BABY CHRISTIAN OR CHRISTIAN BABY?

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

BABY CHRISTIAN OR CHRISTIAN BABY?

(1 Cor 3:3) for you are still carnal...

Everybody loves a new baby. Everything they do is cute (okay...almost everything!) Their little sounds and their ever changing faces, and how they look like little angels when they sleep. But what would you say of a grown up who is still acting like a baby? You would probably say, "Grow up!" because that's exactly what they need to do. In other words you hold them accountable for their age and give them no excuse for their actions.

That's what Paul was saying to the Corinthians. They were believers who were carnal. They were acting fleshly and worldly and not their age. Paul had trained them well but they were still acting like spiritual infants. They were struggling with factions in the church as well as immorality. They were going to court against each other, stumbling each other, and being selfish at the communion celebrations. They abused spiritual gifts and just needed to learn about God's agape love that takes into consideration other people's feelings. It was a tough letter to write because they were so carnal!

Receiving newborn Christians in the church is something we are all thrilled about. Their new-found faith is an inspiration to us all. It adds a spark to a church that sometimes is needed as older Christians can lose their fire. They are so hungry for the Lord and they are at every Bible study, prayer meeting, and Christian event. (1 Pet 2:2) as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. As time goes on they move out of that new convert state and enter into real Christian growth through trials and tribulations and the everyday things of life. The goal of the Christian life is maturity and being conformed into the image of Christ. (Eph 4:15) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ. But we know that as we grow that fire for Jesus should always stay alive if even in a developed way.

It's okay to be a baby Christian...but it's not okay to be a Christian baby! That's why Paul wrote 1 Corinthians and that is why we must be careful of spiritual immaturity in our lives. After that fire cools of first receiving the Lord there is that tendency to cool off into lukewarmness. We start going back into the worldly things and interests. What we rejected as worldly before we now make excuses such as how it's not good to be so overly zealous or we shouldn't go so overboard. Perhaps we cave into what people are saying about us, that we are too fervent, or that old saying, "he's so heavenly minded that he's no earthly good." No one likes to be a freak and stand out. We want to be cool with others and therefore start to blend back into the culture. But our desire for cool might really be direction of compromise.

Sometimes there's even pressure from other carnal Christians to lighten up. You see, that on-fire Christian can make a carnal Christian look bad. The "sold out for Christ" believer just wants to love and serve the Lord. The compromised Christian is threatened by that and will many times seek to extinguish that flame if even by a subtle put down and teasing (which is really mocking).

Why do Christians revert back to that carnal state? Because the writer of Hebrews says they want the milk and not the meat! (Heb 5:12) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. They just don't want to grow up! The Christian life becomes too hard and they want the toys of childhood.

Are you a Christian baby? Then it's time for you to grow up! Give the baby Christians something to aspire to!

Louie

PASTOR CHUCK SMITH HAS A "MINOR STROKE"

Pastor Chuck Smith suffered a ‘minor stroke’ and is ‘doing well’


by Dan Wooding — ANS

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COSTA MESA, CA — Pastor Chuck Smith, 82, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California, and the father of the “Jesus People” phenomenon in Southern California, has suffered a “minor stroke” and is in a local hospital.

“I have just been to visit him today in the hospital and he is doing well,” said Brian Brodersen, who serves as associate pastor to Chuck Smith at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, and is married to Cheryl, one of Chuck and Kay Smith’s daughters.

“Pastor Chuck suffered a minor stroke at his home and a medical person staying there called ‘911’ and he was taken to the hospital.”

Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, California, said on his blog, “Last night, Pastor Chuck Smith was taken to the hospital and had what was described by his doctor as a ‘mini-stroke.’ His doctor expects him to make a full recovery.”

Laurie, who runs the massive Harvest Crusades around the world, added, “Let’s remember this beloved man of God in prayer, that the Lord would touch, bless, and heal him.”

Like Greg Laurie, Mike MacIntosh, senior pastor of Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego was also discipled by Chuck Smith.

Mike told ANS, “Pastor Chuck Smith is strong and will recover from this physical ailment. It is difficult to see someone you love be in the hospital.

“Our prayers should be for their children, Jan, Jeff, Cheryl and Chuck Jr., and their many grandchildren. We must not forget Kay who has adored Chuck for 50 plus years of marriage.”

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NOT AGAIN!

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

NOT AGAIN!

(Job 42:10) And the LORD restored Job's losses…the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Well, here we come to an end of a new year and you know what? I’m so glad!! If you know what I’ve gone through this past year then you know what I’m saying. People talk about having a bad day, but what about a bad year or even a difficult season of life?

Job got hit hard. And it was one blow after another. You could almost hear him say, “not again!” He suffered so many losses, one right after another. He was stripped down to the ground and all he had left basically was his faith. Boom, boom, boom. But he stayed in the boxing ring and just took it. He was knocked down but not knocked out! When he was floored he just looked up to the Lord and praised Him…anyway!

Have you had a series of losses in your life? You’re in good company. But suffering a loss doesn’t mean you have to be a loser! Because that might make you a boozer…or a snoozer! And you don’t want to mask your pain or sleep it away. Don’t check out…check in with the One who can get you going again.

Jesus said this: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." (John 12:24) Maybe you’re that seed that has been placed in the earth. Not fun under there is it? It’s dark and cold but soon you’re going to be breaking ground and pushing up to where you’re going to be doing more than pushing daises. You see, you have to die before you can be productive. That’s the Lord’s economy of things. Don’t fight it, don’t bite it, don’t even fright it. Get excited for mass production.

