My Week, my Life, my Walk

Luke 8:11-18
No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.

Today is Sunday, and I am sitting around my dorm room and I can not stop thinking about these verses. Earlier in the week, during my quiet time, these were my verses. Usually I do a lot more at one time. This morning, Thursday to be exact, God wanted to share something with me. I was so excited when I read this. The previous morning, I went over the parable of the four soils. I went to chapel and it was absolutely amazing to hear Dr. Wayne Robertson from Valdosta Georgia, bring a message. I would invite all of you to take 28:04 minutes and listen to his message. http://www.swbts.edu/dashboard.cfm?audioToPlay=chapel/chapel082708_fd1.mp3&fdi=_fd1
(if for some reason the link does not work, go to http://www.swbts.edu/ under search type in chapel achieve and than just find the date 8/27/08 and click and listen) During his sermon I fell under deep conviction, as if the Lord was opening my heart and eyes to things in my life that were not clear before. The scripture is Ephesians 4:16-20 and titled “Goals of Church” His big question was, are people going to church out of duty or a true love? I knew exactly what he was talking about. The part that stuck out to me was when Dr. Robertson began talking about Doctrinal faith/unity and Doctrinal Purity. (A short testimony… I believe with my whole heart that when I was twelve, that I learned about Jesus Christ, I prayed the prayer and my name was written into the lambs book of life. I never was taught what that meant; I never went through a discipleship program. For a period of time in my life, I was running in the total opposite direction in which I currently am. God never giving up on me and a great friend who never judged me, we began this discipleship. I began to learn about Doctrinal Faith/Unity, I committed my life to it. Did I know what that meant? No. Do I know now? No. I am taking everyday to learn though. As Dr. Robertson continued to deliver a message completed devoted to the scripture, I began to understand that I was completely immature in my faith, a mere child. He read verse 13 and he asked, is ministry being worked? He talked about Devotional Purity, how the Christian life is a way of living at everything. He asked us are we exercising Personal Piety, in which we are exercising wisdom in the way we live. Again, I was convicted, I was confused, and I was beginning to understand. Do I fully understand today? No, did it make sense to me? sort of. I was very immature, I made very bad decisions, I was not exercising Personal Piety at all. Lastly, in verse 13 he pointed out the command to edify the body. He said when we are exercising Doctrinal Unity, and you embrace it and it will birth Devotional Purity. So, since Wednesday’s chapel service I have listened to this sermon two more times. The man simply preached the word of God. He did not sugar coat it or make it feel good, he preached it like it is. (I liked that) My rendition of it is only bites and pieces, so I will encourage you again to listen to it and see how God speaks to you.

Side Note: I want to apologize for taking over a month off from this. This past month has been simply Amazing. I have lost 45 pounds and I continue to seek God’s will for me in my life. Oh and yes, I have started classes. I am taking Elementary Greek, Systematic Theology, Cross-Culture Witnessing, and Spiritual Formation. I continue to teach Sunday school. Another one of my students was baptized last week, which makes 3 total since I started teaching. We begin a brand new series next Sunday. I will be teaching the next 3 Sundays. I please ask for your prayers, and I pray our Father in Heaven opens our eyes a little wider and allows all of our lights to shine, SHINE BRIGHT.

To my family…. It was great seeing all of you a few weeks back. I am so blessed to have such an amazing family. I pray God’s warmest blessing on all of you. I’m sorry I was not able to see all of you, but just think… Christmas is only a few months away.