong Christians! That's like saying "Yeah, I ate me a steak with a tall glass of milk this week. Yeah, I'm bodybuilder. You should see these cannons I got for my arms! I've never been in greater shape in my life!" My dear child, if you think eating merely a single steak dinner with a tall glass of milk as your only meal for the entire week makes you strong and healthy, then you've got a lot of learning to do! And no, I'm not judging your salvation or anything of the sort! I'm warning you of spiritual malnutrition!
American Christians just don't DESIRE God like they should! They wish to merely get by with the little bit of knowledge of Jesus and His saving grace, to get to heaven and that's it! But let me say this . . . if you make it into heaven going through your life satisfied with knowledge that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and nothing else . . . consider yourself blessed! Because even the devil himself has that knowledge! Being saved has nothing to do with the simple knowledge that Jesus died on the cross and rose again, and everything to do with a conscious decision to CONFESS JESUS and FOLLOW JESUS! That little phrase "Gave my heart and life to Jesus" means just that! It doesn't mean "I know Jesus died," and I think it's because of that confusion that will cause a lot of people to believe they are saved when they are not! How horrible it will be to see their terror-stricken faces in the day of judgment!
Not only that, but if you truly do get saved, and you are satisfied with just being saved and not learning the word, you run the very high risk of being lead astray during your life and eventually walking completely away from God and losing that salvation altogether!
But seriously! American Christians have become so spiritually weak that they ARE easily lead astray! They believe a single steak meal once a week is going to make them spiritually healthy! Yeah that's fine and dandy for a BABY CHRISTIAN! It's fine and dandy for someone who is just starting their life with Christ Jesus, someone who just got saved. Afterall, they have to grow. They don't get saved and immediately memorize the entire Bible in one night's sitting!
However, when are you going to grow up? How long does it take a Christian to grow? No time at all, in a way. A christian is supposed to grow constantly, continually! However, you have 20-year old, 40-year old, 50+ year old Christians who are still sucking on a bottle of spiritual milk . . . and they don't even feed themselves, they want someone else to feed them! I honestly have to ask myself if these people really are saved. It is my understanding that when you get saved, you WANT to grow closer to God, you WANT to learn the Word of God, you WANT to change . . . because God changes you and takes you out of the world. You may not want it in your flesh, but you want it in your spirit, you KNOW you must do these things and you at the very least TRY to do these things. And as God sees you TRYING to do these things, HE is the one who makes it to happen. But Christians who seem to never grow because they honestly don't care much about seeking the things that will make them grow . . . you'd better check your salvation. When did you grow lukewarm or stagnant?
I always say, and believe, and see a Christian walk as this: It's an uphill walk up a somewhat slippery mountain. If ever you feel content to stop going upward and forward . . . you will indeed find yourself sliding downward and backward. Don't believe me? Well I'd say try it and see for yourself, but I'd rather not. Not to mention, many don't even realize their backsliding. So, instead, if you don't believe me . . . I'm sorry to hear that. Prove me wrong, though.
There's a ton of things I really need to say about it, and I will. However, not here, nor now. I need to pray for the right words to say and the organization to say it. I need to be led by the Spirit and not my own thoughts, in what words to say.
But I will say some things though . . . It honestly seems like Christians in America could be seen as weak children in comparison with how Christians should be. I'm speaking spiritually.
I see it too often that people praise the men and pastors and teachers who teach the Word of God, instead of praising the God who IS the Word! I hear it said way too often, people claiming to follow the teachings of "Pastor so and so" and "Brother so and so" and all that stuff. I hear things like "I love the way this pastor/brother teaches" and so forth. The focus has gotten SO MUCH on the people, instead of on the Truth of the Word of God!!
Now, I respect the pastor and I love him dearly. I'm loyal to stick by him and defend him as he teaches the Word of God. However, he is not my god. He is my brother. If he messes up, I'll let him know. He is not infallible or anything of the sort, nor does he claim to be! I remember actually, the first time I actually stepped out and talked to him on my own accord against the wishes of my family, it was because something he said was incorrect. However, I would die for him and will stick by his side. But you will not see me glorify him and deify him as you see others around america do to their favorite pastors and teachers. He is a teacher of the Word of God, and to lift him up higher than the Word of God that he teaches, would actually be doing him a disservice and doing him harm. It's the Word that is important!
That being said, I also see an incredible lack of spiritual strength and integrity and growth among Christians in America. The reason for this is because they are spiritually malnourished! They don't read and study the Word of God!! I see people claim they are good Christians and excellent Bible-believing Christians who are on fire for God . . . simply because they sometimes write down the scriptures that their favorite teacher gave during Sunday Morning service!
Now I'm not basing a Christian's walk on works of how much time they spend in the Word of God or how much they pray or anything like that. No. I'm basing it on the desires of their heart, and I'm basing their spiritual maturity on how much time they spend in the Word of God, and in Prayer, and in seeking the face of the Lord God Jehovah!
