II Corinthians 5: 17 “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have been made new.”
Have you ever noticed how excited people get when they see the first butterflies that signify Spring? There is just something spectacular about the beauty of the butterfly that gives forth a since of joy to those who behold its fluttering beauty.
When we come upon a butterfly that is perched upon a stem or a leaf with its wings folded up, we are very careful and somewhat apprehensive. There is almost an overwhelming feeling that arises in hope that the butterfly who is perched so quietly is not to be found dead. When we get closer and see the wings begin to pulsate we tense with anticipation. When the wings finally unfold to catch the suns rays we are simply awe stricken at the Lord’s handiwork. Then the butterfly merrily flutters away giving forth great joy to everyone of all ages.
Romans 3: 23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
But – butterflies don’t start out as butterflies. And, as we contemplate the cycle of the butterfly we are reminded that we too do not start off as creatures of beauty.
Every butterfly starts off as a caterpillar. Caterpillars spend most of their life from birth ‘taking.’ All they do is eat, eat, eat, take, take, take until one day the caterpillar is finally tired of living that way and comes to a place in its life where it desires to be changed.
John 3: 3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”
The caterpillar struggles to close itself off from the outside world, and shuts itself off from outside distractions and intruders. It is difficult for the caterpillar to shut itself off from the outside world, but it struggles with great fervency and persistence. Once the cocoon is completed, the caterpillar can rest and be still.
Psalm 46: 10 “Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
II Corinthians 6: 17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
It is in that moment of stillness and rest, having shut itself off from the world that the hand of God can move upon its life and transform it into a creature of magnificent beauty.
Romans 12: 2 “And be not conformed to this world: but, be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
So it is with our life. When we realize the need to shut ourselves off from the outside world and desire to be still in the presence of the Lord, that is when the hand of God (Jesus Christ) can move upon our lives and transform us into a creature of magnificent beauty.
I Peter 2: 9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness and translated you into the kingdom of His marvelous light.”
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Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
ALL FOR ONE and ONE FOR ALL
The above phrase is most notable for appearing in Alexander Dumas classic story of The Three Musketeers. Yet, to me invokes the heart beat of the Gospel, of how GREAT God’s Love is for us, and what ought to be our rightful response to Him.
Consider how great His Love for us is. Consider how great pains He endured for our salvation. Consider how much He was willing to sacrifice for us. Consider how He gave His ALL for us!
How do we respond to that? Are we all for One? What sacrifices are we willing to make? How much are we willing to part with? Do we lay our differences aside, embrace one another in true Love, and worship Him the way we should?
How do we Love Him and Worship Him when we are not willing to reach out to the lost in our own communities? Do we simply pass out invitations for people to come to our ‘church’ and feel that that is enough, that we have done our part?
A sad moment:
There was a man in a community whom someone reached out to with the Love of Christ, who gave his heart to the Lord. But, he was struggling with addiction. The man had never known true love and true peace before. The man’s heart was lightened, his burdens lifted. But where were his other brothers and sisters in Christ? Why was no one else who claimed to be Christians willing to reach out to him, to love him, to offer him the support and encouragement that he greatly needed.
“Pray for the laborers of the Harvest for the laborers are few!”
We are hoping and praying that inactive Christians will get tired of their pews and the four corners of their church walls.
Be the church. Be the active body of Christ. Let us all take our light out into the world. Be willing to sacrifice our time for the cause of Christ and honor His Mission: reconcile the lost to Him, make disciples.
Let us not merely invite someone to church. Let us be compelled by the Love of Christ to take them to church. Better yet, let’s love on them where they are and introduce them to Christ: pray with them, minister to them, lift them up with words of encouragement, and draw them into a personal relationship with the Lord.
~ Anvil Forge
Copyright 2008, Anvil Forge © mkf; All rights reserved.
Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://anvilforge.org/9.html
Contact us via email: discipleship@anvilforge.org
“Though it’s beaten with many hammers, but itself remains unaffected…the Bible continues to wear out the skeptics innocuous charges, all the while remaining unscathed.”
– Author unknown
May the Word of God become forged in your hearts and minds as you wax hot with fervent studies in determined pursuit for the Wisdom and knowledge that draws you closer to Christ: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen ~ Anvil Forge
Consider how great His Love for us is. Consider how great pains He endured for our salvation. Consider how much He was willing to sacrifice for us. Consider how He gave His ALL for us!
How do we respond to that? Are we all for One? What sacrifices are we willing to make? How much are we willing to part with? Do we lay our differences aside, embrace one another in true Love, and worship Him the way we should?
How do we Love Him and Worship Him when we are not willing to reach out to the lost in our own communities? Do we simply pass out invitations for people to come to our ‘church’ and feel that that is enough, that we have done our part?
A sad moment:
There was a man in a community whom someone reached out to with the Love of Christ, who gave his heart to the Lord. But, he was struggling with addiction. The man had never known true love and true peace before. The man’s heart was lightened, his burdens lifted. But where were his other brothers and sisters in Christ? Why was no one else who claimed to be Christians willing to reach out to him, to love him, to offer him the support and encouragement that he greatly needed.
