Click here to listen to the audio
I was going through my sermon archive this morning. I have said before that it was through the partnership with my friend, Justin Humes, that I came to start this ministry to the body of One anothering.
To see the full scope of our desire to see God's work done in the hearts and lives of His people, we must commit our lives to the Lord's work. We have no business excusing ourselves for not living each day for the glory of God. We all fail at times, but our failures should not cause us to feel defeated, but to cause us to rely on the Lord more and more each day.
Take the time to listen to this heartfelt message by Justin Humes. Take to heart the urging from the Scripture to not just know what was done in the first century church, but to practice the principles each day that come from an earnest desire to glorify God, to love and edify one another as we work together being built and grown into the fullness of the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.
This message helped me see that I was not doing enough, that I must not surrender some, but ALL. Have we really given God the OK to change ANYTHING He wants in our lives, our meetings. Sometimes it starts with repentance, but wherever it starts, it must start today. Don't wait another moment, commit today. Surrender to living as the body of Christ and stop making excuses for how far the church has strayed from how it was in the beginning.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Romans 12- a picture of unity through the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12 is such a wonderful picture of not only the "one anothering" verses, but points out how it is only the Holy Spirit's work in our lives that enables us to have the love and compassion, unity and peace, with the whole body that we are instructed to maintain. It is only when we focus on glorifying God and taking our eyes off ourselves, that we see the full picture of the local church body.
The chapter does not start with love and peace or gifts, but rather instructing us how if we desire to be used by God, we must rid ourselves of the sin and selfish ways that we all tend to gravitate towards. Those with the most publicly displayed gifts must be fervently at odds with the flesh and pride. The last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, speaks of how God feels about sacrifices that are polluted.
Mal 1:8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts.
The Lord took it quite seriously that the offerings were clean, healthy, and usable for service. As Christians, those who have committed our lives to God, we must prayerfully consider all our ways in order to offer sacrifice to the Lord that is pleasing. We are not obligated to sacrifice as in the old covenant, but rather in the age of grace should have love for God flowing from our hearts in spiritual worship. We are not our own, but have been bought with a price. Will we live up to the standards that Jesus said would be hallmarks of His flock?
Paul goes directly from how we must offer ourselves in sacrifice, to taking down pride in the flesh in verse 3. This is something that I often have a hard time with. Pride has at times had a stronghold in my life, and God is continuously working in my heart to humble me and show me that being a servant of God is a privilege. There is nothing that I have earned nor one single thing to be prideful about, but only the Potter's skillful hands shaping and molding, that is responsible for any accomplishments in our lives.
The changes in our hearts as we draw nearer to God are nothing that we have done in our own lives, but the fruits of the Holy Spirit as we surrender to His will and His desires in our lives. As our works can add nothing to the work of salvation, our works do not give us special titles or access to God. God draws , near to all those who draw near to Him.
The remaining verses in Romans 12 go on to tell us of the unified, universal body of Christ, with all blood bought believers acting out their parts according to the power of the Holy Spirit. We must not act as though some of us are elevated in position before the Lord just because we have certain jobs, education, or even longevity in the Christian walk. There are many that have been great examples in my life and have encouraged me to follow Jesus more closely, as evidence in their lives show me how God sustains, strengthens, and blesses those who serve Him with a pure heart.
Our tendency at times is to put the emphasis on knowing the scope and demonstration of spiritual gifts, developing gifts, and putting people into categories of service. Don't misunderstand, we must seek to know how God is working in our lives and how He will use us. However, the larger emphasis must be put on the fact that an offering of a pure vessel for service can be endued with any gift God sees fit to give. God is able to make the high school dropout an eloquent preacher, a disabled body whole again, and we must not limit the power of the Holy Spirit by our own vision. We were dead, and now we live for eternity. Nothing is beyond the limits of God in empowering those who will commit to serving.
We are told in Scripture, even in this passage that each believer has at least one gift and a job in the body of Christ. Let us simply seek God out day by day to get our own desires out of the way and allow the full measure of the Holy Spirit to be poured out on our lives. We are simply vessels, and the Master desires that we be fit for use and available for service.
As we fill the mold the Master has designed for us, giving up all that is left of ourselves, for the sake of the body of Christ and the glory of God, we will see the bigger picture. This has so many practical applications, but there is not time to write it all out. Rather, spend your time in God's Word, in prayer, and seek to be filled with the Spirit of God more and more each day. We are indwelt with the Holy Spirit at salvation, and that will never leave us. Now it is time to fill all areas of our lives with none of ourselves, and only leave room for Him. God does not want some of your heart of most of it, but all.
