In my studies at the present time I am in the New Testament – I like to read 3 Chapters in the Gospels and then 3 Chapter beyond them, so I picked ACTS.   I really enjoyed reading how the early Church started and the excitement that was seen in them…   The saying “Do they See Jesus in me” – the new Christians would answer this with a Big YES. 
                Part of a Study section in my Bible had a short section talking about the early church: enjoy this bit of wisdom………..
     The source of power unleashed on the day of Pentecost will never fail.  On the day the church was born, the greatest spiritual renewal in world history occurred.  The early church grew because, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, believers devoted themselves to four things:

1.  The apostle’s doctrine.  A growing church is one that’s grounded in God’s word.
2. Fellowship.  These believers spent time together in corporate worship.  They cared for each other.
3. The breaking of bread.  Early believers ate and celebrated the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper together.  Each one shared his or her resources for the benefit of the group.
4. Prayer.  These growing believers prayed together.  Both personal and corporate prayer are crucial for spiritual growth.

      When I look at these for items – I try to bring it back to my own personal life and grade myself on each one…    so here would be my Grade….    

1.  C – I would like to say that my studies in the Bible are grounded to an everyday event…  I do miss days and the study part needs to be a bit more in-depth.
2. B – My Fellowship at church lacks some – but I would have to say I compensate it with getting together 2 or 3 times a week if I can with other men to fellowship over a meal or cup of coffee.
3. C – This breaking of bread was a little different then how we celebrate the Lord’s Supper currently – it would be more of a meal and the sharing of your resources…   I enjoy the church I attend because it serves the Lord’s Supper every week but Easter…  but where I fail is having a meal with other Christians – I always seem to be too busy.  (Not a excuse).
4. C –   My Prayer life is good at times – but we as Christians should be in the aspect of Praying without Ceasing.   There are times when this happens but it needs to happen more often…

       As you can see I have allot of work to do in order to have the excitement and passion the early church used as a foundation. 

I would encourage you to use do the same and grade yourself on the 4 items from the early church and remember you have the same helper.

The Holy Spirit

Now do they see Jesus in You?

Bobbyg

     I finished reading the Old Testament from the Back to the Front (just my way of getting through the Old Testament) and now I started back in the New Testament with Matthew.  I am using the Promise Keepers Men’s Study Bible this time – try picking up a different study Bible to get a different perspective.
           Well in the First part of this study Bible it picks up on Obedience and specifically the Obedience of Joseph….  As you know the story of Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus coming – Joseph needed to be prompted on being Obedient.  As the story goes on – Joseph will encounter many circumstances that requires his Obedience to keep his family safe.   “God Talks to Joseph several Times.”
           Below is an excerpt from the study Bible about Joseph’s Immediate Obedience:
          “He Arose” Those two short words communicate volumes about the character of Joseph.  Jesus` earthly father.  Upon receiving a command from God concerning the protection of his family, he immediately obeyed.  No debating, No Delaying.  Just immediate and complete obedience.
         Would Joseph’s obedience bring hardship?  Probably. And danger?  No doubt.  But still he obeyed.  And so must every man who commits to listening to God and following his commands.  The Bible has much to say about fathers and men of God – like Joseph, make your obedience immediate and complete.
         Later in Chapter 3 – it has a section of questions about Measuring Up to a Style of Joseph – and the question on Obedience is this one.
                 **Am I obedient – to God?  To my Superiors?  To the laws of the land?
           As you can see Obedience falls into many areas of our lives and God will require that we hold to what he has instructed us to do…   Can we be like Joseph and do it immediately?

This week look at those areas God is telling you what to do and follow up in the same Style Joseph did….

