Miles Militis

"Change your conduct, or change your name."

During the Miles Miltis Christmas party, Dave shared something really cool from 2 Corinthians 3:2-4. Paul writes to the church of Corinth that they are letters of recommendation of God! This reminded me of a sermon illustration I heard a few months ago about Alexander the Great.

Alexander the Great, who had one of the largest empires in ancient history, was sitting on his throne when one of his guards brought in a young soldier. The boy was brought before Alexander because he had deserted his post. When Alexander first saw him, he was taken by the boy because he had the same colored hair and same eyes as he did. Their conversation went like this:

Alexander: What is your name?

Boy: Alexander.

Alexander: WHAT is your name?

Boy: Alexander.

Alexander: WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

Boy: Alexander.

And then Alexander the Great replied, “Change your conduct, or change your name.”

The young boy, having the same name as Alexander the Great, was asked what his name was multiple times. Alexander the Great replied to him to live up to that name because his name was great. In the same sense, we are letters of recommendation written by God. When we don’t live up to the name and calling we have been given, maybe it’s time to start reflecting on the importance of what it means to be called a Christian—we are His workmanship and His example in this world. We are his letters of recommendation.

Let’s be the salt and the light in this world and give God the praise and glory by being imitators of Him.

when i say i am a christian...

I’m not shouting I’m clean livin’. I’m whispering I was lost, now I’m found. When I say I am a Christian, I don’t speak of this with pride. I’m confessing that I stumble & need Christ to be my guide. When I say I am a Christian, I’m not trying to be strong. I’m professing that I’m weak & need His strength to carry on. When I say I am a Christian, I’m not bragging of success. I’m admitting I have failed & need God to clean my mess. When I say I am a Christian, I’m not claiming to be perfect, my flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it. When I say I am a Christian, I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches so I call upon His name. When I say I am a Christian, I am not holier than thou, I’m just a simple sinner who received God’s good grace, somehow.

- Maya Anelou

daily encouragement from our leader....

“the truth is the truth, 1 plus 1 = 2, no matter how you feel, it’s not going to change.”

Wise words from our wise leader, Allan Buntoengsuk, referring to our faith and the truth of Jesus Christ.  No matter what season we are trucking through, especially those dry and windy seasons, God is the truth, no matter how we feel.  Let’s not base our faith on emotions but on the TRUTH.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

…and that my friends, is the TRUTH.

Quiet servitude

amaranthinehg:

This isn’t meant to be anything too profound or lengthy.
Just something simple I’ve come to notice.

I had a thought on Monday night.  I was one girl in the presence of many within a crowded and lively living room.  Though I was socializing & laughing & seemingly not paying too much attention, my eye was drawn to notice my fellow brothers & sisters in Amaranthine.  And a simple thought came to my mind: “Aww, that’s Amaranthine.” In the presence of the loud social gathering, my dear brothers and sisters were weaving in and out of the crowd, going unnoticed.  One was at the stove melting some caramel.  Another at the counter preparing the bowls of sides.  And yet, another passing out apples to the many in the room.  And at that moment, I realized, I am so blessed to be serving with these brothers and sisters.  They have a quiet servitude about them.  Not that anyone asks them to.  Not that they desire credit for what they’ve done.  That’s why it’s quiet, it goes completely unnoticed.  Or so they thought haha…’cause apparently I noticed it.  In any case, that night, I felt so very blessed to be serving with people possessing such a servant’s heart.

-Christine

amaranthine- you brothers and sisters are such a blessing to me and the people around you.

Confession of sin brings God glory and praise

I came across an interesting verse in the book of Joshua. At first read, it was easy to gloss over, but after studying this particular verse, I found that there was so much to it!

The story starts with the fall of Jericho (ch. 6). After the walls fell on the seventh day in Jericho, God commanded Jacob to destroy everyone and everything except for Rahab, the harlot, and all who were with her. But this guy named Achan decided to not follow God’s command and took things that were under the ban. During Israel’s next conquest, God left them and delivered them to their enemy. Long story short, God revealed to Joshua who was responsible for this defeat and Joshua had a “talk” with Achan. He said:

“My son, I implore you, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and give praise to Him; and tell me now what you have done. Do not hide it from me.” - Joshua 7:19

There’s so much to be said about Joshua as a leader, but that can wait for another post. But what struck me was when Joshua said, “give glory to the Lord… give praise to Him.” Here Joshua was telling Achan that confessing his sin would bring glory to God and give praise to Him.

We confess our sins to God because that act alone recognizes God as righteous and holy. In fact, He is the ONLY righteous and holy being that can judge us impartially—He is the blameless judge. Even though God already knows our sins, by confessing them, we put ourselves lower while lifting Him higher by recognizing that He is righteous. And remember, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins!

Achan and his accomplices were eventually stoned to death, but by confessing his sins, he may have lost his life, but his soul might have been saved. It’s especially easy for me to confess my sins to God in a general sense, but let us make it a habit to ask for forgiveness specifically!