Called to Be Like Christ

Thessalonians 4:7 "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness,but unto holiness".

"You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?"This quote has become a common catch phrase among believer.Anyone can grow up in church or hang around church people and pick up church language."I'm too blessed to be stressed"."I'm saved,santified,and filled with the holy ghost". Does the public and private life of a believer reflect his or her church jargon, or are these just catchy phrases used to cover up ones short commings?

God is calling us to be holy as He is Holy.God speaks to us in various ways, and he is calling us to stand up in the holiness of his darling son he sent to die that we might live. Perhaps we've heard the still small voice of his spirit directing our spirit.Or maybe our conscience has screamed at us when we've headed toward something we know isn't pleasing to God.Maybe some instruction in God's word has hit us squarely between the eyes when we've needed it most.The timely conversations with the other Christians that brings us a needed word of encouragement,direction,or warning.God is speaking to us,calling us to holiness.But are we listening?Sometimes we're so busy with us,we don't stop long enough to acknowledge or absorb what He's saying to us. At other times we may not want to hear what He's saying because it dosn't fit in with our agenda at the time.Or we may just not take the time when we have it, because we're "not in the mood" to spend time with God.(let us be honest with ourselves)

Hopefully,though this isn't the norm for us.As Christians we should long to hear from God and approach Him with a heart that is eager to listen and please him.But it can be a battle to fight against our own self as well as the pull of the world's demands pressing in on our time and attention.That why we must learn to set aside some quiet time everyday (maybe 2 or 3 times a day) just to spend with God in prayer and meditation.Time set aside to listen to his instructions.The time of day we do this is not as important as having the readiness of heart and mind to not only receive what God is telling us,but also to obey what he tells us.

God is calling us to holiness, the word says "be ye Holy as I am Holy", but we'll need to be listening in order to hear His call.Jesus said that those who follow Him should live in such a way, so that others would see their good works and glorify God in Heaven.So our holiness is more than just a matter of personal spiritual growth; it's a matter of honoring God and proclaiming Him to the world.To most of the world we are the only way they will see God. Are you an accurate reflection of our Saviors? Does your actions, attititude, and way of life ,show our Fathers characteristics? Will you answer God's call to Holiness?

The Truth Will Make You Free

John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth".

God's promises are sure.God's commitment to allow a new generation to  inherit a land he had promised them was a solid agreement.The disbelief of the older generation did not  hinder God's faithfulness to carry out His promise he had made to their fathers.He had given this land to His children back in the time of Abraham and Jacob.Before the foundations of the world, he promised us everlasting life with Him ,and now it is time for us to lay claim to it.

The Canaanites were a formidable enemy,However God said "Israel you will drive the canaanites from the land. He assured Joshua" I will be with you".The presence and power of God guaranteed the land was theirs, it wasn't Joshua's wisdom, militaries abilities, or strategies.It was in the truth of God's promise, and the power of His word that brought this to pass.Sin also is a formidable enemy,it uses various weapons to defeat us in this present life.Through the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life, we are often defeated in our quest to live holy unto the Lord.But God's word has already given us the victory,we just have to do like the children of Israel and step out in faith and lay claim to everlasting life with our Savior.In His word he tells us "He has power over all flesh". His word tells us to be of  good cheer ,"He has overcome the world".His word tells us that those he has been given he has lost none. And His word tells us we have a new life in Christ,as we have died to the ways of the flesh and the old man.Like with Joshua, he gave us several resources to help lead us to the promised land.

He gave us a clear set of instructions that we must follow to be victorious.He told us to always pray.You can't give in to the temptations of this world if you are always praying.He told us to esteem other higher than ourselves.It is hard surrender to the lust of the flesh if you always have anothers best interest at heart.He told us to love one another like Christ loved us, thus always making a sacrifice of yourself for the salvation of others.He then gave us a promise ,that if we followed His instructions we would be rewarded and would have everlasting life.He promised to be with all the way.And God told us to be successful we would have to be strong, courageous, and have the determination to follow the path He has laid out for us.Jesus Christ, the way laid out by God that we must travel, Jesus Christ the word of God made flesh, in whom we have the victory. 

Caring For Others

John 13:14 "If I then,your Lord and Master,have washed your feet;ye also ought to wash one another's feet".

