Ambrose Brothers

Know it All

Today’s Passage Ecclesiastes 8:16-17
I remember as a child there were few names worse then know it all. Today I wish that term could be applied to me more often. Yet in all of my wisdom I have gained today, I simply understand I don’t know it all. A few days ago, I found myself even closer to knowledge; I shook the hand of a man who knew Albert Einstein. Einstein was one of the smartest men this country has known, yet Einstein could not understand all the work of God. Around 3000 years ago, Solomon wrote Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Solomon may have been the most intelligent man to ever walk the planet. Yet even Solomon could not discover all the things of God.

Today as we close out Chapter 8 on our quest for meaning in Ecclesiastes, Solomon address this particular issue of knowledge. Let’s look to Ecclesiastes 8:16-17:

16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.

It’s humbling to think, if I were to go back to college full time now, at 30 years old, and attend full time continually until I passed away at 80 years old, I would only possess a fraction of the knowledge available to the people of this earth. And if you took all the knowledge of this earth, it is but a small fraction to the knowledge God possesses. I’m not sure there is a better argument against the belief that we are all "little gods", because it doesn’t matter what we do we can’t know all the works that God does under the son, we cannot know it all.

So what does it all mean, as he often does Solomon leaves us on rather depressing notes, yet there is a great upside to all of this, because although we can never know it all, we can have someone on our side that does? When we repent of our sins, and accept Jesus Christ into our lives we open up a line of communication with the Creator of the universe, the One who does know it all. And He wants us to do just that, He wants us to come to him with all situations. James: 1:5-6 tells us:

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

The one with all of the wisdom wants us to come to Him for it. Yet He wants us to ask in faith, He wants us to believe in Him, to follow Him, and believe that He can do what we ask.

Today lets look to the Lord, we can’t know it all, nor should we, Do you have an important decision to make today, ask God. Facing a problem today, ask God. Are you lost in this life not knowing where to go, ask God. Let’s look to the Lord today, and stop leaning on our own earthly abilities.

Life is Fair

                                     Ecclesiastes 8:14-15

"There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth:  righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve.  This too I say is meaningless.  So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad.  The joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun."

Isn't it amazing to think that Solomon the wise, had the same thoughts that you and I have had!  I am sure we have all said this very thing "It just isn't fair!"  It seems you are doing things right, you are honest, dependable, hardworking, and yet your obnoxious, lying, cheating, corner cutting, lazy co-worker gets the promotion.  You're faithful at attending worship each week, you read and pray daily, you don't gossip, you always volunteer, and you are just squeaking by in life, and  the backstabbing, gossip, who attends church only when they need a juicy update on a church member is rolling in the cash!

I remember growing up I was faced with this thought that life isn't fair, and I went looking for advice from my parents as children do, and the answer I received really didn't help me, although it was partially true.   "Son life isn't fair so get used to it"  common advice from not only my parents but probably yours as well. 

Really life being fair is all based on how we define "life".    If you define life as the short amount of time we are stuck in these mortal bodies living here in a world filled with sin and corruption then you are right in saying that life is not fair.  However I encourage you to take a Biblical view on life.  Our lives are not only our time on earth our life is eternity as well.  The Bible never talks about once our bodies die, we have another life, instead life continues.  Although our bodies will die and pass away, our souls will simply move on to one of two options.  Heaven or hell, not wondering on this earth because you have unfinished business, or haunting someone for moving into your house, or any other wacky ideas about becoming a cow, or a bug.

If we use that definition of life, which is God's definition than life is fair.    In the parable of the Sheep and the Goats Jesus speaks very clearly of this.  in this parable (short story used to explain something else)  Jesus is speaking about judgment for our actions.  Jesus closes the parable with these words:

"He will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:45-46)

So the unrighteous sent away to eternal punishment (Hell)  the righteous, those who had  been made right in the eyes of God  through Jesus Christ, went to eternal life (heaven).  You see the short time you spend here on earth may be deceivingly unfair, however the righteous, and the unrighteous will be judged fairly and will reap whatever reward or punishment they have coming.

Action step for today:

Lift your head, stand up straight and enjoy your life as Solomon said.  Regardless of the injustice that is taking place all around you.  Keep in mind that life is not only our short years on earth but it is eternity, and if you have been made righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ, then rest assured that Jesus Christ is Fair, and Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

If Jesus is Life, you can be sure that LIFE IS FAIR!

To Fear or Not to Fear

Read Ecclesiastes 8:10-13

A healthy fear of the Lord is not often talked about in today’s Church. But here again the preacher (Solomon) leads us to those thoughts. Let’s take a look at the second part of today’s passage, verses 12-13.

