DEVOTION #45 “FINAL THOUGHTS ON BEING A CHRISTIAN”
Oct 29, 2023 06:58:30 #
Greetings and Happy Lord’s Day, Fishing Stagers and guests!
Today we are going to try to complete the series: The Church:
What, Why, and How?” We will be summarizing a few things we have discussed in previous devotions the last few weeks, and also submitting a few additional ideas and questions about our opportunities and responsibilities we have as Christians, or a part of “The Church”.
I want to say “thank you” to a brand new member, as of Friday.
His username is Pelagic, and in his very first post he made a one-line statement that summed up this whole nine-week series! He said,
“Jesus is a fisherman and I want to be like Him”. All I can say is AMEN!
That pretty much says it all..
“Being a Christian”, seems to mean many different things to different people, and is a concept that is especially hard to grasp for some.
Back on October 4th, in DEVOTION #40, we talked about the definition of “Christian” and the main beliefs of Christianity. However, there seems to be some continuing confusion about this concept.
Because of this, I am reposting a small portion of that devotion.
Simple Definition of a Christian -
Christian: a person who believes in Jesus Christ and follows His teachings; a follower of Christ (according to original Greek translation)
What are the 5 main beliefs of Christianity?
A summary of Christian beliefs:
* The one Triune God, Creator of all.
* The life, death and Christian beliefs on the resurrection of Jesus, sent by God to save the world.
* The Second Coming of Christ.
* The Holy Bible - both Old and New Testaments.
* The cross as a symbol of Christianity.
As stated above, a Christian is one who follows (or obeys) Jesus’ teachings. Not only is it a sin to disobey God’s word, but if you approve of those things (sins) and remain silent, it is also a sin.
“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
Romans 1:29-32 NIV
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”
James 4:17 NLT
There are so many things going on in our world today that are so very wrong, it seems impossible some -times that we, as Christians, could ever make a difference. The question should be: Can I complete MY assignment that has been given to ME by God, doing what I’M doing on Sunday - Monday- Tuesday - Wednesday …
There are people on FS that have told me their “religion” is “The Golden Rule” - that’s “what they live by”. Everyone should follow the “Golden Rule”, but it WILL NOT get you to Heaven, according to the Bible, which was authored by the one who created Heaven, and also decides who gets in. As Christians, we must all start standing up to what is really the truth - not what WE say is true, but what GOD says is true in the Bible.
I am including TWO video messages this week - both by Pastor Allen Jackson. Along with his great humor, he addresses several questions and issues in video #1 that every person, whether a believer or not, should be aware of. Such as:
1. When will Jesus return?
2. What are the signs of the end of the world?
3. Hatred of Christians and Jews (both at home and abroad) We even see this on FS.
4. Signs of deception, Godlessness, apostasy
5. What are God’s warnings?
6. As The Church, what should our reaction be?
Pastor Allen also talks about the Genocide in Rwanda from 4/7/94, till 7/15/94, in which 800,000 people were massacred with clubs and machetes. This video was made over a year ago, but now seems quite relevant today.
I have a friend who was in Rwanda at that time and helped rescue a couple people and brought them back to the US (missing arms)!
Are we willing to stand up for the million unborn babies that are massacred every year by abortion?
In the #2 video (below) Pastor Allen talks about “Stepping Out of the Crowd”.
Last week we talked about how loving God is, but He is also JUST, and will judge us all according to His Word! Contrary to what some may believe, God is NOT ALWAYS cuddly and kind! Some day He will ask some tough questions of those who oppose Him and His followers.
How will those answer then??…
These two videos will be well worth the small amount of time you invest this week, if you choose to watch them. God bless you, and please pray for the people of Israel. 🙏🏻
#1
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4nHrfLja-2A
#2
https://www.youtube.com/live/AHgox7RPzSA?si=MZsk0DBoPijM7MaU
Today we are going to try to complete the series: The Church:
What, Why, and How?” We will be summarizing a few things we have discussed in previous devotions the last few weeks, and also submitting a few additional ideas and questions about our opportunities and responsibilities we have as Christians, or a part of “The Church”.
