No “Fusterclucks” here! - Faith Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated - Purity 552

No “Fusterclucks” here! - Faith Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated - Purity 552 

Purity 552 10/18/2021 Purity 552 Podcast

Good morning

Today’s photo of a sunset at Clearwater Beach in Florida comes to us from a friend who is an IT professional and has to deal with the unique problems that develop between human beings and the technology they utilize to do business in the modern age.  The interactions between man and machine will always be a source of trouble at times and our friend confesses that “Sometimes in IT, you have to make up your own words…” like “Fustercluck”.  Now I am not up on the latest innovations in tech circles but that doesn’t sound good to me and as the sun has set on another weekend it might be a term that some of my friends may choose to utilize as it is Monday, and we enter another work week.  

I however have chosen to answer the call of the Lord and will be “working” for the “Big Boss” for the next three days as I will be a member on the prayer team for Freedom in Christ Ministries’ Fall Practicum, a training seminar for Community Freedom Ministry Associates (CFMA’s), that will be held at Grace Fellowship Church in Latham NY.

 Over the next three days the participants will complete their training and be certified in leading “inquirers” through the Steps to Freedom in Christ and prayerfully go on to establish and lead a Community Freedom Ministry at their local church or for their local community.  I myself was certified as a CFMA in the spring in San Antonio and am honored to be able to have a part in the Fall Practicum through praying for the success of the proceedings, encouraging the candidates, and assisting the leadership.  

While I didn’t get away this year for a “vacation mission trip” to an international location, I am considering my service to the Practicum a “mini-mission” as I hope to encourage the new CFMA’s to fulfill their calling which could lead to multitudes to discover their freedom in Christ and mature in their faith.     

Freedom in Christ Ministries mission isn’t necessarily that of evangelism. Although the message of freedom in Christ could certainly lead people to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, Freedom in Christ ministries’ work, which is based the work of Dr. Neil Anderson and drawn from the wisdom contained in the Bible, is considered “Discipleship Counseling”.

Discipleship counseling is “the process where two or more people meet together in the presence of Christ, learn how the truth of God's Word can set them free and thus are able to conform to the image of God as they walk by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.” In other words, it is the process of applying the wisdom of the God’s word to your life in a very real and powerful way. 

The Christian faith isn’t just something to be “believed”. As disciples of Christ, Christians should seek to know what Jesus taught, live according to the wisdom of His teachings, and seek to share the knowledge and the practical application of the Christian faith to other people’s lives so they can know the Lord and experience their freedom in Christ.  

My relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ has transformed my life and the things I have learned through Freedom in Christ Ministries has assisted in that transformation. So I consider it my purpose in life to share what I have learned about the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how the Christian faith is the dynamic answer to all of life’s problems and my service over the next three days is an expression of that purpose.  

While my secular job provides for the needs of my family and assists in meeting my company’s customer’s telecommunication needs, the service I do over the next three days may not seem to have many immediate tangible results, but I know that any service to the Lord’s kingdom is a worthy endeavor because it could be used by the Lord to bring people closer to Him and will give glory to God.  

But you don’t necessarily have to be at an official ministry event to serve His kingdom. One of my co-workers at my secular job shyly confessed to me that they considered themselves to be more of a “Christian” than a “Catholic”.

They explained that although they were “born and raised” Roman Catholic, they had difficulties worshiping at the church of their tradition but found great encouragement by watching various Christian teachers on television that taught her about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone, how to read the Bible, and how to pray by just talking with God.  She described how she would talk to God all day at work and be led to do nice things for the people she encountered through out her day. 

I explained to her that what she was doing could be considered “walking in the Spirit” or living out her faith and I encouraged her that was what we as “Christians” were supposed to do and that her efforts were giving “glory to God”.  She was shocked but encouraged as I explained that our faith didn’t have to be complicated and that her relationship with God was what Christianity was all about.  

So keep walking and talking with God. And no matter if you are working or volunteering for an “official ministry” or just doing the good works that He prepares for you in the normal course of your day, all that we do in His name will be pleasing to God and give Him glory.  

 

Today’s Bible verse is drawn from “The NLT Bible Promise Book for Men”.  

