10:24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting `one another'; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh. 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins,
Todays text for the sermon was well the text I just inserted. Good point and one I've been convicted on a lot lately. I was substituting going to AA/NA meetings for gathering with fellow believers quite a bit. But I've been called to focus on "Christ's message for the last few months.
Actually truth be told I have been convicted on that for some time, but I liked my comfort zone more than God. I liked being the old timer, or the go to guy. Now I'm realizing I have a lot to learn. And I'm more than ready to take direction.
There's a couple paragraphs in Ezekiel 36 about turning a Stony heart to Flesh. I think A big part of it is learning my small part in the body of Christ. It's possible I may be playing guitar at the 0830 services at my home church. I had done that before but I really felt like the lord wanted me to learn what worship is all about.
So first I fell in Love with a guy who lived 2000 years ago and died on a cross, but as it turn's out he was here from everlasting to everlasting and is still alive today. Currently I know there's a lot to be learned about "Abiding in Christ" and following the "Shepherds Voice".
Part of that is learning to take direction from our Pastors, and Elders, and leadership. I know that I can't wonder to far from the light as I'll end up stumbling around in the dark in no time flat. I still have a ways to go with overcoming lust etc. etc. etc. a real stumbling block these days for me has to do with the way I've been branded by the advertising wizards.
They love to sell what feels good now. I personally have to remind myself that I'm seeking to be "branded" by the spirit. So far it's been a painful trip. So many friends have gone into eternity denying Christ. Last year we had about 6 of the alumni from the addictions house take there own lives. I accepted that as the disease of addiction taking them but my new belief's don't allow for that.
Currently when confronted with some one suffering under the yoke of addiction I have great difficulty letting them go to make there own dicisions. Hopefully this will get better with time or at least tolerable. I don't really know. I still need to learn to be transparent with my brothers and sisters in Christ and admit the scariest of all. That I have feelings. I need to get past proper prayers. An get real with God Myself and others. Realizing We don't have to call ourselves addicts to be tudging on the road God's Kingdom.
4-8Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. The Scriptures provide precedent:
Look! I'm setting a stone in Zion, a cornerstone in the place of honor. Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it. To you who trust him, he's a Stone to be proud of, but to those who refuse to trust him,
The stone the workmen threw out is now the chief foundation stone. For the untrusting it's .. . a stone to trip over, a boulder blocking the way. They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted.
Dave, such is the walk of a man through history. We learn, we adjust, and we grow. It is a simple process, but one that is, oh so difficult. Yet, in the end, we are a little more Christlike and can enjoy the life He gave us even more.
Hang on in there Dave! ( Thanks for sharing) Smile! , keep trusting him and let him lead the way! By the way my name is Keith! ( He, Jesus works if you let him................ Keep comming back) Dont these terms sound familure? Ask me how i know?
we are all in the middle of race..yeah theres time we will fall again..but hey, get up and dust ourselves off..keep on running and focus eyes on Jesus.
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