I have been working in North Platte Nebraska and it is 300 miles from my home. It has been good because I have had time to finish the quarter of school and I passed. Now I am moving into college level learning. In addition, I have been able to talk to my mentor Jack for over 3 to 5 hours a day. It has been so good to fellowship and talk about the things of God for this length of time. This leads me to talk about some things that have been on my heart and what I have seen and experienced in the body of Christ.
I have been to a number of different churches on my journey with Jesus. The things that are on my mind are heart breaking to me. The church in America and I am talking about the people that believe in the Jesus of the bible. We think that we have a corner on truth and that our brand of Christianity is the right one. To my dismay, I was introduced to a book
written by George Barna and Frank Viola named “Pagan Christianity.”
In this book, they give the historical roots to the church we know today. Now the counsel I was given was to read the book pray and keep this under my hat. This is not something that we are going to shout from the rooftops and is going to be accepted with open arms. We have been doing “Church” this way for over two thousand years. I think as the word of God say’s “it is high time that judgment comes in the house of God.” After reading this book, it made me have to look at “What Are We Doing?”
The church has to start making disciples and training leaders. The unfortunate thing I see is we try to do this but it seems all superficial and fake.
Two other books by Greg Ogden “Discipleship Essentials and Leadership Essentials”
are two great books to gain an idea of what we need to do. I read God’s word and I am told of the power that I should have and the power the church should have. To my heartbreak, I do not see it. I see many fat and happy people of God that do not look outside of the four walls of the church. May I submit to you that the reason is we are not teaching people to be committed to the cause of Christ. This means no less than all of my life because Christ gave all of His. I have heard time and again that this generation is the most biblically illiterate people ever. We need to make a change and fast. Stop the fast food mentality and learn how to be committed to Jesus and others.
I have also bought another book by Steven K. Scott named The Greatest Words Ever Spoken. It is a book of over 1900 statements of Jesus organized in more than 200 topics. This is another great resource for growth in the Lord. Again, it is time that we in the Body of Christ check ourselves of where we stand with our Lord and question where others are. It takes time and a lot of hard work on our part. Yes, we do have a part in it we have to obey God.
This is the next book and it is great.
May the Lord bless you in your seeking Him and His will for your life.
