Blogging Break

As you might have already figured out, I've taken a break. I was in school since September and the load (6 classes), along with working full-time and caring for my daughter, got to be overwhelming! But the Lord is merciful and He carried me through. I just finished finals and I am mentally and physically exhausted. I have so neglected time with my Lord because I had so many papers and other books to read (English major), that I am anxious to get into the Word and spend real time with Him. You may see me around other blog sites, but I will take a break from here until after the first of the year (unless prompted to write something earlier than that).

Blessings!
Melissa

Songs

How Deep the Father's Love for Us (one of my favorites)

Written by Stuart Townsend

How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure
That he should give his only son, to make a wretch his treasure
How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turned his face away
As wounds which mar the chosen one, bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life; I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything: no gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ; his death and resurrection
Why should I gain from his reward? I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart: his wounds have paid my ransom

© 1995 Kingsway's Thankyou Music
CCLI #1596342
Album: I Could Sing of Your Love Forever 2


We Shall Behold Him

The sky shall unfold preparing His entrance
The stars shall applaud Him
with thunders of praise
The sweet light in His eyes shall,
shall enhance those awaiting
And we shall behold Him,
then face to faceChorus

We shall behold Him (2x’s)
Face to face
in all of His glory
we shall behold Him (2x’s)
face to face,
our Savior and Lord

The angels will sound the shouts of His coming
The sleeping shall rise
from their slumbering place
And those who remain
shall be changed in a moment
We shall behold Him,
our Savior and Lord

We shall behold Him
our Savior and Lord
Savior and Lord, Jesus our Lord

Words and Music by Dottie Rambo

Behold Him, For He is The Christ

1 John 3:1
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!


BEHOLD

Beholding Christ has been on my mind and heart lately. Holy Spirit is telling me to pay attention to and to perceive, to know and to understand, to cherish and to regard, to discern and to discover, to inspect and to examine, to SEE and to LOOK upon Christ.

“Behold” is a stronger word than just “look” or “view.” It has connotations of really paying attention or giving your full and undivided attention to someone or something – no distractions. It is like “Selah” (to pause in musical terms) and the thing is that, when we behold Christ, we can put aside circumstances and have an expectation to never be disappointed. Our Lord tells us: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

He cares for us, as we pay attention to Him. We get to know Him more as we really look and seek and search for Him. We learn from Him as we behold Him. He reveals Himself to us and we know Him as we are known by Him.


APPEAR

Colossians 3:1-4
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."

At his “appearing.” This, I believe, is not just a physical appearing, but also a spiritual appearing. When Christ “appears” to us and is truly made visible to our spiritual eyes…we are able to see Him clearly – His person and His work – because we are seeking those things above and not beneath (Colossians 3:1); we are not loving this world nor the things in the world (1 John 2:15); we are thinking on things eternal and not temporary (2 Corinthians 4:18). He appears, because we have “died, and [our] life is hidden in Christ.”

This, “appear” (fanerovw), means something similar to “behold.” It means:

~to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way
~to make known by teaching
~expose to view, make manifest, to show one's self, appear
~to become known, to be plainly recognized, thoroughly understood who and what one is

Ultimately, we will see our Lord face to face and we will thoroughly understand. Right now, we know in part (1 Corinthians 13:9-10). But even though we only know in part, in considering the infinite wisdom, knowledge, and plan of God, the knowledge that we gain is so far beyond our natural understanding. Our minds cannot truly comprehend, but this “knowing” Christ, as little as it really is, is truly immense! Our finite minds cannot get wrapped around God’s sovereignty and His love, mercy, wrath, and justice.

1 John 3:2-3
Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

The world does not know Christ, but we know Him. God has bestowed upon us the title and position of being His children. We don’t even know what we shall be, but we will be like Him and we shall see Him as He really is. We will worship Him throughout eternity for Who He is – because He is worthy:

Revelation 4:11
"You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

Revelation 5:12
"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!"

We know Him more and more everyday even though our outward man perishes. Think about it for a while. Our flesh is corrupt, depraved, worthless, and devalued. We start dying the moment we are given (natural) life. But our inward man, halleluiah, is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). We are washed, sanctified, and justified “in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).


CONSIDER

Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

At the end of Hebrews 11, the writer tells us that our brethren who came before us and whose records are in Scripture, did not obtain the promise; that God “having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Hebrews 11:40). We, however, have obtained the promise with them. They looked forward to Christ, their faith in reconciliation with God was in Christ just as ours is. We are made perfect with them in Christ. They are the witnesses whom we will join in heaven after we finish running this race.

They endured a great many things as they looked forward to the promise of the Christ. The writer says that the world was not worthy of them (Hebrews 11:38). They learned obedience through what they suffered, as Christ did, and as we shall and do (Hebrews 5:8-9). It is because of what Christ suffered, “endur[ing] the cross, despising the shame” that we are able to endure.

We are told to “consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” Again, “consider” (transliterated as “analogizomai”) means “to think over, consider, ponder.” Hmmm. Selah!

Brethren, take more than a moment; take the time to savor, to meditate upon, to cherish, to discover, to ponder, to know, to SEE Christ. Consider Him…consider our Lord Jesus, the One Who was crucified and Whom God has made “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Thoughts, Words, Deeds

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ"

Yesterday, I had to repent. I have been so focused on other things that I have neglected study of the Word and intimacy with my Lord. It is so easy to look at and get caught in things other than Christ.

I had been feeling dryness and emptyness, yet there were people who asked me for counsel...(and listened to what I said!); yet how can I counsel with God's word? I need direction in some areas of my life and I have been waiting, but how can I wait on God if I do not wait on Him in focused prayer and study? I wanted to really study theology, but I had to examine myself as to my motives. I found that it was not a study to know the Lord more, but to be able to refute others who did not agree. That's not cool...

