Proverbs 18:13 Geneva Bible (GNV)
He that answereth a matter before he hear it, it is folly and shame unto him.
James 1:19 Geneva Bible (GNV)
19 Wherefore my dear brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.
Don't let the false judgements that certain individuals cast on you be a weight. Just bless them in Jesus' name, brush the dust off, and move on. Don't retaliate. Bless. And be joyful in the righteousness of JESUS, knowing that Jesus was also misjudged, misquoted, and was accused of saying things that He never actually said! If you stand on the Rock (Christ), and share your personal story, some people will panic because your story does not sound like their own personal ideal or their own journey in Christ. They may be tempted to assume you are wrong, when in fact there is nothing Biblically wrong with you.
Some people might answer you prematurely, before they TRULY hear (understand) what you are saying or writing. So please don't be discouraged by the odd ones who want to paint you in a negative light with a broad brush of generalization. That brush is not your identity. Your identity is in Christ alone. You are already justified by Christ, so you don't have to try and justify yourself to random people on social media. Yes those comments may be hard to hear at first, and emotionally upsetting.
But try to realize that they often have nothing to do with you. Most often I have found that the worst online criticisms usually come from people who have no actual relationship with you. They are just another person on social media. God bless them, but they are not your final authority. Only Jesus Christ (The Word) is the final authority.
And you don't have to waste time debating people who have -chosen- to misunderstand you by jumping to premature conclusions. When giving a final account, you will stand before God only, NOT before these arm-chair theologians and critics.
Just remember the words of Jesus:
Matthew 5:44 Geneva Bible (GNV)
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies: bless them that curse you: do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which hurt you, and persecute you,"
And finally, please don't stop sharing your walk with Christ. SOMEone needs to hear your story and how Jesus has faithfully led you in His own righteousness. Please keep writing, walking, and encouraging others. You will soon be the balm that will soothe the pain of another. Blessings to you!!
Still learning and growing, walking and writing, in Christ,
- Pastor Curtis
Friday, February 24, 2017
The Man Who Taught Children: A Short Story
The Man Who Taught Children: A Short Story
Luke 12:51-53 GENEVA VERSION
Jesus said:
Luke 12:51-53 GENEVA VERSION
Jesus said:
51 Think ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, nay, but rather debate.
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father: the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother: the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
There was a man who has spent nearly 16 years pouring ministry, love, teaching into children in his church youth class. They are the children of others who come to church. He has made an investment into future generations. He continues to do it for new children.
No doubt, though he may not see it, many of those children have grown up to be followers of Christ and have gone on to serve the Lord and make the world a better place.
And sadly, some of those older children from previous classes have grown up to block and/or unfriend him on social media.. and to distance themselves from him in person.... and it stings. But he still prays for them in Jesus' Name. It was Jesus that called the man to do that ministry. So that man obeys with joy and love. That man obeys despite the pain of loss. The greatest thing is when even one child can be taught the Word, be taught how to pray, and be taught how to follow Jesus and love Him.
That child may one day go further and do more than the man ever could.
No doubt, though he may not see it, many of those children have grown up to be followers of Christ and have gone on to serve the Lord and make the world a better place.
And sadly, some of those older children from previous classes have grown up to block and/or unfriend him on social media.. and to distance themselves from him in person.... and it stings. But he still prays for them in Jesus' Name. It was Jesus that called the man to do that ministry. So that man obeys with joy and love. That man obeys despite the pain of loss. The greatest thing is when even one child can be taught the Word, be taught how to pray, and be taught how to follow Jesus and love Him.
That child may one day go further and do more than the man ever could.
That same man made the difficult decision, years ago, to marry a woman who had already told him that she is unable to have children, but wants to follow him in ministry. So that man made the investment of marrying her, and loving her in Christ with all his faithfulness and might. And he was completely satisfied to do so, with no regret towards not having children. After all, he never really had the desire to have kids of his own, even when growing up.
But when she decided to abandon him a few years later, and leave for her old life, it stung. In this case, childlessness became a tremendous blessing .... as children always suffer the most in a divorce situation. A divorce where there are no children is still painful, but at least the cut is clean and there are no kids stuck in the middle.
