Lurecrest Stories

We just returned from our Annual men’s “Lake Escape” and these thoughts are in my mind and heart for you all today:

All “disciples are believers; not all believers are disciples.”

A true disciple of Christ is first of all teachable, then dependant and trusting in God alone, then he/she is diligent...about what? About Jesus Christ Who is His/Her life.

The “battle” begins between our recreated spirit (Paul calls us a “New Creation”) and our flesh (our Old Man/Earthly Nature/Sin Nature) the very moment we come to faith in Christ. Oswald Chambers calls this an “altered disposition”...indeed!

Before God redeemed and saved us, we faced “moral choices” that were all on the carnal, self-centered, selfish side of the ledger. After salvation, we face “moral choices” and the conflict widens...it’s now between our “old man” and our “new man.”

“...turning our natural life into a spiritual life.....is done only by a series of moral choices.” (Chambers)

These “moral choices” serve to build spiritual character. We do not go after “character”...character is the fruit of our moral choices. These choices come only from the Holy Spirit revealing God’s will, God’s direction, God’s character if you will, through the Word of God...not our singular opinion of what’s right or wrong.

We have only one outside, objective, and perfect “plum-line”...”standard”...it’s God’s precious Word!

The careful and diligent study, interpretation, and application of God’s wonderful Word is the basis and framework of these critical, daily “moral choices.”

(A short “rabbit trail” on discipleship:)
A maturing “disciple of Christ Jesus” is hungry for this truth and not resistant/not arrogant, not self-trusting, and not slothful or apathetic! Jesus told his “disciples”, just before he ascended to His Father, to go and preach the Gospel (Jesus saves them). This will make disciples! It’s God’s will that we come to know Him and trust Him and become His disciple!!! What a privilege!

A “learner” comes and goes; a "disciple" comes and follows and never leaves!! See what Paul said to Timothy for some good stuff on “discipleship.”

Let’s return to our “moral choices” topic:
These good and moral and Biblical choices are in direct opposition to our once known, comfortable, and WRONG natural, fleshly life. Paul says to “walk in the Spirit”...to walk under the control and influence of the Holy Spirit will flow out naturally into good “moral choices” each day...

Everything is “mental” first; if you don’t’ buy that, take out the brain and see what happens. This is why the Word speaks so much about “transforming the mind” and not “conforming the mind” to the worldly “choices.”

Set your mind and your affections on things above: Jesus!

May the love of God in the great work of the Gospel of Jesus capture your heart today!

Col 1:18b “...that in all things, Christ might have the supremacy.”

Be “salt & light” in your world today,

Jerry