Got Milk?

Hello All

Isn’t it amazing? I mean the impact of such a simple statement “Got Milk?”. I’m sure there are several other simple statements that convey such a powerful idea. I don’t know about you but I really enjoy “deep” theological discussions and concepts. I mean you get me talking about things like Jesus being fully God and fully man, or each item in the Fruit of the Spirit or Dispensations and the like, and we could be there for a while. Perhaps you’re like that on some issues. Of course, I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with the meatier(weightier) things in Scripture. Matthew 23:23 encourages this. My focus for today however, is that we would be sure to first have a firm grasp on the elementary things.

Here’s The Word;

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

1 Peter 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Sometimes I think that we like looking like a theological upper-classmen. We spend a fair amount of time in those areas when, truth be told, there’s still so much for us to learn in the elementary things. I’ll go even further and say that I think our “Christianity” would look a little more Christ-like if our foundations were more sure rather than having an ability to spout seminary rhetoric. How much thought have you really given to God’s Grace and Power? These are milk issues. But they also need to be allowed to tear down our preconceived notions. We tend to put God in a “Kindler, Gentler” box to the point where we lessen His Grace.

We define His “Goodness” as the things He does that makes us feel good. Rather than realizing that if He disregards every effort you felt most deeply about, He’d still be just as Good. He’s therefore to be praised all the more that He would ever consider blessing your efforts. We have discussions that come off sounding like “Awww, don’t worry. God’s going to be nice on Judgment Day for people who never heard the name Jesus”. Like we forget there was a flood that killed all but 8. He is a gracious God and will show compassion as He chooses. But it’s up to Him.

So, just a little something to “chew” on. I encourage the pursuit of strong meat as a sign of maturity. I just submit that it wouldn’t hurt to look back to make sure we got milk.



In Him, Cros

Wednesday’s Word – Presto Change-O!

Hello All,
How many times have you prayed to God to give you a Holy Hocus Pocus! An Anointed Abracadabra?
Okay, if it’s only me that has ever prayed that prayer, then so be it. I’ll live.
Sometimes we think the only way to make it through life’s struggles is that God would magically do something “miraculous”. And it’s not to say that Our Heavenly Father is not in the miracle business. He surely is. But how many stories do we find in the Bible where God “zapped” an individual who prayed for it. Or put the “whammy” on somebody else as an answer to prayer? Ever? I mean in Ezekiel, we read that God will put a “New” heart in us as believers, but is that what we’re talking about? Nebuchadnezzar and Paul got zapped but they surely didn’t pray for it. The father of the boy possessed with demons asked Jesus to “help” with his unbelief. Thing is, I’m not saying that God can’t, but I just don’t see it’s often that God quickly does things to change people. I honestly covet your feedback if you see that I’m missing something.

Here’s the Word:
Hosea 6:3(NIV) Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

Philippians 3:12(NIV) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:14(KJV) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

So is Cros saying “give up?” I surely hope that that’s not the message you take away from this. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).On the contrary, I would that you would buckle into a sense of patient persistence in your prayers for people (didn’t see all those p’s coming) – And to NOT give up when you don’t see a ZAP happen in your life to make it all better. Remember, the sanctification process, the process of “becoming” is what’s really going on here (for you and others). We get so much more character refinement when we endure rather than having God “take it away”. Don’t believe me, ask the Apostle Paul. You’d think that if anyone was deserving of a “Presto Change-o”, he was. Our change-o is not a result of a “presto”, but more of a result of what we press to.

In Him,
Cros

Wednesday’s Word - Mind Readers

Hello All,

Ready for a little experiement? Okay, first, clear your mind. Next, put your right hand on whatever screen you’re reading this on, and put your left hand on your head, I’m going to read your mind; close your eyes and count to 30, when you’re done, you’ll receive an email from me of what you’re thinking. Well I probably don’t have to go that far, I can just say it out loud now “Cros aint got no sense”. That’s what you’re thinking right? But isn’t it interesting how much we’re intrigued by the idea of mind reading? Some of us would be happy to decline volunteering if we thought someone truly had the gift to read our minds. Remember that Mel Gibson movie where he could read women’s minds (or rather audibly hear their thoughts)? It was easy to see that as a Powerful benefit. If you could read my mind, I can’t say that there would be much benefit to it, even if you threatened to say my thoughts out loud, in the end, what would you really gain? But check this out

Here’s The Word:

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.* Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.* But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.* But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.* For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

We have a Powerful Benefit when we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us as we read God’s Word. And the most awesome thing about this is when it comes to God, He’s not reserved or apprehensive at the thought of you reading His mind. There’s no way to know ALL of God, but as it pertains to your life and your happiness in Him, His mind holds no secrets.

Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Proverbs 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

So I can’t imagine a more Powerful Benefit that is available to you. A benefit that has the ability to change you from the inside out. As you read your Bible, don’t ever take for granted that if you allow The Spirit to work, God will reveal Himself to you. And in a real way, you become a Mind reader.



In Him,
Cros

Wednesday's Word - LOL!

Hello All,

Well, in spite of the title, the reality of today’s message is more of a serious than a laughing matter. As usual, my hope is to encourage us to see things a little differently. I pray that you would be motivated to hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (Heb 10:23).
I don’t believe that “holding fast” is simply something we do on the inside. In the Scriptures, we learn not only about Our Holy and Heavenly Father, but also training in righteousness. We need to LOL! - Live our Lessons. We learn about the weight of sin. Not just the “badness” of the world, but the bend in our very nature that makes it easy to stay under such a heavy burden. We need to LOL! – Lighten our Load. We learn words like endure, press, stand, continue and suffer long. In our culture of easy convenience, these words can be difficult to embrace. Of course I'm not saying that our strength can "accomplish" righteousness; only in Christ's strength is it possible, but we have an effort to put forth. We need to LOL! – Lessen our laziness.

Here’s The Word:

Hebrews 10:22 – 24 - Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

As I close, here’s where it gets a little hard for me. I truly don’t want to come off as judgmental or condemning: There are many of us who consider ourselves to be “good Christian folk”, but because of the idea of being a bother, our Christianity is something that has very little outward expression. Scripturally, I don’t believe we have that option. No, in The Scriptures we learn many lessons. LOL!
We Lift our Light and we LOVE OUT LOUD!

In Him,
Cros