“Pray for the laborers of the Harvest for the laborers are few!”
We are hoping and praying that inactive Christians will get tired of their pews and the four corners of their church walls.
Be the church. Be the active body of Christ. Let us all take our light out into the world. Be willing to sacrifice our time for the cause of Christ and honor His Mission: reconcile the lost to Him, make disciples.
Let us not merely invite someone to church. Let us be compelled by the Love of Christ to take them to church. Better yet, let’s love on them where they are and introduce them to Christ: pray with them, minister to them, lift them up with words of encouragement, and draw them into a personal relationship with the Lord.
~ Anvil Forge
Copyright 2008, Anvil Forge © mkf; All rights reserved.
Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://anvilforge.org/9.html
Contact us via email: discipleship@anvilforge.org
“Though it’s beaten with many hammers, but itself remains unaffected…the Bible continues to wear out the skeptics innocuous charges, all the while remaining unscathed.”
– Author unknown
May the Word of God become forged in your hearts and minds as you wax hot with fervent studies in determined pursuit for the Wisdom and knowledge that draws you closer to Christ: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen ~ Anvil Forge
Thursday, March 13, 2008
New Book by New Author
Hello and thank you for visiting our first Blog
Living Each Day Led by the Spirit
Whether a teen, parent, single, or a pastor, this study will inspire all who read. Perfect for individual and small group studies.
Whether a teen, parent, single, or a pastor, this study will inspire all who read. Perfect for individual and small group studies.
This study will lead you through a journey of deep insight, refreshing comfort, and revitalizing encouragement that will bring you to a place of renewing a greater commitment in your walk with the Lord and develop a burning desire to learn more about His Word.
More than just another Bible Study: this book reveals God’s awesome plan and desire for your life, to help in every aspect of your life, generating awareness of His desire to be personally involved with you.
Use it as a creative and inspiring evangelistic tool to bring hope, encouragement, and direction to those who are hurting and desperately need a change.
This is a much needed message that brings strength to those who may become weary though living in a fast paced world.
More than just another Bible Study: this book reveals God’s awesome plan and desire for your life, to help in every aspect of your life, generating awareness of His desire to be personally involved with you.
Use it as a creative and inspiring evangelistic tool to bring hope, encouragement, and direction to those who are hurting and desperately need a change.
This is a much needed message that brings strength to those who may become weary though living in a fast paced world.
What’s in a Name?
We feel very strong that often there is too much emphasis on personalities and people, and we didn’t want to confuse the issue any more than what it already is by drawing attention to us or promoting our own opinion. More importantly, we wanted to place the importance of promoting the Infallible and Living Word of God / Jesus Christ.
At the same time, we are hoping to send a message not only in the title of the book cover and the material within – but – to convey a message with the pseudonym ‘Anvil Forge’ – that there might be many truths that the Spirit might relate to people’s hearts from the Scriptures as they consider such things as ‘fire and the forging process’ and the effort that is needed.
Anyway, as we were praying and asking the Lord what we should use to take the attention off of man and do our part to exalt the Man of God / Jesus Christ – the image of the Anvil came to mind – and then the word ‘FORGE.’
Weeks later we came across this unique quote:
“Though It’s beaten with many hammers, but itself remains unaffected…the Bible continues to wear out the skeptics innocuous charges, all the while remaining unscathed.”
~ Author unknown
May the Word of God become forged in your hearts and minds as you wax hot with fervent studies in determined pursuit for the Wisdom and knowledge that draws you closer to Christ: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
~ Anvil Forge
We feel very strong that often there is too much emphasis on personalities and people, and we didn’t want to confuse the issue any more than what it already is by drawing attention to us or promoting our own opinion. More importantly, we wanted to place the importance of promoting the Infallible and Living Word of God / Jesus Christ.
At the same time, we are hoping to send a message not only in the title of the book cover and the material within – but – to convey a message with the pseudonym ‘Anvil Forge’ – that there might be many truths that the Spirit might relate to people’s hearts from the Scriptures as they consider such things as ‘fire and the forging process’ and the effort that is needed.
Anyway, as we were praying and asking the Lord what we should use to take the attention off of man and do our part to exalt the Man of God / Jesus Christ – the image of the Anvil came to mind – and then the word ‘FORGE.’
Weeks later we came across this unique quote:
“Though It’s beaten with many hammers, but itself remains unaffected…the Bible continues to wear out the skeptics innocuous charges, all the while remaining unscathed.”
~ Author unknown
May the Word of God become forged in your hearts and minds as you wax hot with fervent studies in determined pursuit for the Wisdom and knowledge that draws you closer to Christ: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
~ Anvil Forge
missionaries on the Prairie
MISSION: POSSIBLE
MISSION: POSSIBLE
“With God all things are possible!”
Striving to exalt Christ before all people everywhere; in hopes of bringing forth inspiration, encouragement, hope, and stregth: drawing people closer to the Lord. To the glory of the Father!
The above articles and photos are Copyright protected by Anvil Forge© 2008, All Rights reserved.
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