Tag Jesus

Disciple Makers

Allen Frederick 4 Comments


Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor
Insight from the Journey across the Sky

So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. “And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.” Matt 28:19-20 (GW)

God looks at the church as if they are already making disciples. And in fact we are. The only question that remains is what kind of disciples are we actually making? Are we making disciples of Christ or of the Anti-Christ? Are we making children of God or children of the devil? What lessons are we teaching those who look upon our lives? Are we showing forth a dedication to God or some other allegiance? What takes priority in our life? Is it God or the world? Leisure or some hobby? Travel or retirement? Are we loving the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength? Do we really see it as our responsibility to be making disciples? The truth is you are whether you intend to or not.

Your decisions and actions will shape those with whom you come in contact with and your lifestyles will pattern an example to others of what you deem important. If your life is led, for the most part, without a God consciousness then your actions and activities will reflect that viewpoint. When was the last time you actually talked about your love affair with Jesus? When exactly was the last time you told someone else about the hope found in Christ? When was the last time you actually talked about the goodness of God? When was the last time that you spoke up for the saving grace of God? When was the last time you testified to the blessings of God? When was the last time you actually told someone about something God had done in your life? When was the last time you spoke of your faith?

Contrast that with the last time you talked about the weather, or what was on TV, or how things were going on the job, or a school activity, or some other community event. Do you find your conversation to be about everything but God and His kingdom? If so then you are making disciples of the devil and not of God. God expects the church to be disciple making organisms. And you can tell by the declining numbers the church is not doing a very good job of it. If we were fruit bearing trees there wouldn’t be enough fruit to make a pie. Why are we not producing fruit? Why is the tree barren? What has happened to the life of the church?

BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous , and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. 2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. 3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. 4 Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away. Psalms 1:1-4 (AMP)

Have we relegated God so far back on the back burner that we have actually grown cold? Have we become so much like our surroundings we are indistinguishable? Has our witness been so tarnished that our testimonies ring hollow? Has the fire of God’s love simply gone out and we are dead towards the things of God? Whatever the reason for our inability to witness and make disciples for Christ I wish to remind you disciple making is a requirement of the church, and by extension, of us. It is not a suggestion or an option but the intended purpose of the church. If the church is nothing more than a social gathering place, or a weekly retreat and escape from the cares of the world, then we have missed the grander design for the church. If we  fail to reach out to others and invite them into a right relationship with their loving heavenly Father, we are not walking in love toward our neighbors. If we fail to mention in our daily routines the love of God and the mercies of God we are allowing Satan to ruin lives and destroy souls.

Rise up church and be the salt and light God desires you to be. Rise up church and make a statement in the world. Rise up  church and make a difference in your communities. Otherwise you might as well shut the doors, board up the windows and put a for sale sign on the front lawn because you no longer are fulfilling the Lord’s calling, nor are you walking in the Lord’s purposes.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

Along for the journey
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God is With Us

Allen Frederick 10 Comments

image Wherever I go, He is there. So goes the children’s song we sang all week at Vacation Bible School. The words are simple, the melody is catchy, but the message it carries is timeless. The Lord promised His disciples that he would be with them always even until the end of the age.

The promise was not only for that time and that place but even until the end of the age. What comforting words to have heard from the Lord. Jesus was asking His disciples to go into all the world and teach others about the love of God through Christ Jesus. It was a hostile environment in those days to be labeled a “Christian”. I believe much of the same circumstances exist today with the persecution of Christians increasing around the world. Even in America, where freedom of religion is protected in the Constitution, Christians are finding it much more difficult to practice their religion freely and openly. It would appear the spirit of Anti-Christ is alive and well in the world.

Can we rest upon this promise given to the early church in a hostile world today? Do the words of Jesus still hold forth the same comfort as when they were first spoken? Do we as the church in the world today believe that God is with us? I fear that many live their life as if God is a distant relative they visit once a week. Perhaps you place a call to God daily but then go about the rest of your day forgetting that you spoke with Him.

