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Friday, January 29, 2010

Some things to really consider...

If we know right from wrong and keep doing wrong, when do we get it right?

We tend to blame politicians, big business and entertainment for our problems. Here's a solution: vote only for people you believe in, buy only what you need, and stop listening to and watching what they produce. If one generation of Americans did so, I wonder if the rest of America could sustain any of the three.

How civilized have we become? Are we more civilized than others when we waste food and fuel on leisure while others in the earth have none for their livelihood? Is it civilization or conceit that causes us to think that wearing what we wore yesterday is beneath us and living with our parents, grandparents and brothers and sisters is too close for comfort? I wonder.
I wonder what social commentary Franz Fanon, Mahatma Gandhi or Henry David Thoreau would right about our modernized and globalized society. Would they congratulate us for humanitarian efforts? Or, would they wag an accusatory finger in our faces at our inhumane practices of selfishness and greed? I simply wonder.

I'm reading some interesting books about Christianity and church, but I have really found Crazy Love by Francis Chan to lift my hopes. Say what you want about "radical Christians," but Chan and others like Stephen Baldwin and DC Talk are paving the way for a new generation of Christians to serve Christ in a way that reflects experiencing Christ beyond the pews.

If we want people to accept Christ, we need to stop trying to drag them to church and start sharing Christ by the way we live. People need to see Christ in us before they even hear a word about Him from us.

...just some things to consider.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Quality before Quantity

As for church membership, the statisticians of the religious bodies often depend for their figures on the unchecked estimates of local pastors. As for church attendance, so confidently said to be increasing, no real statistics exist at all. Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,807867,00.html#ixzz0df51wDgu
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What is staggering is that this Time article addresses the stats and figures of churches that may be inflated to some degree in order to establish a "movement" among houses of worship in America. We call it the "mega-church movement," but growth by numbers alone doesn't mean that our people are growing. My opinion is that some larger congregations make good hiding places for those who simply follow the crowd. Jesus had the mutlitudes following Him as He headed towards Jerusalem. Yet, He taught and trained twelve and in some instances as many as seventy whom He sent out to conduct the work. I guess the 80-20 rule still applied in biblical times. What we learn is that churches need to captialize on the opportunity to provide and promote quality rather than simply seeking to imitate "mega-church"movers and shakers with quantity.
Quality leads to sustaining quantity. If there is no quality, the quantity will eventually depart. Then, church leaders will either have to gather more to replace the departed or rethink their approach to how they manage and lead their flock. I believe quality is the key. Provide quality by offering the truth and the whole truth. Teach and train people based upon biblical principles and empower them to reach out to others. Based upon their quality experience, these individuals wil become your spokespeople for your worship services, small groups and Sunday school. If you lack quality, do not expect the large numbers to hang around long. They'll be gone when the next big thing hits town.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Pray Always

Then Jesus used this story to teach his followers that they should always pray and never lose hope.
- Luke 18:1 (NIV)
The Lord stressed prayer as an important matter. In many cases, the Lord instructed on prayer as a means and method by which to live in tune with the Father. He even demonstrated the importance of prayer in His own life. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16, NIV). Even when He turned over tables and drove out the money-changers, Jesus adressed prayer as the main activity that should take place in the house of God.
Prayer was on the Lord's agenda. It is simple and clear. Therefore, prayer should be on our agenda as His followers. We need to seek Him in prayer. We need to seek His guidance through prayer. We need to simply pray. By prayer, we stay in touch with the Master. It is through our prayers that we submit all to Him. Prayer may not change the outcome but it can surely change our outlook. It can give hope to hopeless and help to helpless, even healing to the hurting.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Make Moves, Make Money

Are you in business for yourself? Do you find yourself contemplating whether you need to open a for-profit or nonprofit? Are you preparing to turn a hobby into a part-time small business? I think you need to www.score.org or www.sba.gov, even www.irs.gov for information on setting up a start-up business.

Entrepreneurs should check out www.linkedin.com and www.ryze.com as another social media network option. Currently,my page is http://www.ryze.com/go/RevBruce. Get a glimpse of it from time to time.

Business tip for Christians: Set a percentage amount that you want to dedicate to giving to the local church as a "business tithe" or "business offering."

I got something to say. Yep! I've got something to say about Christian ministry, theology, church, spreading the gospel, and reading the Bible, even living out the truth. I've got something to say at http://revbruce.wordpress.com where i let it all out.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Purposeful Pursuits

Our purpose in all things is to please God.- John Wesley
What we need to do is please God by what we do day by day. Our daily pursuits should lead to God being glorified every step of the way. Our work should serve as part of our worship. Daily, as we work according to our purpose, we should see our pursuits as a means for God to get the glory from ourselves and others. Matthew 5:16 shares that our lights are to shine in such a way that men will see them and become encouraged to call on the name of the Lord. Pursue the promises of the Lord with purose.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Grow-Go-Glow

I believe that there is a way that we can develop people who can disseminate the gospel message to the uttermost parts of the world. Each believer can utilize his or her unique caling for specific purposes, but we all most follow the general plan, the big picture that is outlined for the body of Christ, the church. here is a sample of a simplistic view of how to get started in teaching and reaching with the Word and by the Word.
  • Grow: We need a place where people can grow.
    *Teaching
    *Training
  • Go: We need to develop people to go out into the world with the Word in word and deed
    *Equip
    *Educate
    *Empower
  • Glow: Let your light shine before men. . . Our glow should allow others to see what God has done in our lives and the difference that He has made.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Putting Principles into Practice

