The Strong Islander Passes The Maple Syrup!
Posted on January 27, 2016 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters
“I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.” ~1 Timothy 3:14-16 (NLT)
As many of you in the Freedom Fighter world know I am a Facebooker. One of the cool things about it is the replies I get when I make a post BUT one of the uncool things are the replies I get when I make post. Sometimes I get myself bogged down in some theological debate and in about 95% of them we’ve agreed to disagree. But sometimes the banter is worthy to take in and appreciate. Today I would like to share what I and two other Colony brothers had to say about the aforementioned verse from 1 Timothy on an early Sunday morning…Keith and Ted, I value our fellowship!!
Chris Hughes: “Been mediating on the principles of 1 Timothy 3 and those of Galatians 5:13-26 as they pertain to covenant matters. This is one of the more serious things I’ve looked at in quite awhile and have concluded that the whole of the church should rest on these principles as well. Given this, it is not only position on a worship team or the deaconship I’ve been given but to be privileged to say “Not to me or us, LORD, but to You be the glory!!” Amen?”
Keith Varga: “My observation in our own church has been if we neglect the care of our own church body (people) in regards to biblical principles, then how in blue thunder will God allow others to come in to be cared for, be saved, be fed, etc. Now, I do understand God can certainly send an individual to stir things up in a good way, of course, or stir things up in the body, but this fact remains that there are so many hurting folks that are not being ministered too. Perhaps they do not want to be bothered because of pride. Perhaps they just have accepted that their circumstances as their life. Now, you and I both know this from our past, that thought this way of life is all too real.
But, we also know that God is greater and can do incredible, miraculous works in people if they/we are willing. This is where the change comes in. Willing to change behavior, attitude, lifestyles, language, thoughts, whatever it takes to bring praise and glory to God. However, we/they have to bring to the light what lies in the darkness in order to start changing. And then, there’s that word repent, oh yes! Ouch! Ya know in all the years of struggling with addiction, there seems to be more punishment and condemnation than discipline with love. I think everyone should go to America’s Keswick to learn how to discipline with love but without condemnation.”
Ted Hallen: “Keith, it’s been said that God can’t use a man until he has been broken. (A.W.Tozer) After experiencing the power and redemption of the Holy Spirit and the freedom therein we need to speak the truth in love continually. I find myself almost grieving for the body knowing only some of the struggles. Transparency and truth in love can really move in the spirit. Having a season of desperation and humbling as a result of addiction can be such a blessing. Yet the pride issue can be such a blocker to experiencing a greater freedom. Our church is in a big change and we so need to not be about the programs and a comfort zone; but rather to call each other out in love and repent. That isn’t often an easy task as it’s a relational investment required in disciplining with a spirit driven humility. It seems much harder to activate this as a body of Christ. Definitely need some shake-n-bake in this process on all levels. Thanks for your sharing. Definitely a soldier!”
I gotta admit that there are few Colony brothers I butt heads with but at least we are butting heads. Some of us get knee deep in finding His will and purpose in our lives and flee from it because it just gets hard. Guess what? It’s supposed to get hard. As Ted referred to, “Definitely a soldier” and to make this perfectly clear…members of God’s Army know no quit!! Amen?
Written by Chris Hughes: Graduate of The Colony of Mercy 11-2003 and serves on the Deacon Board at Trinity Alliance Church in Cologne NJ
The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 27; Proverbs 27
Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan
Daily Quote: “The man who abides with God is not there not because he shows up at church four times a week, helps out with the youth group car wash, or painted the pastor’s house. His proximity to the holy hill of God’s tabernacle is not influenced by the amount he puts in the offering, or the fact that he is the head of three different ministries within the church. Never by what he does, but always by who he is.” ~Rick Morgan
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another ~Romans 15:14 (NKJV)
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