WHO'S ARE YOU?
Ask your self,
how do I respond when it's time to get up and go to Church? I know I'm supposed
to. I know it's good for me but, how do
I respond to going?
How do I
respond when God asks me or prompts me to stop what I'm doing and pray for someone?
What’s my response if it's a bad time
for me or I'm in the middle of something else? Maybe, I could try to put it off? How do I
respond?
How do I
respond when difficult news hits me? Does my joy go out of the window? Do I get angry and frustrated? How do I
respond?
How do you
respond when someone else gets the promotion you wanted so badly? Or
someone else gets the credit for work you did. How do you respond?
How do you
respond when you see yourself covered up with trials and problems, while others
just seem to cruise by?
How do you
respond when you don't get your way? Or when you find yourself having to submit
to decisions you disagree with or dislike?
There are many other questions we could ask
ourselves, but the point is, your answers will tell you Who's you are.
The Apostle Paul tells us clearly and plainly
in his first letter to the Corinthian Christians (1st Corinthians 6:19)
"YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN, YOU'VE BEEN BOUGHT WITH A PRICE". A very
high price at that. The ultimate price. Since we belong to another, Jesus
Christ, shouldn't we be mindful and act on His will and respond as He
would? Christ in us, the hope of glory.
Dying to self is painful, but profitable.... forever.
Jim Boley
Pastor,
Healing Waters Church
Question arises “we don't have any friends at church. We're not actively involved in any activities. We are just considering staying at home. Would this be wrong?"
I must confess that there are times when I think about staying at home on Sundays too, but as the Pastor I kind of have to go.
As Max Lucado
says:
“Ask your self
what would happen, if, as I went to work, my stomach decided to stay home, or
take a break. Or if my spleen just needed some time to get its act together. Or
if my right foot just walked out on me. I would be a mess, right? I would be completely
incapacitated.
Ever wonder why Paul referred to the church as the Body of Christ? Eph 5:30 says" we are parts of His body". " Christ is the head of the body" Col.1:18.
Each and every part of the body is important because each serves a function. Everyone plays a part. No part is the whole but every part is a part of the whole. Our world desperately needs people who stick together and love one another. This group is the church."
Over 37 years ago, I found myself walking smack dab into the Living God and after that encounter; I was in the church every time the doors were open. I just wanted all I could receive from Jesus. See I was set free from an addiction and held captive for too many years with it. I realized incredible force and power to be able to set me free instantly. It was Jesus. I had tried many ways before to liberate myself, but could not. Jesus answered my cry in an instant and I've been free since. Church isn't about activities and being accepted or rejected by people. It's about serving Jesus where He puts you for His greater purpose. It's really all about Him.
I learned His ways and how to follow Him and He's handled the rest. When His sheep adhere to His voice and walk according to His word He's in charge. Other sheep may act up but don't people act up in everything they get into?
Proverbs tells us "that those who separate themselves seek their own". Pretty clear. Hebrews chapter ten tells us "NOT to forsake the gathering of ourselves together as is the habit of some." Again, it’s pretty clear.
The church is His target and prize. He's hot after His people. I can't imagine life any other way.
See you in church.
Jim Boley, Pastor
Healing Waters Church
From the Pastor, what you need to know to grow...
