“As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.” (Jeremiah 18:6)
This is the statement that God gives right after the prophet Jeremiah has witnessed a potter molding clay into a pot. When the clay did not look like what he hoped it would look like the potter crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. God is making the point here that he is in control and if we don’t do what he says he will crush us and reform us into what he wants. Right? I don’t think so.
I believe God wants the best for us in our lives, and will do what it takes to give us the best of what we need. I also see a God through scripture that will allow us to go our own way. We see it in the story of his people Israel all through the Old Testament. When they wanted a king and he said, “I am your king” they did not listen and went with having a king that they could see in King Saul. So many times people want to make God out to be this guy that sits up in the clouds and makes us do what he wants us to do and if not there is punishment for it. Check yourself. The scripture speaks of a God that wants the best for us from the very start. He sets us up in the beautiful garden and gives us everything we need, but leave it to us humans to mess it up!!! Now, what does God do after he warns us not to mess up and we do? He puts us out of the garden and gives us things that will make life harder. The ground is not going to produce as easy for men and women will have pain in child bearing.
Now, if I were to let someone play with my greatest toy (the garden). I tell them not to mess it up or they will not get to play with again, and guess what they mess it up I take it away and never again let them play with my toy or me and have nothing to do with them. God takes it away for a time, but he wants to give us it back. We spit in his face and say we want a king. He says fine and tells us it will not be good, but we go for it anyways. Wow!!! Are we dumb or what!!! The God that wants to give us everything we need is there for us, but we turn our back on him. Well, God is of great forgiveness and mercy. He tries to get our attention one more time and sends his son to offer us the greatest life we could ever hope for…a life where we will truly live, but says that it will require us to change some things. It will require some re-shaping. It will require that God will have to crush us into a lump of clay again and start over.
Now, God gives us the choice if we want that or not. God wants the best for us, but do we want the best for ourselves? He is the potter. Are we willing to be the clay and let God reshape into someone that will live life to fullest?
I changed my profile pic of my Facebook account recently to a picture of a pot, because I wanted to make a statement that I want to be a Christian that God can shape to be what he wants me to be and not what I think a Christian should be. I am going through a change right now in how I look at life and I have learned that this life is not about me and what I want. Even my Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Blogspot, etc. should be used to bring glory to God daily. The next time I put a picture of myself for my profile it will be a new person. I have the picture of the pot up while God reshapes me and while I lose weight and get myself into better shape where I will be able to do God’s work better everyday and longer with a healthier me in place. I have learned that my weight gain is not just from eating bad and not working out, but it comes from a spiritual battle within as well, because if I truly let God in then I would want the best for my life because that is what he wants for me. This will not be easy, but Jesus never said it would be easy; only worth it.
Soldier of God,
Spencer Gunnels
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Entertaining Angels
Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! (Hebrews 13)
Early on the morning of November 30th, 2010 and that would be 12:30am to be exact I experienced something that I will never forget. It was a cold night and I needed to go get sweats for the next day so I could go walking outside and stay warm. At the same time I thought it would be a great time to get gas for my car. Before I went to Wal-Mart I stopped at the gas station across the street. As I pulled up a man came up to me. This man looked like any other man, but with a certain worry and exhaustion in his eyes. He came up and asked if I could help him buy a tire for his car because he had a blow out and his spare tire was not in working condition. I told him to wait just a second and I would help him out after I got gas. I went inside the station and got some cash and then on my way out asked the Gas Station Employee if he had ever seen this guy here asking for money before and he let me know that he had never seen him before. I had to double check just to cover my basis, because I was thinking about really helping this man out and did not want to put myself in danger.
When I came out he got in my car and we headed over to the Wal-Mart and he proceeded to tell me his story. He was headed with his brother-in-law (who was with the car) from Midland to Terrell, TX, because his mother-in-law was their in the hospital after she suffered from a stroke. He had been on the road right after his long day at work and so that helped explain the exhaustion I saw in his eyes and the worry about his mother-in-law. We pulled up on Wal-Mart and found that his brother had already jacked up the car and was ready for a new tire. We proceeded inside the store to buy a tire but unfortunately the tire store of Wal-Mart was closed and we went back to see if they had the tire they needed, but they did not have the right size. He called a friend to come get them and help them out as he still asked me for money to help when they found a place to buy a tire. While we waited for his friend I stayed and talked to him. We talked and I informed him that I was a minister and that struck up a conversation about God. The night went on and his friend got there and I was still having trouble deciding if I was going to give him money or not. Eventually after talking to him it hit me that it does not matter what he does with the money what matters is that I can help him. Plus money is just money and in the end it will all pass away. I thought about it and I remember scripture that says that God will separate us into two groups one on his left and the other on his right. “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”(Matthew 25) I don’t know about you but I would much rather have eternal life then eternal punishment.
