Greg Johnson Blog

The Christ Follower Will Never be Moved

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:03:00 CST

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor. The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!
(Psa 112:1-10 ESV)

Keep your eyes fixed on Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2)!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Homeless and Hungry

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:42:00 CST

Who is suppose to help the homeless?

Jesus expects us to help them.

How can you help them?

Just $1.92 provides a complete meal for one hungry, homeless person or helps provide shelter or other vital care. Your gift of $67.20 helps 35 people. $86.40 feeds or cares for 45. And if you can give $124.80, you'll help 65 people.

Please join us in helping the homeless this Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

Click to donate.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

The Path to Habitual Lying

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:21:00 CST

He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it a second and third time, till at length it becomes habitual; he tells lies without attending to it, and truths without the world's believing him. -- Thomas Jefferson

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Solutions to Today's Difficulties

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:35:00 CST

I’ve seen so much suffering and so much lack of compassion in our day, but I stay full of hope.

Half of this world’s population lives on less than two dollars a day.

Many go hungry daily.

Many die daily of preventable and treatable disease.

Some say that government is the solution.

Some say that the institutional church is the solution.

What does Jesus say?

What does Jesus expect?

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." But Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." (Mat 14:14-16 ESV)

Jesus teaches His followers that they are the solution.

They are to use what He gives them in time, talent and treasure, however little it may seem, to take care of needy people.

This is the life of the Christ follower.

What would happen in our world if the 2+ billion Christians became Christ followers?

This, I believe, is the solution and I choose to receive my hope from Jesus, the Blessed Hope.

The best is yet to come!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Friday Links - November 6, 2009

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:00:00 CST

Some links from this week:

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Expectations Shaped by Human Treatment

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:00 CST

I wonder if we at times base our understanding of God’s willingness to help us on man’s willingness to help us. Let me give you some examples of what I mean. There is the job interview. The interviewer is able to hire, but is the interviewer willing to hire you? There is the loan process. The loan officer is able to give a loan, but is the loan officer willing to give the loan to you? There is that house that you want. The seller is able to agree to your offer, but is the seller willing to agree to your offer? There is your education. Your teacher is able to take your late assignment because your dog ate your homework, but is your teacher willing to take your late assignment? The police officer that pulls you over for going just a little over the speed limit is able to let you go with just a warning, but is the police officer willing to let you go with just a warning? People are able, but are they willing?

You may be thinking, “I don’t get it. What’s your point and how is it relevant to me?” My point is this: we can not base our understanding of God’s willingness to help us on people’s willingness to help us. We must base our understanding of God on the Bible. The Bible is our authoritative guide to all of our beliefs and our actions.

At the end of Mark Chapter one, we meet a man that has a need. A job is not his primary need. Neither is a loan, a house or an education. This man needs health care. "A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, If you are willing, you can make me clean." (Mark 1:40 NIV)

Leprosy is a terrible disease. In Jesus’ day, leprosy is incurable. Lepers were separated from society and considered to be outcasts. With the disease, skin decays off of the bones. Once a person was diagnosed with this disease, they were separated from their family and could no longer touch or be touched. Can you imagine living the rest of your life and not being able to touch and be touched? - A child no longer feeling the touch of a parent and a parent no longer feeling the touch of a child, a husband no longer feeling the touch of his wife and a wife no longer feeling the touch of her husband. The disease itself brought much physical suffering and disability, but the mental and emotional suffering due to being an untouchable was just as continually tormenting.

To make matters worse, the leper was required by law to walk through the crowded walkways of the city declaring at the top of their voice “UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN, LEPER, UNCLEAN.” Upon hearing this, the crowd would part and allow the leper to come through making sure that no one touched the outcast. That pretty much describes this man’s world that we read about in Mark chapter one; untouchable and a social outcast.

This man brought his need to Jesus.
In the midst of his physical suffering and mental anguish; in the midst of emotional devastation, this man did the right thing. He came to Jesus with his need. In the first part of Mark chapter one, we see Jesus healing people and setting captives free from the bondages of sin and evil. The whole city of Capernaum in the providence of Galilee is impacted. Can you imagine the crowds that are now following Jesus? This man with leprosy, void of any self esteem or respect from others presses through the crowd to bring his need to Jesus. His steps to Jesus were humiliating as he shouted “UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN, LEPER, UNCLEAN.” As the people moved out of the way to let him by, he could undoubtedly feel the stares and hear the whispers. But he pressed onward knowing that he had to get to Jesus with his need.

