RIGHT HEART BUT WRONG MIND
2 Peter 1:3-11
I have often wondered why people get saved and then before long you don’t see them anymore at church or they become so “wise” that they think they don’t need to come to church or they encounter hard times and fall away from Christ. I’ve seen people come to Jesus and then become disillusioned and end up in cults, perversion of all kinds, and torment. I’ve seen people that never grow, never get free, and never live the abundant life. What has happened? What did they miss?
I believe I came to Christ in a unique way. I was married, but abandoned, with 2 small children. I had come to the end of my resources and ability to take care of things. I had attended church when I was young but gave up on God when my dad abandoned my mother. After living a wild and rebellious life, I found myself at 30 in a hopeless situation. I had even contemplated suicide. I fell to my knees one evening and said, “God, if you are really real, come into my life” and went to bed. Next morning the darkness had turned to light and I knew that God was real!
My first instinct was to call someone I knew that loved Jesus and announced what had happened. The next thing I did was drag out my Bible from high school (I love books and would never throw one away) and began to read. The first page I turned to was an answer to my immediate need, and that started my love and study of God’s word. I spent the next 2 years at home studying the Bible. When asked by others to go to church, I replied that Jesus was teaching me all I needed to know. Eventually, after asking God if I really needed to go to church, He responded that “Yes, but always check everything you hear from a pastor with His Word because pastors are only human.”
I have learned many things about the Christian experience over 45 years, and am still learning; but I believe that the answer to a victorious life is KNOWLEDGE of the Word. Hosea 4:6 says “My people are destroyed (perish) for lack of KNOWLEDGE.” Many make a confession of faith in Jesus but continue to stumble and live a defeated and fruitless life. Why? They have made a heart decision for Christ and Christ cleansed their heart; but their mind is still unchanged and dominated by the world and fallen angels.
God’s word says that these angels were cast down to hell and delivered into chains of darkness (2 Peter 2:4). Darkness in Hebrew can mean ignorance. Ignorance doesn’t mean stupid, it just means that you don’t know. We understand that the enemy has power to operate in the information you do not know. If you don’t know how to operate a piece of machinery you can get hurt or hurt someone else. If you don’t know how much God loves you, you can be hurt.
Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1:3-9 that God has given us the secrets to all things that pertain to life and godliness through the KNOWLEDGE of Him. We have been given “great and precious promises” so that we can develop a divine nature and escape the corruption of the world. Do you want a life of godliness and access to the promises of God? If you do, then by diligence add to your faith in Jesus, KNOWLEDGE. KNOWLEDGE creates intimacy with God. Jesus said, I do not call you servants, but I call you friends (John 15:15). Friends have KNOWLEDGE of each other. Isaiah 43:18-19 says to forget the former things, because He (God) is doing a new thing. Old things have passed away, behold all things have become new (2 Cor 5:17). If you want a different life, get new KNOWLEDGE. You can’t live beyond what you know!
1 Peter 2:9 says “you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people..” That, Jesus has called us out of darkness (ignorance) into His marvelous light! We all know that “thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”. The Word keeps us from stumbling.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Diligently (steady, earnest, and energetic effort) add to your faith, KNOWLEDGE, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. He that lacks these things is blind…and has forgot that he was purged from his old sins (2 Peter 1:5-9). Do not conform to this world but be transformed by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND WITH THE WORD OF GOD (Romans 12:1-2).
If we want One Nation Under God, we must find out the truth about God, ourselves, others and even the works of the ungodly. Paul warns of those who “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” speaking of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:5) Many will say they are Christians, but do they display the knowledge of Christ? We must turn away from those and definitely not allow them to run our government or dictate our morals and values. Gain Godly KNOWLEDGE and you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.
KLN
GREAT PEOPLE THINK AND TALK ABOUT IDEAS
GOOD PEOPLE THINK AND TALK ABOUT THINGS
WEAK PEOPLE THINK AND TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE
There are many opportunities for Christians to fellowship and get into God's presence. At the end of the summer, Lauren Daigle will be playing Red Rocks for two nights. This young lady's testimony is one of faith, healing and great anointing. Her music tells the story of the redemptive power of Christ. You can get tickets here for both shows, September 20th and September 21st, she will be performing with several other Christian artists. This is sure to be an amazing night of praise, worship and connection. Don't miss it! |
Visiting the Body of Christ
We have been visiting churches in the area in the hope of networking with fellow Christians as we search to bring unity, and build the Kingdom of God. It is amazing to see the work that these bodies are doing for their communities. We hope to visit your church in the weeks to come!
First Baptist Church of Deer Trail - Pastor Sam Courts Journey Church Strasburg - Pastor Dusty Morris Calvary Baptist Bennett- Pastor Bob McCurley Mountain View Christian Strasburg - Pastor Donn Headley Strasburg Community Church - Pastor Steve Musser Living Springs Cowboy Church Byers- Pastor Zac Sanger Save the Cowboy Kiowa - Kevin Weatherby Cornerstone Fellowship - Pastor Keith Sauder |
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Galatians 6:2 encourages fellow believers to "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. As a community, we are bound together with the love of Christ. We exhibit that love through prayer for one another. Someone in our midst may be hurting, believing for a new job, seeking direction from God. When we come together in agreement for each other, we see God begin to work! We want to agree with you. We encourage our readers to let us know what we can all agree on for you. If you have a specific need that you would like us to pray for, let us know. The Word of God compels us to pray for one another in the community where we live. So agree with us as we pray for each other!
Simply fill out the form below and we will post the need here in real time. We will utilize initials for privacy sake.
Simply fill out the form below and we will post the need here in real time. We will utilize initials for privacy sake.
Community Prayer List
Calling all Prayer Warriors:
-Pray for JR for healing in his neck so that he can get back to work and provide for his family.
-Pray for RG as he continues to heal from his back surgery and rehab.
-Pray for MS as he heals from his accident, as well as for his daughter and her healing.
-Pray for JC as they sow into Joshua Nations missions
-Pray for rain, the soil to come alive and crops to be plentiful