NCarolinian

"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." (Acts 11:26) A descriptive word that shorten the title of disciple/follower of Christ  to Christian - person who is Christ-like. What does it mean to strive to be Christ-like? The majority of Christ's life was filled with acts of compassion. God is love ( 1 John 4:8 ). If believers will find more ways to display God's Christ-like love, then a plethora of wrongs will be smoothed over. 1 Peter 4:8 says, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."  How do we accomplish this Christ-like love on a daily basis? As a daily barometer, we replace the word "love/it" with our name in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 . Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices ...

Obedience to God is right and favored/blessed, but obedience is also resisted by the enemy of our souls, the world, and sometimes ourselves. In Mark 6:45-56 and John 6:16-24 there is an account recorded of the disciples obeying Christ but meeting resistance. The resistance came from "the ruler of the kingdom of the air" (Eph. 2:2) and communal fear. In Other Words... a wicked storm and fear of a Ghost In The Storm. Pulling from both accounts but leaning on the Mark 6 version, we observe first that "Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to Bethsaida,..." I believe we can safely deduce that it was at this point, right after the Feeding of the Five Thousand, a command was given in which obedience followed. Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. (Mark 6:45) After dismissing the crowd Jesus found one of His favorite solitary places - a mountainsid...

There are some situations and circumstances in my life that I would not wish on anybody. However, there are some cases where nothing satisfies like an empathizing friend or brother/sister in Christ. Finding out that one of your friends, Christian or not, has had a similar, if not exact, challenge in their life takes away the loneliness - the why is this happening to me feeling - of the situation. Empathy gets even better when a friend shares his/her experience and then comes alongside you to help anyway possible. It is one thing for a friend or acquaintance to share they have been in the same spot you are now. It is another thing for empathizers to display their love and care. I realize that some situations are sensitive and may require the asking of permission to get involved, but at least do that - step forward and show that you are willing to put actions behind your good wishes and been-there-done-that speech. I have got Good News for all of us - "For we do not have a hig...

It is from our challenges, encouragements and rough edges that - if we allow the change - improvements are realized. Sure noticing the good points of anybody, anything or any situation will traverse you down the road a spell. However, knowing we can never attain perfection means there is always room for improvement, maturity, or betterment in some fashion. Pastor Eddie Cortes said, "God uses broken people like you and me to rescue broken people like you and me."   I agree, just take a look at the lives of The Disciples. When Christ called them to follow Him, He was not calling individuals who "had it together" in every way, especially spiritually. No. Far from the notion of perfection were the lives Jesus called unto Himself. Why is this? Those that feel and think they are complete or complete enough have closed the door on learning and improvement.  Those on-the-other-hand with a humble spirit, open mind and creative thinking tend to leave the door of opportuni...

When I was much younger, my family (the home/house) consisted of Mom, Dad, Josh and Grandma. Usually, when I was home weekdays so was everybody else except Dad. My Father worked two careers and wherever I was in my split-level house when he came home - I knew it was him coming through the door.  Some telltale signs of his arrival were the rattling of his keys as he unlocked the door and entered. Another sign he was home was Mom's verbal greeting and loving greeting of a kiss. However, what seems to stand out to me the most as the sign Dad was home was the sound of his hard sole shoes on our hard wooden floor. Knowing Dad was safely home would always elicit a smile and comfortable sigh from me. It was then that I felt and knew our family was complete, a unit again. This is an atmosphere that God has been communicating to me repeatedly lately. An atmosphere of God's Omni-Presence in my life.  Recently, I went through another situation where I wanted to understand God bu...

Each one of us has many needs.  The burdens of life seem to increase as we grow older. Now-a-days that seems to happen quicker and more intensely than I remember when I was growing up. Back in my more youthful days there was something sacred and worthy of a vacation. Even moreso was if there was a Campfire involved in that vacation. Ah, vacations. This usually meant a change of scenery (i.e. the beach, the mountains, a campground, etc...). To "Get-Out-of-Dodge" was a refreshing start to a time of momentarily forgetting our troubles, setting aside our needs and re-energizing our "batteries". However, at least for me, when we had them, the campfire was the time that really sealed the deal. The campfire - even as I would approach it on a clear, stary night - would melt all my remaining concerns away. The campfire seemed to unify everybody. We were all around it receiving warmth and light from it and enjoying each others company all at the same time. No burdens, ...

Now-a-days I feel like playing the part of an ostrich and keeping my head stuck in the sand. Not that I am coping-out of life, but I find that every time I do retreat for a while and return to life – things and people have not changed. Christ Jesus even says in Luke 18:8 – “when the Son of Man returns, will He find faith on the earth?” I take the pessimistic view in answering that question. Sure, there will be faith when Christ returns, but not like The Lord desires. I believe we are in the Laodicean church age – the luke-warm church age spoken of in Revelation 3:14-22. I have heard it said that Christ is coming back for a spotless bride. Those that call Him Lord and Savior and live accordingly are already made spotless – in regard to their salvation . However, this side of Heaven there is no way Christians can attain a spotless condition – in regard to their works or deeds . We are battling with nature, nurture, Satan and self. The only times The Bride is made spotless are ma...

