"Is it hard to be a Christian in 2012?"

Galatians 6:1-4

6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

     Yesterday, I asked the question, “Is it hard to be a Christian in 2012?”  I solicited honest comments from other Christians who receive these daily messages.   I thought these comments were  great and reflect a lot of Christians today. Here are the comments.

Comment One

I was provoked to respond by people who talked to me: Your question was "It is hard to be a Christian in 2012"....My answer is No, it is not hard. What is the alternative to Christianity being hard? Being in sin? When I was in sin I still had it hard, I still went through things. To me saying that its hard is a cop out to me, its a mind set that you have that you already know it will be hard but would I give it up and turn back? My answer is no.

Greg Stanley

Comment Two

Yes, I think it’s hard to be a Christian in 2012.  Over the years I’ve noticed that as Christians, we have compromised our beliefs so as not to hurt the feelings of others.  We can’t say Jesus or God; we say Happy Holidays and not Merry Christmas, all because we are not to offend others and their religious beliefs.  Never mind that we are offending God.

Same sex marriages, children outside of wedlock, living together or “shacking up,” and open marriages have become the norm and not the exception to the rule and as Christians we have kept our mouths shut.  One of the reasons I believe is because we don’t want to become accused of “judging” another person. (“Do not judge so that you will not be judged” Matt. 7:1 NASB)  And if we protest the sins of society then we have to acknowledge and take responsibility for our own sins and who really wants to do that? (“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matt. 7:5 NASB)

Romans 12:2 says “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (NASB)  At some point I believe that as Christians we decided to compromise with the world, maybe with the idea of getting the world to conform to our way of thinking.  But instead we began conforming to their beliefs and now we are stuck and don’t know how to undo the mess.

And it doesn’t help when we have well-known spiritual leaders and priests committing all kinds of sins for the public to see, or those Christians who shout all over the church on Sunday, cuss out everybody on Monday, not to mention can drink you under the table on Friday and Saturday.

How does a Christian trying to win souls to Christ make a difference when they’re up against that?

Yes it’s hard being a Christian no matter what year it is.

Anonymous

Comment Three

In a nut shell, It’s not hard when you are looking forward. It is only hard when you are looking back.

Example:

When I was outside of the will of God for my life, I went to parties and clubs, had drinks, premarital sex. I thought I was having fun. But there are consequence to that life style and I don’t miss the consequences because the wages of sin is death so when I hear my friends that are still having the fun I used to have I do miss it because I’m looking back.  Then, I think about as we say in church the “Goodness of God” and all he has done for me and all he has brought me out of (looking forward) it is not hard at all! I keep pressing because I love the relationship that I have with him and I want to be pleasing in his sight.

Anonymous

Comment Four

I didn’t weigh in yesterday but here it goes today…

If I had weighed in yesterday it would have been from my own personal point of view, but I had to look at it through the eyes of God and his word.  Scripture says and I’m paraphrasing  “Take my yoke upon you for my yoke is easy and my burdens are light” when I look at this journey called life that we are going through,  God has equipped us with all the strength and courage we need to endure.  When Joshua came on the scene after Moses died the resounding message God gave Joshua was  -  be of good courage.   When we take on Christ and truly sell out to him and banish that old nature that we used to have (only by renewing our minds in the word daily) THEN are we able to say that it is “easy to be a Christian”  only because we surrender all to him;  all of our problems, test, trials, sickness, disappointments, rejections everything that we face.

I had a meeting the other night at church and left feeling a little perplexed about some things and began to cry on the way home, I mean a real ugly cry and instantly God reminded me it ain’t that bad.  I am with you!  Yes the world seems as if it has center stage but Gods word tells us that “Greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world”. I am victorious in this battle.  Yes it is a battle!  We got to fight every single day, not a physical fight but spiritually; pulling down strongholds, casting down wicked imaginations, binding the hands of the enemy,  and if we use to the tools (His word, prayer) that God gave us than we are MORE than Conquerors!  It is a FIXED Fight! 

(Ok I’ve gotten excited myself!!)

Anonymous

Is it hard to be a Christian in 2012?  Hopefully, you have a better idea of what it takes to move forward.  All of us go through things and all of us have to deal with our own flesh.  I really enjoyed sharing with you this week.  Until next time , Peace!

Brother Clarence

www.godlyking.com

www.godlykings.blogspot.com

The Flesh- " It's hard out here for a Pimp"

Galatians 5:1
 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,^[a] and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

    There was  a movie years ago that featured Terrance Howard and he won an Oscar for his betrayal of the main character in Hustle and Flow.  In the movie, he portrayed a man that was trying to get his rap career started.  The movie follows his pursuit of his dream to become a rapper.  There  was a song in the movie that said, "It's hard out here for a pimp!'  I can't remember the rest of the lyrics but I was brought to think about that movie this morning.
    At some point in your Christian journey have you ever said, " Its' hard out here for a Christian!"   "This is just too much." or asked the question, “Does it take all of this?"  I have if you haven't. 
    This week we have discussed the flesh.  We have defined what it is and have given steps to resolve flesh issues.  If you have not seen the other discussions, they are posted on ww.godlykings.blogspot.com.         

 I want to here from you. Today, I am asking you this question , "Is it hard to be a Christian in 2012?" 

 I'm looking for pros and cons  with honest answers. Please send me your comment and I will share some of the comments tomorrow.    I really want to hear from you.  Please respond! Your opinion might be how someone else  feels and your comment can help someone who may not be further along in their Christian journey. 
      The scripture this morning talks about our "liberty."  The only way Christians can truly experience liberty is if we are honest enough to deal with those things that hinder and help us. 

