Reformed Readers

It takes a wartime mentality to realize the need for a strategy. The gospel is being attacked and we have the responsibility to defend it but the Church seems dysfunctional and disconnected from each other. As a whole we seem to have a superficial Christianity. In our local churches we need to be a praying people and to have deep relationships within our Churches, the kind where the iron really grinds the iron. Not fake but loving relationships. We need to promote a closer personal walk with God accompanied by a holy life that boils over into every facet of our life. We need to have a living faith and a life of faith.

Joh 13:35  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Rom 13:8  Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

2Co 13:11  Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Gal 5:13-16 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

1Th 3:12  and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you…

These scriptures show us the need of and error in not loving one another. When I read John Piper’s article ‘The power of books and How to Use them‘ several years ago I thought it would be a good way foster the type of relationships in the church that could example ‘loving one another’ to the world as these scriptures describe. Reading the Bible and other Christ center book is a good way to build relationships within the church. We reap what we sow brothers.

Hos 10:12-13 Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way.….

My first post is a dedication to my wife Heidi. My Katherine von Bora whokeeps me in touch with reality and puts up with all crazy ideas. I love you more.