Do you know the Bible?

I remember back when I was 18 and went into a Christian bookstore in downtown Spring Texas. I had never studied the Bible before but I knew that it was time for me to start. I had been in Sunday School and Church all my life and heard countless sermons and lessons on the principles of Christianity. But there was no way I could defend the Bible or even my own beliefs. As I stood looking at the books "like a deer in head lights," I noticed a book entitled "Current Events in Prophecy." I had always heard that Jesus was coming back soon, but I couldn't tell you why or what was going on. So I bought it and devoured it. And that is what started a life time of Bible study that is still going on today.

I come across so many people that are just like I was. They don't know the Bible for themselves. They have been listening to people for years tell them what the Bible says, but have never had the experience of the Holy Spirit burning something in their heart. I remember times on my journey through the scriptures when the Holy Spirit was so present in the room that it caused me to fall down and worship. It was as if the Holy Spirit was leaning over my shoulder saying, "Let me show you something you have never seen before."

When you have these kinds of encounters with the Lord you don't want to leave. You don't want it to end! I can understand why Moses spent so much time on the mount talking with God. I too have had those mountain top experiences. I believe anyone that desires to know God in a real and intimate way can have these moments with the Lord as well. So many say they want it, but are unwilling to put in the time to be with God in a meaningful way.

"I don't have time!" I have heard this excuse all my life and have even used it from time to time. I remember the hard times and many years that I got up at 5:00am every morning to have two solid hours of Bible Study before I went to work at Bank of America. Now that I work at the Church full time, I can get up at 5:30am instead of 5:00am. Yes, I still have to be disciplined if I want that time in the Word and with my Lord.

September 24th we start all our Bible classes at New Season Church. Don't let anything keep you from having your mountain top experiences. God is ready to meet with you. He has no excuses for you. If you show up, He will blow you away. See you next Wednesday.

 

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Suicide

With the recent passing of Robin Williams (one of my favorite actor/comedians), I recieved this email posing this question: "In efforts to understand Robin Williams suicide I would like some guidance as what the bible says on this subject. I am somewhat confused from what I have read is there not compassion for the weak?"
Here is my reply:

I doubt you are confused from what the Bible says. I would imagine you are confused at what religions are saying. Let's talk about what determines if a person goes to Heaven to be with God or separated from God in hell. A person is saved from his or her sin when they confess that Jesus is the Lord and believe in their heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. (Romans 10:9-10) It goes on to say in that same passage, "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13) The Apostle Paul also said in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that not one may boast."

From these scriptures we understand that our salvation is not through good works but through the sole sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Those that receive Him are saved and will be with Him. Those that reject Jesus are lost and without Him. There is no sin outside God's reach of forgiveness. There is no sin that cannot be covered by the blood of Christ through his sacrifice. The question is this, Did you receive Jesus and what He did for you on the cross or did you reject him and take matters into your own hands. Romans 3:10, states that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Therefore, we are all guilty. If you don't receive forgiveness through Jesus you must pay for your sin on your own.

I have no idea if Robin Williams ever accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. But I do know that God will not send him to hell because he committed suicide. When we listen to the words of the Lord there is grace and mercy for every situation. When we listen to religion we find ourselves outside of God's grace and mercy.

There are religions that teach you must ask forgiveness for all your sins and if you don't you go to hell. Therefore if one commits suicide they don't have the opportunity to ask for forgiveness and have perished in their sin. This does not agree with the message of grace and salvation taught is God's Word. Truthfully there is no way to ask for forgiveness for all of our sin because we don't even realize half the sins we commit. In this line of thinking we are all damned because we have all forgotten at least one. But salvation by grace through faith covers all our sins and leaves nothing to chance. Jesus paid it all.

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Finding My Place in the Kingdom of God

If I have learned anything in my many years of ministry it would be that God gifts people in many different ways. A casual look at 1 Corinthians 12 will show clearly that there are many gifts from the Spirit of God and all are important to the body. I have experienced times of frustration with people that usually stems from false expectations of people being like me. When I try to fit people into my mold, with my gift, and my calling, I negate their God given abilities and mission and hurt the work of The Lord.

As ministers, we are to identify the gifts of the Spirit of God in people and edify those gifts in people. This will allow people to excel in the ministry in their God given abilities. When we come into agreeement with what God is doing and join him, we remove the frustration of square pegs in round holes. So the question is not what does the church need, nor what I want you to be, but what has God made you to be and why did God place you in this body?

How amazing it is that God has a unique plan for our lives that fits with all the other unique plans to accoplish His Godsized will.

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