When God called the church out of the world, to us humans it seemed impossible. Why? Because we are flesh and blood, not spirit. We continue to sin because we make excuses and are weak. We are weak in our commitments and weak in our relationships with one another.
In God’s eyes we are without excuse. He tells us that in His Word. Then why are we what we have become? Why can’t we measure up to God’s standards? I believe there are several reasons and we must look at them honestly.
First, we make excuses that we can’t because we want to. There is no other explanation. He gives us everything we need to live as He has commanded. We have the Word, we have the church and we have the Holy Spirit.
Second, we are influenced by other people. Many times we are influenced by the wrong people who we call friends. But are they really a friend if they separate us from God? They may not be bad people or immoral people, but they are people of influence in our lives. We need strong, Christian people around us to help us to be accountable and disciplined.
Third, we are influenced by the world and its standards. This is a very permissive society. Evil is everywhere, and accepted by us Americans as normal. We are addicts of consumerism and entertainment. Our standards of behavior come from TV and Hollywood, not the Bible! Each generation becomes worse and worse. This influence is very subtle and deceiving. It appeals to our sinful nature and we give in.
Fourth, we are driven by selfishness and greed. These are two things that God hates, yet Christians justify this influence by calling it ambition. It is ambition, but selfish ambition. We are driven to have more at the expense of our spiritual lives, families, church, and all the good things God wants for us. Yes, we need to provide for our own but what is enough?
Selfishness and greed are driven by breaking the tenth commandment, covetousness. Why covetousness? James answers that question. “Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” We say it’s keeping up with the Jones’ but it’s really selfishness and greed. The motives are wrong and that makes it wrong in God’s eyes.
Finally, we are weak because it is easy. To be strong and spiritual takes good discipline and desire. It’s easy to be a victim. It’s easy to blame the world and others. It’s easy to let satan rule your world. But, if you are going to serve God, it takes discipline. What do you think God thinks when He sees a professing Christian caught up in sin and does not care?
Yes, it is impossible for us humans to be the church without the power and direction from God. However, for those who totally surrender to God’s authority, they can live victorious lives. Weakness, other people, or the world, are no excuses. The Bible teaches us to come out from them and be separate. It’s a choice that each of us makes.
As for me and my house we choose to serve the Lord. How about you?
See ya in church,
Bud
Have you ever wondered why fishermen love to fish so much? There are so many different kinds of ways to fish and different places to fish. There are trout stream fishing, lake fishing, ice fishing, and the list goes on. In every case different bait is used for different kinds of fish. It is a fascinating sport that captures the young and the old.
What is it that makes a committed, lifetime, dye-in-the-wool fisherman? I am not sure it’s the amount of the catch as much as it is the thrill of the catch. Is it the thrill of putting your skill against the instincts of the wild? Or the thrill of the risk taking and being rewarded with the “big one”?
As I see fishermen, they have some special qualities and characteristics that keep them going back fishing again and again. They need as much patience as skill. They need the will to go with the skill, and yes, determination too.
Fishermen don’t get sidetracked from fishing. They are passion driven to say the least. They have a plan and work the plan. Nothing can interfere with their day of fishing.
Smart fishermen keep themselves free to fish. They prioritize their time and schedule their free time. Fishing takes time so they make sure they make the time for their sport.
Smart fishermen stay excited about fishing. What excites you, gets you. It’s the thrill of the catch and the beauty of nature. It’s the excitement of outsmarting the hard ones to catch. It’s the excitement of telling the story of the one that tested you the most. And, the “big one” that got away.
Smart fishermen know where to find the fish. He or she is a constant learner and listener. Fishermen go where the fish can be found. They watch the seasons and the weather. But, the goal is to find and catch fish.
Smart fishing requires a fisherman’s sensitivity to the fish. They know the bait has to be something to entice the fish. They know and learn the habits of the fish they are after. Smart fishing is to know the fish.
Smart fishermen don’t let the weather keep them from fishing. They are committed to the task of fishing. Weather is not an obstacle when fish can be caught. The desire to fish and determination is greater than the unbearable weather. That is why they are fishermen.
Jesus said to Peter, “Come follow me and I will make you a fishers of men”. I believe Peter made a great disciple because he was a smart fisherman. The principles he learned to catch fish made it possible to bring people into the Kingdom of God.
Would the church not be better at soul winning if we studied the characteristic of fishermen? We would be better fishers of men if we applied some of these characteristics to our reaching the lost.
