YOUR IMPACT: HIGH

One of the things that I sometimes struggle with is where I am in life. I was really bad about this but have slowly been changed over time. I used to say God if I had this Job, this House, this Money, this and that. It was beyond being content. I was happy I just wanted more of God and determined I knew the way to grow that relationship. That my usefulness to God some how related to the circumstances I find my self in.

So in this growth the scripture that God led me to is in Corinthians. Paul is addressing marriage, circumcision, and slavery but it seems to apply.

1 Corinthians 7:24

²⁴ Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

So now I know it is not where I'm at nor is it what I'm doing. Another verse tells us do everything as unto the Lord. I think God wants people everywhere, almost like we are infiltrating the world. You might think your job is a low position in society. Or maybe that your just a new christian and don't know anything, so God can't use you. As far as I can see, you need to know this. God loves you and everyone else. Jesus died for all of us, and God raised Him from the dead; and acceptance of that is the only way to heaven. Love God and love others. TA DA. Let God do the rest.

That's not to say there won't be other changes in your life, but God is the potter we are the clay. Our church has a thing they call the code, this is one of them.



We will do anything short of sin to reach people who don’t know Christ. To reach people no one is reaching, we’ll have to do things no one is doing.

So today my family, an extension or as ambassadors of God, we are going to a car show.  We'll be handing out "church" invites but more than that we will be showing God's love for all the people of the world.

Good luck and God Speed- David.

More of a Question than a Blog.........

Currently reading 1 Corinthians, now in chapter 4 and I'm not quite getting it yet.  Maybe you can help.

Paul refers the people to imitate or follow him a couple of times throughout scripture one of those times is in Chapter 4 so I want to understand it. I think Paul is talking about the church being comfortable. Things are good, comfortable even, but is that where we are supposed to be? Maybe it was the same group of people coming in every week. The same service, little has changed from week to week. They give their time and tithe to God and all is right in the world. Is Paul trying to spur them on from this comfortable Christianity?

So one of the verses that stood out to me right off the bat.....

1 Corinthians 4:3-4 (New International Version, ©2011)

³ I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. ⁴ My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

If you truly believe you are doing all you can do, that maybe be better defined as, you know God is flowing through you. Maybe people are judging you, your church, maybe your actions. Your weird, constantly misunderstood, few true friends.  Maybe Paul got to the point he just had enough, "Judge all you want, you're not the judge your playing the Judge"

I think the rest of chapter 4 is basically sarcasm, and you? Still another verse that caught my attention is vs 6. in it "do not go beyond what is written" . Maybe this church had created a bunch of traditions and rules that needed adhering to. Maybe similar to some of modern churches? vs 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? 

He goes on to compare the hardships of the disciples to the "blessings" on the Church of Corinth. In then in vs 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.  That statement makes me re-read this chapter over and over.

Lastly

1 Corinthians 4:20 (New International Version, ©2011)

²⁰ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

God is all powerful and we have read about miracles that were tremendous manna from heaven, the burning bush, cloud by day fire by night. But I think there are more examples of power by which God works through his people. Acting in crazy, misunderstood, life altering ways. All in obedience to God, allowing His power and love to flow through you.

You are a connector to the conduit of the power of God- Steven Furtick.

Thanks for reading!! Feel free to comment or email. David

How to tell which church is right.

Romans 14

The Weak and the Strong

 ¹ Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.

When my wife and I first married we attended the church where she and her whole family did. It was smaller in size, about 30 souls every week. The small town she was from had a population of about 400 and somewhere near 8 churches in the area. Your average small Oklahoma town.

The church is still there, same pastor is over it, and nearly the same people attend minus us and the rest of my wife's family. We left there as a young family looking for a "church" that had more "stuff" for kids and families.

But was that church wrong for not supporting the younger generation? Or was that just a perception?

So we found (as noted in a previous blog) a church that did a lot for kids. My wife and I had become the children's minsters there. However over time, though this church had a variety of programs for all ages and the community, it seemed to lack something. But again that church is still there same pastor, same people. We went back and visited this church just last week. Some new faces a lot of love for old friends. Still the same feeling for my wife and I, was there.

So was this church wrong for making us feel the way we do? Or how about the 40 plus churches, the great Google, puts in our town which one is right? It would seem many can't get along or they compete with each other. As many of you have read in my facebook posts, I verbally support and have friends in many churches. So what about the church we go to now; Lifechurch, is it right?

Mark 9:38 (New International Version, ©2011)

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us

 ³⁸ “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

At some point in all the churches we have attended, they must have been good. Or we wouldn't have stayed there at all, right? What if, since all things work for good for those who love the Lord, what if your church, your body of believers, is apart of that? So your moving closer to Him, would that result in constant change in your life? New opportunities, new friends, and new churches? 

Mark 9:39-41 (New International Version, ©2011)

   ³⁹ “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, ⁴⁰ for whoever is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

So which church is right? (For the record I do not like the term church the way we use it but it's what we have)  I personally believe there is a feeling that you have inside, indescribable, you are growing. Your spirit is being challenged. God has surrounded you with a group of extraordinary people and you know this is Church!!

OH, so is Lifechurch right? No, maybe not for you. But for us, prayerfully, it is. We love our church.(and church means people) Our synagogue is located at 1917 N. Country Club. a small sect of Christ Followers meet there throughout  the week.

Proverbs 16:9 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course,
   but the LORD establishes their steps.



Love, once again- David 

Your Honorable Mention

Just a fact about me. When I read the Bible, If I come across a scripture that makes me stop and wonder I won't go on until I "feel" ready to move on. That time maybe a minute, maybe a week  And indeed it takes me forever to read any part of the Bible. But none the less, that's how I roll. This week would be know different.

Acts 18:6-8 (New International Version, ©2011)

⁶ But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

 ⁷ Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. ⁸ Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

This was Paul's final attempt at Corinth, to reason with the Jews. Did you see the one that got me?

                     ⁷ Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of              Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.

From what I could find on http://www.biblegateway.com/ and the great and powerful Google , this is the only time Titius Justus is mentioned. One time. Is this some sort of an honorable mention, maybe a participant ribbon? I mean how did one get their name in the Bible?  To be mentioned by God for all of man to read and hear about for thousands of years!

Everyone I see in the Bible was really good, really bad, hated God, or desperately Loved Him. There are no ordinary people in the Bible. This guy, Titius, was no exception.  If nothing else the guy seems to have hosted Paul in his home for about one year. Paul would use this mans circle of friends and his influence in the community, to reach out to others.  Was this the first Lifegroup , I think so. No, I'm sure others were meeting in homes as well but what made this man standout?



An open heart, an open mind, and an open door. He loved God, he worshiped Him. His house was said to even have a common wall with the synagogue. HA!  As we pray for God to open our hearts and minds; open doors for us to minister. Keep in mind, that door, may even be your own.

Let God in, Let God out. It's like breathing, only better. Love- David.