I was listening to "Life Verses," as sermon by Paul Washer and as he went along from Jeremiah 2:3 to 2 Corinthians 10:5, I came under conviction. I repented of give counsel without the Word of the Lord. I had not realized that I had given an opinion to someone that did not also contain concrete scriptural support - chapter and verse - although I believe it is supported by scripture. I also had to repent of neglecting so great a salvation as what has been given to me. Praise God for his grace and mercy that reined me in before I did any harm.

Fearing God...

I have to remember that I will stand before Him and give an account of every idle word spoken and of my deeds (Matthew 12:36, Romans 2:6). I want to stand before Him and hear that I was faithful to what He has given me. I want Him to be pleased with all that I do. I want Him to direct me, whether that means saying something or being silent. I want my heart to be fully His, with no desires, opinions, or actions of my own will.

For "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).

So my thoughts must be under the control of His Spirit. I must not entertain any thought that sets itself against God's truth. Through His Word, I will have a renewed mind (Romans 12:2) and meditate on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

The Lord has been showing me also who I am to be in Him. So I am trusting Him to get rid of the road rage (we have horrible traffic in the DC area) and to give me patience in my workplace and other areas. I am trusting Him to continue to remind me to come unto Him and learn of Him (Matthew 11:28-30). He has a great work to do, but I can be confident in His promise that:

"...He who has begun a good work in [me] will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

So let's "...consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Hebrews 12:3). Let us "ehold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1).

And let's remember that our thoughts can lead us down a path that travels away from our Lord...

Pastor Dominance - Conclusion

Part 5

A Nugget from Tozer

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. (2 Corinthians 4:5)

Our Lord died an apparent failure, discredited by the leaders of established religion, rejected by society and forsaken by His friends. The man who ordered Him to the cross was the successful statesman whose hand the ambitious hack politician kissed. It took the resurrection to demonstrate how gloriously Christ had triumphed and how tragically the governor had failed.

Yet today the professed church seems to have learned nothing. We are still seeing as men see and judging after the manner of man’s judgment. How much eager-beaver religious work is done out of a carnal desire to make good. How many hours of prayer are wasted beseeching God to bless projects that are geared to the glorification of little men. How much sacred money is poured out upon men who, in spite of their tear-in-the-voice appeals, nevertheless seek only to make a fair show in the flesh.

The true Christian should turn away from all this. Especially should ministers of the gospel search their own hearts and look deep into their inner motives. No man is worthy to succeed until he is willing to fail. No man is morally worthy of success in religious activities until he is willing that the honor of succeeding should go to another if God so wills. BAM058.

"Lord, deliver us from pride. For Jesus’ sake, Amen."

(A.W. Tozer, Tozer on Christian Leadership, October 8 )

Pray for our Persecuted Brethren

Please remember to pray for our brethren who are being persecuted in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and elsewhere.

Muslims attack Africans in Nigeria

Pastor Dominance - Parts 3 & 4

Part 3

Part 4

True love for the brethren and beyond

My brother Lionel has asked about the involvement of the church in social reform. I think the way to look at it is, the brethren first, and then the world....

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10

Read his post HERE.

My comment is below. I gues this could be called an "ideal" right now. Hopefully it become a reality:

I have a small bible study in my home on Wednesdays. Last night, I read the post to my sisters and some of the comments. I had given them a heads up with scripture the day before and asked them to think about what WE can do ourselves without waiting for the “church” to do something (our place of fellowship is not in the community at all). We did a brainstorming session and here’s what we came up with:

1. Like Lecrae and Reach Life (Memphis, TN). They moved into a community not just to evangelize but to live and make disciples. They moved their whole families in, too and became involved in the community life (football team, etc.) They are living Christ before them and building them up both naturally and spiritually.

2. Open our homes to allow brothers and sisters to stay and either take care of parents in another state, go to school, get job/job skills, etc.

3. Those who know a trade and/or have own businesses should provide training to young brothers and sisters and provide jobs.

4. New Christians should be discipled and provided a place to live among other godly men and women (i.e. homes for seasoned single Christian moms and new single Christian moms, seasoned single brothers and new single brothers, etc.)

5. Elders/Pastors should open their homes to brethren (hospitality) – 1 Timothy 3

6. Leadership needs to be made aware of needs. They should be involved in the lives of the flock, not just being nosy, but being aware. They should be people who have come from among the people and who have good relationships with the people. In Acts, leaders came from within not without.

7. Pool funds and possessions to get brethren out of debt, then counsel through the word and through prayer to keep them from getting back in debt. Not stressing tithing, but stressing good stewardship and the opportunities to be a blessing to the body, because there are others who have need.

8. Instead of buying buildings for fellowship, we should meet in private homes or rented spaces. We do not need to meet collectively every week, but maybe once a month the entire local body will get together and partake of a true supper cooked by the women and also partake of communion. Every week/every other week there would be home fellowships, each with an elder. The elders meet frequently to pray and seek the Lord in His word. On the times that the entire body meets, one of the elders (it rotates or goes as the Lord has given a specific word) will give the teaching.

9. LIVE LESS THAN YOUR MEANS.

10. Live against worldly wisdom. We are told that we should have ____, ______, and ______________ by the time we’re thirty years old. Then we are told that the goal should be to retire early. We have to listen to the Spirit, not the world.

11. Contentment with what we have been given…food, clothing, shelter. Everything else may be unnecessary in the scheme of things.

12. Transparency/honesty/discernment/humility/willingness to sacrifice/no gossip/no nosiness

13. Those who have authority, who are leaders are to be trustworthy. They should demonstrate their own good stewardship amongst the body and their own generosity and humility. They should not be hungry for money or attention, but show that they are storing up treasure in heaven and not on earth.

