Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance, Church Unity, Evangelism, Faith, Fear, Leadership

It’s Our Job

One of the very few problems about being raised by Gene and Violet Hardway is that they’re really nice people. They were not voice raisers, they’re hard workers, and under no circumstance was there a reason to be rude. And at the time I was being raised, that was the way it was in most country homes. Not all. But most of the ones that was around. There was the occasional opinionated loud mouth, for which I always had a great fascination with. So long as they weren’t hurting peoples feelings. I have never had an acceptable tolerance of that and don’t plan on changing. But what I discovered as I grew in age and established a personality all my own, is the fact that I am inwardly that opinionated loud mouth. It’s still very difficult for me to break through the barrier of my upbringing and unleash it, but I do. I hope I’m nice about it though. But I consider it my job. And if you’re a part of the body of Christ, I consider it your job. 

1 Timothy 3:15-16 KJV says

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Of course Paul is speaking to Timothy about the leadership inside of the church, and you may not consider yourself among the leaders of the church, but it’s still our job. There are times when there ain’t a preacher in the vicinity, and someone has to defend the truth, and that someone might be you. If there’s no one else, it must be. But it gets harder and harder to do that. It’s also getting more dangerous. Not quite as dangerous as it was in the days of Apostle Paul, but still yet, if you speak out for Christ you will likely get berated for you belief. And in some places possibly worse. So… what’s our job description in this wicked world for which we are living. 

You Oughta Behave

In the church and out. I’m not going to stay on this point because that should be obvious to us all. But human nature being what it is, we all fall. And when we do, we should be man or woman enough to to confess it and move on. 

You Oughta Be Alive!

After all, we are the church of the Living God! So why is it that most churches are as dried up as a cracker barrel? They’re afraid to lift a hand, shout amen, glory or hallelujah and for pete’s sake don’t stand up and shout or testify. That’s inside the church. On the outside there should be evidence of the life on the inside. Our communities need to see the body of Christ outside the church doing something. Living our faith out.

I been beating myself up for not doing more for the body of Christ during this pandemic. Hindsight’s always 20/20 and I see so many places I could have made a difference.

Our reach has had limits because of the COVID19, but I personally believe that many of those limits have been put on by the people, not the government. While there are some who should not risk their life to be out in the community because of the health risks,  their are more that could have been. This is where I’m going to step outside of my Hardway upbringing and lay what I believe on the table. 

I don’t believe America should have been shut down. If you do, that’s fine. I won’t argue. But I’ve never understood the quarantining of the well. Yes the ill, yes those at risk, but not those who are well and can wash their hands and avoid contact with people. Don’t shake my hand, I won’t be offended. But if a healthy person being paid for by tax dollars locks a door in my face,  I’m frustrated. Create fear in my church people and I’m angry. Encourage caution. Yes! Incite fear… hmmm… we know who the author of fear is. 

You Oughta Be Firm

Paul told Timothy that the church is the “pillar and ground of truth.” We are the very foundation of the church of the living God.  It’s our job to defend the word of God when it’s attacked, and it is being attacked from every leftist direction while the church is just now getting back on their feet after having taken a Corona hiatus. I know there was some great work being done in the realm of online church, and I won’t make light of it. But what I’m not seeing is the church speaking out against what’s going on in Washington, DC and across the nation.  

How does someone kick a police force out of their building and city, ask for the mayor’s resignation and proclaim it their “own country? And Americans sit by with a glazed look in their eyes and do absolutely nothing. Oh… and those non-violent loving people have guns, which they don’t want us to have. I wonder why? They call their city CHAZ, standing for the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. They’re now threatening to come into rural areas. Are we still saying nothing? 

I watched in horror yesterday as a white woman, screaming at the top of her lungs, threatened a woman in her car for not giving the “black lives matter” salute in a line of traffic, and then refused to let her move her car, while more protestors surrounded her. That’s scary stuff. And I totally get it when we say, “but it’s not where I am.” But my question is, “will it be?” 

I said all that to say we need to know what the word of God says about what is right and what is wrong. Because from Washington DC to Seattle, Washington the world is pushing an agenda that is as unbiblical as it gets. The more time you spend in the word of God the less controversy there is in your heart about what and who is right or wrong. And when someone’s is wrong the Bible says to mark them. I’ve marked a few. Starting with the show the Voice. I’ll not watch it again as long as John Legend is on there. He was one of the first to ask for police budgets to be cut. He who has a paid security force. I’m going to stand my convictions, and I’m going to be loud. 

1 Timothy 4:1-2 KJV

[1] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

The iron is heated and it’s seared many a conscious.

I just needed to be loud for a minute. Okay…. maybe for more than that. I’m not done.

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A Tale of Tricky Seas & DC – Stay in the Ship

In Acts 27 is the story of Paul’s harrowing ocean trip to Italy. He’d warned the navigators that they should not go, but the unnamed centurion who was to deliver Paul to Caesar assumed that they who were experts in the field knew more than Paul, not even a novice shipman, so away they went. Paul was a preacher for cryin’ out loud what did he know about sailing? Not long into the journey the winds begin to blow a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon; (Vs. 14) a whirlwind much like that of Jonah’s journey, both out of the treasuries of God, (Psalm 135:7), designed to make God’s point. As the centurion of Augustus band set in the dark ship many days without sun or stars to shine, and all hope being lost, I have wonder if he didn’t spend much time thinking about the angel band that had forewarned the preacher of the coming storm.

The centurion, much like todays political hires took the messengers of God far too lightly. After all, what do they know about the climate (political or meteorological conditions?). Our Pastors keep warning the DC-ites that a storm is brewing and that we should abandon this liberal journey, but the ship continues out to sea with total disregard for the spiritual signs. The “experts” have this under control.

Stay in the Ship

These are dark times in America, although the sun appears to be shining in many cities. I’m not a naysayer, I’m not even a very good realist. I like happy endings! But the writing is not on the wall, it’s in the Book; that God has stirred up a Eurocydon among the political climate worldwide. Their arrogance that they have this under control is about to get real.

(2Ch 16:9For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

America battles war after war, not even our own, but just as it was in the early days, God takes care of His own (those whose heart is perfect toward him)

Paul advised his shipmates to stay in the ship, it was there that they would have salvation. Such is the case with the modern day church. Political know it all’s can unload the ship of every supply we have on hand but the Word of God is within. The shipmasters threw out the rigging, the food and anything else they could find trying to lighten the load of the ship while the winds kept tossing them to and fro. And Paul said “And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship” (vs. 22)

Our government has thrown out practically every tool of the trade our forefathers left in the ship (the constitution, the laws, etc.) But God’s still in control and He abides within the believers of this nation and so long as we abide in Him, we’re going to be okay. It may get dark, rough and rocky, but God’s going to get us to our appointed destination.

At the end of that journey they landed on shore, part of the ship was damaged but they made it! And the centurion who once looked to the experts, turned to Paul. The soldiers were going to kill the prisoners rather than see them escape, but the centurion kept them from their intent because of the man of God.

I believe there’s still time to save America, but we are indeed sailing on some tricky seas right now with political nit wits at the helm of the ship steering us right into a storm. We need to stay in the ship. Keep the church doors open every Sunday morning and evening, Wednesday night and any other day or night to allow safe haven for the lost. We don’t need a new navigation guide, the King James Bible will do just fine, it is still intact, unlike the other versions which took out a few pertinent pieces to the map. We need to stay faithful and wait for the trumpet that surely will sound soon…