Doctrine or Theology

This week one of my brother's stopped in on his way back to Texas and we had a great visit.  As we often do during these short visits, we try to cram in mini conversations covering a multitude of topics.  This visit wasn't any different and has left me still thinking about the subject for today's blog.  Our conversation had to do with salvation and those who have never been exposed to the Good News of Christ.  I'll share the details of that another time.

The time we spent together has left me thinking about several points.  What we're taught about God, salvation and living out the Christian life.  The subtle differences that show up between organized religion and God's Word.  These are the points that I've been working over and over in my heart and mind.

Interestingly enough, one of my devotionals this morning lead me to Colossians chapter 2: "Bible Gateway"  Using the New Living Translation for it's easy read.  Again, the church is being addressed concerning the matter of being freed from the rules of man.

Doctrine is defined as, "a belief or tenet, especially about philosophical or theological matters."Wiktionary  While God's Word provides us with instruction and direction for this life, man's need for "control" and "power" pushes doctrine as if it has the same value to the Christian life as God's word and the Holy Spirit's direction.

We've been set free from the bondage of sin when we placed our faith in Jesus Christ for our eternal salvation and choose Him as Lord of our life.  This doesn't mean we can live life as we did before coming to Christ, the opposite is our new direction.  Because the Holy Spirit now lives within us.  We are immediately made new in Christ; "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

While we often need the input from pastors and the guidance of organized church (meaning your church of choice... catholic, protestant, etc).  We are admonished here and in other passages to: "-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:12b  Our salvation is between us and God, we are to read HIS word and pray seeking HIS direction and guidance on how we live out Christ in our life.

I referred to Colossians 2 earlier because the chapter refers to what we're talking about today.  The passage ends specifically with this point: "You have died with Christ, and He has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world.  So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, "Don't handle! Don't fast! Don't touch!  Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them.  These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline.  But they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires." Colossians 2:20-23

Our local church is important to our life in Christ.  We're told to not give up meeting together; "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25  We need to meet with our brothers and sisters in Christ!  We need to gather to worship our Lord and Savior together, share our blessings as encouragement, and our trials for objective input.  God uses His Word, Holy Spirit and other believers to help us journey through life.

We need doctrine as a guide.  We need to be constantly engaged in our relationship with God.  Faith is a verb and requires action in thought and deed.  Work your salvation and theology out by seeking to know God through His Word and by prayer.  Make your relationship with God your first priority and see how HE will work in your life.  God desires to make us in the image of Christ so the lost will be drawn to Him by using us.

Blessings & Peace,
~Robert

What Cost?

Wisdom from Fellow Pilgrims

God loved us, and to prove it to us became human in order to become our brother in the flesh. He became poor, the poorest of the poor, in order to be able to include us all as his brothers (and sisters). He became a little child in order to be like children, even born, children from the slums.  God has loved us and has given all that he is and has.  The Father gave the Son, the Son gave His very self, the Holy Spirit became our habitual sanctifier.... How grateful I should be to this kind Savior!

~Peter Julian Eymard

How grateful indeed?!  This is titled "what cost" today because, when I read the above quote that IS the question that came to mind.  Over and over again, the reality of how God has spared nothing to return us to Himself.  He created us for a personal relationship with Himself and that was broken by selfish desire.


God has never changed in His desire for a personal relationship with each and every soul He's created since the beginning of time.  While I believe that God's heart breaks with every soul lost for eternity, I believe greater joy is expressed in the salvation of each soul.  The bible tells us that, "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." ~Luke 15:7


Don't we reach a whole different level of contentment, pleasure or satisfaction when difficult things are accomplished?  When goals are met and greater works and opportunities lay ahead, all things become better and greater!


God's word also tells us that, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." ~Ephesian 2:10 and "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.~Philippians 1:6


This journey has more to do with God's desire to set right everything that went wrong.  We can never be equal to God.  We can only because HE has made a way through Jesus Christ, be returned to a relationship with God that was intended from the beginning!  This journey is about allowing God to mold us into the image of Christ and in the process expose God's light to a dark, desperate and lost world.


Having given everything with the complete foreknowledge that so many would reject HIS provision and offer of restoration, God has still given HIS all and HIS Best.  So, should we give no less?  Should we even think of the cost to ourselves?  OR, should we throw our everything into being committed, sold out and of use to God for God's purposes alone?!


As always, the choice is ours.  God only asks that we accept, obey and trust in HIM!


