Walk worthy of this life

I was wearing my FCA shirt yesterday. (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) This morning I was thinking about how I need to walk worthy to wear this shirt, but then I thought, wow, as a Christian I need to walk worthy of this life. As a Christian I am more than a public servant, who is suppose to live to honor the people. If I am to be in Christ, then I should have no partnership with the world, not matter how big or small. James 3-5 is then what I read this morning. Here is one example: James 3: 13 "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom." But there are so many. 4: 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. 5: 7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. I am a Christian, as so, I must walk in Christ, obey Him, follow Him and not this world. He has been so faithful to die for me, now I want to live for Him! Ephesians 4:4 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you[a] all.7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Maturity of our leaders in Christ

I found a heart shaped rock by the side of the road. It appears to have a hole in it. Is your heart hurt? Because you are His sons,(and daughters) God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying out "Abba, Father." Call out to Jesus, He will save you, He will heal your heart. To show you the miracle of this little heart shaped rock. Not only does it look a lot like a "heart" (Cartoony of course) but I found it on a gravel road (All the rocks shaped in different colors & sizes, all very similar) while riding my bike. The rock is less than an inch, and it was right in the perfect place for me to find it, a miracle. Galatians 4:6 " And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." The corn in our area is 18-26 inches higher than "kneed high by the 4th of July." (Just above waist high) Maturity in Christ can't be reached too soon. Adam, a friend of mine, reached maturity in Christ very quickly. Within a year he was one of the most mature Christians I had ever known. The fruit of his life was evident to everyone around him, truly an example of someone who was transformed from darkness to light, in an instant. Then he grew in Christ exponentially! It seems we have so many "babes" in Christ, who have never grown in maturity. I believe in part it is because of our church leadership. I go into so many churches whose leaders are not leading in full maturity. How can a new Christian grow in maturity if the leaders themselves are not spiritually mature? (1 Corinthians 3) Still babes in Christ, desiring only the milk of God's word, not able to handle the meat of it. Fleshly, not spiritual. And we have many of these people in leadership in the Church! Forgive us Lord, heal us Lord. Forgive us that we have left our first love, You, for this world, the things of this world, and our fleshly kingdoms of stone! Heal our hearts, bring us out of infancy, and bring us into maturity in Christ, in Jesus Name, amen! A few scriptures for us: 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Colossians 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil ° you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever ° therefore will be ° a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1 John 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Sing like you used to, dance like you want to

This morning on my walk, I got this one: con·vo·lut·ed /ˈkänvəˌlo͞otid/ Adjective Extremely complex and difficult to follow. Intricately folded, twisted, or coiled. Synonyms convolute - intricate This is what we have when we do not have Christ. On my walk this morning I saw low lying clouds heading west, while the rest of the clouds headed east. Lightning and thunder and rain. All kids of things going on. There are so many things flying at us in every kind of direction, there is no possible way we can handle this by ourselves. We must have supernatural help, the kind only God can provide. The stuff I'm going through right now seems kinda crazy. I got stuff heading east and west at the same time, rumblings, and shocking things. When I tell other people about it they actually can't believe it, they say, how, why? Like Job I just say, "Though He slay me, yet I will praise Him." These things are evil, and I hate these evil things that attack us, but that's why we need the Lord. He is faithful, true, good! He is, after all, God! He controls every circumstance, every situation. He has it all, there is nothing that He does not have! It's crazy without Him, way too convoluted! "Lord, help us to trust in You, all the way, in Jesus Name, amen." After my walk, this song was on the radio, Need To Breathe, Slumber, I have quoted here in part: Days they force you Back under those covers Lazy mornings they multiply But glory's waiting Outside your window So wake on up from your slumber And open up your eyes Tongues are violent Personal and focused Tough to beat with Your steady mind But hearts are stronger after broken So wake on up from your slumber And open up your eyes All these victims Stand in line for The crumbs that fall from the table Just enough to get by All the while Your invitation Wake on up from your slumber Come on open up your eyes Take from vandals All you want now But please don't trade it in for life Replace the feeble With the fable Wake on up from your slumber And open up your eyes All these victims Stand in line for The crumbs that fall from the table Just enough to get by All the while Your invitation Wake on up from your slumber Come on open up your eyes Sing like we used to Dance when you want to Taste of the breakthrough And open wide All these victims Stand in line for The crumbs that fall from the table Just enough to get by All the while Your invitation Wake on up from your slumber Come on open up your eyes Sing like we used to And dance like you want to Open up your eyes The innocence of dancing like we used to, singing like we want to, is a wonderful thought. I love the Lord's timing, it is perfect in every way!

A Way That Seems Right

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12) This morning on my walk I encountered the Lord, but I didn't know it was Him! There is a field I usually walk to but this time, on my way back, I thought I'd save some time. I saw the road ahead of me, so I "counted the cost." (Luke 14) It was looking muddy. I heard a still small voice that said with in the first 10 steps, "You can still turn back." I didn't. I could not see the entire path set before me, it was muddier, more than I had thought. Before the real mud started I had a vision that my shoes would be caked with mud, and that they would become heavy. Two lessons. One, that instead of simply counting the cost, with not all the information available, I should let God order my steps. Psalm 37:23 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way." Two, if I go ahead of the Lord, without His direction, my load will become heavy. Matthew 11:28-30 New King James Version (NKJV) 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” When the mud caked on, it did become heavy. The promise that is so sweet to me, when we get goofy, and go our own way is, Romans 8: 28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." God used this simple thing to teach me what I need to hear. His ways a pure, they are right, and they are good, very good.

