Prosperity- The Church's Greatest Challege

*** Note: I did not write this article. Article writted by Keith Krell (Timeless Word Ministries). The website link is listed below. I ran across this the other day while doing research on a different topic. It impacted me deeply & I wanted to share it with you...***

 "What is the greatest challenge facing the Church today? Many suggest that it is Christian persecution. Yet persecution is not the greatest challenge. Quite the opposite, persecution is the fastest way to grow a healthy & vibrant Church. The greatest challenge to any Church is not persecution but prosperity.

Consider the situation in America. We are the wealthiest nation in the world. Our currency reads, "In God We Trust." We have more churches, more Bibles, Christian literature, & Christian schools than any other nation in the world. Yet, despite all of these blessings, we are not influencing our society.

Why is this? The answer is simple. American Christians cannot handle prosperity. With freedom and prosperity comes the temptation to trust in our blessings rather than in the Blesser. We become fat, lazy & self-sufficient. If we have plenty, we tend to think that we have need of nothing. If we think we don't have enough looking at the wealth around us we tend to think that we need what others have. Both extremes lead us to seek happiness in things and security in wealth.  The result is that we fail to rely on the Lord and our ministry to the World is blunted.

Why isn't the Church more effective in the World today? Is the problem simply the World? Is it too stubborn and too blind to listen? Or could part of the problem be with us? Have we, because of our materialism and in spite of our religiosity, excluded the Savior? Have we literally shut Him out of our lives so He can no longer flesh out His life in ours to impart His vision, His character, & values into ours?

The Church today needs to repent of the mentality of tolerance and compromise. Churches today are neither hot nor cold. We like moderation and comfort. "Don't disturb me. Don't ask me to move out of my comfort zone." We love moderate temperatures. We want to be as comfortable as possible. Comfort drives our lives. This is very much like the value "peace at all costs." It is possible to attend Churches like this for years and never seriously confront sin. Compromise lies at the core of these Churches. Though people may love these Churches, Jesus rejects them. The Churches may please their community, but do they please their Lord? Public approval dictates the values of many Churches today.

May it not be so with us.

- Article written by Keith Krell, with Timeless Word Ministries. Article cited from: http://bible.org/seriespage/how-make-jesus-sick-revelation-314-22

More Sin, More Grace

"But where sin increased, grace increased all the more. What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" - Romans 5:20-6:2

"Here is the great object to grace through faith apart from works of the law. It seems to open the door to rampant sinning. In fact, it seems to invite more sinning, because if grace is God's act to forgive and accept sinners on the basis of Christ's righteousness, not ours, then would not that grace shine all the brighter if we kept on sinning? The more sin there is, the more forgiveness there is. And the more sinning there is, the greater must be the righteousness of Christ to compensate for it. So doesn't Paul's radical teaching on justification open to door to careless living and indifference to holiness? No, it does not..." - John Piper

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* Objection- If justification is on the basis of Christ's righteousness, not ours, by grace through faith alone, then shouldn't we continue in sin that grace might increase?

* Answer- NO!

Reason- Because if you died to sin, you can't go on living in it. Or, to put it bluntly, dead people don't sin.

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Because of Christ, we are dead to sin & alive to God. You died, so consider yourselves dead. You're alive, so consider yourselves alive to God. You are, so now become what you are.

God's grace is transformative. When God completely removes sin, He also gives you a new life.

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the Truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is Faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar & His Word is not in us." - 1 John 1:8-10

We aren't promising that we'll never sin. But God's Grace and sacrifice is not a license to be lax in our pursuit of righteousness. It should urge us to desire purity and holiness all the more...

"Sometimes I make my relationship God more about the sin I need to avoid than the good I'm called to pursue. Recently I wrote Galatians 5:22-23 in the front page of my journal: 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self control.' I wrote the words in big bold letters. These are the words that are to define and mark my life. I want them to call out to me every time I commune with God. This is who He's called me to be. This is what His Spirit wants to produce in me. I want to spend as much time seeking to be defined by love, joy, and peace as I do seeking to rid my life of anger, lust, and complaints. Becoming like Jesus isn't just a matter of not doing wrong. It's a matter of actively 'doing' righteousness. It's pursuing obedience." - Joshua Harris

"But just as He who Called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" - 1 Peter 1:15-16

"But, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." - Romans 13:14

Your sin is dead, go and walk in the newness of life!

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June 2011 Book notes from Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe & Why It Matters by Joshua Harris & from notes taken during a sermon by John Piper

God Moves in a Mysterious Way Hymn

"God moves in a mysterious way/ His wonders to perform/

He works His sovereign will/ Fearful saints, fresh courage take/

The clouds ye so much dread/ Are big with mercy & shall break/

In blessings on your head/ Judge not the Lord by feeble sense/

Trust Him for His grace/ Behind a frowning providence/

Hides a smiling face/ The bud may have a bitter taste/

But sweet will be the flower" - William Cowper, hymn



I think this might be my favorite hymn of all time. We've been singing it quite regularly at Church recently. About a month ago, our pastor gave a short biography of William Cowper before we sang it. The deep valleys, the depression & suicide attempts this man went through...