Let us give our all today, surrendered to our loving and glorious Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the lover of my soul. I pray that my life is a pleasing sacrifice, and that if sin should creep in that I will purge it from my heart in confession, knowing that God will not charge to my account anything, but rather has put it on the charge of His beloved Son. When I think of sin that way, I am reminded how it must grieve the Father to see us living in disobedience or mediocrity. Today is the day to give all, He is worthy and deserving of nothing less.
Mark
The chapter does not start with love and peace or gifts, but rather instructing us how if we desire to be used by God, we must rid ourselves of the sin and selfish ways that we all tend to gravitate towards. Those with the most publicly displayed gifts must be fervently at odds with the flesh and pride. The last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, speaks of how God feels about sacrifices that are polluted.
Mal 1:8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts.
The Lord took it quite seriously that the offerings were clean, healthy, and usable for service. As Christians, those who have committed our lives to God, we must prayerfully consider all our ways in order to offer sacrifice to the Lord that is pleasing. We are not obligated to sacrifice as in the old covenant, but rather in the age of grace should have love for God flowing from our hearts in spiritual worship. We are not our own, but have been bought with a price. Will we live up to the standards that Jesus said would be hallmarks of His flock?
Paul goes directly from how we must offer ourselves in sacrifice, to taking down pride in the flesh in verse 3. This is something that I often have a hard time with. Pride has at times had a stronghold in my life, and God is continuously working in my heart to humble me and show me that being a servant of God is a privilege. There is nothing that I have earned nor one single thing to be prideful about, but only the Potter's skillful hands shaping and molding, that is responsible for any accomplishments in our lives.
The changes in our hearts as we draw nearer to God are nothing that we have done in our own lives, but the fruits of the Holy Spirit as we surrender to His will and His desires in our lives. As our works can add nothing to the work of salvation, our works do not give us special titles or access to God. God draws , near to all those who draw near to Him.
The remaining verses in Romans 12 go on to tell us of the unified, universal body of Christ, with all blood bought believers acting out their parts according to the power of the Holy Spirit. We must not act as though some of us are elevated in position before the Lord just because we have certain jobs, education, or even longevity in the Christian walk. There are many that have been great examples in my life and have encouraged me to follow Jesus more closely, as evidence in their lives show me how God sustains, strengthens, and blesses those who serve Him with a pure heart.
Our tendency at times is to put the emphasis on knowing the scope and demonstration of spiritual gifts, developing gifts, and putting people into categories of service. Don't misunderstand, we must seek to know how God is working in our lives and how He will use us. However, the larger emphasis must be put on the fact that an offering of a pure vessel for service can be endued with any gift God sees fit to give. God is able to make the high school dropout an eloquent preacher, a disabled body whole again, and we must not limit the power of the Holy Spirit by our own vision. We were dead, and now we live for eternity. Nothing is beyond the limits of God in empowering those who will commit to serving.
We are told in Scripture, even in this passage that each believer has at least one gift and a job in the body of Christ. Let us simply seek God out day by day to get our own desires out of the way and allow the full measure of the Holy Spirit to be poured out on our lives. We are simply vessels, and the Master desires that we be fit for use and available for service.
As we fill the mold the Master has designed for us, giving up all that is left of ourselves, for the sake of the body of Christ and the glory of God, we will see the bigger picture. This has so many practical applications, but there is not time to write it all out. Rather, spend your time in God's Word, in prayer, and seek to be filled with the Spirit of God more and more each day. We are indwelt with the Holy Spirit at salvation, and that will never leave us. Now it is time to fill all areas of our lives with none of ourselves, and only leave room for Him. God does not want some of your heart of most of it, but all.
Let us give our all today, surrendered to our loving and glorious Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the lover of my soul. I pray that my life is a pleasing sacrifice, and that if sin should creep in that I will purge it from my heart in confession, knowing that God will not charge to my account anything, but rather has put it on the charge of His beloved Son. When I think of sin that way, I am reminded how it must grieve the Father to see us living in disobedience or mediocrity. Today is the day to give all, He is worthy and deserving of nothing less.
Mark
Friday, September 25, 2009
Living with Heaven in mind
Welcome fellow One another-ers
Clicking on the blog post title will bring up a download window. You can also go to the BUCKIT week page at http://buckitweek.org/audio if you would like to listen to the rest of the audio from this conference. BUCKIT -Bible University Christian Knowledge Intensive Training- a week of challenging messages for all believers. The message linked is by J. B. Nicholson and is titled "Stuff" taken from Matthew 5, 6, and 19. Enjoy.
