Can You Spell Laodicean

Once conform, once do what others do because they do it, and a kind of lethargy steals over the soul.

Michel Eyquem De Montaigne (1533-1592, French philosopher, essayist)

Romans 12: 2
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

This morning’s news has a wonderful picture of a young girl who won the National spelling Bee contest. She became known for her big smile after spelling each word. What word did she spell to win? Laodicean, which many say is the age that we are living in, the age of the Church of Laodicea, which is the church of the end times.

Peter says in 1 Peter 4:7 “Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be clear-headed and disciplined for prayer.” Now that is the clue for us as Christians to go about in an attitude of end time thinking, we are to remember we are living in the last days. We have been since the resurrection, and we are to live expecting Christ’s return at any given minute. We must not let conformity to this world dull our spiritual senses.

Voltaire, the French historian put it this way, “Our wretched species is so made that those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing a new road.” Christ gave us a new road, but there is a world which calls us to the ditch of conformity each day of our lives. Peter tells us the way to stay on track, it happens with a clear mind that calls us to prayer. The Holy Spirit will keep us on this “New Road” that leads to a time with no end…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William

Let Him Be Lord

There's only one effectively redemptive sacrifice, the sacrifice of self-will to make room for the knowledge of God.

Aldous Huxley (1894-1963, British author)

Romans 12: 1-2
Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Two things are tied together in this scripture that we should take notice of. Paul first asks us to present our bodies as a “Living Sacrifice.” He then tacks on this interesting statement, “This is your “spiritual worship.” What Paul has done is tie our physical bodies to our spiritual state before God.

You see, who we are, is what we do, and not what we say. The problem with the church today is this very separation. Many want to separate their relationship with God from what they do daily. It allows them to include sin, and exclude holiness, which Paul tells us is necessary in Heb12:14 “Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, without it no one will see the Lord.”

So our whole life is what is accepted by God as spiritual worship. It’s not a couple hours spent in Church on Sunday, or Wednesday. It’s every day and every hour, and every moment of our lives that is to count for our Lord. You see if He is your Lord, then you are his slave, and every moment of your life, belongs to Him anyway…God’s Blessings.

Pastor William

It's Not Yours Anyway

I have never seen a person sacrifice to make a contribution. People contribute only that portion of their income which will not in any way infringe upon their standard of living.

James W. Frick

Romans 12: 1-2
Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

What is Paul asking us as Christians when he asks us to present ourselves? Webster gives us this definition; “To bring or introduce into the presence of someone especially of superior rank or status” Notice in this scenario that we are the ones that are doing the approaching, God is not demanding our presence, He is giving us opportunity to come before Him.

I think that we take these opportunities for granted, for it is the calling of the Holy Spirit that bids us to come into the Holy Presence of God. God will not come and hunt us down and I’m afraid that is what many people want Him to do. It doesn’t happen that way. What happens is that we gradually lose His presence in our lives and we stumble into hurt, or trouble which causes us to look around and see we are alone.

What happens is many end up as dead, rather than living sacrifices. God asks us to come before Him and to present our life for His cleansing and direction. 1 Cor 6:19-20 tells us this; “Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body.” Any questions?...God’s Blessings
Pastor William