We are servants of the Lord,no matter what title or position we hold in God's Church, we are but servants to do His will and carry out His commands.The position you hold or the title you give yourself does not free you from the work in which we have been called to do.We are the feet washers of the Lord. The head is responsible for the caring for the feet.

Jesus tells his disciples that if He being Lord and Master wash their feet, then they to have to wash feet. Now he is not telling us that we must literally go out and wash someones dirty feet, but we who know the Lord is responsible to share Him with a Lost world.We are responsible to look after and care for those who are less fortunate.See somewhere the message got twisted, the Church leadership looks for the congregation to serve them when we have been put in the position to serve the congregation.Jesus the great head of the Church is the example, he laid down His title and took on the position of a servant that God's will be done,and we are to follow His example.He came to serve,He washed feet,He fed the people,He gave freely of that which He had to all who had need. He sacrificed that others might have. The Son of God became the son of man that the sons of man might become the Sons of God,and we who have be chosen to lead and teach His people, should be able to lay aside our titles and positions and become feet washers so that a lost soul might be saved. He didn't chose us so we could be important, but that we might serve and be willing workers in the vineyard.

Now I'm not saying,your calling isn't genuine, that is something each of us will have to answer to God about,what I am saying is regardless of your calling or title, we were called to do a work.The work of all who were called is to lead a lost world to believe that Jesus Christ is Lord.We are to provide for and care for those who Christ shed His blood for, that the lost might to enjoy the salvation of the Lord. No mater what you call yourself, let us be careful to wash the feet of the lost souls of this world.

I Won't Turn Back

John 6:66-67 "From that time many of His disciples went back,and walked no more with Him.Then said Jesus unto the twelve,Will you also go away?

"No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God."For which of you,intending to build a tower,sitteth not down first and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it.Who hath believed our report?And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?Have you truly counted up the cost?Do you believe? Will you go on with Jesus regardless of the suffering that comes alone with the journey.Will you continue on, when the road gets rough,when your friends turn their backs on you.Will you stay the course when you find that you might not get rich,or that you might have to let go of some of the material things in your life,will you go back,and walk no more with him.

Here in this chapter of John we have what can be called the revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus reveals who he is,why he came, and our work in this great plan of salvation.Since the fall of man ,it has always be about reconciling man back with God.From  Noah's ark,to Joseph in egypt,to Moses leading the children of Israel from Egypt and even Samson's battles, were all about the salvation of  mankind. Here in the story we have a great multitude following Jesus.All who follow Jesus are not Follwers of Jesus. Are you following him, or a follower of his?Many followed Jesus seeking the miracles he preformed and the food which they ate.We have many today seeking Jesus for material and worldly possessions and not for the salvation of their souls.Jesus reveals to us our work in this great plan, he took the loaves Blessed it then broke it and gave to the disciples, who then distributed it among the people.Jesus then instructed them to gather up the fragments that none be lost. See Jesus came that none be lost,he has given us the blessed word of God, for us to take out and share with a dying world, that none be lost.We are then to take up the fragments of broken lives, and lead them to Jesus.Then Jesus will reveal who he is, that they might eat of his flesh and drink of his blood and enter into the kingdom.

Jesus must live on the inside of us, he is the living word by which we shall have everlating life. He is the abundant life promised us by Gods word. God never promised us big cars, fancy houses, large bank accounts, he never said the road would be easy, a narrow uphill road is never an easy road especially when so many are bumping into you on their way down.But what he did promise is that he would never leave you nor forsake you, and life more abundantly.What can be more abundant than a life lived in the arms of our savior.Jesus is asking you "Will you go away?"

Look In The Mirror,Not Out The Window

Matthew 26:22"And they were exceeding sorrowful, and begin every one of them to say unto him, Lord is it I?"

Here they are at the Lord supper,and the Lord says "one of you shall betray me", the Lords inner circle, his twelve, hand picked by him,and one would betray him.They were troubled to know their master would be betrayed, and it troubled them even more to know one of them would do it.They were troubled most of all, that they didn't know which one it was;each afraid for himself,and they asked "Lord is it I".They didn't point fingers at each other, or place blame on one another; they didn't say Lord is it Peter,John or James, they each asked "Lord is it I".