Do you ever pause to acknowledge His presence in your day? Or do you perhaps feel your privacy is being invaded by this constant companion? I would hate to think about being alone at this time in history without the comforting knowledge of God’s abiding presence. I dare not think about what my life would be like without His constant help and encouragement. I tremble at the thought of facing life’s challenges alone and self-reliant. I, like Gideon, do not see myself as a brave soul, but more of a reclusive introvert. Some might just call me a closet coward.

rowboat_2929c I must confess that left to my own strengths, my weaknesses are far too evident. It is only when I rely upon God’s abilities do my insecurities not seem so great. I take comfort in knowing that I have not been the first, nor shall I be the last Gideon to have walked this earthen sod feeling insignificant when faced with overwhelming odds. (Judges 6:15) Nor shall I be the last Israelite who stood terrified in the shadow of Goliath. (1 Samuel 7:23-24) Nor dare I say that I will be the last disciple who fears drowning when confronted by an unrelenting flood of despair. (Mark 4:38)

Some people seem to have an inert ability to face any obstacle stoically. Not I!

However, I have lived long enough to know that God is faithful, and He will never leave me comfortless. He is always there and all I need do is acknowledge His abiding presence and allow him to have control of my life’s circumstances. He will never leave me nor forsake me. He shall be with me even when the world comes to an end. Those are comforting words. But do we believe them?

Do we actually believe that wherever we are God is? That means God tags along with us throughout our days just looking for an opportunity to be there for us. How often do we neglect to acknowledge that abiding presence. Are we like the disciples caught in the violent storm at sea with Jesus asleep in the boat? They exhaust themselves attempting to bail out the boat while JESUS continues to sleep in the stern. Why was Jesus asleep while the disciples were fighting for their lives? (Mark 4:38) Because Jesus knew God was with him and he knew that God was in control of his life. He knew he was one with the Father. Can we say the same? Are we able to find rest in the midst of the storm?

him

31 What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] Romans 8:31 (AMP)

What obstacle do you suppose is too big for God to handle? What in this created world can defeat God? That is right, NOTHING! If God is with you no matter where you are, could it be said then that you are the instrument through which God desires to impact the world around you? Do you suppose that the same God who was with Jesus also resides within you? And the same power that raised Jesus from the dead shall also quicken your mortal body. (Give life to, energize, make fully alive.)

LentFifthAepcl If the Spirit of the Lord is able to resurrect the dead do you suppose that same Spirit is able to work mightily through you to impact your circumstances? Do you suppose your life can be changed for the better because of God’s abiding presence? If God is with you and you acknowledge His presence.do you think  that you can feed 5000, move mountains, or speak in His name and bring salvation to a lost soul? What do you suppose we could accomplish in His name if we only believed he is actually alive and well and living within us?

Wherever I go, God is with me;
wherever I am, He is there.
I’m never alone;
He won’t forget me.
I’m never afraid; I know He’s near.
Wherever I go, God is with me;
wherever I am, He is there.
I’m never alone;
He won’t forget me.
God is near.

May Edition of “Pop Goes the Gospel”

Allen Frederick 7 Comments

'Pop Goes the Gospel'

'Pop Goes the Gospel'

Each edition of “Pop Goes the Gospel” will be posted on the 30th of each month. Please be sure to get your submissions in by the 25th to be included in each month’s edition. Any article that relates scripture to “pop culture” will be accepted.

Take note: Any submission that does not meet the requirements of traditional Christian values may be refused.

To submit your blog article to the next edition of “Pop Goes the Gospel” use our carnival submission form.

Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Welcome to the May edition of pop goes the gospel. This month I received far more posts then at any time in the past. Once again I refer you to the rules for submission page which outlines that I will only post one article per author. This is to allow equal time and clicks for all those who submitted a post. You are welcome to resubmit an article that was cut from this edition in the next edition. I do not carry them over from month to month because of the time it would take to try to keep track of them all.

I am increasingly amazed at the quality of posts that I get each month and I am thankful to all my regular contributors who continue to offer up quality articles in each edition. If it wasn’t for your contributions this blog carnival would not be as popular as it is becoming. Thank you all for once again rising to the occasion.