14. Church discipline. This will be effective if the brethren are constantly in each others’ lives.

15. Yard sales, etc. Selling possessions for the benefit of all; starting up businesses with brethren for the benefit of all, etc.

16. Fasting/Prayer/Fellowship/Study on a very frequent basis, amongst the elders and amongst the people for each other and the communities being served.

17. One sister believed that government funds could be used…I and another sister disagreed. This may be a discretionary matter, but the question is: does it demonstrate a lack of faith, it is impatience that prevents waiting on God and does it excuse the brethren from stepping up?


At the end of the evening, we agreed to be more open with one another, and I had a plan for us to get second jobs to get out of debt. We are going to help each other – they will keep Brie when I need them and when each of us gets debts paid, we will then help the others until we are completely free. We have also made plans to get together with some of the brothers to fast and pray for God to work a miracle in us, so that we will truly put each other first, and deny our own selves.

Pray for us.

Pastor Dominance - Part 2

Pastor is Master, Isn't He - Part 2

Pastor Dominance

Here is a posting I came across. Very interesting. I agree that the one pastor system is unbiblical. There should be a plurality of elders guarding the flock and teaching. Why go back to a "Moses" model from the Old Testament (OT), when the New Testament (NT) is a better covenant, a better way? Why would anyone want to take on the burden of being the only elder/pastor? And did you know that "pastor" appears ONCE in the NT and that "shepherd"...Ahhh. I'll let you read for yourself!

Pastor is Master, Isn't He - Part 1

Titles

Do you like to be called, "Rev. Dr. ______" or "Pastor_______?" Why? Are people called by their titles, or identified by their function in the Body of Christ in the bible? Do you need to be called a specific title so you can lord over other Chrisitans (are you a Nicolaitan?)? How about being called by your name, rather than a title?

Dead Theologians seeks your insight and comments on the titles we use in Christendom. Sound off here.

On Altar Calls

“With all heads bowed and all eyes closed…”

“If the Lord is speaking to you…”

“Raise your hand right now and I’ll pray for you…”

“Repeat after me this prayer: ‘Father God…’”

Have you heard these so similar lines before? Is a raised hand an indicator of the Holy Spirit’s regenerating work? Can a prayer save you? Why is it that raising your hand and/or repeating a “prayer” used in altar calls? Why do an altar call at all, especially when you have not preached the gospel?

I have a problem with altar calls. They are not found in scripture. I walked the aisle when I was eight years old at the Baptist church I grew up in. I had tears streaming down my face, and I remember the scene, specifically like it was yesterday. I can’t say what was in my heart at the time, I can’t remember that. But I know that the years after showed no evidence of a supernatural work of God in my life. There was no change; I was not a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). I also had no real desire for God. I had a desire to please my flesh.

The difference came when I was twenty-six and I heard the words of life. I humbled myself before God in a bathrobe on the floor. I didn’t go down the aisle again. I was immediately secured in knowing what He had done and I KNEW without doubt that he saved me. God had been doing a work for some time, and He gave me faith to believe; that faith came by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). I was DEAD in my trespasses and sins. Yet God in His mercy chose me to show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward [me] in Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:7). I have been saved by grace through faith, and that not of myself, lest I would boast (Eph. 4:8). I did not make a “decision” for Christ” since I did not seek Him, I did not want Him – I loved my sin and would have stayed if not for His mercy. The Bible says:

“As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit. The poison of asps is under their lips"; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.’”

So, why an altar call? Is it the easiest way? You then don’t have to spend time with a person, actually teaching them right doctrine about the Person of Christ and what he has done. You can just shove books at them and then go about building more monuments or doing more “church work.”

If Holy Spirit has done a work, then He will guide the person in the way to go. We shouldn’t give assurances of salvation. Too many times, people believe that they “prayed a prayer” and that’s that. The assurance will come, not in a “prayer” or in a hand raised or a nod, or some such, but through the witness of Holy Spirit inside a person and the evidence of a changed life. Let God do His work in a person and cease offering a “prayer of salvation”. Better yet, cease the altar calls altogether.

I'll leave it to the Watchmen (and comment a time or two)

I was not going to comment on Bynum, Weeks, & White. I'm still not going to (well, only two words below). Jackie Alnor at Apostasy Alert has said it well...

http://www.apostasyalert.org/REFLECTIONS/jezebel.htm

WAKE UP!!!!

Church Choirs?

I read this post at the Isle of Hope here. It asks for the real purpose of church choirs...

I know people say that choirs are for worshipping the Lord, as they say that a "Worship Team" is to lead people into the presence of God. But why does the team stand in front, maybe on a stage, as though it were a performance? Why don't they stand in the back, start of the singing and keep the congregation on point by joining in with everyone? Is there really a need for a microphone, to place the spotlight on certain ones who have good voices?

Why do we constantly add "extras" that do not give glory to God? Sound off at the Isle of Hope.

Will a Man Rob God?

Something I found today, from Ron and Karen Schwartz. I wanted to share...

Will A Man Rob God?

January 22, 2007

Ron And Karen Schwartz

E-mail us: kmsrjs@triton.net.

Malachi 3:8 KJV Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Probably no other verse is more overused in the New Testament then this Old Testament passage. Why? Because many Christian leaders feel that this scripture gives them the authority to berate Christians into financing their ministries. But is this what God had in mind? Is this scripture really intended to obligate New Testament believers into giving to a church organization?

