It Can't Happen to Me!!! Can it??

Galatians 4:4-7... but when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons, and because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Deception is one of those things that everyone else in our lives may clearly see, but we are completely blind to it! We may be so absolutely sure we are right at a given moment, only to find ourselves up to our elbows in alligators a short time later. How about you, have you ever been deceived? If you have, it can be a tragic experience, and shall I say it often is!

This past week I spoke with a dad from another church that was sharing his heart regarding a wayward daughter. "She was raised in church," he said to me as he poured out his heart to me. She was living in sin with her unsaved boyfriend. Both mom and dad had expressed their sadness to her regarding her carnal decisions. She says she is a born again christian and yet she has chosen a path different from her Savior.

Now let me say there are several deceptions at work here, not only in this 20 year old's life but also in mom and dad's lives too . First, mom and dad are deceived if they think a relationship to a "church" has any power over their daughters life. You see, God has not called us to have a personal relationship with a "church" but with HIM. This particular deception has been used on many a parent. If I just take them to "church" they will turn out alright. Often Proverbs 22:7 is also quoted in regards to this.
Can I say this to you parents out there.....going to church is a GOOD thing but it is not the absolute best for their life.....KNOWING CHRIST as Savior and developing a powerful, intimate personal relationship with HIM is THE BEST. The issue with this young lady was Mainly between her and her Savior, her mom and dad and then with her church. Keep it between them and HIM!!!!

Another deception is that "she" knows better than her parents and than God. She, as a christian, knew what she was into was clearly, Biblically wrong, but she was going to do it anyway. She was deceived into thinking she knew better that God and her parents what was best for her. Deception says a 20 year old has more wisdom than God, His word, her parents and her church family (if it is a Bible practicing, Bible believing fellowship).The Bible says "the way of a fool is right in his own eyes!"Proverbs 12:15

^{Proverbs 14:12} There is a path before each person that seems right,

but it ends in death.

Another Deception is that she could be in an adulterous relationship and "she" was not going to get pregnant!!! How many times has satan and the flesh deceived someone into believing that it was not going to happen to them. They were going to be the only ones who could "get away" with it!!!! Well, as usual, God will not be mocked.....I received another phone call just last night from this dad to inform me his 20 year old was now pregnant.

Reality can be a brutal taskmaster. This young girl, with all of "her" plans for the future has just hit a delete button. Her plans are dramatically changed. (Abortion, the killing of a baby, is not an option, thank the Lord) So now she has 9 months of some of the greatest challenges of her young life ahead of her. Then, 20 plus years of funding and feeding this child. This is called the law of sowing and reaping. What we sow we reap, all in His time!

Lastly, I believe that our last deception is found in the passage I have at the beginning of this blog....The deception that does not let us live like we are.....Heirs of God through Christ. We do not align our attitudes and actions with the truths that teach us who we ARE in Christ Jesus. If this young lady had lived like she was, and heir of God, a child of the King, would she be in this present situation??? Absolutely NOT! She was deceived into believing less of herself. Settling for a fleshly lifestyle instead of one that lives as HIS CHILD! Many fall prey to this deception!

Can it happen to you and I??? You bet. Anytime we live any other way other than as a Child of the King, we are deceived. May HE show us where we are deceived in regards to our personal lives and lead us to lives of Biblical truth, honesty and purity.

Blessings
Bruce

Did You Forget the Anniversary???

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ....Ephesians 1:3

Are you one of those who get so busy that you have forgotten a special event? Something like a Birthday or an Anniversary??? I must confess this one as I blog this all important issue as God is reminding me of my tresspass.

THANKFULLY it was not my wife's birthday or our anniversary!!! In fact is was not even one of my immediate family members events. It happened to be our Church Secretary's event.......National Secretaries Day!!! (NSD from now on) Now before you jump to conclusions, you must understand the inner workings of our Church office. This precious sister has served our Church (and me) for well over a decade and is a constant in bailing out her pastors on a regular basis. She provides behind the scenes critical administration, scheduling and many times just an ear to help us work out the things God is doing in us and in our church. Praise God for her!

