Tell Them in Love!

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1 ESV

You have seen from my other blog post that I think we absolutely must stand on the issues that our God speaks to in His word (abortion, sexual sin, addiction etc.).  We as Christians often pick our issues and stand for them well, but then we tend to step back at other controversial areas out of a desire not to offend.  However these issues aren't the most offensive part of the Gospel.   David Platt points out very clearly and accurately (in his book Counter Culture) that the fact that God created everything including you, I and everyone else and therefore owns us (Yeah I said owns.  If you make something you have ownership of it.) is by far the most offensive thing in the Bible.  Want to test that,  go out and tell people that

"You are not the master of your fate or the captain of your soul as Author William Ernest Henley would have you believe."

and tell them why.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27 ESV

Personally I love them all, I don't necessarily like them all, but I do love them.  I would rather them be offended and make it to heaven than to be tender to thier feelings and have them go to hell.

If we must stand on the issues and they are likely to be offended anyway,  we might as well start with the most offensive thing.   The other issues really pale in comparison.  That should make it easier to get them out there.

Now go and tell them that they are not only owned but that they are loved by the one and only true God of the entirety of existence.

“For  God so loved  the world,  that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not  perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 3:16-18 ESV

Everythings Growing

So I have been driven to consider a ministry idea.  In the process I have had to deal with convictions and realizations.  This is the start of what I am thinking and praying about.

A ministry that partners with churches teaching them how to grow vegetables in a sustainable method and environment.   Hydroponic, Aquaponic, Soil base and well as possibilities for Solar and Wind energy technology.  So as to share the Gospel with those who would partake of such a ministry as well as to teach the method of growing to them so that they will always have a means to food.

Questions
Who do we want to reach?
Poverty stricken.
Those who need the Gospel.
Churches that need avenues to community.

Who are we reaching already?

Who should or is wanted to be involved?
Local and non-local churches.
Accountants
Engineers
Electricians
Carpenters
Plumbers
Teachers
Workers

What do we wish to accomplish?
God Glorifying, Gospel Sharing,  Gospel Centered ministry that empowers the church to create an maintain a food source to supply those in need with food from the Gospel and the knowledge of the Gospel first and food for the physical need as well as the Knowledge of a food source that anyone can build and maintain for themselves.
To supply and support the need to reach all people's for the Gospel in the church as well as in individuals.

What are the possible means to that end?

What are the blockers of this goal?

When do we want to accomplish this?
Ongoing.  As soon as possible.

Where do we want to accomplish this?
Anywhere we can.
Partnering with churches of all denominations that share a solid Gospel message.

Why do we want to do this?
For the Glory of God first and foremost.
The spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To supply churches with a means to reach into thier community with purpose and meaning.
To feed those in need

How do we accomplish this?

Some of these questions aren't answered  yet.  Your input and prayers are valued.   Please comment.   The answers that are already given are surely not all that can be said.  Please comment on those as well.

There are also questions not asked here.  Feel free to ask away.

To know that Christ has saved you is a wonderful thing.  But to know why He has saved you is infinitely more wonderful.

May you know why He has saved you.

The Embrace of a Loving Father

Matthew 14:25‭-‬31 ESV
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Jesus walks on water.  We Christians call this a mirical.  While this particular activity surely seems miraculous  (walking on water);  I wonder if we really see the mirical in this?

The disciples see someone on the water, are fearful, and then they hear Jesus identify himself.   He attempts to calm them.  Peter throws out what appears to be a challenge of the identity.

“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”

And Jesus gives the command.   Peter obediently steps out on the water and after a few steps begins to sink.  Jesus saves Peter saying

“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

I can already hear people saying "Alright Colby we got that!  What's not miraculous about 2 people walking on the water."

Maybe the fact that the miracle isn't thier steps.  Or at least that's not the only mirical here.

“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Let's look at the facts.

Mindset
You don't see the disciples fearful over someone walking on the water so much as they are afraid that its a ghost.  Why would they say this?  Because men can't walk on the sea.  Which leaves us with nature.

Nature
You have seen from my other blogs that nature remains the same all the time everytime.  If you jump out of an airplane you fall.  If you walk on water you sink.  So what is different here?  You don't see the disciples yelling "Look the water is becoming solid and someone is walking on it."  There is no indication that gravity in the area has changed, meaning Jesus and Peter still weigh what a full grown man of the time would weigh. No indication that nature has changed at all. 

Yet the both are out on the water and are not sinking, at least for a time in Peter's case. 

Why? 

A very smart man once said "Once you have eliminated all of the possibilities,  whatever remains, no matter how improbable,  must be the truth."

The Supernatural
Faith!  That's the mirical.   Faith that despite nature, despite wind, despite waves, and despite the reality that men can't walk on the sea, God the father will keep me above the water.  Faith that God is not only in control but has my best interest at heart.

The question that comes to my mind is this.  Do I have the faith to say God will hold me above the water?

Can God change nature?  He created it, I have no doubt he can change it.  It would seem though that He would rather get His glory by holding his children.   Tell me that isn't a wonderful thought. 