The church has a duty to both God and its people. The church must honor and give glory to God. That is simple. Most people won't argue with that one. Yet, the church also has a duty to its people. The church must teach and train its people. Look at Ephesians 4:11-12, 13. we've been put into position for a distinct purpose,"for the perfecting of the saints."
We should teach and train our people. We need to teach our people the principles that come from the Word of God. Many will call them the statutes or tenets of our faith. however you would call or name them, these principles should be taught to the people by leaders and teachers within the church. Then, we must train our people in the practices of our faith. Teaching tends to fall by the wayside when we fail to follow it up with training. The teaching sounds good but does us no good because we have not applied it to our own lives through daily practices of life application. the two go hand in hand. wemust teach and train our people to put the principles into practice throughout their daily lives.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

On a Mission

Check out Life Path's Gear online. . . We also have books and downloads available through Life Path Publications online. Check out what we have to offer...
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On a Mission

It truly is personal. On a personal level, I mean, God gives each of us a mission to undertake in His name. He has something for each of us. There is work set side for each of us based upon how He blesses us with special spiritual gifts. Take the time to pray and fast, seeking God's guidance on what He has for you. Truly, we see it on a personal level from time to time and begin to realize how much we should count on God for what we need to fulfill what He is calling us to do. Hear from Him today and take the initiative to follow what He has for you...


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Check out the words of a man of God about God's Word and this life at http://revbruce.wordpress.com on a daily basis.





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Just as They Killed the Prophets

They killed the prophets of God, one after another. Read http://revbruce.wordpress.com

Is There a Word?

I heard the Word
...in my spirit.
I saw the Word
...coming at me
Like a dove
Descending from heaven!
He revealed to me
The Word
...with a flaming sword for a tongue
That destroys demonic powers
And saves souls from scorching fires.
Is there a word?
Not a word!
No, not just any word.
There is the Word.
There is the God-given sacrifice
Who takes away the sins of the earth.
There is the Word!

Bruce Jackson (2008)

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Why We Exist

Your mission simply states why your entity, business or organization exists. It says who you are, what you do, and why and how you do what you do. In most cases, it even shares who should benefit from what you do.

"The Christian church exists to worship God first of all."- A.W. Tozer
"Our ultimate purpose to glorify God." - John Wesley
"Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord." - Psalm 150:6 (KJV)
Look at why we exist as Christians. Our name speaks of it. We are called 'Christians,' the "Christ followers" (Acts 11:26). We are His, bought with the high price of precious blood and brought into fellowship with our heavenly Father through Christ's sacrifice. Our purpose is to glorify God in everything, word or deed. Let us live out our purpose as true believers.
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Check out Rev. Bruce's other blog post @ http://revbruce.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/make-disciples-2/ and see what we should do about making disciples in His name.
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I am convinced that we need to have an approach to ministry that includes training and developing "new" Christians to serve. We value experience, but we must be sure to provide such Christians with experience and support in spreading the gospel and growing the Lord's kingdom. We can do this by allowing "new" Christians to shadow experienced brothers and sisters in service and by sharing testimonies with others.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Be sure to visit: http://revbruce.wordpress.com/2010/01/08/truth/
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Consider creating a partnership for volunteer development with a complimentary agency or entity. Many nonprofits, LEAs, charter and private schools should consider "partnering" with other agencies and entities that support education, community service, and making a contribution. Be sure that you have alignment between your mission and the other agency or you at least share beliefs and not just service populations.
Get more ideas on biz tactics & strategies for marketing and ministry @: http://www.twitter.com/lifepath01/
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Check me out on RYZE: http://www.ryze.com/go/RevBruce

Sunday, January 3, 2010

We Can Pray

We may not agree on the issues
But we should at least agree to pray.
Even if we cannot come up with solutions,
We can pray over the problem.
We may not walk in agreement
But we can stand in prayer.
Our friends and relations may never be the same
But we can continue to pray for each other.
Without a doubt
The least that we can do
Measures up with the most that we can do
And that is to simply pray.
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Are you a Christian in business? Join Ryze today.
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Rely upon the Lord's blessings and benefits. . .

Friday, January 1, 2010

Discover Your Destiny

Believe it or not, Moses would be a pretty tough act to follow as a spiritual leader. He had seen God face to face and spent many days doing one-on-one meetings with God on Mount Sinai. Yet, Joshua was told to be both strong and courageous regarding leading the people of God into the Promised Land. He assured that the Lord was with him. Many of today's leaders may not hear God's audible voice in the same way Joshua heard it, but they need to hear from God. They need God's assurance to lead God's people into new territory. There's little to no movement because there's hardly any confirmation based upon limited communication and communion with God. When you have people trying to speak things into existence and determine their own destinies, there's not much room left to hear from God. Maybe we should hear from the psalmist's words first that simply said: "Be still and know that I am God. . ." (Psalm 46:10). Discover your destiny but learning to hear from the Divine.
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Visit http://revbruce.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/broken-people/
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John 15:11 speaks of your joy being "full." You need to know that Christ's joy is to be present within you. It should be within you and maintained at a "full" level. Imagine what life would be like if you livedwith your joy on full daily. That totally change your outlook on every single day as you operated on full joy.
 
Amen Me!