A Concern of Mine

Greetings in the name of our Lord! 

I have to put my concern out there ... I just don't understand.  You see, it seems that for many believers becoming faithfully committed to Christ is a "task" or a "chore" or an "inconvenience".  I have been trying to figure out why it is that as believers it seems that we put everything before Christ and the need of the church and HIS people.  Lately, I have been hearing so many excuses as to why one cannot attend the ministry's prayer meetings, or why they were missing from Sunday School and Bible Study and why they cannot do a neighborhood evangelizing.   

Lo and behold, my concern was answered by Pastor/Evangelist Jorge Romero of Las Vegas, Nevada a few weeks ago.  I had the pleasure of being an invited guest at Huerto de Dios’ special anniversary service (Huerto de Dios is an apostolic church serving the Hispanic community in Lexington, Kentucky under the pastorate of Pastor Alba Martinez) where Pastor Romero was the guest preacher.

Pastor Romero is also concerned about the church's growth and the seemingly nonchalant attitude of believers. So, Pastor Romero wasted no time in beating around the bush.  He reminded us that as belivers:

1)      We must grow spiritually. That is, we must mature in our walk with Christ.  

Maturing spiritually means that we must spend time with God daily. We must pray and read God’s Word daily.  We must be mature in character; be a solution instead of the problem.  For instance, when we do not see a member at church, it is our duty to call that brother or that sister to check on them instead of jumping to our own conclusion why that person was not at service. Ephesians 4:14-15, "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." (KJV)

2)      We must be consistent.  Pastor Romero preached that inconsistency shows that you are not good members of the church. Matthew 9:37-38, "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." (KJV)

3)       We must be responsible.  If you can’t be faithful with a few; you will not be faithful with many. Pastor Romero encouraged that we must take care of what God has given us despite our place of worship being small or not enough members. We must still be grateful and be responsible with what God has put us in charge of.  Matthew 25:21, "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (KJV)
4)      We must be faithful.  Pastor Romero said that the church will only prosper if it has faithful members; mature believers are there for others.  Proverbs 3:5-7, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil." (KJV)

5) We should be concerned for the church when it is not growing.  The church should be growing because it is a community of men and women who have embraced the way of Christ which is different from the world.  This can be done when we do not look for the sins in others but embrace and love each other; forgive each other and welcome people into God's House. aCTS 2:41, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (KJV)

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is time we put away the "excuses". I just thank God that HE is never too busy to hear my cries, petitions and requests. I thank God that HE does not make any excuses as to why HE cannot forgive me.

In God's grace,
Therese from Belize

IT IS EASIER TO BE A CRITIC THAN AN ENCOURAGER

Greetings, my friends.

If I am to be honest with myself, some days I find it easier to just put someone aside who I believe is just a nuisance, than to reach deep within me and extend love and encouragement to that person. It is easier some days to just say "forget it" and walk away. I know, however, that is not what God is expecting of me. In fact, I know I disappoint my Lord when I take the easy way out. The power of the Holy Spirit brings conviction on me to extend love and encouragement. The mercy and grace that God showers over me each day are my reminders that I cannot give up on someone just because they pissed me off or did something to upset me for the one last time.

Hebrews 10:24-25 advises me "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (NIV) Amen. Friends, I will not give up on someone just because they said or did something I did not like. There is a more urgent cause that I must concern myself with, that is, to spread the good news of Jesus Christ until Christ's return to this dying world.

My favorite apostle, Paul had encouraged Titus to be an example in every way of doing good deeds, we must do the same. Paul advised, "when you teach, do it with honesty and seriousness. Speak the truth so that you cannot be criticized." Titus 2:7-8. Our lives must reflect the love of God. Criticizing and giving up on people are not examples of good deeds. Good deeds are letting others know about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; how easy it is to receive eternal life with our Lord; helping and assisting others in need; saying a kind word to someone; encouraging and inspiring.


God's blessings,
Therese from Belize