Taking Another Look

Not in Vain

Much is being said today about the church and its influence in the world. Many are expecting a revival in America. I have been praying, along with others for several years, that an awakening would move across this land.

It is needed. People are often confused about revival. Revival is for the church. Of course in great revivals people will come to know Christ as their Savior. Still, it comes, God sends it, when the church is found in repentance for the darkness it has embraced.

When I speak of darkness, I simply mean that often the light of Christ is diminished in the church world. With all the hate filled rhetoric streaming from pulpits. Diving into the politics of the world. Fighting over theology and interpretation.

The only message that will change a heart is shrouded in the darkness of opinion and anger.

Of course this is not true across the board. Even those caught in this web of darkness are good people. Still they move forward with the whims of the majority, and leave behind the most important story from the Bible.

The story of Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

I know, if you have read one of my blogs, or one of many Facebook posts, you have heard this before.

I see an awesome change taking place in ministry.

Change is occurring in the message from many pulpits and organizations across this awesome country.

Jesus is alive. He loves everyone. You can not live like you want when you come to Christ. We know that, and teach that.

Over the years I have come to realize that people will change when they know they are loved.

When you convince someone of the great love that God has for them. When they embrace it, things will change. People will repent and turn to follow Christ.

I love the church. Still we must be aware of the influence we embrace. The message we give. The church must be willing to repent.

Repent from such things as growing cold in our praise and prayer. Repent for our lack of forgiveness, and our religious self righteousness.

Repent for rejecting the needs of your community. Even if all you can do is pray. You must shine in the place that God has planted you.

Somehow from the very beginning I moved away from my original thoughts. Still, they have become relevant now.

Over 2000 years the church has weathered every storm. From persecutions, poverty, religion, disease.

It has never been perfect, only in heart. Still we move forward in glory at times. At other times in repentance.

With our ups and our downs we keep moving. Shining the light of Christ. The light that reveals His love for us, and our need for Him.

Paul gave the Corinthian church this encouragement.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

I love this stuff.

Have a blessed day and keep on working for the Lord. Some plant, some water, some reap. Everyone has a part in this wonderful movement.

The church of our Lord Jesus Christ.

#lovewins #hopelives

You Have to be Kidding

Recently I posted a blog with some short thoughts on the condition of the church, and the message it shares. Of course I was speaking broadly, as I indicated in the post.

You will find no greater advocate for the church than me. Betty and I have fought for more than 14 years for the right of all people to find safety and love in the church. For some unknown reason to me, some people define the love of God for all people as flesh pleasing. Avoiding the truth of their sin filled lives.

There is nothing further from the truth. At Amazing Life Church we have seen many over the years come to Christ and be baptized, all because they were shown God’s love. They turned to Christ because they heard His story. The only thing that can redeem them is to believe in Christ as their Savior.

I hate sin. The problem in many churches is there is only one or two sins preached. Heaven forbid you teach Proverbs six, or the rejection of Christ by the wealthy young ruler. The story of how we put things before Him. Jealousy, pride, or failure to forgive.

Who are you worried about offending when you will not acknowledge these sins?

There is not a person, in my belief, that does not see their sin,when in the church, you create an atmosphere of love and praise.

When this happens you allow God, and the Holy Spirit to do their job. (When He comes, He will convince the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.)

I have to say that I love it when religion is angered. It confirms the word from the Lord and its relevance to us today.

Some may take from my earlier post that I am criticizing the church. Once again, nothing is further from the truth. I call it like it is. I am a Pastor, not someone who just shows up. I pastor a church, not just a group of people.

I love the church, and it is nothing more than arrogant hypocrisy to tell the world it needs to repent. All the while refusing to look at ourselves as members of His body, and acknowledge our faults and failures. Then repent ourselves.

In Romans 2 Paul was rebuking the church for passing judgment on others. Then He said this.

Romans 2:4

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? The Kindness of God!!!

Five different verses in Revelation show Jesus calling on His churches to repent.

The church at Ephesus, Revelation 2:5. The church at Pergamum, Revelation 2:16. The church at Thyatira, Revelation 2:21. The church at Sardis, Revelation 3:3.

I love the fifth one, it is the church at Laodicea.

Revelation 3:19

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

You see, I love the church, and when you find me challenging the church and its message, two things are going on.

First, I look at myself and the work we are building. Have I, or others within our church wandered off course. Is there something we need to improve. Something requiring repentance.

Secondly, because I love the church I will point out what I believe to be the danger that occurs when the church rejects the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

From the Greek, the word Gospel is defined as good news. Vines dictionary further defines the Gospel as the story of Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

It is not Jesus plus, it is just Jesus.

Hope this clears things up for some of you who were confused.

As Paul said, let me show you a more excellent way.

I pray you are blessed and empowered by His love.

#lovewins #hopelives