I posted this link here because this message, the topic is so relevant to the idea of one anothering. I have found myself prodding many folks to listen to this message, and I feel it is worth the time. I think it is an essential teaching in the 21st century church. Download it, listen before you go to bed, on a jog, at work (as long as it is not a distraction) but make time. I believe an earnest student that listens to this will be challenged to truly walk each day as the Lord Jesus walked. I know stories that have come from application of this teaching and have encouraged me greatly.
What if the church of 2009 looked like Acts 2:42-47? (Don't skip any verses)Do we take meals together, remember the Lord at His table, or give to those in need of our own rather than just hording our stuff and looking in pity at others. All we have came from God, and even the poor have something to offer (the widow's mite).
For those who went to BUCKIT week, or have put this into practice, PLEASE send me stories of how you have put this into practice. One need not be a writer or eloquent speaker to tell a story, just have a heart full of love for our Savior and desire to bring Him glory. I have asked before for stories and input, know that this is not a one way street, I desire to be encouraged, challenged, and would like to have a colaborer in this work. Let me know if you have a desire to help.
On a side note, I would like to throw this out there. I know many people are very busy with family, ministry, school, work. I understand and do not desire to criticize. For those who have time to kill, and spend hours a day playing video games, watching TV, and other hobbies (which are not bad, don't get me wrong) maybe consider taking an hour a week to listen to sermons/messages that are available online. Voices for Christ has thousands of messages available by speaker, topic, conference. I have messages available here by myself and a few brothers in Maine.
When we gave up TV, my wife and I started listening to more sermons. We have found it challenging and enjoyable. Often a message we heard before is brought to new light and more easily applied after having some time to think about it. If I had one suggestion, it would be to make more time in God's Word and hearing from God's men as they share from it. Make no mistake about it, if we don't invest in learning how to live from those who labor over the Word, we are shorting ourselves of blessings and fruit for the Lord. Witnessing, sharing the Gospel is another area we tend to not have time for. Let's examine often our schedules to see if we are being the most effective we can to grow in Christ and be about His business until He comes.
God's Word will change your life, but only if you read it, study it, and put it into practice.
In Christian love,
Mark
Clicking on the blog post title will bring up a download window. You can also go to the BUCKIT week page at http://buckitweek.org/audio if you would like to listen to the rest of the audio from this conference. BUCKIT -Bible University Christian Knowledge Intensive Training- a week of challenging messages for all believers. The message linked is by J. B. Nicholson and is titled "Stuff" taken from Matthew 5, 6, and 19. Enjoy.
I posted this link here because this message, the topic is so relevant to the idea of one anothering. I have found myself prodding many folks to listen to this message, and I feel it is worth the time. I think it is an essential teaching in the 21st century church. Download it, listen before you go to bed, on a jog, at work (as long as it is not a distraction) but make time. I believe an earnest student that listens to this will be challenged to truly walk each day as the Lord Jesus walked. I know stories that have come from application of this teaching and have encouraged me greatly.
What if the church of 2009 looked like Acts 2:42-47? (Don't skip any verses)Do we take meals together, remember the Lord at His table, or give to those in need of our own rather than just hording our stuff and looking in pity at others. All we have came from God, and even the poor have something to offer (the widow's mite).
For those who went to BUCKIT week, or have put this into practice, PLEASE send me stories of how you have put this into practice. One need not be a writer or eloquent speaker to tell a story, just have a heart full of love for our Savior and desire to bring Him glory. I have asked before for stories and input, know that this is not a one way street, I desire to be encouraged, challenged, and would like to have a colaborer in this work. Let me know if you have a desire to help.
On a side note, I would like to throw this out there. I know many people are very busy with family, ministry, school, work. I understand and do not desire to criticize. For those who have time to kill, and spend hours a day playing video games, watching TV, and other hobbies (which are not bad, don't get me wrong) maybe consider taking an hour a week to listen to sermons/messages that are available online. Voices for Christ has thousands of messages available by speaker, topic, conference. I have messages available here by myself and a few brothers in Maine.