FEATURE ARTICLE

This month’s feature article is an article from Yvette Nietzen who presents Having a ready mind posted at Fresh Wind Ministries.Yvette is a  regular contributor to Pop Goes the Gospel and is back this month with another excellent article. She recommends  that we have a mind ready to accept things God’s way rather than wanting them to go our way. I took something away from this article and so will you. It is a quick read but contains plenty of truth.

In Media

Sarah Scrafford presents Top 10 Christians in Hollywood posted at Christian Colleges.Thank you Sarah for pointing out that not all celebs have abandoned traditional values for the sleaze of Hollywood. Although not a complete list Sarah gives us a good place to start when looking for actors and actresses to keep a faith watch eye on. Do pray for these folks because they will be tempted perhaps more than others because they are basking in the spotlights.

Ken Brown presents God and Battlestar Galactica posted at C. Orthodoxy, saying, “Explores the tensions and questions surrounding a God who chooses–on Battlestar Galactica and in Christianity.” Ken Brown offers a well written post about the Sci-Fi channels Battlestar Galatica. This modern day sci-fi spectacular seems an underlying spiritual side, At least that is how Ken and others have viewed it. See for yourself and tell him what you think.

In Church Life

andriel presents The Consumerization of the Gospel posted at ReturningKing.com.Andriel is back with another of a long series of posts concerning the “falling away” from the faith spoken about in the latter days. These regular submissions to this blog carnival are required reading to challenge and provoke us to take another look at what we believe and why we believe it. I challenge you today to surf over to The Returning King and check it out for yourself. And do not hesitate to leave behind your thoughts in the comments.

ChristianPF presents Are you a good steward of God’s money? posted at Money in the Bible | Christian Personal Finance Blog, ChristianPF also a regular poster to Pop Goes the Gospel offers up a timely message concerning our use of God’s money. After all the Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. All belongs to Him and if we are His child then all we have belongs to Him as well.

In Travel

Victor Schultz presents St. Peters Basilica | Michaelangelos Pieta | Pictures of the Vatican City, Rome, Italy posted at St. Peters Square, Vatican City, saying, “As you enter St. Peter’s Basilica, it is hard not to be awestruck by its vast size and sheer beauty. For example, as you walk in you will see some very large statutes to the side. While beautiful in their own right, I mention them as a reference point on the incredible size of the interior space. If you look up you will see writing and numbers that are carved into the upper wall just below the ceiling. While this text appears to be relatively small to the unaided eye, in fact the those carved letters and as tall as the large statutes you see to the sides as you enter.” Thanks Victor. This is something you HAVE TO SEE TO BELIEVE! I feel like Thomas when told about Jesus’ resurrection. He said SHOW ME! The only complaint I have about this post is the pictures do not do justice to St Peter’s Basilica. For now that is all we have so enjoy.

In Culture

Carole Gold presents Christ Consciousness posted at Carole Gold, saying, “How the bias of the messenger can kill the message.”

Margaret Garcia presents Top 100 Blogs on Christian Families posted at Becoming A Radiologist.I am not one for lists but if you are a Christian parent then these top 100 blogs on Christian Families may be just what you are looking for. This list should take you a while to get through. Give them a try you might just find one or two or three you can use.

Shannon Christman presents Scripture We Like To Ignore: I Corinthians 6:1-8, Lawsuits Among Believers posted at The Minority Thinker.Brother fighting with brother. Brethern against brethern. Sounds like an uncivil war to me. Shannon does a good job of pointing out scriptures that we often times over looks in our day to day activities. WE would do will to take heed.

In Politics

Paul Gable presents Apr 15, The DHS Report: Gasoline on Brushfires! posted at Paul Gable, Paul Gable a first time poster to this carnival tackles the Department of Homeland Securities watch list. He feels, like myself and others, that the current administration is set on a course that is contrary to biblical Christianity. See his views here. And then check out my own views by visiting A Reply to Political Propagandists.

