Link to Ted Edwards Home Page
Regardless of how long you've been a Christian, it could happen to you.
Life is going along rather well and then "BAM! It hits !!!"
"What is it?"
you ask. It could be described in numerous ways but about the
plainest way to illustrate it would simply be to say "It's like hitting a
brick wall."
It happens to many people because they relate to Jesus primarily in an
intellectual way instead of being connected to the Living Word in a personal
way. It could happen if the only time spent in God's Word is when we're
together on Sundays and perhaps on Wednesdays.
I'm not trying to minimize the need for accurate teaching of the Word, it's
just that we should realize there are limitations of centering a church's
entire ministry around the assemblies when we meet once or twice a week.
This process tends to intellectualize belief, and can leave a believer's
spiritual bones dry as the Arizona desert in mid-July.
Has it ever happened to you? If so, it is possible that your spiritual life
is dried up and empty. The solution is for Christ to intercede and show
Himself in a fresh and vibrant way.
Accurate, sound preaching and teaching must go hand-in-hand with exercising
other gifts of the Spirit -- like personal encouragement, and personal
application of what was delivered in the teaching time in order to help us
live out the message in our daily lives.
Consider these thoughts from Hebrews 3:12-14, "See to it, brothers, that
none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living
God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that
none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in
Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first."
Someone once said that about 80% of the people who attend services on Sunday
are not otherwise involved in any other significant ministry of the church.
I don't believe that the percentage would be that high at West-Ark, but if
it is anywhere close to being accurate
could it also be true that about 80%
of us are starving to death spiritually? Let me say that you have a
Spiritual Family at West-Ark that is waiting to help and encourage you if
you're facing the wall. Reach out and talk with a brother or sister we're
here for you.
See you in Bible Class soon!!!
Link to Ted Edwards Home Page