12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.

We see here in this short passage two truths that we would be wise to remember.

1. It will be well for those who fear God.

2. It will not be well for the wicked who do not fear God

Now before I go further by the term fear is often mistaken. Fear is not speaking of running around the house screaming, nor is it talking about huddling in the corner. What it is talking about is a respect and a sense of awe and wonder when it comes to the Lord. Realizing as my dad would say, The Lord brought us into this world, and he can take us out.

Today we don’t like to talk about a having a fear of the Lord. We like to view God as loving, caring, merciful, and tender. We like the God who forgave David, but not the One who destroyed Sodom. We remember Jesus as telling the little children to come to him, and not Jesus tearing through the temple. And in pacifying God in our own minds, so gone is that fear of the Lord. Instead even Christians will watch television that mocks our savior; we refer to Christ with terms like buddy, pal, and homeboy. And we are concerned more about what we think of worship, then what God thinks.

Yet the scripture paints a different picture of what we are called to do with the fear of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:13 - You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.

Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
      And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

2 Corinthians 7:1 - Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

From Moses to Paul and many of the men in-between, the fear of the Lord has been a topic covered throughout the ages. God has a plan for each of us, and although He does love us and care about us. He also wants us to love him, and stand in awe of what He has done. He wants us to have a reverence towards Him, and He wants us to worship Him.

Action Points:

1. Do we have a healthy fear of the Lord, then let us continue, and not be swayed by the propaganda of the world.

2. Do we not have a healthy fear of the Lord, lets strive to change our point of view.

60 Years! (And Counting)

I would like to share with you in celebration once again.  This weekend I had the privilege of  joining with my family (some  whom I had not  seen since I can't remember) in celebration of my grandparents and their 60 years of marriage!  That's right 60 years!  I thought this occasion was worth taking today's post to make a very important point.

Matthew 19:4-6  "Haven't you read,"  He replied,  "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.  So they are no longer two, but one.  Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Isn't God's plan perfect?   Man and women, joined together to become one.  Placed together by the Almighty Creator of the universe, till death do us part!  We live in a world of little commitment, little value in a commitment (which erases the commitment), and no desire to be committed to anything, or anyone other than ourselves!  Marriages come and go, as fast as stupid reality shows on T.V.  Actually marriages now come as the result of stupid reality shows on T.V.

My Grandparents are two incredible people.  Many of my values, morals, views, come from watching them over the 27 short years of my life.  My grandfather, has been my role model in life as long as I can remember.  There is a special place in my mind, where all my childhood memories of Grandpa and Grandma are stored, and frequently revisited.  Let me share with you just a few things that have always stood out:

1) They both are first committed to Jesus Christ!  Really nothing more needs to be said on this point.  It is more then words, it is their life!  Every minute of every day, they follow, trust, love, and serve Jesus Christ!

2)  Grandpa loves Grandam.  I know it sounds simple, but it is more then mere words.  I am sure they have had their differences, and struggles, but he has a love for her, that is unconditional.  I never heard a harsh word, I never saw a look of disappointment, I never saw anything but love. Which is the Love we men are supposed to have for our wives. "Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." (Ephesians 5:25)  I never saw, heard, or felt, anything other than this pure unconditional love.

3) Grandma respected Grandpa.  Never did I see or hear Grandma do anything, that would be even slightly disrespectful to Grandpa.  Never a rolling of the eyes, never arguing about a decision, never belittling him or cutting him down.  Not  a respect like a scared employee with an irate lunatic boss, but a respect that he was the leader of the home (because the Bible says so) and she followed God's Word with joy. "and the wife must respect her husband." (Ephesians 5:33b)

I could go on and on, the example they have set for myself as well as the rest of my family is a example straight out of God's Word.  We can all learn a lot from these two special people.  I know I have, and I look forward (Lord willing) to celebrate my 60th anniversary with my wife!

Action step for today:
1) Husbands love your wives. No strings attached just love her for being her.  Remember God placed you together, thank Him for it.

2) Wives respect your Husbands.  Rather they "deserve" it or not!  Respect them as the leader in your home, lift them up to be the men God has called them to be.  Don't bring them down, and crush them by picking apart everything they do.

Welcome

Welcome to Ambrosebrothers.org.  Many of you have not been around since the beginning, and I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome you and share with you a little about Ambrose Brothers Ministries.  So I have pulled out our first post on this site, and will repost it for you today. 

