Christian Life Center

Archive for September, 2009

If you are active in the practicing of Christianity, there’s a good likelihood that you’ve heard of Christian bodies before. In reality, you could be an affiliate or a volunteer for a number of of these associations. When many people think of Christian bodies, local groups and programs are usually the very first thing that suggests itself. With that noted, made public below is some info that you can find useful in your search to find out more about online Christian affiliations and programs. In general, you can find that Christian associations and programs are groups that are usually non-profit. This indicates that they don’t operate for a profit, but rather for help. That help will depend upon the organization or program in question , but many are engineered to help those who are in need, whether or not that need be emotional, physical, or monetary.

Online Christian associations and programs are ones that operate on the internet.

While many events and activities may happen offline, the general bulk of their work is performed on the internet. One of the most typical Christian programs that you’ll find available on the net for you and others to join are those that offer support. This is most typically seen with online bulletin boards that, in a way, act as support groups.

With the standard web search, you’ll be able to find a number of internet Christian bodies and programs that are made to help Christians get out of debt, work thru wedding issues, and masses more. Even if you aren’t desiring help or support yourself, you will wish to consider joining one of these online support programs, as you may be ready to offer help from the perspective of a coach. Though online Christian programs and associations are ordinarily used to explain programs that do most or all of their work online, there’s also some bewilderment. For example, some Christian programs that are created to help those that are homeless. The organization in query may ask for finance help, clothing donations, or the donations of household gadgets.

While lots of these associations have drop off boxes at local locations, you can also be ready to mail in your donations. This, in a way, may end up in the organization in question also being known as an internet Christian organization or program. Now you know what online Christian affiliations and programs are, you could be wondering if you must join them. If you are desiring help, you may need to consider looking for help from the Christian organization in question. Though many folks feel like it is incorrect to request charity or online emotional support, there’s no harm in doing so. In reality, that is why these programs and setups exist. Their goals are to help people in need, particularly those that accept the practices and evangelizing of Christianity. If you are not in need of finance or emotional support from other Christians, you may wish to trouble to see what you can do to help. As formerly stated, lots of the work needed to volunteer with online Christian programs and setups can be done over the Net. This suggests that you can help people in need, in a variety of different strategies, from the comfort of your own residence.

This is excellent for those with transport issues or for those that are uncertain to whether or not volunteering is right for them.

First – WELCOME Jesus as a little child would. The disciples were arguing about who was the greatest among them. “Then he said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest” (Luke 9:46-48 NLT). We welcome Jesus with an attitude of simple childlike faith, humility, and enthusiasm. (Matthew 21:15) To welcome Jesus humble yourself and reach out to him with open arms of simple faith. Did you ever see a child welcoming someone they had been waiting on for a long time? Welcome Jesus – as little child.

Second – WAIT in His presence. In Luke 8:40 the crowds on the other side of the lake welcomed Jesus because they had been waiting for him! How long did they wait? They didn’t care how long. The prophet Simeon waited in the temple for years for the coming Messiah. (Luke 2:25-32) Yes, Jesus has come and is with us but those who wait for His manifest presence will see and experience His awesome presence and powerful deeds. (Psalm 65; 40:31) Wait with expectancy, worship, and prayer. Jesus comes to all those who wait for Him with open arms and hearts. Is he not “a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him?” (Hebrews 11:6)

“For as many as received him, gave he the power to become son’s of God. Even as many as believe on his name” (John 1:12).

In Exodus 23:20 God assured him, “Behold, I send an angel before you, to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” This angel, I believe, was the angel of the Lord that appeared to Moses out of the burning bush. (Exodus 3:2)

I have two tendencies I need to guard against on my journey. One is to sometimes doubt my ability to follow close to the Lord. Other times I have too much confidence in my own ability to follow. This results in pride and legalism. God gave me a liberating word recently. “If you ever make it in the Christian life, it won’t be because you are a good follower. It will be because my Son is a good leader. Put your confidence in His ability to lead you, not in your ability to follow.” That put Psalm 23 and Luke 5:27 in a whole new light. I can make it because my Lord is a good leader!

TURTLES – After the Sanders’ troop returned from their hike, I asked them what animals they had seen. They disappointedly said that they only saw a baby box turtle. “Do you know what you can learn from a turtle?” I asked. “Yeah, I know,” said Elijah, “Like a turtle we need to be patient and persevere. Not always being the fastest, but finishing the race.” (Hebrews 4:1; 6:12) “Yes,” I replied, “But we can learn something else – a turtle has to stick his neck out to get anywhere. That means that we have to take risks, get out of our comfort zones, and try new things if we want to succeed and go places. (Hebrews 11)

TICKS – Hiking through the woods where we live can have a downside. After returning home you have to check for ticks, especially deer ticks which are not so endearing. While checking the boys, I made the mistake of telling them that ticks will suck the blood out of you. When I found one on Taet, he went ballistic, tearfully insisting that he was never going hiking again. Sometimes we all feel that way. Life’s journey can have some nasty ticks and trials. A woman who lost her only son in the devastating earthquakes in China was weeping and wailing on a TV news spot, “Why does life have to be so hard?” she screamed. But the joys of the journey and the rewards of the coming promise land make it worth the difficulties we face on the trail. We can have confidence if we keep our eyes on the leader who will never lead us astray – the Lord Jesus Christ.

TITUS – Titus is not well known but the Apostle Paul refers to him 13 times. He was a well beloved convert and co-worker of Paul’s. In Titus 1:3 Paul greets him with God’s grace, mercy, and peace. They are essential for hiking through the wilderness. Have you ever seen a discarded turtle shell? Paul reminds us, “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:15). This great hope will be realized when Jesus returns for His blood bought, blood washed children. We will shed this mortal body and put on immortality. We will live in the promise land of heaven with our Lord forever. Put confidence in our faithful leader – the Lord Jesus Christ! “He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Ancient Job asked, “If a man dies will he live again?” Jesus assured a grief stricken woman mourning the death of her only brother,

“I Am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). He then raised her brother to life. Christ’s promise is for all mortal, sinful mankind who will believe and receive Him as the Resurrection and the Life. Just as Lazarus was dead and decaying in a cold, dark tomb, so we all are dead in “trespasses and sins”, separated from a holy God. You and I need resurrection.

E. Stanley Jones described it this way, “In Jesus there are no sunsets – they are all sunrises. He is the ‘bright and morning star’ – not the evening star. He heralds the dawn – not the dark. Rufus Mosely, a layman, called upon to conduct a funeral, went to the New Testament to see how Jesus conducted a funeral and found that Jesus did not conduct funerals – He conducted resurrections. This that I have in Jesus does not have the feel of a funeral upon it – it has the feel of a resurrection.”

Jesus is Resurrection. He is the principle, power, and pattern of resurrection. Jesus said, “Because I live, you shall live also” (John 14:19). If you have Jesus you have resurrection. “Christ in you the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). The One who was dead but now alive will resurrect your mind, your body, your spirit, your hopes, and your outlook.

One of the most majestic of God’s creatures is the eagle. When the eagle reaches the old age of 40 it finds a solitary place on a mountain crag. The eagle beats off its calcified beak and a new one grows. It pulls off its old talons and new ones grow. It then pulls out its old tattered feathers and new youthful ones grow. After 150 days (5 months) the old eagle is totally rejuvenated and resurrected to live another 30 years. That is amazing!