Do you want to know Christ's daily routine when He was here on earth? "Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives," (Luke 21:27) . It is no wonder Scripture records - "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." (John 21:25) His teaching astonished the people ( Matthew 22:33 ). His teaching amazed the peopled so much because He taught with authority ( Mark 1:22 ). His teaching was "hard" at times and difficult to "accept" .  After Christ spoke about Himself as The Bread of Life, "many of His disciples said, 'This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?'" (John 6:60)   However, from all the astonishment, from all the amazement, from all the difficulty the Disciples encountered with the teachings of Jesus - there...

There is a saying on my computer that greets me every day, it says, "Stop hating yourself for everything you aren't. Start loving yourself for everything that you are." This message was recently confirmed to me through one of my favorite Christian authors - brother Rick Renner - in his monthly newsletter I subscribe to. In Rick's exhortation, he mentioned 2 Corinthians 10:12. The verse reads -  "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise."   Mr. Renner explained that although this verse addresses believers in Corinth who thought themselves spiritually superior, "there is a principle in this verse that the Holy Spirit used to help set me free from the spirit of inferiority that tried to plague me as I stepped out to obey God's call on my life. And it is exactly the point I want to get across to you today...

Whenever and wherever personnel from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces wears their uniform, civilians know to whom they belong; the military knows to whom the soldier belongs; the soldier knows to whom he/she belongs. Listening in on a discussion recently, I learned if you are serving in one of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces one has to be found wearing an appropriate uniform at all times. For civilians, this is a great way to spot those who serve and thank them or if we needed their help in anything - ask for assistance. For the military branch, this is a great way to visually locate and identify their soldiers for use. For the soldiers themselves, wearing the uniform could be a psychological and heart-felt stamp of identification with the military in public. Should you decide to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are automatically enlisted in Christ's Armed Forces. The uniform and armor should never come off - just maintained, cleaned-up and renewed by the ...

Have you ever watched a movie and found yourself wanting the bad guy to meet his demise in a fierce and long-suffering manner? That desire was usually precipitated by the villain's malicious and/or hateful actions to the good guy(s) of the movie. In the movie of this world that we call Life, the bad guy, Satan has been acting maliciously/hatefully for some time now. I am so ready for Christ Jesus, the ultimate good guy, to deliver what Satan deserves. Scripture descriptively speaks about this in Joel. Joel 2:11 The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command. The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? Joel 3:16  The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. While I highly anticipate this kind of thundering from The Lord, there is another kind o...

I don't know how they do it, but I know some people and have some friends who keep a tidy house/apartment/condo.......dwelling all year long. Some places resemble a museum quality of cleanliness. To those individuals and efforts I simply say, "Wow!" The tidiness of their homes at all times got me thinking. Besides the owners desiring a clean and well-kept house for themselves - was there anybody of significance/importance they were expecting to visit them soon? Maybe it is to be ready for anybody at anytime, but I have been in places where I felt like somebody else of higher reputation was expected to arrive later on. The idea of always keeping your House tidy and in order for the company of His Majesty, King Jesus is what I want to communicate to you today. God's Word through Paul says, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;" (1 Cor. 6:19) So, you are not...

I am at a point, albeit a different angle of approach than Paul, of saying - "I would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8)  There are many factors that contribute to this, like the predictability of my daily life, but I still come to this conclusion. Before this verse, Paul uses very descriptive language to portray the condition - "For while we are in this tent [body], we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling..." (2 Cor. 5:4)  This talk sounds like Paul knew exactly how I felt - "we groan and are burdened" . One thing is for certain, God knows.  After the  2 Corinthians 5:8 declaration, Paul says a lot when he says the word "So" . I interpreted that word to mean - since we have not left to be with His Majesty yet . The actual verse reads -  "So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from...

"And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." -1 Corinthians 15:14 I would dare to venture that many, if not most, of us have yards and houses that need work on at least a weekend basis if not a daily basis. Assuming you are one of these people, like I am, allow me to submit an analogy. Someone comes to your door, makes some observations about your yard/home and offers to pay for renovations. What is the catch? You just have to accept The Currency. For this situation, it is dollars. Let us say you accept. The great bonus is that the payment not only accounts for the lifetime treatment of the outside of your yard and house, but it also covers the inside of your home and all it's furnishings. The noticeable thing however is that your generous Provider went bankrupt supplying you that service; that gift. Hearing about this you wonder and fear - would He be able to come through on those promises? Fear not! A well established ...

I have caught myself, more than a few times, speaking to God as a genie - having a wishlist for instant satisfaction. I get conflicted sometimes, remembering how immediate Christ's response was to most of those that asked of His power - usually healing. Now-a-days it seems I receive more of His "No" or "Wait" replies. I should be grateful that He even answers and comply with my Majesty - Father God through His Son Christ Jesus. However, I am stubborn in some areas and desire to know how God operates as much as possible. For instance, Jesus says in John 14:13-14 to ask for anything in His name and He will do it to glorify His Father in Heaven. Many have assumed "anything" means anything and asked for things that evidently received a "No" answer. I have found there are frivolous things to request of my King. However, we do have a helper in this area. "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray ...