When we gave up TV, my wife and I started listening to more sermons. We have found it challenging and enjoyable. Often a message we heard before is brought to new light and more easily applied after having some time to think about it. If I had one suggestion, it would be to make more time in God's Word and hearing from God's men as they share from it. Make no mistake about it, if we don't invest in learning how to live from those who labor over the Word, we are shorting ourselves of blessings and fruit for the Lord. Witnessing, sharing the Gospel is another area we tend to not have time for. Let's examine often our schedules to see if we are being the most effective we can to grow in Christ and be about His business until He comes.
God's Word will change your life, but only if you read it, study it, and put it into practice.
In Christian love,
Mark
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
We are the body- submitted by Kevan Fortier
A dear brother in Maine, Kevan Fortier, has written this post, any comments made can be posted here, or I will be happy to forward encouragement on to him. Kevan attends a church in Damariscotta, Maine. Kevan works for the Maine state marshal service. Ministry involvement includes local church youth ministry, jail ministry, and he also does discipleship work with men who have recently been released from jails in Maine. His heart is full of the love of God and I value his input here.
Kevan graciously asked me to share at their monthly men's breakfast. It was a great time talking about this very subject of "one anothering" in the body of Christ. This breakfast represented 6 or 7 local churches working together as the united body of Christ to edify one another and reach out to the communities around them. It was a great blessing to share with them. Now, on with Kevan's post. Thank you for reading.
If we are the Body why aren’t His arms reaching, why aren’t His hands healing, why aren’t His words teaching? And if we are the Body why aren’t His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way? There is a way. Jesus is the Way.-Casting Crowns
Why aren’t we showing the love of Jesus Christ to this world if we are truly the Body? Jesus says this in John15:12-13; “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
What does Jesus mean that we should love as He loved? What is He saying when He says that we should lay down our lives for our friends? Does He want us to die for our friends; our wife or husband? Jesus tells us plainly that we are to love as He first loved us. In Romans 5:8, the Word of the living God says it this way; ‘But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ Did He wait until I was lovable? No. I am not lovable now, but my wife lays herself aside daily, not for me but for the cause and the purpose of lifting up the Lord Jesus Christ that I may see Him living in and through her love for me, and others. Jesus wants us to lay ourselves down, set ourselves aside and be set apart for Him; daily.
Then He said to them all, “if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23 NKJ
Jesus didn’t just say that for the sake of His disciples or the crowds that regularly followed Him; He said to them all, He is still saying it to you today in the stillness of your heart; take up your cross and follow Me. When we take up our cross to follow our Lord, we are saying that we will follow Him; we will lay down our lives for our friends just like He did for us. Is this easy? No. But as we draw near to Him, we are strengthened and renewed in His grace (which is always sufficient for us / 2 Corinthians 12:9).
Jesus is our perfect example of how to love one another, and how to lay down our life for our friends; but what about those who are against the Lord? They are not against us, they are against the One who sanctified us and called us into a right relationship with Him? What about our enemies?
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” Luke 6:27-28 NKJ
When Jesus was led away to be crucified; a death that you and I rightfully deserve, He still loved those who were putting Him to death, He still prayed for his enemies (“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34 NKJ), Jesus gave Himself up for all who would ever call upon His Holy name by faith as the only One who can save us from our sins. He alone is the perfect example of how to ‘one another’.
Knowing this, how do we walk daily with Jesus? How do we love those who spitefully use us? How can we show love and lay down our lives for our friends, and love our enemies? We are the Body of the living Christ! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!! (Philippians 4:13) We have an amazing Savior who shows us daily the depths of His heart for those who will call upon Him. He has called us into all the nations to show the world who He is (Matthew 28:18-20).
If we are the Body; why aren’t we? Jesus paid much too high a price for us to pick and choose who should come (Casting Crowns / If we are the Body). Do I have the right to say whom I will show His love to? No. Jesus died for all, ‘The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.’ (2 Peter 3:9 NKJ). I do not have the right to choose. If I am the Body, even if I am a fingernail within the Body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) I have a clear function and purpose that Christ set me apart for, and not for my glory but all to His!!! Amen.
‘Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.’ (Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJ)
If this is how the Father shows His love for us by giving His only begotten Son (John 3:16) while we were still sinners; if this is how He first showed His love to this world by showing us how to be reconciled to Himself, what are we waiting for? If we are set apart and saved through His blood, we shouldn’t be able to contain this great love that God the Father has lavished upon us, we shouldn’t be able to walk by someone and keep silent about His love, the sweetest love I know.
