Jesus? Where? Here?

How’s your walk with Jesus?

I’m not asking anyone to comment.  If you feel so motivated, please participate.  However, at a minimum I’d like everyone to at least think this through for a bit.  

Here’s where I’m coming from; a little bit of my recent history

1. Walking strong with the Lord, making mistakes, but all in all, pretty pleased with my effort.
2. Helped start a Home Bible Study
3. Helped start a Church
4. Served as the Administrator, Youth Pastor, Setup Leader, Treasurer, Leadership, Delder, you name it.
5. Allowed myself to reach burnout.
   1. This was a very low point in my, and my family’s life.
6. Stopped serving, refocused on my family, and setting right priorities
7. Moved to a new state
8. Started a new job
9. Spent a solid 4 months focused on my family, did a great job on getting back to the basics.
10. Starting to lean towards serving again.

Now, try to keep an understanding that I’m not complaining about what I’ve been through.  God is really good, and He has definitely worked this one out for my good.

Back on track now.

I’m here, new state, new job, new relationships, new church; and I’m feeling like it’s time for me to get off my butt, and dedicate some serious time to serving God in a practical way.  I’ve been “walking” with Him every day.  My personal relationship with Jesus couldn’t be better, well, sure it can, but it hasn’t ever been this way before.  I’m saying, it is time for me to serve again.  

I’ve given it a gigantic amount of prayer and thought.  I want to put myself into a position where God can really use the talents and experience He’s equipped me with.  I love to play my guitar and lead worship, but I’m not the best.  I love to work with teen’s and help them make it through their adolescence, but I’ve never received actual training.  I’m exceptionally good at administration-management duties, but they are one of my least favorite things to do.  lol

So, obviously, without God giving me a specific confirmation, I haven’t made a move.  Well, that’s not entirely true.  I’ve started studying the book of James.  The Bible says that the Word will never return void (Isa 55:11) so I know spending time in it will be a good investment.  I’ve never gone through it verse by verse before, and wow, it’s speaking to my heart.

Some things that I’ve learned:

James covers a different perspective on “works” than Paul does.  Paul seems to stick to a pre-salvation perspective while James goes with a post-salvation view.  The Bible is very clear that there are no “works” required to gain salvation.  It is a gift, freely given, freely received.  Paul is straight up right when he describes works and how they’re not required for salvation.  James is also right.  In his epistle James explains how Faith without works is Dead.  This again is true.  If a person is really saved, then they will be unable to prevent works from happening.  New creations do new deeds.  This doesn’t mean I’m judging a persons standing with God, no, not me.  But, I am a fruit inspector.  I stayed in Central Florida for 10 years.  My first close friend there was a grower in a nursery.  I know how to judge fruit.  

What is your fruit looking like?  Right?  Make sense?   How is your actual walk with Jesus?  Are you following Him?  In deed?  In word?  In heart?

My new job has been a great thing, totally God ordained.  I was able to attend a business meeting hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce.  Because I’m new, and people are still getting to know me, I was able to do a fair amount of people watching.  I saw a guy I had seen at my church.  Was speaking with him and a colleague, when he began cursing.  Now, I guess it’s not fair that he didn’t recognize me, but none the less “from the surplus of the heart” he was swearing and cursing to share a story.  In the same sentence that he used four letter words he also said that he did Missionary work with his church.  I don’t know what my colleague thought.  I don’t know him well enough to bring the offense up yet.  But man, do you think he makes it a habit to review his actions?

Friends, family, strangers, I’m going to post about profanity on it’s own, so try not to think I’m a tight-wad Bible thumper.  This is just about integrity, especially for those that call themselves Christians.  

Are you “walking the walk, and talking the talk”?  

What do Fruit Inspectors think about your produce?

What does Jesus think about your produce?

 

 

Jesus, Lord of Lord, Creator of All, Lover of my soul; I confess my shortcomings and failings.  Please help me live to be the man You died for me to be. I receive the forgiveness You’ve provided through what You did on the cross.  Thank You for everything, including this wicked new pc.  

 

Word up people, share your thoughts!!!

 

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