We live in a day of confusion within the church.  Where we once knew we were wretches saved by grace and worthy of nothing in and of ourselves, we are now told of the promises of prosperity and happiness that can be ours if we only believe.  We could once gain an understanding of a church’s beliefs by the sign in the front yard, words like; Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, United Brethren, meant something.  Today we have to deal with words like; Fundamental, Seeker, Post Modern, Seeker Friendly, Seeker Driven, Charismatic, Emergent, Emerging, Post Post Modern, Legalistic, and so many more.  We have more translations then we could ever hope to gain an understanding of, and speakers taking passages out of context in each of them. 

The church as we know it is in trouble.  Yet that is not a new thing.  Nearly 2000 years ago the church struggled with a similar problem to that of today. Peter speaks of these things in the 2^nd chapter of his 2^nd letter verses 1-3: 

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” (NKJV)

False teachers fill the church today as they did in Peter’s day, and there leading thousands and thousands astray.  Sometimes the problem seems just too big, as its impossible to be on all fronts denouncing all false teachings, at all times.  But there is a solution.  I once heard a wise man say, the biggest way to keep people from false teachings is to teach them the truth.  It’s like a bank teller, they are trained in what a twenty dollar bill should look like, not what all the counterfeits might look like; and because of this there as well prepared as they can be to spot the fakes.

Teaching the truth to avoid the false is not a new idea Jude dealt with just that issue in his letter.  For the first 20 verses Jude teaches against the false teachers of the day. Yet as he closes he tells his readers how they can watch out for them.  Verses 20 & 21 say:

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (NKJV). 

Jude calls his readers to grow in the true faith, to pray in the spirit, to keep in good graces with God, and to remember salvation is found in the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In short we are to fill ourselves with truth to keep away from the false.

That may be a long introduction, but that is our goal here with Ambrose Brothers Ministries.  We desire to help with the truth.  We may take a number of formats in our daily blogs, from Bible Studies, to Book reviews, to random thoughts, we want to focus all that we say and do on our Lord Jesus Christ who alone is the truth in which we should all strive to live within.

We live in a day of confusion within the church.  Where we once knew we were wretches saved by grace and worthy of nothing in and of ourselves, we are now told of the promises of prosperity and happiness that can be ours if we only believe.  We could once gain an understanding of a church’s beliefs by the sign in the front yard, words like; Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, United Brethren, meant something.  Today we have to deal with words like; Fundamental, Seeker, Post Modern, Seeker Friendly, Seeker Driven, Charismatic, Emergent, Emerging, Post Post Modern, Legalistic, and so many more.  We have more translations then we could ever hope to gain an understanding of, and speakers taking passages out of context in each of them. 

The church as we know it is in trouble.  Yet that is not a new thing.  Nearly 2000 years ago the church struggled with a similar problem to that of today. Peter speaks of these things in the 2^nd chapter of his 2^nd letter verses 1-3: 

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” (NKJV)

False teachers fill the church today as they did in Peter’s day, and there leading thousands and thousands astray.  Sometimes the problem seems just too big, as its impossible to be on all fronts denouncing all false teachings, at all times.  But there is a solution.  I once heard a wise man say, the biggest way to keep people from false teachings is to teach them the truth.  It’s like a bank teller, they are trained in what a twenty dollar bill should look like, not what all the counterfeits might look like; and because of this there as well prepared as they can be to spot the fakes.

Teaching the truth to avoid the false is not a new idea Jude dealt with just that issue in his letter.  For the first 20 verses Jude teaches against the false teachers of the day. Yet as he closes he tells his readers how they can watch out for them.  Verses 20 & 21 say:

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (NKJV). 

Jude calls his readers to grow in the true faith, to pray in the spirit, to keep in good graces with God, and to remember salvation is found in the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In short we are to fill ourselves with truth to keep away from the false.

That may be a long introduction, but that is our goal here with Ambrose Brothers Ministries.  We desire to help with the truth.  We may take a number of formats in our daily blogs, from Bible Studies, to Book reviews, to random thoughts, we want to focus all that we say and do on our Lord Jesus Christ who alone is the truth in which we should all strive to live within.

Time to Rejoice!

Mathew 10:32  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him ill I confess also before my father which is in heaven.

Celebrate and rejoice with me fellow followers of Jesus Christ!  Rejoice in the great and mighty things Jesus Christ is doing!  Open your eyes and see Him moving, open your ears and hear His Words.  How incredible to see the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of those who have repented from their sins, and trusted the only True Savior Jesus Christ!

Let me take today to share with you a reason for celebration.  Sunday evening we held a good old fashion singsperation at the home of a church member.   There is nothing like 150 people cracking open the hymnyls and singing "I'll Fly Away" and "The Old Rugged Cross" and we topped it all off with one my favorites, go ahead and sing it, you know you want to:

"I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back"

"The world behind me, the cross before me" Tho' none go with me, I still will  follow" No turning back, no turning back"

After we sang we made our way down to the water front.  As the shore was filled with witnesses, nine believers came forward into the water, and were baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit!  Amen, and Hallelujah!

