In searching the Internet to find some of the different views about the Challenges facing the followers of Jesus Christ, I came across some interesting site that discuss the discomfort with the modern day, system church structure. I have listed a few of the more valid ones.
The basic principle we found was that people will tell you they like Jesus…but they don’t like the (System, Organization of) church. The love Jesus shows is being life, but many Christians find the legalism and rituals without meaning and even stifling their inner hunger for God. We have presented a few of these websites to help you look for Truth in Jesus rather than in the wrong places. Read more...(504 words, 2 images, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)
In our discussions on church Leadership, we need to remember that the Lord is building His Church. It isn’t the institutional, religious system, nor is it a structure of legalism and rules that come from self-effort. In all this discussion, then we must remember that the Lord will rise up His leaders as well.
The Lord raised up special judges to rescue His people, Judges 16:2. It was the living relationship the Judge had with Jehovah that gave him the ability to rescue His people. This is the vital, alive quality of leaders today. Read more...(1095 words, 4 images, estimated 4:23 mins reading time)
Another reader’s responce to the question about going to their church:
“I guess what concerns me about the church I go to is that the gospel Jesus offered has been so watered down, I seldom hear it anymore. I don’t remember the last time the speaker gave ‘an alter call’. There is very little challenge in their message to even see the power of the gospel to change people’s heart.
“Then when the speaker aims to ‘translate the gospel’ into more modern terms for the non-believers in the church, it is often off base. Sometimes it appeals to ‘being better husbands’ – which is good but without the help of the Holy Spirit, the heart of any husband won’t be changed. They forget to mention that part.Read more...(211 words, 1 image, estimated 51 seconds reading time)
As we continue to look at he issues surrounding the Emerging Church, some of the controversy can be summed up in the book by Dan Kimball. However, now everyone agrees with his viws. We present a part of a review with some very revelavent points to our discussion from http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=3292 , February 22, 2007.
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“Many people today, especially among the younger generations, don’t resonate with the church and organized Christianity. Some are leaving the church and others were never part of the church in the first place. Sometimes it’s because of misperceptions about the church. Often they are still spiritually open and fascinated with Jesus.”Read more...(1186 words, 3 images, estimated 4:45 mins reading time)
As we continue with the theme of the Emerging Church, the following is an interesting Book Review – but careful, not all agree with his theme!
“I always have a stack of books to read on my bookshelf. Right now, it numbers a dozen deep, but just yesterday one book came in from Amazon and I picked it up immediately. It jumped right over the waiting list.
“It’s called “They Like Jesus But Not the Church” by Dan Kimball.Read more...(378 words, 2 images, estimated 1:31 mins reading time)
As we continue with our theme on the Emerging Church, here is another interesting YouTube video on the same theme.
Pastor Bob warns the group around himabout the dangers in the emerging church movement. He concern is that Christians are being , which really is diverging Christians from the truth of God’s Word, uploaded by HorizonNorthCounty on Jul 5, 2008
Remember to leave any comments on this theme as I would value my reader’s opinions,
From Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sons by Jack Frost
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A Word from the Lord:
"I have followed the flight of an eagle with My eyes. I have seen the mighty fish in the sea and they all give Me great pleasure ..… but do you know the greatest of all My creation is the Adam and Eve I created?
"Time has not changed My joy in seeing mankind grow. However, My heart has been saddened when I know the pleasure I wish to give My people, give to you My child. My ways are meant to be light, My burden easy. Religions and rules make the heaviness I wish to lift from My people.
"I long to draw you closer, to teach you deeper things of My Spirit. I need you to let your Heart rest in My love, to rest in My peace. I know the paths ahead for you. I have planned and will provide many treasures you have yet to see. Look for My hand and let Me guide you.
"I do know of your beginnings, of the painful places you have walked in your life. I have provided healing and grace to get up and go on … but know this, My child - I have never left your side. I have always walked with you, even when you cannot see My hand in your life. It is in times like this that I wish to grow your faith and trust.
"I have treasured your growth in following Me … and I want you to continue to seek Me for who I am, not what others have said about Me - or what the groups around you think.
"Look for Me and you will see Me in many layers in your life. I know your future; I know the dark places ahead and the places filled with sunshine and light. You will find Me in both places as I am moulding you and teaching you to walk with Me.
