Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (ESV)

We are told that there is a great cloud of witnesses as we run our life. These are those before us that have been faithful to what has been taught of them. As I look for examples to how to live my life, I look toward the Apostle Paul. There are three areas that come to mind for me to follow.

Live for a purpose.

- Eph 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (ESV)

We are to live our lives in a worthy manner. With the focus of our life to others not ourself. Today we hear about living it up or making sure that we are happy. If we are unhappy we can always buy new things, leave our wife or husband if we are unhappy. I do not see that in scripture. It calls us to be humble, putting others first, and go beyond self and think of others. This is something that I am trying to think of everyday. I can't say that I have success everyday but as I think about the great cloud of witnesses I think of Paul and his love for humility and how I need to strive for the same.

Coming Soon.....

Learn for a purpose.

Love for a purpose.

Coming out of Retirement?

Coming Soon!

Family Reunion Invites 2

I proposed the question that if I was going to have a party and invite those that are in the family of God, Who would I invite? What should I look for? What do they need to have to be invited?

In today's world we see "Christians" joining hands in unity. We have the promise keepers that are joining men from whatever faith to come and join hands in having strong men of God. The idea is great, we need to have strong men of God. The Catholics with the Baptist, the mormons with the Church of Christ. Were is this line? Can they be together?

1. They must be born again. 2 Corinthians 6:14

There are many people today that are holding the title Christian but we see in scripture that the there will be many that will say Lord, Lord and God will not know them. I think that we went through a time that it was cool to say we go to church or that we were a Christian. Many use it as a net to hopefully catch them.

Paul Commands us from entering into business or relationships with unbelievers. Who can be called a Christian?

1. Someone that acknowledges that they have sinned. Romans 3:23 says that All have sinned and none are righteous no not one.

2. Someone that realizes they can not save themselves. Ephesians 2:8,9 says that it is a gift of God not works.

3. Someone that repents (180 degree change in doing things) and calls on the Lord as their Savior and Lord. Romans 10:13

The first wave of people that will not be included are those that are not part of the family of God. Next time I will look at who should or should not fellowship within the Family of God.

Curtis

Family Reunion Invites?

Ephesians 4:1-16

I just got a reminder in a mail about my alumni reunion that will be coming up this fall. As I sit a think about going or not going, a lot crosses my mind. Who will be there that I would like to see. Who will be there that I would like to avoid? (Mullins just kidding).

Everyone that will be there has a connection, they either worked, attended or knows someone that has attended the school. It is the same as family reunion. Those that come to the reunion knows someone that belongs to the family.

Well I have been thinking a lot about a study to find out who would be allowed or not allowed to attend church reunion? I am talking generally about the universal church and not individual names but what does it take to be included into the family of God reunion. Who should we not allow to fellowship with us at the reunion.

As we take a look at Ephesians 4, Paul talks about unity in the body of Christ. How if we are born again we are one body and one spirit.

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [1] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, [2] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

If you have any comments, feel free to share but I think over the next couple blogs I will be looking at scripture to see who we should be fellowshipping with.

Have a great day.

Harry Potter

I was working on a blog about my views on Harry Potter and I just deleted it because another blogger Phil Johnson has written an article better than I ever could. So take a look, and let me know what you think.

Curtis

Adoption day sept 26