Post by stluee on Dec 16, 2014 2:58:45 GMT
Working Together
Chuckle: “While visiting a police station, a kindergartener pointed to a picture and asked if the photo was of a wanted person. “Yes,” answered a policeman. “Well,” asked the child, “why didn’t you keep him when you took his picture?”
Quote: “See the Gospel Church secure And founded on a Rock! All her promises are sure; Her bulwarks who can shock? –Charles Wesley ‘The Church’
WORKING TOGETHER
“From him (Jesus) the whole body (the church), joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:16 NIV). “The body (church) is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body” (1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV). (Parentheses Mine)
You probably are familiar with the word “synergy” and “synergism.” Synergy describes this principle, “the function of the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts.’' For example, you can have all the parts of a clock spread out on a table, but just having all the parts does not make a clock. It becomes a functioning clock only when the cooperating parts are assembled and perform their intended functions as they work together. The clock is greater than the sum of its parts. Synergism also describes different medicines working together to produce the desired healing effect.
The word “synergism” is also used in a Theological sense. “It is the doctrine or belief that the human will cooperates with the Holy Spirit and with God’s grace especially in the act of conversion or regeneration” (salvation). God’s grace, the Holy Spirit’s power, and the faith of the individual are all at work together. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV).
Praise my Savior, the head of the church, desires every born again Christian to be an active member of His universal church through local congregations. There is definitely a Spirit empowered and directed synergy when Christians are working together as a fellowship of believers – the church. The church, consisting of many members, has been commissioned by Christ to do His work here on earth until He returns. A church, with all is members working together in the power of the Holy Spirit, creates a powerful synergy to accomplish much more than the same number of individual Christians going it alone without the church. The Holy Spirit empowers church members and uses their spiritual gifts and interdependency on each other to create spiritual synergy within the church.
If you profess to be a Christian but are not affiliated with a local church, I urge you become involved with a Bible believing congregation and put your God-given skills and spiritual gifts to work as a member of the whole. The same is true for church members who do not actively participate in the five functions of the church: worship, evangelism, discipleship, ministry, and fellowship. The Church is called the Body of Christ in Scripture, with Christ as its head. Like the human body, the church cannot function as Christ intended if its many members are not working together and performing their specific functions within the body.
Love, Jerry & Dotse
posted by Jerry and Dotse @ 7:15 AM 0 Comments
Friday, December 12, 2014
Sail On
Chuckle: ”I was walking on the beach with friends when one of them shouted, "Look at that dead bird!" Someone looked up at the sky and said, "Where?"
Quote: “This day we sailed on. Course WSW.” –Christopher Columbus
SAIL ON
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4 NIV).
Most of us are somewhat aware of that famous voyage, in 1492, of three small ships – the, Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. But I dare say that few of us have an appreciation for the challenges which faced Christopher Columbus and his three crews on that historic first voyage across the Atlantic. According to Wikipedia, this voyage led to the first lasting European contact with the Americas, inaugurating a period of European exploration, conquest, and colonization that lasted for several centuries. Listen to this brief account:
This (our quote) was the entry which, day after day, Columbus put down in the private log of his first voyage across the uncharted North Atlantic. He must have written it in a spirit alternating between blind hope and quiet despair. Conditions were about as adverse as possible. Storms had damaged the little caravel; the Pinta had lost her rudder; the crews of all three vessels were threatening mutiny; and probably Columbus’ own confidence in what seemed an insane enterprise was wavering. But he had set his course in the direction which his own intuition and logical intelligence let him to believe was the right one, and with dogged courage he kept going (he persevered). --Cornelia Otis Skinner (parentheses mine)
I see a correlation between this story and the real-life Challenges facing a Christian who has set his course a devoted follower of Praise my Savior, but finds himself beset by trials and obstacles of many kinds. If he or she is not totally committed to Christ and the course they have set, they will find many reasons to turn back and abandon their journey. I’m sure Columbus had anticipated difficulties on his dangerous voyage; however, his strong commitment and conviction kept him from throwing in the towel and turning back.
Do you sometimes get discouraged in your walk with our Lord? Do the challenges and burdens of life become just too great? Here are two additional passages. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b NIV). “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12 NIV).
These verses stress the certainty that troubles will come – it’s “when,” not “if.” When we face the inevitable pain, a positive outlook will help us be joyful as we focus on the good that troubles can produce in our lives. No one enjoys trials, but those who endure them with strong faith will reap the benefits of perseverance, proven Character, and hope. Some one said, “A brook would lose its song if God removed the rocks.” Sail on. . . .
from Gods daily word.com
Chuckle: “While visiting a police station, a kindergartener pointed to a picture and asked if the photo was of a wanted person. “Yes,” answered a policeman. “Well,” asked the child, “why didn’t you keep him when you took his picture?”
