​To live in today’s time is very unique.  There are so many people who are divided, an increased amount of violence with the United States, political divides, religious separations, and so many other topics or situations that have proven to sever people and put them at odds with one another.  No matter the situation, the topic, or the differences, Christians should be working together for the glory of God (Ephesians 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:4-5; Colossians 1:18).  More than any politics, more than seeing topics on a personal level, Christians should view everything in the world through spiritual eyes, knowing the return of Jesus is imminent (Romans 12:2; Colossians 2:3; John 16:13; Matthew 24:36; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:52).  The spiritual enemies of God and His people are focused on bringing so much division, not only among nations, but also on the division of soldiers within God’s army.  How can a divided army fight against an enemy (Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Titus 3:9-11; Luke 11:17)?  How can soldiers warn of attacks by enemy forces when they are distracted by the petty differences among their own camp?  This is how the enemy works: by creating division among a church congregation, among the pastors of churches within a region, among the Christians within a region, and among the body of Christ in a nation and in the world.  Christians should be able to fellowship together with the common doctrines of Hebrews 6:1-2.  Those doctrines are repentance of dead works, faith toward God, baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment (Hebrews 6:1-2).  No matter a person’s denomination, Christians should be able to work together for the glory of God with these core Christian doctrines as their common ground.  Not everyone will interpret these doctrines the same in their smaller details, but gathering together under these beliefs will give the spiritual enemy of God and His people a black eye by their unified stand.  Spiritual enemies thrive on chaos and confusion.  God is not the author of confusion or chaos, but having things decent and in order (1 Corinthians 14:33; 1 John 4:1; 1 Corinthians 14:40).  Some people may think, how can I change the nation I live in?  Individuals don’t have to change nations.  Individuals can impact other individuals who begin to join together and impact other groups.  Those groups begin to carry a bigger voice, creating change and unifying on a larger scale.  David started impacting his nation by standing up to one person, Goliath.  Although in the natural mind Goliath seemed impossible to stand against, David knew spiritually he had the victory through God (1 Samuel 17:33; 1 Samuel 17:45-47; 1 Samuel 17:49-51).  His ability to stand on his faith in God brought victory and inspired an entire army to stand together (1 Samuel 17:52-53).  Eleven disciples began to change the world with their doctrines of faith after the ascension of Jesus Christ into what is now known as Christianity.  When Christians, whether a congregation member, church elder, or pastor, begin to stand for the truth of God’s Word, people will take notice and begin to join in taking a stand.  The choice is for each individual to make: remain divided as individual members in what should be a unified body, or find the common blood of Jesus that brings the life Christ offers and truly be His body.  In a world full of divided people, Christians should be united as one body under the head, Jesus Christ, glorifying God.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​With the hustle and bustle of coffee shops, apparel stores, getting the kids where they need to go, and so many other distractions, all the chaos can sometimes create a lack of focus on the important things.  Chaos is defined as a state of utter confusion; a confused mass or mixture; a state of confusion and disorganization; and the inherent unpredictability in the behavior of a complex system.  Chaos is designed by a Christian’s spiritual enemy to take the focus off Jesus Christ.  In the Gospels, Jesus tells His disciples, “Let us pass over unto the other side” (Mark 4:35).  As Jesus and His disciples get in the boat to travel across the water, a storm arises while Jesus slept creating chaos in the minds of the disciples (Mark 4:37-38).  This chaos proves to be too much for the disciples, making them believe they are all about to die (Mark 4:38).  They wake Jesus up for Him to intervene (Mark 4:38).  When Jesus gets up, He rebukes the wind, also known as the chaos creating doubt in the disciples’ minds, and then rebukes the disciples (Mark 4:39-40).  On the other side of the water, there was a man in desperate need of Jesus’ help to cast out demons, bringing life and freedom to the man (Mark 5:2-13).  Chaos is designed to take the focus off people getting help from Jesus Christ and placing it on the natural distractions going on that either please the flesh, but are still overwhelming, or situations that do not allow the mind to be at peace in God.  God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).  Since chaos is defined as confusion, one could say God is not the author of chaos (John 14:27; 2 Timothy 1:7).  Another example of chaos is even found within the house of God as Jesus goes to the temple to worship (Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15; Luke 19:45; John 2:13-17).  These passages display the chaos of God’s people being taken advantage of as they come into God’s house to worship and honor God.  For Jesus’ time, it was not the coin exchange that was a sin or the selling of sacrificial animals that was a sin, but the extortion of the people who had come to worship God and needed to change their coins to pay the temple tax or purchase the animals needed for sacrifice and could not bring the animals themselves (Leviticus 1:2; Deuteronomy 14:23-26; Isaiah 56:7; Hebrews 10:1-4).  