Close Walk with God - Ask and You Shall Receive - Ch 7b

 

How Are You Doing in the Asking Part of Your Prayer Life?

Here comes my biggest confession of all.  I am “the Beave.”  I was a toe head, blue eyed, bright smiled kid who grew up under Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy.  We cured polio, were the greatest nation on earth, and decided to send a man to the moon.

My personal life was also inordinately blessed.  No major crises until my 30’s.  I enjoyed plenty of love, family, solid direction, and Christ at the center.  But there was also an underlying theme of the time that was a big part of who I was and am.  “You can be anything you want to be.  You can be President of the United States.  You can … you can … you can!”  I believed it and I lived it.  I won’t bore you with the details.  You can find it all online.  But just the fact that I’m writing on this subject, and believe that I have the ability to write a book or something important enough to say clearly comes from that upbringing.  

The result for me, and I suspect many like me who grew up in that era, is that if I can do it all, why do I need anyone else, even God, to help?  While the baby boomer mantra described here might be a unique moment in history, it is not so unique. There are plenty of Christians before and after the Boomers who believe it.  And there are plenty in Russia, Europe, and Asia who believe it, too.  

Do you really believe God?  Do you trust Him fully?  

This is part of the 7th chapter in a book that has been created here on this blog.  The book will be available on Amazon.com April 26 under the title God Called - He Needs Your Decision!  This will be the Kindle edition.  The print edition will follow approximately May 15, and the audio is slated for availability around June 1. 


Click here to buy on Kindle and see more reviews

The rest of this chapter was available free for almost a year, but has now been removed.  It is my hope that you will truly enjoy the book and that it will bless you.  Some have already reported their thoughts about the book.  Early readers report below.  

Serious Disciples of Jesus should read God Called - He Needs Your Decision!  because, according to one reviewer:

If a baby were born and failed to thrive, the family would rightly consider it a great tragedy. When a Christian is born and fails to thrive, however, many people don’t notice. God Called—He Needs Your Decision! by Randy Kirk is an invitation to Christians to thrive. It is a spiritual counterattack to the widespread misconception that “being” a Christian is a passive state. Randy invites Christians to “do” Christianity.

Katherine Harms, Editor

Are you ready to ratchet up your devotion to God and Jesus to the next level?
God Called - He Needs Your Decision! is perfect for you

Do you sometimes feel stuck in your walk and desire to be of greater service?
God Called was written for Christians just like you

Are you the first to sign up for any seminar that teaches how to find out God’s will for your life?
The pathway to that answer for you is one click away.

God Called is not for the lukewarm - UNLESS you are ready to repent of being lukewarm

God Called is not for the prodigal - UNLESS you are tired of eating with the pigs

God Called is not for pew dusters - UNLESS you are prepared to step outside your comfort zone

Here’s what others are saying:

Even as a Pastor sometimes we can lose focus on what it really is to be a
true disciple of Christ.

I would recommend it to any Pastor or leader of a church
Great Stuff!

Robert Hill
Core Church Los Angeles

Just reading the first few pages, God spoke a quick word to me, setting me free from years of bondage to what people will think of me if I follow Jesus full out. Using Randy's simple steps of faith, this is a must-read for your next step in growing in grace.

Cheryl Colwell   author  The Secrets of Montebellis and The Proof

The Psalmist tells us that deep calls unto deep . . . Take the plunge into
the River of Life with Randy Kirk's newest book, God Called—He Needs Your Decision! and drink deep from the well that never runs dry.  Find keys to intimacy with Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit hidden in plain sight.  Come away refreshed and longing for more of Him.

Michael J. Webb, Bestselling Author of The Master's Quilt

God Called was written specifically for mature Christians who feel they have not really heard the Lord speak to them. These Christians truly want to hear the voice of God calling to them with an offer to serve in a capacity that is outside of their expectations. 

Review these questions which might be holding you back from hearing God’s plan for your life:

Jesus says disciples need to carry their cross and follow Him.  Can you do that?
Jesus said that disciples must hate mother and father (compared to Him)  Is that you?
Jesus said that disciples must obey what he has commanded.  Do you?
Jesus said that disciples must give up everything.  Are you prepared to do so?
Dallas Willard says “very few Christians want to hear what God has to say.  Do you?

Here’s a sample of the impactful words from God Called that have encouraged readers to take their Christianity to the next level:

Our Christian walk is always about how much we trust and believe, and whether we trust God enough to put aside our fear. Each stage of our maturing in Christ depends on our ability to repent of our unbelief, or pride, and our idols, and move to the next stage. This is true from our first profession of faith. It is true when we start each new discipline. It is true when we become aware of the depths of our sin and mindful of our need to be continually repenting. It is true when we become willing to be completely dependent on and open with God—intimate with Him. Then we must repent of our unbelief again if we are to fully surrender to a calling.