Beloved, we have to press through whatever life deals us and get to Jesus just like this man did. What are you going through right now in your life? What are your needs? What are you struggling with? Do you need a miracle? I encourage you to press through until you get to Jesus. He is able to help you.

Expectations shaped by human treatment.
I imagine that this man turned to many people that were able to help him in some way or fashion, but they were not willing to help him. Listen to his words to Jesus as he says "If you are willing, you can make me clean." (Mark 1:40 NIV) I believe this man went to many people that could help him, but were not willing to help him. His expectations were shaped by others actions and reactions to him. You can hear in his words that he had great faith in Jesus’ ability to help him, but he was not sure if Jesus was willing. This man with leprosy knew that Jesus could help him, but he was managing his expectations based on how others had treated him.

As I meditated on the words of this man with leprosy, God began to show me that our expectations in our day have been shaped by human treatment. We live in a world where others have the ability to meet needs of people, yet they are not willing. In our day, there seems to be more concern over oil in the Middle East than genocide in Sudan. It spills over to our understanding of God and it diminishes our level of faith. We approach God, not doubting His ability, but doubting His willingness to meet our need. That’s why we pray prayers like “God, if it is your will, please heal my body…..” We are not questioning God’s ability to heal, we are questioning His willingness to heal. Our expectations have been shaped by human treatment.

Jesus reveals His heart to us in the way He responds to this man.
Jesus responds to this man’s request, which was conditioned by his experiences of denial for help. "Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.”I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"" (Mark 1:41 NIV) Notice that Jesus does not condemn this man for lack of faith in Jesus’ willingness. No, instead Jesus reaches out and touches the man. This is very significant. Jesus touched the one that was untouchable showing physical evidence that He was willing to help this man. Can you imagine? Who knows how long it had been since this man had felt someone’s touch and here the Son of God reaches out and touches him.

Not only does Jesus physically touch the man, but He verbally tells him that He is willing to meet his need. With a spoken command of “Be Clean!” Jesus demonstrates not only His ability to meet needs, but also His willingness to meet needs. The result of the man coming to Jesus and Jesus touching the man was supernatural. "Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured." (Mark 1:42 NIV)

Beloved, this has great relevance to us in our day. As we press through whatever we are going through and we take our needs to Jesus, He has compassion on us and works miracles in our life. Please know that according to the Word of God, Jesus has not changed. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8 NIV) Not only is Jesus able to meet your every need, He is also willing. Continually bring your needs to Jesus Christ. Jesus will have compassion on you. Jesus will reach out and touch you. Jesus will defy the natural and will work the supernatural in you. In these days that we live, refuse to let human treatment shape your expectations in what God can do. Expect a miracle each time you come in contact with Jesus!

As Christ followers, we are to minister at the point of need as Jesus did. I call it, "getting our hands dirty." As Jesus leads us to where the need is and has given us the resources of time, talent and treasure to meet the need, we are to be willing. The recipient of point of need ministry will see Jesus in us and experience His love and willingness to help through us. His point of need ministry will continue.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Remaining Still

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:00:00 CST

Christ followers learn that remaining still, allowing God to do a deep work within them by the indwelling Holy Spirit, prepares them for point of need ministry. They learn the voice of Jesus and listen, knowing that God is also preparing someone on the other end to receive the point of need ministry that they will bring as they follow Christ. Jesus will show them the need. They will be quick to minister as unto Him.

The highest attainment in life is to remain still, allowing God to act and speak in you preparing you to continue the point of need ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Remain still my friend.

He will prepare.

He will instruct.

Be quick to go.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Life Changing Obedience

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:51:00 CST

Jesus works in each of His followers in different ways that produces the same result. The result is always obedience that leads to point of need ministry.

In Acts 9:10-19 of God’s word we see Jesus working in Saul and Ananias, molding and shaping them to obey Him and continue His point of need ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. Only Jesus can do this work and it only happens in those who submit to His leadership.

Saul was picked by Jesus in Acts 9:1-9. He humbled himself and submitted to Jesus’ leadership. He once was self led and now he is Christ led. Jesus instructed him to go to Damascus and wait there for further instruction. Saul obeyed.

It was in the waiting that Christ did a deeper work in Saul, preparing him to enter into his destiny as a Christ follower. While waiting, Saul fasted and prayed. This went against Saul’s nature of being self led and self sufficient. He was use to going and blowing; doing his own thing in his own time. He rested, worked and played on his own schedule. This had to change in order for Christ to fully utilize him. Saul waited. Saul prayed. Saul fasted. Saul obeyed. He didn’t know why, but he obeyed.

