Bunch of Babies
The author of Hebrews had reached a place in his teaching concerning Jesus that he wanted to expand upon. It concerned the Melchisedecian priesthood.
But read what he says to his readers concerning his inability to continue on the topic.
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:10-14.
There are so many long time Christians today that are a bunch of babies. And frankly, I am a little tired of it.
In the same book the writer admonishes us concerning the gathering of believers as a church body on an ongoing basis, at least once a week as that is the usual and customary appointed time.
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25.
Preachers should not have to harp on this so much. Bosses do not have to remind employees to not forget to come to work tomorrow as they clock out. People know if they don’t show up consecutively they will be fired. Most do not want that so there they are again on the morrow.
I guess people consider the church less important and cannot even maintain a consistent attendance at church just once a week.
In grade school I remember teachers making some nuisance kids do something that today is probably not allowed lest the teacher damage some unruly kid’s psyche or traumatize him for life. Yeah I used the pronoun him. It’s either a him or a her. So be traumatized, I really don’t care. But I digress.
Here is what I had to do more than once. Write a sentence a hundred times pledging to not repeat an offensive behavior.
Today as a Pastor I would like to make Christians write:
I will not miss church anymore.
I will not miss church anymore.
I will not miss church anymore.
I will not miss church anymore.
I will not miss church anymore.
I will not miss church anymore.
I will not miss church anymore.
That is grade school stuff. But unfortunately that
is where a lot of “believers” are today.
I have a lot of teaching to share and a lot of preaching to bring forth. But what’s the point. People aren’t present to receive it and if they were they would be fidgeting after fifteen minutes.
There is a day approaching. Many will not be ready for it.
And it ain’t my fault. -PJF-
I Just Need a Word!
Years ago a coworker/friend invited me to a revival service at her church that night. Back then, I had a lot going on in my life. I didn’t have a home church at the time and I wasn’t comfortable going to services alone. When I said that I would go, she disclosed that the evangelist for the evening was “a little odd” and a little more “excited” than she was used to, but she testified that the man prophesied to her the last time he was there and what he said was true. I already said that I would go, but after hearing all of this new information I was super excited and couldn’t wait!
I did not know who the evangelist was at the time, I just knew that what he was saying was exactly what I needed to hear. He preached from the book of Ruth. Up until then, I had only heard sermons on Ruth with a kinsman redeemer point of view. The focus was always on Boaz and very little on Ruth and Naomi. At the time many “Christian” dating books came out and Boaz was always the focus as well. It cheapened the story for me so when the evangelist announced that he was preaching from the book of Ruth it sort of turned me off.
But, the man of God preached about Ruth’s decision and declaration to denounce her old life and commit herself to her mother-in-law and the God of her mother-in-law. This changed the whole book for me. When it was time, I ran to the altar. I stood and waited to be prayed for. My friend was standing next to me and she was prayed for. I noticed the man of God would come towards me and then turn around and pray for someone else. He would come near me again and then turn again. I must confess, I was a little annoyed… but sometimes it’s just like that. Eventually I was prayed for, but it was a generic prayer.
I left the service a little less than satisfied because I felt the evangelist had a word for me and wouldn’t give it. It might seem a little crazy to think that way, but that’s exactly how I felt. Regardless of how I felt, the message stayed with me. I read that story over and over until it was a part of me. One day as I was thinking about the story of Ruth and everything that happened, I realized that I didn’t need a word from the evangelist. The word of God was already preached and I didn’t need anything or anyone else. What was preached was all the “word” that I needed. It was now up to me to heed the word of God that was given and continue to move forward. -SAF-
Psalms 145 and 150 - Praise Required
Psalm 145:1-10 declares:
1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.
6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.
7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
10 All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.
Well, are you praising God yet? Maybe you think you are exempt because of your religious pedigree, they may not do it this way in your church, or you are a more reserved individual, or you feel there is no need to get so excited about Jesus. Let me share another portion of Scripture with you.
Psalm 150 answers all the questions about praise.
What are we to do?
The Psalm starts out in verse one declaring Praise ye the Lord. So that is what we are talking about today. The order has been given. Praise ye the Lord.
Where should we praise Him? Verse one continues. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. So praise Him in church and wherever else you may find yourself.
Why should we praise Him?
Verse two explains: Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
How should we praise Him?
Verses three through five teach us.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
And then verse six answers the question:
Who should praise the Lord?
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.
Are you breathing? Praise Him!
And in conclusion. once again the proclamation is repeated, Praise ye the Lord.
So, let’s just praise the Lord.
Now you know a little more about the importance of praise. Praise and worship are vital to the life of the believer and the church. Hallelujah! -PJF-
Peterson Park Lakeland, FL. Photo by PJ Flores ©2023 All rights reserved.
For I am the Lord that healeth thee.
Exodus 15:26
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Purpose! Ministries Inc.
16605 Sunrise Lakes Blvd Suite 6
Clermont, FL 34714
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Pastors PJ and Shirley Flores
Purpose! Ministries
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