After I gave them the money they headed out to their car. I went back to buy my sweats and I paid for it headed out and guess what I see as I come out of the store…not them or there car. I don’t know where they went, but I know I did not get angry about giving the $20 I gave even it was not for a tire and maybe it was maybe it wasn’t and who am I to judge. What if, and just maybe, you can call me crazy, but what if those men were angels? “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (Hebrews 13:2)
It is not an easy choice to make to help people out that you don’t know, but Jesus never said it would be easy; only worth it.
Soldier of God,
Spencer Gunnels
Early on the morning of November 30th, 2010 and that would be 12:30am to be exact I experienced something that I will never forget. It was a cold night and I needed to go get sweats for the next day so I could go walking outside and stay warm. At the same time I thought it would be a great time to get gas for my car. Before I went to Wal-Mart I stopped at the gas station across the street. As I pulled up a man came up to me. This man looked like any other man, but with a certain worry and exhaustion in his eyes. He came up and asked if I could help him buy a tire for his car because he had a blow out and his spare tire was not in working condition. I told him to wait just a second and I would help him out after I got gas. I went inside the station and got some cash and then on my way out asked the Gas Station Employee if he had ever seen this guy here asking for money before and he let me know that he had never seen him before. I had to double check just to cover my basis, because I was thinking about really helping this man out and did not want to put myself in danger.
When I came out he got in my car and we headed over to the Wal-Mart and he proceeded to tell me his story. He was headed with his brother-in-law (who was with the car) from Midland to Terrell, TX, because his mother-in-law was their in the hospital after she suffered from a stroke. He had been on the road right after his long day at work and so that helped explain the exhaustion I saw in his eyes and the worry about his mother-in-law. We pulled up on Wal-Mart and found that his brother had already jacked up the car and was ready for a new tire. We proceeded inside the store to buy a tire but unfortunately the tire store of Wal-Mart was closed and we went back to see if they had the tire they needed, but they did not have the right size. He called a friend to come get them and help them out as he still asked me for money to help when they found a place to buy a tire. While we waited for his friend I stayed and talked to him. We talked and I informed him that I was a minister and that struck up a conversation about God. The night went on and his friend got there and I was still having trouble deciding if I was going to give him money or not. Eventually after talking to him it hit me that it does not matter what he does with the money what matters is that I can help him. Plus money is just money and in the end it will all pass away. I thought about it and I remember scripture that says that God will separate us into two groups one on his left and the other on his right. “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”(Matthew 25) I don’t know about you but I would much rather have eternal life then eternal punishment.
After I gave them the money they headed out to their car. I went back to buy my sweats and I paid for it headed out and guess what I see as I come out of the store…not them or there car. I don’t know where they went, but I know I did not get angry about giving the $20 I gave even it was not for a tire and maybe it was maybe it wasn’t and who am I to judge. What if, and just maybe, you can call me crazy, but what if those men were angels? “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (Hebrews 13:2)
It is not an easy choice to make to help people out that you don’t know, but Jesus never said it would be easy; only worth it.
Soldier of God,
Spencer Gunnels
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The Masterpiece
Masterpiece: The most outstanding work of art by the most creative artist.
This past week (starting with last Saturday) has been a crazy busy one. It involved a show, preaching, finishing up a class, starting a new class, subbing, traveling, and my birthday. It was overall a great week to be alive. Everyday has been a blessing with a lot of time spent thinking about God and what He has in store for all of us.
