NCarolinian

I am teaching today on developing the mindset and lifestyle, as Christians, to overflow into the lives of others what God has freely and abundantly given and blessed you with. Many believers have no issue with receiving and unfortunately that's where the blessing stops, they have no outlet for pouring into the lives of others. Being a citizen of The Kingdom of God, being a Disciple of Christ and Child of the Living God is spelled out several times in Scripture in this regard - "freely you have received, now freely give." (Matt. 10:5-8) Matthew 13:31-32 cites Jesus telling about the smallest of its kind of seed, the mustard seed. When this seed is planted and is nurtured to full health - the smallest seed becomes one of the greatest trees in the area, providing shade, shelter and security for birds and other wildlife. If a seed, not being human, can be given or planted, then give back through what it becomes - how much more can God bless His own and His own should reflect...

“If we do not believe in decent behavior, why should we be so anxious to make excuses for not having behaved decently? The truth is, we believe in decency so much – we feel the Rule of Law pressing on us so – that we cannot bear to face the fact that we are breaking it and consequently we try to shift the responsibility.” “These, then, are the two points I wanted to make. First, that human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way and cannot really get rid of it. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way. They know the Law of Nature; they break it.” (p.21, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis) Within the human is what many old time scholars used to call The Law of Nature. This term was updated to The Law of Human Nature to reflect a moral compass that directs humanity’s decisions on right and wrong. If anyone studied the world civilizations of history, the shared common moral compass; an agreed upon standard of decent behavior fo...

There are many times I have found myself in the middle of a serious problem that I wished and prayed would either vanish or conveniently find its solution immediately. While that satisfaction would alleviate my burden and allow me to continue with my life, there are some productive outcomes that result from embracing our challenges. I have felt and seen in the lives of others the truth that if we don't firmly grasp our issues, they will not only firmly clinch us, they will likely dominate us. So, tackle the situation before it tackles you - if you can. If the circumstances took you by surprise, then respond don't react to the invader. Reacting is a sudden, knee-jerk, immediate action done due to some stimuli. Responding is the deliberate acknowledging of what is happening and planning of the necessary reply. I never said this was going to be easy and it often is not, especially in a heated and difficult situation. Although I do not wish problems on anybody, the more problems yo...

I've heard many times from the pulpit - "You cannot out-give God." While this is true and many of us would try to out-give God for honorable reasons, Christians need to understand the idea of being filled up with God before pouring out God to others. If resting in God's presence and allowing Him to minister to you does not happen, then whatever believers do is under their own strength.  Some people have a hard time with receiving anything from anybody, especially God. However, from the beginning, if we desire to be part of God's Family, there must be a reception of God's gift of love - Christ Jesus. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 Look at the ways Jesus loved us - He taught us His new way of Kingdom living, lived the perfect life we could not live, sacrificed His perfect life for ours as the redeeming substitute for our fallen relationship...

Salvation through Christ Jesus is, according to Jesus, the Only Way humanity and creation are made right with God ( John 14:6 ). Plus one's default, eternal destination is re-routed from Hell to Heaven ( Colossians 1:13 ).   In addition to providing the Christian's eternal pardon, Christ also provides empowerment. The believer's acceptance of salvation through Christ declares - "I am going about life wrong. I could never live the perfect life. Jesus you lived the life I could not live and died the death I could not die. I will live for you King Jesus." Therefore, salvation should spur or ignite the believer to words and actions that would continue to spread His compassionate salvation. To do this, the Holy Spirit has been promised to those who ask for Him to reside within.  The Holy Spirit living within the believer, acting as Advocate, Comforter and Counselor is necessary for the believer to have a more personal connection with the Lord and be empowered to perfor...

Concerning the details of God and most of the situations in my life - why does God prefer hindsight as the assistant instructor? In a relationship there is two-way communication. Most of the time in life-situations, where I believe I am being taught something - the communication from God seems to stop and I have to wait for the hindsight to arrive. I read God's Word, listen to Godly teaching and try to discern what the Holy Spirit is instructing me. But as a person limited in time and space, when God does not follow-up with actions in a timely manner my faith fails and God is viewed as not the same today, yesterday or forever. I acknowledge God has the right to apply the God Disclaimer - when He deems action appropriate to take, He will take it. In the meantime, as I study His Word, should not God's operation of His favor, protection, healing and so forth align where I can at least grasp and understand His unchanging nature and preference on timing? I still will trust God, I ha...

I would think the main reason any Christian would list for the purpose of Christ's first visit would be to seek and save the lost. This is clearly supported by Jesus according to John 3:16 . However, there were two other goals during His life-mission - (1) to destroy the works of the devil (1 Jn. 3:8) and (2) proclaim the good news of His kingdom (Matt. 4:23) .  I hear many sermons and teachings on Salvation and the victory we have through Christ over the devil. But in addition to the securing of our eternal destination and triumph over the enemy of our souls -  Kingdom living is what we do in the meantime and He brought a better lifestyle from Heaven to live.  Christ came as The King to bring His Kingdom. Some things that I think comprise a kingdom are - the king, servants, citizens, royalty, rules, relationships, lifestyles, economy and a military as a good start. Allow me to take you through a paraphrased history of God's kingdom. Before any kingdom or created thing t...