The mission of fishermen is to catch fish. The mission of the church is to win souls. Sometimes I think we have forgotten our mission, but a true fisherman never does.
Take time to reread this article and examine the fisherman again. Maybe it will help you prioritize your life.
See ya in church
Bud
Are you a frustrated Christian? Regardless of why you are frustrated, admit it. Are you a discouraged Christian? Regardless of why you are discouraged, get over it.
The world is full of frustrated, discouraged Christians. These are good people. These are talented people. But they are nonproductive because of frustration and discouragement. Some have already left the church and others are staying, although they are becoming bitter.
This is an epidemic that is sweeping the American church. This is being caused by many things and many events. I believe the real reason or cause is because of change. The world is changing, the churches are changing, and we as people are changing. This is producing frustration and discouragement.
We are frustrated because we don’t like what we see and hear as Christians. We become discouraged because we think we can’t do anything about these changes.
Here is the good news, I told you the bad news first. The good news is that you don’t have to change your convictions. You don’t have to like the new music styles, if that is what is frustrating you. You don’t have to stop going to church, although you may have to change churches. You don’t have to stop giving your money as good stewards.
When you stop doing these things, you only hurt yourself. The good news is that Jesus Christ is still Lord and King. He is still in charge of His Kingdom.
The devil has been using frustration and discouragement for centuries. These are his many tools of his trade. When he can use any thing to get Christians to be nonproductive, he wins and the Kingdom loses.
The cure is just what the Bible teaches. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. God can’t help us unless we help ourselves. God can’t bless us unless we stay in His body. And don’t try to tell me you can be a Christian and not go to church! It’s impossible. First, you are not loyal to the Lord’s Supper, and second, you will not tithe and that is part of your obeying God. And, the worst thing is you are now not accountable or under the authority of the church when you don’t go. Uncommitted Christians in God’s eyes are like the fig tree He cursed. The tree was cursed because it became useless.
Its revival time for all Christians everywhere. We either need to get in or get out. God is calling all men (people) to Him to be His Kingdom. In these last days we dare not and will not let satan have victory over us. It’s time to stop making excuses and become the church that Jesus died for.
The word frustrated means: defeated, brought to naught. The word discouraged means: to lessen the enthusiasm, courage, that which destroys courage.
We are not defeated. And, we the church, have not lost our courage. Jesus said, I will never leave you or forsake you.” I still believe that, do you?
See ya in church,
Bud
Here Is What Happens When People Receive Regular Recognition and Praise
They increase their individual productivity.
They increase engagement among their colleagues.
They are more likely to stay with their organization.
They receive higher loyalty and satisfaction scores from customers.
They have better safety records and fewer accidents on the jobs.
Praise and recognition are bucket-fillers. Positive influence produces positive results. The positive influence is really an energy that motivates people. It is a builder-upper, a reinforcer. We all need it and love it.
As individuals, we have the power to build up or tear down another individual. A constant assault of negatives will wear another person down. Negatives produce a negative. This is not only bad, it’s expensive. It’s cost in production, bad health, and lost work days. This happens all because of a negative influence in the workplace by bosses or fellow workers.
It is very possible for just one or two people to poison an entire workplace. Negative employees can tear through a workplace like a hurricane racing down on a coastal town. Many negative people are very talented, but they are insecure or egotistical. The talent doesn’t matter for they cause more damage than they are worth.
Knowing this and understanding this does not change it unless changes are made. But ask yourself this question. What is doing more damage, dealing and maybe removing negative people or just allowing them to continue? Either way is painful, but one way does put an end to the problem.
Praise is rare in the workplace and for that matter, anyplace. That should not be. There is a cure for a negative environment. It is a positive environment. Nine out of ten people say they are more productive when they are around positive people. That comes from a Gallop Poll, not my poll.
When children bring their report cards home, in most cases, parents handle it all wrong. The student has 4 A’s, 2 B’s, and 1 C. What do the parents see and say? You better work harder and bring that “C” up. Instead, they should praise the child for the “A’s & B’s” and recognize the good work. The “C” will then take care of itself.
Here is my point. We have positive and negative emotions. The negative can be harmful to our health, marriages, and work; and it might even shorten our lives. The positive emotions are daily essentials for our survival, attitudes, production, family life, etc.
Whatever you get the most out of, that is what you become. What excites you, gets you, but what dominates you, also gets you. What is the most influence in your life, positive or negative? Only you can change that.
Chaplain Bud
Christian Church at Cogan Station