Sun, Mar 5th - 4:59PM
Dear All;
As I gather my thoughts for today to share with you, I would ask a favor first. I am working on a small study book and have designed my cover graphic, which is the heading for this blog. Please let me know what you think of it. The final work will be printed on parchment paper for an aged look. Feedback is always helpful, so I would appreciate hearing from you.
In the meantime, I shall attempt to explain the premise of my book. First some background information as to why I have felt lead to engage in the endeavor. For sometime now, my husband and I have been concerned for the rampant evidence of false conversions taking place in many churches today. There can be no other explanation for the church being plagued so heavily with the sins of the world, than the fact churches are filled with unregenerate people. Statistics for divorce, adultery, drugs, alcohol, and any of the problems that plague this world, are distressingly high within the church body. We believe that the lack of expository preaching, moral accountability, and a watering down of the Gospel has lead to this problem. The Truth has been compromised in order to have a more seeker friendly church. The message of a loving God has superseded the message of a just, righteous, and wrathful God.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, Rom 1:18
Now obviously we are not alone in our concern. God has confirmed to us daily that many have the same concern and are working hard to bring Truth back to the pulpit. We know too, that we are not to sit idly by and allow this to continue unchecked, but seek God's direction in how we might help restore sound doctrine to the body of Christ. We may not be able to effect change on a large scale, but we must be responsible to the areas of our lives where we do have influence. It is our job to obediently sow the seed; it is the Lord who multiplies the harvest. In our home, with our family and friends, and through our church ministries, we must be true to God's Word, teaching the whole of the Gospel, and faithful to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Now back to my study. My desire is to bring together the whole of the Gospel as taught by Jesus Himself.
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2
A pilgrimage of the soul will be:
at His feet
Here we will begin with the concept of having been drawn by the Holy Spirit into the presence of Christ, we sit at His feet and listen to Him deliver the Gospel message. Here too, the Spirit filled Christian is assured of His salvation, and the lost soul is presented with an opportunity be saved.
by His side
This part of our journey is the discipleship stage. Here we will walk with Jesus, as the apostles did, learning by the example and teaching of Our Savior. What does it mean to be a Christian, how do we live out our faith, and how do we know the will of God, are just a few of the questions we hope to answer.
in His footsteps
Now as a disciple of Christ we are commanded to follow Christ's example by doing the will of the Father, preaching the Gospel, and baptizing in His name. We follow in Christ's footsteps being doers of the Word, not just hearers of the Word.
So there you have it, a quick outline of my goals for this study. I look forward to this pilgrimage and the fellowship we will enjoy along the way.
Val
Comment (2)
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Name: Valerie Shepard
