Why Are You A Christian?

Fellow Redeemed,
I have spent some time considering this question. As I watch the
worship habits of so many people and families, I wonder why some
people seem to take their faith relationship to Jesus so nonchalantly?
After all there was a time in my life where my faith,worship
attendance, Bible study habits were very unimportant matters in my
life. What made the difference? What did the Spirit of God use to
change my thinking about matters of faith in Jesus? Also people talk
about spirituality and religion, especially with celebrities in the
news, such as the death of John Travolta's son and Oprah's guidance
with her loyal "fans". For the Christian it is CHRIST first. I talk
about faith in Jesus, for true, genuine faith is faith in what Jesus
did for us as the Son of God. It isn't some vague faith in a "religion" or
religious ritual, but who and what Jesus did for us as our substitute
is the root from which all other matters of relationship with our
Savior flow.
But what was it that helped me turn the corner? I think it was
regular people taking God seriously. For them it was taking the
Gospel to their neighbors. It meant learning what the Gospel really
is and how to share it with others in terms those others could relate to could relate to. It was "satisfied customers" telling me about their Savior from their heart, but the "paid salesman" using the glitz and glamor of professionally created arguments (even thought they were true and factual) to sway to "make the purchase", but then leave me in the lurch with no "customer service" after the sale. They were strangers in both senses of the word; First, they came to
someone they had never met before to share the Gospel and second, they
were "strange" in the sense of out of the ordinary as far as
Christians sharing their faith. They used the power of God's Word to move me along a path of maturity that God is still moving me along. During this time I also hear Rev. Richard Wurmbrandt speak and had read his book "Tortured for Christ". I can't begin to understand what drives a man to endure so much to defend something they are not totally committed to. Yes, as easy as I have it, going to church once a week, spending one or two hours with Jesus in His Word is really nothing compared to what some have endured. I pray that in the New Year, in the midst of the "economic downturn", or is it really a moral downturn, applying ourselves to
wisdom only makes good "believers" sense.
Remember God has shown you His love. Are we showing Him ours in return?
--
Blessings & Peace
Pastor John
Hebrews 13:20-21

What do you do when you are wrong?

Brothers and Sisters,

 I received the following in an e-mail from Gary Smalley.  One of the most important things we go as Christians living under God's grace and mercy is to receive correction in love and also to recognize how easily we admit to being wrong.  This is really the work of reconcilation.  Gary Smalley has a lot of experience with these matters and he is very sensitive to protecting the feelings of others as well, especially spouses and family members.

    May this be a blessing to you,

Pastor John

 

 

 

Admitting Wrong

Do you ever admit when you're wrong?

I hate to admit when I am wrong. Don't you? We all like to be seen as having it all together and wise. The older I get the more I realize how much I don't know. Something more important is to admit my own sin and deal with it. Paul encourages Christians to be humble and mature in their thinking: "Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature" (I Corinthians 14:20). Mature thinking involves realizing that we can never be 100% accurate in how we interpret another's thoughts, words, or behavior. Even if we are 99% sure, there is always a 1% chance we are wrong. Thus, we should adopt a more humble, tentative attitude about how we treat others and what we say.

One of the best ways to care for your most important relationships is to guard them from becoming infected by negative thinking and comments by others. We should focus on what Jesus taught and His attitude. Read over Philippians 2 today and then read it again and again. That will help you admit wrong when needed and be humble about how you treat others.

If you are wrong, admit it and seek forgiveness and see your attitude change!

Blessings,


Gary Smalley
Editor, Smalley Relationship Center