Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The Gospel Demands a Changed Life!

Our top family highlight this summer was traveling throughout Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado on what I deemed our "Wild, Wild West 2010 Expedition."  We undoubtedly traveled 2,000+ miles visiting extended family in Post Falls, Idaho and Big Timber, Melville, Livingston, and Billings, Montana.  After dropping my mother and niece off in Montana, Sabrina, Cortni, and I traveled down to Colorado Springs, Colorado for an unforgettable and spiritually enriching conference at Glen Eyrie (Navigator HQ).  It was a spectacular time of meeting new and old friends from Ireland, Kazakhstan, Missouri, Ohio, Georgia, and British Columbia.  We studied the Epistle to the Hebrews, truths from Romans, and discussed the implications of the conditional "if" statements addressed to the redeemed throughout the holy scriptures.  On top of that, we so enjoyed the opportunity to forge new relationships with others who are thirsty to understand and apply God's Word and encourage and exhort one another as the Day draws near (Heb. 10:24-25).

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

One of the many privileges at the "Pressing on to Maturity Conference 2010" included benefiting from some fabulous and deep teaching from friends and brothers-in-Christ Iain MacMillan, Tony Stinson, and brothers Bill and Steve Ramey (both of whom I shared last summer's "Kingdom Ride 2009" with).  As we studied the current role of our Great High Priest , the reality of a coming kingdom under the worldwide rule of Christ Jesus (the Son of the living God), and the sober implications of the call on disciples to walk in holiness and be partakers and companions in that kingdom on this earth, one of the themes brought out in the conference continued to ring in my ears and heart: "The gospel demands a changed life." Tony preached a sermon recently at a church near Atlanta  that reflected that theme and I was so inspired, encouraged, and challenged by what he taught, that I wanted to share it with as many as possible.  If you'd like to discuss the contents of this message with me, I'd be happy to.  You can contact me via email at twblack1@verizon.net.