Portraits of a Dysfunctional Church | Pastor Richard Woodruff

I Corinthians is one of two existing letters addressed to the people of Corinth. Paul had ministered in Corinth during his second missionary journey. It was here that he met Aquila and Priscilla who were tent makers by trade as was Paul (Acts 18:3). Having been beaten and jailed in Philippi and escaping the incited […]

You can find this blog in it’s entirety by clicking the link below:

Portrait of a Dysfunctional Church — Cedarville Baptist Church

[Conclusion]

1. Like the church at Corinth, we are in a position for spiritual greatness.

2. Like the church at Corinth, we can be choosing to live in a place of spiritual infancy/riddled with sin.

3. Like the church at Corinth, we can find answers when we seek God.

4. Like the church at Corinth, we must not quit.

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

the Path to Transformation

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” Romans 12:2-3.

The path to transformation runs from the mind to the heart, and not the other way around.

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Isn’t it Enough?

You have heard the saying, “actions speak louder than words” right? Our actions (right or wrong) are a demonstration of our inward heart.

We are such independent creatures aren’t we? Here we can live our lives barely giving thought to how we got here, who put us here, why we are here, and who is in really in control.

All to often we find ourselves doing our own thing as we please, where we please, how we please and fail to stop, think, praise, serve or worship the giver of the very life we so enjoy. Oh we may stop for an hour on Sunday to “praise and worship” but is that what God desires of us? Our dutiful hour?

Dependence on something or someone usually brings to mind a sense of weakness, incapable, a negative twinge of some sort. We think needy, unstable, a crutch, even foolish. All to often we allow the world’s influence of ‘dependence‘ to creep into our thought process, life–actions, that work their root systems into our relationship with God and others.

God is quiet the contrary; man is quite the contrary. We have placed God in our man-made box of our own ideals. Ideals in which we have individually and corporately created; therefore, making man god and God just an conclusion of our matter.

If you do not know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, I implore you to go to my Eternity page and read it. If you have any further questions, I’d be ecstatic to talk with you.

To those who call yourselves followers of Christ; Have you considered what God thinks about your response to His glory, to Himself? What does God see or hear from and about you? After He gave His life for you on Calvary, died, rose again and while He is building a mansion for you in glory –what are you doing for Him? Your actions display your personal gratitude.

We are accountable. We will be held accountable. We are responsible. We will be held responsible. Don’t leave the other undone.

  • Examining our actions is being proactive.
  • Consider what your actions tell God, how they influence others and yourself? We only have but one life to live. Let’s make it count for who it matters most too…Christ.
  • How can we not?

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

the Battle Ground | Pride vs Brokenness

  • Are you being “respectable” or “real”?
  • “Real” (being broken over one’s sin; seeing who we really are before a righteous and holy God and seeing who He is) is the harder road to take but the road worth taking for it brings freedom, true life –abundant life only found in Jesus Christ. Only He can fulfill you!
  • “Respectable” (choosing to live selfishly in self-sufficiency and self-arrogance-pride, and yes, a believer can fall prey to this as well) seems to fulfill one quickly with desires and wants met thus fulfulling needs thought important, but come to find out many are filled with bitterness, emptiness, regrets, pain, sorrow, and a life without God.

God is not interested in our “respectableness.”

God desires our “realness!”

1 Peter 5:5 “…and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 51:17 ” The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”

Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Isaiah 66:2 “For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite, and who trembles at My word.”

So, are you “real” or are you “respectable” before God today?

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Seeing God on Earth

Have you ever seen the power of God in the life of a believer?

  • Maybe it was in a friend, your sister or brother. Perhaps it was in the life of your Pastor or his wife or maybe your parent or relative.

Seeing the power of God in a life that has freely chosen to be useable in the Master’s hands is like seeing God in bodily form –earthly speaking.

