Have a wonderful day IN the Lord!

Bro Curington

Preacher

May this help in your time.  May this give freedom to your Christian walk in building a relationship.

There are two ways in which we may govern our lives.  The first is through rigidity.  The second is through liberty.  One tends to rules.  The other–relationship!

Recently the spirit of the Lord has led me to study a portion of scripture which has afforded me many great truths that I desire to share with you.  It is my intention to bring to you a series of blogs where I will break down Romans 14: 1-5 and detail Paul’s instrumental teaching as it pertains to Christian liberty.  I think it will help understand why some Christians only do well in an environment of rules and why others who have such great liberty, may sometimes find themselves struggling to live right while proclaiming they enjoy a “great relationship”.

Because this will be a multi-part blog, I will not spend a lot of time on fancy endings. We will just end at 700 words or so and pick it up again the next time I write to you.  With that said, it is probable taht no single blog will hold the entire counsel of God.  Please give me the grace in this space to place each truth side by side over the course a few days in order that we may see this truth in it’s entirety for what it should be–illuminating!

In simple terms, there are basically two ways to govern our lives.  We can be lead by the liberty of the Spirit-which is granted to us by the Spirit of God, for we know that where the Spirit of the Lord is there is always liberty. Or we can be kept at bay by rules.  It is not liberty.  It is actually a form of rigidity.

Sometime rules come from the Word of God, and we know that these rules can never be contrary to the leading of the Spirit, for the Holy Spirit would never contradict what the Bible says.  We also have rules placed over us by our God-ordained authority, which again are almost always consistent with the leading of the Spirit.  However, we often find that others who are not directly over us want to place rules over us or feel that we should personally impose more rules upon ourselves.  This is where we must proceed with caution. Why you ask?  Because rigidity without liberty is stupidity!

Don’t get me wrong, rigidity (that is to say rules) is good.  Having boundaries and setting personal standards that we refuse to compromise are integral to our Christian stability, especially when our walk with God may seem dormant or distant.  But they are only beneficial if they are spiritual bumper to keep us IN Christ.

But, again I say, when rigidity infringes upon my Christian liberty it is stupidity.  Jesus Christ came to make us free.  We are to live within boundaries, but when our freedom is dependant upon those boundaries we are bound, not free.  Therefore, it is counterproductive to allow ourselves to be made free by rules that squelch the liberty bestowed upon us by the Spirit of God.  We are to be made free by a relationship that leads us to obey all of His rules out of appreciation and selflessness.  Thus, we must strive to strike a healthy balance between the two.

Romans 14: 1 says, Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.  In this verse, is Paul referring to the faith of justification (believing that Jesus died for your sins), or is he referring to the faith of sanctification (allowing Christ to live his life through you)?  Well, friend, he must be referring to sanctification because the faith of justification is either all or nothing.  You cannot be weak in your salvation!  So Paul must be speaking about those who are weak in their ability to yield to the sanctified Christian life.  Keeping that truth in mind, Paul goes on to tell us that we are to receive those who are weak-those who struggle.  The weak in faith are more often then not those who allow rigidity to dominate over their Christian liberty.  That is to say, they focus on obeying rules and boundaries rather than on the intimacy of their walk and the selfless sacrifice of their personal agenda’s. This ultimately hinders their relationship with the Lord and limits the liberty and power that is found in the abundant, Spirit-filled life.

Furthermore, Paul tells us to receive these weak, rules dominated people of rigidity, but not to doubtful disputations.  This means that we are to embrace these rigid Christians not for the sake of argument or criticism, but rather to show them something better-a better way!  It is our responsibility to demonstrate, and even teach, the Spirit-filled life of liberality to those “weak in faith” (rigidity dominated Christians).

We that strive to live the liberated Christian life can often learn from those who lean toward rigidity, but we do not stand to gain nearly as much as those whom Romans 14: 1 is referring to.  It is by our influence that the spiritually rigid will ultimately discover the freedom found only through the liberty afforded by the Holy Spirit!

Are rules wrong?  Of course not!  Are rules necessary?  Of course they are!  But rules without relationship eventually lead to rebellion.

Part Two

Good morning! If you happened to have missed my last posting, allow me to fill you in.  We are in the process of studying a portion of Scripture that has helped my staff and me to realize a previously undiscovered avenue to true Christian freedom!  That’s right, I believe Romans 14:1-5 contains the truths necessary to strengthen and protect your Spirit-filled life and reach a new personal pinnacle with your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Romans 14:1 we saw that there are two basic ways to govern our lives: Liberty and Rigidity.  Liberty is found by adhering to the leading of the Holy Spirit; while rigidity is the rules or boundaries that we or others place over us.  We discussed the role and importance of these two forms of governance as they relate to each other and also established what, exactly, is the source of each.  Furthermore, we learned that it is the responsibility of those of us who strive to live the liberated Christian life to demonstrate, and even teach, the Spirit-filled life found through Christian liberality to our weaker brethren who are dominated, and thus “held back” by rigidity.

