a form of godliness

1 Corinthians 3 Paul addresses the issue of CARNALITY. He does not define carnality the same way most of us would, but surrounds it with words like: STRIFE, ENVY, DIVISION. The problem he is addressing is that the people were being drawn to Paul, Appolos, Cephas (not Christ) and this was causing major discord, fighting and division. He first addresses this issue in chapter 1 and then comes around just 2 chapters later and addresses it again!

Understand there were many problems in the church at Corinth at this time: perverting the Lords supper, confusion in the church, incest and other sexual sins, litigation ect...BUT NOTICE WHAT PAUL RIPS ON FIRST? He does not address litigation until ch 6. Perverting the Lords Supper ch 11. Disorderly conduct ch 14. The sexual sins ch 5.

look at ch 3 verse 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.


Any good we do, and righteousness we have, is of GOD, and is GOD!
If we want to be right on this subject we need to:

1. Stop worhsiping SELF
18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

2. Stop Worshiping Others
21Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

3. Start Worshiping the Lord!!!
23And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.


I Pray men will stop self exhibiting and others exalting and start worshiping the king of kings and the Lord of Lords. It is ok to get along with people who are different than you!!! I sure am glad God does. In all of our sin, he still loves, accepts, forgives and fellowships with us. Those who practice religion instead of a relationship cannot comprehend that. Thank God HES all about a relationship and has always been against religion. If your spirituality is based on rules and regulations, in place of a relationship you have missed what God has intended the Christian life to be.

I do right, not because some man parrots some older man, I do right because the Love of God constraineth me!

Preached this past Friday Evning in Flower Mound, Texas

This past Friday evening I had the privilege of being in the great Temple Baptist Church in Flower Mound Texas. Temple Baptist was started by Dr. Richard Wallace in 1977 in a store front location. Today the church owns over 21 acres of property has a thriving congregation and a large Christian school. After 31 years the church is still growing and reaching the North Texas area for the Lord. I preached in the Reformer Unanimous program which my good friend Bro. Richard Wallace Jr. started just two years ago. There were over 80 in attendance and the spirit was great!!! Praise the Lord for a church that teaches and preaches the Bible. It is great to see a BALANCED church that takes a stand for the Lord and His word. The greatest day of TBC are the days ahead. Please be in Prayer for this great work, great Pastor, and great pastoral staff.

Missions Emphasis Week

Wellll...we just finished our missions emphasis week last night with a great challenge from the word of God. Dr. Sisk (legend missionary) at age 77, brought an outstanding challenge about giving. I was not only challenged to give, but to give joyfully. This is probably the hardest part for most. I am praying that this year I can take it to the next level personally and become a more joyful more consistent giver.

I also had the privilege of having Bro. Wesely Palla speak in my early adult class. He is leaving for Brazil in 2010. Please be praying for his family as they face the challenges of uprooting and dedicating their lives to serve.

Social Networking and the Christian

I was recently listening to a preacher go off on Facebook, Myspace ect...I actually found myself in some respects agreeing with him on some of the issues he was bringing up. The problem I encountered was: There was no scripture used which disqualifies it as preaching and makes it motivational speaking at best. The second thing that I noticed was an extreme position instead of a balanced one. The third thing that cracked me up hit me yesterday as I was lurking around twitter for a bit, I came across many of his staff and church on the site. Now to me, that is funny. We wonder why we lose so many teenagers, college students ect... Well let me just tell you from experience, that, when we overstate issues, get on emotional rants, then publicly engage in a similar act to what we were screaming about...Teenagers and college students (who don't just parrot everything they hear and can actually think for themselves) do not buy into it (i realize some do and always will)!!! I am thankful that I have a Pastor who preaches the WORD, teaches the WORD, focus's on the Word. When the Bible speaks he speaks, where the Bible is silent he is silent. Thank the Lord for a Pastor that is not a dictatorial control freak, but a loving shepherd pointing people away from himself, his opinions, but to the FATHER.

Here is a great approach to social networking and the Christian (or any area of life):

1. Does it Glorify God? 1 Corinthians 10:31
2. Could Christ be a partner? Matthew 28:20
3. Does it Grieve the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 4:30
4. Will it cause stumbling? Romans 14:13
5. Does it appear evil? 1 Thessalonians 5:22
6. Have I asked God for wisdom? James 1:5 and about 50 other verses in Proverbs

These are questions we should ask ourselves, our kids, and our ministries and evaluate the decision being made by them. I believe if we do that the in all areas of life we will find ourselves living more abundant lives and living in favor of the spirit rather than the flesh.

I do right not because some man rants and raves about it (Gal. 1:10). I do right because I want to please the Lord (His love constrains us). When I please HIM everyone who needs to be pleased is. There is also a GREAT article on this subject found at http://www.paulchappell.com/

First night with Turk a success

-- Post From My iPhone

read these today AWESOME STUFF

Deuteronomy 4 (selected verses from there)

4But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.

9Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;

24For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

29But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

31(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

35Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.

39Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

Caffine Update

Pray for me...I am in bondage...:)