  • It is spiritually invigorating in the life of the believer, but also in the lives of those affected by that believer.
  • It is spiritually encouraging to witness.
  • It ignites a deeper fire within your own soul to continue to walk in righteousness. It also causes a spiritual iron sharpening iron affect in others to do the same.
  • It is spiritually influential.
  • It is God with us — in us.

Have you seen the power of God in your life?

Have you experienced God?

Do others see God in you?

If so, praise be to God! Keep on the journey of faith with Jesus Christ! If not, why not brother or sister?

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Jesus Our Example

Jesus did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32).

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am the God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold the with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).

“…I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

Lessons From the Trials of Christ | Pastor Richard Woodruff

Below you will find the link to a blog post written by Pastor Richard Woodruff on the Trials of Christ. I added his conclusion from that post below.

Truly, the trials of Christ are a vivid picture of man’s nature (my nature) next to God’s holiness. Without Him, in my sinful state, I am most miserable.

I encourage you to read this post. It’s good!

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

LINK: https://cbcofcedarville.org/2018/04/12/lessons-from-the-trials-of-christ/

Psator Woodruff’s conclusion from Lessons From the Trials of Christ:

The trial(s) of Jesus Christ stands in stark contrast to everything morally right or just.

1. It was fueled by financial greed.
2. It was fueled by lust for power.
3. It was fueled by self-preservation.

Still, Christ in his death is the very payment for our sin. We might wonder why or even how God could use the injustices of men in saving mankind. But, isn’t that just the point: The trial of Christ is a vivid picture of man’s nature next to God’s holiness.

We see man– corrupt in every conceivable way. It is our sinful state that fuels financial greed, lust for power, and self-preservation. Only God could demonstrate such powerful love that what men meant for evil, God meant for good. Only God could love us so much to wade through the muck and mire of our sinful state in order to save us. It was because of man’s sin that Jesus came to die on that cross. It was man’s sinful trial that condemned Him.

On the day of the Triumphal entry, truly a priest and king entered Jerusalem. Jesus death on the cross was God’s response to save us from our sin. Jesus Christ is the only One who could satisfy the penalty for our sin. The only One who could deliver us from the prison of our sin. Amen.

Pastor Richard Woodruff

You can follow Pastor Richard Woodruff on WordPress by checking out cbcofcedarville, Cedarville Baptist Church or http://www.cbcofcedarville.org

Living Our Inhertiance NOW!

Remember who you are and how you got there. As a child of God, you are an heir to the throne, a daughter or son of the Most High King. This world is not our palace, we are just passing through; but while we are here let the whole world know whose you are and why. Our time is short.

So today:

  • fix your crown
  • know that you are His forever
  • you are complete in Christ
  • you are empowered through His Spirit
  • you are God equipped
  • proclaim, show, tell, live out your inheritance before men so that they too may see and know God.
  • thrive in Christ, my friend

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

(Photo/Credits to whomever posted this online)

this Jesus

Jesus said we’d know we were starting to make an impact when people started insulting, persecuting, and defaming us because of Him. He even says that we should be happy about it. (Ever think that sometimes Jesus has WAY different ideas about what leads to happiness?)

  • Jesus is simply not intimidated by confrontation and conflict.
  • He is not moved or motivated by unfair critique or misplaced abuse.
  • It’s impossible to force Jesus to capitulate on the truth—He cannot be pressured into compromising his integrity.

Consider what this says about Jesus’ character.

  • He cannot be swayed unlike other leaders or celebrities or self-claimed “saviors.”
  • He doesn’t flip-flop or back down.
  • He’s someone we can trust; someone we can follow into a storm.
  • He cannot violate Himself –His own character.

Spend a minute or two acknowledging these unique and rare qualities about Jesus, and thank him for his uncompromising nature. Ask the Holy Spirit to increase these qualities in you today. You are filled with the Spirit aren’t you? The Spirit is the same yesterday, today and forever.

(Excerpts taken from devotional Paying Ridiculous Attention to Jesus)

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” Matthew 5:10-12.

