October 23, 2006

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

            Things they are a changing. Yet, the more they change, the more they stay the same. “There is nothing new under the sun,” said Solomon; and yet true that we have never gone this way before. We are part of those whose hearts are set on the pilgrimage to Zion, whose strength is in God, and who transform the valley of trouble into a place of springs. As we near our glorious goal, the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world become more clearly differentiated. The imaginary neutral ground disappears. We must choose whom we serve moment by moment. 

Sunday Meeting

            I am certain the Lord told me to start an 11 AM Sunday morning meeting in Dana Point. I resisted and reminded Him of all the reasons this was not a good idea. However, He was clear and He is the Lord. The details for the meeting place and the answers to fleeces were overwhelming.  God willing we will hold the first meeting next Sunday October 29, at the Dana Point Community House. I have attached the flyer for this meeting to this newsletter for any who might be interested in the details. Please pray for this venture that God would use it as He desires for this day. This meeting is no more “church” than the other meetings in houses, offices, coffee shops, and anywhere two or three gather in His name.    

Judgment Day for Christians

            Judgment Day for Christians has already taken place. All sins and offenses were applied to Jesus on the cross, and we are no longer under judgment for sin. Col. 3:13, 14. Rom. 12:1. The only sin that sticks to anyone now is not believing in Jesus. John 16:9. God disciplines us, and corrects us as part of his process of conforming us to the image of His Son, but this is not judgment for sin. That judgment is finished, over and done with.

            Now, God is actually looking for things in our lives for which He can praise us. 1 Cor. 4:5. This will be the judgment for Christians - what we did that pleases Him. Jesus, who is able to keep us from falling, is looking for those things that make it possible for Him to present us before God’s glorious presence without fault, and with great joy. Jude 24. He wants to reward us for the deeds we have done in Him for the least of our brothers.

            Okay, so how then should we live?  Should we sin so that grace abounds? Paul already answered that. If our heart attitude is, “let’s go ahead, sin, and get away with whatever we can,” then the heart we are thinking with is not the new one that Jesus gives. The old, anti-Christ nature has again risen up in this temple of God and says, “Serve me. I am god.” I will not serve that one, especially at this time.

            When I think of the reality that sin is done with, the judgment is finished, and we are free to love and serve God, I want to go all out to serve and share while there is still time. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. I want to change every vestige of thinking that is self-serving, worldly, and egotistical. I want to serve God, His Kingdom, and His righteousness. I want to see the largest possible harvest of the fruit of Christ’s suffering in behalf of every man, woman, and child on the earth.       

            As those who are no longer subject to the judgments of sin, live victoriously. If you are going to err, err on the side of random acts of righteous service and love. Heal the sick, raise the dead, and preach the good news.

Love in Christ Jesus,

Frank