I want to say “thank you” to a brand new member, as of Friday.
His username is Pelagic, and in his very first post he made a one-line statement that summed up this whole nine-week series! He said,
“Jesus is a fisherman and I want to be like Him”. All I can say is AMEN!
That pretty much says it all..
“Being a Christian”, seems to mean many different things to different people, and is a concept that is especially hard to grasp for some.
Back on October 4th, in DEVOTION #40, we talked about the definition of “Christian” and the main beliefs of Christianity. However, there seems to be some continuing confusion about this concept.
Because of this, I am reposting a small portion of that devotion.
Simple Definition of a Christian -
Christian: a person who believes in Jesus Christ and follows His teachings; a follower of Christ (according to original Greek translation)
What are the 5 main beliefs of Christianity?
A summary of Christian beliefs:
* The one Triune God, Creator of all.
* The life, death and Christian beliefs on the resurrection of Jesus, sent by God to save the world.
* The Second Coming of Christ.
* The Holy Bible - both Old and New Testaments.
* The cross as a symbol of Christianity.
As stated above, a Christian is one who follows (or obeys) Jesus’ teachings. Not only is it a sin to disobey God’s word, but if you approve of those things (sins) and remain silent, it is also a sin.
“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
Romans 1:29-32 NIV
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”
James 4:17 NLT
There are so many things going on in our world today that are so very wrong, it seems impossible some -times that we, as Christians, could ever make a difference. The question should be: Can I complete MY assignment that has been given to ME by God, doing what I’M doing on Sunday - Monday- Tuesday - Wednesday …
There are people on FS that have told me their “religion” is “The Golden Rule” - that’s “what they live by”. Everyone should follow the “Golden Rule”, but it WILL NOT get you to Heaven, according to the Bible, which was authored by the one who created Heaven, and also decides who gets in. As Christians, we must all start standing up to what is really the truth - not what WE say is true, but what GOD says is true in the Bible.
I am including TWO video messages this week - both by Pastor Allen Jackson. Along with his great humor, he addresses several questions and issues in video #1 that every person, whether a believer or not, should be aware of. Such as:
1. When will Jesus return?
2. What are the signs of the end of the world?
3. Hatred of Christians and Jews (both at home and abroad) We even see this on FS.
4. Signs of deception, Godlessness, apostasy
5. What are God’s warnings?
6. As The Church, what should our reaction be?
Pastor Allen also talks about the Genocide in Rwanda from 4/7/94, till 7/15/94, in which 800,000 people were massacred with clubs and machetes. This video was made over a year ago, but now seems quite relevant today.
I have a friend who was in Rwanda at that time and helped rescue a couple people and brought them back to the US (missing arms)!
Are we willing to stand up for the million unborn babies that are massacred every year by abortion?
In the #2 video (below) Pastor Allen talks about “Stepping Out of the Crowd”.
Last week we talked about how loving God is, but He is also JUST, and will judge us all according to His Word! Contrary to what some may believe, God is NOT ALWAYS cuddly and kind! Some day He will ask some tough questions of those who oppose Him and His followers.
How will those answer then??…
These two videos will be well worth the small amount of time you invest this week, if you choose to watch them. God bless you, and please pray for the people of Israel. 🙏🏻
#1
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4nHrfLja-2A
#2
https://www.youtube.com/live/AHgox7RPzSA?si=MZsk0DBoPijM7MaU
Oct 29, 2023 07:53:35 #
Randyhartford wrote:
Greetings and Happy Lord’s Day, Fishing Stagers an... (show quote)
Nice write up Randy and looking forward to a lunch time video watch.
Oct 29, 2023 08:03:55 #
Nice writing and explaining. 8 out the 12 disciplines were fishermen. Thanks Randy.
Oct 29, 2023 11:02:48 #
plumbob wrote:
Nice write up Randy and looking forward to a lunch time video watch.
