More on the subject of the “casual Christian”

I also have been seeing the words “casual Christian” around latley. Today I received an e-mail from Andrew Strom at http://www.revivalschool.com that has to do with the subject.
It is written by Darren Smith who is the founder of Streetscape Ministries,
an awesome ministry to the homeless seeing miracles on the streets
in Galveston, Texas.

IS THERE Any SUCH THING AS a CASUAL CHRISTIAN??
-by Darren Smith.

Is there any such thing as a casual Christian? I have heard this
term a lot in recent times and to tell you the truth it makes me sick.
But, as I have thought about this subject and spent time looking
around at the body as a whole, I venture to say for the most part
it is true of most of the church today. Before you get angry and
stop reading, please hear me out. How many believers do you
know that are really sold out for Christ? When I say this I mean
that Christ is the central focus of their life. I mean a person that
has died to self and relies on Christ for his substance, willing to
sacrifice even to the point of their well being, to serve the Lord.

For a long time we have heard sermon after sermon on giving 10%
to the church and yet from the modern church accounts, only 30%
of the people give 10%. This is sad but considering that most of
that doesn’t go to do the work of the ministry, its not surprising. I’m
not teaching on the tithe system, I’m using this as an example on
the casual attitude of believers. But I want to take it much deeper
than this and ask some very hard questions. How much of your
time do you give to the Lord? Do you spend more time on you
than you do the Lord? More on entertainment or hobbies than
service to the Lord?

Many times people tell us that we would love to come and help you
guys in the street but we are just so busy we simply can not find
the time. I wonder if they ever stop to think that we have to sacrifice
and make time ourselves. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining,
the Lord blesses us and I wouldn’t be anywhere else, but it requires
sacrifice for us to be here as well. I want you to see that if you are
willing to serve, God will bless you. We have people all the time
say, “I have never seen God’s power and grace like this in my life.”
Many of these guys have been in church all their life and have never
ministered to anyone.

Another response we get is, “I’m not called to do that type of ministry.”
Oh, really? I believe we are all called to take the Gospel to the
world, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and to take care of
the widows and orphans. To be able to put off these things places
you in the casual realm. Many will go to church once a week and
then go right out and serve themselves all week without doing
anything for the Lord. Trust me, “I didn’t have time” will not help
them when they stand before the Lord.

What makes this so sad is that many of them will never hear a
message on repentance and total commitment to the Lord because
this type message is not popular in the modern church. It doesn’t
fill the offering plate or the seats. Instead we hear funny stories
and jokes from the pulpit as well as humanistic teaching on self-
help and prosperity. This system has created the casual Christian
which is no Christian at all. So many have been converted to a
false religion of self and greed and what is worse, they think they
are fine because everyone they know is a casual Christian as well.

When they come in contact with a sold out believer, it makes them
uncomfortable. When they hear a repentance message they label
it extreme and harsh. These same casual Christians see the world
going to hell around them and are not affected at all. The thought
of sacrifice is foreign to them. Material wealth is equated with
blessings from the Lord – after all, many pulpits teach this for self
enrichment – so in their mind it’s OK.

The reason I write this is for an awakening. We all must look into
our heart and see if we are sold out to the Lord. We all have areas
we can improve and should! We must get this type of word out
and the body must mobilize for the battle. We all will have to
sacrifice, but we were not put here to live our best life now – our
best life is yet to come when the Lord returns. I know this is very
convicting, but it must be said. We must repent and give our whole
life to the Lord and that means everything, all of us, everything we
are and all we could ever become – we must give it all to the Lord.

So I ask you again, is there any such thing as a casual Christian,
or maybe more important, are you a casual Christian?

-Darren Smith
http://www.streetscapeministries.com/

It’s a mess out there!

Don’t be fooled into thinking that many are on their way to heaven. Jesus said that “few there be that find it” and I can see what he meant.

Based on the percentage of what I see and hear out there, few are on their way. What can I base this on?

Well, I can base it on Jesus and their receptivity to him. He is the one that I share out on the streets. Many snub their nose up at the mention of His name. Many laugh and make fun at Him. Most don’t take it serious. Occasionally, one will smile and make some kind of positive jester.

