“The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear.” Dt18.15 NKJV
It is noteworthy that prophets are raised up by God. Some people of course, will appoint themselves, as a spokes person for Him. We are warned of false prophets and false teachers who speak and seek their own agendas. Not to worry, Jesus told us we would know them by their fruit.
Truthfully God calls all of His children into ministry. Some He calls as prophets, some as pastor-teachers, but, all of us are raised up and, for some purpose. Father not only calls each of us, He equips us as well. Our gifts, talents and possessions are usually an indication of how we are to serve Him. And, our service to Him is always reflected in our service to others. How do we determine our calling? Well, if God puts a shovel in your hand, He probably wants you to dig. Some will teach, some will render help, others may encourage or counsel, each of us should serve as He has gifted us.
But, I think it is fair to say, that all of us will get a chance at the microphone to prophecy for Him. For this reason every Christian is told to, “…always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” When the mic is passed into our hand, will we be ready with an answer? 1Pt3.15 12/10/07 ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
A chance at the microphone
“The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear.” Dt18.15 NKJV
It is noteworthy that prophets are raised up by God. Some people of course, will appoint themselves, as a spokes person for Him. We are warned of false prophets and false teachers who speak and seek their own agendas. Not to worry, Jesus told us we would know them by their fruit.
Truthfully God calls all of His children into ministry. Some He calls as prophets, some as pastor-teachers, but, all of us are raised up and, for some purpose. Father not only calls each of us, He equips us as well. Our gifts, talents and possessions are usually an indication of how we are to serve Him. And, our service to Him is always reflected in our service to others. How do we determine our calling? Well, if God puts a shovel in your hand, He probably wants you to dig. Some will teach, some will render help, others may encourage or counsel, each of us should serve as He has gifted us.
But, I think it is fair to say, that all of us will get a chance at the microphone to prophecy for Him. For this reason every Christian is told to, “…always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” When the mic is passed into our hand, will we be ready with an answer? 1Pt3.15 12/10/07 ts
It is noteworthy that prophets are raised up by God. Some people of course, will appoint themselves, as a spokes person for Him. We are warned of false prophets and false teachers who speak and seek their own agendas. Not to worry, Jesus told us we would know them by their fruit.
Truthfully God calls all of His children into ministry. Some He calls as prophets, some as pastor-teachers, but, all of us are raised up and, for some purpose. Father not only calls each of us, He equips us as well. Our gifts, talents and possessions are usually an indication of how we are to serve Him. And, our service to Him is always reflected in our service to others. How do we determine our calling? Well, if God puts a shovel in your hand, He probably wants you to dig. Some will teach, some will render help, others may encourage or counsel, each of us should serve as He has gifted us.
But, I think it is fair to say, that all of us will get a chance at the microphone to prophecy for Him. For this reason every Christian is told to, “…always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” When the mic is passed into our hand, will we be ready with an answer? 1Pt3.15 12/10/07 ts
Levels of Faith
“Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;” Jo11.25 NKJV
At what level does one trust Christ in order to be a Christian? Most presentations of the gospel encourage people to trust Christ by standing on His record, not their own, so they can be accepted at judgment. We may be told to put trust in His death as payment for our sin or perhaps we are told a combination of both of these. The famous words of the thief, “Lord remember me,” express faith in Christ, but at what level? Was he looking to Christ simply for life beyond death? I am sure this man didn’t understand the virgin birth, or all the dynamics of the crucifixion.
We know that believing in Christ is more than just an intellectual belief. The Testament warns us, “even the demons believe and they tremble.” But what about those who do not have a fully developed understanding of Him, who look to Him for daily bread, for forgiveness, for healing or for protection? Is a person in Christ, if they continue faith in Him at any of these levels? Perhaps a trucker seeing another broke down on the side of the road remembers the words of Jesus and stops to help. Is repentance and faith conveyed in this action? It certainly can be. I fear that too much emphasis is placed on understanding certain doctrines as the test of true faith. A person may understand the finer points of the atonement yet, not be trusting Christ. Conversely, a fireman may have little understanding of it but in simple faith makes a cross over his chest before running into a flaming building. In the end it is God who will determine the genuineness of our faith in His Son. At what level are we trusting Christ? The sure bet is to trust Him in all things. 12/7/07 ts
At what level does one trust Christ in order to be a Christian? Most presentations of the gospel encourage people to trust Christ by standing on His record, not their own, so they can be accepted at judgment. We may be told to put trust in His death as payment for our sin or perhaps we are told a combination of both of these. The famous words of the thief, “Lord remember me,” express faith in Christ, but at what level? Was he looking to Christ simply for life beyond death? I am sure this man didn’t understand the virgin birth, or all the dynamics of the crucifixion.