Galatians 6:1-4

6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Tomorrow, lets all edify each other.  Send me your comment to post. You can remain anonymous or just say okay to use your name.   The point is  to let your comment be from your heart. Are we in this together or not? You answer!

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Brother Clarence
www.godlyking.com
www.godlykings.blogspot.com

The Flesh- 'Mind Renewal"

     Today is my daughters 12th birthday.  So the first thing I did when she woke was shout, "Happy Birthday!" Then I went into the kitchen warmed her bottle and gave it to her .  Then I changed her diaper and gave her a bath. I brushed her hair and placed barrettes in it and put on her bib for today. My daughter is 12 today!
    Now that is crazy but Christians do it all the time.  We never change our way of thinking but we wonder why life does  not change for the good or we remain stuck in an old way of thinking.  It doesn't work becasue you have outgrown your old way of thinking.  Life has taken you in a new direction.  It's time to renew that mind..
      In your own life, what areas are you still drinking milk when you should be on solid foods?.  How many of us are still whining like little babies every time something does not go the way we want it?  We Refuse to renew our minds with our attitudes and mouth. 
   On Monday, I shared 5 areas to resolving Flesh issues. They are as followed:
1.  Mind renewal
2.  Consecration
3.  Self -discipline
4.  Faith
5.  The grace of God

Romans 121-2

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

    Very simple truth this morning.  If you are  now a size 20, you can't  wear a size 8 anymore.  You have to change your thinking or wear clothes that are too tight.  Men, if your stomach hangs over your pants, you might not want to wear muscle shirts and tank tops out in public.  Times have changed! 

    Renewing the mind for a Christian is just as important as feeding ourselves daily.. We all have to eat to live.  Christians must renew our minds if we want to live successful Christian lives.  It is necesssary!

P.S. No I am not feeding my pre teen or changing her.  Just an illustration! lol!

Brother Clarence

www.godlyking.com

www.godlykings.blogspot.com

9/11

     Regardless of how old you are or what religious preference or difference you might have, on 9/11 life in America changed forever.  It was a day that I will never forget and many people who were alive will never forget.  Thousands of lives were lost and  and families were affected by devastation and tyranny. Our nation was visibly attacked in a way that has changed our every day culture. Now over 10 years later, we still feel  the effects of 9/11.  Travel across America and go to any airport you see and feel the effects.  Visit  New York City and  where the World Trade Center once stood tall and bright hovering over the city's skyline is now a place of memorial, remembrance and reflection.
      9/11 was meant to destroy and defeat us as Americans.  It was orchestrated to change our lives for the worst. It was meant to kill hope and destroy the possibility of recovery.  It was an attempt to bully us and frighten us but it did just the opposite.  Here is a quote from the former Mayor of NYC.

‎"The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic, and religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life. We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom." -Rudolph Giuliani, former mayor of NYC

     One lesson I learned from 9/11 is that the enemy does come but it is how we respond to a crisis and challenge  is how you overcome it.  " Our resolve is strong"  President Bush told us.  America United for a single purpose.  To rebuild and move on.  No, I am not a republican, but 9/11 made me proud to be an American and proud to say that America and freedom was still alive and no attack could change that. We were stronger than the buildings and we had the resolve to pick up and move ahead.

  Today, Bin Laden has been killed by the Obama administration.  Today, we watch  documentaries and films on what happened and we celebrate the heroes of the day.  Be mindful of this: 
"Your adversary(the enemy) walks to and fro seeking whom he may devour." but God!

2Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished:"

Today we are stronger.  Today we are wiser.  Today, I celebrate the resolve of our great nation.  Today, I celebrate being a proud American because if you are in Christ, Greater is He in us than he who is in the world and without Christ our hope. God Bless America and God Bless You!

Brother Clarence
www.godlykings.com
www. godlykings.blogspot.com

What is the Flesh?

Galatians 5:16-24

New King James Version (NKJV)

Walking in the Spirit

¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,^[a] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders,^[b] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
  
     In our Christian journey, one thing we can be certain of is that we will always have to deal with our flesh.  As long as we exist on the earth, our flesh will have cravings and appetites of it's own.  This week, we will look at the flesh.  Examine what it is and how we can overcome it.  Today we answer the question, "What is the flesh?"

Seven definitions of the Flesh
1.  Pleasures or bodily appetites that pull us outside of the will  of God.
2.  Un Christ like attitudes.
3.  Evil tendencies inherited from Adam. ( This would include pre salvation thought patterns or habits brought over from the life you lived before receiving Christ.)
4.  Unchecked natural needs or desires.  (For example: Eating is a natural need  we all have but if we do not balance this natural need we can end up in gluttony.)
5.  Carnal Mindedness ( A mind governed by the senses.)
6.  A strong desire for anything outside of the will of God.
7.  Self centered behavior that ignores the needs and well beings of others.

From these definitions we all should be able to locate ourselves and locate our issues.  We all have a pull to something that our flesh wants but that part is not sin.  If we act on those  desires, cravings, and appetites of our flesh, we enter into sin. In verse 19-20 the bible describes works of the flesh.  That includes our bodies, mouth and heart.   Here are 5 keys to resolving flesh issues:
1.  Mind renewal
2.  Consecration
3.   Self Discipline
4.  Faith
5.  Grace of God

It's now time to do the work.  It's time to do the things that will help us overcome.  Some of us it's sexual sins.  Some of us it's old destructive habits. For some of us it's our mouth..  It is all sin in God's sight and we must all do the work to control our flesh.

Brother Clarence
Author and Family Strategist
www.godlyking.com
www.godlykings.blogspot.com