The Bag

John 12:3-6 KJV Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

This passage, along with another reference to "the bag" in chapter 13, is some of the only indication that people gave gifts to Christ Jesus. But what happened to these gifts? Consider Judas' response in this passage. Judas was surprised that Jesus would allow this offering to be used on His own person. If Jesus made a practice of using the offerings He received for Himself, why would Judas have made such an issue of it? I understand that Judas was a thief, but here he obviously felt justified in rebuking Christ. Where did he find grounds for such a rebuke? Obviously, Jesus taught His disciples that offerings were to be directed to the poor, and therefore His actions here seemed contrary to His teaching. Therefore, to Judas it was hypocrisy.

The issue here is not whether or not Jesus was acting in hypocrisy, but rather what expectations Jesus set for His followers. It is apparent that Jesus received offerings. It is also apparent that these offerings were to be directed to the poor and needy.

Matthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Jesus owned nothing... no home, no property, no means of transportation (i.e., mule, donkey, or horse), no equipment for his ministry (musical instruments, scrolls, etc.)... so you would have a difficult time explaining how offerings were spent on His own welfare. In fact, rather than acquiring His own home, we find regular references concerning Jesus spending time with people in their homes. The vast majority of the money Jesus collected went directly to the poor, not toward His personal needs or those of His ministry. There are a few passages that could be taken to suggest that some of this money may have been used on His actual needs, but obviously this was not His normal practice.

In the following passage, we find further evidence that whenever possible Jesus avoided the use of people's offerings for his own needs. Here Jesus is faced with the dilemma of how to pay His tax. Does He simply draw from the offerings of the people as though the money were for use at His discretion?

Matthews 17:24-27 KJV And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Why didn't Jesus pay this tax from "the bag?" We find that Jesus did not treat the money collected from God's people as though it were at His discretion, but rather He sent Peter to work (fishing) for the money they owed.

Other than for a few exceptions the money collected in the New Testament is not spent on anything but the poor. How does this compare to the practice today of using the collections of the saints to the purchase perceived needs of ministry equivalent to our buildings, multimedia devices, parking lots, sound systems, and staff salaries? The idea of financing the business and material needs of a ministry is just not taught.

Christian leaders have, for the most part, abandoned New Testament teaching when it comes to offerings. They routinely "rob God" by using offerings as though it were merely a discretionary fund. Because of this, very little (if any) of the offerings they collect go to the poor and needy. It goes to construct a corporate empire for their ministry... one that promotes their name and their cause instead of Christ Jesus. They will be held accountable for their fraudulent actions.

What should we take from this?

1) We should not use the offerings of the saints to finance ministries, to build and decorate buildings, or to pamper the comforts of church members, as is today generally practiced throughout Christendom.

2) Jesus exampled for us that a central part of His ministry was to meet the physical needs of the poor and needy, and such an idea is also echoed in the words of James the brother of Jesus.

James 1:27 KJV Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

"Pure Religion"

The word "religion" here (Greek threskeia, Strongs 2356) signifies "religion" in its external aspect, or "religious worship."

Rather than address the spiritual aspects of our worship as do Paul's epistles, James draws attention to the outward expression of our religious worship, or religion as it applies to our social lives. In other words, James felt that it wasn't enough to express our religion to God. As he saw it there must be an equivalent expression of our religion to the world. James lists two measurements: 1) to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction," and 2) "to keep himself unspotted from the world."

The word "to visit" (Greek episkeptomai, Strongs 1980) means "to inspect, to look upon, care for, exercise oversight," and therefore means "to visit" by helping. The word visit conveys the idea of a socially "active" religion. Our religion must not be "passive" when it comes to the poor and needy. We are not to wait for those in need to come to us, but we are to go to them. We are to look for opportunity to help, to aid, and to support. How many Christian leaders practice this? Virtually none. They are so wrapped up in the affairs of their ministry that any help for the poor and needy of the community is usually relegated to an elder or deacon who does what he can when he has time. In short, offerings go directly to the discretion of the minister rather than the poor as Jesus demonstrated.

James wrote that our active support ("to visit") is directed to the "fatherless and widows." In other words, we are not to usurp the authority of the husband and/or father in the home in that this can lead to a breakdown of the family. We are to actively take "oversight" and to help where there is no husband/father present. It's not that we don't help those with husbands and fathers but that such help should come at their request, invitation, and/or permission. Rather than focus on the mechanics of how our help is to work, let's turn our attention to our social accountability within our communities.

As shown earlier, the word "visit" means "to exercise oversight." In other words, God has made and holds us responsible for the poor. It is not the government's responsibility to see to the needs of the poor in each community but the Church's. For the most part, the Church has abdicated its responsibility and has taken God's offering for its own needs. It ignores the poor and needy and says, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing (Revelation 3:17)." The contemporary church has ceased to be a body of believers whose purpose is to serve. It has evolved into a business that now requires people to serve it and finance its needs. Consequently, the offerings of the saints now go to finance the cost of doing its business.

It is too bad that the Church now uses tax-deductible status to encourage giving. This changes the purpose from giving to the Lord out of joy and gladness to a "what's in it for me" mentality. In short, the perception most Christians now have about giving is that it's a duty rather than a pleasure. Giving has now become a sort of church tax. Many church leaders describe offerings as a way for saints to "invest" money and receive (at least) a 100% return on their investment. Offerings have become, at best, the equivalent to a Wall Street investment and, at worst, an income tax.

If all churches and ministries operated as Jesus did, world poverty and hunger might be a thing of the past. One study done in 2003 estimated that, in the USA, $87 billion was contributed to tax-exempt organizations, the vast majority of those organizations being churches. Since many churches do not file a 990, the exact amount could be considerably more. Is there any doubt that $87+ billion a year, if directed to the poor and needy, could do far more good than the paving of parking lots and the purchase of multimedia equipment? If churches began to direct offerings to the right place, it would renew people's faith in them and would cause a genuine outpouring of generosity. Remember the outpouring of relief after Hurricane Katrina? Directing all offerings to the poor could stir up apathetic churches and cause a fresh renewing of the Spirit of God. Giving and revivals have always gone hand-in-hand. It is incredible that Christian leaders could actually believe that the financing of their ministries is more important than the "true religion" that the apostles taught and Jesus practiced.