Blessings & Peace
~Robert

Streams in the Desert Daily Devotional, Charles Cowman, Christian Bible Devotions

Streams in the Desert Daily Devotional, Charles Cowman, Christian Bible Devotions:

"And regarding all our necessities, all our difficulties, all our trials, we may exercise faith in the power of God, and in the love of God."

I Thessalonians 5:17-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (ESV)

Set your heart and mind today in God's direction and your spirit will be lifted.  God doesn't desire that our life be anything less than full.  Jesus said, "..I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." ~John 10:10b


Don't be cast down today and when the enemy comes against you, take a breath and remember God is always on your side.

Blessings & Peace,
~Robert

Put a dent in the universe.

"Jobs believed in the power of vision. He once asked then-Pepsi President, John Sculley, "Do you want to spend your life selling sugar water or do you want to change the world?" Don't lose sight of the big vision."

Still using the points from the article concerning Steve Jobs' Seven Rules of Success.  Here's the link again for reference and credit to the source: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220515

"Put a dent in the universe."  Such a lofty goal and to what end?  There's no doubt that Mr. Jobs' work during his time on this earth made a dramatic impact on the world at large.  Do to his efforts and successes in the computing and mobile industries, where can one go and find that his products are completely unknown in industrial countries?  The point I want to make in his regard, is that he did accomplish great things while here.  However looking only at these specific accomplishments he's only left a legacy.  The legacy doesn't provide for eternity.

Now our question is how to put into practice this goal; "Put a dent in the universe" spiritually?  What direction does God provide for His children or does He have anything to say in this regard?  I really only one place to turn and that’s His word.  God’s inspired word is full of all the example’s for us to learn from and apply.

For this exercise we really need to address the real question.  What is the purpose for which you and I have been created?  In Genesis 1:26, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.  And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”  Briefly and very simply stated, we were created to manage God’s creation.

As our history has unfolded, so has our role in His creation.  From the fall until today and until Christ’s return, God has had a plan to return mankind to the relationship HE began in the Garden of Eden.  Considering the account where Adam and Eve hid themselves, “when they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” ~Genesis 3:8.  We know they had a personal, in the flesh, relationship with our Creator.  This was the relationship that we see repeatedly, with God having a direct involvement with HIS creation, mankind.

Now we know that God placed man in the position of caretaker of HIS creation and into a unique relationship with Himself.  Consider the direct interactions with His chosen people, the 12 tribes of Israel of the Old Testament.  We know that these chosen peoples were shinning the light of God on the rest of the world.

In the New Testament, we have Jesus Christ the messiah as prophesied in the Old Testament coming to reveal the way back to God.  A path that required the ultimate atonement for mankind’s sin, rebellion and disobedience of God’s command.  With the completion of Christ’s mission we have the additional voice and light of God being shared with all mankind through those who choose to believe that Jesus Christ was who HE said HE was, God’s Lamb.  The perfect solution for the original plan gone wrong.

In conclusion for this point.  I believe the “dent in the universe” to be made by anyone is about shinning the light on God our Creator.  As we journey through life giving honor and glory to our Creator, we will without question contribute in varying degrees to our families, communities and workplace.  I submit to you that none of it will make any difference unless it’s done to glorify God and in doing so the lost are brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

As always I welcome all comments and questions.

Blessings & Peace

~Robert

Steve Jobs and the Seven Rules of Success | Entrepreneur.com

I once heard a pastor say, "I love taking from the world and using it for God". Steve Jobs' position on faith and religion are not my topic of discussion today. I do find great value in the article I'm sharing on this blog today.

Just as any man or woman can live by the principles of the bible and still spend eternity in hell, separated from God. You can employ the principles lived by Steve Jobs in business and not own your own business. They can still help you succeed in life.

"Do what you love." - I've heard it said over and over again, "do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life". Spend time loving God and choosing to do those things that draw you near to Him and you'll find yourself wanting to do those things that honor Him. Unlike our relationship with our spouse, we can't get things to show how we fill. All we can do is live out our love for Christ by allowing God to form us into His image. Love being used by and formed into Christ's image.

Think about this point today. Allow the Holy Spirit to work this idea deeply into your spirit. Ask our Father to help you grab ahold of HIS vision for your life. You'll be surprised to find that the thing(s) you already love to do, are in fact a huge part of what God created you to do.

Blessings & Peace

~Robert