Justification

We try to justify our lives by making God's word say what we want it to say. We try to justify our actions by using the actions of others. The Bible only offers us one justification, and that is through the blood of Jesus Christ. Our actions have been justified through Him. Our Lives have been justified through him. Jesus is the standard. That sounds like we are set up for failure, because we can never attain his perfection. He has given us completion though through his blood and has given us his righteousness. This should justify how we act. We should act according to God's word and not make God's word act according to us.

Outeach verses In Reach

Who is responsible for the outreach of a church? Most churches have someone appointed to oversee this ministry. But what should the main function be? Most of the time an outreach director/minister plans events for the members. This is really a fellowship coordinator. This is in reach, and does not provide any means of reaching out to the lost. It is important for a church to be a close knit family. It is important for a church family to grow spiritually together. It is also important for that church family to be a part of a vital outreach ministry that actually reaches out into the community and allows people to see that someone cares about them. I think sometimes we expect lost people to just do it on their own. This is not going to happen. People are looking for something. They are searching and someone will give them something to find. Isn't it better that they find Jesus than something the world has to offer? What am I doing to reach out to the lost? What are you doing to reach out to the lost? Maybe not even church-wise but individually. Outreach is so important for the success of a church. After all, Jesus was teaching followers and reaching out to people that needed to find him. He was not stationary. A church does not need to be stationary either. I will be at camp this week. See you Saturday.

Busy Day

I have my sermon prepared to preach at my Uncle's funeral today. I am referencing I Samuel Where King Saul is wanting to kill David and Johnathon and David plan his escape. How does this fit for a funeral? One of the verses speakes about David's empty chair at the table. I am then referencing David's reaction to the death of his child with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel chapter 11. I will then get a chance to share the gospel message with my family. I know some of them are not saved and need to hear this message. After all, the message at a funeral should not be for the deceased as they can not hear it anyway. I look forward to the opportunity this morning.

First Thing First

I have realized that when I woke up in the morning I reached for two things first. The coffee cup and the computer. In a mad rush to see the news headlines and find out what friends were up to on Facebook, I was neglecting the most important part of my day. Some might say "Well you had your coffee!" I was neglecting to spend time with my God first thing in the morning. I have realized that speaking with Him and opening his word are necessary for me to have a complete day. Sure I did these things at some point, but when I start the day this way it seems to make the day better. I feel it is because I am recognizing God first in my life for the day. It reminds me that I am weak and he is strong, that, just as David realized, I can not handle situations without him, and that I am not alone in this world. I encourage you to wake in the morning with God and see where he takes you during the day.

"Get The Queers Out of Here"

This is a direct quote I heard from the pulpit during a regional associational meeting in North East Texas. I was appalled and frankly quite disturbed that a preacher would say this. I was also appalled at the amount of brethren that amened this statement. I do believe that the bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin. But if we are going to allow adulterers, liars, thieves, fornicators or any other sinner to be in the church then we are going to have to allow homosexuals as well. If you want to clean house, why just clean the homosexuals? Have you ever had sex with someone that was not your spouse, either while you were married or before you were married? Are you living that lifestyle now? If so, you have sinned just as the homosexual has sinned. Do you with hold your tithes? You have sinned just as much as the homosexual. I know pastors that are still pastoring that have committed adultery more than once, and in more than one pastorate. They are still pastoring a church. Can God forgive? Yes he can. I believe there will be people in heaven who lived a homosexual life on this earth. Why do I believe this? I believe that a person can not lose salvation once it is given. THe argument could then be made that a saved person would not want to live this way. We say this as we respect pastors who are immoral in their actions and call them godly men. I think our thinking may be backwards on some of this. Church discipline is biblical, but the churches have gone so long allowing anything that now they just want to ban homosexuality. Could a practicing homosexual be a member of a church? Are there practicing adulterers, fornicators or others there? Iremember a guy in a church I used to attend. He was always pointing the finger and talking about other people's sin. He wanted church discipline for this and that. His stepdaughter, a member of the church, was having sex outside of marriage. He did not want anyone judging her. Typical attitude of most Christians today. I will help you clean out your closet, but you had better stay out of mine. My prayer today is that we try to reach everyone for Jesus Christ. People have to believe and then be taught. Let's do our job.