Jesus also said: "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:2) Are you being pruned in your life? Doesn’t feel good does it? Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Heb 12:11)

You know, when I thought about the title of this devotional I was thinking about the phrase we so often use when things continually go wrong…“not again!” But then I saw in my mind’s eye the word "again" separate into "a gain". What you go through, even by a series of losses, is really a gain. You’re going to get something out of it. So the next time you are tempted to say "not again", separate it into "a gain". Separate yourself from that self-defeating attitude you are leaning towards and find the good because God is good and He must have a purpose!

Louie

CHRISTMAS EVE 2009

At the Christmas Eve service the children were the evangelists sharing the gospel through a dramatic presentation of the Christmas story. The house was full of people and praises and I noticed many visitors were in the crowd. Our prayer was for many to put their trust in the Lord. Now let's all GO! and tell somebody about Jesus!

"Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child." (Luke 2:17)

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LAST DAY IN N. IRELAND

Today (TUES) we went out to get Irish fry for breakfast. This plate consists of soda bread, potato farl, mushrooms, baked beans, a fried egg, a pancake, bangers (sausage) and rashers (bacon, Canadian style), and black pudding. Don't kquite know what all that is? Me either but it sure tasted good!

(1 Tim 4:4) For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving.

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DUNLUCE CASTLE

We then drove to the north coast of Ireland which is a famous spot for sightseeing. We first drove over to Port Elizabeth...a quaint city overlooking the Irish Sea. Then we drove over to see Dunluce castle dating back centuries.

VIDEO OF DUNLUCE CASTLE

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VIDEO OF GIANT'S CAUSEWAY

Giant's Causeway is N. Ireland's number tourist attraction. It has these rock formations formed by a volcano long ago. It reminded me of how creative God is and how He has left His wonders for us to behold and enjoy.

(Psa 96:3) Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

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RICK AND CINDY HAVING A GREAT TIME AT GIANT'S CAUSEWAY.

Rick and Cindy were so much fun to be around for a week and were great hosts! Cindy is a great cook and their house is real cozy. This picture should be an advertisement for missions and defys the serious and stuffy characterization of missionaries of the past.

(Psa 100:2) Serve the LORD with gladness...

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After touring Giant's Causeway we drove over to the city of Ballycastle and had fish and chips. Here is a beautiful historical church in town. It's the state Church of Ireland which is associated with Anglicanism, the predominant Protestant church of the United Kingdom. Let's pray for Ireland to know the difference between religion and relationship with Jesus!

(Rev 3:20) "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

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Lindsay and I had a great time together. What a blessing to be able to come over for her graduation and then to travel together to visit ur GO! missionaries in N. Ireland.

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Well, we fly out tomorrow from Belfast and will be home tomorrow night. Thanks for following Lindsay and I on our trip and thank you for your prayers. Looking forward to seeing your at the Christmas Eve service! As they say in Ireland...HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!

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MONDAY IN N. IRELAND

Today Rick and I spent some time together while Lindsay and Cindy went to a woman's prayer meeting and then did some shopping together. We stopped by this Moravian church and met this female pastor named Jan. The Moravians were one of the first missionaries and were an inspiration to John Wesley to bring him to the Lord. She showed us the church which is 250 years old and has an active congregation and private school.

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Rick then took me by the future location of the church. In just three weeks Harvest will take on a lease in this former Curves building. The running joke is that the believers will really be getting into shape here at this church!

(1 Tim 4:8) For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

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Rick and I then drove into Belfast and took a tour of the shipping yard where the Titanic was built. Here you see the dry dock area and the facility behind it that was the basis for the operations. We learned so much about it's history and fate. I couldn't help but think that this "unsinkable" ship is so much like the pride in our lives! A few scriptures came to mind:

(Prov 16:18) Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

(1 Cor 10:12) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

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We then hooked up with Lindsay and Cindy and drove out to a couple's house for fellowship. It was an intimate gathering where we ate some goodies and talked and got to know each other. We then worshipped the Lord and sang some songs we did and didn't know. The music was provided by pastor William and his wife Rebecca.

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At the end of the worship time we had a lively time watching Rebecca play the celtic fiddle!

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This is pastor William and Steph signing the lease on the new church facility. What a great chapter in the life and history of this church.

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We really hit the "craik" (pronounced "crack") tonight as they say in Ireland. That means we had a great time of being together and enjoying each other's company.

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One more full day in Ireland and then home we go for Christmas! Thank you all for your continued prayers. We love and miss you and will see you soon!

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CHRISTMAS SERVICE AT HARVEST CHURCH

Today (Sunday) was the Christmas service for Harvest church which meets upstairs. It started at 4pm. There was much to be done in preparation and it kept us all busy for the day.

(Mark 14:15) "Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us."

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Here is pastor William clearing a path in the snow for service. I yelled out to him to give a wave for the saints in Norco. ,: )

(Mark 9:35) ..."If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."

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The service was a combination of music, special readings (see Lindsay above), and exhortations from pastor William. Food followed and a lot of love shared in Christ.

(1 Tim 4:13) Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

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There was such a warm glow of the Spirit in the room matching the idyllic scenery that lay outside.

(Eccl 4:11) ... But how can one be warm alone?

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(Psa 129:8) ..."The blessing of the LORD be upon you; We bless you in the name of the LORD!"

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Now our Irish brethren are ready for Christmas!

Dear flock in Norco...our time will be Christmas Eve this Thursday at 6pm at CCN. See you there!!

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