My blog, a servant's journey, is no longer being published through blogger. I have my own web page, wesleycrawford.com. This is the new home of my blog. It's kind of plain right now, but that will change in time. Colleen is my geek and she's in the process of fixing up my page, this includes bringing everything over from blogger. Also, Colleen and I are changing our relationship, we are waiting on God for confirmation. We are developing a new love for each other and we would greatly appreciate your prayers.
Thank you.
God bless.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Appearance of Sin
Why is it that people in the church, who claim to love the Lord, sin intentionally? I understand that we're born into sin. It's our nature to sin, our fallen nature, this we get from Adam. But if you believe in the Lord, why would you still be sinning against Him? I also, understand that most in the church don't understand or believe in spiritual matters. But, wouldn't you try to sin a little less? Look at the church, we are supposed be to a light to those who don't believe. But you can't tell the difference between the church and the world. This ought not to be.
Yes, I still sin, I don't mean to sound like I don't and I don't mean to look down on others. But I am aware of spiritual truth and I am seeking the Lord's face and I am seeking His Kingdom and I do confess my sins and ask forgiveness in Jesus' Name.
Most in the church think, in their ignorance, that when they're saved they can do what they want and not be judged or punished, but this is wrong.
I heard a man on the radio talking about people who say they don't go to church because the church is full of hypocrites. The man on the radio then said, you're gonna hate hell.
Here's a couple of verses to prove what I say, that is if you believe the Bible is the Word of God.
Abstain from all appearance of evil. KJV
This says the appearance of evil is in itself, evil. That means, to me, if you just look like you're sinning, even if you ain't, then you're sinning. We are supposed to walk a humble walk, as did Christ.
1 Timothy 4:1-31 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. KJV
This says many of the church will leave God, led astray by seducing spirits. Look at the church now, it is full of hypocrites, people who are cold, people who'd rather live together, than get married, and vegetarians. Also, people don't believe in spiritual truth, known as strong meat in the Bible.
Contrary to what some believe the whole church isn't going to heaven. I wish everyone was, but it ain't gonna happen that way. The Bible says so. None of us want to hear Jesus say, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity., but many will.
I talked to a friend a bit ago and what she said caused me to write this. What to do, what to do. I know what to do. The only way I can make a difference in anyone's life is through prayer. And that will be, hopefully, something else I can write about, the lack of prayer, Spirit led prayer in the Church.
How can the Bible say so much about prayer and the church isn't doing it. And if they are who are they praying to. Why would you pray to a god that doesn't speak back, as much of the church believes. Father, forgive us our sins. Ignorance is a sin. When it's in the Bible and you don't believe it, that's ignorance.
I'm writing this just to rant a little, I hope y'all enjoy it and I hope it helps someone.
God bless
Technorati Tags: sin,Spiritual Truth,prayer,ignorance,church
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Sabbath Day
The Lord has recently put the Sabbath Day on my heart. The majority of the Body worships on Sunday, but God said,
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. KJV
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. KJV
GOD said to keep the Sabbath Day holy, the seventh day. But most of the Body of Christ worships on Sunday, why?
Because most of the Body of Christ does what man says. God didn't say, I've Blessed and Hallowed the seventh day, but you go ahead and worship on the first day. (In case you missed it, this is sarcasm)
I'm reading a book by Jeffrey Weiss, "The Truth of Reformation." In it he speaks about the Sabbath being on the seventh day, as spoken by God, our Father, you know, the Creator. He also speaks about festivals and how the belief of the majority of the Body is what man has decided. The facts he listed are unproven by me, so whether or not they're true, I don't know. But one thing I do know, God blessed and hallowed the seventh day, the Sabbath. He spoke it in His Word, the Bible. You can read the above verses or look it up in your own Bible.
So, that's all I want to write for now. I want people to question what they believe. Especially, if it, in any way, contradicts the Bible.
God bless
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Corrections to the Second Man
So whether we're “in Christ” or “in Adam” is a moment by moment decision. I pray our choices put us in Christ.
The above sentence was written in my last article and it is wrong.
I should've written, whether you're walking after the Spirit or after the flesh is a moment by moment choice.
Because once you're saved, you're no longer in Adam, you're covered by the Blood of Christ.
Now, to be in Christ, you must be walking after the Spirit. Christ, our example, did not walk after the flesh. He was always, obedient and did what His Father told Him to do, through the Holy Spirit. This is how we must be to walk like Him.
God bless
servant
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
We are of the Second Man
When Jesus went to the cross, His reason was to atone for our sins.
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: KJV
Jesus is known as the Last Adam. In that, He took all that was of Adam, our fallen nature, to judgment and death on the cross. “What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh.” Adam's flesh was weak, he succumbed to the voice of the enemy. And when we walk after the flesh, we are weak because we aren't doing what our Father has commanded us, but we do as we like, following the voice of the enemy.
So the law could not succeed because we are weak. We are weak when we walk after the flesh, because our attention is easily captured by the pretty things of the world and we are led astray. But when we walk after the Spirit, we are mighty by the Power of God through the Holy Spirit. There was a time for the law and it served it's purpose, but now, when we walk after the Spirit, we live in the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.
Let me use myself as an example;
When I smoke a cigarette, I'm walking after the flesh. Smoking, in no way, glorifies God. Smoking is one of the pretty things of the world and the only glory is mine and self glory is pride and God resists the proud. When I look at a pretty girl or express my anger through curses, God is not glorified, but I am. Again, God resists the proud.
