Quiet Time: There Is Only One Church

There Is Only One Church

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
 - John 3:3
 

Okay, okay, after reading yesterday's blog titled "Don't Go to Church" many readers thought, "Sure, Brother Doug, I'd grow in church if the preaching was better", and other comments were something like, "I don't have to go to church in order to grow", and of course there's always the perfectly American excuse of  "Sundays are my only day to relax. I work six days a week."

Hey guys, I hear you. Some preaching is better than others. I like the Charles Stanleys, John MacArthurs, and Chuck Swindols of the radio/television world too. And, as far as, growth is concerned, it is true that you can grow outside of church, and you certainly should; however, it doesn't negate the fact that you are breaking God's explicit direction and design for your maturity in Christ (Hebrews 10:25). Finally, working six days a week is simply no excuse for neglecting that which is necessary, good, and eternal, as our hard working sister, Martha discovered (Luke 10:41-42).

So, before we come up with even better excuses for not being part of a local body of believers, check out this list of what the bible says the church could and should be to us.

The Church is the:

• Only institution Christ promised to build and to bless (Matthew 16:18).
• Gathering place of true worshipers (Philippians 3:3).
• Most precious assembly on earth because Christ purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 5:25; Colossians 1:20; 1 Peter 1:18; Revelation 1:5).
• Earthly expression of the heavenly reality (Matthew 6:10; 18:18).
• Realm of spiritual fellowship (Hebrews 10:22-25; 1 John 1:3, 6-7).
• Proclaimer and protector of divine truth (1 Timothy 3:15; Titus 2:1, 15).
• Chief place for spiritual edification and growth (Acts 20:32; Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Peter 3:18).
• Launch pad for world evangelization (Mark 16:15; Titus 2:11).
• Environment where strong spiritual leadership develops and matures (2 Timothy 2:2).

By the way, for those of you who don't know me personally, I've been a bi-vocational worship arts minister for over a quarter century now. That means I've always held a full time secular position while ministering in the church. (It's okay, Paul was a tent maker and a missionary Acts 18:3) Many times I get physically exhausted and mentally frustrated; but, then I remember that there is only One Person I desire to please, and He created the one and only place for me to be on Sundays.

That's why there truly is, only one church.

Quiet Time: Beware the Winner

Beware the Winner

When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. – Genesis 14:20

And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." He gave him a tenth of all. – Genesis 14:20

Abram had his household trained and ready to fight, but God immediately sent Melchizedek, the priest, to remind him Who gave the victory.

Winning can tempt us into believing that we are somehow better than the next man. Since everyone loves a winner, the victor is often celebrated and lifted up by those around him. That’s where the danger lies. 

The bible tells us that a man tested by the praise accorded him (Proverbs 27:21). We see also, that many trust in the strength of their arsenal or their own preparations and personal skill.  (Proverbs 21:31; Psalm 20:7). 

As Christ followers, we must always remember that our Father God is the giver of all things good, and that includes every victory.

Quiet Time: First Things First

First Things First

Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar – Genesis 8:20

He begins well who begins with God – Matthew Henry

The first thing Noah did upon leaving the arc was to worship God. 

According to survival books, the primary concern for humans is food, shelter, and clothing, but Noah chose to stop and acknowledge from Whom his existence was found. 

Man has changed little from Noah's day (Gen. 8:21). From the time we’re born we are self-centered and prone to sin. Perhaps that’s why so many of us no longer feel the need to set aside time each week to worship God.

What better way to begin each week than with a group of people who are heaven bent on serving their Creator?

Putting God first makes us happy at last.

See yah at worship tomorrow!

Quiet Time: What Verses to Memorize

What Verses to Memorize; 
Part I 

One of our small group bible study members asked me what bible verses she should memorize first. I thought that was a great question and went to work the next day on developing a list of important memory verses. During this process I thought it would be a good idea to include lists of verses that other, more experienced Christ followers, found to be helpful.

Here's a list of verses from the Navigators ministry: If you want to memorize Scripture, but aren't sure what to memorize or how, this system is exactly what you need to begin hiding God's word in your heart.

LIVE THE NEW LIFE

• Christ the Center 2 Corinthians 5:17 Galatians 2:20 
• Obedience to Christ Romans 12:1 John 14:21 
• The Word 2 Timothy 3:16 Joshua 1:8 
• Prayer John 15:7 Philippians 4:6,7 
• Fellowship Matthew 18:20 Hebrews 10:24,25 
• Witnessing Matthew 4:19 Romans 1:16 

PROCLAIM CHRIST

• All Have Sinned Romans 3:23 Isaiah 53:6 
•  Sin's Penalty Romans 6:23 Hebrews 9:27 
• Christ Paid the Penalty Romans 5:8 1 Peter 3:18 
• Salvation is not by Works Ephesians 2:8,9 Titus 3:5 
• Must Receive Christ John 1:12 Revelation 3:20 
• Assurance of Salvation 1 John 5:13 John 5:24 

RELY ON GOD'S RESOURCES

• His Spirit 1 Corinthians 3:16 1 Corinthians 2:12 
• His Strength Isaiah 41:10 Philippians 4:13 
• His Faithfulness Lamentations 3:22,23 Numbers 23:19 
• His Peace Isaiah 26:3 1 Peter 5:7 
• His Provision Romans 8:32 Philippians 4:19 
• His Help in Temptation Hebrews 2:18 Psalms 119:9,11 

BE CHRIST'S DISCIPLE

• Put Christ First Matthew 6:33 Luke 9:23 
• Separate From the World 1 John 2:15,16 Romans 12:2 
• Be Steadfast 1 Corinthians 15:58 Hebrews 12:3 
• Serve Others Mark 10:45 2 Corinthians 4:5 
• Give Generously Proverbs 3:9,10 2 Corinthians 9:6,7 
• Develop World Vision Acts 1:8 Matthew 28:19,20 

GROW IN CHRIST-LIKENESS

•  Love John 13:34,35 1 John 3:18 
• Humility Philippians 2:3,4 1 Peter 5:5,6 
• Purity Ephesians 5:3 1 Peter 2:11 
• Honesty Leviticus 19:11 Acts 24:16 
• Faith Hebrews 11:6 Romans 4:20,21 
• Good Works Galatians 6:9,10 Matthew 5:16 

Well this should be enough to keep us all busy for quite a while, don't you think?

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.