Carrying Offenses

One of the greatest enemies of the church walks right in through the front door, bright smiles, and a bubbling personality, at least at first. They join the church, get involved and seam to be a great contributor. Then you find out the rest of the story. When a problem arises, they're gone. They carry their offenses with them as they hop from one church to another.

When you get angry with someone, how do you handle it? Do you immediately take comments personally and get upset? Or do you dig into the statement a bit, making sure you understand what the person is saying, and why they're saying it. It is so easy to take things personal, when they really are not. Proverbs says ...

The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. - Prov 18:17 (NKJV)

We really need to understand, before we take offense. And when we do take offense, do we stuff it and run along to the next church? Or do we take a cup of coffee and a piece of pie to our brother or sister, sit down and say, "Can you help me understand"? Do you try to work it out peacefully?

Ultimately it comes down to whether we are reconcilers or offenses carriers. Christ has reconciled us to God, and He commands us to be reconciled to our brothers and sisters, as far as it is possible with us.

Work it out. Do not carry your offenses around with you.

The End of the Law & the Ruthie Syndrome

If you've ever watched the TV program Seventh Heaven, you surely remember Ruthie. She's the cute little younger child that is always batting her eyes, and helping her siblings get into trouble, though she tries to stay out of it. Ruthie will often meet her parents' expectations with technical obedience, but her heart is in rebellion with her older siblings. This begs the question of whether obedience precedes faith or faith precedes obedience, but we won't go there now. Brothers Crow, Coker & I have already rode that horse off into the desert.

The Ruthie Syndrome is an illustration of the Old Testament (OT) Law. Under the OT Law with all of its dos and don'ts, the Hebrews were under the weight law. The law was the tutor and it was their curse. There was no way to live up to it. Man could not do it. And even if he could hold up to some expectation of the law, there was still the question of why. Was it merely and outward representation combined with a rebellious heart? This is the Ruthie Syndrome.

Christ is the of End of the Law. The word "end" has multiple possible meanings. It could be termination or fulfillment. In the case of the sacrificial system, Hebrews 10 communicates both. Christ fulfilled and made more meaningful the OT sacrifices that foreshadowed The Sacrifice to ended all sacrifices. Indeed to continue to sacrifice goats and bulls for sins, when the Son of God has been sacrificed for all sin is an abomination.

With the moral law, Christ fulfilled and ended the OT law at the same time. He made the OT moral commands more rich, in that He raised the expectation from mere outward appearances to the capture the innermost intentions of the heart. He also lived the law, exemplifying that which no man could accomplish without the Spirit of God.

Paul asks a great question in Galatians 3:2...

"Did you receive the spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you
heard?"

Christ' work on the cross liberates us from the weight of the law and draws our hearts to the spirit of the law at the same time. We are freed from sin, and become slaves to righteousness, out of heart felt conviction and love for God. Now the letter of the law need not be manipulated to make you feel better or accomplish your goal. It is the spirit of the law and the love of God's ways over mans' ways that makes us one with Him in spirit and in Truth.

America Bless God

They Don't Have To Be Asked or Told

I'll never forget it. It was one of those moments that is forever etched in your mind.

Some men were gathered in the prayer room on a Wednesday evening. We had already begun praying. After several folks had expressed their heart before God, a surprising, but familiar voice, began praying. He wasn't in the room, when we began, but now he was.

It was the Associate Pastor. His prayer began, "Lord, help these people that are too foolish to pray. They're hurting. Their marriage is in trouble, and they don;t even know to prayer about it..." He had just come from counseling a couple in the church.

This is much like raising children. Some times you have to tell them to do the obvious. Some times you have to ask them to take out the trash, or do the dishes, etc... Some times we adults are the same way.

Oh, but not so with the men's group, I currently meet with. You do not have to tell these men to pray. They do it without prompting. You don't even have to say, let's pray. They just do it. They know that turning to God is the best thing we can do.

Ask and the door will be opened unto you.
Seek and you will find.

God Save the U.S.A.

The Working Poor or Helpless

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:3 NIV

Honestly, I've always struggled with this verse. I've had a hard time getting my mind around the phrase "poor in spirit". I've tended to look at it as "poor self-esteem", or "thinking lowly of one's self". The later is still worthy of consideration. Humility and a right attitude or right perspective toward God does involve how we view ourselves, but that does not mean we are worthless. Unworthy is accurate. Worthless is not.

I think the better question to ask is this, "How desperate is your spiritual condition"? Are you a poor beggar that standing on the corner asking for a spiritual handout? Or can you handle it on your own? Are you totally desperate for a spiritual rescue, or are you working your way through it.

The Greek word used for poor in this verse (Matthew 5:3) is the poor helpless desperate beggar, as opposed to the working poor. Which phrase best describes you? Which thought leads to the blessedness, the complete fulfillment?

Prayers Answered at Little Ebenezer in Hutto

The prayers have been going up for nearly a year. Little Ebenezer Baptist Church (LEBC) of Hutto, Texas has been seeking a pastor, since the passing of Isaiah Brown in July 2007. People all around the community have been praying for this church. People have gone and laid hands on the church doors crying to God for a Biblical preacher; a man of the Word.

The prayers have now been answered. Today, Rev. Fred. B. Warren, Jr. was installed at LEBC. Pastor Warren and First Lady, Gail, are well known and loved by Little Ebenezer. Today's Installation Service was a great blessing. This is a church that knows how to praise the Lord and knows how to see His blessings. When God acts, they give Him all the praise that is due. Ross Davis worshipped using a mime dance that clearly pointed to the power of God in our life. You can read more about Little Ebenezer Baptist Church on the web. Visit http://www.lebc.us/

Rev. Dr. John T. Townsend of Peaceful St. James Baptist Church in Austin delivered the charge. Dr. Townsend has obviously poured many hours into the young Rev. Warren. Dr. Townsend was very direct and wise in addressing the complexities of being a pastor, a pastor's wife, a deacon, and just following a pastor.

I most admire the fact that Warren and Townsend are both men of the Word. They believe and trust in the Holy Bible. This book will change your life! This book is a blessing. It's the very Word of God. Townsend and Warren stand firm in it, and their ministries are blessed because of it. You can know the blessing too. Pray for the Spirit to Reveal God's Word to you. Express your trust in God and His ways. You will never be the same. You will know the blessing, as does Little Ebenezer Baptist Church of Hutto.

May God richly bless Pastor Warren and his family!