American Christians don't DESIRE with their hearts, the Word of God or Praying! They see reading a Chapter per week or month or year, and writing down scripture references given to them once or twice a week, as being not only sufficient for their spiritual life, but they see it as making them strong Christians! That's like saying "Yeah, I ate me a steak with a tall glass of milk this week. Yeah, I'm bodybuilder. You should see these cannons I got for my arms! I've never been in greater shape in my life!" My dear child, if you think eating merely a single steak dinner with a tall glass of milk as your only meal for the entire week makes you strong and healthy, then you've got a lot of learning to do! And no, I'm not judging your salvation or anything of the sort! I'm warning you of spiritual malnutrition!
American Christians just don't DESIRE God like they should! They wish to merely get by with the little bit of knowledge of Jesus and His saving grace, to get to heaven and that's it! But let me say this . . . if you make it into heaven going through your life satisfied with knowledge that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and nothing else . . . consider yourself blessed! Because even the devil himself has that knowledge! Being saved has nothing to do with the simple knowledge that Jesus died on the cross and rose again, and everything to do with a conscious decision to CONFESS JESUS and FOLLOW JESUS! That little phrase "Gave my heart and life to Jesus" means just that! It doesn't mean "I know Jesus died," and I think it's because of that confusion that will cause a lot of people to believe they are saved when they are not! How horrible it will be to see their terror-stricken faces in the day of judgment!
Not only that, but if you truly do get saved, and you are satisfied with just being saved and not learning the word, you run the very high risk of being lead astray during your life and eventually walking completely away from God and losing that salvation altogether!
But seriously! American Christians have become so spiritually weak that they ARE easily lead astray! They believe a single steak meal once a week is going to make them spiritually healthy! Yeah that's fine and dandy for a BABY CHRISTIAN! It's fine and dandy for someone who is just starting their life with Christ Jesus, someone who just got saved. Afterall, they have to grow. They don't get saved and immediately memorize the entire Bible in one night's sitting!
However, when are you going to grow up? How long does it take a Christian to grow? No time at all, in a way. A christian is supposed to grow constantly, continually! However, you have 20-year old, 40-year old, 50+ year old Christians who are still sucking on a bottle of spiritual milk . . . and they don't even feed themselves, they want someone else to feed them! I honestly have to ask myself if these people really are saved. It is my understanding that when you get saved, you WANT to grow closer to God, you WANT to learn the Word of God, you WANT to change . . . because God changes you and takes you out of the world. You may not want it in your flesh, but you want it in your spirit, you KNOW you must do these things and you at the very least TRY to do these things. And as God sees you TRYING to do these things, HE is the one who makes it to happen. But Christians who seem to never grow because they honestly don't care much about seeking the things that will make them grow . . . you'd better check your salvation. When did you grow lukewarm or stagnant?
I always say, and believe, and see a Christian walk as this: It's an uphill walk up a somewhat slippery mountain. If ever you feel content to stop going upward and forward . . . you will indeed find yourself sliding downward and backward. Don't believe me? Well I'd say try it and see for yourself, but I'd rather not. Not to mention, many don't even realize their backsliding. So, instead, if you don't believe me . . . I'm sorry to hear that. Prove me wrong, though.
Monday, June 07, 2010
New Song: Jesus Saves by Jeremy Camp
I'm a music-lover. I think I'm even an audiophile Lol. But music can portray so much, and can get things IN us much better than words alone. Put plain words to sound and music, and you've got yourself a sure-fire way to get what needs to be said, said and hopefully stuck in the hearts of others. So I felt the need to share this new song by Jeremy Camp, called "Jesus Saves"
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Must Lead
This post comes in a much different tone than the last one. God has truly struck my heart once again to the calling He has set for me. That is, to lead.
Now note that to be a leader is not the same thing that so many people think it means. When some people think of leading or being a leader, they think "commander" or someone who tells people what to do or is an overseer or something like that. Many people, especially those who have not lead, tend to think leading means never having to do things yourself but rather getting others to do things while you sit back and "manage" them.
But that's far from true. True leaders learn to follow, and are humble, and meekly have authority. That is: TRUE leaders. Leaders . . . can be properly explained in Matthew 20:25-28
Matthew 20:25-28
"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
So, with that out of the way . . . I'm truly having to re-learn what God has had to pound into my hard head over and over and over again and again throughout my life. I'm seeing it more and more, and this time around I really need to hold onto this truth and start walking in the calling God has given me!
When I was a child, a kid, even before I got saved, I seemed to lead. I was the type of kid who befriended the friendless, was always seen as some sort of leader by other kids around me--even the older kids around me! I ended up really abusing that though. I learned how to manipulate people like none other, and caused so many kids to go down a path with me that I wouldn't wish on my enemies: sinful addictions that have been named to be the worst and hardest to abandon . . . I messed up so many :( But a side-thought, I never thought of myself as some sort of leader or anything of the sort.
