I Challenge You

When I created my web pages they were started in part to encourage the reading of scripture. Bible study is something that I believe we all should be involved in. There are many who profess to be Christian and will agree that it is important to read the Bible. However there are a great many who have only read verse to verse or certain sections while missing others. In order to get the full picture and really understand how the whole story comes together, the entire work needs to be read. If I only studied addition, how could I understand math? Yet many after reading only a portion of God’s Word go on to dismiss it, or worst still, they form a complete opinion after only briefly glancing at a small section. There are many plans that assist in the undertaking of the task, those that lay it out over the course of a year or so; but many have tried these only to loose interest, or are pulled away from the time commitment. For all who have found the task to be a challenge this just might be the solution.

90 DAYS THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Starting June 1st and continuing through August, there is a standing challenge going out to everyone… everywhere.

THE BIBLE IN 90 DAYS

It has been done, not only by the creator of the challenge but others around the world. The fact is Ted Cooper Jr., a one time atheist and creator, found that his whole life changed after reading through the Bible in just 90 days. He even founded a ministry in order to help anyone complete the task. There are study guides, videos and other material which would aid individuals, groups, or whole congregational communities; available through the web site…

http://www.biblein90days.com/index.php

Even without the aids, the project is still a doable one. It requires twelve (12) pages a day but don’t focus on the amount of reading, instead think of the benefits. You can cover the whole Bible from cover to cover, and do it in 90 days. The reading could be all at once in the morning or evening or broken up and spread throughout the day. BibleGateway has even partnered in the challenge to make the reading passages available on line.

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/readingplans/index.php/today?plan=6&version=31

It will be summer soon and that means vacation season. School will take a break and most will set their minds to relaxing and having fun. Now there is nothing wrong with these activities but they speak of commitment to personal interest. I challenge you all to take an interest in the one thing that brings the life to do these things. Take an interest in the Word of God.

THEY DID IT

AND LIVES WERE CHANGED

Even if you have read the Bible, a revisit wouldn't hurt. Just think of the person who has never done so; you could share the Word together and help them receive the message this summer for the first time. Join me in this reading, invite a friend and together we can unfold the truth of God's love. If you accept let me know in the comment box.

Blessings,

Matt.

Whose Church

A non believer questioned the existence of God. He made it clear that at times he felt that he should be more open to the idea; that it was possible that he might be wrong in his position. He said that with help from the Church, he might have better understanding and more to go on. He then asked a question that I find difficult to supply an answer for. It seems that any answer that I could give fails to provide the answer that he seeks. His question was simply “WHOSE CHURCH.” Now I know that there is only one Church, "The Body of Christ"... which I tried to explain. We were still stuck on these points, which I must say, gave me reason for pause. If only one Church, then why so many different Church groups? There is the Catholics, Lutherans, Baptist, Orthodox, etc., and the list goes on. What makes them different, and... who is right. If they are all right then why not form one group? For this person the message from the Church was a confusing one. So for him it remained at “Whose Church.”

Ephesians 4:3-6 (NIV) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

As a Minister one of my goals is to evangelize the non believer. At some point everyone in the body has this as an undertaking. Do we as a Church body make that task more difficult by causing confusion outside the body? Is it that the many divisional Church groups affect the credibility of the Church as a whole? Again the question; "Whose Church"... does it matter, and why? Paul spoke on this very subject; have we moved so far from the advice given us? Even inside a denominational groups there seems to be rivalry and competition. Many of those who hold leadership in the Church today have worked hard to develop a following. When you look at the congregation of some of the mega Churches, you can get an idea of just how much labor went into that effort. I believe that many are sincere and have produced good fruit for God’s Kingdom. On the other hand, I also see a flaw in their methods which should be re-assessed.

1 Corinthians 1:11-13 (NIV) My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?

A Good many of the clergy have made their seats the final stop on the road to salvation. They site the number of their following as a benchmark of their effectiveness. Paul was warning of the danger of this view. At best, it is a Minister’s role to give direction as to where Christ might be found; for the individual must find Him (Christ) for himself. Ministry should function as a sign, pointing in the direction that we may seek Jesus. When the journey stops in the congregation seat; Christ is not found or followed. Matthew 7:14 should ring clear… “few there be that find it.” Personal relationship requires a meeting; to meet Christ is an event that must be a personal and individual experience. None of us can walk the road of salvation unless we follow Christ and Christ alone. The position of any Church group or any Church member, clergy included, should only be to assist in the effort to find Christ.

Blessings,

Matt.