Quiet Time: Don't Go to Church

Don't Go to Church

 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:24-25

That's right, I'm saying, stop going to church!

Instead, grow in the church.

Notice, I didn't say grow the church. We have plenty of programs and market based ideas that will help anybody with have a mind to fill seats in an auditorium, but it takes an individual man or woman with an engaged head and open heart to the Word to actually grow in the church.

The apostle Paul encourages us to stimulate one another toward love and good deeds on a regular basis whenever we get together (Hebrews 10:24-25). Back in his day, they probably met in homes and public meeting places. Today, we build buildings, preferably with really good air conditioning systems if you live in the South, where several hundred of us can meet. Whether in a home or building, the command is the same, "...do not forsake assembling together..."

Did you go to church yesterday? Well, if your intent was to simply go, but instead you chose to do something else (it was a good beach day, in Florida, right?!) Then, I have to say you didn't miss much and you probably weren't missed much. But if your desire was to grow in church yesterday, and for whatever reason you didn't make it; sad to say, you really missed a lot and you were indeed greatly missed.

Okay, so you missed church and now you feel miserable. Then make sure you go .... uh....grow in your small group bible study this week; we need you as much as you need us.

And, make sure you never go to church again...

GROW IN CHURCH!

Quiet Time: A Walk With God

A Walk With God
 
Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. – Genesis 5:24
 
Imagine being so close to God that instead of everyone seeing you grow old and die, God just showed up one day and took you home to be with him. That’s exactly what happened to Enoch.

As a boy, I would read this passage in awe of Enoch. It seems that by sheer faith Enoch skipped the process of dying all together. We also understand that Enoch was known by those around him as a man with whom God found pleasure. That’s how we know that Enoch had great faith, because without faith it is impossible to please God.

A reasonable question then is, “In what exactly did Enoch believe?”

Enoch believed that anyone who wants to get close to God must believe not only that He exists but also that God actually desires to get involved in the lives of those who are looking for Him (Hebrews 11:5-6).  

I think that Enoch was a man who saw God intimately involved in every aspect of His life. So much so, that he walked with Him from earth right into eternity.

That’s how I want to know God, don’t you? Intimately.

Quiet Time: Our Calling Our Purpose

Our Calling – Our Purpose

21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;… - 1 Peter 2:21-22

This Thursday, our small group bible study will continue to work through "Living Victoriously in Difficult Times". Our focal verse is 1 Peter 2:21 which speaks to the Christian’s call to suffer. Now, we know that there is a time to stand up against the evil in the land (Psalm 82:4; Proverbs 24:10-11; Isaiah 58:6-7). However, there are also occasions when we must submit to suffering in Jesus name and for His glory.

(1 peter 2:21) tells us that believers have a calling, an invitation to suffer or be acted upon in such a way that our passions are aroused. It is at that moment, in the heat of our desire to strike back in righteous indignation for a wrong committed against us that we decide who’s servant (literally: slave) we really are (James 1:1). 

First century disciples understood that a Christ follower must be fully engaged in the hardships of the cross (Matt. 16:24; Acts 14:22). However, they also knew that Christ had secured their future (1 Pet. 3:9& 18) and that Jesus was their example of how the righteous respond to wrong (Matthew 11:29; 1 Pet. 2:21). 

Ironically, the benefit of being mistreated was the personal experience of a more holy walk for the believer (1 Pet. 4:1). 

The early church had first-hand experience of walking in such a way that the world was pushed aside in view of the greater glory of walking in, and anticipation of, Jesus name and soon return (1 Peter 4:13). We can walk with them in this day and age if we so choose.

Sometimes, it seems like believers today are looking for a hyper spiritual experience that will confirm the reality of God’s active participation in the now. We want to be “moved” in the spirit. I see no real harm in this; but, if we really want to experience God in our day to day walk, perhaps we should simply begin to act upon the truth of His word as we learn it. In this case, we are encouraged to respond to wrong with righteousness which will cause us to draw near to Jesus and away from worldliness. 

This is our calling –our purpose, to follow in His steps.

Quiet Time: God Is Thinking Of You

God Is Thinking Of You…Right Now

Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count. 
– Psalm 40:5

I have a friend who is struggling with a tough addiction. Sometimes he feels overwhelmed and defeated. I believe God’s not done with him yet and that His plans are beyond anything either one of us have considered.

Here are some encouraging scripture verses I shared with him.

(I get the impression that someone else out there needs to hear them too)

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. – Psalm 40:5

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them! – Psalm 139:17

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. – Isaiah 55:8

Press on in the power of the LORD.