What are some of the more important
or noticeable reasons why people who say they’re Christians don’t
act like it?
1. They are disappointed with God. 2.
They're distracted by other things, and get their focus off of
Jesus. 3. They mingle with unbelievers in dangerous relationships
4. They have unchanged tendencies 5. They are self-reliant rather
than being reliant on God through Jesus Christ (they try to trust in
their own strength instead of in the strength of Christ).
I recently started a Christian Course through Christian Courses
(www.christiancourses.com). I learned the above information from that course. It's one of those courses you have to pay for if you take it
for credit, but it is free if you're not seeking credit. Needless to say, I am taking it
for free. I started it on Tuesday, and I just finished the first lesson tonight. I have
spent hours on it, but it is very good. Only nine more
lessons to go. Ha! Ha! The title of this course is: 10 Reasons To Believe Real Christians
Can Look Like They're Not. I have found it very enlightening,
and I think it may prove particularly helpful to me. The first lesson dealt with being
disappointed with God. The point was made that when we suffer disappointments, we are
very vulnerable to the lies of Satan about ourselves, and about God. When we fall for those lies, the results start piling up in our lives even as we face more disappointments. As a result we may become disappointed with or even bitter towards God. As students of this
course, we are encouraged to journal about whatever God stirs up in us about past
disappointments; then we are advised to invite Him into those disappointments so that we can
surrender to Him and His truth, and not be deceived by the lies Satan may have fed us when we first experienced those disappointments.
I'm looking forward to learning the other five reasons why people who say they are Christians don't act like it. Stay tuned, if you're interested.
Well, guess that's it for today. I hope anyone who happens to read this blog has a great day in the Lord. - Ray
Thank you for the comments on my August 27th post. By the way, Woodrow Kroll is the current president of Back to the Bible, and the host of the radio broadcast. Warren Wiersbe was a former president and radio host. I think the first president of the organization was Theodor Epp. At any rate, Back to the Bible has been doing a good work for many decades. Their web site address is <www.backtothebible.org> - I hope you will take time to visit the site, because I think it will be a blessing to you.
Back to the Bible also offers a Bible challenge with a weekly Bible quiz so a person can test himself/herself as to Bible knowledge. I took one today and scored 10 out 0f 10 or 100%. Celebrate with me, because it may never happen again. Ha! Ha! It's one thing to know what the Bible says, but it is an entirely different thing to do what it says. I guess that's why James says we need to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. I always need reminded also that God desires obedience more than sacrifice. I, unfortunately, tend to be more willing to sacrifice than to obey.
The wedding was really nice. Since Greg wasn't able to walk Rose to her seat, Caleb did that before he went to the altar with his groomsmen. I talked to Rose after the wedding, and she said she told Caleb right before he walked her to her seat that he would be a good husband and a good father, because he had been blessed with a great example in Greg. I heartily agree. I told her she could not have said anything better to Caleb. Brittany made a beautiful bride, and Pastor Lance Ogden did a very nice job officiating. The reception for Caleb and Brittany was also very nice. The food was great!!!! May they have a blessed and fruitful marriage.
It was a busy day at work, and I'm bushed, so guess I'll sign off for now and think about hitting the hay.
Later, Ray
Got off to a fairly good start this morning. Spent time in the Word through "Powered by Four," which is a Bible reading program through Back To The Bible broadcast. It's pretty good, and I recommend it to any one who needs a little jump start to get back into the Word on a daily basis. I had been having trouble being regular in my Bible reading lately, so I am using the "Powered by Four" as a jump start for me. PB4 offers a daily Bible reading, but the challenge is to read at least four times a week.
I also started following a "Faith Walk" Bible reading plan - also with Back To The Bible - which helps a person read through the Bible in a year. As is par for the course with me, I tend to either go overboard or take no action at all, as I am also reading "Our Daily Bread," which is a daily devotional from Radio Bible Class, and reading a daily e-mail from Michael Youssef's ministry (Leading The Way) called my devotional. I'd also like to take some of the free Christian courses offered at the Radio Bible Class web site. Christians are certainly blessed to have so many opportunities for growth on the Internet.
Weather is beautiful here in the Ozarks this morning, and I am glad of it. I have a wedding to attend this afternoon. It is that of Caleb Thompson and Brittany Worthy.
Caleb is the oldest son of my dear friends, Greg and Rose Thompson. Today's wedding may be bittersweet as Greg died in November of 2010. We sure do all miss him. I really don't know what God allows His saints in heaven to observe on earth, but I imagine there is some way that Greg is aware that his oldest son is getting married today. May the marriage be blessed, and may it prove to be an early illustration of God's love for us through Jesus Christ.
Guess that's it for now. Guess I better get with the program. Later. - Ray