Like I said it all started with a show. I was invited out by the Sunnyvale School Distract to perform at their fall carnival. It was very interesting performing at an event that was not a church event, but either way I still put on the same show I always do. It was cool to get out there and do that because I felt like Paul on the street corners preaching the word. On top of the great message that is bigger then all of us that I got the privilege to bring it was fun just simply because a lot of the kids that I sub for all the time were there rocking out to the music. Well, right after the show I got on the road for the trip to San Antonio where I would be speaking at the youth rally on Sunday night.
I had a safe trip and fun one at that, because anytime I get to travel it gives me a chance to think on life and what has gone on. It serves as a time for me to catch up with myself. I got in late to the Glenn house and also Josh came in to help out and hang out. The next day, Sunday, was a busy day. It all started at 7am when we woke up to head to the church building early to get some work done. The bible class was great and it was good to see some of the kids that I knew and see how they were doing. Then, after church Andy, Josh and I got to work setting up for that night and the youth rally. A couple hours later all the youth groups showed up and we got it under way with the focus of the night on “The Masterpiece” the topic that I got to choose. This is what I really want to share with you in this blog.
In Ephesians 2:1-10 is the beautiful story of the gift of grace. The first three verses talk about how at one time we were ruled by our sinful nature being led by the ruler of the dark world who is the Devil. He had us wrapped around his finger, because he gave us what we wanted and not what we needed. Still today this is the problem. Well, the verses go on and God rocks our world in verse four and five it says, “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of OUR sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” God is so rich in mercy and offers us true love, and if fact it is so much that we cannot even understand it, but He did it. THAT IS SO COOL!!! Then guess what…He makes us into something that is completely new. God does not just come in and wash off all the bad stuff, but He comes in a gives us a whole new self. Why? He did it so that He can point to us and show His incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us. God is SO GOOD!!!
The biggest thing we need to understand from this is in verse eight it reads, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” Life. True Life. It is a gift from God. In the beginning God created the world and in it He created birds, fish, beast, and like most artist He did not stop until He had His masterpiece. He created us and now He has created us anew in Christ Jesus. For we are God’s Creation…For we are God’s Workmanship…For we are God’s handiwork…For we are God’s Masterpiece!!!
Masterpiece: The most outstanding work of art by the most creative artist.
God is the most creative artist and you and me…we are His most outstanding work of art. We are His masterpiece. Take this and know that you are loved and have been made very special. Life sometimes gets in the way and likes to make you believe otherwise, and with that just know that Jesus never said it would be easy; only worth it.
Soldier of God,
Spencer Gunnels
Ps. My Birthday was fun even though I spent most of the day on the road. The rest of this week has been great subbing and just living life.
This past week (starting with last Saturday) has been a crazy busy one. It involved a show, preaching, finishing up a class, starting a new class, subbing, traveling, and my birthday. It was overall a great week to be alive. Everyday has been a blessing with a lot of time spent thinking about God and what He has in store for all of us.
Like I said it all started with a show. I was invited out by the Sunnyvale School Distract to perform at their fall carnival. It was very interesting performing at an event that was not a church event, but either way I still put on the same show I always do. It was cool to get out there and do that because I felt like Paul on the street corners preaching the word. On top of the great message that is bigger then all of us that I got the privilege to bring it was fun just simply because a lot of the kids that I sub for all the time were there rocking out to the music. Well, right after the show I got on the road for the trip to San Antonio where I would be speaking at the youth rally on Sunday night.
I had a safe trip and fun one at that, because anytime I get to travel it gives me a chance to think on life and what has gone on. It serves as a time for me to catch up with myself. I got in late to the Glenn house and also Josh came in to help out and hang out. The next day, Sunday, was a busy day. It all started at 7am when we woke up to head to the church building early to get some work done. The bible class was great and it was good to see some of the kids that I knew and see how they were doing. Then, after church Andy, Josh and I got to work setting up for that night and the youth rally. A couple hours later all the youth groups showed up and we got it under way with the focus of the night on “The Masterpiece” the topic that I got to choose. This is what I really want to share with you in this blog.
In Ephesians 2:1-10 is the beautiful story of the gift of grace. The first three verses talk about how at one time we were ruled by our sinful nature being led by the ruler of the dark world who is the Devil. He had us wrapped around his finger, because he gave us what we wanted and not what we needed. Still today this is the problem. Well, the verses go on and God rocks our world in verse four and five it says, “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of OUR sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” God is so rich in mercy and offers us true love, and if fact it is so much that we cannot even understand it, but He did it. THAT IS SO COOL!!! Then guess what…He makes us into something that is completely new. God does not just come in and wash off all the bad stuff, but He comes in a gives us a whole new self. Why? He did it so that He can point to us and show His incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us. God is SO GOOD!!!