In Family

Bill presents Blessing Blockers: Walking in Forgiveness posted at The Covenant Blessing, saying, Thanks Bill for reminding us that is it better to forgive then to simply forget.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of pop goes the gospel using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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Lego Jesus

Allen Frederick Leave a comment


A statue of Jesus Christ made entirely out of Lego construction bricks
stands in a church at Vasteras, Sweden, April 12, 2009.
The 1.8 metre (5.9 fet) tall statue, a copy of Thorvaldsen’s “Resurrected Christ”,
has taken parishioners 1.5 years to construct out of
30.000 tiny plastic pieces. (AP Photo/Jonas Ekstromer)

The journey of a 30,000 Legos begins with only one. I had a hard time building the designs that came on the actual box of Legos when I was a child. I would have never thought about doing anything like this. Isn’t it amazing what can be done if someone just gets a vision for it?

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April Edition of “Pop Goes the Gospel”

Allen Frederick 3 Comments

'Pop Goes the Gospel'

'Pop Goes the Gospel'

Welcome to the April edition of “Pop Goes the Gospel“. Each edition of “Pop Goes the Gospel” will be posted on the 30th of each month. Please be sure to get your submissions in by the 25th to be included in each month’s edition. Any article that relates scripture to “pop culture” will be accepted. Take note: Any submission that does not meet the requirements of traditional Christian values may be refused.

Submit your blog article to the next edition of “Pop Goes the Gospel”! Use our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

This month is our best ever “Pop Goes the Gospel”. I am so blessed to be able to offer 14 excellent articles for your enrichment. There did seem to be a common theme this month as many of the articles focused on an aspect of our relationship with God and each other. Each article will be worth your while to read and ponder. Take the time to read through each one perhaps more than once on some of the more indepth articles. You can always link directly to “Pop Goes the Gospel” so you can come back often. A big thank you to everyone who took the time to submit an article to this month’s blog carnival and an even bigger thank you to all of you who stopped by to read it. Now then onto the journey.


This Month’s feature article

Paul Gable presents Confront This Evil posted at Paul Gable, Although Paul offers no scriptural support for his positions I felt that because of the political and economic upheavals our country is facing, Paul offers a thought provoking post and it was worth featuring in “Pop Goes the Gospel”. I will leave you with this thought as you head on over to read Paul’s offering, the words of Edmund Burke– ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph [of evil] is for good men to do nothing.’

In Media

Anthony Delgado presents The Jesus Film Project posted at eInquisitive | Giving you something productive to think about!.Why not take time during passion week to watch the Jesus Film and perhaps you will take away a deeper devotion to Christ.

In Church Life

Jim DeSantis presents How I Go Boldly to the Throne Every Day posted at On Line Tribune | Spiritual Matters Blog, saying, “Thirteen times, in the book of Hebrews, the author uses an edifying, faith building Greek device. This device usually begins with the expression “let us.” I call it simply a “let us exhortation.””

Thank you for the invitation Jim. The way has been opened into the very presence of God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We can boldly go where no man has gone before because of what Christ has done. Just remember you are standing in the presence of God, and just like you would not stand before a King irreverently neither should you be irreverent before God. GO, ENTER!

Travis Morgan presents Where do you live? posted at My Glory to Glory, saying, “So I was driving to the bank, and on the way, I just had it. I said, “God, it’s so hard to live here.” You know what He said back to me?

“Then don’t live there.”

Wow, four words and God shut me up. Here I was, trying to complain to God, and He just made it so simple that I couldn’t complain anymore.”

Travis along with Kiesha’a article Trade Your Mope for Hope reminds us to look up when things are looking down. Although you may be walking through a valley the God of the mountaintop is the same God in the valley. The Psalmist says that although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil for thou art with me… So stop living as if you are in a valley, start living as if you are on top of the mountain.

andriel presents The Emerging Ecumenicism: “We’re Ready to Believe You!” posted at ReturningKing.com.

As usual andriel presents a thought provoking article. This one deals with familiar spirits and meditation. This one will require a cup of coffee and some time to digest. Not for the timid.

Nathan Creitz presents One God, Two Gods, Three Gods, No God posted at ChurchETHOS.

Nathan tackles the idea of religious tolerance. Can’t we all just get along? Doesn’t all roads lead to the same place? Some worship god one way and some others but as long as you are sincere then what is the problem? Okay I took license in my description but I think you will see Nathan’s points quite clearly. ALL can not be true, or there would be no truth, and if there is no truth, then really what does it matter? Thus we have the circular logic of those who espouse all roads lead to the same place, that place according to Nathan is ignorance. A MUST READ! Thank you Nathan!