When the focus is taken off God, and in today’s time Jesus Christ, the chaos in life wins along with the spiritual enemy of all Christians.  The house of God should not propagate chaos by adding all the distractions of the world and hindering the worship of God, hearing the Word of God, finding salvation, or being discipled by spiritual leaders.  Let the coffee shops have their own business.  Let the apparel stores have their own business.  Let the cause of the family being separated be for teaching purposes for age-appropriate lessons, not a babysitting session.  Let the distractions continue outside the local church, not inside.  With so much confusion, chaos, and distractions found in the world, let the world keep them, but may the local church refocus on Jesus, the Word of God, being discipled, being made into soldiers of the living God, and letting all the family learn how to have a right relationship with God.  In the middle of the storms of life, focus on Jesus to walk on the waves (Matthew 14:27-31).  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​The Bible provides instructions to everyone, but especially to those who declare that they are born again through Jesus Christ.  Although the Word of God is very clear to have no other gods (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 45:5; Deuteronomy 4:35), so many people in today’s time who declare their allegiance to God still place idols before them to worship.  Even in the days of Moses, people took things that were valuable to them, also having their ears, and made a golden calf to worship (Exodus 32:1-29).  Just as the people did then, so many still do, although the idols now may not be in a physical form, they are even stronger within the hearts and minds of people today.  The Apostle Paul describes the idols of today’s time to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:1-5).  The following is the list of idols Paul describes being found among the people.  The people are lovers of their own selves and reflect their self-love by ensuring what they desire is obtained or conducted rather than having love and compassion for others (2 Timothy 3:2).  The people are covetous, meaning they have a strong desire for material things (2 Timothy 3:2).  The people are boasters, meaning they brag about themselves or things in connection to themselves to place more value on their life (2 Timothy 3:2).  The people are proud, describing them as haughty or appearing to be above others (2 Timothy 3:2).  The people are blasphemers, meaning they misrepresent to others with intended harm to another’s reputation (2 Timothy 3:2).  The people are disobedient to parents, meaning they stubbornly refuse to obey parents or authority (2 Timothy 3:2).  The people are unthankful, meaning they are thankless or ungrateful (2 Timothy 3:2).  The people are unholy, meaning they are wicked (2 Timothy 3:2).  The people are also without natural affection, meaning they are hard hearted, not allowing the God-given characteristics to be followed (2 Timothy 3:3).  This includes going against nature for sexual desires, going against parental instincts, and many other natural feelings God placed within each human as created by His design.  The people are trucebreakers, meaning they do not keep from fighting or arguing, but also maintain a disagreeable attitude (2 Timothy 3:3).  The people are false accusers, meaning they bring accusations that are untrue or have no merit (2 Timothy 3:3).  The people are incontinent, meaning they have no self-control (2 Timothy 3:3).  The people are fierce, meaning they are savage or not under human control, wild or rude (2 Timothy 3:3).  The people are despisers of those who are good, meaning they are hostile to virtue (2 Timothy 3:3).  This is displayed in marking as an enemy those who have morally good behavior or character.  The people are traitors, meaning they give one over to the enemy or are betrayers (2 Timothy 3:4).  The people are heady, meaning they are rash, quick, lacking caution (2 Timothy 3:4).  The people are highminded, meaning they inflate themselves or are conceited (2 Timothy 3:4).  The people are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, meaning they have a greater desire of pleasing the natural senses than the amount of love for God (2 Timothy 3:4).  They also have a form of godliness but they deny His power from actually changing their lives to reflect true characteristics of belonging to Him (2 Timothy 3:5).  The people who reflect this list have allowed these characteristics to become idols in their lives.  May Christians only worship God and not the idols of the last days.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​As Thanksgiving has arrived on the calendar this year, it is a wonderful season to reflect on the things in life and the many blessings we have in our lives.  Having a family is a blessing.  Having a job is a blessing.  Having a home or a place to live is a blessing.  Having a church to attend is a blessing.  Having a pastor is a blessing.  Having brothers and sisters in Christ is a blessing.  Having bills that are paid is a blessing.  People should remember that there are things they have that so many other people do not.  If individuals are not careful, they may begin to see what they are missing more than how blessed they are with what they do have within their lives.  This can be a deception that begins to breed discontentment.  One of the best methods to overcome this problem is to be thankful.  To be thankful is defined as being conscious of a benefit received, expressing gratitude, or being glad.  The Bible’s definition of thanks is to be grateful, express gratitude, and be thankful.  