The biggest thing we need to understand from this is in verse eight it reads, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” Life. True Life. It is a gift from God. In the beginning God created the world and in it He created birds, fish, beast, and like most artist He did not stop until He had His masterpiece. He created us and now He has created us anew in Christ Jesus. For we are God’s Creation…For we are God’s Workmanship…For we are God’s handiwork…For we are God’s Masterpiece!!!
Masterpiece: The most outstanding work of art by the most creative artist.
God is the most creative artist and you and me…we are His most outstanding work of art. We are His masterpiece. Take this and know that you are loved and have been made very special. Life sometimes gets in the way and likes to make you believe otherwise, and with that just know that Jesus never said it would be easy; only worth it.
Soldier of God,
Spencer Gunnels
Ps. My Birthday was fun even though I spent most of the day on the road. The rest of this week has been great subbing and just living life.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wake Up: The Movement
The lights went out and all you hear is the simple phrase “wake up” whispered through the crowd. Then voices join in and it builds up to the singing of Ephesians 5:14 “Wake Up, O Sleeper, Rise From The Dead.” The Show has started.
It was so much fun. On Saturday Night October 30th, 2010 at At The Cross Church of Christ in Mesquite, TX. I will always remember that night as the night the Wake UP Movement started. I just want to say thank you to everyone that came out to enjoy this event. I hope you had fun, and learned something about yourself and relationship with Christ. The night was full of great words as we got into the scripture a couple of times to read what God had to say to us. Thanks also to J. Withrow, Explicit, and Redeemed of Rekonciled coming out and bringing a word from their own songs to the show. It was great being able to fellowship with people that love God and love doing the music thing to tell others about him.
I would have to say the coolest part of the night was right before the show when the other artist and I were back stage just simply hanging out and talking about nothing. We were just 5 men who love God enjoy each others company while we were about to minister. Good Stuff. Then the best part of the night had to be at the very end when Brother James prayed over us and the ministry that it would take off and multiply. It was so great. I had a ton of fun preaching the word and I hope to keep telling others about God in the best way that will be heard by others. To God Be The Glory. If you did not get to make it out to the show the check it out at www.youtube.com/SGforChrist.
Follow up from my last blog…I hope that you took it and have started to live out the Christian life. So many times we talk about the sinful things we do that makes God sad. We need to step up and stop feeling sorry for ourselves and make war against the devil and his armies by doing the good things that God calls us to do. He calls us to so much more then not sinning. He calls us to live the life He lived and that included so much more then focusing on not sinning, but more it focused on getting His message of love out to those that needed to hear it. We may not have tomorrow so let us start making war today. Jesus never said it would be easy; only worth it.
Soldier of God,
Spencer Gunnels
It was so much fun. On Saturday Night October 30th, 2010 at At The Cross Church of Christ in Mesquite, TX. I will always remember that night as the night the Wake UP Movement started. I just want to say thank you to everyone that came out to enjoy this event. I hope you had fun, and learned something about yourself and relationship with Christ. The night was full of great words as we got into the scripture a couple of times to read what God had to say to us. Thanks also to J. Withrow, Explicit, and Redeemed of Rekonciled coming out and bringing a word from their own songs to the show. It was great being able to fellowship with people that love God and love doing the music thing to tell others about him.
I would have to say the coolest part of the night was right before the show when the other artist and I were back stage just simply hanging out and talking about nothing. We were just 5 men who love God enjoy each others company while we were about to minister. Good Stuff. Then the best part of the night had to be at the very end when Brother James prayed over us and the ministry that it would take off and multiply. It was so great. I had a ton of fun preaching the word and I hope to keep telling others about God in the best way that will be heard by others. To God Be The Glory. If you did not get to make it out to the show the check it out at www.youtube.com/SGforChrist.