Don’t put off your decision to move closer to God and hear His voice. Get your copy of God Called - He Needs Your Decision! today and get started on a journey that will lead to a fully surrendered life. 

Click here to buy on Kindle and see more reviews

Sold Out Christ Follower: I Did the Sin. I Can't Repent. I Would Do the Exact Same Next Time

Rebellious - http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/35v9hw/

We All Face the Dilemma.  Saved Doesn't Mean Sin Free.  But What About Rebellious?

I told a big fat whopper the other day.  That is all you need to know.  Due to the circumstances, I would tell that same whopper again.  So, my conscience is bothering me.  I want to do what is pleasing to God, but in this particular case I want to do what is going to help a friend.

The whole thing takes me back to the '60's and the introduction of situation ethics to the debate within the liberal arm of the church.  I wasn't a fan of it then and am not a fan of situation ethics now.  But, I'm smack dab in the middle of practicing it.  The issue seems simple on the one hand.  No one will be harmed.  Someone will be helped.  But is it that simple.  My witness to those who know about the sin will be harmed.

I discussed this with a group the other day.  We all agreed that whether the sin might be lying, gossip, envy, anger, failure to forgive, theft, or some form of sexual sin, each of us is still going to sin.  Our sin could even be failure to trust God or pride.  Or how about this one.  We don't want to forgive someone, because they don't deserve it, or because we actually like the feeling of resentment we are carrying around.

So, as the group discussed it, we all came to the same conclusion at about the same time.  Not only was the issue one that pointed out how impossible it is for us to conform to what we know we should do, but it also was a very solid lesson in being very careful how we view the sins of others.

We all know the parable of the fellow who needed to take the plank out of his own eye so that he could see well enough to remove the speck from his friends eye.  We get that concept at a surface level when we here it.  However, the extra element in this situation, not being willing to repent, and being clear that I would repeat the same behavior in the same circumstance, seemed to drive the point home to those of us in the group.  Am I, or you, any different than some others around us who seem very rebellious, but maybe in a more obvious sin.

So we might look at the person who is drinking too much.  Maybe not an alcoholic, but drinking to the point of being drunk, even though they claim to be a Christian.  The have no inclination to stop.  W could have the same argument about someone who is grossly overweight, or someone that has serious anger management problems.

My sense until this new understanding would be:  they need to be repenting and working on changing their behavior, or they might need to question their salvation.  Now I wonder aloud, don't we all have some part of our sin nature that we are too rebellious to even try to change?

Love to hear your input on that first question.

Then we can add this.  Even though I said I would do the sin again in the same circumstance, I was still burdoned by my choice and my failure to repent or even be willing to repent.  If I had not been burdoned by my position, would that create a question of my being saved or not.

Let's use a tougher issue.  What if the Christian emotionally abuses their spouse, parent, or child, for instance.  What if they say that they understand their action is sinful, and for whatever reason, have no interest in repenting or changing?  Maybe they feel justified by something the other person is doing, or rationalize based on struggles in their life.  But they are upset about their actions.  They just are not upset enough to work on changing. 

Now take that same person and they say that they don't repent, believe there is some rational for their sin, would act the same in the future, BUT have no remorse, sadness, or concern about the effect on their relationship with God.  Is there a meaningful difference between the two?  

UPDATE

I have been able to repent of the sin.  I realized that I had believed I was smarter than God.  Instead of waiting for him to provide an alternative solution that wouldn't have required me to lie, I was too anxious to see the issue solved.  So, the sin was not only lying, but lack of faith and unbelief.

New book, God Called - He Needs Your Decision, delves deeper into these very kinds of issues.
 
Click here to buy on Kindle and see more reviews

Evidence of a Close Walk with God - Praising - Asking - Repenting - Chapter 7A

We Have So Much To Praise Him For

We Are Clearly Called to Praise, Ask, and Repent.  So Why Don't We?

In my personal walk and in conversations with others about their spiritual life, I believe that there is a huge amount of confusion about praising, asking, and repenting.  I have also found that various friends have an easy time with one or more of the three and also a difficult time with one or more.  Moreover, the difficulty of being effective at any of the three might change from day-to-day or during various periods in a lifetime.  