Ananias was a Christ follower in Damascus. Jesus came to him in a vision and gave him detailed instructions. He tells him specifically what street and what house to go to in order lay hands on Saul so that Saul would receive his sight back. Jesus was telling Ananias to go help the man who came to town to throw you in prison and would like to murder you. Wow, what an instruction and what a step of obedience by a Christ follower.

Ananias obedience led to point of need ministry. When he arrives, he specifically addresses Saul as “brother”. What an example of the love and forgiveness that are fruit of a Christ follower’s life. Saul received his sight after Ananias laid his hands on him. Saul followed Christ that day as Ananias baptized him in water. Ananias took care of Saul’s basic needs and prepared food for him to eat so that he could regain his strength. Once again, the obedience of a Christ follower leads to continuing the point of need ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Saul learned a lot that day. He learned the value of obedience and he benefited from its result as a Christ follower ministered to him at his point of need that day. Saul didn’t have to go to a church building and attend a service. Saul didn’t have to go to an evangelistic event or a faith healing crusade. Saul did not have to wait in line at the homeless shelter for a cup of hot soup. No, the Christ follower came to him and took care of his needs right where he was at.

This act of unconditional love and forgiveness undoubtedly started to shape Saul for the ministry that was ahead of him. In the rest of the book of Acts we will see Saul, in complete obedience, continue the point of need ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Ananias will not be mentioned again, but rest assured, a Christ follower does not retire until they reach glory. Ananias kept living a life of obedience, continuing the point of need ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

As we follow Christ, He will direct our steps and lead us to where He desires us to continue His point of need ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. We will be pleasantly surprised as we realize that Jesus’ ministry goes far beyond the walls of a church building and the confines of a service. His ministry is where the need is and that is where He will lead us. Will we go? The difference between the called and the chosen is obedience.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Friday Links - October 30, 2009

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:00:00 CDT

Some links from this week:

Enjoy your weekend and know that you can attend a Loving God Fellowship near you!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

A Downward Spiritual Journey

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:27:00 CDT

Sometimes we forget that our spiritual journey involves a downwardness. There are some who attribute this downwardness to direct attacks of Satan or lack of faith. In doing so, they bring much harm to those experiencing these downward periods.

We must always remember that Christ revealed the downward aspect of the journey when He left the realm of glory to come into our world and show us how to live and how to die. As Christ followers, we follow Him even in the downward periods of our life knowing that glory is ahead of us and the best is yet to come.

Thanks to my friend Milton W. Kliesch for this video clip of Parker Palmer talking about his spiritual journey that has included 3 bouts of clinical depression. He refers to a downwardness of the the journey in which he has learned much.

Parker Palmer - Spiritual Journey - Moving beyond pain from 30goodminutes on Vimeo.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Demands of Compassion

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:20:00 CDT

Does the compassionate life not demand that we be present to those who suffer; does it not require that we enter into solidarity with the poor, oppressed, and downtrodden; does it not motivate us both to move into the thick of life and to experience the hardships of existence in solidarity with the outcasts?

- Henri Nouwen,
Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life

Economic Equality

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:57:00 CDT

If one had taken what is necessary to cover one's needs and had left the rest to those who are in need, no one would be rich, no one would be poor, no one would be in need.

- Saint Basil,
fourth century theologian and monastic

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

St. Basil the Great on the Holy Spirit

Life Changing Grace

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CDT

Those who receive God’s grace are changed. They cease to do whatever they want to do and begin to do what Jesus Christ wants them to do. They no longer live their life for self. They deny self and follow Jesus.

There is no better example of this transformation than the one recorded in Acts 9:1-9 of God’s word. A dramatic, definable and undeniable change takes place in Saul.

Saul was living his own life believing in his interpretation of the Old Testament and the prophets. Jesus did not fit Saul’s and his religious buddies interpretation of what the Scripture said of the Messiah. They thought the teachings and claims of Jesus were too radical and threatened change to the Law and the Temple. Saul was at the trial of Stephen where frustrations with the early Christ followers came to a violent climax and ended in the stoning death of Stephen (Acts 7).

Saul created his own mission and purpose. He became a self led persecutor of Christ followers and was given all the authority that he needed by the religious institution of his day. He thought that he was doing God a favor. He was full of pride, but the One he persecuted brought humility to his life by the grace of God.

Saul’s transformation, as the transformation of all those who choose to follow Christ, was the result of God’s grace. Saul did not go looking for Jesus. Jesus went looking for Saul. Saul did not initiate the encounter. Jesus did. How amazing is the grace of God that seeks out sinners like Saul; sinners like me and sinners like you. Jesus picks us to follow Him and as we do, transformation takes place in us. It is dramatic, definable and undeniable. That is grace and it is amazing.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.” ~ John Newton (1725-1807)

Received grace will always bring needed transformation. Saul ends his travel to Damascus different than the way he started.