I am trying to die to myself daily and show the love of Jesus Christ to my wife, my co-workers, family and friends. I am seeking Him for the strength that only He can provide, and the peace that surpasses all of my understanding. Jesus laid down His life for us not so that we can do what we want, but that we can show His love to this world. If we pick and choose who we think would be willing to listen, what have we done with this great love Christ has for us (read James 2:1-13)?
Jesus touched the untouchable (Luke 5:12-13), He raised the dead (Luke 8:52-56), Jesus ate with sinful people (Luke 5:29-32). Jesus did not care about what He would look like to others, He showed great love, compassion and mercy to all who ever called upon Him by faith. We must show this love to the world, we must be the Body of Christ to a world who will certainly perish without Him and apart from Him.
I challenge you this day to go forward, and pray to the Lord asking Him to give you courage and strength for His purpose in your life to be accomplished. Go out and show His great love for someone. We all know someone; a family member perhaps who is not saved that needs to hear that they are loved by Jesus Christ.
Pray for this daily, walk as He walked, love as He loved and loves you. Be the Body of Christ; show one another the depths of His love, grace and mercy. Don’t let another day go by you without sharing that love that has saved you from your sin to one another.
Kevan Fortier
Waldoboro, Maine
Kevan graciously asked me to share at their monthly men's breakfast. It was a great time talking about this very subject of "one anothering" in the body of Christ. This breakfast represented 6 or 7 local churches working together as the united body of Christ to edify one another and reach out to the communities around them. It was a great blessing to share with them. Now, on with Kevan's post. Thank you for reading.
If we are the Body why aren’t His arms reaching, why aren’t His hands healing, why aren’t His words teaching? And if we are the Body why aren’t His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way? There is a way. Jesus is the Way.-Casting Crowns
Why aren’t we showing the love of Jesus Christ to this world if we are truly the Body? Jesus says this in John15:12-13; “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
What does Jesus mean that we should love as He loved? What is He saying when He says that we should lay down our lives for our friends? Does He want us to die for our friends; our wife or husband? Jesus tells us plainly that we are to love as He first loved us. In Romans 5:8, the Word of the living God says it this way; ‘But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ Did He wait until I was lovable? No. I am not lovable now, but my wife lays herself aside daily, not for me but for the cause and the purpose of lifting up the Lord Jesus Christ that I may see Him living in and through her love for me, and others. Jesus wants us to lay ourselves down, set ourselves aside and be set apart for Him; daily.
Then He said to them all, “if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23 NKJ
Jesus didn’t just say that for the sake of His disciples or the crowds that regularly followed Him; He said to them all, He is still saying it to you today in the stillness of your heart; take up your cross and follow Me. When we take up our cross to follow our Lord, we are saying that we will follow Him; we will lay down our lives for our friends just like He did for us. Is this easy? No. But as we draw near to Him, we are strengthened and renewed in His grace (which is always sufficient for us / 2 Corinthians 12:9).
Jesus is our perfect example of how to love one another, and how to lay down our life for our friends; but what about those who are against the Lord? They are not against us, they are against the One who sanctified us and called us into a right relationship with Him? What about our enemies?
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” Luke 6:27-28 NKJ
When Jesus was led away to be crucified; a death that you and I rightfully deserve, He still loved those who were putting Him to death, He still prayed for his enemies (“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34 NKJ), Jesus gave Himself up for all who would ever call upon His Holy name by faith as the only One who can save us from our sins. He alone is the perfect example of how to ‘one another’.
Knowing this, how do we walk daily with Jesus? How do we love those who spitefully use us? How can we show love and lay down our lives for our friends, and love our enemies? We are the Body of the living Christ! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!! (Philippians 4:13) We have an amazing Savior who shows us daily the depths of His heart for those who will call upon Him. He has called us into all the nations to show the world who He is (Matthew 28:18-20).
If we are the Body; why aren’t we? Jesus paid much too high a price for us to pick and choose who should come (Casting Crowns / If we are the Body). Do I have the right to say whom I will show His love to? No. Jesus died for all, ‘The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.’ (2 Peter 3:9 NKJ). I do not have the right to choose. If I am the Body, even if I am a fingernail within the Body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) I have a clear function and purpose that Christ set me apart for, and not for my glory but all to His!!! Amen.
‘Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.’ (Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJ)
If this is how the Father shows His love for us by giving His only begotten Son (John 3:16) while we were still sinners; if this is how He first showed His love to this world by showing us how to be reconciled to Himself, what are we waiting for? If we are set apart and saved through His blood, we shouldn’t be able to contain this great love that God the Father has lavished upon us, we shouldn’t be able to walk by someone and keep silent about His love, the sweetest love I know.