For instance, I have generally enjoyed an easy time with praising during most of my life, a harder time with asking, and a really hard time with repenting.  More recently I have an easier time asking, commonly forget to praise, and rarely get around to repenting.  Does any of this sound like you?

This is the part of the 7th chapter in a book that has been created here on this blog.  The book will be available on Amazon.com April 26 under the title God Called - He Needs Your Decision!  This will be the Kindle edition.  The print edition will follow approximately May 15, and the audio is slated for availability around June 1. 

Click here to buy on Kindle and see more reviews  

The rest of this chapter was available free for almost a year, but has now been removed.  It is my hope that you will truly enjoy the book and that it will bless you.  Some have already reported their thoughts about the book.  Early readers report below.  

Serious Disciples of Jesus should read God Called - He Needs Your Decision!  because, according to one reviewer:

If a baby were born and failed to thrive, the family would rightly consider it a great tragedy. When a Christian is born and fails to thrive, however, many people don’t notice. God Called—He Needs Your Decision! by Randy Kirk is an invitation to Christians to thrive. It is a spiritual counterattack to the widespread misconception that “being” a Christian is a passive state. Randy invites Christians to “do” Christianity.

Katherine Harms, Editor

Are you ready to ratchet up your devotion to God and Jesus to the next level?
God Called - He Needs Your Decision! is perfect for you

Do you sometimes feel stuck in your walk and desire to be of greater service?
God Called was written for Christians just like you

Are you the first to sign up for any seminar that teaches how to find out God’s will for your life?
The pathway to that answer for you is one click away.

God Called is not for the lukewarm - UNLESS you are ready to repent of being lukewarm

God Called is not for the prodigal - UNLESS you are tired of eating with the pigs

God Called is not for pew dusters - UNLESS you are prepared to step outside your comfort zone

Here’s what others are saying:

Even as a Pastor sometimes we can lose focus on what it really is to be a
true disciple of Christ.

I would recommend it to any Pastor or leader of a church
Great Stuff!

Robert Hill
Core Church Los Angeles

Just reading the first few pages, God spoke a quick word to me, setting me free from years of bondage to what people will think of me if I follow Jesus full out. Using Randy's simple steps of faith, this is a must-read for your next step in growing in grace.

Cheryl Colwell   author  The Secrets of Montebellis and The Proof

The Psalmist tells us that deep calls unto deep . . . Take the plunge into
the River of Life with Randy Kirk's newest book, God Called—He Needs Your Decision! and drink deep from the well that never runs dry.  Find keys to intimacy with Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit hidden in plain sight.  Come away refreshed and longing for more of Him.

Michael J. Webb, Bestselling Author of The Master's Quilt

God Called was written specifically for mature Christians who feel they have not really heard the Lord speak to them. These Christians truly want to hear the voice of God calling to them with an offer to serve in a capacity that is outside of their expectations. 

Review these questions which might be holding you back from hearing God’s plan for your life:

Jesus says disciples need to carry their cross and follow Him.  Can you do that?
Jesus said that disciples must hate mother and father (compared to Him)  Is that you?
Jesus said that disciples must obey what he has commanded.  Do you?
Jesus said that disciples must give up everything.  Are you prepared to do so?
Dallas Willard says “very few Christians want to hear what God has to say.  Do you?

Here’s a sample of the impactful words from God Called that have encouraged readers to take their Christianity to the next level:

Our Christian walk is always about how much we trust and believe, and whether we trust God enough to put aside our fear. Each stage of our maturing in Christ depends on our ability to repent of our unbelief, or pride, and our idols, and move to the next stage. This is true from our first profession of faith. It is true when we start each new discipline. It is true when we become aware of the depths of our sin and mindful of our need to be continually repenting. It is true when we become willing to be completely dependent on and open with God—intimate with Him. Then we must repent of our unbelief again if we are to fully surrender to a calling.

Don’t put off your decision to move closer to God and hear His voice. Get your copy of God Called - He Needs Your Decision! today and get started on a journey that will lead to a fully surrendered life. 

Click here to buy on Kindle and see more reviews

Forgiving As a Discipline - Ch 6C

Can You Hear from God if You Are Harboring Unforgiveness

There are several themes that form the central tenets of the Bible:  Love, redemption, justice, grace, good and evil, and of course, forgiveness.  God establishes the principle of forgiveness by modeling it often in His own actions, then making it a core principle of what Jesus called His followers to practice.  

God, thru Jesus, placed a very high value on forgiveness.  When we say the “Lord’s Prayer,” we stop with Matt 6:13.  It would seem that possibly the next verse would be very important to be praying daily, too:

14. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

From this verse it would appear obvious that God wanted to make absolutely clear the importance of forgiveness.  Certainly the theme is picked up again and again throughout the New Testament, and the same intensity can be seen in the parable of the unforgiving servant.  

