I was putting my life on the line. I had just stated my commitment to serve my country as a Marine Corps officer, during my commissioning ceremony. This is what I said in part:
I will carefully and diligently discharge the duties of this office by which I was appointed. I will observe and follow such orders and directions as given to me by the President of the United States of America or other superior ranking officers in accordance with the laws of the United States of America.
There was another time in my life I became part of a movement that was much more significant than my military commitment. It was when I became born again into the family of God. I did Romans 10:9, confessing with my mouth Jesus as Lord and believing that God raised Him from the dead.
By making the decision to become born again, came a remarkable calling and commissioning that had far-reaching ramifications. I became part of the Body of Christ that had the commissioning “to make people of the world disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19) and “be a witness to all people... even to the uttermost parts of the world” (Acts 1:8).
In doing this I became part of the Family Business, helping my Heavenly Father reach His passion to have “All men saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” ( I Timothy 2:4).
Every born again believer is given the ministry of reconciliation. Every believer has the privilege to be ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:18 & 20). With these realities, we now take our orders from Him.
God has put His Son’s life on the line for us. Now we take on the responsibility to share His salvation message to the world.
Now it is up to me to carry out this charge. It is up to me to develop myself to be a good ambassador for Christ and work together with other saints. But, ultimately it is a matter of, “Go, stand and speak ...to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:20).
Agape,
Bob
PS: Check out our website and facebook - Actsnowfellowship, for an historic event on Feb.18th, Saturday, called Explosive Evangelism.
I am really embarrassed to share this with you, but I have a heck of time doing balance exercises during my workout sessions. I keep falling over to one side or the other, because I put too much weight on that falling side. Everyone else seems to get it. I am told I need to work on it and I will be successful.
Spiritually, there is a proper balance that believers are encouraged to work on. It involves the Word of God and the spirit of God. We see the emphasis of walking on the Word of God and we see the emphasis of walking by the spirit. Can we forsake one for the other? Once we are born again with God’s spirit can we just walk by spirit and not use the Word of God? There might be some who would go to the other extreme and say you must have huge amounts of the knowledge of God before you can even start walking by the spirit. Well, as in everything in life that God has instituted, there needs to be a balance.
Jesus Christ is the prime example for us in the balanced spiritual walk. If anyone could have just walked by the spirit and not needed any Scriptures, our Lord and Savior would be the one. But it is obvious that He valued the written Word of God as an essential resource in effectively walking for the Heavenly Father. He seemed to quote Scriptures all the time. Even at perhaps one of His most challenging times, when He returned from forty days in the wilderness and was tempted by the devil, He utilized the Scriptures to battle the enemy.
Matthew 4:3 & 4: And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of
God, command that these stones be made bread.
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
No matter how the devil attacked, Jesus Christ responded with “It is written.” Jesus Christ said, “Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” There are many places that Jesus Christ magnifies the importance of the Word of God.
As we learn from the Word of God, we are given the gift of holy spirit when we are born again. With this magnificent resource we can operate the nine manifestations which allow us to speak in tongues, bring edifying messages in fellowship, hear from God, have God’s wisdom, have discernment of spirits, perform healings, miracles and have the faith to move mountains. Where do we learn how to walk by the spirit? Namely, by reading and hearing God’s Word and seeing how they functioned. We witness how Jesus preached, taught and delivered others, then we walk out on what we have learned.
Some who advocate the need to only walk by the spirit, will point out that in the early church as reflected in the Book of Acts, they did not have the Church Epistles to guide them and learn from. They just had to walk by the spirit by seeing and being encouraged by others. Thankfully in the beginning they had the Apostles to help them. Peter in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost referenced many Old Testament Scriptures. God was obviously working with the leaders of the early church and providing them with information that was written down later on. On the Day of Pentecost and the days following, the Scriptures say, they followed the Apostles Doctrine.
Act 2:42:
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
The Apostles doctrine was providing insights and knowledge about this new birth and how to use it. God worked with Peter as he was to visit Cornelius and open the way for the new birth to the Gentiles.
When Paul got on the scene, he was receiving the Word of God to share with all the fellowships. It was important to have a foundation to work with so that the believers could learn how to walk by the spirit.
God was not going to leave it to chance when it came to learning how to walk by the spirit, so He had the Church Epistles and other books written so we had a foundation to guide our steps.
Act 19:20: So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
The importance of the believers learning the Word of God and walking on it was as important as walking by the spirit. When you look at the Epistles to Timothy you see how important God’s Word plays in helping the leadership as well as the believers to keep the proper spiritual balance.
II Timothy 3:14–17:
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
God has given us the resources to accomplish what He wants most: Fellowship. With the Word of God and the spirit within, we have all we need to walk and talk with our Heavenly Father and please Him.
Bob Lindfelt
San Diego has been invaded by a series of rain storms that have some talking like they are living in Seattle. As I was driving across a bridge I happened to notice a bird on top of a light pole. My heart went out to the poor little fellow, but with a second thought I realized he is OK and can easily handle this. Then I thought about the verse that says, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.” (Matthew 6:26). I smiled as I realized that our Heavenly Father is taking care of them.