He went to arrest Christ followers, now he was arrested by Christ
He went having been given authority from man, now he had come under the authority of Christ
He went leading, now he is following

Only Jesus can bring about such a transformation. Only Jesus. And it’s all by His grace.

Grace is being poured out in our day. Jesus still calls people to follow Him. He brings radical transformation to those who receive His grace, deny self and are led by Him. Christ followers have a bright future and have been given a deposit of it now through the Holy Spirit. The best is yet to come!

“When we've been there ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.” ~ John Newton (1725-1807)

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder
www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Friday Links - October 23, 2009

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:00:00 CDT

Some links from this week:

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Living Together

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:13:00 CDT

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. We must learn to live together as brothers, or perish together as fools.

-- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Overcoming Distractions

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:10:00 CDT

I believe that one of Satan’s greatest tactics that he uses against us is distractions. If he can keep us distracted, he will keep us from fulfilling our purpose and our mission here on earth. We must recognize this tactic and overcome it.

Throughout the Bible we learn of how people were distracted by Satan.

Eve was distracted by a quest for knowledge.
Adam was distracted by peer pressure.
Cain was distracted by jealousy.
Moses was distracted by anger.
Samson was distracted by self sufficiency.
Saul was distracted by human reasoning.
David was distracted by lust.
Solomon was distracted by all the stuff he had accumulated.
Judas was distracted by love of money or greed.
The disciples were distracted at the cross by fear and unbelief.

Please know that Satan will try his best to distract you and keep you from fulfilling your purpose and your mission. Distractions will come your way.

Jesus was in Capernaum. The Word of God says "That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was."    (Mark 1:32-34 NIV) In the first chapter of Mark we see Jesus entering into powerful ministry. People are healed and captives are set free. An entire city is impacted. What a powerful ministry

Jesus knew the source of His power
The Word of God says "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."    (Mark 1:35 NIV) At this point in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, His followers did not understand the importance of prayer. Later on as they saw Jesus move and minister with a powerful anointing, they understood that Jesus received anointing and instructions through His prayer life and they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.

Jesus placed priority on prayer. There were a lot of people to minister to as there were a lot of people in need, but Jesus always made time to get by Himself and pray. Here we see Him getting up early in the morning, going off by Himself and praying. He had ministered all day to needy people and now He was refueling through prayer; spending time with His God the Father.

Beloved, Prayer is vital for the follower of Jesus Christ. It is where instruction for our journey is given and strength for our journey is supplied. If we are to continue the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, we must spend time in prayer. We must spend time with Jesus.

Distractions will come
The devil watched Jesus and observed His prayer life. The devil knows the power of prayer. He tried to distract Jesus. He will try to distract you.

God’s Word says "Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!""    (Mark 1:36-37 NIV) Jesus is in prayer and Simon Peter comes looking for Him because he thinks Jesus should be back at the house ministering to people. What a distraction! Here we have the second person of the Godhead spending intimate time with the first person of the Godhead; the Son of God spending time with the Father refueling for the mission and Peter interrupts! I believe Satan used Peter to try to distract Jesus from His mission just as Satan tries to distract us from our mission.

Beloved, Satan will try everything he can to try to distract you from your purpose and your mission. Satan will try his best to get you so busy that you don’t have quality time to spend praying; having little or no intimacy time with Jesus. He will try to bring interruptions as you try to spend time with Jesus. You must identify this tactic and overcome this brazen scheme of the enemy of our souls. If Satan succeeds, he will get us off track and will keep us from fulfilling our mission in this life.

We must stay focused on Jesus for He is our mission
Notice Jesus’ response to Simon. Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons."    (Mark 1:38-39 NIV) Jesus refused to be distracted from his mission. He refused to buckle under the pressure of man. He had spent time with the Father and received instructions and anointing to move on in the mission. He was not going to stay in Capernaum. His message was that the Kingdom of God was hear; to repent and believe. There were so many more that needed to hear the message. He moved forward with anointing and continued to minister to people at their point of need.

Beloved, we must stay focused on Jesus. If we are going to impact our cities in our day, we must stay focused on Jesus. We can not be distracted from the mission. We must spend time with Him in prayer getting our instructions and receiving our anointing. There is no other way. We are called to continue the ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit and we must keep our focus on Him. Satan will try to shift our focus, but we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.   As we keep Jesus the center of our attention. As we focus on Him. We will make a difference for Jesus in our day.