We know that believing in Christ is more than just an intellectual belief. The Testament warns us, “even the demons believe and they tremble.” But what about those who do not have a fully developed understanding of Him, who look to Him for daily bread, for forgiveness, for healing or for protection? Is a person in Christ, if they continue faith in Him at any of these levels? Perhaps a trucker seeing another broke down on the side of the road remembers the words of Jesus and stops to help. Is repentance and faith conveyed in this action? It certainly can be. I fear that too much emphasis is placed on understanding certain doctrines as the test of true faith. A person may understand the finer points of the atonement yet, not be trusting Christ. Conversely, a fireman may have little understanding of it but in simple faith makes a cross over his chest before running into a flaming building. In the end it is God who will determine the genuineness of our faith in His Son. At what level are we trusting Christ? The sure bet is to trust Him in all things. 12/7/07 ts
Levels of Faith
“Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;” Jo11.25 NKJV
At what level does one trust Christ in order to be a Christian? Most presentations of the gospel encourage people to trust Christ by standing on His record, not their own, so they can be accepted at judgment. We may be told to put trust in His death as payment for our sin or perhaps we are told a combination of both of these. The famous words of the thief, “Lord remember me,” express faith in Christ, but at what level? Was he looking to Christ simply for life beyond death? I am sure this man didn’t understand the virgin birth, or all the dynamics of the crucifixion.
We know that believing in Christ is more than just an intellectual belief. The Testament warns us, “even the demons believe and they tremble.” But what about those who do not have a fully developed understanding of Him, who look to Him for daily bread, for forgiveness, for healing or for protection? Is a person in Christ, if they continue faith in Him at any of these levels? Perhaps a trucker seeing another broke down on the side of the road remembers the words of Jesus and stops to help. Is repentance and faith conveyed in this action? It certainly can be. I fear that too much emphasis is placed on understanding certain doctrines as the test of true faith. A person may understand the finer points of the atonement yet, not be trusting Christ. Conversely, a fireman may have little understanding of it but in simple faith makes a cross over his chest before running into a flaming building. In the end it is God who will determine the genuineness of our faith in His Son. At what level are we trusting Christ? The sure bet is to trust Him in all things. 12/7/07 ts
At what level does one trust Christ in order to be a Christian? Most presentations of the gospel encourage people to trust Christ by standing on His record, not their own, so they can be accepted at judgment. We may be told to put trust in His death as payment for our sin or perhaps we are told a combination of both of these. The famous words of the thief, “Lord remember me,” express faith in Christ, but at what level? Was he looking to Christ simply for life beyond death? I am sure this man didn’t understand the virgin birth, or all the dynamics of the crucifixion.
We know that believing in Christ is more than just an intellectual belief. The Testament warns us, “even the demons believe and they tremble.” But what about those who do not have a fully developed understanding of Him, who look to Him for daily bread, for forgiveness, for healing or for protection? Is a person in Christ, if they continue faith in Him at any of these levels? Perhaps a trucker seeing another broke down on the side of the road remembers the words of Jesus and stops to help. Is repentance and faith conveyed in this action? It certainly can be. I fear that too much emphasis is placed on understanding certain doctrines as the test of true faith. A person may understand the finer points of the atonement yet, not be trusting Christ. Conversely, a fireman may have little understanding of it but in simple faith makes a cross over his chest before running into a flaming building. In the end it is God who will determine the genuineness of our faith in His Son. At what level are we trusting Christ? The sure bet is to trust Him in all things. 12/7/07 ts
The Spirit of Christmas
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. Jo10.14 NKJV
When people speak of the spirit of Christmas, they often mean some very different things. "Tis the season to be jolly," or charitable or, perhaps they refer to some childhood wonderment associated with this magical season of the year. There are probably as many descriptions of the spirit of Christmas as there are presents under a rich man’s Christmas tree.
I should think that the Spirit of Christmas is none other than the Spirit of Christ, the very same Spirit Jesus sends to live in our hearts when we trust Him. The Spirit of Christ is the Holy Spirit and He is the means God uses to set us apart as His dear children. We often tell people they need to get into the spirit of Christmas, when truthfully it is the Spirit of Christmas who needs to get into them.
When a person is possessed by the Spirit of Christ they begin to possess all the distinctions of Jesus. He is not just the Savior, He becomes my Savior, not just the Lord, He becomes my Lord, my good Shepherd. 12/6/07 ts
When people speak of the spirit of Christmas, they often mean some very different things. "Tis the season to be jolly," or charitable or, perhaps they refer to some childhood wonderment associated with this magical season of the year. There are probably as many descriptions of the spirit of Christmas as there are presents under a rich man’s Christmas tree.
I should think that the Spirit of Christmas is none other than the Spirit of Christ, the very same Spirit Jesus sends to live in our hearts when we trust Him. The Spirit of Christ is the Holy Spirit and He is the means God uses to set us apart as His dear children. We often tell people they need to get into the spirit of Christmas, when truthfully it is the Spirit of Christmas who needs to get into them.
When a person is possessed by the Spirit of Christ they begin to possess all the distinctions of Jesus. He is not just the Savior, He becomes my Savior, not just the Lord, He becomes my Lord, my good Shepherd. 12/6/07 ts
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