Now here is how I found out I missed "her" day of reflection and thanksgiving.....I come into my desk on the day AFTER NSD and on my desk is a computer generated card that said..."Happy Secretaries Day" and on the inside she had the receipt of her SELF paid lunch stapled to it! She's a comedian at heart!!!!

First, let me say I loved the card.... I was glad that it didn't have her resignation in it! Secondly, glad because she knew me and my schedule well enough to know that God had our plate full. (contrary to what some of you believe...especially you deacs) #:) and she was able to communicate my failure with humor instead of blood letting. Thirdly, by now she has learned that God owns our schedules and even though I missed this special day she was a Grace Giver to her pastors! Forthly, I am glad that both my wife and our Secretary are Christ servants as my wife had reminded me during that day to not forget NSD. I still forgot????!!!!! Needless to say, our Youth Pastor and I did take her out on a later date to celebrate her gift to the body of Christ! Apparently we are going to get another chance as she has stayed with us thus far (it may be her husband won't let her quit...Go Jimmy!!) either way God is gracious...

On Sunday June the 7th, we at CBF are going to celebrate 14 years of God's grace to us as one of His body of believers in the Triad area. What a day that will be for us. We have definitely been graced with year after year of HIS Blessing. As I think through the events of the past 14 years what stands out to you the most????? Some of you have been with us since the start. Others have joined us on the journey. What are you thankful for in regards to God's work through CBF???

Here are a few of my thoughts....
One, I am thankful this work is NOT a work of man. Since our inception, we have never been a work of man. We were birthed out not by choice but by Spirit directed events that led us to where we are today. There was NO master plan by this pastor or the church leadership to DO this work! It was and praise God still is a God directed ministry.
Two, I am thankful for many who have come to faith in Jesus Christ since HE birthed us out! Multitudes have been saved, discipled and today serve HIM both here at CBF and some at other Churches in our community and around the world. Last year was one of the biggest years ever here as God continues to bring lost sinners to Himself! I look forward to seeing what HE is going to do next!!!
Thirdly, I am thankful that we are a flexible church. What I mean by this is that while we hold some things as absolutes, i.e.....The Bible, Deity of Christ, Salvation by Grace via Faith etc.... we also do not make majors out of minors. We allow God room to work in the lives of His children. We do not have our Great God in a box!!! We flex as HE grows us. Thus one of the reasons we are continuing to grow younger. Grace in action without compromise of majors!
Forthly, I am thankful for His faithfulness through the original group of believers who have stayed with us for the duration! Your faithfulness has not only blessed His work here but also has encouraged your pastor and kept him in the ministry many times when tempted to throw in the towel!!!
Fifth, I am thankful for His energy that all of you new folk bring to His work here. You are by your gifts, talents, strengths and passion/love for Christ energizing HIS body via HIS Spirit in you! Press on!!!
Sixth, I am thankful we are a family church. This is a multifold blessing. We see and continue to see His families come, seek Him and point their respective families to Him. Young marrieds and children fill us up with their excitement and expectation weekly. This is a tremendous blessing. We are also a Church which is a family. If you truly yoke up with us, you will experience the family love. Fringe and family do not go together. Those who get close will....get close!!! It is not unusual for 30-45 minutes after our services for many to still be here plugging into each other.
Seventh, I could go on and on but I will make this my last for today....I am so thankful to be allowed the opportunity by God to shepherd this wonderful "Ekklesia." With all of our failures ( of which I no doubt lead the way), our shortcomings, our lacks....you, the Bride of Christ are still beautiful to me. (I can only imagine how HE see's you) I weep as I think of all of your testimonies. Trophies of HIS grace living out and in the SPIRITUAL blessings of Ephesians 1:3. I am a blessed man. A blessed pastor. A blessed servant!

Will you join me on our special day and celebrate the Work of Christ! It is not just a celebration of our past but the glory of our future! Christ!

Blessings
Bruce