This morning’s meditation verse is:

Psalm 1:1 (NLT2)
¹  Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

Today’s verse teaches us that we are “blessed” when we choose to not join in the ways of the world.   The NKJV has this verse in Psalm 1 as:

Psalm 1:1 (NKJV)
¹  Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

 

Now while most of us may hesitate in calling anyone “wicked” as the NLT does, we may readily admit to the fact that most people in our society are somewhat “ungodly”. 

I recently saw a few moments of a new television drama in which the main character was lecturing at Harvard as an expert on historical symbolism and was basically lambasting all faith traditions as ignorant, superstitious, or inherently evil.  I was somewhat shocked by the blatant attack on faith in general but realized that this character’s opinions are becoming more mainstream as immorality and atheism is being embraced as a valid lifestyle choice.  Not only do people without faith in Christ claim their disbelief, but they also often mock Christianity. 

So those people who claim themselves as “not religious” or openly disparage the Christian faith could rightly be called “ungodly” or “wicked” because of their self-professed lack of faith in Christ and their natural condition of sin. 

The word of God teaches us that we will be blessed, or find joy, by not following their advice or heeding their counsel.  We are not to debate with the ungodly. We are to pray for them and speak the truth in love. 

No amount of arguing is going to save the ungodly, only the Lord can open their eyes to the truth. While we are to be faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ wherever we go, the word tells us that we are to not forsake the fellowship of the saints and that we will be blessed by not standing around with sinners or joining with mockers.  

So speak the truth and love and, as far as it is up to you, be at peace with all men but spend your time with the saints, your brothers, and sisters in Christ, who will encourage your faith. You will find joy by not “following  the advice of the wicked, or standing around with sinners, or joining in with mockers.” Instead follow the wisdom of the Word of God and the advice of godly men and you will be “blessed”.

As always, I invite all to go to mt4christ.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk. 

Today we continue sharing from June Hunt’s Dating: Secrets to Great Relating When Dating  

As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage all to purchase June Hunt’s books for your own private study and to support her work. If you need this title you can find it online at several sites for less than $5.00:

D. What Do Men Want?

Men who are interested in relationships and who have a good sense of who they are and what they want in life, usually know the type of woman they want to date. These men look for companionship with women whom they find interesting and attractive. They avoid complicated, high-maintenance, drama-filled relationships at all costs. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, observed...

"I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare. (Ecclesiastes 7:26)

A man generally prefers to date a woman who is...

• Affirming—complements and encourages, lifts up and supports, inspires, and instills confidence
• Appreciative—grateful and thankful, notices and acknowledges kindnesses
• Capable—responsible and dependable, reliable, and competent
• Caring—warm and sensitive, attentive, and responsive
• Communicative—expresses thoughts, feelings, and desires, doesn't play guessing or mind games
• Energetic—lively and productive, busy, and involved in meaningful activities
• Enjoyable—happy disposition, pleasant and joyful, spreads smiles and laughter
• Expressive—verbally and emotionally open and responsive, candid, and forthcoming
• Friendly—open and inviting, hospitable, quick to acknowledge others, receptive and easy to talk to
• Good-natured—easygoing and playful, laughs easily and often
• Homey—knows how to create a comfortable, warm, and inviting home atmosphere
• Interesting—well-rounded and informed, offers stimulating and thought-provoking conversation
• Mature—emotionally, socially, and spiritually—sound and steady, self-assured, and secure
• Nonjudgmental—nonaccusatory and noncondemning, sympathetic toward the struggles and weaknesses of others
• Principled—strong convictions regarding God and His Word, honest and committed to right living, makes decisions based on personal, ethical standards
• Real—unpretentious, says what she means and is the same in the dark as in the light
• Relational—attentive to others, values people and invests time in them, genuinely cares about the concerns of others
• Sensible—insightful and practical, applies knowledge logically and productively, makes sound decisions
• Unselfish—considers his needs just as important as hers, makes adjustments in the little things

Proverbs 31:10-31 beautifully describes a woman of noble character who is rightly in relationship with God....

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.... Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." (Proverbs 31:10, 30-31)

Biblical Counseling Keys: Dating: Secrets to Great Relating When Dating.

---------------------------more tomorrow------------------------

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Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship