A calling to write what He leads, no matter how uncomfortable...
Because simple daily Christian living is never what we thought it would be
I Go to a Church That Believes in the Resurrection of the Dead
Some of you are already opening your Bibles to Revelation…thinking that my title introduces you to the topic of pre-millennial or post-millennial resurrection of the Church of believers. Well, not so. Neither is this a discussion on the resurrection of Christ, or of all of us who believe that. And believe you me, I do. Nor, is this a lesser statement on the belief that Christ, while He took on man’s form and lived on Earth, called out Lazarus from the tomb, and caused him to live again, in body…for many more years on this earth.
But, imagine, just imagine, if you could say that you attend a church where they practice the power of raising people from the dead.
Many of you will probably turn the page politely and close the publication now. Or, some of you will turn off the computer so as not to read any further into this far-fetched article. But, the seed has been planted, like it or not, and I will be praying that these words will haunt your soul until you study for yourselves and make peace with the power that Christ Jesus has sent us all out with. And, as for the rest of you…welcome. Welcome to the simple thoughts of a simple woman, who is startled by such imaginings and cannot let go of such interesting topics.
What has happened to us as people? When did we regress as power filled Christians?
With the help of television, Hollywood, and news channels…almost all of us are okay with believing the most incredible things. It is even easier to believe the “outrageous” when it is ugly or filled with evil. We say that we can’t believe such a terrible thing, and yet we are not astonished by it or provoked into action by shock.
Let me give you an example. I am a reader of Literature. And, I like history, especially when it comes in the form of a story. I have read countless plots of olden times that include the mindset and actions of a mob. These mobs run people out of town, tar-and-feather unapproved strangers, and take to trial the suspected immoral. There is a lot bad with the mindset of a mob, but one thing you have to give them credit for is… that they are passionate enough about what offends them to take action on it.
Are we?
The most action I think most of us (Believers) take any more is to spread the news. “Did you hear…”, “Did you see on the news last night…”, “Did you know...” are spoken quite a bit in my circles. I am not talking about gossip. Gossip is of course a spreading of information for the hopes of at least slight destruction…usually aided with the elaboration of the truth. No, I am talking about just the simple action of spreading information…like the grocery ads for the week. In my opinion most of us are so well informed about murders, kidnappings, abortions, embezzlements, thefts, and all other scandalous actions that upon each new incident, we are less astonished.
Unless, of course…it is personal
Personal insults against us are astonishing because well…they are personal. The tragedy comes to life because the characters in the story are us. And, sometimes we round up a mob of family and friends to speak out about such a horrific situation. Most of us, in such a personal tragedy, are spending all our energies just trying to survive it, and the good people on the outside of it don’t group a mob together because well…they are on the outside of it. Today, as a whole, we take very little actual action against the evils of this world.
Sadly enough, though, we are still more likely to do this, than to assert ourselves as a passionate mob for the sake of a positive.
“Okay”, you say, “Now I am going to quit reading”. “What in the world do you mean by this?” Well, hang on…it’s not as hard or as deep as you might think. I’m just saying that we don’t get up and jump on positive information the way we should…even when we believe in it. Now, I know my reasons for this and can list you a couple of pages of them. But, I will only site two because I’m pretty sure many of you are in the same boat with me. 1) I have jumped…yes, jumped…before at times and then have been burned or drown, and 2) I have trouble enough finding energy to extinguish all the fires in my life and really don’t have the energy to deal with stuff that seems out of my league.
Yes, I did notice that both of those statements seemed to be very “self” orientated.
So, if someone was to come my way and say…“Hey, did you know that you have the power to heal the crippled and the sick?”… I most likely would smile and push it to the back of my mind. I would do this automatically knowing that someone else…probably many someone-elses surely had more time for such a thing, or were much more called or qualified. And, definitely I would assume that there was someone much more spiritually suitable for such a gift.
I would know from the moment that the information was shared, that I…would not be adding that task to my life.
And then we wonder why people are bored with the church. Why so many are looking elsewhere for any remnant of spiritual excitement or interest or power. It may answer why people are leaving local churches in droves and joining up with groups that promise more…even if it is never delivered.
What is the church you attend promising? Do they preach the gospel anymore…the blood gospel and its non-negotiable expectations? Do they talk about un-heard-of, unlimited hope and peace and security? Do they offer grace the way that God defined grace? Do they teach the power of the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Or, do they take the middle road- average approach and wonder why visitors do not return?
I want to attend a local church that is filled with the Believers of Christ. A church that is, in every way, the Church. But that would be impossible because if I were attending that church than my mere presence would nullify the purity of the membership. Now don’t get yourself in a tiff. You did not just read an article written by an unbeliever. You did not waste your time. I told you in the very first paragraph that I do believe. And, I do.
But…how much?
Do I believe enough to rise to action?
Do I care enough about the failing world around me to become part of the real solution?
Do I see myself as an early Believer of the Church who knows that the price of their beliefs is death?
Do I watch out for the innocent around me and try to bring some sort of healing?
Do I risk my life, my family, my desires, my everything…for the sake of His Kingdom?
Do I believe enough to know that He has sent me out to spread the good news of the gospel, to heal the lame and the sick, to cast out demons, and to raise the dead?
Do I believe in the words of the assignment when He instructed me and commanded me to “Go”?
Do I believe in the power that He has ordained me with?
Do I really believe in Him?
Do you?
In obedience
Rhonda D Loucks
So, if someone was to come my way and say…“Hey, did you know that you have the power to heal the crippled and the sick?”… I most likely would smile and push it to the back of my mind. I would do this automatically knowing that someone else…probably many someone-elses surely had more time for such a thing, or were much more called or qualified. And, definitely I would assume that there was someone much more spiritually suitable for such a gift.
I Go to a Church that Believes in the Resurrection of the Dead
What can you expect? Straight talk, laughable humor, real truth, simple living, and passionate yearning...
all regarding the God that still involves Himself in the details of the lives of His people