The abandoning of "true religion" by most western Christian leaders is fueled by the "me generation" culture (a culture that holds that there is nothing more important than me). This culture is the fundamental ideology of too many western church leaders. As a result, a church may exist in a community but it is not part of it. Most people do not even know the names of the neighbors who surround their church buildings. These churches are merely the edifices of what they were meant to be. They stand like tombstones that mark the graves of dead saints.

The Mission

Many Christian leaders today have forgotten their purpose. They do not look to the example of Jesus or what He taught. Instead they look at the back of the head of the minister in front of them. They have forgotten their mission and have become instead the presidents of church corporations that exist in order to keep on existing and growing bigger. Christian leaders no longer feel pressed with a mission to help people because as they see it people exist to help them. Consider the mission of Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 61:1 KJV

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.

Jesus, as well as His disciples, was mission-oriented. Both He and His disciples lived out this prophecy. As a result, the Church they established changed the world. But after their deaths, the church eventually set aside this mission to become the corporate business it is today. It lost the sense of responsibility it is supposed to have for both the spiritual and physical needs of the community. The sad commentary is that most people have neither seen nor experienced a true church. They have been raised in church corporations that are run in every aspect like any other business, thinking it to be the "Church" that Jesus described. It is not.

Conclusion

People are not fools. They know that their hard earned dollars are wasted on buildings, egocentric ministers, and all of their perceived temporal needs. So people have all but quit giving. Ministers routinely beg, threaten, and bribe people to give. Even so most churches, except for cults, rarely see much above 3% (of net) given by the average church member. This should tell Christian leaders that people have lost faith in their institutions.

Mark 10:42-44 KJV But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

This scripture should be the test for every action of a Christian leader. It is extremely difficult to see how a servant's life should be better off than those whom they serve. But many contemporary Christian leaders see offerings as their "budgets" given to them. They use it to finance their personal and business needs. And if their appetites demand more, they simply bewail the people until they get what they want. Does this sound like the actions of a servant?

"Will a man rob God?" When a person misrepresents how money is to be used, it is called fraud. It is a form of robbery. Therefore, when Christian leaders convince people to give offerings and tithes to "the Lord," but then use it as though it were their own discretionary spending fund, they have robbed God. It is fraud! Christian leaders need to stop accusing their members of robbing God and start considering their own lives. Christian leader, are you robbing God? Does the money you collect go to finance your ministry, to pay for your church buildings and church operations, to pay your salary and your staff salary? In short, do you use the tithes and offerings of God's people for purposes other than "to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction?" If yes, then who is really the thief?

Let's consider Jesus as our example. His mission was not to establish an organization, corporation, or business. His mission was to meet the needs of the community, both spiritually and physically. His mission was all about people. He borrowed a donkey and a room for His final days on this earth. He made it possible for people to make a difference in the lives of others while He made a difference in them.

Consequently, this must be our view. We must take the social as well as the spiritual responsibility for those around us. This cannot be done when the offerings are directed to fund ministry corporations. We must view the collections of the saints as God does: they are His. We must never see the offering of the saints as discretionary funds to finance our ministries. Our mission must not be the establishing of a Christian corporation as it is with far too many Christian leaders, but simply to be Jesus to the world.

Where do I suggest you go from here? Stop directing your offerings to church leaders who merely absorb your money into the edifice of their ministry corporation, and instead direct it to those who actually act upon "pure religion." Okay, this may not be easy. So, if you can't find any, give it to the poor and needy yourself. I promise you, they won't be hard to find!

Amen

A Brother's Research on Tithing

A brother has done a post on tithing. It's good and I encourage you to read it and be freed from the Law. We should give, yes, but according to where the Lord would have us to give. Jesus has freed us from the law - He fulfilled it on our behave. Don't go back. Pray and seek the Lord for youself on this issue. He will give you understanding.

It was difficult to tear away from what I had been taught about tithing. I felt so conspicuous, like everyone would know and could see that I'm not doing it. I felt guilty. I felt like I was not going to be blessed by God but cursed. I did not know know that Jesus freed me to give where He commands.

After researching for myself, praying, and seeking the Lord for His wisdom, I just give and don't keep track. I also give anonimously at church - I give cash, so they can't keep track either (Matthew 6: 1-4). It is liberating!!

Why do you tithe? Examine your motives. Is it because you think you will be cursed? Is it because you want something in return from the Lord? Is it because this is what you were taught?

Read the post, so you can be liberated, too...

http://thinkchristians.blogspot.com/2007/08/modern-day-judaizers-law-vs.html

Encourage the Watchmen on the Wall

Ingrid at Slice of Laodicea received a letter from a author who was critical of hers and others watchmen ministries. Read the post here. I responded to the post, because it really struck me that this is the thought of so many who profess Christianity. This partially why American Christianity is in its state today. My response:

Love, love, love…The bible talks a lot about love. But the bible talks about the wrath of God and the judgement of God, the HOLINESS of God, the rightoeusness of God, the Sovereignty of God, and more. There is more to God than love. God loves but He hates, too. He hates sin in all forms and He will judge the sin of the world.

Each truth that is spoken on this site and others is spoken in love. If you did not love, you would not care enough to expose the false as false. It was the Lord who directed me to this and other watchmen sites in 2004-2005 as I asked Him for His truth. There were things taught to me that did not seem right, but it was a muddle. He did not let me down and I was able to see the truth through sites like this, with brethren I did not know personally, but who challenged me to seek the Lord for myself and to be a Berean, searching the scriptures to see if what I had been taught were true (Acts 17:11).

