Church guide

Are you mediocre? Every true follower of Christ wants to be used mightily by God to be part of the five fold ministry of the eleventh verse of Ephesians 4. Those gifts of Christ work in the local fellowship's fruition of verse 12: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. The zeal of God is the perfecting of his saints (also in Romans 8:29) in that they might “grow up in all things” as Paul says in verse 15. So then, why do we see a lack of spiritual growth in our brothers and sisters –and in ourselves? The present writer, having fellowshipped in several churches in Connecticut and a handful in Rhode Island, has found that, with the Spirit's enablement, the there is a simple way to detect the spiritual health and maturity of any Christian you meet. And that is to speak with them. Ask them what things God has been doing in their life and what things he has been speaking to them. Then measure what they say with scripture and the whole counsel of God. There is also another way to gage how mature the churches are in a region of small or large size (or the world, for that matter). That is to measure the churches influence on the region. You can then, a priori, know the spiritual health and maturity of those churches. The answer to the above question is that the saints neither follow Christ as closely nor know him as intimately as the Son prayed the Father they would (John 17) and, therefore, as the Holy Spirit within designs and has made provision. The next question, like the first, is why. This could be answered in many ways, including a whole book on the matter. For now we could rightly say that it is a mystery why one person might be strong and mature and anointed in their conversation (as defined in the KJV) and the other Christian is weak and susceptible to spiritual attack. They too often walk out of the house without first putting on spiritual clothes – the whole armor of Ephesians 6. It is mysterious that one Christian is actively and intently waiting on God for provision and intervention of epic proportions and the other is only used of God in relatively small matters –meaning matters or ministry that require neither great faith nor great character nor any challenging level of commitment to New Testament living. Yet, as said earlier, every true and sincere follower of Christ desires to be used of God greatly! On to our third question: How much do they desire to really live, “life abundantly”? Or are they settling. Ah yes, there it is. They have settled for mediocrity and so God has given them what they want. The Devil is happy about this too. For now his kingdom has a victory over this mediocre man of God. Here's the core of the matter: If you get serious with God. He will get serious with you. If you will not settle for less than God's best, then God will not rest until he has given you his very best of what Jesus came to give. That is “life and life more abundantly!” Before any more is said, something must be made clear: God is not interested in giving you prosperity as concerning the things of this world. Yes, some Christians are called to be rich and prosperous so that they can be used of God in that capacity and to their full potential in Christ. But to say every Christian (looking at the Apostle Paul in chains) is called to the “American dream” is at best an immature view of the scriptures and at worst, heretical. Which way to God's best? Answer: Are you willing to go anywhere, do anything, endure any trial, if it be in God's plan to give you his best. I think God has allotted much more free will than we ever imagined. If you want the praise of God – if you want to be significant in the Kingdom of God – if you truly desire what you CLAIM you desire of God, then the way is open. The Lord will meet you wherever you are right now (meaning your spiritual condition), but he will only take you where you are willing to go. It is hoped that this reading material can be a seed which will result in a decision for all who read – the decision to go for God's best –in this life and ultimately in eternity. Oh yes, don't forget, no matter where God takes you on the way to his best, his comfort and joy and peace “which passes all understanding” will be with you. And is not comfort and joy and peace believed to be the desired end-result of all things we seek, whether we seek them of God or through worldly devices? This is called a Win-Win scenario. Praise God, with Jesus we win! Our final question: What do you say in your heart to God? We know what Jesus said in verse 42 to his Father, and ours: From Luke Chapter 22: 39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

So many of you have great aspirations that God has placed in your heart so that you might glorify God as you fulfill them in the world, but especially as they bloom within the family of God, in the churches. Would you share them with us so that we may pray with you and be an encouragement to you in them?