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement.

James 2:13b, "Mercy triumphs over judgement." This was said after comparing how we treat the rich verses the poor. "When a rich man comes in and you say, no, sit here, verses a poor man, no, you sit here..." We know that God's mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23) We also know that they endure forever. (Psalms 136) So we as Christians must have so much mercy that it flows freely, without hinderance, and with abundance, to everyone we know! Mercy can be defined as having compassion, or forgiveness on someone you have the power to harm or judge. We must have more mercy if we are to show the world that our God has mercy on us!

Gnats are like thoughts, they just don't want to go away!

Every morning I try and go for a walk, very sweet time with the Lord. Lately their have been gnats that are relentless. (Interestingly I am helping at an FCA camp with the title Relentless right now!) They fly in my mouth, eyes, ears & nose. There seems to be nothing I can do to get them to stop. Outside of a fire emanating from my head in every direction, I don't see them going away. When the Holy Spirit was first given to us, it came like tongues of fire above the heads of all who were waiting in the upper room, as Christ instructed them to after rising form the dead. (Acts 2:3) That's what we need when faced with our days, the thoughts, the situations that surround us. We need to "Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5) Also I've noticed it helps a lot when we crucify the flesh daily with it's passions. (Galatians 5:24-25) But we need to be relentless in Christ, in our pursuit of Him, as He is of us. I will continue on my walks, even if I have to wear a hat! I will praise Him in everything. I will pray, fast, I will live for Him and not for me. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my Father God and I will exult Him! Thoughts swirl around my head daily like gnats. I must have the power of The Holy Spirit at work in me, walking daily in The Spirit, so He can have all the glory! In Jesus Name, Amen!

Bonhoeffer

Here's some observations I posted on Facebook after reading the new Bonhoeffer book. When Germany's youthful generation was considering the Fuhrer, because of their lack of trust in the previous leadership of both the government and the Church; it came out of a search for meaning, and deliverance from it's troubles, looking for a savior, they elected Hitler. Out of this came this quote, "the difference between real leadership and false leadership of the Leader was this: real leadership derived it's authority from God, the source of all goodness. The Fuhrer was submitted to nothing." Bonhoeffer "Confirmands (young Christian disciples) today are like young soldiers marching to war, the war of Jesus Christ against the gods of this world. It is a war that demands the commitment of one's whole life. Is not God, our Lord, worthy of this struggle?" Dietrich Bonhoeffer around the time the Nazies were stopping the church from speaking against Hitler and the killing of the Jews When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hitler had just suffered his first military defeat at the hands of the Russians. He took Japan's Pearl Harbor attack as a sign of Providance encouraging him in his mass killing spree. We must listen to the voice off God and surround ourselves with people who hear The Lord as well. I have been trying to work with friends now for over 90 days, all they seem to want to do is stop me from feeding the starving, and they believe they are hearing from God. Lord, please let us serve only You, and not our own kingdom building ways. Forgive us of our pride, please save us from the voice of the enemy. Another attempt at Hitlers life was made at an operation code named Valkyrie. After this failed bomb attempt Hitler, after a very thick table leg miraculously saved his proclaims, "It was providence that spared me. This proves I am on the right track. I feel this is a confirmation of all my work." This is really sad to me because there are so many who actually believe they are doing the will God, but are being used as tools of the enemy. "Lord save us from deception, let us be tools of peace in Your hands instead of tools of destruction in the enemy's arsonal. " Like · · Share Tim Stromer After surviving the failed bomb attempt on Hitlers life, he mailed his tattered uniform to Eva Braun, again stating about Providence, "Proof that Providence protects me and that we no longer have to fear our enemies." A radio address at midnight again stating, "I see this as another sign from Providence that I must and therefore shall continue my work." Goring of his staff then came on and said; ..."saved by a miracle...whom almighty God so visably blessed on this day." Not to be outdone, the head of the German Navy then stated, "Holy rather...has filled our hearts...Providence guarded and protected...Providence did not desert our German Fatherland..." So deceived, now this will be used as ammunition to kill even more, all credit given to Providence. Save us Lord from the terany that still stalks the hearts and minds of those given over to their evil intentions, forgive us. Friday at 10:04am via mobile · Like Tim Stromer Even a German "church" newspaper stated, " ...for this we thank God (for saving Hitler) with all our hearts and pray...for God's assistance and help in the grave tasks that (Hitler) has to perform in the most difficult times." Paul say rightly, " Even if an angel appears before you, but teaches a different doctorine than hat I have preached, DON'T LISTEN!" In these last days we must stand in The Word of God and not depart from it in anyway, we must not allow compromise of even the smallest of things if we are to stay true to His Word, every jot and tittle must be obeyed, in Jesus Name, if we are to see the glory of God. Friday at 10:15am via mobile · Like Tim Stromer The date of the failed attempt on Hitler was July 20th, on that day Bonhoeffer's readings were, Some trust in chariots and some in horses; but we will boast in the name of The Lord our God. (Psalm20:7) and If God is for us who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) next days readings were, The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not not want. (Psalm 23:1) and, I am the Good Shepherd; I know My own, and My own know Me." (John 10:14) Friday at 10:25am via mobile · Like