Then fast forward to when I was eight, right about to turn nine years old. God opened my eyes to what I was doing, and what was going on around me. He opened my eyes to the wickedness around me . . . and in me. I had said the sinner's prayer when I was four years old. However, I did absolutely nothing to actually live for God or give my life to Jesus. But this time around, I truly realized everything and gave my life to Jesus. I begged for forgiveness for what I had done all the years of my life, and told Him that I wanted Him to completely control me. I wanted to give HIM complete control. "Jesus, move my hands, feet, talk for me, I give up everything. You do everything for me, because I mess things up so much when I try it on my own." He quickly forgave, washed me clean, and gave me a new start. I knew I had to stop what I was doing. However, that was probably the first time I truly understood what it means by "easier said than done." I tried so much to leave behind the things I had done. But it seemed to get harder to do as time went on, and it seemed to only grow more and more in my life. I ended up living a double life: Serving God, and giving in to my old ways, and hiding it so well that people wouldn't guess I'd ever be such a way. But that's not the focus right now.
When I actually gave my life and decided to follow Christ Jesus, I also learned the definition of rejection. My old friends rejected me (which, admittedly was on me because I was deciding to leave the things I was doing, in order to serve Christ Jesus). Friends, even family, and even strangers seemed to reject me. This is where things got complicated and . . . odd. The "leadership" I had seemed to get cast aside as people rejected me. Yet at the same exact time . . . it didn't stop at all! I always had a hard time explaining, that I was rejected, and yet at the same time people saw me as a leader and all like before . . . but then just now I realized it's not all that hard at all to imagine. I'm reminded of Jesus. He was both loved like crazy and hated beyond comprehension. So yup, not hard to figure out in light of Him!
In all my life though, I never sought any sort of leadership position or anything. I never saw myself as a leader or anything. However, in school, outside of school, everywhere it seemed I was always PUT in leadership roles without asking for it. I excelled in school regarding grades and yet I didn't study (I learned to pray). In groups, I was always put as the leader. Even when not technically the leader, when one was picked, the group always looked to me to give them direction and everything to help them out. Yet again, I was ALWAYS someone who preferred to stay back in the shadows and whisper the answers to others before hiding again. I never wanted to be seen . . . I was far from "clean" so to speak. I had enough problems and troubles and faults and sins to last several lifetimes (even as a kid. I'd say it's hard to imagine the trash I was into and how often I indulged, but I don't want anyone to imagine such trash!), so who in the world was I to try to lead, and probably end up ruining everything or causing more harm than help! I felt that I messed things up enough on my own, I didn't need to lead others and affect others. But . . . I was always cast into some sort of leadership role.
I remember taking one of those silly quizzes when I was in my later teen years, seeing what character you were in a film or something (I'm sure you know the ones, popularized by social networks like Myspace and Facebook). It was a movie I had never seen before, and I took it for no particular reason, just to pass time and for fun and all. I laughed and showed my results to my mom and she made the comment "Why are you always placed as someone who is the leader but doesn't necessarily want to be the leader?" That actually surprised me and made me stop and think. That was actually true! I was thinking about my life and everything and it certainly seemed like that! I never much thought about it till that time. Of course, it was only in passing and I quickly forgot all about it and continued as usual.
Fast forward again to my first job (actually . . . my ONLY paying job, since I've only worked there). Within 12 days (of which I actually only worked about 4 or 6 days), my boss came to me and asked me to take a manager position! It was a new store, just opening to the public, and with 20 other employees he decided to ask me into a manager position (the other manager was facing health issues and she had to resign). Again, a leadership position! I had to resign a couple years afterward, but then once again was put in in. I think that happened Three or Four times even. And today I'm working at that place again because last November he called me and asked me to help him out, at least just temporarily. I agreed to, temporarily. It's not the same position I was when I left, technically, but then once again it's still a leadership position and the the pay is more and the other employees look to me as though I were the manager.
Leadership positions have always been in my life (from big to small, from work to even online forums where I've become admins or some other type of leader in the community). I've never asked for them either, but God somehow put me in those positions throughout my entire life. He was teaching me how to handle it, and teaching me so many things I can't ever imagine BEGINNING to list them all.
But I've got a major problem. I'm hard headed. Extremely hard headed. And I never seem to feel worthy or able to be any sort of leader at all! I tend to back down it seems from such times when I really shouldn't back down from opportunities where someone needs a leader. I tend to second guess myself. I tend to believe "No one wants to listen to me, I'm a loser, nobody, nothing!" (I really am not worthy of any leadership position. However, that's what God has called me to, and so I'll do what HE wants, and where I fail and lack, HE picks up and continues.)
A couple months back God had to snap me out of it and tell me basically "You don't have time for this! Quit messing around, beating yourself up, and playing games with what I've given you! People are needing you and time isn't waiting!" I was gung-ho when He told me that. I snapped out of it, and started looking toward what He had for me. Then, I messed up, and lost that steam. And yesterday I once again read something that struck me in the heart so strongly I could barely sleep! I couldn't figure it out though, but the longing, the necessity, everything, was not just tugging at my heart, but yanking and pulling me to cry out to God for answers on what in the world to do!! Today I was still seeking those answers, and God brought me to two songs that truly did answer what I needed, and spurred this post too.
God has called me to a leadership position. What exactly? That's not entirely known. He's shown me things I'll do and everything, but details, not so much. And I really don't need to know details, so long as I simply seek God and to do what He wants on a daily basis. He'll do the rest.