Follow up from my last blog…I hope that you took it and have started to live out the Christian life. So many times we talk about the sinful things we do that makes God sad. We need to step up and stop feeling sorry for ourselves and make war against the devil and his armies by doing the good things that God calls us to do. He calls us to so much more then not sinning. He calls us to live the life He lived and that included so much more then focusing on not sinning, but more it focused on getting His message of love out to those that needed to hear it. We may not have tomorrow so let us start making war today. Jesus never said it would be easy; only worth it.
Soldier of God,
Spencer Gunnels
Friday, November 5, 2010
Therefore: in consequence of that; as a result.
In Matthew 28 verses 18-20 it says, “Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In this scripture it uses the word “therefore” and any time you see this in scripture it means I said all that to say this. I find this “therefore” to be very powerful because it comes right after Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Also, He says this after He lived the life He did, died, came back from the dead to say, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”
Then, we see this great commission of sorts yet again in Acts 1:8. It reads, “He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In my Acts bible class this scripture was drilled into our head, because it is very important. This scripture is the mission statement, thesis, the focus of the whole book of Acts, but more importantly it should be the mission of the church always.
Jesus came from all His glory in heaven to come and show love to the lost of His day. In Mark 2:16-17 it reads, “When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” We see all through out scripture that we are to be like Jesus. It even says that He came to leave us an example that we should follow in His steps.
So What??? What does this have to do with you? Well, If scripture says all this then we should do it…right? There is scripture that tells us we should do what it says. In James 1:22-24 it says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” In the same book just a chapter over it says that we must DO work, because without deeds our faith is useless.
In James 2:14-20 it reads, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
Is it not clear that when scripture says something we must do it? So, does that mean we do some things like have elders, deacons, and church weekly, but not do the great commission??? No, we must do it all!!! Jesus came back from the dead to fulfill the law and then tell us to go and tell others about His great love. Unfortunately, we as Christian in this nation have not done all that we can, but more specifically I notice this in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It is sad that ministers are having to leave there established churches that have been around for 50plus years to go and plant a church that will do outreach. They are leaving because the leadership of churches have lost sight of what is really important in this life. There is so much more to church then the weekly worship service, married couple ministries, and the budget. We don’t get that and that is why the scripture says wide is the road to destruction and narrow the way that leads to life. In Matthew 25:31 and following it reads, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left…(the ones on His left are those that do what He said to do.) “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
As Scripture says,(in Romans 10) “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Overall, in this town we got some ugly feet, because we are NOT doing the great commission justice!!! WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET IT!!! This is a call to all people that call themselves Christian!!! GO!!! This scripture is not just for paid ministers, but this scripture is to all people that want to be more like Christ. I love you all and pray everyday we can be more like Christ. I pray thanksgiving for those that are living like Christ by doing the great commission. Jesus never said it would be easy; only worth it!!!
Soldier of God,
Spencer Gunnels
In Matthew 28 verses 18-20 it says, “Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In this scripture it uses the word “therefore” and any time you see this in scripture it means I said all that to say this. I find this “therefore” to be very powerful because it comes right after Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Also, He says this after He lived the life He did, died, came back from the dead to say, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”
Then, we see this great commission of sorts yet again in Acts 1:8. It reads, “He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In my Acts bible class this scripture was drilled into our head, because it is very important. This scripture is the mission statement, thesis, the focus of the whole book of Acts, but more importantly it should be the mission of the church always.
Jesus came from all His glory in heaven to come and show love to the lost of His day. In Mark 2:16-17 it reads, “When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” We see all through out scripture that we are to be like Jesus. It even says that He came to leave us an example that we should follow in His steps.
So What??? What does this have to do with you? Well, If scripture says all this then we should do it…right? There is scripture that tells us we should do what it says. In James 1:22-24 it says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” In the same book just a chapter over it says that we must DO work, because without deeds our faith is useless.