 Bobbyg

     I normally do not get into the talking about the controversial issues on my Blogs – but I would like to talk about Marriage.  If you have noticed in my last few Blogs I have talked about standing up for what you believe and that people should see Jesus in us – that includes dealing with the hard issues.
           Today’s newspaper had an article talking about “High Court Must Ban Marriage Bans”  – it was talking about Government not interfering in the private lives and the rights of citizens in their pursuit of Happiness.  (Gay Marriage)
           My Church a couple of weeks ago made a stand on Marriage and made a Declaration on what they believe…    WOW – This is something that Churches have been careful of because of the repercussions of making the Stand.  I am proud of my church for what they believe in…
    Below is their Declaration.
 Statement Concerning Same Sex Marriage
 With the recent legalization of Same Sex Marriage in the state of Wyoming I thought it was prudent to issue this statement to the church and community to make clear our stance on this issue.
 “Church’s Name” of Cheyenne holds to the Biblical definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, the definition that was given to us by God in Genesis 2:24 and affirmed by His Son Jesus Christ in Matthew 19:5 and Mark 10:6-8. We hold to the Biblical teaching that willful homosexual activity is a sinful act as taught in both the Old and New Testament (Genesis 19:4-7, Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, Judges 19:22-23, Romans 1:26-27, 1Corinthians 6:9-10, 1Timothy 1:8-11). Since God and His word are our ultimate authority, we will not perform or make any resource in our stewardship available for same sex marriages. No ruling of court, legislature or even vote of the people will ever make homosexual practice acceptable for believers and no same sex marriage will ever be honored by God or this church. Legal does not equal righteous. When we are left to choose between what is legal and what God has said we will always choose what is right in the sight of God (Acts 4:19-20).
 Rest assured that God and “Church’s Name” of Cheyenne still love those who live a homosexual lifestyle.  We believe that Jesus died on the cross to free the whole world from the tyranny of all sin; including homosexuality. We believe that any sinner, including a homosexual, who will confess Christ as Lord will be forgiven of their sin and surrounded by a loving church family who will compassionately encourage them to fight temptation and walk away from their previous sinful lifestyle. We will love and stand firm with families whose children or other family members are involved in a homosexual lifestyle and not hold the sin of their family against them.
 This was signed by the Leadership of the Church….
      I did not deliberately take my Church’s name out of the Statement – I took it out hoping that other churches might take a similar stand and place their name in this spot.   Maybe we as Christians we could tweak a statement like that this and make it our own Statement (food for thought).

 Now we as Christians – can we make a Stand on what we believe in and at the same time let those who see us know that Jesus Love is working through us?????

    Bobbyg

 The other night my wife and I were watching the Country Music Award and one of the Artists was singing a song – Diane looked at me and asked —  “Can you here the words of the song”.    I am extremely bad on Words and Songs – if it is not Carman or Neil Diamond – forget it…   the words just do not flow through this seasoned head, normally the Music is drowning out the words for me. (Except for maybe the words “Jesus take the Wheel” – I get those)
           So as I sat there the Words started coming and I could not believe what she was singing about… this was on National TV – with Millions watching and it was Country Music.    Below is the song – enjoy the words:   
Click here to here the Video:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ2kdx4zZUY

 CARRIE UNDERWOOD LYRICS

“Something In The Water”

He said, “I’ve been where you’ve been before.

Down every hallway’s a slamming door.

No way out, no one to come and save me.

Wasting a life that the Good Lord gave me.

 

Then somebody said what I’m saying to you,

Opened my eyes and told me the truth.”

They said, “Just a little faith, it’ll all get better.”

So I followed that preacher man down to the river and now I’m changed

And now I’m stronger

 

There must’ve been something in the water

Oh, there must’ve been something in the water

 

Well, I heard what he said and I went on my way

Didn’t think about it for a couple of days

Then it hit me like a lightning late one night

I was all out of hope and all out of fight

 

Couldn’t fight back the tears so I fell on my knees

Saying, “God, if you’re there come and rescue me.”

Felt love pouring down from above

Got washed in the water, washed in the blood and now I’m changed

And now I’m stronger

 

There must be something in the water

Oh, there must be something in the water

 

And now I’m singing along to amazing grace

Can’t nobody wipe this smile off my face

Got joy in my heart, angels on my side

Thank God almighty, I saw the light

Gonna look ahead, no turning back

Live every day, give it all that I have

Trust in someone bigger than me

Ever since the day that I believed I am changed

And now I’m stronger

 

There must be something in the water (amazing grace)

Oh, there must be something in the water (how sweet the sound)

Oh, there must be something in the water (that saved a wretch)

Oh, there must be something in the water (like me)

Oh, yeah

 I am changed (I once was lost)

Stronger (but now I’m found)

      A song about Baptism – WOW on National TV.   I wish I had the Courage that Carrie Underwood  had at that moment to let people know about her faith. 

