The burden is light, the way, narrow...

[Sharpened]

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

I get it, now. So simple, it is, so very simple. We are to spread the Gospel everywhere, regardless of what we feel or want… how much we are tormented or damaged. This—this is taking up your cross, submitting to His will no matter what. (Matthew 10:38, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Mark 10:21, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27) Where are the stories about our witnessing to the world at large? What are your triumphs and failures? Are you truly suffering for His sake?

We are also commanded to help those in need in light of the Gospel. (Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 22:9, Matthew 10:42, Matthew 25:40, Mark 9:41) Sending off a donation is not what He wants. Getting a tax break is not being dead to self. We can create any kind of excuse we want to alter the Commission He gave us, but if Jesus and His Apostles didn’t say it, toss it. Keep it simple! That is what it means to be as children towards Him. Children don’t have this problem.

2 Corinthians 9:13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

Do you believe in the power of the Gospel being preached? (Acts 26:24-29) If so, why aren’t you sharing it? Why hide it in a building one or more times a week? You don’t need a church home… we are the Church! This world is not our home and neither is the body of Christ. We each are a member—a body part. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) What good is a body part if it is not functioning according to His nature? If a body part goes bad, won’t He have to cut it off? (Matthew 18:8-9)

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Don’t you understand? Jesus, Yahshua, gave us the weapon to combat sin in our life: doing His will and staying in it (Romans 1:5). If you are spreading the Gospel, remaining in contact with Him through prayer, despite the trials of doing so, you will not have much time to sin. (Hebrews 13:20-21, Philippians 2:13, Romans 12:3) Reread The Book of Acts and see it in action (no pun intended). Pray and hunger for the pure Water of His Word and the Unleavened Bread of His knowledge. Our flesh is never, ever satisfied, so we may as well kill our desire to it won’t get in our way in taking up His direction in love and truth. (Romans 6:12-14)

What good is fruit if it sits safe in a refrigerator or on a counter and is not consumed? Are we willing to let those who need Norishment take bites out of us until we are no more? To let the core and seeds fall wherever? (1 Peter 3:17, 1 Peter 4:19)That is when Our Father does His best work. Have you seen or experienced this? Speak up! Inspire us to do the same. Why do you think we have those books and epistles after the Gospels?

What are you afraid of? What the world thinks? What people close to you think? Reject it and ask for His strength to do His will (Romans 14:18, Romans 16:17-18, 1 Peter 2:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:6). Pair up with someone strong in the Lord as you witness. For those in churches that encourage this, praise God for that, but, remember, religions, denominations, or rituals is not what He wants. (Hebrews 10:1, Hebrews 10:4, Hebrews 10:11) Recall the foolishness of King Saul and Samuel’s rebuke: Obedience is better than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22, Ecclesiastes 5:1, 1 Peter 2:20)

1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

I am being seriously tested at the moment, but I don’t care anymore. After I post this, I know I will be dealt another blow. Fine. Not for myself do I do this. I am just a lowly watchman on the wall (Ezekiel 33:6).

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.

In Yeshua’s name, His will be done.

Amen.

 

[Laela]

Very encouraging Word today.
Relationship, not religion, is what God expects of us.

 

[varaneka]

you know what's cool? the Bible says "do not be afraid" 365 times!

 

[Prudent1]

ITA with all you have posted and am actively striving to put it into action daily! I may have misunderstood what you meant with the quote below...
"You don’t need a church home"
If I misunderstood you -sorry, but I have to disagree in love here. Unless we are missionaries or evangelists that travel, we do need bible based church homes. To my knowledege even they come in for spritual "tune ups". We also need other forms of fellowship like this forum or small group studies (singles, women's group, parenting, couples, work, whatever) b/c it is during these fellowships we can and do receive the encouragement, instructions, etc we need to continue to run this race until we get to our expected ends. You are so right we are the church. We take church with us wherever we go 24x7. Fellowship, when done correctly, in it's various forms (hearing word from our pastors, small groups, etc) helps us to re-charge! Our churches should be revolving doors- come in, get fueled, go compel, repeat! Success in this race takes fellowship with other believers and personal relationship with God. Even though we are intelligent women, very few of us could have learned the things needed to obtain our degrees w/o formal education (fellowship). Many of us have God given athletic abilities. We could possibly have reached our full potential by reading books on our own but chances are we went to practices(fellowship) under coaches(pastor) and with team mates(more fellowship) and practiced on our own to perfect those abilities. Never-the-less, I get what you are saying- God 1st (and our committment/relationship with him) in all things. Excellent post!

 

[Sharpened]

ITA with all you have posted and am actively striving to put it into action daily! I may have misunderstood what you meant with the quote below...
"You don’t need a church home"
If I misunderstood you -sorry, but I have to disagree in love here. Unless we are missionaries or evangelists that travel, we do need bible based church homes. To my knowledege even they come in for spritual "tune ups". We also need other forms of fellowship like this forum or small group studies (singles, women's group, parenting, couples, work, whatever) b/c it is during these fellowships we can and do receive the encouragement, instructions, etc we need to continue to run this race until we get to our expected ends. You are so right we are the church. We take church with us wherever we go 24x7. Fellowship, when done correctly, in it's various forms (hearing word from our pastors, small groups, etc) helps us to re-charge! Our churches should be revolving doors- come in, get fueled, go compel, repeat! Success in this race takes fellowship with other believers and personal relationship with God. Even though we are intelligent women, very few of us could have learned the things needed to obtain our degrees w/o formal education (fellowship). Many of us have God given athletic abilities. We could possibly have reached our full potential by reading books on our own but chances are we went to practices(fellowship) under coaches(pastor) and with team mates(more fellowship) and practiced on our own to perfect those abilities. Never-the-less, I get what you are saying- God 1st (and our committment/relationship with him) in all things. Excellent post!

The Ecclesia (Greek), Corpus Christi (Latin), the Church is the Body of Christ. To turn this word into a verb and a building removes the true meaning of this term. Adding the word “home” to it furthers weakens it as a place for comfort only. Man-made buildings are just that, buildings, no power there. No one bothered to ask Our Father if He wanted the definition changed. All this leads to subtle corruptions being adopted over time. Look around! Look at society! Christians have barricaded themselves in these buildings, making the the power of Word of no effect (Matthew 15:6, Mark 7:13, 1 Corinthians 1:17).

Let’s deal with reality here. I agree we should gather for fellowship as you stated, but is that what is truly happening? Have these gathering turned into catering to the flesh, and not of encouraging Jesus’ commission? We are to be out in the world as His beacons of light, not waiting for others to come to us (Matthew 9:37-8, Luke 10:2-3, John 4:34-38).

Jeremiah 51:45 My people, go you out of the middle of her, and deliver you every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD.

Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.

Also, what is one to do when one is surrounded by corruption and apostasy? How about during a major political upheaval? Can one have Jesus to be the Pastor, His Spirit as the Guide? How about what is spoken of in Matthew 18:20? Why do you think He created SermonAudio and YouTube?

Matthew 13:21 Yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while: for when tribulation or persecution rises because of the word, by and by he is offended.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

There may come a time that this will be the case. Is anyone prepared? How well are people being prepared for this?