A friend of mine and I, heard a testimony today. The man shared the story of his brutal and horrendous prison experience and how he 'escaped'. Not in the literal sense of the word, but by his dramatic and and incredible conversion to Christianity. While sharing his story, he said something that jumped out and gripped my attention. He said he suffered from "Agony of the Soul". What a truly accurate description of the tormented man/woman. I suppose the reason I so related to and understood his words were that I too at one time, suffered from agony of the soul. When I surrendered my life, my hurts, and my "agonizing soul" to the Lord Jesus Christ, I found a supernatural rest.
Jesus performs a spiritual surgery to remove, repair and make new anything inside us that causes us to 'agonize' and suffer within. I found a complete peace knowing that I had forgiveness for ALL my wrongs and the storm of violent agony within me ceased. A loving God had laid his loving hand upon me and offered me rest. Do you need the nail scared hands to bring a healing touch to the 'agony of your soul'?
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Cheap Cross Christianity
I know, What does that mean? Very simply, this is a description of Christianity in America. I have grown increasingly alarmed at the view of morality today. Not by the society in general, but by the church itself. Many of the larger and more pointedly, mega-churches, have reduced being "followers of Christ" and being "crucified with Christ" to a weak faith...a watered down version of feel good and smile, don't offend ANYONE social club of defeated and deceived individuals. I know these are strong words, nevertheless, they are true.
The missing ingredient is NOT picking up our crosses and following him. (Christ) We want to tell others how to be "spiritual", how to act like, look like, and be like Jesus, yet we aren't willing to "die" to ourself and allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives. Sin is not presented as SIN. It's not addressed head-on, it's sidestepped or winked at with indifference. Repentance is considered optional. Before we can teach others about sin, repentance, forgiveness and restoration, we first have to walk in humility and brokenness ourselves. The gap between Christianity and the world used to be miles apart. It's now virtually indistinguishable. Hardly anyone can see the difference.
God help us to see the tremendous cost of our forgiveness! He is STILL a Holy God.
The missing ingredient is NOT picking up our crosses and following him. (Christ) We want to tell others how to be "spiritual", how to act like, look like, and be like Jesus, yet we aren't willing to "die" to ourself and allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives. Sin is not presented as SIN. It's not addressed head-on, it's sidestepped or winked at with indifference. Repentance is considered optional. Before we can teach others about sin, repentance, forgiveness and restoration, we first have to walk in humility and brokenness ourselves. The gap between Christianity and the world used to be miles apart. It's now virtually indistinguishable. Hardly anyone can see the difference.
God help us to see the tremendous cost of our forgiveness! He is STILL a Holy God.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
A Final Stand
I just finished reading a story concerning a pastor in Canada who was fined and ordered by a judge, not to speak out against one sin in particular. I won't even say what it is...it doesn't matter. What is important, is that we as Christians decide TODAY, to stand against what the Bible calls sin. When tomorrow comes, we'll be ready to answer and answer with boldness and conviction! Will that choice cost me? Perhaps it could cost my very life.
Nevertheless, I have to decide. The tide of "forced tolerance" sweeping our nation, is only for those who will submit to an ungodly authority and ungodly "laws". Those who will bow to the alter of compromise, willingly offer to follow those who would lead us to shame and ultimately a spiritual death. What will you decide TODAY? Are you prepared to stand? The highest judge in the land is waiting for our response to that question.
Nevertheless, I have to decide. The tide of "forced tolerance" sweeping our nation, is only for those who will submit to an ungodly authority and ungodly "laws". Those who will bow to the alter of compromise, willingly offer to follow those who would lead us to shame and ultimately a spiritual death. What will you decide TODAY? Are you prepared to stand? The highest judge in the land is waiting for our response to that question.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Certain Faith for Uncertain Times
I heard it in church again today. Know who I am in Christ. Ugh! I've heard it a thousand times, from a hundred pulpits! Why again? Because it's the single most important "truth" I can know. IN Christ. If I am IN Christ, nothing can ever defeat me, not today, not tomorrow... not ever! My health can fail me, the comforts of life can be taken away, I can lose those I love, but God in Christ (who is love) can never, ever fail me! I'm sure I will hear it a thousand more times, and I need to. It's in the Gospel message... it's freedom in the hope of a victorious life apart from despair, hopelessness, broken relationships, drugs, alcohol, wayward children, and every other thing that tries to pull me away from God and take his place... knowing who I am in Christ
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