So this week as you are in the public sector – can we be as Bold as Carrie Underwood was – and let people know about Our Faith

Bobbyg

     At the present time I am having a tough time on something I know that needs to be done and I do not want to do it…   What do I do??????
      Pastor Shaun shared the story of Jesus this last Sunday when he was in the Garden – Jesus was praying and his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow…  He was praying “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”  (Matthew 26: 36>46).   We all know what decision he chose…
          I know my Tough Choices cannot come close to what Christ had to go through – but it is extremely comforting to know that he was Human like us and chose to do God’s will. 
           Pastor Shaun also shared the scripture in Hebrews (he is going through Hebrews) and the verse was:  (Hebrews 5:8) – Although he was a Son, He learned obedience from what he suffered…
          So through those Tough Choices that we must make – it is through Obedience that we are to accomplish God’s Will…   even when they are very hard decisions to make and we may suffer through them.
           So now back to that Tough Choice that I must make….   with the encouraging words from the Sermon on Sunday – I know what my choice has to be.   I can only do it with God on my side and his Wisdom to help me make it through the Process. 

 So if you have a major Choice to make – remember who your best example is – and be Obedient to what God’s will is.

Bobbyg

 

     The GMM team had an Advance this last weekend and it was a very Challenging time as to where I was with my Ministry.  Our Speaker (Pastor Jason K.) did a great job at putting forth a message of Support – but also one of checking to see where each of us have matured.   He gave us 5 questions for us to answer in a personal moment…   Here they are:

1.  What is my role in GMM?
2. How Involved am I?
3. Why am I here?
4. How is my Church Helping?
5. Do I have a Church Home?

    Some of these were easy to answer but others I really had to think about…    These could be questions for you also:  If you are involved in a ministry outside the church that affects your community – how would you answer them? 
      These questions for me were checking on my Maturity in How I am letting people know about Jesus – and do they see that in me.   This includes all areas of my life…
           My study Bible had this section in Hebrew that made our Maturity Choices that we chose in Life:
  Are We:    

•                        Teaching others – or – Just being taught
•                         Developing depth of understanding – or – struggling with the basics
•                         Self-evaluation – or – self-criticism
•                         Seeking unity – or – promoting disunity
•                         Desiring Spiritual challenges – or – Desiring entertainment
•                        Careful study and observation – or – opinions and halfhearted efforts
•                        Active Faith – or   – cautious apathy and doubt
•                        Confidence – or – Fear

                 We mature at each of these in different ways and at different times in our lives, but these are great things to ponder and see where your Maturity is at the Present time.

So I would encourage you look at your Ministry and see where you are – then look at your Christian Walk and see where that is.

Take this week and Pray about each of these areas in your life.

 Bobbyg

**Remember our Growth should be through Jesus!

     I have been on vacation – so it has been a few days since I wrote a blog, but I am excited to write about what I was able to experience during my Travels.
     Diane and I were on Vacation in Pagosa Springs, CO. with a couple of our friends from Salem OR.  – We like to connect with them a couple of times a year.   We ventured Downtown to check out the sites and started with a coffee shop by the River.   My wife walked down this hallway and came back to tell me that this was a Christian Business because of some signage she encountered.  Then we went across the street to the Next Door (name of the business) – and when you walked in you could tell that this also was a Christian Business.  I knew I was in Trouble at this place and had to get my wife out soon – or it was going to cost me…
        It felt really good to walk into a few of the Business in Town and you could see that Jesus was a big part of the owner’s life…   So my thoughts are – would this not be great to experience Jesus when you are on an adventure in a new town in the local Businesses.
          Then my thoughts went to – Do people see Jesus when they walk into my Home.   I have to tell you that after we went into that store in Pagosa Springs called Next Door – they will see Jesus in my Home when they walk in (I knew it was going to cost me).   We now have 3 plaques over the fireplace that read.

1.   A Saying from 1 Corinthians  13: 7-8
2.   Another from Joshua 24:15
3.   And the other with 2 Samuel 22:33

They are a great addition to our Home – we have other items that would also let you know that Jesus is first in our lives…   But I hope that when they come to my Home – questions would be asked if they did not know Jesus.
          Now came the biggest Question:    Do they see Jesus in me – and as the saying goes:   “They will know we are Christians by our Love”.   People should see Jesus us in me – without any signage that tells them that Jesus in first in my life.   
         I will have to tell you that I really struggle with this at times – especially with some of my old work partners.   This is something that I have to pray on daily and ask for others to help me..   I have to be careful that when I talk about some of my co-workers that I do it in a positive way…… and change my Heart to represent that…..   This a very Hard thing for me to do – I have to keep singing that song from Matthew West (Forgiveness)…. 
 

So my Challenge to you today is:

Do they see Jesus in You???

