The Relevant Disciple: July 2009

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

My prayer! Psalm 143

1 Hear my prayer, O LORD;give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

2 Enter not into judgment with your servant,for no one living is righteous before you.

3 For the enemy has pursued my soul;he has crushed my life to the ground;he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.

4 Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.

5 I remember the days of old;I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

6 I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Selah

7 Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails!Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.

8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge!

10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

11 For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!

12 And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.

What a prayer. This is the type of prayer I want to pray daily because it gives great perspective of who we are and How great our God is. He is the one who guides us and we are the ones who need Him. He is our all in all. I would challenge you to pray through some Psalms and allow that to be your hearts prayer and see how God works. We serve a mighty God who is worthy of our complete praise and worship.

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Friday, July 10, 2009

The Goal and Mission of Ministry

The goal and mission of ministry should be simple; it should be focused on Jesus Christ. In Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus commands us to make disciples in all nations. Making disciples is much more than seeing people saved. Discipling means walking side by side with people and helping them grow in their faith.

God wants to transform us and guide us but we often get in the way of this process. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul appeals to us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. This is difficult because we live in a “me” society and self-satisfaction drives us. We call ourselves Christians but are unwilling to live for Christ. Sometimes the only thing we are willing to sacrifice is our relationship with Christ. I am angered and saddened at the state of Christianity today. We are not willing to stand for the truths of God’s Word and theology has become a repelling word in the church. The mundane motions of life are destroying Christians and we are dying without realizing the passion that is needed to change the world. We too, get involved in sin because we see no hope. Redemption is calling and we are blinded by our own desires. I want to be consumed by the majesty of Christ. I want God to restore my soul and give a me a peace that calms my soul. I am looking for a joy that only comes from God. The Church seems to have lost sight of that redemption. It is time for the Church to see and become consumed by the majesty of Christ.

The goal and mission is to reach people. Has the Church lost this mission? Tears are flowing as I type because I realize God loves us so much but we have very little use for Him. Why? It is because of our selfish ignorance and desire for sin. My desire is to serve God with my whole heart. I want to lead the ministry at FBC to become a ministry that is passionate about Jesus Christ. So how do we do this? Well, it is simple. Ask God to consume you and me with His majesty and follow Him. He will guide. To all glory, power, and honor is given to the King of Kings.

In Christ Service,

John

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Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Freedom in Christ

As we celebrate our 233^rd Birthday as a Nation and the privileges that we have, let us also remember that true freedom is found only in Christ.

In Hebrews 10:19-25, the author writes the following: “¹⁹Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰bythe new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

We have confidence to enter the holy place because of the freedom that comes through the salvation which is obtained when we confess Christ as personal Lord and Savior. Christians are the only people that have that true freedom. We are free from the bondage of sin. Before Christ’s gift of salvation, we were blind and bound by sin. Thank God for salvation and freedom that comes through Jesus Christ.

As you celebrate the 4^th of July this week and are a believer in Christ, look to the Creator and give thanks to Him for your freedom from sin. If you are lost without Christ, take time to study the Bible or ask a Christian, “What does it take to follow Christ?” If you are a Believer, share the freedom that you have in Christ with someone who may not know Him. If you are lost without Christ, pray to receive Him as Lord and Savior.

Give God the glory and credit for Salvation and look to the True Freedom that lives within those of us who are His children. May God bless you as you celebrate the freedom that was given to you. Worship the true and living God without reservation.

In Christ Service,

John

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My prayer! Psalm 143

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