In both of these definitions, people are to express gratitude for what they have received.  Christians, especially, should be thankful and give thanks unto God (Ephesians 5:20).  It seems to be a growing trend of skipping from Halloween to Christmas and leaving out Thanksgiving.  This typically reflects a celebration of darkness, then jumping to a celebration of giving gifts to others and receiving gifts.  For some people, during this time of year, they use the Thanksgiving holiday as a reminder to be thankful.  This should be a constant attitude within the hearts of the people to be thankful all year long.  Even with this mindset, a person does not have to be thankful “for” bad situations or bad things but be thankful “in” those situations (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  What is there to be thankful for “in” those situations?  If a person is a Christian, they have Jesus as their Savior (John 3:36), God as their Father (1 Corinthians 8:6), and the Holy Spirit as their Comforter (John 14:26) and Guide (Romans 8:14).  The will of Jesus Christ for His people is to be thankful by rejoicing and praying every day (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  As Christians serve God and are faithful to Him, they begin to remember His benefits (Psalm 103:2).  This should be a motivation to serve God throughout the whole year and be thankful for Who He is, as opposed to only having this attitude one day on Thanksgiving.  When God’s people have the fruit of the Holy Spirit of peace (Galatians 5:22) and the peace of Christ rules their hearts there is a thankful attitude (Colossians 3:15).  Thanksgiving should not only be a time of gathering with family and friends to be thankful for them but also a time for those gathered to recount or testify of what God has done within their lives that they are thankful for (Psalm 9:1).  The best testimony that any person can have is to be thankful that God sent His Son Jesus to be beaten so His people could have healing in their bodies (1 Peter 2:24), gave His life as the Supreme Sacrifice for salvation (1 John 2:2), resurrected having dominion over death (Romans 6:9), and now sits at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 10:12).  With a life that is not perfect by their actions, but given power to overcome sin (1 John 5:4) and spiritual enemies (James 4:7), Christians should be thankful in today’s time.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​Many people remember hearing about the children of Israel and Joshua, their pastor, who led them to overcome the fortified city of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27).  This is a wonderful reminder of the victory afforded to God’s people when they submit to Him and follow His instructions.  At times, Christians will hinder their own Jericho walls from falling due to building the bricks to keep making the wall higher, or replacing the bricks as the walls begin to fall.  Either way, this is hindering their victory over the Jericho in their lives.  Serving God requires submission and sanctification to Him (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:6; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 4:22-24).  This submission is made evident by His people obeying the instructions He gives them.  For Jericho, God told Joshua to have the people march around the city one time per day for six days with seven priests in front of the Ark of the Covenant carrying a ram’s horn (Joshua 6:3-4).  On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times with the priests blowing the horns, and the people were to shout as loud as they could for the walls to come down (Joshua 6:4-5).  As Joshua relays the instructions given by God, he also adds instructions because of his knowledge of the people.  Joshua added for the people not to say a word until they are given the command to shout (Joshua 6:10).  As any good pastor, Joshua knew there would be grumbling, complaining, and arguing among the people, so his command is to prevent this extra talk from hindering the walls of Jericho from falling.  Some Christians desire to see the Jericho in their life have its walls come down to obtain victory in that area of life.  That Jericho could be weight issues, depression, sickness, adultery, fornication, lying, gossip, substance abuse, or whatever issue seems to be fortified in one’s life.  When God’s people begin to give voice to doubt, fear, or the spiritual enemy in any form, they are hindering their own Jericho from falling and obtaining the victory God has for them.  It is one thing to combat the spiritual enemies to obtain victory, but it is another to be adding bricks to the wall that one believes will come down.  The Word of God describes the power that is in the tongue and how a person can have what they say (Mark 11:23; Proverbs 18:21; Revelation 12:11; Matthew 12:36; Psalm 141:3).  This reflects the importance of holding on to one’s confession of the Word of God (Hebrews 10:23; Ephesians 4:29; Romans 10:9; 1 Timothy 6:12).  The challenge is not in keeping one’s mouth silent, but changing the confession of defeat, doubt, unbelief from the spiritual enemy to a confession of faith, victory, and strength from the Word of God.  When the spiritual enemy can get into the mind of God’s people and play mind games, he has a better opportunity to have victory over them.  It is when God’s people realize who they are in Jesus Christ, speaking the Word of God, and marching around their Jericho, obeying God’s instructions, that the enemy knows defeat is coming their way (Revelation 12:11; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Romans 8:37; 1 John 5:4-5; Joshua 1:9; Hebrews 11:30; John 16:33).  May Christians not hinder their Jericho from falling but obey God to see victory obtained in their life giving glory and honor to God.