It is all about RELATIONSHIP.

Because we live in a time following the Age of Reason we think in categories, limited logic and reasoning. Reason is not bad. Logic is not bad but to try to understand scripture, let alone God through human mental constructs is a losing proposition.

First, we can only know about God in part and that only because He has chosen to reveal Himself to us through scripture and Spirit. He has give us much information through His Biblical names, Especially in John and Isaiah God has gien insights into Himself and His character. Though our minds will never totally comprehend all there is to Him while we are on this earth He tells us who and what He is. He wants us to have relationship with Him.

From the beginning the desire was relationship, fellowship. He used covenants to make sure His people understood the seriousness of relationship. Every one of the ten commandments were about relationships.

Jesus’ ministry focused on mercy and the grace relationship God had for humankind. Jesus’ theology described relationships good and bad, His emphasis was not about rules but about relationship for He knew God’s rules were about relationship not dead legalisms. He knew God’s rules help in our relationships with God, others, and ourselves.

Our new nature in Christ (the fruit of the Spirit Galations 5) transforms our relationships from those driven by the works of the flesh. God is NOT about theology or rules as much as He is about relationship.

FOR GOD SO LOVED,,,(John 3:16)

Knowing God’s Love

It is vitally important to know God’s love. How can you know? You can see it in scriptures. Time after time God demonstrates His love for His people. Ultimately in John 3:16-17 we see that His love was for the whole world. He gave Jesus to save and not condemn, which would have been within His rights.

Knowing about God’s love is important but there is more. As you prayerfully study the Word God will give you revelation of His love. And beyond that, as you walk in fellowship with Him you will experience His love. It is wonderful, and vital to our walk with God.

If we know God’s love is active and faithful and directed to us we have less trouble believing His promises. If we know His Word is written to us in love we have less trouble being obedient.

Knowing God’s love is key to a successful Christian life.

“Social” Problems

I remember in college taking a course called The Sociology of Social Problems. In it we learned about social problems and theories as to their cause and solution. It was an interesting course. But it lacked a spiritual component.

Too often we Christians think about things just like our unsaved counterparts do. Sometimes we even defer to their “expertise” if the have a title or a PhD behind their name. I’m challenging you to think spiritually.

You may say “The Bible does not speak to our crime problem, our broken home problem, our hopelessness problem.” But it does. Ask yourself this. “What Biblical teaching has been ignored to cause this social problem?”

Broken homes? God has a lot to say about man/woman relationships. Hatred and violence? God has the answer to those things too. Hopelessness? God is the giver of hope. So many problems can be traced to disobedience. As Christians we will be much more successful in dealing with social problems if we think spiritually and deal with the problems at a spiritual level. The spiritual world and the natural world are not disconnected. Think about it.

Don’t Believe the Lies. 1

In case you never read the Bible, I should let you know that the devil is a liar. He lies to rob you of what is yours. Lie #1 is “That is NOT for you.” Satan has had a lot of help promoting this lie. Sometimes he uses our own doubts and insecurities. Sometimes He uses theologians and preachers that do not believe in the goodness of God. But anyone or any thing that disagrees with God’s Word lies. The Bible clearly and repeatedly says these things are for you. Salvation is for you. God’s love is for you. God’s righteousness is for you. Healing is for you. Success is for you. God’s provision is for you. God’s Spirit is to live in you. The fruit and gifts of the Spirit are for you. Deliverance and liberty are for you. These things and more are for YOU.

They are Not yours because you earned them but because God is good and generous and HE LOVES YOU. Doubting God’s Word is believing a lie, Repent. Renew your mind. What is it that you need but have not believed was for you? Change your mind. Believe the truth not the lie.

Meditate on these things.

How GOOD God Is

Sometimes we are so lost in our circumstances or our emotions we feel as if God is not good. But He is. Let us start with the basics. When He designed you He included your senses. Have you ever loved the smell of a flower or of baking food? Have you ever heard the birds sing or were transfixed by musicians and singers? Have you ever been grateful for sight while enjoying a sunset or a gaze at a starry sky? Have you ever enjoyed a loving touch? Have you ever given thanks for delicious food? Just part of the design, you say. Yes God’s design because He wanted you to experience all these things.

Sometimes we get so theologically minded we don’t appreciate God’s goodness to us in our design. Think about it. Be thankful because He is good and did good.

More GOOD to come.

Getting Ready for hard times-Getting Ready for end times-

So many times I’ve heard Christians say, “I wasn’t ready for this.” (Note one of our pastors taught a two part message on Get Ready. You can find them on YouTube. Just type in Faith Christian Outreach Church. This post is an expansion of that theme.)