But God's calling on me is so much different from others. I've often wondered about that and asked God why and how and why can't I just find someone who could walk with me in the same calling or SOMEthing--some sort of guide or something to help hold me up . . . But, so far nothing. At least nothing in the form of a person. Only God. And that's what I grew up with: Only God.
Some, actually a lot of people, have always felt as though I was lifting myself up as something special when I mention that the calling God has for me is different. But let me say this: Different, does not mean better or worse. Equality does not mean equal worth, nor does different or special mean greater worth or lesser worth! Rather, it simply means: different. It's like man and woman. They are not "equal" in the sense that they are not different. They are VERY different! And in a world where people are trying to erase the line of difference between man and woman and make them interchangeable . . . it's a farce attempt! But just because man and woman are different with different ways of thinking and body builds and everything . . . does not mean they are not equally worthy! One is not better than the other at all. But back to what I stated about my calling.
When I finally gave my life to Christ, I told Him I wanted HIM to control me completely. I wanted HIM to overwhelm me and I wanted to disappear into Him. I don't have any hobbies or concerns of myself that I want to obtain in life. All I want, is what God wants. And God explained that it was that very prayer, that is why I am called to such a different calling than I see in others. And that isn't a bad thing.
Now, I just have to walk in it. I have to stop listening to the lies of the enemy . . . and sometimes that enemy isn't the devil, but my own self!
So this post is set as a reminder to myself. I need to walk in the calling God has set for me, and stop playing games or hesitating. So here I go. I'm jumping in with both feet . . .wondering how big of a splash this is going to create!
~In Christ,
Michael
Now note that to be a leader is not the same thing that so many people think it means. When some people think of leading or being a leader, they think "commander" or someone who tells people what to do or is an overseer or something like that. Many people, especially those who have not lead, tend to think leading means never having to do things yourself but rather getting others to do things while you sit back and "manage" them.
But that's far from true. True leaders learn to follow, and are humble, and meekly have authority. That is: TRUE leaders. Leaders . . . can be properly explained in Matthew 20:25-28
Matthew 20:25-28
"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
So, with that out of the way . . . I'm truly having to re-learn what God has had to pound into my hard head over and over and over again and again throughout my life. I'm seeing it more and more, and this time around I really need to hold onto this truth and start walking in the calling God has given me!
When I was a child, a kid, even before I got saved, I seemed to lead. I was the type of kid who befriended the friendless, was always seen as some sort of leader by other kids around me--even the older kids around me! I ended up really abusing that though. I learned how to manipulate people like none other, and caused so many kids to go down a path with me that I wouldn't wish on my enemies: sinful addictions that have been named to be the worst and hardest to abandon . . . I messed up so many :( But a side-thought, I never thought of myself as some sort of leader or anything of the sort.
Then fast forward to when I was eight, right about to turn nine years old. God opened my eyes to what I was doing, and what was going on around me. He opened my eyes to the wickedness around me . . . and in me. I had said the sinner's prayer when I was four years old. However, I did absolutely nothing to actually live for God or give my life to Jesus. But this time around, I truly realized everything and gave my life to Jesus. I begged for forgiveness for what I had done all the years of my life, and told Him that I wanted Him to completely control me. I wanted to give HIM complete control. "Jesus, move my hands, feet, talk for me, I give up everything. You do everything for me, because I mess things up so much when I try it on my own." He quickly forgave, washed me clean, and gave me a new start. I knew I had to stop what I was doing. However, that was probably the first time I truly understood what it means by "easier said than done." I tried so much to leave behind the things I had done. But it seemed to get harder to do as time went on, and it seemed to only grow more and more in my life. I ended up living a double life: Serving God, and giving in to my old ways, and hiding it so well that people wouldn't guess I'd ever be such a way. But that's not the focus right now.
When I actually gave my life and decided to follow Christ Jesus, I also learned the definition of rejection. My old friends rejected me (which, admittedly was on me because I was deciding to leave the things I was doing, in order to serve Christ Jesus). Friends, even family, and even strangers seemed to reject me. This is where things got complicated and . . . odd. The "leadership" I had seemed to get cast aside as people rejected me. Yet at the same exact time . . . it didn't stop at all! I always had a hard time explaining, that I was rejected, and yet at the same time people saw me as a leader and all like before . . . but then just now I realized it's not all that hard at all to imagine. I'm reminded of Jesus. He was both loved like crazy and hated beyond comprehension. So yup, not hard to figure out in light of Him!
In all my life though, I never sought any sort of leadership position or anything. I never saw myself as a leader or anything. However, in school, outside of school, everywhere it seemed I was always PUT in leadership roles without asking for it. I excelled in school regarding grades and yet I didn't study (I learned to pray). In groups, I was always put as the leader. Even when not technically the leader, when one was picked, the group always looked to me to give them direction and everything to help them out. Yet again, I was ALWAYS someone who preferred to stay back in the shadows and whisper the answers to others before hiding again. I never wanted to be seen . . . I was far from "clean" so to speak. I had enough problems and troubles and faults and sins to last several lifetimes (even as a kid. I'd say it's hard to imagine the trash I was into and how often I indulged, but I don't want anyone to imagine such trash!), so who in the world was I to try to lead, and probably end up ruining everything or causing more harm than help! I felt that I messed things up enough on my own, I didn't need to lead others and affect others. But . . . I was always cast into some sort of leadership role.