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​Many Christians may read a title like this and not see the importance of such a topic, but there are also many Christians who think it is only important to be godly when they are at church or around other church people.  Having a character that is clean, holy, and full of faith is not just for when a person is at church, but when a person is living life in their daily routines.  Some people lean into the definition of a character as being a fictional person who is not genuinely connected to their personality.  That mindset causes instability in not only one’s faith but in everything they do (James 1:8; James 4:8; Ephesians 4:14; Psalm 119:113).  This is not the design God has for His people to live by.  Christians should be a representation of Jesus Christ, wherever they are (2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:20). Christians are not to conform to this world, its standards of living, its flippant attitude, or its sinful desires (Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:15-16). They are to be a new creation in Jesus Christ, taking on the new mind God desires them to have, and being that caliber of person everywhere they go (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Isaiah 26:3; Colossians 3:2).  God’s people are to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).  As Christians live their lives, they are to do everything in the name of Jesus, honoring God (Colossians 3:17).  They are to let their light so shine before other people (Matthew 5:14-16).  Christians are to do things without grumbling, disputing, and being blameless in their lifestyle (Philippians 2:14-15).  God’s people are to imitate Him and reflect Jesus Christ within their lives (Ephesians 5:1-2).  This is the true definition of character as moral excellence and firmness in those values.  These characteristics mark this person of being distinct from a breed, strain, or type because they make up that person’s core beliefs.  When Christians are godly everywhere, this reflects that they have allowed God to be at the center of their existence, not a fictional character they put on for church times.  God’s people cannot afford to fake a relationship with Him or to only have the godly mindset when it seems appropriate.  Unrighteousness will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9; Ephesians 5:5; Galatians 5:21).  When a person has the habitual lifestyle of unrighteousness, they are serving the devil and are not of God (1 John 3:8).  It is those who not only declare their relationship with God, but walk in their fellowship with God daily who truly belong to God (1 John 3:7; 1 John 3:9).  The difference between these groups is the fruit of their lifestyle everywhere they go, not based on their attitude in certain places (1 John 3:10).  The discipline required to remain in godly character helps yield the fruit of righteousness in a person’s life (Hebrews 12:11).  This discipline does not reflect an easy time in life but the necessary knowledge and application of the Word of God to reflect God’s standard of conduct in any given circumstance (James 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 15:8; John 15:5; Matthew 5:20; Matthew 3:8, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Christians should be godly everywhere and in every season of life to give God the honor, glory, and praise He deserves, not only from His people but through His people.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​For many people today, there are church activities that have biblical names but not biblical foundations.  Discipleship is such an example of this activity.  Most modern discipleship programs within churches are gatherings of men or women that discuss cultural topics, such as movies, songs, hobbies, or other aspects of everyday life.  This is not the biblical definition of discipleship.  Biblical discipleship involves teaching the Word of God, practicing the Word of God, and allowing personal time for disciples to ask their disciple maker questions.  Jesus discusses this point as He tells His disciples, 'If you remain in My Word, you are truly My disciples' (John 8:31). Jesus even makes a distinction between those who believe in Him and those who remain in His Word (John 8:31).  The Apostles, as early church founders, discipled like Jesus did giving teaching and doctrine for their disciples to devote themselves to (Acts 2:42).  If modern culture is the topic of discussions what are modern disciples able to build their lives on or devote themselves to?  Everything would be of the world’s system, not God’s kingdom or His Word.  Jesus challenges everyone who desires to be His disciple to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24-25).  Disciples of Jesus should walk in the same way He walked (1 John 2:6).  For many people, they will not make the effort or take the time to study how to be a disciple of Jesus on their own without some form of accountability from a spiritual leader.  This discipleship is not about getting together to discuss personal likes and dislikes, but the leaders discussing topics from the Word of God for the disciple to know how to live for God.  How are people to know how Jesus walked if a leader does not disciple them from the Word of God?  What is left to use as a reference if the Word of God is not the source for this discipleship?  The Apostle Paul knew this concept of living like Jesus and having his disciples imitate his Christian walk, not his personal preferences (Philippians 3:17).  Leaders are also held accountable for the souls of others they have been assigned to by God (Hebrews 13:17).  This is not solely based on pastors at churches, but includes disciplemakers with their disciples.  