Welcome To The Christian Journeyman!

Welcome To The Christian Journeyman!
A CHRISTIAN TEACHING AND RESOURCE MINISTRY!

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Wake Up! The Word Of God Is Calling..

In a 141-page manifesto titled "My Twisted World" in which he rants against women and his sexless life, mass murderer Eliot Rodger, 22, said his killing spree and eventual death in the streets of Isla Vista, California, last Friday could have been avoided if only he had lost his virginity. Seven people, including Rodger, died as a result of his 10-minute shooting rampage in the quiet Southern California college town, which also left several others injured. (By Leonardo Blair, Christian Post Reporter) Is it a mental health issue, or a deep spiritual issue? I believe that applying God's word to our hearts, will help us with what is wrong in our minds. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2) Can God's Word penetrate a mind, and a world, such as this young man, and change one's perspective, and direction in life? The Hebrew writer tells us..."For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword , piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews4:12) We can be transformed, and renewed in our minds, when we take in the Word of God. It is a powerful tool in establishing and shaping good morals, positive attitudes, and solid relationships. The way to obtaining the best future is receiving the Gospel message. In so doing, receiving Christ, who is the way to heaven, and the way to having strength and stability in this life. God's Word is a powerful tool, but we don't want it today! We would rather follow the lies of the world, and reap the consequences of the like in California. When will the violence end? When we place God's Word as the main guide for our lives, and live out it's truths in everyday life. Only then will we see great changes in our society. (GP)

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Be A Shepherd

John 21:15-19
I would have not wanted to be in Peter's shoes, when Jesus asked for a response to a question He asked him, three times. "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" (vv. 15,16,17) It was in the backdrop of Peter's betrayal that Jesus asked him this question; and each time the question was asked, I'm sure, the stab of regret, became deeper each time. The first time, Jesus asked this question, it was to get at Peter's priorities in life. "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" Was Jesus referring to the fish that they had caught, which was a large catch (153 fish) or, was Jesus referring to Peter's fellow disciples, and asking, "Do you love Me more than they do?" Whatever Peter's priorities were at this point, Jesus presents to him after each question, the purpose, and the priority, of his role in the Kingdom. In essence Jesus was saying: "Peter I want you to be a shepherd. I want you to "feed My sheep". As Christians we have this responsibility too. The Lord calls us to feed our fellow Christians, with the food of the Word of God. That is the purpose of THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEYMAN. Every week, I try to share teaching from God's Word, so we as Christians can grow, and mature in our faith, hope, and love. That we will be as God's people, a people who are "approved unto God" (2 Timothy 2:15) God is calling us to pour our life into the lives of others. To be a shepherd to them, and instill in them, this powerful spiritual food, from the Word of God. (GP)

Thursday, May 15, 2014

God And Homosexuality

The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, a sexual orientation law and public policy think tank, estimates that 9 million (about 3.8%) of Americans identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (2011). www.About.com 
The book of Romans tells us that homosexuality was practiced back in the time of the Apostle Paul. He writes about how God dealt with those who practiced it in the Gentile world "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use of what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." (Romans 1:26-27) Homosexuality is the extreme act of self-indulgence, and disobedience to the natural plan of God. Paul described it as "Vile", and "Unnatural" Although God loves the people who are involved in this "vile" activity, it is sin, and will reap the judgment of God. But anyone who repents, and turns away from it, and turns back to God, will be forgiven. If we turn to the Creator, and accept His plan for our lives, we will be blessed spiritually and eternally.
God does not hate those who practice homosexuality. He hates the sin, and in His time, will judge those who continually participate in it. Our role as Christians is to reach out to those involved in this activity, and share with them God's love, and His plan for their lives. (Galatians 6:1-2)
In all that we do, it is to comply with God's will, that is written in His Word. (GP)

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Trouble And Me!

"These Things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Have you ever asked the question, "Why Lord?" "Why Lord, do I have so much trouble in my life? When I look at other people, it seems as if they are doing wonderfully, and I am doing miserably. Before me is a mountain of problems that won't go away. "Why Lord, did you send me this? Why did you send it now? Just as Jesus told the disciples then, He tells us now, that along with the general trouble that comes in life, there is the trouble that comes from abiding in Him. "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you."(v.18) The truth is that in living the Christian life, we must expect that there will be trouble. Expect that there will be opposition to our Christian life style. There is no doubt that in this life, we will experience trouble. Everybody does! Maybe not at the same time, but everybody does. The doctor's offices and hospitals are full of people dealing with health problems. The offices of counselors, lawyers, and social workers are full, because so many people are having problems in their families. Trouble is not a strange experience. It finds it way into every one's life, some time in their journey. But Jesus said, "even though you have trouble, be of good cheer, because I have overcome the world."(v.33) Jesus is our hope of getting through the storms of life, and arriving safely to where He wants us to be. Ultimately that is our home in heaven, which we are really looking forward to. I like the words of this hymn that gives us hope in rough times. "We have an anchor that keeps the soul, Steadfast and sure while the billows roll, Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love." GP
Picture By www.nhsalliance.org  Thank you!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

How Do We Come To Jesus?