I remember taking one of those silly quizzes when I was in my later teen years, seeing what character you were in a film or something (I'm sure you know the ones, popularized by social networks like Myspace and Facebook). It was a movie I had never seen before, and I took it for no particular reason, just to pass time and for fun and all. I laughed and showed my results to my mom and she made the comment "Why are you always placed as someone who is the leader but doesn't necessarily want to be the leader?" That actually surprised me and made me stop and think. That was actually true! I was thinking about my life and everything and it certainly seemed like that! I never much thought about it till that time. Of course, it was only in passing and I quickly forgot all about it and continued as usual.
Fast forward again to my first job (actually . . . my ONLY paying job, since I've only worked there). Within 12 days (of which I actually only worked about 4 or 6 days), my boss came to me and asked me to take a manager position! It was a new store, just opening to the public, and with 20 other employees he decided to ask me into a manager position (the other manager was facing health issues and she had to resign). Again, a leadership position! I had to resign a couple years afterward, but then once again was put in in. I think that happened Three or Four times even. And today I'm working at that place again because last November he called me and asked me to help him out, at least just temporarily. I agreed to, temporarily. It's not the same position I was when I left, technically, but then once again it's still a leadership position and the the pay is more and the other employees look to me as though I were the manager.
Leadership positions have always been in my life (from big to small, from work to even online forums where I've become admins or some other type of leader in the community). I've never asked for them either, but God somehow put me in those positions throughout my entire life. He was teaching me how to handle it, and teaching me so many things I can't ever imagine BEGINNING to list them all.
But I've got a major problem. I'm hard headed. Extremely hard headed. And I never seem to feel worthy or able to be any sort of leader at all! I tend to back down it seems from such times when I really shouldn't back down from opportunities where someone needs a leader. I tend to second guess myself. I tend to believe "No one wants to listen to me, I'm a loser, nobody, nothing!" (I really am not worthy of any leadership position. However, that's what God has called me to, and so I'll do what HE wants, and where I fail and lack, HE picks up and continues.)
A couple months back God had to snap me out of it and tell me basically "You don't have time for this! Quit messing around, beating yourself up, and playing games with what I've given you! People are needing you and time isn't waiting!" I was gung-ho when He told me that. I snapped out of it, and started looking toward what He had for me. Then, I messed up, and lost that steam. And yesterday I once again read something that struck me in the heart so strongly I could barely sleep! I couldn't figure it out though, but the longing, the necessity, everything, was not just tugging at my heart, but yanking and pulling me to cry out to God for answers on what in the world to do!! Today I was still seeking those answers, and God brought me to two songs that truly did answer what I needed, and spurred this post too.
God has called me to a leadership position. What exactly? That's not entirely known. He's shown me things I'll do and everything, but details, not so much. And I really don't need to know details, so long as I simply seek God and to do what He wants on a daily basis. He'll do the rest.
But God's calling on me is so much different from others. I've often wondered about that and asked God why and how and why can't I just find someone who could walk with me in the same calling or SOMEthing--some sort of guide or something to help hold me up . . . But, so far nothing. At least nothing in the form of a person. Only God. And that's what I grew up with: Only God.
Some, actually a lot of people, have always felt as though I was lifting myself up as something special when I mention that the calling God has for me is different. But let me say this: Different, does not mean better or worse. Equality does not mean equal worth, nor does different or special mean greater worth or lesser worth! Rather, it simply means: different. It's like man and woman. They are not "equal" in the sense that they are not different. They are VERY different! And in a world where people are trying to erase the line of difference between man and woman and make them interchangeable . . . it's a farce attempt! But just because man and woman are different with different ways of thinking and body builds and everything . . . does not mean they are not equally worthy! One is not better than the other at all. But back to what I stated about my calling.
When I finally gave my life to Christ, I told Him I wanted HIM to control me completely. I wanted HIM to overwhelm me and I wanted to disappear into Him. I don't have any hobbies or concerns of myself that I want to obtain in life. All I want, is what God wants. And God explained that it was that very prayer, that is why I am called to such a different calling than I see in others. And that isn't a bad thing.
Now, I just have to walk in it. I have to stop listening to the lies of the enemy . . . and sometimes that enemy isn't the devil, but my own self!
So this post is set as a reminder to myself. I need to walk in the calling God has set for me, and stop playing games or hesitating. So here I go. I'm jumping in with both feet . . .wondering how big of a splash this is going to create!
~In Christ,
Michael
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Christian: By Name Only
I've really been having a TON on my mind lately in regard to the state of Christians today. I have to say things are not looking good AT ALL. In the past week or so I have been told by 4 other individuals that they were ordained ministers. That came as a surprise to me . . . Their life portrayed absolutely no Biblical standards beside the very general idea of being nice to people and all that stuff.