But when she decided to abandon him a few years later, and leave for her old life, it stung. In this case, childlessness became a tremendous blessing .... as children always suffer the most in a divorce situation. A divorce where there are no children is still painful, but at least the cut is clean and there are no kids stuck in the middle.
Because of all those things, that man had come to appreciate children. He may not have had his own, but he is fine with it, and loves to continue teaching other people's children in church and in the marketplace. He appreciates them, but does not feel the need to bring any of his own into the world. Since there are so many children here already in the world, there is much work to be done, spreading the Gospel to them. This is how he appreciates children the most; by sharing the GOSPEL with them as they come to class.
He has endured a lot of heartache and has seen first hand how children often forsake those that love them the most. Some children do not. But many do, and it truly is painful for those who worked so hard to bless them and teach them. The man could not even imagine what a parent must feel about their own wayward child growing up and rebelling against Christ or against them.
He has endured a lot of heartache and has seen first hand how children often forsake those that love them the most. Some children do not. But many do, and it truly is painful for those who worked so hard to bless them and teach them. The man could not even imagine what a parent must feel about their own wayward child growing up and rebelling against Christ or against them.
So the man will continue in humility, seeking the Lord, repenting of his own shortcomings, and steadily climbing the steps of the Strong Tower, the Name of Jesus Christ. (Prov. 18:10) His heart is open to the Lord's gentle, loving, guiding and shaping hands. God could change him, and maybe He will.
Such a man will continue to serve in this capacity as long as the Lord sees fit. And he may even start to be brave enough... to write about it. He might become courageous enough to put these hidden wounds into the light for Jesus to heal and mend. And he will always appreciate children and the blessing they have already brought to him, and continue to bring to him.
-Story by Curtis J Alexander (c) 2017
[Originally Written Feb 20th 2017 2:17PM EST]
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Your Unique Path in Christ May be Misunderstood by Some
Some people may not understand your path, or how you came to be the way that you are. They may care about you and love you. But they probably don't fully understand you. And that's ok. You don't have to justify God's calling on your life to people, not even to loved ones. When you know the Lord has called you to walk a certain path, a road less traveled, it means fewer people will be able to follow you or understand you. You may even be walking alone with the Lord on such a road. And sometimes, you may not even understand that path yourself. Yet because you trust the Lord, you trek onward in Him.
Don't panic and wonder what is wrong with you. There is nothing wrong with you. As you submit to Christ and let Him transform you from glory to glory, there will come a realization that it is GOD Himself who places the desires of His heart in your heart. And those desires may not line up with the things everyone else wants for you. You may be wondering why you don't want the same things they may be wanting for you. You prayed about it, you searched the Scriptures, and you yielded to God's sovereign will through relationship to Christ. Yet you do not have the same desires as those loved ones who care for you. I am not talking about sin. This is IN NO WAY an endorsement for any kind of sin. And I am not encouraging fleshly desires, or disobedience to Scripture. We must put our disobedience and our sin to death... and take up our cross and follow Jesus.
This is an encouragement for you to arise in your unique calling to serve the Lord.
The Lord has given you a different set of desires, a different calling, and it is just as valid and holy as any of the other unique individual callings He gives to those that are His. But just because some Christian disciples may have walked a specific path with Jesus, that does not automatically mean God calls you to walk the exact same path that they have.
So please don't second-guess yourself. Keep walking in the way the Lord calls you to walk... even if you do not seem to be understood by those who are close to you.
Jesus DELIGHTS in you.
Today as I prayed alone, I sought the Lord. I was seeking comfort for a recent disappointment. But the Lord showed me an encouraging vision. He showed me Himself, Jesus Christ, the High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, interceding on my behalf to the Father in Heaven. On his High-priestly breastplate, was a precious stone.... that stone represented me. Jesus carries me and you close to His heart and He carries us to the Father in priestly intercession and prayer. He calls on the Father to move with FAVOUR in our lives. That is what the Lord showed me. Much of Christ's Melchisedec priesthood can be learned from Hebrews chapters 6-8.