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
How does one come to Jesus? When our lives are burdened with the work of life, and the many problems that weigh heavy on our shoulders, how do we bring them to Jesus? First and foremost is the burden of sin, that places the weight of guilt on our hearts. We come to Jesus as Savior, by repenting of our sin, and trusting Jesus to cleanse us of our sins, by His blood that He shed for us. At Baptism, we place ourselves in the hands of Jesus, as we die to the old sinful person, and we rise up to walk in new life with Him (Romans 6:4) For the burdens of this life, we allow Jesus to be Lord, as we take on His yoke, in our lives. Jesus said that when we take on His yoke, we will learn from Him. His Word will teach us in a gentle and humble way, instead of the harsh realities the world dishes out. Through the Study of the Word, and constant prayer, we will receive the insight to make right decisions that will free us from making mistakes that will burden us all of our lives. Yes, it is work to take on the yoke of Jesus. But it is less of a weight, than what the world places on us, when we sin, and when we step ahead of the Lord's guidance, and reap the consequences of choices made by our own thoughts and reasoning's. Do you want rest for your soul? It can happen, if only you will do what Jesus softly calls you to do. And that is humbly, and sincerely "Come to Me!" GP
Picture By http://crossmap.christianpost.com Thank you!

Monday, May 12, 2014

Looking Like Jesus!

I have started a sermon series entitled: "Looking Like Jesus" The Scripture we will look at for this series is: Message one (Matthew 12:33-37) Honoring God With Our Speech. Message Two (Hebrews 13:1-8) Honoring God In Our Relationships. Message Three (1 Corinthians 6:6-20 Honoring God With Our Body. Message Four (2 Timothy 2:1-13) Honoring God As A Good Christian Soldier
John writes in 1 John 2:6 "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." With all that is available to us which can contribute to our living and acting the way  we want to, it becomes a strong challenge to walk the way that Jesus walked. To do the things that Jesus would have us to do. But what must be at the core of our submission, and obedience, is a desire to be like Jesus. A desire to do those things that He instructs us in His Word. Without that core desire, we will be vulnerable to every passing temptation that comes our way. We will make decisions that will lead us down a path of disappointment and despair. When I sit down at a department store and watch people walk by. for the most part, I do not see happy faces, fulfilled faces. I see faces that express, worry, concern, anger, frustration. Although as Christians, we will be called to suffer for Jesus, I would rather suffer for Him, knowing that I was in His will, striving to be like Him, than trying to be all that the world wants me to be, and to do. In the face of temptations and trials, I will have a smile on my face, because I know the one who I am trying to be like, will have my back every time. Will the world do that?
Picture By Living Waters Chapel  http://www.lwcag-gh.org/index.php?page=pathway&sec=grow

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

A Choice, And A Test!

"Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: "By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son,.." (Genesis 22:15-16) The difference between Isaac and Ishmael was that Isaac was Abraham's only son by his lawful wife Sarah, the only son of the promise. Ishmael was his son, by his concubine, but not by his wife. It is a difference between trying to accomplish things in our own way, and allowing God to fulfill His will for our lives, His Way. We can be critical of Abraham and Sarah, in what came about because of their stepping ahead of God. I have done it, and reaped the severe consequences of my actions. Have you done this too? But Abraham really pleased God when he took Isaac up on the mountain, and attempted to take his life as a sacrifice. This was a test of Abraham's faith, thinking that somehow God would restore His Son. (v.5) Abraham was willing to go all the way, to show God that he would be obedient 100%. It is a picture of how much we are to love God, and allow Him to work His will in our lives. It is also a picture of God, giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins, so we could have the freedom, and the hope for all eternity. Will we obey God 100% and accept His Son as our Savior today? Or will we choose to just live our lives the way we want to? The choice is ours. But choosing God's way, is the best way, every time. GP

Photo By http://biblesstudynpt.wordpress.com Thank you!