And of course, the demons rise up every so often. The very mention of the name Jesus brings out the demons. The mention of God usually doesn’t stir up much. But Jesus, that’s a different story.

One brother that I met this week was not convinced that we could know for sure what was God’s plan and purpose for us personally while here on the earth. He believed that we could only go on “I think I know”, but not with certainly. This kind of mentality is why we don’t see things happening as we should out there. The Kingdom of God would be happening on the earth if each believer would seek Him and find out what they were created to do on the earth. But, most are doing their will on the earth, not The Fathers.

And there is something that has never ceased to amaze me. And that is when Jesus is being preached, along comes sister or brother so and so, and they want to stop the preaching and add their two bits to it or correct you. Whatever happened to common courtesy? Or how about letting the message go forth and standing back and praying? You think? (praise God there are those who do, behind the scenes).

Of late, I am running across more and more people that have once walked with Christ, and now have taken up with some far out teaching or religion. His Spirit helps me to remind them that they have knowledge of Christ and will be held responsible for that knowledge.

However, we press on and count it a great privilege to be able to share Jesus out in the open. The good thing is that there will be no excuse on the day when they stand before God alone. They will have had lots of opportunities to hear about Christ. This is His mercy, giving them opportunity time and time again to turn.

If Jesus is truly Lord of your life, then you will be taking every opportunity to share him. If you are obeying His commandment to “love your neighbor as you love yourself” than you will not be stuck on having your own salvation, but will reach out in love to help your neighbor obtain salvation through Jesus. Neighbor means anyone close to you.

One thing I know for sure, and that is that time is short. The harvest is ripe. The labourers are few based on the amount of unsaved people out there. Staying in the church building won’t get the job done. In fact, I don’t see where trying to get them to come to church is the answer. What did Jesus do? He went out.

Encounter of a different kind

I looked out the train window and noticed a man talking to himself pacing back and forth and waving his hands.

I thought to myself, what’s that all about? He is either praying, casting out demons, doing some satanic practice or mentally ill.
When the train came to the next stop, I sensed a nudge from the Holy Spirit to go over there and find out what this is all about.
He was up on an old loading dock pacing back and forth in front of an old building that has been vacant for a long time. There were “for lease” signs on the building. This area is known for not being the most desirable. It’s down by the old train station.

As I saw him from a distance, he was still talking out loud and waving his hands. Unfortunately, I could not hear what he was saying. As I walked up the steps, he noticed me and quit his talking. I said hello to him and said “what are you doing?” He looked surprised at my question.

Then he went into why he was there. He said that he was an artist and was considering leasing the building for some art usage. Now at first I was a little sceptical about this being the real reason.

NOW RIGHT HERE, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERJECT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO LISTEN TO A PERSON TO NOT ONLY FIND OUT WHERE HE OR SHE IS COMING FROM, BUT AS CHRIST SAID, “out the heart proceeds” our speech. SO WE CAN BEGIN TO FIND OUT A LITTLE ABOUT THE PERSON BY LISTINING. VERY IMPORTANT.

So I listened to him explain what he does and what he planned to do with the building. He said that he was in 30 magazines worldwide. As I listened to him, I was reminded as to what the Lord had showed me that morning. That I was going to be doing a lot of one on one today, and confronting them with the Truth in love. I was to ask them, “have you trusted Christ?” (point blank).

So when he stopped and took a breath, I asked him. He was taken back by the question, and then asked, “well what do you mean?” I proceeded to share the Gospel with him and he assured me that he knew what it was all about. He was very intelligent and knew a lot about different religions.

His main focus was trying to help people help themselves through trying to get them to discover their talents and then finding self worth through it. I would from time to time say that what is most important is their spiritual welfare. He would agree, but always went back to physically helping. I said that all this was good and that we needed to do that, but as the Lord led me, I would bring him back to Christ. I believe that he personally needed to be reminded of this.

Because of his influence in the art community worldwide, he did not want to scare people off by presenting Jesus. Because of the many religions that he was associated with, he tended to stay with God, but leaving out Jesus. I assured him that Jesus was the difference. He is The Truth.