We need to be ready what does that mean? Some think they can’t be ready if they don’t know everything that will happen and when. I want to challenge that. Though it is good to know what to expect, that is not as important as having our mind and heart right. Our faith must already be settled before troubles come if we are to overcome, walking through troubles in peace.

For instance when the covid pandemic hit there was a lot of fear. But I have put my faith in God for health and protection for decades. Since that was already settled I experienced NO FEAR about my health.

Just a note. If you want health and strength as you get older, settle that faith issue while you are younger. Then when you are sixty and feel a twinge of pain you will not automatically accept the typical negative explanation. We all are different and we have all been through different stuff physically. But if we trust God for our health and strength, if that is settled in our hearts we will deal with life challenges more successfully.

But how do you get ready for end times? God’s Word tells us what to expect. It also tells us not to be troubled in our minds and emotions. How can we do that…by settling our faith issues before the crisis. If we don’t do that the troubles will affect our minds, our emotions, and even our health. We must decide what will decide our peace and faith, God’s Word or circumstances.

Whether we are preparing for end times or just hard times trust in God’s love and keeping power is key in BEING READY.

(Note: You can find the messages mentioned earlier at http://www.fcoc.net)

Have a great week.

Jesus, the Loving Lord

We often think of Jesus as Savior, Healer, Deliverer, And so we should. But let us not forget that He is to be Lord (in 21st century English, “boss”).

We have a lot of people we answer to in our lives. Our bosses at work, the state and federal inspectors in our businesses, our teachers at school, etc. As independent minded Americans we often feel we have reason to dislike people who tell us what to do and sometimes how to do it. Sometimes we shift that attitude to God. We were born into liberty and freedom in the Lord, Weren’t we?

Paul reminds us not to misuse our liberty. Remember, doing things our way before Christ’s intervention got us into the messes, the bondage we were in. Though we are created to be free, (and God is the ultimate supporter of human freedom) we are not equipped to be God. God, unlike worldly bosses ALWAYS has what is best for us in mind.

Jesus, the Loving Lord tells you to do things that will edify you, strengthen you, and keep you free from bondage that always accompanies sin. His lordship and leading result in love, peace, joy, and other good results. Doing your own thing instead of the Lords results in frustration, anger, hatred, etc.

ANYTHING the Lord tells us to do will improve our lives, if we will not only hear it but do it. It may be something simple or small. (Don’t forsake the gathering together of the saints. Spend time in the Word and prayer.) Or it may be something about your lifestyle or thought patterns. Whatever He wants us to do will make us and our lives better. He is a Good and Loving Lord.

Meditate on God’s Goodness.

We are encouraged in scripture to remember and meditate on the goodness of God to us. The phrase “God is good” is not just a cute saying it is an affirmation of God’s unfailing goodness to His people. He is good. He does good. His gifts are good.

As we approach Resurrection Sunday we need to appreciate the goodness of a Holy God who gave His only begotten Son to save us. How good is he? He paid for our sins. He gave us new life. He gave us His Spirit. He leads us and guides us. He heals us. He delivers us. He fellowships with us. How good is God!

I love Psalm 136. It is a song of remembrance and thanksgiving and encouragement to the Children of Israel. It chronicles The faithfulness of God’s faithful love and goodness. Perhaps we should list God’s blessings in our lives and encourage ourselves in His goodness to us.

Psalm 34:8

O Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.

Think. Remind yourself how GOOD God is to you.

Jesus: His Life in You

When we come to Jesus and are born-again much seems the same as the day before. We see the same person in the mirror. We still have the same tastes in food, in sports. But much of great importance has happened to us.

We have been made righteous before God. Righteousness has been imputed to us. It is a legal term and because of that imputation we stand before God righteous, as if we had never sinned.

In us a new spiritual life is born. And because of that life we can commune with a Holy God. Because of that new life we can experience the benefits of God’s spiritual gifts for us. In Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4 Paul discusses these. They include Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Pastors, Miracles, Discernment of Spirits, Words of Knowledge, Words of Wisdom,Faith, Healing, Tongues, interpretation, Serving, Administration, Mercy, Giving and more.

Besides all of those benefits in our lives there is Christ nature in us. There is a new nature which, if we walk accordingly, can transform our everyday lives. The new nature is made up of what scripture calls the Fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5) Included in our new nature is Love, Joy, Peace, Long Suffering, Gentleness, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance.

If you are not walking in your newness of life or experiencing the these gifts of God don’t feel down or discouraged. Read the Bible. Ask your ministers about this. Rejoice for you have SO MUCH good yet to experience.