This world has quite a number of measurement systems. We have measurements for a t.v. picture, for all kinds of data information traveling over the internet, for sound quality of concerts and sound systems, for food and for people's health. The list seems endless, because for every product or service a measurement tool is not far behind. Why do we have this measurement tool ingrained in almost everything produced? Because we desire the best outcome and somewhere along the way A Standard was set and possibly reset to compare all future results. For example, there is a safety standard for new vehicles that has to be met before a new car, truck or SUV can be sold and driven. The spiritual revelation to this is that the Old Testament, especially The Law, was meant to say loudly, "You will Never measure up to God's Standard - Perfection!" While in the New Testament, God says even louder, "BUT, I will provide The Standard to stand and die and live again in your pla...

There is no escaping God's presence only momentary removal of His favor or Grace. We have no say on where His presence is - His presence is everywhere. God is the one who made the declarations and promises of where He would be/reside and what He would do there. He Said He would be a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). He Said He would go before us as an all consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). He Said He would protect us at our right and left as many enemies fall (Psalm 91:7). He Said He would come alongside us and lead us in all truth (John 16:13). He Said He would be our rear-guard (Isaiah 52:12). He Said He would cover us like an eagle's wings (Exodus 19:4).  "Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them ...

Christians not only have God's Word, The Bible, but Father God's examples through Christ to copy as a resource for correct living. In this writing I am interested in communicating - as a parent, it is Biblically based to be a friend to your children. I have seen the idea put forth that parents can be everything else to their children except friends. I do not know where this came from - the thoughts of men (psychology) or the influence of the devil. Either way, this idea that friendship cannot and should not be attained or held with our children is not from God. I only need one Scripture to dispell this notion, but I have three - one in the Old Testament and two in the New Testament. Proverbs 18:24 is the Old Testament verse and it says, "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. " The original Hebrew word for "friend" here is ahab or aheb , meaning to have affection sexually o...

More and more as I observe the legal, judicial and executive systems of America and the nations of the world, I note their human imperfections. These faults in the governing systems of the world are at every level. However, many, if not all, are highly polluted from the top with their leaders. Bad leaders lead badly. Within each Branch there is instability. In the legal system laws are being passed that both make no common sense and are biased toward a people group. In the judicial system, murderers are getting away with their crime and the innocent are wrongly imprisoned. Then in the executive system, there are the administrators who are political in nature so nothing gets done and the programs that are overseen waste money. It is amazing to ponder how America and countries like her are still operating. The systems within the government of America which once strove for the protection of a unified trinity (legal, judicial, executive branches) that would provide justice and mercy in...

Picture in your minds-eye a throne room and the characters therein. To find yourself in front of the king could mean either a blessing or judgment. To be in front and to either side of the throne could mean you were part of court. The council supporting and advising him in the matters of the nation would be standing off to the side and behind the king's throne. The queen would be directly to the king's right sitting on another throne. Now imagine God's glorious throne. For someone to be standing directly in front of The King one may still be either receiving a blessing or judgment. The ones located to the side and still in front may still be associated with The King's court. However, there are two caveats to this Throne Room - (1) there are no advisers or council because God needs none and (2) there is a place for The Bride of Christ - Believers. Because of Christ's sacrificial and substituting death and resurrection for everyone, those who believe in His gift o...

Where have we put God? Where have I put God? Where have you put God? God is always the constant. He is everywhere. He promises the believer to never leave them or forsake them. Yet in the challenging times I catch myself asking God where He is. The answer is always - "I'm still right here." Ravi Zacharias is noted for saying - "I think the reason we sometimes have the false sense that God is so far away is because that is where we have put Him. We have kept Him at a distance, and then when we are in need and call on Him in prayer, we wonder where He is. He is exactly where we left Him." To Mr. Zacharias's comments I say -  I don't believe Christians  Can  place Him at a distance. First, God is omnipresent or everywhere. Second, Christians have His promises of never being without access to God. While our lack of whatever may place God on stand-by and activate our do-it-yourself mode, I don't view God as a distant God....ever. Just because we can...

Have you ever heard the expression - "Tie a knot and hang on."? It speaks of a desperate last attempt to endure. I have come to that point many times in my life. The catch is - what is the knot made out of? Is the knot made from your weaving of the rope; your attempt(s) to create peace, forgiveness, health or whatever? Or is the knot made from God's promises for you found in His Word? It is o.k. to be still (tie the knot), just rely on your knowledge of Him to form your knot (strands of His faithfulness). "Be still and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10 When Jesus was here on earth, there were several times when a person and/or people desperately tried to grab a hold of Him and hang on. Matthew 9:20 records the woman with the issue of blood reaching out in faith for her condition - "Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak." Here was this woman activating her faith in...