I Timothy 4:1 and Word Ministries A new R.I. based parachurch ministry as of Feb. 2015, "Word Ministries", is ultimately about closer adherence to New Testament living. As a first step we call the bride of Christ back to how she viewed her Bible from the Great Reformation. It was not until the turn of the 19th century that churches in America (liberal ones at first) began to lay aside the English versions from the Reformation (known historically as the Reformation Bibles) and began to adopt versions which excluded or doubted key doctrinal passages such as Acts 8:37. Today there are about five popular modern English versions which are not faithful renditions of what God has said in dozens of places in the New Testament. Therefore, taking the time to discern between the faithful and unfaithful Bible versions is key to being a doer of the Word and for guarding against false doctrine, so prevalent today --especially a doctrine which says that God has not superintended the transmission of his words to the churches. (I Tim. 4:1) Watch the video from our friends at AV1611.com and find out the basics of why what version you prefer for study is relevant to your Christian walk.

Being forgiven by God costs you nothing. Yet, following after God daily may cost you something incalculable. Therefore He says, "Trust Me".

What is it that keeps you from victory in Christ? You have at least a vague idea. The word and faith must grow in you to overcome that thing.

The more we grow in Christ, the bigger God gets. How big is your heavenly Father, and is there anything impossible that his Spirit couldn't accomplish it. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (I John 5:14-15)

Larry's official site is: www.newwayministries.org/larrycrabb.php

Being forgiven by God costs you nothing. Yet, following after God daily may cost you something incalculable. Therefore He says, "Trust Me".

Larry challenged me today. He asked, "What is your greatest fear of facing what is going on inside of you? What are the things in your life that you ignore for fear of ruining your comfort? From http://newwayministries.org/fullyalive.php

GOD'S gentleness to us (2 Sam 22:36) You have also given me the shield of thy salvation: and your gentleness has made me great. OUR Gentleness to others: (Gal. 5:22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [that is that no one can bring a charge against] I think I see gentleness in every one of these fruits. In fact, I also see an overlap and an intertwining of them all. I have so-so much to learn, Lord help me.

I discovered the transforming power that is released when people learn to enter the kind of community that God has enjoyed in the Trinity. And I realized we can develop that kind of community with the resources provided by the New Covenant. What needs to happen to people happens in community ― Dr. Larry Crabb

“It is the understanding of others and the awareness of their needs, that the ambassador of CHRIST should strive to cultivate” ― Larry Crabb, Basic Principles of Biblical Counseling: Meeting Counseling Needs Through the Local Church

He takes ALL things (like my even failures) and turns them around for the ultimate good of His kingdom. Romans 8:28 brings this out. This happens to be my life verse. Do you have a life verse? Would you share it?

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. The eye is a better pupil, more willing than the ear; Fine counsel is confusing, but example is always clear, And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds, For to see a good put in action is what everybody needs. I can soon learn how to do it if you will let me see it done; I can watch your hand in action, but your tongue too fast may run. And the lectures you deliver may be very wise and true, But I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do. For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give, But there is no misunderstanding how you act and how you live. When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind. When a weaker brother stumbles, and a strong man stands behind Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be. And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way. One good man teaches many; men believe what they behold; One deed of kindness noted is worth forty that are told. Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear, For right living speaks a language which to everyone is clear. Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say, I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day. Edgar A. Guest, Circa 1880 A.D.

Hi All, I admit, when I'm not 'centered' I may temporarily loose my connection to my best friend. By the way, every friend lets you down at some point. Yet, this friend will never fail. He even takes my failures and turns them around for the ultimate good. Romans 8:28 brings this out. This happens to be my life verse. Segue: Do you have a life verse?

Let your frustration to everything in this world, including yourself, lead you in to a deeper dependence on Christ. @LarryCrabb

“When we live with no higher goal than to make this life work . . . we fight the wrong battle.” - Larry Crabb.

“When we live with no higher goal than to make this life work, whether through therapy, accountability, post-modern freedom, evangelical Christianity, or Catholic spirituality, we fight the wrong battle. And that’s the battle most of modern church is fighting! We’ve lost our unique message, the bright colors of radical Christianity have gone beige, we offer merely a religious method for pursuing the same goal that godless culture esteems. We chase after second things, believing the lie that the blessings of God (second things) will feed our souls when the truth is that only His presence (the first thing) can do the job.” - Larry Crabb.

Remember the official site is: www.newwayministries.org/larrycrabb.php