As the dialogue went on. I began to see the power of the Holy Spirit moving on his heart. He was confronted again with Jesus. He, like most was brought up in a believing home. However, because the way is narrow and few there be that find it, he was hesitant to go all the way and confess on Jesus. This to him, seemed to be too narrow and confining and may even effect his art community.

When it was all said and done, I shook his hand and reminded him that he was very gifted by God and that He wanted him to allow His Son Jesus to be Lord and Savior. He smiled and said thank you.

Oh yeah, lest I forget. I completely forgot to ask him who he was talking to before I arrived????????

To what extreme?

To what extreme would God go to, to fulfill his purpose in our lives?

This morning while I was doing my morning stretches, this question popped out at me. It came as I was thinking about an “extreme” that happened in my life over the past year. I would have never thought it could have happened, but did.

To what purpose has there been an “extreme” thing happen in your life? Like me, maybe you are experiencing the reason or purpose as to why. Maybe you don’t have a clue yet.

As we look over God’s word and see all the times he allowed or caused some things to happen in ones life to fulfill His purpose on the earth, we can understand that there seems to be some purpose in it all. God is so much bigger than we give him credit for. Since He is all about people and their salvation, would it not be a top priority for Him to go to extremes to get people to where they belong? Or does He not do this? He just lets us decide and choose? We make our own bed and sleep in it, so to speak.

Our example is Christ. He came to fulfill the Fathers will while here on the earth. What about us? Should we just haphazardly go about our lives and hope to make heaven someday, because we have been “saved?”

I believe that God has eternity in mind for us and all those that we come in contact with. His goal is : He wants to spend eternity with his creation and most often uses people to accomplish this.

So, give me some feedback. What do you think about God going to the extremes to get us to where we need to be in this life? Do you think it is important? Or do you think that we can just go about living our best here on this earth and just do what we think we should, and just trust him. What about divine intervention? Things that are out of our control? Does He intervene? If so, how often?

To what extremes have you gone through that were out of your choosing or control?
PERSONAL TESTIMONY FEEDBACK PLEASE!

“Offspring of snakes”

Jesus’ biggest battle here on earth was with the religulous “Pharisees”.

I just spent the last couple of days in my study in the Gospels, looking at the fierce battles that Jesus had with all the religulous Pharisees of his time.
What about today? What kind of battle is He in with them today? Does He just overlook them today? What would He call them today, in today’s language?

They were followers of Moses and his Law. They always brought up the Law trying to condemn Him. Lots of times, Jesus would say to them, “it is written in your law”. Then He would go on to supersede their law. This would greatly offend them. After all, who was this man who thought he was God and also how could he know more than us.

The Pharisees loved to quote Moses, but they missed one that was very important.
“The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren, Him you shall hear.”
“I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.”
“And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.” (Deut.18:15,18-19)
THEY MISSED THESE WORDS!
Are there those who are missing the very words of Christ today? Instead they want to hang on to the “Law and the Prophets”? They spend all their time studying the “OLD Testament” and never search out what Christ taught. Somehow they think that His commandments are less than the “Ten”?

Just how important are “The Commandments of Christ” anyways?
We shall see.

African joy

Today as I was sharing the Gospel, the Lord gave me the “African children” as an example of those who have very little, but true joy springs forth from them.
I like being in the Spirit, because it takes you places that you never have been.

I know that it was from the Lord, because it just popped in as I was sharing about “True life, true joy, and true contentment”. It can only come through having The Spirit of God in us and it being activated. It is life!

Christ said, “I have come that you might have life, and life more abundantly”. This has nothing to do with material possessions. Some of the most joyful, happy and contented people in the world are those who have very little.

“Abundant” living is a life in The Spirit of God while here on the earth. Nothing else even comes close.

Check out this video. Look at those little children in the white dresses.(about one quarter into it)

Understanding the Homeless and Christ also

Lest we forget, remember that Christ was homeless also.

Over the past few years, I have come to a better understanding of the homeless. A good number of my friends are homeless. Like anything else in life, we can’t understand one who is homeless, unless we spend some quality time with them. We have no right to judge them. Why? Because we do not know them and have not listened to their story.