Thanks, Bob!
The messages are really good and very timely and fitting to complete this series. Of course, God’s timing is always perfect! 🙏🏻
Oct 30, 2023 01:48:16 #
1Oldboat42
Loc: Kearney, Nebraska
"There are people on FS that have told me their “religion” is “The Golden Rule” - that’s “what they live by”. Everyone should follow the “Golden Rule”, but it WILL NOT get you to Heaven, according to the Bible, which was authored by the one who created Heaven, and also decides who gets in. As Christians, we must all start standing up to what is really the truth - not what WE say is true, but what GOD says is true in the Bible."
Thanks for being straight forward with the truth. I have a good fishing friend who knows he hasn't lived the way God told us to live and he feels like its to late for him. It seems like he is trying now to live"good enough " to be allowed into heaven. I have told him that as long as he has breath in his lungs it's not to late. And I have shared the way to true salvation through Jesus Christ, but he is still trying the good works road. God grant all Christians to daily look for opportunities to share the Gospel with someone, and be the light in your dark corner of the world. I believe one day my friend will come to the Light, Jesus.
Thanks for being straight forward with the truth. I have a good fishing friend who knows he hasn't lived the way God told us to live and he feels like its to late for him. It seems like he is trying now to live"good enough " to be allowed into heaven. I have told him that as long as he has breath in his lungs it's not to late. And I have shared the way to true salvation through Jesus Christ, but he is still trying the good works road. God grant all Christians to daily look for opportunities to share the Gospel with someone, and be the light in your dark corner of the world. I believe one day my friend will come to the Light, Jesus.
Oct 30, 2023 09:12:48 #
Fishing Couple wrote:
"There are people on FS that have told me the... (show quote)
Thank you for your response FC. I’m so happy you are sharing Jesus with your friend! I don’t know what all you have shared with him, but here are some scriptures that are very good on the subject of salvation that may help your friend.
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
“he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”
Titus 3:5 NLT
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
1 John 1:9 NLT
“They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.””
Acts of the Apostles 16:31 NLT
“For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”
2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”
Romans 10:9-10 NLT
“No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.””
Luke 13:5 NLT
You may want to also share with your friend the devotion I posted here on FS on 10/8
DEVOTION #42
“WANNA GO TO HEAVEN?”
It includes an easy 3-step guide to salvation.
I hope this is helpful and please keep me updated if you would.
May God bless you abundantly! 🙏🏻
The easiest way to find any of the past
“DEVOTIONS”, is just click on my username (Randyhartford); it will take you to a page with ALL my “Topics” and “Posts”. Click on “Topics”, then scroll to whichever devotion you want.
Oct 30, 2023 10:28:11 #
1Oldboat42
Loc: Kearney, Nebraska
[quote=Randyhartford]Thank you for your response FC. I’m so happy you are sharing Jesus with your friend! I don’t know what all you have shared with him, but here are some scriptures that are very good on the subject of salvation that may help your friend.
Amen to all the scriptures you included. We were pastors and teachers in church for a number of years before my ill health put a stop to it. Each time we are with this friend or anyone we are always looking for an opportunity to share the Gospel. Many times it's just "one drop of water" at a time.
Amen to all the scriptures you included. We were pastors and teachers in church for a number of years before my ill health put a stop to it. Each time we are with this friend or anyone we are always looking for an opportunity to share the Gospel. Many times it's just "one drop of water" at a time.
Oct 30, 2023 12:09:49 #
[quote=Fishing Couple]
I thought that might be the case by what you said, but wanted to make sure you were “equipped”, if not.
Also didn’t know if you had seen any of my other devotions on here.
What church did you pastor or teach at, if you don’t mind me asking?
Randyhartford wrote:
Thank you for your response FC. I’m so happy you a... (show quote)
I thought that might be the case by what you said, but wanted to make sure you were “equipped”, if not.
Also didn’t know if you had seen any of my other devotions on here.
What church did you pastor or teach at, if you don’t mind me asking?
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