God honors His word above His name (Psalm 138:32) and we can’t trifle with it as if it were a light thing. If you are against His word, you are against Him. You cannot even be called “Christian” if the Truth of His word is not highly prized and prioritized in your life before the words of man. We are told to STUDY to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed but who rightly divides the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). We are not told to believe any and everything that comes in a “Christian” package.

If you call yourself Christian, yet do not believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that no one comes to the Father but through Him (John 14:6); that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ ALONE; and that the Bible is God-inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and is the Truth (John 17:17) then there is a problem. If you teach things that are in DIRECT opposition to the bible but call yourself a Christian, then there is a problem. I could go on and on with a whole list…

We have lost the fear of God and the reverence due Him. Most Christians have been silently tolerating ecumenism and even the grossest forms of apostasy. The phrase for the day is…”Pray for them.” If they are apostate and they reject my Lord, the Lord of Glory, Who is worthy of honor, praise, and blessing above all…should I just pray? God said in Jeremiah 11:14, “So do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me because of their trouble.” If God in His mercy would hear, then so be it. But as to the wolves who are deceiving, battering, fleecing, and drawing disciples unto themselves…I will warn the people and expose the false prohepts and teachers.

Ingrid, be encouraged. Continue to press forward and YELL the warnings, because if the eyes of just one person is opened to God’s truth because of something you have written about, then Praise God!!! Go after that lost sheep and leave us 99. I thank God for giving you the courage, the strength, and the perseverance to do what you do.

God willing, Carla will explore this site and others, and the Lord will give her understanding, and then she will turn around and warn others of the things she had been blind to before.

To the Watchmen:
Continue to persevere and watch and warn. You are accountable to the Lord, no one else.

Satire

There is a satire over at Spiritual Pathways Ministries that I found interesting. It reminded me that Jesus told us, "You will know them by their fruit" (Matthew 7:16-20). Here is the satire:

http://spm100.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/the-mentoring-woes-of-t-d-jakes/

TD Jakes has been silent on the issues revolving around his girls, Paula White and Juanita Bynum. But this is an opportunity for those who know the truth to speak out and continually tell people..."You will know them by their fruit." This fruit is rotten and stinking. It is good for burning.

Might

“So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.”

– Acts 19:20

I was reading the book of Acts last week, and after I read the above verse, the Holy Spirit said, “Selah.” I have been thinking on the verse all week. I believe it is applicable for the whole of scripture. My mind went in so many directions, because this was just big for me. I wanted to write something earlier, but I knew I needed to meditate on it some more.

I continued to meditate on this verse after reading the events of this past week with: Weeks battering Bynum; Haggard begging for money; another pastor reneging on loans from parishioners; pastors caught in sexually immoral situations; Randy and Paula White’s divorce; the sub-prime lending crisis; the possibility of a recession; floods, fires, deaths and more deaths. Then there are my own struggles with my unruly flesh...More and more, I ache to be rid of this body of death, and this world that groans for the manifestation of the sons of God. I say, “Even so, Come, Lord Jesus.”

Looking at the false teachers and false prophets, those whom the Lord did not send and did not send to speak, I have asked, “How long, Lord?” I have asked about their followers, “Lord, why can’t they see the truth?” There are so many whose eyes are on a different Jesus and a different gospel. Trying to talk to them and show them their error by the word of God is an uphill battle. But God spoke of the apostasy and of people who will not endure sound doctrine and turn away from the truth (2 Thess. 2:3, 2 Tim 4:3-4). He has shown beforehand what will surely come to pass. And there is the reminder…

”The word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.”

It is His word that sustains us. It is His word that is Truth. It is His word that continues to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). It is His word which teaches, rebukes, corrects, comforts, and encourages. It is His word and His Spirit that gives us wisdom and discernment to guide us through the wickedness of this dark and perishing world.

It is His Word that prevails.

I wanted something concrete so I looked up the words “mightily” and “prevailed.” Here’s the American Heritage dictionary definition:

~ mightily

1. In a mighty manner; powerfully.
2. To a great degree; greatly.

~ prevail

1. To be greater in strength or influence; triumph
2. To be or become effective; win out
3. To be most common or frequent; be predominant
4. To be in force, use, or effect; be current

So, the word of the Lord grew powerfully or greatly and was greater in strength, won out or was predominant against the things which came against it. God’s word is being battered today. It is being twisted, squashed, pulled, and ignored by unbelievers and professing believers alike. But without His Word, His truth, what do we have? NOTHING!

God has shown Himself to be mighty and has shown the promises in His word to be true. Do you believe that God’s word is great, mighty, powerful, and predominant so as to win out in every situation of your life, even those things that take time?

Brethren, in the midst of all that is coming, we MUST hold fast to His word. We have to hold on to it because ours lives and the lives of others depend on it. Be reminded that we must have patience, perseverance and continued faith in Him that what He promised, He will bring to pass.

The Rest of the Story

Ingrid, at Slice of Laodicea, has a post of a letter from a brother who drove three hours to preach the truth to those who attended a Luis Palau "festival." I like the title of the tract he created: "The Rest of the Story." I remember when Palau came to DC a couple of years ago and my daughter's school advertised and asked parents to take their children. I didn't know about Palau then or about these carnivals and festivals and the like, but the event just didn't seem right, so we did not go. Churches around the US mimick his "festival" and the true gospel of Jesus Christ that includes denial of self and cross-bearing, takes a back seat (like the FAR back seat in a school bus). You have to wade through mountains of face painting, music, freebies, food, games, activities, a half-gospel or a false gospel and may never make it to the truth. The letter is inspiring and the brother stood for Christ even in the face of possible arrest. The rope of persecution is tightening more and more here in the US and God will separate the wheat from the chaff. May He give us the courage to stand. Read the post:

http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/?p=566#more-566

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures”
1 Corinthians 15:1-4


Many believe that Christians don’t need to hear the gospel because they are already believers. I, for one, disagree. I love to hear the gospel preached, when preached correctly. I love to hear – again and again – what Christ has done.