But it's starting to really both irk me and get me more and more upset. I can't write it all up right now due to time limitations, but . . . where in the world are the Christians? You know, it's almost reminiscent of a while back when I noticed all sorts of actors and actresses were coming forth and saying they were Christians and all that stuff. About three fourths of them however, you'd never be able to tell! I determined that it was becoming a "fad" in hollywood to say you were a Christian. Yet only a handful really were true Christians.
The same is today . . . where are the true Christians? The Christians who strive to have that relationship with Jesus? That holiness? That separation from the sinful nature and lifestyle? So many people call themselves Christians because they either go to church (which doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a barn makes you a cow, or going to McDonalds makes you a BigMak), or they know Jesus is the Son of God. But you know what? Lean a little closer while I let you in on a secret . . . The devil goes to church too! And guess what's even more shocking . . . the devil actually believes in Jesus as well!! In fact, he was there when Jesus was crucified and he witnessed Jesus' resurrection!
What makes you a Christian? The conscious decision to FOLLOW the Lord Jesus and His Teachings as brought forth in the Bible . . . it is a Personal Relationship with Jesus . . . and that relationship is not to be taken lightly and one of those "Eh, yeah I know the guy" but rather the Bible even likens it to a marriage relationship! It's THAT close of a relationship.
So . . . quit fooling yourself, quit trying to call yourself a Christian or taint the name of Christ by saying you're a Christian, if you don't even serve Christ Jesus!
A good brother and minister once put it like this:
If you were arrested for being a Christian . . . Would they find enough evidence to convict you?
But it's starting to really both irk me and get me more and more upset. I can't write it all up right now due to time limitations, but . . . where in the world are the Christians? You know, it's almost reminiscent of a while back when I noticed all sorts of actors and actresses were coming forth and saying they were Christians and all that stuff. About three fourths of them however, you'd never be able to tell! I determined that it was becoming a "fad" in hollywood to say you were a Christian. Yet only a handful really were true Christians.
The same is today . . . where are the true Christians? The Christians who strive to have that relationship with Jesus? That holiness? That separation from the sinful nature and lifestyle? So many people call themselves Christians because they either go to church (which doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a barn makes you a cow, or going to McDonalds makes you a BigMak), or they know Jesus is the Son of God. But you know what? Lean a little closer while I let you in on a secret . . . The devil goes to church too! And guess what's even more shocking . . . the devil actually believes in Jesus as well!! In fact, he was there when Jesus was crucified and he witnessed Jesus' resurrection!
What makes you a Christian? The conscious decision to FOLLOW the Lord Jesus and His Teachings as brought forth in the Bible . . . it is a Personal Relationship with Jesus . . . and that relationship is not to be taken lightly and one of those "Eh, yeah I know the guy" but rather the Bible even likens it to a marriage relationship! It's THAT close of a relationship.
So . . . quit fooling yourself, quit trying to call yourself a Christian or taint the name of Christ by saying you're a Christian, if you don't even serve Christ Jesus!
A good brother and minister once put it like this:
If you were arrested for being a Christian . . . Would they find enough evidence to convict you?
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Free Codes, Money, and other stuff!
You heard me right!
Though now that I have your attention, I'll admit I'm not giving away free stuff. However, I think this title attracted more attention than the ones I was thinking of putting, such as:
First off . . . since when do Christians believe the Bible is NOT relevant to today?! I'm not talking to people who are NOT Christians here. I'm talking to those who claim to be Christians! Since when does God's Word, not apply to us today? Have you taken up the belief that the Bible is merely a book of stories? Book or rules and laws? And outdated book that was written thousands of years ago and cannot possibly apply to us today? To that I say, SHAME ON YOU!
How in the world can someone claim to be a follower of the teachings of Christ, if that person doesn't even KNOW what the teachings of Christ are, because they don't believe or read the Bible as being relevant to today? If it's not relevant to today then we've no need to listen to the Bible, right?! You claim to love God and yet have no desire to listen to what He says! Prove to me that the Bible is not relevant to today! Prove to me that you can be a Christian and not care about the Word of God! Prove it! And I don't mean your opinions, I mean proof, Christian. If you throw out parts of the Bible as irrelevant, then you might as well throw out all of it. How can you tell which parts are good and which parts are bad? Your own personal thoughts? The collective thoughts of others as well as yourself? "...yea, let God be true, but every man a liar..." (Romans 3:4)
How does one become Saved? Become a Christian? Through faith in Jesus, correct? (Ephesians 2:8-9)
How does one GET faith to begin with? From hearing the WORD OF GOD (Romans 10:17)
So take away the Word of God, you take away your faith which takes away your salvation!
And yet not only so, but faith in Jesus isn't exactly what gets you saved, but instead you have to choose to FOLLOW Jesus. So saying "I believe Jesus is the Son of God and He died on the cross for my sins" isn't exactly going to get you into heaven. You may get in---if you die right then and there before you have the chance to live your faith out in your life. But if not, well . . . . even the Devil Himself Believes in Jesus (James 2:19), but is he getting into heaven? NO because he doesn't actively choose to follow Jesus of course! Faith is not just believing. Faith is acting upon that belief as well.
So how can you actively follow Jesus if you cast out the very words He has spoken that were written down?!
