T-Break Lessons #3

I'm working on an illustration for the following truth.

As Christians, we are called to pursue righteousness (i.e. 1 Peter 3:10-12). We are called to turn from evil and do good. Simple enough, but we cannot do this on our own. We can only live righteously because of Christ. Christ has given us his righteousness so we can live righteous lives.

Here's the the illustration I'm working through.

Back when I was 15, I wanted to drive our Ford Taurus. I had to go through a long process of learning to be able to drive our Ford Taurus. I had to take classes, log 50 hours of driving time, and wait until I turned 16 years old.

I knew a lot about driving; I actually got pretty good at it - but I always had to be with someone. Finally, the big day came. My Dad and I drove our van over to the BP station next to the freeway, and my Mom met us with the Ford Taurus. For the first time ever, I got to drive on my own. I had a golf match a few miles away; so I took the key from my Dad and sped off leaving my Mom crying with my Dad.

What's the point?

No matter how much I knew about driving our Ford Taurus on my own - I couldn't drive it without the key from Dad. No matter how badly I wanted to drive our Ford Taurus on my own - I couldn't drive it without the key from Dad. No matter how much I proved to Dad that I was competent - I still couldn't drive it without the key. I was totally dependent on Dad's "power" and "authority."

No matter how much we know about righteous living - we can't do it without the power of Christ. No matter how badly we want to live righteously - we can't do it without the power of Christ. No matter how many times we prove to God that we're "competent" - we still can't live righteously without the power of Christ. We are totally dependent on Christ's power and authority.

Reviews?

T-Break Lessons #2

So I'm studying 1 Peter 3:8-12 over break. 1 Peter itself was a letter written during the reign of Nero to scattered Christians. The theme of this particular passage is unity, and it's interesting to think of unity in the context of persecution.

Remember September 11th?

Not just the tragedy - but the EFFECTS of the tragedy.

There was POLITICAL unity.
There was RELIGIOUS unity.
There was FAMILIAL unity.
There was NATIONAL unity.

Now, I'm not saying that September was necessarily a day of "persecution" in the strictest sense. However, it was definitely a hard time - a time of fear, pain, and sadness. But the unity that came out of that day was short lived. Why? There's a simple explanation...

America as a nation is NOT the body of Christ. Believers are the body of Christ - those who put their faith and trust in Christ alone and follow Him with their entire existence.

If believers are called to unity (1 Peter 3:8-12), then why do we struggle so much with it here in America?

Answer: No persecution.

Am I limb crawling here or not?

T-Break Lessons #1

For those of you who don't know, I am working Security here at BBC over Thanksgiving Break. Over the next week or so, I'm planning on blogging through what God's going to teach me throughout the break.

Today God reminded me how amazing His gift of family is in my life. I always take my family for granted - my physical family and my spiritual family. The body of Christ is a gift that we need to stop and thank God for constantly. I neglect this all the time, and it's something I desperately need to work on.

Thank God for FAMILY today!!!

A Godly Business Meeting

Tonight I got to experience the most God-honoring business meeting I've ever been to.

As I walked in, I received my information packet with extremely well-written information on the business we as members had to put to a vote. Next came the praise and worship played with the same energy and excellence as a Sunday morning (or Saturday evening, in our case...)

Next came the information that flowed from years and years of long, hard research and planning. The floor was open to questions next, and the members really came up with intelligent and pertinent questions to help us think through the major issue at hand. After many honest and open questions came an open time for comments - everyone was ready to vote.

While the votes were being counted - we actually took the time to stop and remember the amazing things God did in bringing the African Children's Choir to our area!!!

What a novel idea - STOP AND PRAISE GOD FOR WHAT'S ALREADY HAPPENING IN THE CHURCH!!!

Members shared stories of hosting the African children in their homes and then the vote total was shared with everyone. At the end - one of our pastors stood up to close in prayer and thanked the "senior" members of our church - the ones who've seen the entire change from a church of 50 attenders to a church of close to 1,800 attenders. We all were dismissed after talking to God.

EVERYONE AROUND ME LEFT SAYING, "THAT WAS AWESOME!!!"

Thank God for unity, simplicity, and love in the local church.

What an experience.