The problem is that we don’t hear the gospel preached enough! Sometimes, for the message preached on Sunday, I just want to hear the gospel – from man’s depravity, weakness, helplessness, and filthy rag righteousness to the holiness, justice, love, and righteousness of God. Just thinking about it makes me rejoice that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8); that we were without strength, but Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6); that we were enemies of God and are now reconciled; that we were to receive wrath from Him, now glory in Him!

My heart does rejoice, and my eyes weep with gratitude. How great and glorious is our God!

Church Fundraising

I truly hate to see churches selling dinners or doing other things to raise money. I believe it really shows a lack of faith in the Lord and a lack of obedience to Him. If you need to raise money for what you call "the Lord's work," is it truly His work? He is able to provide for His own and the promise is that He will be His children's Provider.

Here is a paper that I did back in January. I actually gave it to a couple of the ministry heads in my church. No response. No matter...I was obedient to God. Check it out!

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Introduction

What type of fundraising has biblical precedent? How should we, as Christians and particularly as a local body of believers, get the funds to do the work of the ministry God has given to us to do? Are worldly methods acceptable?

This study has come about because I have been grieved at some of the man-sponsored fundraising that has permeated the body of Christ. Methods such as these to gain funds are now deemed acceptable – so much so that doing a Google search on church fundraising has shown that this is a lucrative marketing and advertising business. Out of 31 pages of listings, there were only a few sites that were opposed to such tactics. After doing this search, I got discouraged and stopped.

Does fundraising result in God’s glory or man’s glory? Is fundraising a supernatural provision or man’s work? How does fundraising make the Church different from the world? Where is the submission to the Lord and the faith that He will speak to His people to give to that which He wills to be done? If the Lord does not provide, then the work should not be done and we should reevaluate that work to be certain that it is from God, or it may take longer to allow the Lord to prepare for the work to be done. If we truly wish to be biblical in all respects and if we believe that the Bible is our final authority, then we should make sure that we please the Lord on this issue.

Since there are several scriptural examples of funds being gathered or collected for the Lord’s work, why should we go beyond what is written therein? In these examples, it is shown that the Lord moved on the hearts of the people to give willingly and that they did not expect a return or even a “Thank you” for what they gave. No man’s hand was put to it, but the Lord provided so that He may receive the glory. Further, our Lord Himself spoke in Matthew 6:1-4:

1 "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

As Paul reminded the Corinthian Church (he also reminds us) in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 that:

6 “ …He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
9 As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,
14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”


Example 1

The first example of raising funds to do the work of the Lord is found in Exodus 25, 35 & 36. The Lord spoke to Moses to tell the Israelites to give an offering to the Lord. Moses was to take the offering “from every man who gives it willingly and ungrudgingly with his heart” (Exodus 25:1, AMP). The Lord then delineates His requirements for the sanctuary. He tells what items to use, where to put every item, how to use things, and who should use them. The Lord leaves no room for error or confusion. He clearly spoke, and Moses obeyed His command.

In Chapter 35, Moses repeats word-for-word the Lord’s command for an offering for the sanctuary. Again, it was to “whoever is of a willing and generous heart” (verses 4-5, AMP). From verse 20 in this chapter and on to Chapter 36, the Bible tells of those “whose hearts were stirred up and whose spirit made him willing” (v.21, AMP). The people came, giving what they had, both men and women. Verse 29 (AMP) says:

“The Israelites brought a freewill offering to the Lord, all men and women, whose hearts made them willing and moved them to bring anything for any of the work which the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done.”

The people gave so much, that it was “more than enough” (36:5). Moses had to tell them to STOP GIVING!

The work that the Lord ordained would and did come to pass, because the Lord moved on the hearts of men to give. The Lord is Jehovah-Jireh – the Lord our Provider. If God is the Author, then He will finish the work to His satisfaction without us having the need to resort to worldly methodology.

And what did the Israelites receive in return for their giving? Were they promised a specific item or a gift? No. Because it was those who were of a willing heart who gave. They wanted to please the Lord. The Lord takes pleasure in cheerful, willing, and abundant givers (2 Corinthians 9:7).


Example 2

The next example in Scripture of raising money for the work of the Lord occurs in 1 Chronicles 29:1-20. All I can say is, WOW! May the Lord make my own heart so glad to give and to rejoice in the Lord and His provision.

David was an example to the people in giving. Some may say that David was being showy by using his own goods as an example and in giving much – very publicly, too. David’s heart was for the Lord and that his love for the Lord and his desire to build a house for the Lord compelled him to give abundantly. The Lord Himself chose David, “A man after His own heart…to be prince and ruler over His people…” (1 Samuel 13:15, AMP). In instructing his son, Solomon, in ruling as king and in the building of the temple, David tells him to “serve [the Lord] with a blameless heart and a willing mind. For the Lord searches all hearts and minds and understands all the wanderings of the thoughts…” (1 Chronicles 29:9, AMP).

David’s heart was for the glory of the Lord, and his giving was due to the abundance that the Lord had given to him. After the people “offered willingly” (v.6) and they “rejoiced because these had given willingly” (v.9), David led the people in praise unto the Lord – for His might and power, for His kingdom, for His exaltation, and for His provision. For David says, “Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all…” (v. 12) and “But who am I, and what are my people, that we should retain strength and be able to offer thus so willingly? For all things come from You, and out of Your own [hand] we have given You” (v.14, AMP).

