You're On Your Own.....

I conceide that this will ruffle a few feathers and may even have some people disagree with me.

Bring it if you disagree. I will delete no one's posts.

There are many instances in the bible that talk about the Body of Christ. It's referred to in many different ways including the analogy of body parts. Also, the bible refers in many other cases as to the relationships we are to create and maintain with others. Even Christ himself had a faithful
(or at least mainly faithful) group of apostles that were close to him. Father God recognized the need for Adam to have a companion as shown in Genesis 2: 18

The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

So what the heck would I be talking about when I say that you're on your own? I've though about this quite a bit and the following has occured to me. When a group of believers do something pleasing to God, (i.e helping someone paint a house) does God see the efforts and hearts of the group or does he see the efforts and hearts of each individual seperately within the group? When we worship God in church, does he hear the congregation or does he hear each individual separately within the congregation worshipping him?

One reading this blog would question the importance of knowing the difference. Believe me, there is one. It's an attitude and a perception.

Anyone who knows me knows that the last thing I can be accused of, is being a fire and brimstone guy. I lead a small group called a "care group" (also known as a cell group) and grace is always the main theme. There is another side however. There is a side that needs to be shown to those who willingly apply love, grace, courage, and generosity to others as long as someone else initiates it. On their own, they won't make the effort to do the same.

To those people, I ask these questions. When the day comes where you stand in front of Christ Jesus, how will you be judged? Will it be on your own or with others as a group? When you had the will to join your friends because they were painting a neighbors house but would not help a blind man cross the street on your own, what assurances so you have that others giving hearts will bear the selfish attitude of your own? Can any other act as an advocate for you in front of your Lord?

Those are some hard questions for some. The good news is as the good news has always been. You are forgiven if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. The problem though, is that even though you are forgiven, you are not forgotten. Jesus has asked us to walk with Him with two things in mind.

1) Love God First with all that you are.
2) Love your neighbor as you would yourself.

Neither one of those two directives that we are given leaves much maneuverability for one who is more concerned about "following the status quo" or "not standing out in a crowd"

Following those two directives requires courage. courage comes from character, and character comes from perseverance. none of them are inherited through the work of another man. So where does that leave those who choose to ignore the needs of others despite the calling to do otherwise?

They're on their own. (keep following me, I'm not leaving it there)

Jesus has given you every tool you need to follow him. You simply need to find it. There is no question that for some, mustering courage is about as comfortable as getting a root canal. We do however, have it. Where is it? It lies in Jesus that resides in you. If you take the time to pray for it, Jesus will reveal it to you.

Look up Act 4:13 And see how courage in Peter and John spoke to those around them.

" When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."

As a believer, I know that I want people to look at me and the way I do life and say......

"That man knows Jesus."

A Place, A Family, An Action?...What Is It?

What do you think of when I say church?

Let's face it, most of us think of church as a place. It makes sense because it is a type of structure right? What else do you think church should mean when you hear it?

or maybe I should say .....when you FEEL it.

I'm asking you this for a very specific purpose. Be prepared because I'm going to challenge you.

Here's the deal. You go to church, chat with a few friends and aquaintances, worship, and listen to the sermon right? That's a form of church. What do you do afterwards? Do you reflect on the sermon? do you pray what God wants to reveal to you through that sermon?

What do you do with it afterwards? I ask because this next part is where you ARE church.

I have seen all to many times where people have gone to church for years, only to treat it as a treasure not to be shared or revealed with anyone else. Sunday upon Sunday, you see them come in, sit down, listen, and the seminar is over. Seminar? Yes seminar, because a message about Christ that is taught but not shared or put into practice is nothing but a seminar. You learn, but don't apply it. Is that all that church is?

NO. Jesus said as he was gathering his disiples, "come, and I will make you fishers of men." To do that would imply that he was going to teach, and then release them out into the world to spread his message by word and by example. Are we not expected to do the same? The true joy of knowing your relationship with Christ is knowing that the treasure shared, is the treasure multiplied. Jesus is looking to use you as his conduit. His "lightning rod" if you will. You are church and you have the capacity annointed by the Holy Spirit to multiply that treasure.

How about your fellow believers around you? Everyone goes through their hills and valleys. Are you paying attention to those around you that may be encountering a downturn? It's when we are at our weakest points when the enemy like to play games with our minds. Encouragement may be all that person needs in order to avoid making bad choices or doing something they will regret later. Maybe all they need is someone to pray with or someone to simply encourage them to pray. That's you being church again! It's us looking after our brothers and sisters and maybe even brothers and sisters yet to find Jesus.

Although we think of a building first when we hear the word church, I thank Jesus every day that a building is the last thing that he thinks of.

Just a thought.