Is Just “Warm” Okay?

Yesterday we were out on the felid marching. And there was just something wrong. There was something that just seemed in a matter of specking off. Just out of the ordinary. There was no life, no power, no energy, in the music. It was just blain.

As I was walking to class I remember the Lukewarm church in Laodicea that was vomited out.

And I got to thinking….(always dangers I know…) I love hot coffee, piping, steaming hot. I love hot tea. I have a tea kettle. It has to boil to whittle. Boiling water is hot. Elementary principle I know. But stick with me.I like that stuff hot…piping, seaming hot.

But these things I like cold. Milk, Water, Coke, Water-melon, Popsicles, ice cream. Those are cold.

Now do I like my water warm, or my coffee after sitting there for a while? Not at all…

One time I was in Beaumont bye my self and ran it to some friends at the mall. We all decided about 15 of us to go and see a movie. We all load up in the Jeep, and one of my friends Impalas and head over to the theater. I really only know 2 of them. So I was somewhat shy, and didn’t talk much. We watched the movie…don’t even remember witch one it was. But I remember after that I wanted to go home. I had spent more money than I had planed on. And was tired. But NO NO NO every one was hungry. So what is open after the midnight showing were 15 people can eat? IHOP of course! So in this epic tale we drive on over. Walk in…If you have never been to IHOP w/ 12 people you don’t know…it’s very interning to say the least. The only people in IHOP at 2:45 am is People with the munches coming off there high. Old people that can’t sleep. Travels and/or truckers. And the teen group…We the last spoken of was us. were the only people under the age of 30 in there. As stated before I didn’t want to spend much more money plus I wasn’t hunger. SO I ask for a cup of coffee. It comes out and it’s okay…not the best and not the worst…but still not the best. I drink it down. And ask for more. She looks at me like “You retard” and points to the pitcher on the table. I pore a cup not looking stop ¾ of the way up.. Take a gulp.

BLAH!!!!!!! Icy cold.!!!! Nasty!!! Bitter, blah makes me cringe now. The only reason I swaled it was because I didn’t want to spit if all over the pretty young lady sitting across form me. So I choked it down. She buy the way thanked me very deeply.

My feeling of pure disgust in its most primitive form for something I love not being the way I loved it came in to being.

Now I know how He felt when He made the author pen these words. “I am going to vomit you out of My mouth” Revelation 3:16 I see now the sickness of God. For He loved us so much that He sent His son to die for us.

And we play act like we are hot when really we hide in a vessels that just looks like it will keep us warm. That appear to be just fine on the outsiders that look in.

When we as Christians start the drop in our spiritual temperature. We don’t need to sit there stagnate in our thermoses that will only allow us to plummet more. We need to be warmed back up.

We need to boil as the water dose in my kettle. Water as it boils. It turns, bubbles, agitates it’s self. As it heats up. It will not/can not just sit there, stagnate. It moves.

We as The Body of Christ must move. We must turn. We mustn’t sit there waiting to be vomited out. God doesn’t have to hold back His feelings as I did. Why would you want someone that loves you to vomit you out?

Wouldn’t you want every that you do please the one that loves you? So lets heat up, lets run the race, lets push for the prize, lets not just sit, and stagnate.

Plan of Salavtion

I googled that title that you see written above. “Plans of Salvation” Guess how many results there were? "Results 1 - 10 of about 6,490,000 for plans of salvation. (0.23 seconds)" . There where 6,490,000 results. How many of those were right? How many of those were a crock of bull? So with so many answers, how do you know how to explained it when asked on the spot?

This first web site gives a very good and detailed explanation to what the plan is. The url is hear. http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=276 . But it was to deep, and most 'Non-church' people will not understand it. So...

But what dose it truly boil down too? What dose it mean at the chore of the decision that you are making? What is it? It is many things, 1) it is allowing Christ Jesus to be your personal Lord and Savior. 2)It is the remission and forgiveness of sin. 3) It is a relationship with the most high God. That you are conversed in the fingerprints of. 4)it’s a ticket out of Hell 5)true LIFE 6)Joy 7)Something to live for. 8) Peace

All of this is well and good. But how if I asked you would you describe it? If a simple (this will not be politically correct!!! For give me if you take offence…But that is a gift reserved for the righteous. The vast majority of the population that will read it is not righteous!) What would you say to a simple ‘Back Woods Red Neck’? I mean a R-E-D-N-E-C-K?