This was the part of 6th chapter in a book that has been created here on this blog.  The book will be available on Amazon.com April 26 under the title God Called - He Needs Your Decision!  This will be the Kindle edition.  The print edition will follow approximately May 15, and the audio is slated for availability around June 1. 

Click here to buy on Kindle and see more reviews 

The rest of this chapter was available free for almost a year, but has now been removed.  It is my hope that you will truly enjoy the book and that it will bless you.  Some have already reported their thoughts about the book.  Early readers report below.  

Serious Disciples of Jesus should read God Called - He Needs Your Decision!  because, according to one reviewer:

If a baby were born and failed to thrive, the family would rightly consider it a great tragedy. When a Christian is born and fails to thrive, however, many people don’t notice. God Called—He Needs Your Decision! by Randy Kirk is an invitation to Christians to thrive. It is a spiritual counterattack to the widespread misconception that “being” a Christian is a passive state. Randy invites Christians to “do” Christianity.

Katherine Harms, Editor

Are you ready to ratchet up your devotion to God and Jesus to the next level?
God Called - He Needs Your Decision! is perfect for you

Do you sometimes feel stuck in your walk and desire to be of greater service?
God Called was written for Christians just like you

Are you the first to sign up for any seminar that teaches how to find out God’s will for your life?
The pathway to that answer for you is one click away.

God Called is not for the lukewarm - UNLESS you are ready to repent of being lukewarm

God Called is not for the prodigal - UNLESS you are tired of eating with the pigs

God Called is not for pew dusters - UNLESS you are prepared to step outside your comfort zone

Here’s what others are saying:

Even as a Pastor sometimes we can lose focus on what it really is to be a
true disciple of Christ.

I would recommend it to any Pastor or leader of a church
Great Stuff!

Robert Hill
Core Church Los Angeles

Just reading the first few pages, God spoke a quick word to me, setting me free from years of bondage to what people will think of me if I follow Jesus full out. Using Randy's simple steps of faith, this is a must-read for your next step in growing in grace.

Cheryl Colwell   author  The Secrets of Montebellis and The Proof

The Psalmist tells us that deep calls unto deep . . . Take the plunge into
the River of Life with Randy Kirk's newest book, God Called—He Needs Your Decision! and drink deep from the well that never runs dry.  Find keys to intimacy with Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit hidden in plain sight.  Come away refreshed and longing for more of Him.

Michael J. Webb, Bestselling Author of The Master's Quilt

God Called was written specifically for mature Christians who feel they have not really heard the Lord speak to them. These Christians truly want to hear the voice of God calling to them with an offer to serve in a capacity that is outside of their expectations. 

Review these questions which might be holding you back from hearing God’s plan for your life:

Jesus says disciples need to carry their cross and follow Him.  Can you do that?
Jesus said that disciples must hate mother and father (compared to Him)  Is that you?
Jesus said that disciples must obey what he has commanded.  Do you?
Jesus said that disciples must give up everything.  Are you prepared to do so?
Dallas Willard says “very few Christians want to hear what God has to say.  Do you?

Here’s a sample of the impactful words from God Called that have encouraged readers to take their Christianity to the next level:

Our Christian walk is always about how much we trust and believe, and whether we trust God enough to put aside our fear. Each stage of our maturing in Christ depends on our ability to repent of our unbelief, or pride, and our idols, and move to the next stage. This is true from our first profession of faith. It is true when we start each new discipline. It is true when we become aware of the depths of our sin and mindful of our need to be continually repenting. It is true when we become willing to be completely dependent on and open with God—intimate with Him. Then we must repent of our unbelief again if we are to fully surrender to a calling.

Don’t put off your decision to move closer to God and hear His voice. Get your copy of God Called - He Needs Your Decision! today and get started on a journey that will lead to a fully surrendered life. 

Click here to buy on Kindle and see more reviews

Chapter 6B – Fasting as a Christian Discipline

“When You Fast” not If

In the spirit of transparency, I feel the need to express the following.  I understand that many others have come before and will come after who are more qualified and often better equipped to teach the specific subjects in this work.  My hope is to reach those who might find this book early in their walk, or who don’t do a lot of reading, or who are in exactly the right place to be motivated to hear from God in a mighty way.  Possibly my synopsis of each element in this journey might help someone to springboard to a more complete work on the subject.