That being said, let us now take our study a step further. In Romans Chapter 14:2, the Apostle Paul tells us, For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Hmm. . . what in the world is he talking about here?  Well, friend, Paul is giving us a metaphor that demonstrates the fact that being governed by a Spirit-filled liberated life is indeed demonstrative of a stronger faith IN Christ and thus renders a greater measure of freedom from the power of sin!

You see, the “one” who BELIEVES that he may eat all things does so because he BELIEVES that he can-He has FAITH! And not just any faith, but a strong faith that is found only by adhering to the Spirit of God and embracing the liberty that God has set before us!

Conversely, we see “another” who limits himself to only herbs.  Why does he do this, you ask?  Because he believes that he is only permitted to do so-he is the one whom God indicates here has a faith that is WEAK! This individual has limited his freedom IN Christ by subjecting himself to rules and boundaries that are not consistent with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Paul clearly shows us the danger of being a rigidity focused Christian.  Friend, the Lord has a wonderful and perfect life custom-designed just for you. . . all you have to do to enjoy it is to be consistently led of the Holy Spirit.   It is my opinion that the purpose of Romans 14:2 is to make us aware of the trap that results from being dominated by rigidity.  By falling into this “trap” we will certainly stymie our ability to experience the freedom that is found through the Spirit-filled life!  Do not allow yourself to become rigid when the Spirit of God is leading you contrary-allow yourself to enjoy the liberality of the Holy Spirit.

Once again, I want to reiterate that the presence of boundaries and rules is indeed imperative in the life of a Christian.  When our faith falters, as occurs to all of us on occasion, it is our character-imposed boundaries that will keep us upright until communication with the Lord is restored.

Keeping that truth in mind, allow me to conclude with this: The Bible clearly says in Romans 14:2 that the “one” who is focused on rigidity is weak, and the “one” focused on liberty is strong. . . Why? Because he BELIEVES!

If we will simply BELIEVE the Spirit-filled life, my friend, our lives will change forever!

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord,

Bro Steve Curington

2.   THE SECOND FEAR OF THE LORD IS SO WE BUILD A STRONG FOUNTAIN OF LIFE.

FOUNTAIN IS BLESSINGS, FOUNTAIN IS GOD’S BLESSINGS THAT ARE FLOWING FROM A SPRING THAT DOES NOT DRY UP.  IS YOUR SPRING DRYING UP?  IS YOUR SPRING DRIPPING? IS YOUR SPRING OR FOUNTAIN FLOWING DEATH OR LIFE?  MY FOUNTAIN IS TO FLOW LIFE THAT NOURISHES THE WHOLE FAMILY AND THOSE AROUND ME.

Friday, January 8, 2010

25 out soul winning with 3 saved – AMEN

Don’t forget T-N-T Classes starting on Sunday, January 17, 2010.  Bro Jim will survey for us the book of John and Bro Derek the book of Acts.  5:00 – 5:50PM

GOD DOES NOT APPRECIATE WHAT HE DOES NOT INITIATE

Good morning! You’ve heard the statement many times:  “actions speak louder then words!”  That little statement is so true.  But do you know that there is something that speaks louder than actions?  It is our RE-actions.

Many people can discipline themselves to act like Christ.  But it is much more difficult to train your soul to react like Christ.  When faced with unfortunate or difficult circumstances in life, it is our reactions that reveal whether we are spirit controlled       or         soul     controlled.

This fact is at the core of all we teach at RU.  If our relationship with the Lord is weak, we can clearly see such weaknesses not only by our failures to act right, but also by our consistently inappropriate reactions.  At least that is how I am able to measure myself.  It is sad but true that when I am not Holy Spirit led in my life that my interpersonal skills go down the tank.

In other words, in some ways, I have a very poorly trained soul.  I don’t advocate that, for a well trained soul is simply the definition of “character”.  And though I have many good character qualities in my life for which I am grateful, patience with the perceived shortcomings of others is not one of them.  Thus, whenever I become harsh or quicktempered, I am quickly aware I am weak spiritually and not in tune with the Spirit’s leading.

So, for this one thing I am very grateful.  I have never really figured out how to ACT like Christ without His compelling direction and my complete surrender.  Now don’t get me wrong.  I would really rather, at times, be able to “fake it till I make it!” Spiritually speaking of course.  In other words, I surely wish that I could just “do the right thing” when I am distant from Him.

But folks, it’s not about doing the right thing.  It’s about doing things right!  The right way for us to live our lives is not to ACT like Christ but to YIELD to Christ.  When we teach ourselves out of habit or sure determining will power how to act like Jesus would act, we are “being Holy”.  We are making an attempt to DO Holy!