For those who don't know, let me explain real quick.  Baptism is an outward sign our inward repentance.  It is a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection.  And it is a command for those who follow Christ, not a suggestion. 

I don't want to spend a lot of time today on debating the specifics, about baptism, maybe another day we can take a closer look, and will show scriptures for why, and how, someone is to be baptized, however today, I would just like to ask you to join with me in celebration.

Our action step for today, is the last verse of the song we previously sang, (I hope you sang) a nd it is this.

"Will you decide now to follow Jesus, will you decide now, to follow Jesus, will you decide now to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back."



       

Following the Leader

Read Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

Following our leaders, respecting our leaders, and obeying our leaders; truly a lost art in today’s America. In America where we create cartoons, TV shows, and music - all to mock our country’s leaders. Many people (both Republican and Democrat) hold little or no loyalty to our country's President. Nor do we like to have to abide by the laws our country makes. And if we pause for a moment, how often do we break laws we just plain don’t like (speed limits, seat belt laws, etc)?

Speaking of laws we just don’t like, I have actually spoken to Christians (who I respect very much) who feel completely justified in breaking laws they disagree with, saying that they never voted for the law in the first place. Or Christians who say as long as I’m not violating God’s law directly, I’m okay. Yet that belief is far from what we are taught in the Word of God. Romans 13:1-7 says:

"1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor."

Paul and Solomon see eye to eye on this issue. We need to obey those in authority over us. And we must do this thing, because God has placed our leaders over us. This is an intresting thought as we go into an election year. An election year where we will be looking at and choosing between two very flawed men. Yet in less then four months time, we will be calling Barack Obama or John McCain "Mr. President". And although we may not agree with them, or like them, or hate every decision they make, it is our God given duty to follow them.

Action Points

1. As Christians, let us stand out as men and women who honor are leaders. We have the legal rights to speak out if they do something we don’t like, but let’s be careful how we do even that. Let us not mock, slander or tear down those men and women whom God places in positions of honor.

2. Let's ask ourselves the question. Are we ready to stand for God’s law at all costs?

Book Review: The World As I Remember It: Through the Eyes of a Ragamuffin

The World As I Remember It:

Through the Eyes of a Ragamuffin

Rich Mullins

On September 19, 1997, singer, songwriter, Rich Mullins lost control of his Jeep, was thrown from it, and killed there on a lonely highway near Peoria Illinois. Since that day Christian Music has never been the same for me, as I’m sure it has changed for thousands and thousands of others.

About three months ago, I found The World As I Remember It, as a discounted book, and thought I’d pick it up. I wasn’t exactly sure what it was as it was supposedly written by Rich Mullins, yet published 7 years after his death. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised.

The World as I Remember It: through the Eyes of a Ragamuffin is a collection of short writings by Rich Mullins originally published in Release Magazine. There not necessarily devotionals, nor are they deeply theological in nature. They cover topics from fear to contentment, childlikeness to emptiness, war to music, along with many others. The following quote is from the July August issue of 1995 "It is easy in the frantic, task-driven "day-to-day" for us to lose our "centers" our sense of who we are and what is really important. We are haunted by the ghosts of the "what ifs" who live in the shadows of the "if onlys." They accuse us, torment us, tempt us to abandon the freedom we have in Christ."

I’ve enjoyed reading through theses columns. That being said let me warn you, theologically, Rich Mullins and I differ in several areas. He seldom uses scripture with his thoughts, and if you don’t know who he is, this little book will hold little for you. However if you followed Rich’s music and ministry, this book will open yet a little more insight for you into who Rich was.

I’m going to step out on a limb and recommend these short reading to you. Rich Mullins was a man who lived his life for the Lord. He had a heart for missions to the Native Americans in the southwest. And although he was one of the biggest Christian song writers and musicians of his time, Rich seldom made more money then the poverty level here in the US. He gave all he made to his Church, asking for just what an "Average man" would make. Although not everyone may not enjoy these readings, they are a fitting tribute to a man who wouldn’t want the limelight, just to have people look to the Lord.

No Easy Road

Ecclesiastes 7:29 "This only have I found: God made mankind upright,  but men have gone in search of many schemes."

Well back to Ecclesiastes.  I apologize for our delay through the book of Ecclesiastes, I guess we needed  to take some time to ponder wisdom and folly (ha ha).  Today we are going to jump ahead a few verses and finish chapter 7.  What a great statement Solomon makes at the end of the chapter.  In all his searching, all his seeking, this only did he find.  Let me paraphrase, "God made people good, but we have messed it all up."