David acknowledges that nothing they have or have given came from them. The Lord gave materially to them and also gave them a willing heart to give to the work that the Lord ordained.


Other Examples

Other examples for study are:
· King Hezekiah: 2 Chronicles 31:1-10
· Nehemiah: Nehemiah 1-2
· Women with Jesus: Luke 8:1-3

Lastly we will end with Paul’s instructions. Concerning a work that has need of planning and forethought, Paul instructs the Corinthian Church on how to give an abundant gift to the Jerusalem Church. This instruction is one that Paul had given to the Church in Galatia also. 1 Corinthians 16:1- 4 says:

1 “Now concerning the money contributed for [the relief of] the saints (God’s people); you are to do the same as I directed the churches of Galatia to do.
2 On the first [day] of each week, let each one of you [personally] put aside something and save it up as he has prospered [in proportion to what he has given], so that no collections will need to be taken after I come.
3 And when I arrive, I will send on those whom you approve and authorize with credentials to carry your gift [of charity] to Jerusalem.
4 If it seems worthwhile that I should go too, they will accompany me.

Paul reminds the Corinthian Church of their promised gift and admonishes them to renew the collection in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. He instructs them to set aside the amount that each one has purposed to give. In Philippians 4:10-20, Paul tells the Philippians that the Lord is sufficient to meet his needs and he commends them for their gift because of the “fruit which increases to your credit [the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account]” (v. 17, AMP). He also tells them that “my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (v.19, AMP). Paul himself is an excellent example, along with the other apostles and evangelists, who depended on the Lord (providing through His people) for His supply. There were times where Paul worked, but it was his example in working that helped silenced his critics (false apostles) who tried to slander him (2 Corinthians 11:7-12; Acts 20:34-35).

How great are His riches! The Lord is able “to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20). We have to get back to the biblical model and “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22), for “without faith, it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6).


In Conclusion

Where is our faith in the Lord to provide? Not through man-made methods like bake sales, chicken dinner sales or other commerce, but through prayers and fasting and holding on to His Word. It is amazing what we can accomplish in and of ourselves and then give credit to the Lord. But does the Lord give us incentives?

The Lord gives promises, not incentives. The Lord gave a promise regarding giving in Luke 6:38. He said:

“Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

This is not spoken for motivational purposes. This is just a simple fact.

I hope you will study and trust the Lord to provide. If any project is truly of the Lord, then He will provide. It will only take a few people to join together to seek the Lord’s face and to pray, fast, and stand in faith that His will be done. Is the work led of the Holy Spirit, or is it just a good work that may be beneficial in some ways? Is it a God-ordained and therefore God-glorifying work? Let us not make the place where we worship an emporium, a place for commerce (John 2:16).

For those who truly belong to the Lord, giving is not a hardship. Let us return to what the bible says about giving and gathering funds for a particular work and allow the Holy Spirit to do His job. Let us leave behind the traditions of men and methods that do not take faith and that exclude the Lord’s supernatural provision where He makes the hearts of His people so willingly and so glad to give.


AMEN!

Outreach vs. Evangelism

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 1 Corinthians 1:17- 19

Outreach. This is an interesting word that is used in the church these days. It’s meaning is very secular, however, where organizations give benefits and services to a particular community – they “reach out” to the people with “things” that should help the lives of those they serve.

So is this the correct word that the church should use? I don’t believe so. The word the church should use is EVANGELISM. The action should be preaching Christ.

20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:20-31

Our brother, Paul, wrote to the Corinthian church with an intensity regarding the focus of the message he preached to them. The message was the cross of Jesus Christ. Paul did not do anything special for the people except give them the words by which they may find life. He did not come with a band, a grill, and bags of giveaways. He went, not in his own strength or his own wisdom, but in the grace and strength of God. Paul simply gave them the gospel.

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Why did Paul simply give them the gospel? So their “faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Today’s “outreach” wants to give people more than the gospel. Instead of casting out our net (the gospel) and watching the Lord draw men unto Him, we use a fishing pole and “bait” people with free food, music, and gifts. Then, we “hook” them in with an outreach that looks like any other secular offering (you know, Christians can have fun, too). Lastly, we try “reel them in” with a gospel message.

Paul says that he was “determined not to know anything…except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” We, too, should go amongst the people knowing nothing “except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” Why? For “Christ is the POWER of God and the WISDOM of God.” We must depend upon the Lord and let go of the extras, being “in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling” so that God’s power may be shown. We are to evangelize. The mandate is to go and make disciples, teaching them all that the Lord has commanded, and baptizing them. Then they are to go and make disciples, teaching them all that the Lord has commanded, and baptizing them. And so on…

Let us get back to the simplicity that is in Christ. We need to strap on our tennis shoes, grab a bottle of water, put some bibles and some tracks in a backpack, and knock on doors. Discipling is personal and intimate. It is not a person raising a hand or saying a prayer, and then you get a phone number to “follow up.” Discipling is spending as much time as necessary with someone to teach them the way of the Lord and to teach them to look to Christ for everything.

6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Do away with outreaches and take up evangelism. Preach on the street. Give nothing “except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Strip yourself of everything that will “soften up” the audience and put on Christ. It is the Holy Spirit Who pricks hearts and the Lord Who draws men. Sure, we can feed people and help people. We should care for the poor, the widows, the orphans, and our brethren in need. But to unbelievers, we must depend on God's word. The best we have to give is Christ.

Beginnings

I have been thinking about starting a blog for some time. I have had a desire to write for years, and, as an English major, I write quite a lot for school. I am at the end of school now and I believe that this is a time in my life where I will be able to write more about the object of my desire - my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the life that we, as Christians, are to live in Him. I hope to learn, to grow, and to teach.