You who don't care about hearing the Bible but prefer something that is more like entertaining stories about life and your own personal situations (which begs me to question, why is it you cannot relate the Bible to your life? There's a problem there if you cannot), you are become like those warned about in the books of Timothy, that were going to show up during the last days "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Christians who pick and choose the teachers based upon what they like to hear, having ITCHING EARS, in other words hearing what they want to hear, wanting to be entertained . . . turning away from the TRUTH and turning to fables instead. What is the Truth?
John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: THY WORD IS TRUTH."
John 8:31-32 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in MY WORD, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the TRUTH, and the truth shall make you free."
God's Word is not subject to Time, just like God Himself is not subject to time. There is no turning that goes on with Him (James 1:17). His Word is settled FOREVER in Heaven (Psalm 119:89)
The end of the matter is this: If you call yourself a Christian, and then don't care about learning the Word of God or you believe it's not even relevant to today, and you'd rather hear stories and fables and be entertained with some fun stuff, then you are a hypocrite. Simply put. To call yourself a Christian, means you are telling other people you are a follower of Christ. First off that's lying because you don't even care to learn what Christ taught and therefore cannot follow Him (John 14:23-24, 1 John 2:4), and second off you are telling someone else through your title of Christian, that they should follow Christ, and yet you yourself do NOT! It's just like the Jews who told the non-jews to live like the Jews under the jewish laws, and yet they themselves didn't even do so (Galatians 2:14).
The Bible is like food for our Spiritual lives (Luke 4:4), so if you don't eat that Spiritual food, then just like your physical body will die without physical food, your spiritual life will wither away and die just the same.
The Bible is like a mirror as well, that shows us exactly who we are, and what we are like (James 1:22-24). If you don't actually DO the Word of God, but only hear it (Or worse, don't even want to hear it), then it'd be the same as you looking in the mirror in the morning and seeing you need to fix your hair, or shave, or put on some make-up, or you have something green in your teeth, and you walk away not even caring about taking care of those things.
Take away the Bible and you take away:
The Truth
The way to get faith
The faith for salvation itself
Jesus
His Teachings
Obedience to His Word which goes with salvation
God
Heaven
EVERYTHING that comes with Christianity itself!
And the Bible is like a shirt made up of a single thread. If you pull on one piece of the thread and try yanking it out because you "don't think it's reliable" or "relevant" or "necessary" then you end up pulling the entire shirt apart and you are left naked (almost like the guy in the parable in Matthew 22:11-14, who when called to Salvation/the Wedding, didn't clothe himself right or even try---didn't cloth himself with The Word, Faith, Salvation itself).
So now it's your choice: Continue in the state you're in right now, of denying and rejecting the Word of God, being a reprobate Christian hypocrite . . . or start seeking to hear and learn the Word of God. Notice I said nothing about being perfect or perfectly following the Word. I said start SEEKING the Word. Which means Repent, which means turn around and start walking in the right direction. If you start walking in the right direction, trusting in God, then God will help you to change and help you to follow His Word.
It's your choice. But now, you can never say that you were never told, or you never knew any better when you meet up with God. This stuff is common sense, but . . . like it was also warned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, there's going to be a "falling away" of Christians before the end. But hopefully YOU won't be included in that falling away, now.
~In Christ,
Michael
Though now that I have your attention, I'll admit I'm not giving away free stuff. However, I think this title attracted more attention than the ones I was thinking of putting, such as:
Warning: Conviction Ahead!
Followed by a bunch of scripture. But being as this post is concerning those who are Christians only by name and not by life, in other words: HYPOCRITES, I want as many people reading this as possible. I especially want those who fall into that category to read this! Hopefully those who would stop reading right here will be mad enough at me to continue reading this because I called you a hypocrite. But just like Jesus called certain ones (especially those who were religious), pigs, snakes, wolves, white-washed graves, etc, I'm simply being blunt here.
Let's get on with it, shall we? This morning I read this article from Christianpost.com: Falling on Deaf Ears? and I honestly got upset. Furious actually. Not many things get me angry, but "Christians" who teach unbiblical teachings, mislead others, and other things that are hypocritical....that does get me upset. Of course this followed a few days of reading some other articles around the web that talked about churches and Christians going completely against the Bible and teaching others to do likewise. So it's been building up, I suppose.
The article talks about how many congregations and Christians don't want to hear the Bible being taught. It speaks of how for the most part people have become so narcissistic. Here's a quote from the article quoting another article:
It has been said to the point of boredom that we live in a narcissistic age, where we are wont to fixate on our needs, our wants, our wishes, and our hopes-at the expense of others and certainly at the expense of God. . . .
It is well and good for the preacher to base his sermon on the Bible, but he better get to something relevant pretty quickly, or we start mentally to check out. Don't spend a lot of time in the Bible, we tell our preachers, but be sure to get to personal illustrations, examples from daily life, and most importantly, an application that we can use.I fully agree that this seems to be the state of the world---and the church apparently---that we live in. And it's reprehensible!