Why do I bring that up at this point?  Because one of my heroes of the faith has written so completely and beautifully on fasting that I find it hard to even start this chapter.  Dr. Bill Bright has been motivating me for years.  His dedication to God is a standard we can all look towards.  Among the multiplied other contributions that he made, he began a movement for fasting, including leading entire churches to go on 40-day fasts.  

Dr. Bright wrote at least four books on fasting which you may find on Amazon or at other booksellers.  So if my words inspire you to fast, you might want to read one of those four books or at least refer to his free online short course.

Jesus told His disciples that some things only come out by prayer and fasting. Mark 9:29.  In Matt 6:16 He said “When you fast...”  Not if you fast.  And yet the church today seems to think that fasting isn’t important.  

This was part of the 6th chapter in a book that has been created here on this blog. This section has been radically altered in the final version  The book will be available on Amazon.com April 26 under the title God Called - He Needs Your Decision!  This will be the Kindle edition.  The print edition will follow approximately May 15, and the audio is slated for availability around 
June 1. 

Click here to buy on Kindle and see more reviews  

The rest of this chapter was available free for almost a year, but has now been removed.  It is my hope that you will truly enjoy the book and that it will bless you.  Some have already reported their thoughts about the book.  Early readers report below.  

Serious Disciples of Jesus should read God Called - He Needs Your Decision!  because, according to one reviewer:

If a baby were born and failed to thrive, the family would rightly consider it a great tragedy. When a Christian is born and fails to thrive, however, many people don’t notice. God Called—He Needs Your Decision! by Randy Kirk is an invitation to Christians to thrive. It is a spiritual counterattack to the widespread misconception that “being” a Christian is a passive state. Randy invites Christians to “do” Christianity.

Katherine Harms, Editor

Are you ready to ratchet up your devotion to God and Jesus to the next level?
God Called - He Needs Your Decision! is perfect for you

Do you sometimes feel stuck in your walk and desire to be of greater service?
God Called was written for Christians just like you

Are you the first to sign up for any seminar that teaches how to find out God’s will for your life?
The pathway to that answer for you is one click away.

God Called is not for the lukewarm - UNLESS you are ready to repent of being lukewarm

God Called is not for the prodigal - UNLESS you are tired of eating with the pigs

God Called is not for pew dusters - UNLESS you are prepared to step outside your comfort zone

Here’s what others are saying:

Even as a Pastor sometimes we can lose focus on what it really is to be a
true disciple of Christ.

I would recommend it to any Pastor or leader of a church
Great Stuff!

Robert Hill
Core Church Los Angeles

Just reading the first few pages, God spoke a quick word to me, setting me free from years of bondage to what people will think of me if I follow Jesus full out. Using Randy's simple steps of faith, this is a must-read for your next step in growing in grace.

Cheryl Colwell   author  The Secrets of Montebellis and The Proof

The Psalmist tells us that deep calls unto deep . . . Take the plunge into
the River of Life with Randy Kirk's newest book, God Called—He Needs Your Decision! and drink deep from the well that never runs dry.  Find keys to intimacy with Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit hidden in plain sight.  Come away refreshed and longing for more of Him.

Michael J. Webb, Bestselling Author of The Master's Quilt

God Called was written specifically for mature Christians who feel they have not really heard the Lord speak to them. These Christians truly want to hear the voice of God calling to them with an offer to serve in a capacity that is outside of their expectations. 

Review these questions which might be holding you back from hearing God’s plan for your life:

Jesus says disciples need to carry their cross and follow Him.  Can you do that?
Jesus said that disciples must hate mother and father (compared to Him)  Is that you?
Jesus said that disciples must obey what he has commanded.  Do you?
Jesus said that disciples must give up everything.  Are you prepared to do so?
Dallas Willard says “very few Christians want to hear what God has to say.  Do you?

Here’s a sample of the impactful words from God Called that have encouraged readers to take their Christianity to the next level:

Our Christian walk is always about how much we trust and believe, and whether we trust God enough to put aside our fear. Each stage of our maturing in Christ depends on our ability to repent of our unbelief, or pride, and our idols, and move to the next stage. This is true from our first profession of faith. It is true when we start each new discipline. It is true when we become aware of the depths of our sin and mindful of our need to be continually repenting. It is true when we become willing to be completely dependent on and open with God—intimate with Him. Then we must repent of our unbelief again if we are to fully surrender to a calling.

Don’t put off your decision to move closer to God and hear His voice. Get your copy of God Called - He Needs Your Decision! today and get started on a journey that will lead to a fully surrendered life. 

Click here to buy on Kindle and see more reviews