What does this mean to us?  Well I don't think you would have to look very far to find all kind of schemes.  Turn on your TV any late night and you can find all kinds of get rich quick schemes, and weight loss schemes, and cure your disease, by eating  tomatoes schemes.  My personal favorites are when you see a person in peak physical condition walking on a treadmill, and you can have a body like that too!

Unfortunately those claiming to be followers of Christ are quick to develop shcemes as well.  The prosperity Gospel, Seeker Friendly, Emergent.  The dictionary definition of Scheme is this  "A secret or devious plan; a plot."  All of these we have just discussed fall perfectly into this definition.

Have you ever stopped and wondered why?  Why so many schemes?  Well I will give you a quick and clear answer.  You may not like it but it is the TRUTH.  Being a Christian takes work, and overall people are lazy!  Don't stop reading, give me a minute, before you log off and remove us from your favorites. (like anyone has us as favorites LOL) 

Look at the secular schemes, lose weight by taking pill, get rich without working, and on and on.  None of these require any effort on the part of the person.  I can make $600,000 a month working part time from my home.  NO YOU CAN'T!  You can lose 250 pounds by taking this pill before you eat 6 plates at the buffet.  NO YOU CAN'T!

"Jesus wants you to be rich just start speaking to your wallet, say 'You big fat wallet, full of money' and it will be so"  NO IT WON'T  "Just ask Jesus to fill the God shaped hole in your heart and you will find what you searching for" NO YOU WON'T!  "You will offend people if you preach sin, you should preach grace and love"  WRONG!!!!!!

Jesus may want you to be rich, but he may want you to earn your keep as a tent maker while you preach the Word for free.  (The Apostle Paul)  If there is a hole in your heart, you should go to the doctor!  And the Scripture says, "no one seeks after God, no not one, all have turned away"  So if your lost your not seaching for God, He is searching for you!  If you don't preach sin then you can't preach repentance, and if people don't repent they cannot be saved!.  After Peter preached at Pentecost,the people cried out, "what shall we do?"  Peter replied "Repent and be Baptized everyone one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." (Acts 2:38)

Stop seeking schemes, and follow what the Word of God says!  Stop following the false teachers of today, and understand, that if you want to be a Christian, you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him.  We are saved by faith, so no man can boast, however Paul said in Acts, to "prove your repentance with your deeds" 

Action step for today.

Evaluate what you are following.  I heard a statement along time ago, and it makes pretty good sense.  "If your a believer and are not doing anything for Christ, Satan will leave you alone, because he has already defeated you.  However the enemy attacks, when we are moving forward!"  If your life is just sailing along, without conviction of sin, attacks from Satan, and testing, and trials from the Almighty God, you better stop seeking schemes, and follow what the Word says!

You know what?  Life is hard, Jesus said "In this world you will face troubles, but take heart, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!"  Stop messing it up by trying to make it easy!

Great Song For Today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6e-8WpUj04

A Little Bit of Old Time Religion

Acts 2:42-47

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

I love these verses of the early church. A group of men, women, and children who were living there lives in every possible way to serve the Lord. These church members studied doctrine, prayed, and witnessed to others together. It goes on to say they were all together, they looked out for each other financially they ate together, and they were glad to do all of it.

Fast-forward 2000 years and we see a church that’s very different. On average we come together once a week for an hour or so. We sing songs that were upset our song leaders choose. We try to count out an exact 10% of our check to place in the offering plate. We doze during a 25 minute message, and then rush out the door before we have to talk to two many people.

Hopefully this example doesn’t hit home for you personally. But I do believe we could all handle to take a step backwards in time. Now let me assure you I’m not promoting a form of communal living. Perhaps we should try to just step back 50 years. A time where people fellowshipped with others in there homes, where we looked out for a neighbor in need. A time where when the church had a function everyone showed up to is. (I know I didn’t live in the 50 and have probably watched far too much Andy Griffith).

I guess this has all come to mind, because I felt just a touch of that "Old Time Religion" the other night. My church has what we call Shepherding Groups, which is basically a split of the church members among the church elders. All in order to better meet people’s needs. A couple times our Shepherding Groups have gotten together at the homes of various people. It’s just so good to see people opening their homes, and opening there pocket books to cook for a group of 20 to 30 people. We gathered together running in age from 1 to 50 and beyond. We sing songs led by a simple guitar, and spoke directly from the word of God. But in this simple meeting, I truly felt each heart was sincere before the Lord, and the Lord was pleased to have us there.