How often do we deny Him that because of our little faith?

I hope that this thought will encourage you to leap into the Fathers loving embrace.

A Russell Moore must read

This is a must read.  Russell Moore nails this down and makes rescue from from pornographic content and war gaming addictions an attainable goal for us.  He gives us the Biblical reasoning and the Biblical replacements necessary to fight for our youth, men and women.  Now we can help all who are addicted to these cyber based glory thieves and guide those addicted to place glory on Jesus the one true cure for all addiction.   Praise be to the King!

http://www.russellmoore.com/2016/09/13/rescuing-young-men-fake-love-fake-war/

What would the world be like?

Christian:
What would this world be like if you took a stand on marriage?
          If you said to the couple talking about divorce.  NO!  Let's get help together.

What would this world be like if you took a stand on abortion?
          If you said to the expectant mother.  NO!  I will help you raise your child!

What would this world be like if you took a stand on parentlessness?
          If you said to the child.  YES!  I will be your father or mother.

What would this world be like if you took a stand on drugs / alcoholism?  
           If you said to the addict.  NO!  Let me hold your hand as we kick your habit.

What would this world be like if you took a stand on judgement?                                           If you said to everyone.  NO!  I will not judge you.

What would this world be like if you took a stand on love?
           If you said to everyone.  YES! I will be like Jesus.  I will love you no matter what?

What would this world be like if you took a stand on the Gospel?
          If you said to the world.  YES!  I will tell everyone about Jesus.  I will tell them that He lived a sinless life and died on the cross to pay for all sin.  That He was raised again conquering death and now sits at the right hand of God the Father.  I will tell them that His sacrifice paved the way for thier salvation just as I am saved by Jesus.  I will tell them how they too can accept Him as thier Lord and Savior.  I will see that they are discipled.  I will teach them all the He has commanded.  I will pray for them.

What would this world be like if Christians acted like Christians?
          I look at we who call ourselves Christians (myself included) and if I did not know for certain that His plan cannot fail.  If all I had to look at were myself and His people.  I would be in fear that the world may never know what this world would look like if Chriatians acted like Christians.

Jesus said this in Mark 8:34-35

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.

DENY HIMSELF!  TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW ME. 

Jesus denied Himself all the way to death.  When He took up His cross He was willingly going to DIE for our sins.  He asks us to take up our cross and follow Him... To DEATH!  He says the if we DIE for His sake and the Gospel's we will be saving our very lives.  He laid it all out for you...  Will you do the same for Him?

What would the world look like if I...?   

Will you finish the question?

Resurrection Thoughts, Fear, Outreach!

As my pastor preached this morning and he spoke of salvation I began as I most often do to to weigh the words he spoke to that which I know to be true from the Bible.  It was at this point that I had a most startling and fearful thought.   If my pastor had seen my face he may well have thought that I was in pain.  In reality I was... The pain of searing conviction of not serving enough.   I am not sure that I can...

Throughout the Bible we see the work of God and that work reveals the very nature of God.  On this there is no doubt.  That nature is by far the most consistent thing I have ever encountered.   It is the same everytime, all the time.

Now please enduldge me as I share my fearful revelation of thought.  As the pastor spoke of salvation my mind took me to thoughts of the resurrection of the dead.  I have done some research regarding this and I will not deny the fact that I could be wrong.  To be honest I hope that I am.

If you read 1 Corinthians 15 as I have several times today alone you will see the nature of God explained in the resurrection of the dead. 

What I see there is that the very nature of resurrection of that which is dead, is that it becomes new.  New in that it is rebuilt perfect (glorified).  If this is the case and the dead that aren't in Christ, those that are to be ressurected after the believers (Revelation 20:6) and the nature of God in resurrection remains the same as it always has.  Those too will be resurrected with rebuilt perfect (glorified) bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42).  The reason seems to be the proximity to God himself.  All will stand before him and will need that body to withstand it (John 5:29). 

Now you may be saying, so what?  And you would be correct in thinking that at that time it will have little effect on those that have been raised in Christ.   However this is the fear I have.  If those who are not in Christ are raised this way.  Not only are they damned to a perfect (because everything God does is perfect) place of perfect torment (meaning literally the worst possible torment) for eternity, but also they will be condemned with a perfect rebuilt (glorified) body that can feel, perceive, receive, and completely process all of that torment, perfectly.  All the weight, depth, or any other measurement you can fathom cannot begin to contain that torment.  Human bodies currently are broken and fortunately do not react this way to worldly torment and troubles which are obviously no comparison.  To be honest I don't believe I can give proper clarity or weight to what they will go through because there is no comparison.

I do not wish that anyone go through that.  I didn't when I thought they would go through it as they are / were. 

I have been for years now and am now more than ever convinced that we Christians have no alternative but to share the Gospel with every one we come in contact with.  If I had not come to this conclusion, I would have had to question my own salvation.

What about you?

It should be noted that there is no definitive scripture that hammers the fact that the resurrection of those not in Christ will happen that way.  Only the fact of God's consistency in his actions regarding this physical world we live in.  

I will help anyone with evangelism to my fullest extent possible.