Each one is different and unique. Not all have fallen into addictions that have put them where they are. In all fairness, addictions have led most down the road to homelessness. However, if we are not careful we judge and stop there. I have spent time with some that have not fallen into addictions.

Even if most of the homeless are bound in addictions, what makes them worse off than those who are bound also, but are not homeless? Society and most of the church going, tell us that if we don’t have a job, a car, a home, something is desperately wrong with us. Who set those standards?

How about the person who works 50 to 60 hours a week and cheats on his or her spouse? Or the guy on the 14th floor who is severely addicted to crack? What makes him or her any different than one who is homeless?

Most tend to classify people. God’s word says that, “man looks on the outside appearance, but God looks on the heart”.
After listening to many homeless people over the years, I have found that some have, some of the deepest spiritual insight that one could find.

Part of this, I believe, is that they have walked a road that allows understanding into things that most of us have no clue. Living on the streets gives one a different understanding into life. They rub shoulders with people of all backgrounds, all problems, all kinds of suffering, all kinds of sickness etc. They are far from living life in a “glass bubble”. They experiance real life where the rubber meets the road.

I think there was one who also lived that way? Was his name Jesus?

In closing, I have a suggestion for those who may be reading this and wondering what it must be like to be homeless. You may be trying to understand them, but don’t know where to start.
Suggestion:
Grab a brother or sister, and make up some sandwiches and throw in some homemade cookies (they hardly ever get the real homemade stuff). Head off to the city and pray as to where to go. As you hit the sidewalk,(the open air) ask The Holy Spirit to lead you to someone who is truly homeless and would be willing to share with you. When you find them, sit down (literally) next to them. Give them a sandwich, smile and let God go from there.

Now this is “HUGE”. LISTEN TO THEM!

If it is silent for a period of time. Ask the Spirit as to what to say. Don’t be in a hurry! Ask the Spirit to open your ears and calm your mind. God will bless him or her, and you both. You will walk away with a new understanding on life. Spiritually, you will be enriched.

God bless you as you began to understand the homeless. And not only the “homeless”, but Christ also.

Going out, not knowing where your going

This is one of my favorites for street ministry. If you have never been led to minister this way, ask Him. He just might lay it on your heart.

This can be done with two or more people, but I have found that it works best if you are able to do it with just you and the Holy Spirit.

You wake up in the morning and seek his face and his word and ask Him to “quicken” His Spirit within you. Hopefully He will give you some “theme” in His word to take with you when you set out the door. If not, don’t stress over it.

Next, it is very important to “empty yourself” of all worries/cares etc. This may take some doing and time to learn how this is done. Basically, it is turning it all over to Him in prayer and asking Him to take it all. It will be difficult to hear The Spirit if this is not done. I have had some real cares and concerns going on in my life over the years, but also know that it is possible to “empty out”.

I can remember back a couple of years when going out I would head down the street praying to God to take it all. Within a few blocks He would. Like anything else it takes practice.

You must become relaxed, not anxious before going out. The Spirit is calm, gentle and still. Also, it is very important to not be over caffeinated. This causes to mind to be way too stimulated and active. You will think that it is God’s Spirit speaking, but it will be nothing more than your over active mind.

Have no pre-plans or agendas. Be totally open to which direction he might be leading you to. Even if it is in a totally new and different area. Trust Him. He knows the area better than you do.

Now, I must say that the best way to go out the front door is by walking. If that is not doable, than drive to where He is leading you to.
However, if you are driving, get out of the car as soon as possible. We are hindered, I believe when driving. Walking is the best way to set out.

When you go out the front door, stand on the porch or front walkway. Smell the air and look around. Looking around in all directions is key to being Spirit led. Your mind needs to be empty of thoughts. Take your time. Seek Him as to which direction to head out in. As soon as you know, take off. If you don’t know for sure, just move out. He can work with your willingness. Also, as I said earlier, it takes practice. Don’t worry. Don’t fret.

As soon as you can come upon an intersection or cross roads, stay there and look down the roads as far as you can see in each direction. Seeking which way would be the way of His leading. This may take some time. Don’t worry if someone is watching you. Stay there as long as you need. It’s important to wait upon Him. I have waited for some time before I knew.