It just reminds me that not every Saint's path to Salvation is straight & narrow. ...Not every Sinner is filled with Joy upon the moment of Conversion. Some must fight & war til the very end. And not always is there a happy ending... But God is Faithful none-the-less. His purposes are accomplished. And His ways are GOOD. He is Worthy of our praise!

Life Is But a Vapour

"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this city or that city, spend a year there, carry on business & make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are but a vapour that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's Will, we will live & do this or that." - James 4:13-15

Therefore, if our life IS a short as this verse says (in the grand scheme of things), we should, "be very careful, then, how you live--- not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the time, for the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's Will is... Be filled with the Spirit..., always giving thanks to the Father God for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 5:16-20

We do not know the day nor the hour, both of our Lord's return (Matthew 24:36-44) nor of our own deaths (James 4:13-15). The times are uncertain. Apart from Christ there is no hope. But we, the believers, are unafraid & unshaken. Our hope is sure. We walk by faith (Hebrews 11:1, 2 Corinthians 5:7).

This is not a call to despair or melancholy. We must live intentionally, expectantly awaiting His return, making the most of the time that has been given to us (Luke 12:48b, Matthew 25:14-46, Matthew 28:19-20). We have been entrusted with the Light. We no long walk in Darkness (Ephesians 5:8-14). It is our job to shine that Light into a Dark world (Acts 13:47, Matthew 5:14-16).

Only what's done for Christ will last. Don't waste your life. Make the most of every moment. Love the unloveable. Cherish the old. Nurture the young. Take your time. Look for "small" miracles. Thank God every day. Say "I love you." Be forgiven. Rest in God's loving mercy. In the end, this is what REALLY matters.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes on what is unseen, not on what is seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"I will Walk by Faith/ Even when I cannot see/ Because this Broken Road/ Prepares Your Will for me" - Jeremy Camp ("Walk by Faith")

Humility

I ran across some of my old "book notes" and I found this post, entitled "Humility, according to Matt Redman." Below is my entry from September 19, 2010:

"A real test of true humility is how you handle criticism.

A former United States senator once commentated: "Humility is a manner, a viewpoint, an all-encompassing thing... Humility is expressed through actions;... it can be demonstrated simply by stopping and listening to someone. Its essence is putting others ahead of yourself... A real test of humility is how you handle criticism. The natural reaction is to throw up an immediate defense, a quick excuse, a spontaneous rebuttal. The humble way to handle criticism is to try to understand the reasons for the criticism, to look for what truth there might be in it."

How do YOU respond??? Normally? Usually? How do you WISH you'd respond?

True humility starts way before getting onstage. Do we put others before ourselves? Are we spending time with (and listening to) indviduals? How do we handle constructive criticism? How do we respond in the depths of our hearts?

 Humility is picking up litter when no one is looking just because you want to serve your community. Humility is letting someone else use your idea. And then telling no one that it originated with you. Humility is listening to others even when you have plenty to say. Recognizing the difference between achievement and entrustment. Humility expresses itself in random acts of kindness, performed day in and day out, for God's eyes only- invisible acts that only you and God get to witness, the tell-tale signs of a humble heart.

 At the end of the day, true humility can never be mustered up or learned by striving. Humility is the heart of someone who's seen the greatness of God, the smallness of self, and the importance of others."

A book I would recommend reading on this topic would be: Humility: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney

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 Roughly adapted from my book notes on Inside Out Worship: Insights for Passionate & Purposeful Worship by Matt Redman & Friends

Oh the Joy of Country Living!

So these past few days we have been invaded by a mother raccoon & her 2 kits. And we thought the SQUIRREL infestation was bad!

It doesn't matter what time day or night. They insist on partaking of the free buffet, no matter how many times we scare them away. We can run out there, yelling & screaming, & they're back not even 2 minutes later. And 2 minutes after that. And 2 minutes after that. And 2 minutes after that. (You get the idea)

Mom, being a Mom, felt bad for the VARMINT and her babies and wouldn't let us shoot at them. :(

***Note: I did not say shoot them. I said shoot AT them. Our aim is not that accurate! :) ***

Looking innocent

The mother racoon

Yes, they completely BROKE that feeder. Dad was NOT happy!

All 3 of the varmints

Resorting to the only feeder left that they HAVEN'T destroyed...

We WILL prevail!!! :)

Welcome!

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my blog. As you can tell, I'm new at this. I've never done anything like this before. Please be patient as I figure everything out. :)

I hope to post encouragement, inspiration & photos semi-regularly. I look forward to receiving your feedback & comments

Be blessed!

Kate