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}

I love Him | I love Him not

I have been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan off and on now for the past several months. It isn’t a hard read or unworthy of anyone’s time, quite the contrary. I am being convicting, soul—stirred that I am only able to read sections at a time for my mind, heart, and soul to come together to compute. I want to hear God. I want to get it. I want God to change me. I want to grow in Christ. I want less of me and more of Him. That takes time; time that I don’t want to rush or interrupt.

Several months ago, I wrote a blog about “lukewarm Christians.” This topic still stirs my heart to its core. It brings a heaviness to my heart for two reasons. First, on a personal note, I don’t want to go there –I don’t want to entertain the notion nor give way to it in my relationship with God; secondly, the evidence is all around us in lives that have chosen such a lifestyle. Yes, sadly this evidence is rampant within our churches today. How can this be? How can a child of God choose so? This blows fuses in my brain but I cannot imagine what it does to God’s heart which is far more important than mine.

This we do know with certainty that Jesus’ call to us is crystal clear. Make no mistake about it. He wants all or nothing. There is no in between!

“The thought of a person calling himself a “Christian” without being a devoted follower of Christ is absurd” Chan wrote. I agree. Yet, I tread lightly here because I am no different. I am flesh and blood. I am saved by His amazing grace. I am His and He is mine, yet I am keenly aware that it is because of Christ that I am His in the first place, lest I boast in and of myself. My sinful nature screams just as loudly as everyone else’s. The same choice that has been given to you has been given to me; God or self. It is impossible to serve two masters.

I wonder (thinking out loud here) have we chosen to use “lukewarmness” as a tool. A tool for our own selfish ambitions; a tool to do what we want? An asset to use when we want, how we want, all the while claiming Christ, given into its temptational lure. Have we circum to the devil’s lies? Have we forsaken God?

Nothing makes satan more happier than to see a defeated Christian –they are the easy ones. The defeated Christian thinks they are in control yet all the while is being controlled, used as a pawn in the enemies frontline; they don’t even know it nor are they able to fight back.

  1. We underestimate the power of our choices. Our choice reveals our truest colors: who we really are (our core). We may verbalize the words, even speak Scripture, but this one thing never changes: actions speak louder than words.
  2. We underestimate the power of our choice in thinking we are not seen. You and I are seen: by God, by this world: our family, friends, and those we never knew were watching. Does this mean we ought to live in paranoia? By no means. Does this mean we must live in perfection on this side of Heaven? We know the answer to that question. What it does mean –be aware, be on spiritual guard, be watchful of our flesh –it rears its ugly head when it is not feasting daily on the Word. We neither live nor die to ourselves.

Commitment to Christ. He has committed everything –even to the point of death; taking our place for our payment of death to be able to be restored unto Himself. He did this for all mankind (John 3:16), but more intimately He did this for you. How are you responding to Christ? How are you displaying, expressing, or giving back to Christ? Is your heart filled with gratitude towards Him? If not, why not?

We get so edgy when ‘church talk’ turns the corner and words like “commitment” or “membership” become the topic. We will argue, fuss, feud, justify our tiredness or sickness, we use Scripture to prove our own standard of Christlikeness; yet we will not bat an eye to commit to or sign the dotted line to join the local discount food club, the gym, or the library.

Is Christ not worth more of our personal commitment than saving a buck at the local discount club?

  • When we are not committed to Christ; when He is not valued, esteemed, honored, glorified, or reaching into every area of our life; if God is not seen as a priority above all else –this is what we say: (remember actions speak louder than words) “God, what I love, where my allegiance lies…it’s not you. Thanks for my salvation, but don’t ask me for anything more.”
  • We would never speak such language aloud yet our actions betray us; Christ is not enough.

You’ve got to admit it –we are crafty creatures. When it comes right down to it, where there’s a will there’s a way –for both good and evil.

We find ways to justify ourselves, our actions, and we are simply okay with it. Never thinking that God is not okay with it.

To those who call themselves “believers” cannot follow their own course of actions while calling themselves followers of Christ. Jesus doesn’t. It’s an oxymoron.

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}