James 3:10b My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
But when I'm speaking Spiritual Truth with a brother or sister, God totally digs that, then, He is Glorified. Or when I speak truth to someone at work, God is Glorified, because I'm doing what I, we, were commanded to do. I'm sharing the Gospel.
So whether we're “in Christ” or “in Adam” is a moment by moment decision. I pray our choices put us in Christ.
Christ died as the last Adam, but was arisen as the Second Man. We are born in Adam, but we are reborn in Christ, the Second Man, Who is the Head of a new race.
We died in Him as the last Adam, we also, live in Him as the Second Man.
servant21
Technorati Tags: Romans 8:3,James 3:10b,In Adam,In Christ,The Second Man,The Last Adam,Atonement,Spirit
Sunday, June 22, 2008
From Adam to Christ
I'm reading a book called “A Normal Christian Life” by Watchman Nee. This book is a study, by Watchman Nee, on the book of Romans and there's a important point I'd like to share with you. And I'm only on page 45. This is a really good book and I'm really excited to see what's next.
To begin with, I want to talk about who we are, as opposed to what we do.
We are sinners because we are “in Adam.” We are his descendants. Adam sinned and so our nature, our fallen nature, is sinful. We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. When Adam chose to follow his own will, when he chose to do what satan said, instead of what God said, he sinned. Because we were born in Adam, in his lineage, we were born into his sin. When Adam sinned, we all sinned with him. So, we are sinners from birth, not by anything we did, but by what Adam did. We are his descendants, so our heritage is sin.
Romans 5:19 For as by one man's (Adam) disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One (Christ) shall many be made righteous. KJV (emphasis added)
Father, forgive us for we know not what we do. So, we are born sinners, what can we do about this?
Well, our Father, has already taken care of this. Jesus, being obedient to His Father's Will, sacrificed His Life, taking our sins to the cross. And, on the third day was raised by God, His Father, our Father. So, if you are saved, you died with Jesus on the cross and you were raised with Him on the third day. Jesus was speaking about this when He said in
Matthew 16:24, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. KJV
I believe this is what salvation is, but to continue in Christ we must do this everyday. This is what the Bible says, and the Bible is the Word of God written to us. Also, Jesus is our example, so everything He did, we should do.
So, we are now “in Jesus”. We are His descendants. This means everything He did or went through, we did or went through with Him. Here's the thing, reading the Words and getting excited isn't enough. We've got to start doing what we're told. The main thing Jesus preaches during His 3 1/2 years of ministry, is to seek first the Kingdom of God. This seems like a tall order, but it can be done, if we ask God for direction and guidance and follow His Lead. We can do all things by the power of Christ Who strengthens us.
Do you believe;
In God?
That the Bible is the Word of God spoken to us by His Holy prophets?
That Jesus His Son or do you believe He's just a prophet or neither?
That the Holy Spirit is an active Part of the Trinity?
That the Gifts of the Spirit are real and for today?
In the fivefold ministry and that they are for today? (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers)
That the baptism in the Holy Spirit is real, or do you believe it was just for the people in Bible times or is that for now, too?
If you believe in God and you believe the Bible is His Word, how can you only believe in part of the Bible?
If you only believe in part of the Bible, God's Word, does that make you half of a Christian? Does this mean only half of you will be saved? Will only half of you go to Heaven? How do you choose which parts of the Bible are true and which are false? Wouldn't that be man's religion instead of God's Truth?
If you read the Bible, you can see where everything that has happened and is happening now was prophesied by Jesus and the prophets of God. God actually said He wouldn't do anything without telling us through His holy prophets. But, if you don't believe He talks to us, then you don't believe the Bible, His Word.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. KJV
God bless
servant21
Sunday, June 8, 2008
I BELIEVE
I believe in God. I believe He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, because the Bible says so. (I also believe the Bible is His inerrant Word spoken to us, by His Holy prophets, so we will know His Will and what He expects from us.) I believe He is One and I believe He is Three. He is a Threefold God. This is spoken throughout the entire Bible. Why do people in the church believe in the Trinity, but not the actual working of the Holy Spirit or Spiritual Gifts?
Matthew 28:19 says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" KJV
Why would He say baptize them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost/Spirit, if He wasn't a threefold God? (Spirit and ghost are the same Greek word, pneuma, pronounced pnyoo'-mah.)
Genesis 1:26 says “...Let Us make man in Our Image, after Our Likeness..." KJV
This verse uses the words Us and Our, these words imply more than one. Why then, does most of the body of Christ not believe He is Three? I'll tell you why. Actually, I'll quote scripture.
1 Tim.4:1 says, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." KJV
Read the entire chapter to see what He's talking about.
God is a Triune Being, that means three. He is the Father, He is our Father, as spoken in
Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. KJV
We are adopted by Him, He is our Father, our Dad, our Daddy. Also, He is the Son, God in human form, our Saviour, our Example, the One we seek to emulate or be like. Also, He is the Holy Spirit and He has many Names and parts to play in our lives. He is the Comforter, He is an Intercessor, He is also a Tutor, as spoken in
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.
8 And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see Me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. KJV
I pray our Father will open your eyes and ears and let you receive Spiritual Truth. I pray He will let you receive the Truth spoken in this blog. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ.
God bless
servant21
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