Thorn and Sanctification

Some of us fail to understand the true nature of the Christian life which is unpredictable and expanding called "sanctification". God does not desire to destroy our wills, but to sanctify them. The primary work of Christ in redemption is to justify and sanctify believers. Christians fail by formalizing faith in measure (works) because true Christian life means sanctifying effects of cross carrying and practical obedience. During the sanctification process, Christians need spiritual training which is forming spiritual fruits that we need to arm themselves spiritually to wrestle against the world, the devil and the flesh. This lack of spiritual training is caused by preoccupation with our temporal lives more than our spiritual lives. One of the biggest problems in the Christian life in their sanctification process is lack of motivation to enjoy real intimate communion with a holy God in an eternal sense rather than temporal sense. God never gets into a position where He must answer prayer against His will. Certain extremists, encouraging faith and teaching others that God has made a unilateral temporal covenant from which He cannot escape that all we need to do is to believe to assure our getting anything we want. Such teaching is in radical contradiction to the letter as well as the spirit of the Holy Scriptures. God never made unilateral temporal covenant but instead, He made unilateral eternal covenant. In an example of Paul's thorn, this is a tough problem for us believers; but if we do not know what it means we may at least know what it does not mean. It does not mean that in refusing to remove the thorn in answer to prayer God became guilty of a breach of promise. Christian spiritual training is this: "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me,'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me". (Second Corinthians 12:8-9). Paul wanted the thorn removed but God wanted to teach Paul that "the sufficiency of His grace" in the worst of human circumstances is that when a person is weak in a temporal sense while the person is strong spiritually by God's Grace in a eternal sense. Reading the New Testament, Jesus Christ never made the sharp distinctions between "temporal" and "spiritual" as we do that one of the false concepts we cling to is temporal. Temporal time does not change us but God does when He changes us from within as we walk in Spirit. Our glory lies in withdrawal from all that builds on dust (temporal). If God had wanted us completely out of the temporal world He could have taken us home at the time of our spiritual birth (salvation).

Members of a Visible Local Church

I have been thinking that Carole and I do have our inward conversations with Christ and private worship in spirit on a daily basis. We have not forgotten our Church because they are our spiritual family. A church is an assembly of believers and is made up of real spiritual people. When we look in the mirror, we are the part of the spiritual Church that we are not in harmony, we need to find a way to get back into harmony. We realized that the enemies to getting involved with a local Church is a harmful disharmony. Our own disharmony is when difficulties within our family that interferes our spiritual relationship with the local Church. For us to adjust so that we can be part of the spiritual family, we need to make some changes so that we can attend more faithfully and hopefully be more involved. The Scriptures teach every believers to be committed to a local church where he or she is loved and cared for, instructed in the things Christ commanded, encouraged to grow spiritually, and serving Christ effectively. The classes are intended to help every believer who attends a Church to come to that place of faith, commitment, and fruitfulness. The primary reason to become a participating member is not to gain a personal advantage, but to identify with the characteristics of biblical maturity and commitment to the mission and future of a local church. We have to realize that a local church's accomplishments will depend upon members' spiritual condition. If the people are submitting to the Holy Spirit, who will give them fruit. Quality is measured by the Christ-like living of a local church members. Let the Holy Spirit do what He will through you and see what He does with you. Just allow the Holy Spirit plant the desires to serve the spiritual gift or gifts and watch fellow members affirm your spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 14:12 "So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church." The idea of the spiritual gifts is simply that the Lord uses that gift in a unity, in a unifying way. God will use our spiritual gifts by His Spirit as He wills. Spirit-lead is outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." That we should "not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30) That if we have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make our joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (Philippians 2:1-2). Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16).

About Me... (Updated and Improved)

I posted this in my Blog (as I Posted in other forums in the past). Born: December 1958 in Massachusetts (Near Boston) Age: 47 Hometown: Near Plymouth, Massachusetts College: Somewhere in western NY Year moved to Ohio: 1981 Currently living at: Central Ohio Wife: Carole Children: Dennis, Krista, Sarah, Shannon and Shelby. Years as a Christian: 34+ years. Currently a member of this Church: [URL="http://www.npc-dublin.org/index.html"]Northwest Presbyterian Church[/URL] This church is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), whose motto is "Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith and Obedient to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ." The PCA is a separate denomination from the mainline Presbyterian Church USA, and steadfastly holds to Biblical truth. Studied Christianity, attended churches in almost all denominations and learned just about every denomination's doctrines. In the past, I have been a teacher and deacon for a local deaf Church. Currently, my main ministries are Encouragement for People with Disabilities, Discernment and Teaching. Professionally, I am an accountant and my title at work is “Grants Administrator” and have been working in the same organization for about 25 years. My main duties are accounting, auditing, creating and enforcing policies and procedures. I am legally deaf since birth (Hard of Hearing) and I have Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) (Diagnosed in April 2002). (deafness caused by nerve damage, MS caused by nerve scars.) Typical Interests: Collecting Quotes, Reading the Bible, books and newspapers, debating on CF, spending time with family, relaxing, watching television and going to church. Other Interests (when able): Walking, playing golf, swimming, cycling, bowling. One of my favorite shows is “America Funniest Videos”. One of my best childhood memories: Working in my grandfather’s cranberry bog harvesting cranberries. In the last 25 years, I have been a member of two churches before joining my current Church (Northwest Presbyterian Church which is a member of PCA) and they were: 1. Anabaptist/Mostly Calvinism: Fellowship of Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio (in the 1980's and in the 2000's) 2. Independent Baptist: Mixer of Calvinism and Arminianism (in between) Liberty Baptist Church of the Deaf (late 80's to early 90's) My younger days were mostly Independent Baptist churches which is a mixer of Calvinism and Arminianism (in between) as well as Arminianism and Legalism. I attended Catholic school for 7 years. Other denominations I have visited over the years are Grace Brethren (Anabaptist), Missionary & Alliance, Mennonite, Methodist, Pentacostal, Congregational and many others. I also got mixed up with "Word of Faith" for a short time. No matter what denomination I go to, God will direct me if I aware of it or not. I am learning that God will always lead me to His providential circumstances for my own good, in His will and for His glory. God knows me so well that He will do His providential actions at the very moment of my need according to His will. For the longest time, I thought I have planned and executed my life all by myself but really never aware that my life have always been guided by God. Right now, I am happy where I am because I am having a great relationship with God and I am learning alot from this local church I am now a member.