Are you Training?

For while bodily training is of some value, Godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for present life and also the life to come.1 Timothy 4:8 While phyiscal fitness is important; how much more healthier would you be applying the same or greater effort into Godliness? Most lack the discipline for either!

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The Making of Christian

Christians never make themselves Christians… but are made Christians by God.

It is complete and total obedience in a life lived through Christ that makes one Christian. This is not of our own doing by works of achievement in some sort of “Christian” service. Rather, through works of obedience in the sense of obeying God’s Word living your life separated from the flesh and the world. The fruits of your life and your labor always reflect your obedience to God’s Word , submission to His Lordship, and reflect His promises manifested in your life. Thus demonstrating the on going work of Christ likeness proving His work of you being made a Christian.

My Stand

Who I Am

I am a follower of Jesus the Christ, Son of the living God. I believe in total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, , irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the Saints…also known as The Doctrines of Grace. My walk with Christ didn’t start out in these beliefs but diligent study of His Word has lead me to the truth therein. I cannot call myself a Calvinist simply because there are matters I do not agree with. This present day Christianity of easy-believism, cheap grace, and a self pleasing need to chase after signs and wonders, or the newest up and coming Pastor/church only solidifies to me those truths found in the Doctrines of Grace.
I am a husband to Stacy, A father to Josh, Zack, and Elijah. I strive to live my life in obedience to Christ, preaching His Truth, and giving God the Glory daily…. and through Christ For Life Motorcycle Ministries.

Counting The Cost

COUNT THE COST
Statistics reveal that 1.6 billion people worldwide are considered Christians. A recent opinion poll indicated nearly a third of all Americans claim to be born again. Yet there is overwhelming proof that these statistics represent millions who are tragically deceived in a damning false assurance. A gospel presented of easy-believism and cheap grace.
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-33
Salvation is by God’s grace and Grace alone. Nothing a lost, degenerate, spiritually dead sinner can do will in anyway contribute to salvation. It is saving faith, repentance, commitment, and obedience which are all divine works of the Holy Spirit in the heart of everyone who is saved…Period.
When was the last time you heard a pastor or visiting evangelist demand those before them to “Count the Cost”? Saving faith holds no privileges and makes no demands. It protects no coveted sins, or allows any possession or secret indulgence in your life to be greater than Christ. Salvation is both free and costly. Eternal life requires immediate death to self.
We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. Romans 6:6
We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Rom 6:9-11
This is what Jesus meant when he spoke of taking up one’s own cross to follow Him. He was calling for you and I to give up all that we are for all that He is. His demand is implicit obedience which is an unconditional surrender to His Lordship.
And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23
This is what distinguishes true faith from easy-believism profession: true faith produces a heart that is humble, submissive, and obedient. As maturity increases that obedience grows deeper and a genuine believer displays an eagerness to please Christ. Absolutely everything in his life is abandoned over to His Lordship.
Have you truly counted the cost? The only response that will open the gates into the kingdom of God is one of unconditional surrender, and desire for Christ at any cost.