Bobbyg

The Book I have been reading showed a Few Posters that were posted all over in Britain just before war with Germany.   These were meant to encourage the people – but did they do the job.   Here is what they looked like:

YOUR COURAGE

YOUR CHEERFULNESS

YOUR RESOLUTION

WILL BRING

US VICTORY

 

FREEDOM IS

IN PERIL

DEFEND IT

WITH ALL

YOUR MIGHT

 

   When you look at these two posters above – they seem to stir you more then give you encouragement.   On the radio today the Host was speaking about Positive attitudes during hard times will get you through it.    I really believe that this is true – the Bible gives us several examples of people praising our Lord while they are being persecuted.   Paul while he was in Jail – Peter during his trial days – Job  praising God when he was being tested.   They all seem to make sure that their focus was on the Hope that they had received. 
          One last poster that was printed but did not get posted was this one…

 KEEP

CALM

AND

CARRY

ON

   Well that one would have been the one I would have liked to have seen….  When we Trust in Jesus and carry his Hope with us into battle – then this really works.   We can KEEP CALM and we will be able to CARRY ON…
           As with Nehemiah:  (this is coming from the book I am reading)   When we trust in God, we think more clearly and react more decisively.  Like Nehemiah, who said, “We prayed to our God and Posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.”  **This would be a great story to read – read about Nehemiah during your devotional time this week.**
       We prayed….. and posted.   We trusted and acted.  Trust God to do what you can’t.  Obey God, and do what you can. 

 So as you go forward this week:  “Keep Calm and Carry On”

Bobbyg

I have really been enjoying the book my wife gave me to read – and the story line throughout the Book has been about Joseph (Joseph and the coat of many colors).   This last few chapters have been talking about Joseph’s encounter with his brother after @ 20 years and how he responds.
          Joseph had every right to respond with Revenge – look at what he has been through in the last 20 years and why he got there.  His brothers had thrown him in a pit to die and then eventually sold him into Slavery.   You would have expected him to do as Christ did in Luke 23:34:   “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  — But at first Joseph could not.   As the Book says “He didn’t because Forgiving Jerks is the hardest trick in the bag.”
          When you read the rest of the story you will find out that Joseph did enjoy some Pay Back as it would be called today – but in the end (as Nick would say) Love Wins.   Did it make it any easier for Joseph to forgive – No – It is seldom Quick, Painless and for Joseph it was not…   He ended up in Tears several Times.
          In the end Joseph could look back and see GOD’s work and the Evil deeds of his brothers was turned into GOOD.   So in the end Joseph enjoyed Praising and Giving Thanks with his whole family…
           Today I was listening to Joel Osteen on the Radio and he was giving several Examples of what we should be giving Praise and Thanks Giving for – even when it is hard:   A Couple of them hit home:

1.  We should be thankful for our Jobs – if they are New – Old or one of those Hard ones that we seem stuck in…
2. Our favorite Neighbor who has that DOG that Barks REALLY loud and will not quit.
3. Our Homes – Our Families:   We are all at different levels with our surroundings and relationships.

We need to focus on the Now and be thankful for How God is working through us…   Sometimes we do not see it until the end of our circumstances – but we must remember – God is at work.

So Today – Be Giving Thanks and Praise – Not Revenge.

 Bobbyg

     My Last blog was on Changing Direction and one of the Hardest things to do in this process is – WAITING.   Waiting can be extremely Hard – but sometimes it is what God is requiring of us so that he can do His work.   The Book my wife has asked me to read has this Chapter on just this topic – WAITING. 
          I had written in the last Blog that if you are comfortable – then you might be in the wrong spot.  Then I thought about that – waiting can make you extremely uncomfortable – so that may be the spot you need to be at.
Quote from the book – “Are you in God’s Waiting room?? If so, here is what you need to know:  While you wait, God Works.” 
   “To wait, biblically speaking is not to assume the worst, worry, fret, make demands, or take control.  Nor is waiting inactivity….  Waiting is a sustained effort to stay focused on God through prayer and belief.  To wait is to “rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him…   Not fret (Ps. 37:7).”
     This Chapter shared this story of Daniel in Prayer for 21 days and was getting inpatient on the result…   It just so happens that while he was in Prayer the Angel Michael had been at work the whole time battling the enemy…   So remember if the answer does not come right away – that just means God is at work for you and there may be this extremely important waiting period.
 Here are a couple of great questions that the Chapter finished with…   What if you give up?  Lose Faith?  Walk away?
    “Don’t.  For heaven’s sake, don’t.  All of heaven is warring on your behalf.  Above and around you at this very instant, God’s Messengers are at work.”

 It finished with this great scripture:   Isaiah 40:31

Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Just remember this and God will do his mighty works through you…

 Bobbyg