Clever Free Methodist

Does it bother you and make you feel uncomfortable to be around someone who is known for being verbally aggressive, offensively opinionated, and outwardly negative and critical on "hot topic" subjects such as race, sexual orientation, and the government? When they express their opinions, they are not only blunt and animated, but their language and demeanor is a bit course and rough around the edges. Does it also bother you to know that people, like this, are also claiming to be a Christian? I've come into contact with several throughout my life and it definitely leaves me wondering, if not disappointed. As Christians, the Bible is clear that we are not to behave in this way. A critical spirit and quick tempered personality that is harsh and toxic is not an attribute we should display. Christians are different. We are “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16) and we are to be advocates for gentleness and respect (2 Timothy 3:15). We are God’s children and should live

In 1 Peter 5:8, the haunting Scripture passage reads, “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  Were you aware that the Greek word (verb) for “devour” means to “drink down,” “gulp entire” or “swallow”….in other words, we are talking “total consumption” or “complete annihilation” of a person’s life. The reality is that Satan cannot stand the work of an active Christian. Satan is willing to do anything and everything, at any cost, to destroy the work of God in this world. Part of that plan is to destroy you physically, mentally, and spiritually. One of the ways he strategically tries to dismantle us is to keep us busy and too preoccupied with our own agendas, calendars, families, dreams and ambitions.  It is hard to comprehend just how many baptized Christians have succumbed to this ploy of Satan and have become totally caught up in the mad, mindless pursuit of the so-called American dream, the endless c

Mark 1:35 is used often to support personal prayer time that is intentional, void of distractions, and interruptions. It tells of Jesus spending “alone time” with God. It says, “Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray.” We need our own prayer time. We need our “alone time” where it is just “me and God” and nothing else. I am more convinced, than ever before, that there’s no way any of us can reach our full spiritual potential as Christian men and women without developing an intentional, strong, deep life of daily personal prayer. True love demands union. True union with God comes only through the life of prayer. I honestly believe God is not going to fully satisfy your spiritual needs, and you are not going to be entirely pleasing to Him, unless you make the time and the effort to have a strong, deep life of daily personal prayer. Your relationship with God depends entirely on how much and how well you are

Romans 5:8 “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” It is truly amazing to know that God didn’t first put us on a 30-day trial period to see if we could “handle being a Christian” before he would save us. In fact, he sent his Son, Jesus, to us with the risk knowing there was a good chance that he would be rejected and not one, single person would accept his offer of salvation. It was quite a sacrifice. It is what we focus on during the season of LENT . LENT comes from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “Spring.” What happens in Spring? Well, for one, we “Minnesotans” are at least hoping the Winter snow melts away. But, most importantly, the earth comes back to life! Grass becomes green, trees bud and the leaves return, and flowers grow and bloom. That is what Lent is about…about making sure we are spiritually and mentally prepared (ready) for the “coming back to life” of Jesus after he died on the cross! It is making sure we have made a conscious decision to acknowled