So I want to encourage you.... you may be like me.... a precious stone of a different colour. You are unique to Jesus, and He bears you to the Father in prayer. Like the stones that represented the 12 tribes of Israel upon the breastplate of the Levitical priest's clothing, Jesus bears us as precious stones on His own breastplate.
You are called to walk as an individual disciple, with a unique path. It may be a non-traditional path, but it is well within Scripture, and the righteousness and the will of God. You may have a unique calling, but you are still called to unite in fellowship in the family of God through direct relationship to Jesus and to His followers. All believers need a home church to call their own, for regular fellowship, prayer, the word, and accountability.
So maybe you are like me. You may be loved, and misunderstood by some people. You may be expected by some people to do certain things, but yet the Lord has not impressed you to do those things. They aren't necessarily bad things. But they are not the right fit for you. And you know it. Yet you keep trying to fit in. Well, the Lord wants you to not feel bad for being a little different. You can keep trusting Jesus to lead you.... even if it means you are loved and misunderstood by others close to you.
Your unique path of discipleship in Christ may be misunderstood by some. But it's ok. God fully knows you and loves you and guides you. Just keep following the Word of God and the Spirit of God in His righteousness. Be obedient to the Lamb, and see a great reward come in your life over time.
Blessings,
Pastor Curtis
Sun Feb 19 2017 9:59pm EST
 |
| Road less traveled - Photo by Curtis J Alexander (c) 2015 |
Don't panic and wonder what is wrong with you. There is nothing wrong with you. As you submit to Christ and let Him transform you from glory to glory, there will come a realization that it is GOD Himself who places the desires of His heart in your heart. And those desires may not line up with the things everyone else wants for you. You may be wondering why you don't want the same things they may be wanting for you. You prayed about it, you searched the Scriptures, and you yielded to God's sovereign will through relationship to Christ. Yet you do not have the same desires as those loved ones who care for you. I am not talking about sin. This is IN NO WAY an endorsement for any kind of sin. And I am not encouraging fleshly desires, or disobedience to Scripture. We must put our disobedience and our sin to death... and take up our cross and follow Jesus.
This is an encouragement for you to arise in your unique calling to serve the Lord.
The Lord has given you a different set of desires, a different calling, and it is just as valid and holy as any of the other unique individual callings He gives to those that are His. But just because some Christian disciples may have walked a specific path with Jesus, that does not automatically mean God calls you to walk the exact same path that they have.
So please don't second-guess yourself. Keep walking in the way the Lord calls you to walk... even if you do not seem to be understood by those who are close to you.
Jesus DELIGHTS in you.
Today as I prayed alone, I sought the Lord. I was seeking comfort for a recent disappointment. But the Lord showed me an encouraging vision. He showed me Himself, Jesus Christ, the High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, interceding on my behalf to the Father in Heaven. On his High-priestly breastplate, was a precious stone.... that stone represented me. Jesus carries me and you close to His heart and He carries us to the Father in priestly intercession and prayer. He calls on the Father to move with FAVOUR in our lives. That is what the Lord showed me. Much of Christ's Melchisedec priesthood can be learned from Hebrews chapters 6-8.
So I want to encourage you.... you may be like me.... a precious stone of a different colour. You are unique to Jesus, and He bears you to the Father in prayer. Like the stones that represented the 12 tribes of Israel upon the breastplate of the Levitical priest's clothing, Jesus bears us as precious stones on His own breastplate.
You are called to walk as an individual disciple, with a unique path. It may be a non-traditional path, but it is well within Scripture, and the righteousness and the will of God. You may have a unique calling, but you are still called to unite in fellowship in the family of God through direct relationship to Jesus and to His followers. All believers need a home church to call their own, for regular fellowship, prayer, the word, and accountability.
So maybe you are like me. You may be loved, and misunderstood by some people. You may be expected by some people to do certain things, but yet the Lord has not impressed you to do those things. They aren't necessarily bad things. But they are not the right fit for you. And you know it. Yet you keep trying to fit in. Well, the Lord wants you to not feel bad for being a little different. You can keep trusting Jesus to lead you.... even if it means you are loved and misunderstood by others close to you.
