This article marks the one year anniversary of my blog. I thought I would try something different to celebrate, through my writing. I like short, pointed, and articulate articles and make attempts to direct my writing toward that style. Today, however, I am going to depart from that and do something a bit different. Through the weeks many ideas for a writing come to mind, are jotted down as notes, then are rarely seen. Most give way to more thorough, comprehensive, structured teachings, illustrations, or encouragement. Today, I offer a peek into my thoughts and ideas from the past few weeks. These are a small collection of ideas, verses, and thoughts. Enjoy!
I had been considering writing an article on “liberal” Christianity. It is hard to imagine such a concept really exists, it appears to be an oxymoron. Can Christians really have liberal beliefs? Are there Christians who believe abortion, same sex marriage, adultery, or baring false witness is okay? Do certain circumstances make these things acceptable? What is the root cause, the foundational belief to allow any of these things to become tolerable? One concern is that true, doctrinal teaching has become too “old fashioned” or “too boring” for the majority of congregations. Is it because people no longer desire to submit themselves to the whole Word of God? Is this part of the apostasy? Many questions, few answers, but very deserving of a good study. Liberal defined as “abundant” and “broad”, reminds me of the narrow way to eternal life, broad is the way to destruction. Verse references would be:
Colossians:2:8: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
2nd Thessalonians:2:15: Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
A second thought or idea I had been considering began with a title, “The Perception Problem”. The idea began flowing something like this: The church has a perception problem, the way we are perceived and the way we perceive. Perception is defined as “apprehending by means of the senses or mind, it is also defined as “understanding”. The church, in general, perceives worldly ideas and teachings through the lens of the bible, which is the way it should be. The world attempts to perceive God’s truth through a carnal mind, which is not possible. The best description for both sides is “on the outside looking in”. Scripture references are:
John:8:23: And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
John:18:36: Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
The last few ideas are still in their infant stages and are not quite thought out, but here they are:
If Christ is the author and finisher of your faith, be of good cheer, your story ends “happily ever after”.
Waiting upon the Lord is not easy, patience is a virtue, and if He called you to do something, that time and place is on the way and ready, you are still being prepared. In due time He will lift you up, never forget to give Him the praise, it is His will, His strength, His sovereignty, not your patience that puts you there.
Do you love God? The answer should be yes, easily. Is that answer just lip service? Are you keeping His commandments? According to what Jesus said, if you love Him, you will keep His commandments. Yes, He fulfilled the law, but you cannot live to the flesh and reap a spiritual reward.
Sin must be punished. Why would a loving God send people to hell? Because He is a righteous God and has always punished sin. This is why Christ was beaten, mocked, and crucified. If you accept Christ as Savior, your sin has been punished in Him. Your life is hid in Him, and because He was spotless, because He rose again, you too will be made alive by Him. This is why Jesus is deserving of all praise, today and every day. “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we first begun”.
These are a few of the things I had been considering, yet nothing really stood out. So, instead of giving one line of thought, I wanted to share a few of the things I have been considering. I rarely share partial thoughts or writings because so many things need to be corrected and some things can be taken out of context, yet tonight I throw caution to the wind and let these thoughts scatter. I hope you, the reader, have enjoyed reading these articles as much as I have enjoyed writing them. I am looking forward to another year of writing and watching as the number of readers grow, which is only possible by all of you who choose to share this blog with someone else. Thank you so much for your support, your prayers, and your kind words. Thank you Jesus, for the knowledge, the wisdom, and the understanding which has allowed me to serve You, and because You have given me a desire to serve, I pray the glory be to You, Jesus, my Love, my Friend, my Savior, my Lord, and my God.
Prophetic Steps 