His Holiness is something we are asked to BE, not DO.  To do right is much easier than to be right (maybe not for me, but for most others).  Now, what is the difference.  Well, the Bible clearly defines throughout Scripture what is right and what is wrong.  When we are serving Jesus within our own power, then some of us can do right some of the time and some of us can do right most of the time but none of us can do right all of the time.  Yet just because you are able to do right in your own power more or better than another believer doesn’t mean that you are yielding to Christ.  It usually means that you just have more intestinal fortitude to act like Christ.  But you are not pleasing Christ if you are doing right your self for that is self righteousness.  I know people who live in UNRIGHTEOUS WICKEDNESS who still do a lot of right things most every day and in some ways do them better than many believers.

But the real love, joy and peace is found in “doing things right”.  The right way to do things is to do things right.  That right way is His WAY.  Jesus said I am the WAY (John 15:6).  If we develop the relationship that He so covets with us, than we will see ourselves more inclined to do right because we ARE right.  It is that inclination  of Spiritual intuition that brings “His life in us” to fruition.

Living a life yielded to Christ’s leading is the only way to live a holy life.  Of course, as long as we are human, we will fail to be holy all the time.  But just remember that when you are training yourself through sheer discipline, you may do a lot of things in  a holy way, but that does not mean you have been holy.  To be or even do with consistency that which is Holy, it must emanate from that which is HOLY within us.  Remember that in me, that is in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing.  But IN me, that is, in my Spirit dwelleth the One on Whom I should cling!

God wants us to yield, not act.  If we yield, He will act for us.  If we act rather than yield He is rendered useless to that particular circumstance.  That does not please Him.  God does not appreciate what He does not initiate.

Bro. Steve

God Bless

Preacher

What a great time to remember our Saviour.

*The white snow resembles Christ washing away our sin.

*The many more cars on the road resembles the spiritual traffic taking place by His angels in and out of heaven that proclaimed His birth.

*The many more people in the malls and to see Santa Claus, the direct need for giving and getting love resembles seeing Christ’s love for us.

*The Lights, Christmas trees, and stars hanging on the ceiling resemble the hope and urge to look up to Him.

NBC you cannot stop the tide or wave of the world taking the attention from Christ but you can think in a different frame of mind. Christ is seen in it all, Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

The Christian life is not a just a 9-day wonder, but an everyday ponder.

This video has a good truth to ponder this Holiday Season, Take a look…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPViKJRHyZo

Merry Christmas NBC, We Love You

From Preacher and Family

As Pastor I am so thankful for our people at NBC. You are such a blessing to me and my family. I have so many things to be thankful for that I am writing this blog to share with you what you mean to me.

I pray it will be a blessing to you as we serve God together until we see Jesus.

2009 has been a busy but an exciting year for us all. We had our soul winning marathon, our youth soul winning marathon, our Spring and Fall programs, etc. Every one of them we saw many come to know Christ. We have seen many Baptized, not a record year but we continue to follow our Lord in obedience.

I have seen our people grow and mature in the Lord. You have seen God more evident in your life and being conscious of the Holy Spirit. As we get older we become, if not careful, stuck in our ways and begin to adapt only to the things we want. In our minds we say, “this is the way we always have done it” but in reality you have been so good to allow the preacher to lead and follow the Holy Spirit’s lead, of this I am thankful.

We have seen many (100’s) of prayer requests answered, the Lu family, the Heflin family, the Rodas family, the Adkins Family, the Muirhead family, the Birchmore family, the Wong family, and the list goes on… How could we deny God’s greatness and care.

We have seen the Devil work harder this year than any year in the past. He is out to destroy our testimony, our church , our unity, to change our love to hate, our care to empathy, our reaching out to selfishness. He hates this church for he is our true enemy. He is the arch enemy of God and is out to discredit God’s faithfulness and power. Our families have been hurt by him, our relationships have been scared by him, our walk with God we have allowed to be hindered by him. In all this we at NBC have been overcomers. He may at times have won the battle but he will lose the war.

I am thankful for the visitors you brought, the pot luck’s, and the fellowship around the stoves of conversation.

As our family grows up and all the time and effort put into them becomes evident of our training, they must at sometime leave the nest and spread their wings of flight. We pray that we taught them enough to fly, to walk with God on their own, to work hard, to study hard, to be led where God wants him, and remember what God has done in their lives. As my eldest son begins to fly on his own I weep for him because he to must learn to be close to God, learn to handle problems, be loyal and true to authority. He to must realize that problems and heartache are apart of life. I pray working in his church taught him to do and see just that. We have about 8 more months before he heads off to college and then will he put all into practice what he has been taught and trained to do. I am thankful for (you) our church that has instilled into him truth, God, Holy Spirit, character over convenience, holiness, strength over weakness, loving vs hatred, building instead of tearing down. Parents are only a part of a child’s total training but it is the church’s people that give that extra encouragement, help, lifting, pushing, correcting, teaching and training. To you I am thankful for your help and guidance in my personal family. We need all the help we can get.

As we follow God this new year – 2010, may we move closer to Him and to our goals that you will make this new year.

Thank you, I love you, and am blessed by you; Your Preacher

31 in soul winning and we had 2 saved, – AMEN!!!