Your unique path of discipleship in Christ may be misunderstood by some. But it's ok. God fully knows you and loves you and guides you. Just keep following the Word of God and the Spirit of God in His righteousness. Be obedient to the Lamb, and see a great reward come in your life over time.
Blessings,
Pastor Curtis
Sun Feb 19 2017 9:59pm EST
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Relationship and Worship Work Together
Worship the One you know. Worship is a relational act, not a religious one. It happens when we know God and truly appreciate and love Him for who He is. Without knowing God, we could never properly worship Him.
Jesus said:
"Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know: for salvation is of the Jews."
(John 4:22 GNV)
Worship and Relationship are two important things, and both are needed. But they are not the same.
Worship is humble respect and intense adoration toward someone worthy. Worship moves us to voluntarily pour in time, resources, and effort into that person we deem worthy.
But how can we discern that someone is worthy, without first knowing them personally?
Relationship is knowing someone directly and personally. It's when two individuals have an understanding and a mutual respect and love for one another. Christianity is built upon relationship, not religion. It's based on knowing Jesus, not knowing ABOUT Jesus. There is a huge difference there.
It is very possible to worship someone or something with no hint of an actual relationship being present. We worship things we wrongfully think to be worthy.
It happens all the time: Earth-worship, climate-worship, identity-worship, animal-worship, celebrity-worship, money-worship, lottery-worship, idol worship, false religion-worship, self-worship, human-worship, sex-worship, sport-worship, car-worship, IQ-worship, family-worship, demon-worship, angel-worship, career-worship... etc etc. The list goes on. These are all misguided attempts at worship, and they are all void of a true relationship to the Father and the Son.
As human beings of the world, apart from Christ, we worship what we do not know. We worship without even realizing it. We worship with no actual sense that we are being heard. We worship these things or people without knowledge that it matters or makes a difference. Or we try to worship God, but do not really know who, or where He is, or if He really hears us. Worship, apart from Christ, cannot reach God. See John 14:6.
Worldly people worship without relationship. Or they attempt to worship an earthly relationship.
And sadly, we worship to our own demise, because we fail to give God the glory that only He deserves. We misdirect our love and adoration to things and places and people and objects.
But.......
Jesus has come to tells us WHO He IS (The SON of GOD, The Saviour, The DOOR to heaven) and WHO He represents (The Father, God). It is through Jesus alone that we can KNOW and have RELATIONSHIP to the Father, God almighty.
And only when we KNOW GOD can we truly give Him proper WORSHIP. And that worship will be powerful in Christ, as it is guided by the Holy Spirit. Worship becomes effective when we do it through a living relationship to Jesus Christ! Worship must be done through relationship, not religious performance. Worship comes with a proper understanding of Scripture, as directed by the Holy Spirit.
To know Jesus is to know God. To worship Jesus is to worship God. And it is only through knowing Jesus that we can worship Him successfully.
"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am."
(John 8:58 Geneva Version)
We were made to worship the Lord God. But we need Jesus to point us back to God, to show us the WAY. Jesus IS the way to worship the Father. And your worship through Christ DOES matter. It is made in RELATIONSHIP to God. You know that in Christ, your worship reaches the Father.
You know Jesus through faith and through the Spirit. And your intimate spiritual connection to Him leads you to worship Him for who He IS, the Great "I AM."
You worship Jesus because you KNOW Him. It is the only real effective worship there is. All other worship is emptiness. It is emptiness without relationship.
And relationship is empty without worship. Worship enriches your connection to God the Father. So I want you to know, that God is LOOKING for worship.... He WANTS to know you.
And He VALUES your worship, if it comes in spirit and in truth. Your relationship to God matters. Your worship of Him matters too.
It makes an impact in heaven. It pleases the One who made us.
John 4:23-24 (Geneva Version)
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and Truth: for the Father requireth even such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and Truth.
Matthew 28:17a (Geneva Version)
And when they saw him (Jesus), they worshipped him:
1 John 5:20 (Geneva Version)
But we know that that Son of God is come, and hath given us a mind to know him, which is true, and we are in him that is true, that is, in that his Son Jesus Christ, the same is that very God, and that eternal life.
