GREENE STREET LETTERS: Keep From Biting!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Keep From Biting!

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceptions, according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

This is a tricky path to walk and can only be done so by the leading of the Holy Spirit. What path you might ask? The path of not being led astray by the latest fad or idea or concept or teaching that seems to follow the church around.
I confess that I have been in the word for a number of years and still am amazed the number of people who are drawn away into areas God never intended them to be. I am amazed at how easy people are led away by new "philosophy and deceptive teachings" that come along. I teach in fear for the most part. I don't consider it an unhealthy fear but one that keeps me always checking myself and my messages in Scripture. I do not want to be a vessel that draws people into places that God never intended them to be. I do not want to be a voice that is crying out and having people follow them. I want those who sit under my teaching to hear God. To be led to God and follow Him.

Our lack of discernment is our greatest downfall. That is why my message over the years has been relatively simple. Become a student of the word. Study the word. Memorize the Word. Let God, through the Holy Spirit, speak to you through the Word.

I profess no great insight to Scripture other than Jesus and Him crucified.

I have been justified.
I have been reconciled.
I have been sanctified.

I have been restored.

My live is no longer mine. I live it for Him.

As John Wimber taught, "I'm a fool for Jesus....whose fool are you?"

3 comments:

Lane said...: Thank you for your example, Michael. It is easy for me to want something 'new'...so that my relationship to God is that of a consumer. How much time have I wasted while seeking something 'in addition' to Him? Paul kept it simple ... His life was the Gospel.

Lane; August 25, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Greene Street Letters said...: The shallowness of what is being offered is sad beyond belief. I like what you said about our relationships being that of a consumer. That is what is happening...come and get the latest new Version 2.0 of Jesus.

mb; August 26, 2008 at 6:35 AM
Bobby said...: You have the fear of God m.b. Psalm 111:10 says,"The fear of LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding."; August 26, 2008 at 8:14 AM

Looking At The World Through Cracked Lens

As ol' Paul wrote in his Corinthian letters.."We see in part and we know in part." Now what piece of this bit of wisdom do we not get? I wish to not run around acting and trying to be some sort of Biblical G00-Ru (I meant to spell it wrong). Or a sage of sages.

I simply want to be able to communicate some of what God has given to me. Why? Do I think what I get is better than what you may have received from Him? Nope. But I do think encouragement comes when we share our daily story of struggle and victory in an effort to encourage each other.

Thanks for letting me share.

Time to soldier on..

mbb

Our Statement of Faith

We believe that God is the eternal king. He is an infinite, unchangeable Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, goodness, justice, power and love. From all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God in three persons of one substance, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit equal in power and glory. we believe that God created mankind in His image, male and female, for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth. Under the temptation of Satan, our original parents fell from grace, bringing sin, sickness and God's judgment of death to the earth. Through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God's good creation. Creation now experiences the consequences and effects of Adam's original sin. Human beings are born into sin, subject to God's judgment of death and captive to Satan's kingdom of darkness. We believe that Jesus, God's Son, was sent to this world, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Mary, fully God and fully man in one person. He is humanity as God intended us to be. Jesus was anointed as God's Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, ushering in God's kingdom reign on earth, overpowering the reign of Satan by resisting temptation, preaching the good news of salvation, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. Jesus' atoning death on the cross took God's judgment for sin which we deserved as law-breakers. Jesus' resurrection and ascent back to heaven opened the door for those who received salvation to begin a relationship with God.

Little Nets Into Deep Waters

Fishing nets were designed for one purpose only. To catch fish. Nets are no good if they stay on the boat. Nets serve no purpose if they are never used. I think maybe God sees us this way. We are all created for a purpose (by the way, the creator gets to define what our purpose is). Any other use besides the one we were created for does us no good. But when the creator places His hands upon us, casting us out into those scary, dark places with deep waters, it is then we can see the reality of our purpose. He knew there would be a catch waiting for us. I think I will be the net God has called me to be.

The Twelve Steps

As a community of people in recovery, we affirm that our higher power is Jesus Christ. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Just as God told the children of Israel He was going to give them a promised land, He has revealed to us that He desires to give us a "Promised Life." When Israel got to the promised land, God instructed them to go and in a possess it, fight for it and claim it. In recovery, the 12 Steps are the directions given to us on how to fight, possess and claim this promised life.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Keep From Biting!

3 comments:

THE REALITY OF THE NAME OF GOD