I my self am guilty of writing out an eight step plan of “Salvation” in the back of my bible to have it when I need it. The majority of the time it is in my back pack that is either on me at school, or in my car. But in the line at Wal-Mart what do I do? “Could you hold that thought for one seconded?” While you hope that they weight right there as your jog to the book isle? Of course not. And this is the long drawn out version of my plan that I copied to the back of my bible.
1)Confess
Romans 3:23
2)Repent of Sin
Luke 13:3
3)Believe
John 5:24
4)Confess Publicly
Romans 10:9&10
5)Baptism
Mark 16:16
6)Associate with other Christians
Hebrews 10:25
7)Read the Bible Daily
Romans 10:17
8)Assurance of Salvation
Acts 2:21

How and when is that a practical thing to tell someone? And even if you do manage to hold there attention long enough to tell them that. They (that is the redneck) will think (or thank) “Look at this person suren off that high fulton education. They don’t know didly if the canet speack my laungeage!” Once again I know that isn’t nice but how true is it? Am I not correct?

I am not a modernist that says ‘Lets Stream Line’ the Christian life! But I am one that says the culture has changed. It is fast moving with little dead time to just have fun with during the work day. Lets have a way to tell them fast, and ‘dumb-it-down’.

So then what are the basics? The must haves?
1)Realization that you’re a sinner.
2)Believing on Christ
3)Confessing your Sin.

So to in an essence ‘stream line’ this it could be what? Think. Think. Think. Admit. Believe. Confess? Would that work? ABC’s of Christ? Admit you’re a sinner. Believe on Christ Jesus and be saved. Confess Jesus as your Lord? YES!!! that’s it! The ABC’s of Christ.

A) Admit you’re a sinner. Romans 3:23 For ALL have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God
B) Believe John 3:24“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
C)Confess Romans 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

So is that easier than the eight step plan that you are never going to remember? The ABC’s. I think so.

Neal Dulley

Confidence Problem Philippians 3:1-11

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the real circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness, under the law blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippains 3:1-11

There are three types of confidence problems. Over-confidence is pretty self-explanatory. This type of person knows that they are good and has no problem letting other know it. The second problem is low self-esteem. This person views himself as worthless, inadequate, and without purpose. The last is false humility, where a person will put soon a mask of fake modesty to cover up deep-seeded pride issues. All three of the problems have something in common: they all center far too much on self and not nearly enough of God. Which one of these affects you/ How can you overcome this problem?
In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul dose a wonderful job of outlining what our attitude and behavior should be as Christians. In chapter three he uses himself as an example of one who has very reason to be overly confident and is not. Why is this? What make Paul different form so many of the attractive/talented/rich people that we know? Simply pit, Paul understood where he was and who God is. Paul was not blind to the fact that he had a lot of stuff going for him. he makes it very clear that if he wanted to be cocky and arrogant, he would justified in the flesh to do so. However, when Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus road, Paul's perspective on life was forever changed. It was no longer about him and what he could gain form life, but rather it was about Christ and how much he could give in spreading the Gospel.
A wise man once said, "When you come face to face with Jesus Christ, you can not be the same." If you rally have a relationship with Jesus and are allowing Him to be Lord of Your Life, you r attitude will be different. you will focus more on who God is and less on who you are. Ask yourself, "Is my attitude what is should be" If it is not, "What is it that is keeping me form having a proper attitude?" maybe you should ask if you have really had that face to face encounter with Jesus after all. Whatever it is, pray that God would humble you and give you His perspective rather that your own.

Interdenominational Illumination

How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?

Charismatic: Only one. Hands are already in the air.

Pentecostals: Ten. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkens.

Presbyterians: None. Light will go on and off at predestined times.

Roman catholic: None. They use only candles.

Baptists: At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who bring the potato salad.

Episcopalians: Three. one to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one t talk about how much better the old one was.

Mormons: Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.

Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for light bulbs. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you ,that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dace about your light bulb fo the next Sunday service in which we well explore a number of light bulb traditions including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

Methodists: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb, Church wide lighting service is planned for Sunday. Bring bulb of your choice and a covered dish.

Nazarene: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review the church lighting policy.

Lutherans: none. Lutherans don't believe in change.

Amish: What's a light bulb?

When I Look at You. I can see the Finger Prints of God.

I am going to do something that I very rarely do. I am going to open up and give you a taste of my mind. The real thing that God has spoken too me. Using a small porting of my testimony. Using the thing that I have and still do struggle so strongly with. Everyone dose I don’t care who you are. The struggle of self-worth, happiness about your self, and self consciousness. Every one struggles with it. To some degree. I don’t care who you are.

So I picture God in Heaven when He makes children. Not a “Fetus” but a child. Hence the name CHILDren. I picture Him saying “Okay angles come and marvel at me once again I am going to make something out of nothing!” So the angles saying “AHHH AGAIN?!?!” flutter over.

He puts His hands together and rubs them to gether and breaths into them. “Life” is spoken ever so very softly. “Child”….and all the angles are yelling “I KNOW I WAS MADE TO PRAISE HIM…BUT THAT IS SO COOL!!!” But as this plays out in my feeble mind I picture Him not paying any action to them. And keeps you hidden like one hides the most loved position in a safe. At this moment He is very busy….very busy… Would you know why He pays no mind to them? Because you are reverently made. He forms your head, He forms you torso, He forms your arms, He forms your legs. Then He shapes your facial features with his finger nails. Carves out your finger prints. Places each hair. One. Buy. One.

With fear and wonderfulness you are created. No matter what you think God had his full attention one you. When He was making you. Psalm 139:14-18
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works;my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,the days that were formed for me,when as yet there were none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.I awake, and I am still with you.

“Dulley: your fat, ugly, you perspire like crazy. You untamable hair, glasses, big feet, clumsy, fat head, bad breath. And on top of that you look good at all, you will never do anything with your life!!!!” Is something that cut me really deep. Form someone who I thought was a friend. Someone who I really cared for. And when they asked me for an opinion I gave it. And they replied like that. It cut me really deep. It still hurts to this day.

But if I back track to what I know. I am made buy God. A vs. Puts it this way. ‘honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

Why do I still…fill…the way that I do… about my self? The answer is this… You are a vessel, of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master prepared…prepared… for every…good…work. You are prepared for the work of God. You are a temple…a Permanent Resting House of the Holy Sprit of God. You are prepared for God, buy God. That is the reason. That my friends…that is why we fell the was we do about our self’s. If that doesn’t make since keep reading!

Satin doesn’t want you to do work for the Kingdom of God. That would unravel all the work he has done since the fall. He the great thief of Creation. Will use everything in his arsenal to keep you form doing what God wants you to do. SO he will plant little things in your head. “Dulley your ugly, Dulley, your not good enough, Dulley do you remember what you did? Dulley do you remember what you didn’t do? Dulley listen closer to me…Dulley…listen to your friend…(now in a wispier) you’ll never amount to anything…anything….anything… anything at all…(now fading to nothing)” You have listened so carefully to him the Great Deserve of Men. That you have tuned out every thing….even the Creator God. He the Deserve will do this when your usually on the right track. Doing good works, mighty things for the Kingdom. Because you are a threat to his work. You are a threat to his work. His work in Christ Jesus.

He will try everything out on you until he finds one small finder hold. And he will throw water on that fire…That Fire of God in side you…until he has that part frozen…What happens when water is frozen? It expands. TO a larger crack. Then that gets cold and freezes. And expands. And refreezes. And it’s almost an unending cycle. Until you have a gineormus hole in your spirit.

He will work for years…simply…because…YOU…are a treat to him…

So how do we prevent this? Don’t let him have a finger hold…Don’t let him have any room…any space to throw water on your fire…

Pray Daily, Quite Time Daily, Armor of God Daily, Fallow God Daily, Ask God to fight for you Daily.

People It’s all about the daily fallowing of God. That is the Christian life: Love God, and fallow Him.