Remember also, that public transportation, if available in your area is also a great way to combine with walking. I will save this type of travel for another time because it involves listening to a different degree to be able to know when to get off and who to talk to etc.

Back to walking in the Spirit. Once you have received clear direction to head into, walk slow. Always keeping the mind to a bare minimum as far as thoughts go. Don’t let it race. If it’s like mine, there will be several times when you will have to pull it back into the Spirit. Stay in the Spirit. Try and not focus on things too much. Don’t stare straight ahead. Keep aware of your surroundings. Look for people. If you see one up ahead, ask Him as to whether you are suppose to talk with them or not. On a journey like this, not everyone you see is someone you talk to. Listen to the Spirit for directions. You could become distracted in His leading, if you carried on a conversation with everyone.

As you walk, beware of buildings. He might have you go inside.

Remember, He is about people. He will be leading you to people eventually as you go. Always be aware of people and ask Him as to what to do.

I will give you one example because this post is getting way too long.

Today, I came out of a residential area into a four way business district. As I was walking along the sidewalk coming out of the residential area, I noticed a few people barbequing out back behind a place of business. I said, “wow it sures smells good”. They all agreed and I mentioned that I missed barbequing. Then I noticed a guy pop his head out of the window in the building next to it in the direction I was going. He said, “they have the best teriyaki”. I said, “oh yeah”. He smiled and I said God bless you.

I continued on walking along side this building that this guy had popped his head out of. As I walked, I noticed that in the windows of this building there was a Bible, there were signs about God etc. I turned the corner and a door was there, so I opened it up and stepped in. Immediately, I saw the guy that had popped his head out and said to him, “hey, what’s all this God stuff in the windows?”

Well, the next hour and a half was spent in visiting with him and listening to his testimony. He had been clean for 63 days after spending 30 years on heroin. And this was “The Rock” a halfway house for recovering addicts. Being that the Lord recently renewed a vision I had about one that is going to be set up in the country, I figured the timing was right on.
This is just one of a couple of contacts that He led me to today.

Go out, not knowing where your going! See where the Spirit takes you!
It could be hard to contain.
God bless you as you go out!

The process of “giving up”

True followers (disciples) of Christ will “take up their cross” and follow Him.

I have noticed and learned in my time here on earth walking with the Lord, that He has and will lead us in a personal “giving up” process. This process, like many processes that He leads us in, will be a life long process.

This giving up process is certainly not for everyone. Many will embark upon this road and will soon find themselves looking back at what they gave up. They will turn back and try and regain what they have lost, only to find out that they will never be able to reclaim all of what they gave up. Their struggle to regain will become one of the fiercest battles they will face. Why is that? Because they fighting against the Lord and his will for their lives.

A very familiar story in the Bible is the one about the “Rich young ruler”
(Mk.10:17-27). This is of course about one who had “great possessions”. However, the story is much deeper than that if one continues on reading to the end of that chapter. If we continue on we will see the true meaning of what Christ was trying to teach here.

In verse 28, after Christ told about the rich young ruler, Peter (one of his disciples) says, “But Lord, we have left all and followed you.” In other words, we are not like this rich guy, but we have given up all for you. Then Christ hits at the real example of “giving up” all to follow him and the gospel.

Verse 29 lists the examples of giving up.
Christ talks about those who have given up “houses”. WHAT! Give up my house?
Then He goes on and lists “family”, such as “brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers.” WAIT! Just a moment! He is certainly not talking literally here!
If that is not enough to swallow. How about a “wife” or “children”? No this can’t be!
He also says, “lands” (or fields as it was in those days). Today this would mean a “business” or if your a farmer, your farm.

And why would one be led to “give up” those that are stated above? Christ has the answer. He says, “for My sake and the gospels”. This would be the only reason that one would be required personally to “give up”.

We should not read this text and say, “Ah, there it is, He is requiring me to give up my “house”, my “sister” etc. No. Christ is listing these as examples of some of the “giving up” that might be required by you personally in this “giving up process”.

Remember, that He started this story with the rich young ruler. He ends it up with his disciples. These are the ones who were called to follow him. A personal calling to follow him will require giving up that which He shows us personally to give up. And it will indeed be a process. A life long process.