Quote: “See the Gospel Church secure And founded on a Rock! All her promises are sure; Her bulwarks who can shock? –Charles Wesley ‘The Church’
WORKING TOGETHER
“From him (Jesus) the whole body (the church), joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:16 NIV). “The body (church) is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body” (1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV). (Parentheses Mine)
You probably are familiar with the word “synergy” and “synergism.” Synergy describes this principle, “the function of the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts.’' For example, you can have all the parts of a clock spread out on a table, but just having all the parts does not make a clock. It becomes a functioning clock only when the cooperating parts are assembled and perform their intended functions as they work together. The clock is greater than the sum of its parts. Synergism also describes different medicines working together to produce the desired healing effect.
The word “synergism” is also used in a Theological sense. “It is the doctrine or belief that the human will cooperates with the Holy Spirit and with God’s grace especially in the act of conversion or regeneration” (salvation). God’s grace, the Holy Spirit’s power, and the faith of the individual are all at work together. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV).
Praise my Savior, the head of the church, desires every born again Christian to be an active member of His universal church through local congregations. There is definitely a Spirit empowered and directed synergy when Christians are working together as a fellowship of believers – the church. The church, consisting of many members, has been commissioned by Christ to do His work here on earth until He returns. A church, with all is members working together in the power of the Holy Spirit, creates a powerful synergy to accomplish much more than the same number of individual Christians going it alone without the church. The Holy Spirit empowers church members and uses their spiritual gifts and interdependency on each other to create spiritual synergy within the church.
If you profess to be a Christian but are not affiliated with a local church, I urge you become involved with a Bible believing congregation and put your God-given skills and spiritual gifts to work as a member of the whole. The same is true for church members who do not actively participate in the five functions of the church: worship, evangelism, discipleship, ministry, and fellowship. The Church is called the Body of Christ in Scripture, with Christ as its head. Like the human body, the church cannot function as Christ intended if its many members are not working together and performing their specific functions within the body.
Love, Jerry & Dotse
posted by Jerry and Dotse @ 7:15 AM 0 Comments
Friday, December 12, 2014
Sail On
Chuckle: ”I was walking on the beach with friends when one of them shouted, "Look at that dead bird!" Someone looked up at the sky and said, "Where?"
Quote: “This day we sailed on. Course WSW.” –Christopher Columbus
SAIL ON
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4 NIV).
Most of us are somewhat aware of that famous voyage, in 1492, of three small ships – the, Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. But I dare say that few of us have an appreciation for the challenges which faced Christopher Columbus and his three crews on that historic first voyage across the Atlantic. According to Wikipedia, this voyage led to the first lasting European contact with the Americas, inaugurating a period of European exploration, conquest, and colonization that lasted for several centuries. Listen to this brief account:
This (our quote) was the entry which, day after day, Columbus put down in the private log of his first voyage across the uncharted North Atlantic. He must have written it in a spirit alternating between blind hope and quiet despair. Conditions were about as adverse as possible. Storms had damaged the little caravel; the Pinta had lost her rudder; the crews of all three vessels were threatening mutiny; and probably Columbus’ own confidence in what seemed an insane enterprise was wavering. But he had set his course in the direction which his own intuition and logical intelligence let him to believe was the right one, and with dogged courage he kept going (he persevered). --Cornelia Otis Skinner (parentheses mine)
I see a correlation between this story and the real-life Challenges facing a Christian who has set his course a devoted follower of Praise my Savior, but finds himself beset by trials and obstacles of many kinds. If he or she is not totally committed to Christ and the course they have set, they will find many reasons to turn back and abandon their journey. I’m sure Columbus had anticipated difficulties on his dangerous voyage; however, his strong commitment and conviction kept him from throwing in the towel and turning back.
Do you sometimes get discouraged in your walk with our Lord? Do the challenges and burdens of life become just too great? Here are two additional passages. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b NIV). “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12 NIV).
These verses stress the certainty that troubles will come – it’s “when,” not “if.” When we face the inevitable pain, a positive outlook will help us be joyful as we focus on the good that troubles can produce in our lives. No one enjoys trials, but those who endure them with strong faith will reap the benefits of perseverance, proven Character, and hope. Some one said, “A brook would lose its song if God removed the rocks.” Sail on. . . .
from Gods daily word.com