A Christ Follower: The Journey

For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:18 (Paul) Earth Bound Access In my life time, I learned that having access is a very empowering thing. Some of you who are geekish can find access, via your computer or technological skills, to accomplish things that could only have been imagined just a few years ago.  When I served on a commanders battle staff in Special Operations, as a Wing Chaplain, those of us with rank, skills and position, were allowed into this highly secretive place to view world conditions. I have to tell you some really life changing decisions were made in that place where only a few of us had any access at all. As a deputy Command Chaplain, just one decision I would make, in ARPC's Command Chaplain section, changed over three hundred lives in one day... not to mention their families. Access to that position in that place became important to me, and others as well. Only a few had access. Only One May Enter ...

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In Love, God predestined us to be adopted as His children, through Jesus Christ,  because it pleases Him, and its His will. Ephesians 1:5 It may surprise you, but God adopted you as His child, Christ-Follower, before you even knew it. He loved you before you knew it. It was what He wanted to do, this adoption of you. And it brings God pleasure. Let's unpack this a bit:  It all began when God chose to love you.  Here is something you may or may not know: God looks at everything as one great big eternal now. That is, He sees all history, prehistory and post history at the same time He is observing your journey at this moment of this hour of this day in time. As He views things this way, He saw you before you were ever born, according to Romans 8:28-29, he "foreknew you" that you would bow your knee and confess Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father Almighty. So, this ONE who loves you "for ordained you to be formed into the image of Christ....

INDEPENDENCE DAY ! It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm then, and don't let yourself be burdened with a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 Here in The United States, a very special day is about to be celebrated. Many mistakenly greet others by saying "Happy Fourth of July!" But we are not just celebrating a day. We call it Independence day! This is the day that changed the course of our nation's history, and I believe it changed the whole course of the planet. For if the USA hadn't won this war that gave us this special day in 1776, and the War of 1812, our second war for independence, there is no telling where the world would have been after #Hitler marched across Europe and the Japanese were ready to rule the Pacific. After that war, which we call World War Two,  we could have ruled the world. Everyone else was wasted, and we were the only ones with the atomic bomb. However, because of our Judaeo Christian foundation that made A...

Ephesians 1:1 (NIV 1984) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: The Misunderstood Identity I doubt their is no more misunderstood identity than the one we look at today. The Apostle Paul says that we who are Christ-Followers are "Saints." And that is indeed what each of us are. Now, I realize our Catholic brother's and sisters believe that the Pope, after his subordinates work through many steps, eventually declares someone to be a Saint.  Or he can do as was done with the Patron Saint "Saint Christopher" and declare he is no longer a Saint. This discussion is not about this at all. It is simply about what God says through the Holy Scriptures about who you are or who I am. Check out the letter to the Ephesians 1:1. Paul is writing to God's faithful people (people of faith,) and he does not address them as "Sinners saved by grace." As a matter of fact, wh...

Now you are the Body of Christ. And each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 One of the weirdest things about the Church is that people confuse it as an organization rather than an organism. Billions are spent on bricks and mortar and technology and other stuff to make it modern, relevant and up to date. We regulate it and over regulate it into oblivion. Many times these religious monstrosities become tomb like monuments that people visit, but there is no life within its ever being repaired walls.  All to often, those who need to belong, are broken and hurting, wounded and in need of a Savior. Sadly, they are left out in the cold. They do not feel invited to belong. The Church, as given to us by The Almighty God, was organized a bit; however, its vitality, life and world transforming power came from it being The Body of Christ . People came to know the Savior (Jesus) up close and personal, and the Holy Spirit began to grow the body numerically. So, each par...

Your body is the Temple of The Holy Spirit -- Paul When I think of this identity, I really have to take a step back. Why? Well, I guess I never conceived of the idea that I give the Creator of the Universe a house to live in.  The ONE who is greater than His own entire creation lives within me. My body is a Temple of God' s own Holy Spirit that also happens to "flow where it wills" and accomplishes mighty things in the Universe. At the same time, this encourages me because I am not alone anywhere I go. God's Spirit is always with me, no matter what and no matter where I may go. I have been all over a good portion of the northern hemisphere, and I can testify to this one thing: The Holy Spirit has always been with me.  If I take time out to think about this promise, and it's fulfillment in my life, I can tell you that in my best moments and worst moments, God's Spirit does exactly like He has promised. He flows through my life and empowers me to walk with...