Responding To The Call

Well, Another page to be turned over as we look ahead to a new year. Hopefully 2020 served to  open the eyes of each to see how prevalent and diffuse the enemy is.  If there was ever a  need for focus, it is now. What is necessary for each as we are called to focus on Fathers will/plan?  1) Relationship:  Relationship is key!!!! Each member of the body must be in constant communication with the triune God head.  A healthy relationship with God is not only being mindful of Him, but intentionally seeking Him in mind, body, and soul.  Praying to Father, studying His word and doing as He instructs through His word and Spirit are exercises to build a deep, intimate relationship with Father. Obedience!!  Physical exercise allows for your circulation to flow uninterrupted. So does your Spiritual and mental exercise. Mediocrity is the agent to induce imminent Spiritual death.  2) Communication: Communication is a necessary component of any relationship. Prayer is key to open, intimate relation

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10‭-‬11 NASB

During my career as a Paramedic, I would teach CPR to the public so to empower the students with the skills that could help him or her save a life.  Who is the first responder to the first responders? The general public. During my CPR classes, I would refer to my students as the first responders. Why? Because they were.  By reffering to them as such, I instilled a sense of belonging which would in turn help to secure the individuals sense of ownership to the well being of his or her neighbor.  In Acts 20:35, Paul teaches that we are to help the weak. Also, we are reminded of the words of Jesus, "it is better to give than to receive".  What is the value of ownership without the understanding of the significance of that of which you own? Setting aside greed, ownership should bring a sense of gratitude. It is that gratitude in the believer that should act as the motivator to give. If I have Christ, understanding the significance of that relationship, I should be be grateful and

  I stand at an intersection all alone. I've not been here before, its unfamiliar.  Which direction to take is unclear, my path Is unknown. My heart is heavy, I'm vulnerable to fear. I need help with every decision, I must not be confused, my head needs to be clear. LORD open my eyes, open my ears,  open my heart, lead me in the direction of which I'm to start. In this uncertain time, I'm overwhelmed,  Seems like I'm carrying such a heavy load, Help me give all of which burdens me over to you So I will reach your goal, and at this Crossroad, you I trust will get me through.

 "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10 NASB The desire to "fit in" comes natural for people. It's human nature to want to belong. Why? One can fulfill the desire of being related. This in turn provides one  of having an identify.  In his letter to the Christians in Galatia, Paul contested the attempt of the Judaizers (Christian Jews) to get the Gentile converts to practice OT ceremonial practices that they thought were binding to the NT church, especially circumcision. The Judaizers were being persecuted by the Zealot Jews ( mon- Christian) who disagreed with their association with the Gentiles. So, to avoid persecution, the Judaizers required new converts to abide in the legalistic, ritualistic practices of the OT Jews.The Judaizers sought favor with the Jews in order to maintain peace.  What did this cost the NT church? Th

"But I will leave among you A humble and lowly people, And they will take refuge in the name of the Lord" Zephaniah 3:12 NASB

Distribution of adults along Transformational Journey Unaware of sin                                  1% Indifferent to sin                              16% Worried about sin                            39% Forgiven of sin                                   9% Forgiven and active                         24% Holy discontent                                   6% Broken by God                                   3% Surrender and submission               1% Profound love of God                     0.5% Profound love of people               0.5% The above information was developed by the Barna Group after a pole of adult Americans to determine their distribution during the transformational journey experienced by those with some belief in God but unaware of the concept of sin and effect in their lives. Barna, George (2012).   Mapping the Journey. Anita K. Palmer (Ed.), Maximum Faith: Live Like     Jesus(Kindle Version),(Location 409-519), Barna G

"And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus." Matthew 14:25‭-‬29 NASB The five senses, sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch all serve to help you interpret information and orient you to your environment, interest, direction of thought, inclination, or interest (Merriam-Webster dictionary). Why is being oriented so important? It helps one to use cognition(the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses).     Being oriented helps you and I to calculate factors such as safety that lea

You may have heard the expression "I'm sick and tired of...". Often, it is associated with a situation or circumstance which may be stressful. Repeated stress without resolve my result in an accumulation of frustration which may be expressed as repeated “complaining” behavior. By its definition, to complain (verb) is to express a dissatisfaction or annoyance about something (circumstance, situation, status, object) or someone. To perceive or recognize (discern) an error in character, practice, or policy is not to be considered a fault. What may be a fault? How your or I handle the discernment. Responsibly or irresponsibly? What should you or I do with that discernment? Is it used innocently to identify a potential error or hazard to bring resolve or is it used as a prideful or arrogant deformation of someone's character or to esteem self? "No one like to spend time with a complainer, yet by some estimates the rate of complaints in American conversatio

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,  “If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But who can refrain from speaking?  Behold you have admonished many, And you have strengthened weak hands.  Your words have helped the tottering to stand, And you have strengthened feeble knees.  But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; It touches you, and you are dismayed.  Is not your fear of God your confidence, And the integrity of your ways your hope? Job 4:1‭-‬6 NASB Value criticism born out of love. Job was weakened by the relentless attacks of the enemy, yet the words of a friend, sharp as they were, cut through to the truth. Recognize Jobs response; “Oh that my request might come to pass, And that God would grant my longing!  Would that God were willing to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off!  But it is still my consolation, And I rejoice in unsparing pain, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.  What is my strength, that I should wait?

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5 NASB How important is it to understand the totality and reality of these words from Christ? We can not be successful in the call (Matt. 28:19-20) if I do not abide in Jesus! Fulfilment may not be seeing yourself in a podium speaking to others about how to live for Christ. Fulfilment is being that one in the audience living out your call. Reaching those God has put before you. -Clint Fleming