A Part of the Bible, some people do not like

Have you ever read part of the Bible and thought "Do i really have to do that?", "Is that Really what God means?" "Why would God put that in there?" and of course "The Bible is talking to somebody els, I KNOW it's not talking to me!"

Unfortunalty for a lot of us when the Bible speaks we forget to listen. We forget to change, we forget to repeant, we forget that God reveals Himself to us through His Word. We like to pick and choose the parts that we read, that memeorize and that we follow. We like to be in charge and to control things.

However the joke is on us. We would be running around naked if God did not event animal skins,plants, cotton and sythentic fibers to be woven together so we could have clothes. We forget that we are dependant on Him. If don't forget we ignore that He gives every good perfect gift from above.

A passage I want to look at today found in Mark 16:15 "go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever beleives and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemmed -NIV

Those are strong, authoritative words from Jesus about what the apostles need to be practising and teaching. I have had indebt conversations with a variety of people concerning the purpose of baptism in the recent months. When I point this scripture plus numerous others that show baptism is important and part of the salvation process: hear, believe, repent and baptism (Acts 2:38, Mark 1:4),plus submitting to and following Jesus, his teachings, and the bible. People have become violent towards me and the word of God.

It has lead me to write a paper (13 pages so far. Just started Pauls writings) about the historical (Jewish and EArly Church) and Scriptual Practice of Immersion. From the time of Exodus to 1st century Palastine and still today. What Peter preached in Acts 2:37-41, and what Paul Practised in Acts 22:16 is the proper view of baptism. It is to wash away our sins, and purify us before our God, plus the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Some would say that baptism is work according to John 6:29 "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.

If Faith is work, then everything else we do is our response in love and submission to Jesus.

If he is Lord and Savior, then we need to serve and submit to Him as our Lord and savior.

-M

Touch not My Anointed

A lot of my Cyber friends are ministers. As many of you know We are a unique group of individuals, with different talents, and ablities. A friend of mine "The other RWarren" is at new church this week. Many of us are at new churches within the last 2 years. A lot of the guys that I spend time with in the Mission Valley are new to the area. God is moving in our churches. He is bringing new life and new blood to HIS churches. However one thing reamins the same, there are some of our fellow warriors, that are churches that are hurting them.

I am the first to say that not all pastors are good men, and that there are some guys who never need to step foot in the pulpit or ministry again. This is not about them.This about the ones that are there to be servant leaders, and love their God, and thier thier flocks. This poem was given to me as I was serving at a church in turmoil, with satan attacking the leaders, with people who claimed to follow Christ Jesus and thier fruits proving otherwise.

Touch Not My Anointed

He gives us Apostles, prophets and pastors,
Evangelist and some who teach,
so we saints can grow in Him
And be equipped a lost world to reach.

Anointed and called by Almighty God,
By Great Love they're compelled to go.
Nothing on this earth can stop them.
It's not what, but Who they know.

Consumed by thier zeal for the Master
Aware night and day of His Call.
Longing to do whatever it takes,
Desiring to give Him their all.

They face great struggles and temptations,
Fear of failure and reproach from men,
the devil ever hot on thier trail,
shouting that HE'S going to win.

Sometimes these servants stumble and fall,
Their load being heavy to bear.
But the prayers of ther saints raise them up.
Thank you, Lord for the power of prayer!

Let us rejoice at all times and give thanks
For those that take care of His people.
It's folks Jesus went to the cross for.
Not the building adorned with a steeplw.

It's good that we pray for those He has called
For He's charged them with guarding our soul.
May God's people not help the devil.
Oh, God, let us not take that role.

Father, may we support, not oppose
Those You've called to do what they do,
For if we fight against those You've anointed,
We can't wing, for we fight against You.

-Judy Kelly - October 4, 2005.

In the Book of Hebrews we read "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you" 13:7 ESV

Are you a person that encourages your minister, and leaders or a person that tears them apart? Do you encourage and support them or are nervous when you come around? What type of person do you think they think you are?

I called a former a church last week, just to talk and pray for the man who replaced me. His first words "What happened to this church"? and after we talked for over and hour, I could tell he was breaking down as we prayed. A Man of God needing love from the people that he was serving and leading. Unfortunatly, He is not alone. There are many that are called "Pastor", who are alone, and hurting. Who have been struck, beaten and destroyed by the very person Jesus died for.

This week please, please, please lift up your leaders in prayer and support them by your words, actions and deeds. Don't caste stones at them, Pray for them!

I am imperfect and I serve Jesus and his people.

-M

The Wii saved my marriage

After saving up, and researching different games consoles my family and I bought a Nintendo Wii. My X-box died, and it was time for us to invest in game system that we all could play and that required you to move around. Last nigt we boxed, played Tennis, and baseball for 3 hours. The whole family was involved including the 4 and 18 month old.

Why do I say it saved my marriage? Becasue it gives a nother thing to do togeter as a family. No longer will sit there and play by myself. Now I can enjoy teaching, adn watching others play as I rest from the excercise I am actually getting. Not a lot, but more than just sitting on the duff and playing.

Plus we can teach life lessons abotu loosing, sharing, and takign turns. And there is nothing funnier than watching our 4 year old throw a fast ball, and have her cheer when the batter hits a home run.

Enjoy your family and friends,
M

The Most Beautiful Sound

I have decided what I beleive to the worlds best sound. It is better than the kiss of newlyweds, or a baby cooing while it is being snuggled. The voice of long lost friend or relative. compares to nothing. The Birds singing, and the symphanies we find nature are nowhere compared to this sound. It's even better than the saints singing praises to our God and King. The sound:

It is when God's people open their bibles. I love when I hear Bibles opening. I love the sound of the pages rustling, the sound of bible covers opening. I love the sound of relief when someone finds the verse, and the sound the pages make when you flip through the Bible.

Why do I love the sound of the Bible being opened? Because it means we are getting ready to hear from The HOLY. It means that people are interasted in hearing from God, and not jsut being force fed by thier pastor. In a day where we can have our Bibles on MP3', CD's online, and verses shot on the screen behind me. There is still no greater joy then hearing God's people open God's book.

Surprise your pastor this week and on Sunday open your Bible. Have your whole church open thier Bibles. Enjoy the sound of God's book being open, as his people begin to feed on His Holy Word

-M