Those who disciple others will have to give an account to God of how they discipled their people.  Gathering people will not be what pleases God, but teaching from the Word of God on how to live a holy, clean life will be what pleases God due to the example Jesus gave when teaching His disciples (Matthew 5-7).  Not only did Jesus teach sermons, but He also gave multiple parables to teach people who gathered to listen to Him.  Jesus only expounded on those parables in private with His disciples (Mark 4:30-32).  This lets Christians know that sermon messages or teachings spoken from the pulpit are not discipleship moments, but allow the Word of God to go into the lives of many.  It is disciples who take time to be around their leader in private who can receive the deeper study of messages and learn how to apply it to their lives with accuracy.  Jesus’ disciples learned in private but applied the lessons to become the apostles and changed Christianity for all time.  May Christians of today become less focused on gathering together and calling it discipleship, and become focused on being biblical by making disciples the way Jesus did.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​When someone asks, “What is Christianity all about?”, many people will discuss Jesus, His life, death, and resurrection.  This is biblically sound and correct, but many times when this question is asked, it is not about the history of events that are desired to be discussed.  Instead, it is the application of Christianity to the person asking.  This answer is also straightforward and builds upon the previous answer regarding Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.  The application of Christianity is answering the call to go higher.  One may ask why Jesus was sent to the earth.  The answer is to allow anyone who wants a personal relationship with God to be able to do so through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).  In other words, to answer the call to go higher than any earthly relationship and to have an eternal relationship (John 3:3).  One may ask why Jesus died and did not establish an earthly kingdom for God in the natural realm.  The answer is Jesus became the supreme sacrifice to allow everyone’s sins to be forgiven who desires to have eternal life through a new covenant with God (John 3:16).  This reflects answering the call to go higher in leaving the sins of one’s past behind to become a new person in Christ Jesus.  One may ask why Jesus was resurrected from the grave.  The answer is Jesus became victorious over sin, death, Hell, and the grave to allow all of those who place faith in Him to become victorious when they answer the call to go higher, not only in their present life but also in their eternity to be with God where He is (Ephesians 4:8; Psalm 68:18).  This is not where Christianity stops with the call to go higher, but only the beginning.  After Christians are born again, they must choose to consistently answer the call to go higher in their holiness and dedication to God the Father by obeying Jesus, their Lord and Master, as well as being led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 1:17; Romans 8:14).  It is a person’s fleshly desire to sin, and the spiritual enemies of the cross who want to plant the idea within the minds of Christians not to answer the call to go higher in their dedication and consecration unto God after they become a Christian.  When this takes place, Christians no longer go from faith to faith, from glory to glory, but remain the same and do not advance in what God has called them higher, as the next portion of their life’s work or vision He has for them to accomplish.  This leaves many Christians frustrated, seeking things outside the Word of God, or just turning their back on God due to their own flesh being given attention instead of submitting to the call of God to continue in their relationship with Him.  A man and woman cannot reach 40 years of marriage together if they do not submit their heart and actions to remain faithful and grow together in each season of life to not only to their spouse but to their covenant with one another.  This same concept is what God is looking for among Christians in their relationship with Him (Ephesians 5:22-33).  They should continue to grow by studying the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15), praying regularly, finding the church God has called them to be a part of (1 Corinthians 12:18), faithfully being a part of that church, and doing these things consistently to go from faith to faith within their life.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​While many people are not bothered by harboring bitterness towards various individuals, a defilement occurs with this root of bitterness.  Hebrews 12:15 says, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled”.  When people allow bitterness to enter their lives, it corrupts their hearts and the lives of those around them.  Bitterness is defined as acridity, pungent in taste or odor, poison, marked by intensity as in severe pain or suffering, intense animosity.  This root grew because a person allowed offense to take place and did not remove it from their life.  Allowing this root to grow disobeys the Word of God by giving the devil a foothold or place within their life (Ephesians 4:27).  Offense is typically an action that goes against someone’s pride or manner of thinking they deem as acceptable or correct.  When this happens, each person is faced with two choices.  Choice one, be offended and let this root of bitterness begin to grow and bring defilement in many directions.  Choice two, use the truth of God’s Word to judge the situation and make the proper changes necessary to be correct in that area. Bitterness is a choice, much like any other attitude.  