So one must ask himself, “do I want to be a follower of Christ?” Why can’t I have all I want in this life and still follow him?
Would this not contradict what Christ taught in the Gospels?

And now a word of encouragement to all those who maybe have found this post a little discouraging.

In verse 30, Christ says that if we do give up that which he is requiring for us to give up, we will receive “a hundred fold more”. When? “in this life!” WOW! That’s good investment! That’s good dividends!

However, I must be honest. Mark’s account of this story says that Christ says, “with persecutions”. Oh, so it’s not going to be easy is it? NOPE!
But, He will give us all that we need to endure the personal road that he has paved for us to walk in. All of what we need is found in Him! We can endure this “process”.

And now for the best news yet!
And in the end, the final reward will be “eternal life” In the end it will be worth it all! Eternal life to all those who have been obedient to the process of giving up all of that which has been required of them. All for following Christ in this life and spreading His Gospel.

Many who think they are going to be first, will be last. But Christ says the “last shall be first”. Those who have given up all shall be first. Sorry, but this flies in the face of today’s teachings about following Christ. It’s best to stay with what Christ taught about following himself. Not what Doctor so in so says. Or this book and that. Stay with what Christ taught and you will not be deceived.

Bless you!

Grieving the Spirit by not witnessing

Today I grieved the Spirit by not sharing Christ with a co-worker.

Now, I hope you are not one of those who shares Christ once or twice a month. If so, you will not be able to relate to this post. Why? Because in your case you are not constantly aware and looking for opportunities to share Christ, and if so, this one experiance will mean little to you because all you will see is the “Mr nice guy” evangelism, and say “what’s wrong with that?”

The work environment is not always conducive to witnessing in most cases. Your employer is not paying you to share Christ. However, if we have the desire and concern too, He will make opportunities. Such has been the case where I work part-time.

However, today I was out on the streets and came across a person who works where I work. I had just got on the train headed for the city, and noticed her a couple of sections up. The train made a few stops along the way and I wondered if she had noticed me in the back. I would occasionally look her direction to see.

She was with a couple of other people sitting in the seats. Finally, I thought to myself, “I am not going to be unfriendly”. And, “what if she had noticed me?” Oh that Richard, what a snob he is. Now, I certainly don’t act that way at work, so why should I now?

Now, in hindsight I can see where I first went wrong. If I would have been keen in the Spirit, I would of immediately thought to myself, “Ah, what an opportunity I have now to share the Gospel with her. We are not at work now, it’s perfect! I would have then began to pray.

But oh no. I approached her with the thought of being friendly, which is definitely right and good, but no real concern to share with her. The problem was that I wanted to be Mr. nice guy and did not want to maybe offend her or turn her off. I did all the right things such as giving her and her out of town guests directions and conversing with them etc.

But when it came time for them to de-board, we all smiled and they thanked me for the visit and the directions. It was all nice and proper. But what about their souls? They went off after that visit probably thinking to themselves, “Oh he was such a nice guy” or “He was so friendly and helpful”.
I had been careful not to offend them, but at what cost?

Now, what I am trying to get at here is the fact that I did all the right stuff and that in itself was good, but anyone in the world does that kind of stuff all the time. Everywhere I go, I see some of the nicest people you would ever want to meet, but they don’t know Christ. Yes, we who do, should lead the way as far as “kindness” “showing them love”, “being helpful” etc.

But if I do all these things and for whatever reason, I don’t share Christ, it was all for nought. Just being nice and helpful and leaving it at that, does not have any real eternal value. Oh, if I would have had six weeks to be nice to them, then maybe (and it’s maybe) they might have asked, “why are you being so nice to us?” Then I could have told them about Christ, but that was not the case.

I may never have another opportunity to share with her again. And with all that I have seen and heard at work, she lives a life in need of God.

So I went on after that experience today deeply convicted in my heart. It was an OK day, but certainly not anointed. The difference between yesterday and today were like night and day. And rightly so. When we grieve the Spirit, it takes time to reflect and learn, so hopefully we will not repeat the same circumstance again. Also, when we grieve the Spirit, we lose the power.