Saints we must all examine ourselves in our walk with the Lord, we must begin to look within for those things which hinder our relationship with Christ.Look within for the gods of this world that blinds us to the will and way of the Lord.They each looked within and ask the question "Lord is it I",Is it I betraying you for the love of money, selling you out for a hand full of silver.Is it I committing spiritual adultry and fornication,as I confess with my mouth, my marriage to the lamb, but secretly climb in and out of the bed with the gods of this world.Lord is it I,being led by the powers of satan unaware, captivated by his lies,and false promises, blinded to the things of heaven, trapped in the flesh,a slave to the old man and his ways,while confessing a new life in Christ.Lord is it I,causing division within your flock, proclaiming and teaching a self serving doctrine,catering your word to fit my beliefs, and lifestyle, Lord is it I; Am I denying you three times before the cock crows,denying you in my walk, in my talk, and in my appearence, as I bear no resemblance to you at all. Lord is it I who dips with you in the love of the Father with one hand, while stabbing you in the back with the other.Lord is it I,Who serves you with my lips, while my heart is far from you, dressed up on the outside looking like a new man, but on the inside just dead lifeless bones, walking on the same crooked path.They all asked" Lord is it I", eating bread with you while,lifting my heals up against you, they wanted and needed to know for themselves,"Lord is it I."

Saints we must be absolutly sure as to where we stand with Christ,salvation is real, and the choices we make are eternal; have you with all sincerity of heart, ask the question" Lord is it I". Because we were the "I" who was lost in sin,the"I" on the way to hell, and the "I" that Jesus suffered ,bled and died to save. So let us ask daily, "Lord is it I" and then pray for the strength not to betray the Lord of Glory.............

Found Favor!

Genesis 41:38 "and Pharaoh said unto his servants,Can we find such a one as this man in whom the spirit of God is?"

After years of waiting,Joseph finally stood tall before the King.Pharaoh immediately recognized"the spirit of God" in this young man.Joseph had responded positively,no matter what circumstances were. Whatever situation you are in ,remember you profess to be a servant of the living God.With all that Joseph had been through and endured,he remained faithful to God, and conducted himself as a godly man inspite of his circumstances. He was rewarded, for glorifying God in his living.

Results are very different when you work in faith,rather than striving in your own efforts.The biblical steward was the man who cared for his master's property.Like Joseph,each one of us is called to be responsible steward.Because Joseph was a good steward in smaller things,he was ultimately given authority over all Egypt.We may think that our place of service now is insignificant;however,our daily responses in small things matter greatly to God.Every Christian should glorify God by being the best person with God's help in every circumstance.Joseph was faithful over a few things,and God made him ruler over many. Joseph was given a signat ring,which identified him as Pharaoh's second in command. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to empower His Church.The Spirit puts His stamp on our lives.As Christians we are called to be faithful stewards over all he gives us no matter how small or great.

As Christians, let us live faithful lives ,and like Joseph honor God in spite of the difficulties and hardships we might face.In all that we do ,let us do it as we would do unto God,that he may be glorified in all that we do.

Focus On Jesus

John 21:22 " Jesus saith unto him,If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me"

Sometimes on this christian journey we run into distraction which prevent us from following Jesus. These distractions often come in the form of watching someone elses walk with the Lord. We often get so caught up in what is going on in other Christians life, that we fail to do that which Jesus has instructed us to do.Now I'm not saying don't be concerned about those who have fallen away or who has been lead astray,but let us not be consumed with their short comings.Let us pray for them and get back to the work of God at hand.

Now in our text,we have Peter concerned about two different things which is truly none of his business. First he ask who it was that betrayed Christ, and then he wanted to know what was John going to have to do.  Now on the surface these two question seemed harmless enough.But remember Jesus had left Peter with the instructions to feed his sheep,and this should have occupied all of Peter's energy.He didn't ask how he should go about feeding the sheep instead he was concerned about stuff that had nothing to do with him.We've all been given a task to do and that should occupy our everythought and concern.We should be focused on how to lead lost souls to Christ, how to let our lights so shine before men as the lost might seek the Lord Jesus.But like Peter many of us are to busy worring about what others are doing to follow Jesus.

The Lord gave each of us a command,to go into the hedges and the highways and compel all the lost to seek the salvation of the Lord.If each of us would focus on the part we are to play in God's glorious plan of salvation we could save the world.But when we are to busy watching others we are unable to follow Jesus's instructions in His plan for our lives.What is it to us what others are doing Jesus said "follow thou me"