When this emotion is chosen, it brings a defilement that must be combated with the truth of God’s Word.  There are no other truths except Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh (John 14:6; John 1:14).  When each person has their own truth, they are allowing self-deception to cloud their mind and judgment.  Deception is not victory, and self-deception is only lying to oneself to bring a false sense of security.  When people only see themselves as victims, they will never be victors, achieving the winning attitude necessary to overcome the obstacles in life meant to cause loss.  Offense is the seed, but bitterness is the produce taking root within one’s mental faculties, killing any other growth that brings nutrients to one’s life.  The root of bitterness is spread by the mouth or by actions that begin to grow in others who are in the vicinity of the person allowing this root to grow.  The Apostle Paul writes to let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander be put away from each person along with malice (Ephesians 4:31).  The answer to bitterness and offense is the Word of God (Psalm 119:165).  When a person allows the Word of God to be the truth present in their life, everything else is judged by God’s Word as correct or incorrect (Hebrews 4:12).  This judgment also includes one’s emotions of how to react to situations of every kind one will encounter.  Emotions should be regulated by self-control to ensure reactions are not causing one to sin (Matthew 6:14-15; Colossians 3:13; Philippians 4:6-7).  When one’s mind is not set on the Word of God directing one’s emotions, the mind is set on flesh, which becomes hostile to God due to a root of bitterness (Romans 8:7).  Christians especially should set their hearts, minds, and emotions on the truth of God’s Word and make the appropriate changes to align with His truth rather than ignore or become bitter at His Word because of offense (Romans 12:1-2).  God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the truth of God’s Word have not and will not change.  May Christians align themselves with God and His Word, and may others align themselves with God through salvation in Jesus Christ.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org. 

​Many people today attempt to bring modern culture or ideologies into Christianity.  Many miss the point that God does not desire the culture of the world to be in His house, but for His culture to pour out from His house into the lives of His people.  This occurs when Christians submit to Jesus as the head of the church, the head of His body, and the head of each Christian’s life.  Each Christian plays a part in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12; Romans 12:4-5).  No matter a person’s background or struggles, when a person is born again, they become a new creation in Christ and are now a part of His body (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:16; Galatians 3:28).  When a Christian refuses to submit to the Word of God, the leading of the Holy Spirit, or allow Jesus to be their head as the Lord and Master of their life, they are attempting to be the body of Christ without the head, Jesus (Colossians 1:18,23; Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 1:22-23).  Even in the natural, a body cannot live without the head because it sends signals to the body to keep the heart beating, the lungs breathing, and every organ doing its function.  The head brings life by allowing the messages sent to each organ and body part to live.  Jesus said He came to bring life and life abundantly (John 10:10; John 3:16; John 14:6; Romans 6:23).  Why do so many Christians believe they can live as the body of Christ without His presence in their lives?  The answer is the replacement of Jesus with their own desires, motives, and vision created from within themselves, which produces sin (Ephesians 5:3-7; Galatians 5:19-21).  Even Jesus states He did not come to the earth to do His own will but the will of the Father, God, Who sent Him (John 6:38; Matthew 26:39).  Some people want the label as a Christian but without the sacrifices of what it takes to receive the title.  To be a Christian is defined by following Jesus Christ in paths of righteousness, being a disciple of Jesus by allowing His words to change one’s life, and displaying love for Him by keeping His commandments (Psalm 23:3; John 6:68-69; John 14:15).  Christians should have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5; 1 Corinthians 2:16).  Even within the church, the Fivefold Ministers, including the pastor, are to be maturing the people as part of the body by submitting to Jesus Christ as the head of the church (Ephesians 4:11-16).  When people are led by their personal desires or motives, less of the will of God is accomplished, even by those who declare to be the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:17-24).  God’s people are to be the body of Christ, who are not only attached to Jesus as the head, but are commanded by His mind and desire to accomplish the will of God throughout the world (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8).  Christians must get back to studying the Word of God on their own, being in prayer throughout the day, having regular consistent church attendance, living holy and clean lives, and doing what the Word says.  These are the fruits of being part of the body of Christ because He did these on the earth (Luke 2:46-47; John 8:31-32; Mark 6:46; Luke 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21).  May Christians submit to Jesus Christ as the head of the body and allow Him to bring life and life more abundantly, not only in the present but life to come.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.