First off . . . since when do Christians believe the Bible is NOT relevant to today?! I'm not talking to people who are NOT Christians here. I'm talking to those who claim to be Christians! Since when does God's Word, not apply to us today? Have you taken up the belief that the Bible is merely a book of stories? Book or rules and laws? And outdated book that was written thousands of years ago and cannot possibly apply to us today? To that I say, SHAME ON YOU!
How in the world can someone claim to be a follower of the teachings of Christ, if that person doesn't even KNOW what the teachings of Christ are, because they don't believe or read the Bible as being relevant to today? If it's not relevant to today then we've no need to listen to the Bible, right?! You claim to love God and yet have no desire to listen to what He says! Prove to me that the Bible is not relevant to today! Prove to me that you can be a Christian and not care about the Word of God! Prove it! And I don't mean your opinions, I mean proof, Christian. If you throw out parts of the Bible as irrelevant, then you might as well throw out all of it. How can you tell which parts are good and which parts are bad? Your own personal thoughts? The collective thoughts of others as well as yourself? "...yea, let God be true, but every man a liar..." (Romans 3:4)
How does one become Saved? Become a Christian? Through faith in Jesus, correct? (Ephesians 2:8-9)
How does one GET faith to begin with? From hearing the WORD OF GOD (Romans 10:17)
So take away the Word of God, you take away your faith which takes away your salvation!
And yet not only so, but faith in Jesus isn't exactly what gets you saved, but instead you have to choose to FOLLOW Jesus. So saying "I believe Jesus is the Son of God and He died on the cross for my sins" isn't exactly going to get you into heaven. You may get in---if you die right then and there before you have the chance to live your faith out in your life. But if not, well . . . . even the Devil Himself Believes in Jesus (James 2:19), but is he getting into heaven? NO because he doesn't actively choose to follow Jesus of course! Faith is not just believing. Faith is acting upon that belief as well.
So how can you actively follow Jesus if you cast out the very words He has spoken that were written down?!
You who don't care about hearing the Bible but prefer something that is more like entertaining stories about life and your own personal situations (which begs me to question, why is it you cannot relate the Bible to your life? There's a problem there if you cannot), you are become like those warned about in the books of Timothy, that were going to show up during the last days "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Christians who pick and choose the teachers based upon what they like to hear, having ITCHING EARS, in other words hearing what they want to hear, wanting to be entertained . . . turning away from the TRUTH and turning to fables instead. What is the Truth?
John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: THY WORD IS TRUTH."
John 8:31-32 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in MY WORD, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the TRUTH, and the truth shall make you free."
God's Word is not subject to Time, just like God Himself is not subject to time. There is no turning that goes on with Him (James 1:17). His Word is settled FOREVER in Heaven (Psalm 119:89)
The end of the matter is this: If you call yourself a Christian, and then don't care about learning the Word of God or you believe it's not even relevant to today, and you'd rather hear stories and fables and be entertained with some fun stuff, then you are a hypocrite. Simply put. To call yourself a Christian, means you are telling other people you are a follower of Christ. First off that's lying because you don't even care to learn what Christ taught and therefore cannot follow Him (John 14:23-24, 1 John 2:4), and second off you are telling someone else through your title of Christian, that they should follow Christ, and yet you yourself do NOT! It's just like the Jews who told the non-jews to live like the Jews under the jewish laws, and yet they themselves didn't even do so (Galatians 2:14).
The Bible is like food for our Spiritual lives (Luke 4:4), so if you don't eat that Spiritual food, then just like your physical body will die without physical food, your spiritual life will wither away and die just the same.
The Bible is like a mirror as well, that shows us exactly who we are, and what we are like (James 1:22-24). If you don't actually DO the Word of God, but only hear it (Or worse, don't even want to hear it), then it'd be the same as you looking in the mirror in the morning and seeing you need to fix your hair, or shave, or put on some make-up, or you have something green in your teeth, and you walk away not even caring about taking care of those things.
Take away the Bible and you take away:
The Truth
The way to get faith
The faith for salvation itself
Jesus
His Teachings
Obedience to His Word which goes with salvation
God
Heaven
EVERYTHING that comes with Christianity itself!
And the Bible is like a shirt made up of a single thread. If you pull on one piece of the thread and try yanking it out because you "don't think it's reliable" or "relevant" or "necessary" then you end up pulling the entire shirt apart and you are left naked (almost like the guy in the parable in Matthew 22:11-14, who when called to Salvation/the Wedding, didn't clothe himself right or even try---didn't cloth himself with The Word, Faith, Salvation itself).
So now it's your choice: Continue in the state you're in right now, of denying and rejecting the Word of God, being a reprobate Christian hypocrite . . . or start seeking to hear and learn the Word of God. Notice I said nothing about being perfect or perfectly following the Word. I said start SEEKING the Word. Which means Repent, which means turn around and start walking in the right direction. If you start walking in the right direction, trusting in God, then God will help you to change and help you to follow His Word.
It's your choice. But now, you can never say that you were never told, or you never knew any better when you meet up with God. This stuff is common sense, but . . . like it was also warned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, there's going to be a "falling away" of Christians before the end. But hopefully YOU won't be included in that falling away, now.
~In Christ,
Michael
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