"Trust Me as you see the world around you. I will never leave you or walk away from you as I love you with a deep everlasting love. Yes, even when you make mistakes or take your eyes off the track. I am here! Rest in My peace and continue to let me fill you with My ways, with My treasures."
From Your Lord Jesus, your loving Father God via the Holy Spirit.
If you would like your own personal Word from the Lord, come find me on
www.fiverr.com/susanne72
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Book: this present darkness
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book - the Jesus I never Knew
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Book Spiritual Slaves - Jack Frost
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When I don't desire God
Surender
Bible Stewardship
Comfort Zone
Christ's Return
Changed by Faith
Divine Romance
Guide to Heaven
I am your Father
Our Mission - Gene Edwards
Hearing God
Restoring the Christian Soul
Always Enough
365 Meditations for Men
Changed by Faith
Because I love you
Happiness is a Choice
Captivating - John Eldredge
Hind's Feet on High Places
Hungry for God
Walking the Dead - John Eldredge
Is that Really You God
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Book Spiritual Slaves - Jack Frost
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Book: 4 keys
Book: this present darkness
Book: this present darkness
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Book: Bate of Satan
book - The Jesus I never Knew - Philip Yancey
book - the Jesus I never Knew
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To begin this section, let me tell you a story. 'Jenny' grew up in a semi-Christian home where she went to Sunday School every Sunday. It was probably more so that her parents had Sunday morning to themselves, away from their 4 children that they were sent to church. For whatever reason, little seeds grew in Jenny until she was a 20 year old and working in the church office.
She enjoyed her work and 'served well'. She even had a t-shirt made that said 'Steward of the Most High God'. She often marked her folders as 'Jenny, Steward of God'. This sounded like a good saying and to her, even sound doctrine … but it wasn't the whole truth. Something was missing.
She thought about leaving this group and looking for another church. Working in the church office made her feel like she belonged somewhere. She was the 'Helper to the Pastor' and that was how others saw her too.
They were her 'authority', her source of comfort and didn't they have the final say on what the Bible said? She wasn't really 'close' with any of them anyhow; none had tried to help her grow spiritually. She kept the rules of the church but quietly thought about 'church hopping someday'.
When she had a good day at work, she felt God smiled at her, even though her peers frequently excluded her in their church activities. She had her job with the church and they didn't. "Maybe they are just envious", she thought. "I need to protect what God has given me, especially since they don't understand me."
More and more she felt guarded and distrustful of others in the church and sometimes - if she let her thoughts go there - even felt the church pasters and leaders weren't doing the very best as stewards that they could have. "God was sole owner of everything and He had given me a job to do!" … and that was that as far as Jenny told herself.
So that was Jenny until the day her Mother died and she faced some hard truths. She was independent and could take care of herself but what about her family? One or two of the pastor's wives stopped by to offer their sad words but few others came.
The funeral wasn't very impressive as their money had been used for doctors. Jenny felt alone and lost, wanting to be loved by those she served but somehow, all this need and pride was mixed with isolation and being alone.
Sad and lonely, she went for a walk. "There's got to be more to God than this!" She began to question if she even knew the real Jesus and His love for her. At first, she didn't really feel like she could talk to HIM, the One who walked beside her. She didn't feel worthy; maybe she hadn't done enough? She was only His Steward …. but He saw her as so much more!
As Jenny walked and allowed His love to penetrate her independent, self-sufficient Heart. Her view of her walk as a Jesus follower began to change. Her view of being that 'Steward' began to melt into another sense of being His child first.
She began to feel gratitude for what the Lord was doing for her … and for her family. Never having known her biological father, she began to sense she really had a Father who just might cared for her. As the tears rolled down her face, she could she had turned her back on the real Source of her comfort, turned to the pastors who could never fill that need inside.
She could see that believing she was 'only His steward' had robbed her of knowing she was His child. Taking care of His things had replaced knowing she owned these things as His heir and beloved daughter.
She returned to the home she knew with greater peace than ever. She removed the labels 'Steward of God' of her folders and books. She replaced the labels with 'Growing child of God'. What a difference she felt!" (Names and places have been changed to protect 'Jenny's identity.)
As we begin this Stage 4 in our series From Slave to Bride, join us to find answers for your own life.