In James 2:14-20 it reads, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
Is it not clear that when scripture says something we must do it? So, does that mean we do some things like have elders, deacons, and church weekly, but not do the great commission??? No, we must do it all!!! Jesus came back from the dead to fulfill the law and then tell us to go and tell others about His great love. Unfortunately, we as Christian in this nation have not done all that we can, but more specifically I notice this in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It is sad that ministers are having to leave there established churches that have been around for 50plus years to go and plant a church that will do outreach. They are leaving because the leadership of churches have lost sight of what is really important in this life. There is so much more to church then the weekly worship service, married couple ministries, and the budget. We don’t get that and that is why the scripture says wide is the road to destruction and narrow the way that leads to life. In Matthew 25:31 and following it reads, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left…(the ones on His left are those that do what He said to do.) “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
As Scripture says,(in Romans 10) “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Overall, in this town we got some ugly feet, because we are NOT doing the great commission justice!!! WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET IT!!! This is a call to all people that call themselves Christian!!! GO!!! This scripture is not just for paid ministers, but this scripture is to all people that want to be more like Christ. I love you all and pray everyday we can be more like Christ. I pray thanksgiving for those that are living like Christ by doing the great commission. Jesus never said it would be easy; only worth it!!!
Soldier of God,
Spencer Gunnels
Monday, September 27, 2010
Wake Up: First Steps
Today, September 27, 2010 I have started my first steps to healthy living, and I did that by simply taking a walk around the block, cutting out sodas cold turkey, and laying off the sweets. This is going to be a mission that almost seems impossible, but I know with the support of friends and family I will be able to do it. And also with help from all of my friends here that read my blogs I will need your help too. I just realized with my album “Wake Up” coming out that it was something I needed to really start doing and for real this time. I cannot be telling everyone else to wake up and start living their lives better if I am living here in this body, which is the temple of God, not taking care of it and expect people to listen to what I have to say. So, for the sake of being able to spread the Gospel to the most effective way I am making this know to everyone. Let Us Do This!!! Remember, in Ecclesiastes 4:12 it says, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Just think if three is not easily broken what do you think one hundred, one thousand, or even one million people could do if they all worked together for the purpose of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. But again this is only the first steps to a greater good. It all starts here with a mission to all those that read this that you will Wake Up and help spread this and make it a true movement.
WAKE UP!!!
ARE YOU READY!!!
Along with this blog today I am releasing a lot of new videos and blogs as well. You can find these on my websites… www.youtube.com/SGforChrist www.purevolume.com/SoldierofGod www.myspace.com/fighterforthechrist www.facebook.com/fighterforthechrist www.fighterforchrist.blogspot.com
SG: Soldier of God,
Spencer Gunnels
Wake Up: The Album
My album titled, “Wake Up” is done. Actually, Saturday I sent everything off to get it duplicated so everyone will be able to enjoy this message with me. I am so excited to have it done and to be able to share it with everyone the message that it brought to me and changed my out look on life. This album is a word of what God has taken me through in my life the past couple years (from high school till now about 4 years). Through everything in my life one message has rung true and loud, and that is the message that this album brings. When are we going to wake up? The scripture reads in Ephesians 5:15-17, “Be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” The Lord wants us to WAKE UP and live this out right. The Lord calls us to spread this word to others, because before we know it He will be back to take us home. We need to stop living this life like it’s a game! We need to stop living by what we want in our religion and start living in a relationship with God which is what God wants for us. Let us WAKE UP!!!
-INSIDE LOOK: TRACK LIST and FEATURED ARTIST-
1: Wake Up Intro (ft. J.Withrow, Homeward Bound)**
2: Wake Up**
3: Salvation Revelation**
4: Turn Around (ft. J. Withrow)**
5: We’re Forgiven (ft. J. Withrow)**
6: Street Talk v. 2**
7: Trying So Hard^*
8: I’ll Get By (ft. KT of Rekonciled, Josh Duncan)*
9: Got A Problem*
10: Ima Soldier Interlude**
11: Soldier of God (ft. Explicit, J. Withrow)**
12: Now’s The Time (ft. Rekonciled)^*
13: Gotta Go^*
Bonus: We’re Forgiven Remix (ft. Rekonciled, J. Withrow)**
I cannot wait to share this album with you. The single “Soldier of God” will be released today to give a taste of what you can expect to hear. I hope you are ready for the message and call that this album will bring. Christians LET’s DO THIS!!! WAKE UP!!! Hey, Jesus Never said it would be easy; only worth it!!!
-Be watching-
www.facebook.com/fighterforthechrist
www.myspace.com/fighterforthechrist
...for details on how you can get a hold of this album and share it with your friends.
SG: Soldier of God,
Spencer Gunnels
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