True worship is possible when we truly know the One who created us, and abide in a dynamic daily relationship with Him. Call on Jesus, for only He can reveal the Father to you. Only He can give you the right relationship required to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
Blessings,
Pastor Curtis
Sat. Feb. 18, 2017 8:40pm EST
Jesus said:
"Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know: for salvation is of the Jews."
(John 4:22 GNV)
Worship and Relationship are two important things, and both are needed. But they are not the same.
Worship is humble respect and intense adoration toward someone worthy. Worship moves us to voluntarily pour in time, resources, and effort into that person we deem worthy.
But how can we discern that someone is worthy, without first knowing them personally?
Relationship is knowing someone directly and personally. It's when two individuals have an understanding and a mutual respect and love for one another. Christianity is built upon relationship, not religion. It's based on knowing Jesus, not knowing ABOUT Jesus. There is a huge difference there.
It is very possible to worship someone or something with no hint of an actual relationship being present. We worship things we wrongfully think to be worthy.
It happens all the time: Earth-worship, climate-worship, identity-worship, animal-worship, celebrity-worship, money-worship, lottery-worship, idol worship, false religion-worship, self-worship, human-worship, sex-worship, sport-worship, car-worship, IQ-worship, family-worship, demon-worship, angel-worship, career-worship... etc etc. The list goes on. These are all misguided attempts at worship, and they are all void of a true relationship to the Father and the Son.
As human beings of the world, apart from Christ, we worship what we do not know. We worship without even realizing it. We worship with no actual sense that we are being heard. We worship these things or people without knowledge that it matters or makes a difference. Or we try to worship God, but do not really know who, or where He is, or if He really hears us. Worship, apart from Christ, cannot reach God. See John 14:6.
Worldly people worship without relationship. Or they attempt to worship an earthly relationship.
And sadly, we worship to our own demise, because we fail to give God the glory that only He deserves. We misdirect our love and adoration to things and places and people and objects.
But.......
Jesus has come to tells us WHO He IS (The SON of GOD, The Saviour, The DOOR to heaven) and WHO He represents (The Father, God). It is through Jesus alone that we can KNOW and have RELATIONSHIP to the Father, God almighty.
And only when we KNOW GOD can we truly give Him proper WORSHIP. And that worship will be powerful in Christ, as it is guided by the Holy Spirit. Worship becomes effective when we do it through a living relationship to Jesus Christ! Worship must be done through relationship, not religious performance. Worship comes with a proper understanding of Scripture, as directed by the Holy Spirit.
To know Jesus is to know God. To worship Jesus is to worship God. And it is only through knowing Jesus that we can worship Him successfully.
"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am."
(John 8:58 Geneva Version)
We were made to worship the Lord God. But we need Jesus to point us back to God, to show us the WAY. Jesus IS the way to worship the Father. And your worship through Christ DOES matter. It is made in RELATIONSHIP to God. You know that in Christ, your worship reaches the Father.
You know Jesus through faith and through the Spirit. And your intimate spiritual connection to Him leads you to worship Him for who He IS, the Great "I AM."
You worship Jesus because you KNOW Him. It is the only real effective worship there is. All other worship is emptiness. It is emptiness without relationship.
And relationship is empty without worship. Worship enriches your connection to God the Father. So I want you to know, that God is LOOKING for worship.... He WANTS to know you.
And He VALUES your worship, if it comes in spirit and in truth. Your relationship to God matters. Your worship of Him matters too.
It makes an impact in heaven. It pleases the One who made us.
John 4:23-24 (Geneva Version)
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and Truth: for the Father requireth even such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and Truth.
Matthew 28:17a (Geneva Version)
And when they saw him (Jesus), they worshipped him:
1 John 5:20 (Geneva Version)
But we know that that Son of God is come, and hath given us a mind to know him, which is true, and we are in him that is true, that is, in that his Son Jesus Christ, the same is that very God, and that eternal life.
True worship is possible when we truly know the One who created us, and abide in a dynamic daily relationship with Him. Call on Jesus, for only He can reveal the Father to you. Only He can give you the right relationship required to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
Blessings,
Pastor Curtis
Sat. Feb. 18, 2017 8:40pm EST
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