Tag Archives: Baptist

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Shine Bright!

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There is a lot of talk about churches becoming relevant to our culture!  I am all for our doing whatever it takes to reach people for Jesus, but we need to make sure that we are reaching people for Jesus and not just attracting a crowd.  Jesus said in John 8:12  “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  Light is not a tool that we earn, it is a gift that we posses!  Jesus is the light and when we accept Him, we become the light.

In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus put it this way:  “You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.”  As we share Jesus by shining our light in the midst of the darkness, people will be attracted to God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness!

We do not have to dumb down holiness to make it attractive to a lost and dying world.  In fact, when we dumb it down, it ceases to be real holiness.  We need to raise up the bar of discipleship and let the world know that if you are going to be a Christian, it means more than attending church and going through the motions.  To be a Christian means denying self, taking up our cross and following Him.  And this is the best and brightest way to shine our lights into this dark world – by denying self, taking up our cross and following Him!  (Matthew 16:24)  I’ve got some work to do!  SHINE BRIGHT!

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Fired Up Friday!

Together Is Better!

Together Is Better!

Friday tends to be one of those days when we are tempted to make it all about us.  We have been busy all week long – giving ourselves to someone or something else and it would appear that now it is almost time to make it about ourselves.  Before we make the leap, I want to share some thoughts that the Holy Spirit has been laying on my heart.  And let me be the first to say:  “I’ve got some work to do!”

Jesus said:  “If any man would come after (follow) me, then he must deny (surrender) himself, take up his cross (sacrifice) and follow me!”  This is what it means to be a Christian!  Being a Christian is about so much more than getting out of Hell and into Heaven!  It is so much more than going to church and going through the motions.  Being a Christian is about living in a relationship of following, surrender and sacrifice!

I often hear “church attenders” make so many excuses about what they can and can’t do, about what they are and are not going to do.  And what it really boils down to, is this one question:  Are you going to be a Christian or not?  If you are going to be a Christian, then you are going to follow Jesus because you have a “want to” to follow Jesus.  If you are going to be a Christian, then you will surrender your will to His will, because you truly believe that His will is better!  If you are going to be a Christian, then you will sacrifice everyday, multiple times throughout the day, because you know and appreciate the sacrifice that Jesus made for you!

Let’s stop making excuses!  Let’s start making a difference!  Let’s really be what we say we are!  I am a Christian!  I choose to follow Christ!  I am excited about surrendering my will to His will!  I count it all joy to be able to sacrifice for His glory and other’s blessing!  I am following Jesus and I know that I am on a journey of “right direction!”  Let’s do it together!  The journey is so much more enjoyable when we do it together and I do it better when I have someone that I can help and someone that will help me back!  I just can’t wait to see where God is going to take us together!

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A Few Thoughts On Discipleship!

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DSC_0026Discipleship is one of those words that we toss around our churches like a familiar football!  We know that the word discipleship has something to do with being close to God, and we convince ourselves that this is enough.  We need to start thinking about discipleship and what it really means.  I think that true discipleship is one of the lost gifts that God has given to the church!  I am trying to get my head and heart around it, and must admit that I have a ways to go.  I thought that it might be helpful for me to share with you some of the things that God has been teaching and showing me!

How do you know when discipleship is happening?  Discipleship is the work of God in a person”s heart and life.  When a person experiences transformation through a relationship with God, their life shines Jesus to all of those around.  When you experience God’s love, you can’t help but to share that love with any and all around you.

I am afraid that many times in our churches we end up preaching a gospel that turns people into consumers of religion, rather than into disciples of relationship.  The problem is this:  Faith that does not grow into action is not really faith at all!  Bonhoeffer said:  “Only those who are obedient believe and only those who believe are obedient.  Faith is the only real obedience.”

A true disciple is a person who abides in Christ, produces fruit, practices obedience, lives with joy and gives love!  (John 15)  If you want to be a growing disciple, then you must submit to spiritual leadership and teaching, so that you can learn to live by the words of Jesus and follow His example of ministry, which seeks to find and grow other disciples.

Are you a disciple?  Would the life that you are living today prove it?  I have to go – because I’ve got some work to do!  I want my life to prove it!