Later I realized as much as God provides for his critters, He also takes care of us. I reflected on the rest of Matthew 6:26: “... Are ye not much better than they?”
As we live our lives day by day and moment by moment it is easy to forget the presence of the Creator of the heavens and earth. He is my Father and loves me and cares for me even better than the birds. Other verses started to come to mind:
Jeremiah 29:11:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Romans 8:28-32:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
What an awesome privilege to be a child of the most High God. He is so loving and caring that not only does He take care of his birds, but even little old me as well!
As I traveled on my way I started singing that familiar hymn:
I’ve found it true, so very true,
My father cares for me.
His promise holds, His love unfolds,
I know He cares for me.
Chorus:
I know He cares for me (cares for me),
I know He cares for me (cares for me)
His way is best, I’ve proved by test,
And I know He cares for me.
Agape,
Bob
On the last Bless Net I introduced a subject that started my New Year: “The Joy of Serving."
Unfortunately, many Christians see living the Christ in you lifestyle as almost a burdensome sacrifice. Many are taught you have to suffer if you are really serving the Lord Jesus Christ. Some denominations even connect salvation to the works that you do. My Bible teaches the joy of the Lord is my strength. Yes, you may have to handle a phone call at 2:00 AM or give financial help beyond what you normally share. But if you are serving with the right attitude, and in spite of what sacrifices occur, we can still experience the joy of the Lord in our service.
I know this may sound like an oxymoron or a conflict of statements, but there is one verse that settles it all for me.
Hebrews 12:2:
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
"Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross." How could it be joy to go through what He did? Didn't He go to the Father in the prayer in Gethsemane and ask if "this cup could pass from Him?" What is it to have such a joy and yet go through such pain and suffering?
First of all, joy is not an outside expression like happiness. Joy is an inside experience of great delight as caused by something exceptionally satisfying. Godly joy resides in the depth of your heart and gives you a satisfaction unrealized in any other way. Joy is one of the fruits of the spirit. For Jesus Christ the "joy set before Him" was the realization that God would raise Him from the dead and sit Him at His own right hand in the heavenlies far above all principalities and powers. The price would be paid and He would have a new spiritual body that even we would someday have.
For us who serve today, we must look to the rewards that will occur in the future not the inconvenience or suffering at the time. As Christians we know the spiritual realities far outweigh the physical ones. We take on the burdens of service to others because of the vision we have of the future.
The one great perspective that motivates us to believe and serve with joy is the knowledge that Christ will be returning soon.
I Peter 1:7 & 8:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Agape,
Bob
This Holiday season was a glorious time. The saints gathered a week before Christmas to fellowship and share a scrumptious dinner. On Christmas day we had a dinner for people in the community that did not have a place to go. We had some 30 guests with about 10 helpers. A number of them were homeless, others were staying in local hotels (In fact, one of the hotel owners attended along with one of his workers and his son.) One person was walking by and came in and others arrived from seeing our flyers. God’s Word with the love of God and testimonies were shared. It was one of the finest giving times I have witnessed in a long time (Thank you servers!).
This New Year’s Eve we had the privilege of having Ken Petty share the Word of God and Scott Powell and Warren Seames perform a music program. It was streamed live on our “Acts Now Fellowship” facebook. (It is still there if you are interested). It too was one of those memorable times that God got the glory and many got immensely blessed.
Now, what is up for 2017?
Here is what has been put on my heart in light of praying for this New Year: The Joy of the Lord in Service! We have been emphasizing service within our fellowships the last several months. God has blessed us with many new people to love and serve.
One important aspect we never want to forget is the “Joy of Service.” Despite the rigors of getting out of our comfort zone and dealing with unusual situations, we must never forget the proper heart of service, in that we serve with joy. “The joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Happiness is a nice feeling that lasts for a little time, but joy is a happy feeling in the depth of one’s heart that stays for a long time. God wants us to experience joy when we serve with Him and pray.
Philippians 1:4:
Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
When we have joy or we rejoice (have joy over and over again) in the things of God, it makes for a fulfilling lifestyle with our Heavenly Father. Enjoy these verses in light of this:
Philippians 2:16-18:
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
What a lifestyle to develop in our hearts, to “rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Remember, “in Thy presence is fullness of joy,” Psalm 16:11. Our Heavenly Father living in us via the gift of holy spirit, via Christ in us, should not only excite us, but provide a joy of joys!
A practical example of someone who serves having the joy of the Lord evident in his life is Ken Petty. When Jeanie and I dropped him off at the airport to fly home after blessing us for two days of teaching, and joining us on our “Agape Now Outreach,” reflected the “joy of service” when he said, “Perhaps my most favorite thing I did this weekend, was when we reached out to the homeless people.” He had a beautiful sincere smile when he said that. I thought, “That is serving with the joy of the Lord.”
Agape,
Bob