Yolanda Lehman presents BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED ME… posted at Ain’ta That Good News?!,

“A devotion on God’s love for the World, or cosmos, and God’s great love for humanity as well!”

Yolanda offers a devotion taken from the simple song ‘Oh How I love Jesus’. And it shows in her post. If you are in need of a whole lot of lovin’ race over to Yolanda’s post and get your love tank full. Thank you Yolanda!

In Family

Kiesha presents Trade Your Mope for Hope posted at Highly Favored.

Kiesha, a first time poster to “Pop Goes the Gospel”, submitted a great article. She was reminded that hope was simply one call away. Jesus is only a whisper away or like the song writer put it, ‘He’s as Close as the Mention of His Name‘. Thank Gordon Jensen and thank you Kiesha for the comforting words.

Tiffany Partin presents Fathom Deep: Sounding the Depths of God: Hide & Seek posted at Fathom Deep: Sounding the Depths of God.

Tiffany never disappoints, her writings are filled with the love of a mother and over flows with the love of the Father. This month she shares the joy of knowing her children are walking in truth as she relates the joy of hearing her 3 year old quoting scripture. You are never too young to learn the word of God and you are never too old to stop learning the word of God. Well done Tiffany, and thanks for sharing the joys of motherhood.

Cale presents Maybe you should just stay home: Autism in Church posted at Spectrum Siblings, saying, “Some thoughts on how the church should approach Special Needs families.”

Cale, another first timer here at “Pop Goes the Gospel’, hits a nerve when he points out the obvious. Church is not a place for perfect people, but a place where imperfect people can commune with a perfect God and by so doing learn how to love perfectly all the imperfect people in the world. For God so loved all of us imperfect ones that he died for us all. And if CHRIST died for us then who among us can condemn us? We are His and therefore our imperfections are also His. So whatever we do to the LEAST of these we do unto Christ. Let us remember that the next time we think about pointing out someone’s imperfections. Well done Cale!

In Culture

Ann Shorb presents The New Cookbook posted at Christian Counseling & Educational Services.

Ann says that although the covers were the same what was inside was not. Ann soon discovered that her new cookbook did not contain the same old tried and true recipes she grew up on. So just because they looked alike, they were completely different. It is not what is on the outside that matters but what is on the inside. SO it is with our walk with the Lord, we maybe trying to look good or hip or culturally relevant but what is on the inside? Maybe we really do not need a new cook book after all?

christiantwopointoh presents Sex and Drugs posted at Christian2.0, saying, “Everyone is dong it? Literally, they are doing it. What are the lasting effects of sexual liberation? Could there be hidden consequences to our indulgence?”

Sex and drugs what more does a blog post need? Temperance. This article does a good job of highlighting the issue but requires further study to fully grasp the complete picture. His main point however was the Lord’s ways are liberating while our ways are enslaving. Freedom or slavery which do you prefer?

Victor Schultz presents St. Peters Square and Plaza | St. Peters Square, Vatican City posted at St. Peters Square, Vatican City, saying, “I had the great pleasure on touring the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. I wanted to give you just a glimpse of what you might see, if you were to visit the Holy See in Vatican City, Rome, Italy. Obviously, any tour of the Vatican is best in person. If you cannot go there, then a tour with pictures is perhaps the second best approach to seeing the Vatican and all the beauty and splendor that it has to offer.”

For all our Catholic readers here is a virtual pictorial tour of Vatican city. Enjoy!

Hopeful Spirit presents Affirmation of Faith posted at On the Horizon, saying, “A true story about a signed received . . . of faith, belief, and hope.”

It took the cross the break through the blackness of sin, and it still takes the cross to break through the blackness of night and the fog of unbelief. It is the cross the speaks to the world about the love of God. It is the cross that stands as a beacon to light the darkness and point us toward heaven. Thank God for the cross! And thank you hopeful spirit for the inspiring true story. Just in time for Passion week.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Pop Goes the Gospel using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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