(Heb 12:2 NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Praise the Lord Beloved.   Overcome all distractions. Stay focused. Continue the ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit until He comes!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Small Things Add Up

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:49:00 CDT

We can do no great things; only small things with great love.

~ Mother Teresa

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Holy Spirit Designed Encounters

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:40:00 CDT

As one grows in their walk with Christ, they continually learn that the Holy Spirit directs their steps. They begin to be sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and rely on Him to prepare and design God encounters with others at their point of need.

In Acts 8:26-40 we see a Holy Spirit designed encounter take place that we can learn much from and it will help us be able to recognize future Holy Spirit designed encounters in our journey as we follow Christ and increase His kingdom. Please notice some things with me in these Scriptures.

The Holy Spirit caused the paths of two unlikely people to cross – a Jewish Christ follower and an Ethiopian non Christ follower.

Jesus desires for us to mix with people that are not like us. If we continually mix with only those who are like us, we will miss our Holy Spirit designed encounters. That is why Christ followers have allowed Him to remove all prejudices that they have learned from their heart. They love God and ALL people. They are willing to mix with people of all race, belief, and economic status.

The Holy Spirit prepared both individuals beforehand for this encounter.

Philip was full of the Holy Spirit and had developed a heart to help people (Acts 6:1-6). He followed the leading of the Holy Spirit to Samaria (Acts 8:4-8) and was used by God in a powerful way there and now he was led by the Spirit to just head south. Phillip had allowed Christ to break down all prejudices in his heart and he was willing to minister at the point of need to anyone, no matter who they were and where they were located.

The Ethiopian had just been to Jerusalem representing the queen of the Ethiopians and was now heading back home to Ethiopia. He was not yet a Christ follower, but God was working in His heart.

Scripture was used as a basis to reveal Christ.

The Holy Spirit had attracted the Ethiopian to the Scriptures and he was reading in Isaiah 53. He did not know that Isaiah 53 pointed to Christ. He did not know that Christ had already come and fulfilled the Old Testament. He had questions concerning Scripture. Phillip the Christ follower answered his questions and pointed him to Jesus.

Christ followers must know Scripture. It’s not an option. Scripture is our authoritative guide to our beliefs and our actions. The Holy Spirit works on people’s hearts through Scripture and for us to be used by the Holy Spirit, we must know Scripture and be constantly ready to lovingly point people to Jesus through Scripture as they ask questions. If they are not asking questions, the Holy Spirit has not prepared them yet and we are just simply to love them and take care of their felt needs. Christ followers know when the Holy Spirit has prepared an individual by the questions they ask and we must be prepared to give the answer of Christ.

The desire to follow Christ in water baptism was the indicator that something genuine had taken place within the Ethiopian.

After having Christ revealed to Him, the Ethiopian did not have the desire to go to a church service, walk an aisle and repeat a prayer after somebody asking Jesus into his heart. No, all of those things are man made and not found in Scripture. The Ethiopian did have a genuine desire to follow Christ in water baptism. Water baptism is the first step a Christ follower takes in their journey with Christ and it is an outside indicator of what has already taken place on the inside.

The kingdom of God grew that day. It grew by one on that road heading south, but when the Ethiopian got back to Ethiopia, the good news about Jesus compelled others into the kingdom and Jesus’ prophecy of Acts 1:8 continued to come to pass.

Is Jesus’ prophecy of Acts 1:8 being fulfilled through your life?

A Christ follower will always follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and minister at the point of need resulting in Christ being exalted and the kingdom of God growing. They can not keep the joy and the good news of the kingdom to their self as they come across people that the Holy Spirit has already prepared to receive point of need ministry and the love of Christ.

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Friday Links - October 16, 2009

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:00:00 CDT

Some links from this week:

Growing the Beloved Community in Spite of Sinful Soil

Evangelicals Endorse Immigration Reform

Christ Followers for Compassionate Reform of Immigration Laws

Why Are You Eating When You're Tired?

HHS and Flu.gov answer questions about the flu

"A Critical Milestone"
New video: You Can End Poverty

World's hungry reach more than 1 billion in '09

New Twitter Phishing Scam

The Church-State Debate: Biblical Insiders and Outsiders

A Moral Mandate for Financial Reform

Have a great weekend and always remember that you can join us for church online at www.LGFinternetChurch.org . The doors are always open and you can come just as you are!

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org

Sharing the Love

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:07:00 CDT

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

-- 1 John 4:11

Know that you are loved,

@PastorGreg
Founder, www.LovingGodFellowship.org