I am trying to die to myself daily and show the love of Jesus Christ to my wife, my co-workers, family and friends. I am seeking Him for the strength that only He can provide, and the peace that surpasses all of my understanding. Jesus laid down His life for us not so that we can do what we want, but that we can show His love to this world. If we pick and choose who we think would be willing to listen, what have we done with this great love Christ has for us (read James 2:1-13)?
Jesus touched the untouchable (Luke 5:12-13), He raised the dead (Luke 8:52-56), Jesus ate with sinful people (Luke 5:29-32). Jesus did not care about what He would look like to others, He showed great love, compassion and mercy to all who ever called upon Him by faith. We must show this love to the world, we must be the Body of Christ to a world who will certainly perish without Him and apart from Him.
I challenge you this day to go forward, and pray to the Lord asking Him to give you courage and strength for His purpose in your life to be accomplished. Go out and show His great love for someone. We all know someone; a family member perhaps who is not saved that needs to hear that they are loved by Jesus Christ.
Pray for this daily, walk as He walked, love as He loved and loves you. Be the Body of Christ; show one another the depths of His love, grace and mercy. Don’t let another day go by you without sharing that love that has saved you from your sin to one another.
Kevan Fortier
Waldoboro, Maine
Sharing "one anothering" at Bluegrass Bible Fellowship
Our family arrived in Richmond, Kentucky this past Saturday. We are parked at a beautiful, sprawling farm owned by Jim and Rose Harmon. Jim is one of the elders here at Bluegrass Bible Fellowship in Richmond. We will be working with this local assembly of Christians as the Lord leads. In our first day here, we were greeted and helped to set up by a local family, the Everlings. The patriarch of the Everling clan promptly greeted me with "a holy kiss" and we all shared a laugh about this greeting between brothers. Seems Jesse is reading the blog, at least!
Jim Harmon and John Frasher are the elders here in the meeting and have asked me to share this Wednesday evening for the mid week prayer and Bible study meeting. What a privilege it is to share this subject with a local church. I know many of the folks at BBF are in the Facebook group, and have heard tell of a "one anothering" game. Similar to "Apples to Apples" in style, each of the "one another" verses are printed on cards and distributed to all players. They then go on to share different circumstances and choose the most appropriate verse to apply to the situation. Sorry to the Harmons if I have butchered the description. I should get them to write out the rules for us all, maybe.
Please keep me in prayer as I prepare to share tomorrow night. I have been so blessed by the responses on the blog. I have also had many conversations with folks around the USA and a few other places about how a church should function according to the New Testament pattern. We ought to all spend time truly assessing if we are functioning as Christ would have His bride function. May we all take time this week to search God out, to honestly pray about how we could better serve our brothers and sisters in Christ, and in so doing, serve our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
I will be writing again soon, but have much to do. Keep the believers here at Bluegrass in your prayers. These folks are earnestly laboring in prayer and in deed to proclaim the Gospel, disciple new believers, and all the other things that come with a major Gospel outreach. There is much to do in a local church, not to mention family, work, follow up...
As Nathanael Pena so often exhorts- "Go serve your King!"
Mark Cowperthwaite
Jim Harmon and John Frasher are the elders here in the meeting and have asked me to share this Wednesday evening for the mid week prayer and Bible study meeting. What a privilege it is to share this subject with a local church. I know many of the folks at BBF are in the Facebook group, and have heard tell of a "one anothering" game. Similar to "Apples to Apples" in style, each of the "one another" verses are printed on cards and distributed to all players. They then go on to share different circumstances and choose the most appropriate verse to apply to the situation. Sorry to the Harmons if I have butchered the description. I should get them to write out the rules for us all, maybe.
Please keep me in prayer as I prepare to share tomorrow night. I have been so blessed by the responses on the blog. I have also had many conversations with folks around the USA and a few other places about how a church should function according to the New Testament pattern. We ought to all spend time truly assessing if we are functioning as Christ would have His bride function. May we all take time this week to search God out, to honestly pray about how we could better serve our brothers and sisters in Christ, and in so doing, serve our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
I will be writing again soon, but have much to do. Keep the believers here at Bluegrass in your prayers. These folks are earnestly laboring in prayer and in deed to proclaim the Gospel, disciple new believers, and all the other things that come with a major Gospel outreach. There is much to do in a local church, not to mention family, work, follow up...
As Nathanael Pena so often exhorts- "Go serve your King!"
Mark Cowperthwaite
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