False Christianity

Every few months I write a post on this same topic. I guess it eats at me. For good reason. I, as are most genuine Christians, am surrounded by people who are Christians by claim only - a little time and observation of their lifestyle brings the truth to light: they do not have a saving faith. Sadly, there are SO MANY people who think and say they are a Christian but simply do not comprehend what that label really means. Many of them, I believe, are not knowingly trying to be deceptive, they just really don’t have the first clue what they’re saying when they say “I’m a Christian.”

Allow me to clarify: a person who truly has a saving faith does NOT continue to live a life of sin. There will be struggle as long as we are on the earth, but a person under God’s Lordship should be making progress in their struggles. Being a Christian should NOT mean living the rest of your life in a constant struggle with the same temptations you once delt with. A true Christian has a growing faith - meaning their desire for the Lord’s leadership over their life should GROW and INCREASE - NOT remain stagnant or decrease.

If you are someone who boldly says “Sure, I’m a Christian” and still lives a lifestyle that is disobedient to the Bible and tears down the Name of the Lord instead of lifting it up, if you can’t figure out why you continue to have a strong lust for worldliness and little desire for godliness, - you should reevaluate what being a Christian is all about. I think I can sum it up in one word: surrender. Not a surrender of parts of you, but of ALL of you. If you’re not ready for this kind of surrender. If you want Heaven but not the King of Heaven, then your faith is divided and therefore not a genuine faith.

So I created a page about this plight that consumes so many. It’s the “Why “Christians” Perish in Sin” page. I realize it’s controversial, but it’s the truth. I just want to help people really meet the Lord and experience His surpassing goodness, not continue in a life of bondage, confusion and frustration. There is SO MUCH more.

Romans 12: 2 - “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 - “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Ephesians 4:24 - “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”

James 2:26 -”As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”

Romans 6:4 - “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

New Things You May Not Know

Joni Tagged me!!

10 years ago I was:
Nearly 16. Crushing on multiple boys, learning how to drive, and in Colorado as a waitress for a Young Life camp during the summer. I met Kristin there who is from Texas and we became instant friends! I also got married for the first time - ok, well not really - but I did get a fake certificate. Hmmm…where are you now, cute boy from Nebraska whose name I can’t recall??

Five things to do today:
1. PRAY! (still going…)
2. Water plants for my mom who is out of town (later)
3. Go to Work (done)
4. Go to ALIVE
5. Get Blue Rasberry Arctic Rush from DQ

Snack I enjoy:
Chocolate chip cookies, (like Joni), ice cream (Mint Choc Chip), fruit & chocolate fondue

Things I would do if I were a Millionaire:
Only work part-time, reserve time at a recording studio, buy land and horses!!, get a baby grand piano, support lots of missionaries, go to India and Ireland
Places I have lived:
Souix City, Iowa, South Dekota, Atlanta, Georgia, Roanoke, Virginia, Rocky Mount, Virginia, Blacksburg, Virginia

The four people I’m going to tag are

Velma, CBGrace, Phil, Annette

Jesus Uses Failures

Wednesday at our ALIVE meeting, the girls and I had a TERRIFIC bible study, I just HAD to share about it. I am thoroughly loving this group we’ve got right now. They’re consistent, committed, teachable and uplifting. But anyway, back to the bible study from last night. I’m not quite sure why this question popped into my mind about a week ago, but suddenly I thought to myself “Hmmm, I wonder why, after Peter had denied Christ the evening of his seizure, did Jesus later respond to Peter with ‘Feed my sheep’?” Or to put it in another way, why, of ALL the things Jesus could have said to Peter - such as “you idiot…” or “you’re forgiven, no worries…” or “told ya so…” or “Hey bud, I love ya…” did he say “Feed my sheep?”

John 21 - Feed my sheep.

Could Peter have ever seen that one coming? And when we fail big time like Peter (especially when we’re sturdy and self-assured like Peter was during the Last Supper - ‘Oh no, I will NEVER fail YOU, Lord!’) what might it mean to us that Jesus said “Feed my sheep” to his fallen disciple?

So we discussed this question. Here are some of the points we made:

- Peter needed to know that Jesus was confident in his ability to continue as a leader

- Peter needed to be reminded that he was called to do in the first place - despite a failure along the way

- Peter needed to get past the self-pity, not wallowing in his failure and focus on the future

- Peter was chosen to be USEFUL, not paranoid about failing

- Peter needed to be strong for the other disciples and ministry leaders he would coach very soon

- Peter had already been taught and shown what he needed during his years with Christ, he didn’t need to be reminded of all of that, he just needed a statement of send-off

- Jesus knew the Holy Spirit would be sent soon, Peter would soon have that resource to help him in temptation

Above all, we concluded that Peter is a perfect example of how Jesus DOES and CAN use us - even after we fall or have failed. Here is a fantastic article from Desiringgod.org that sums up our conclusion: Jesus Chooses and Uses Failures