Working out your own Salvation

I took my parents truck down to the car wash to get washed recently. They do a real good job, inside and out. It smells real nice, looks real nice, and it takes a whole lot less effort for just a little cash. So anyway, I was in the waiting area drinking coffee and checking out the newspaper they had laying on the table there, when a mid-40's lady maked the comment, "That Obama is wicked!" She had obviously been looking at the back of the newspaper I was reading and saw the front page article regarding the federalization of all health care. And she didn't even dignify him with the customary "President" title! Wow! She just blasted him with the term "wicked!" Atta' girl! :)

But what got me was not the way she addressed Obama (I won't even dignify him...), but the word she used to define him..."wicked." That, to me at least, carries a biblical connotation. So I simply asked, "Ma'am, are you born again?" To that she replied, "Son, I'm saved, sanctified, filled with the Holy Ghost!" I guess that's a yes, huh? But if you know anything about dealing with other religions, you know that the phrase she gave me is easily identifiable with the Pentecostals who believe in sign gifts in our age for all believers. They say it is a requirement of Salvation to speak in tongues, which is evidence of the "filling" of the Holy Ghost. Well, if you know your Bible, the "fruits of the spirit" as listed in Galations 5:22-23 are the way to "walk in the spirit" according to Romans 8 and be fillled with the Holy Ghost. The filling that happened in Acts 2 was the same filling that I got the day I was saved, except I didn't have to perform the same "gifts" the believers did in a pivotal dispensation to show a sign to the Jews. (1 Corinthians 1:22) And it certainly didn't have to be done in order to be saved like they say. That's adding works to Salvation which is heresy. It doesn't mean that those who believe that doctrine aren't saved, it just means they are trying to prove something that isn't necessary instead of just believing what God said by faith.

I got all of that from the term, "saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost." I knew who she was, what she believed, and I knew that she was trying to feel me out, so to speak. So I said, "God filled me with the Holy Ghost too. That's what happened when I got saved!"

Ok, so by this point, we had both staked out the battleground! She was a Pentecostal, works added to Salvation, miracle worker, and I was a hard-nosed, fundamental, by grace through faith alone, Independent Baptist. War was on the way, and I could feel it! These Pentecostals that I meet aren't too meek, if you know what I mean.

She said, "Well, I'm just trying to 'work out my own salvation.'" I responded, "Good for you! I know that 'he which hath begun a good work in me will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." She snapped, "Well you still got to work out your own salvation!!!" Aha! She's used to sinking people with one verse of scripture!

But that one verse had me puzzled. I didn't know exactly what to say, and in a Nehemiah moment I begged God to give me something to tell this woman. A bible believing, King James banging, church kid was stumped out of the blue, and I didn't even know why.

But out of nowhere came this:

"W-w-well, y-you work out your own salvation....(seconds that felt like eternity)...the same way you work out your muscles."

God, where is this going?

"Really?" she says. "How is that?"

"Well, you don't work out the muscle for it to exist, or even to prove the muscle exists. You work out the muscle because that's what it's there to do--work! Salvation doesn't need to be worked out to exist in the first place. It just needs to be worked out because that's what God gave you Salvation for--to work it out!"

THANK YOU, LORD! (deep sigh)

And before I realized what had happened, they had informed the woman that her car was done, and she could go. She saw that as a convenient exit and made her way off. But she got the truth, and she didn't get it from me! That came from the 3rd heaven on that woman's behalf to help her understand her Bible.

And while the Pentecostal was being shown that she didn't need to do a miracle to be saved, the Baptist was getting one on his behalf.

A Blog worth checking out!

Hey, all! My dad started a blog! The url is www.preacherbud1611.blogspot.com. So check it out. I'm looking forward to the articles he posts in the future.

Quote of the Week

"I'm doing what I believe God told me to do. If you don't like it, go to heaven and take a u-turn!"

- Charlie Andrews.

The Journey Goes On

Time has passed, and nothing has changed about the fact that things always change. I hate change...some of it anyway. It's always exciting to see the new, and at the same time sad to see the old go away. This is happening in more than one area of my life as of late.

First, I am officially a college student at Gulf Coast Community College. Honestly, up until this point, I was anxious to get the "ball rollling," so to speak. Now, I'm kind of apprehensive about the fact that for the next seven years, life is going to be full of changes. But, that aside, I'm glad that things are moving along. My first four classes are scheduled to begin August 19th, so please pray that the Lord would prepare me physically, mentally, and spiritually for what lies ahead. The starting classes are: English Composition I, General Psychology, Understanding Music, and American National Government.

On another sphere, Dad and Russell are just getting the hang of their schedules back after the overseas trip, and Dad had to work at the boys home today, and Russell drove 2 and a half hours each way to take Mom to the doctor today. Russell has acclimated better than some would expect, and I'm not talking about jet lag. (stifled laugh) Seriously, he has kind of jumped right back into things and done well for that matter. Russell and I just got to sit down tonight and really review his trip via videos and pictures. He could not have had a better trip, it seems. The Lord truly blessed it. From all the mushy stuff that normally happens, to the hilarious teasing that naturally takes place, to the supporting cast that is my Dad and the Huussen family, I had a great time looking at all the memories that were made. I wish I could have been there...
Anyway, Russell and I got to talk for a while...not something that happens very often anymore, and it made me realize just how little that has happened in the last 6 months or so. Let me advise you that have family and loved ones around you: appreciate those you love, and forget about the undesirables. Love and care deeply while you have them by your side. Because, like I said, life changes things. The perfect word to describe what I mean is the word cherish. Cherish the times you enjoy with those you love. Enjoy simple daily things that will not always be there. Cherish opportunities to make differences you will not always be able to make.

Well, if you can even imagine me being this way...I've been kind of quiet and to myself the past couple of days. And it's because of all that's going on that I just wrote about. My family will be taking a week and a few days of vacation at the beginning of August. It may be the last time our family is able to travel long distances together as a whole. Possibly, we can take one more the first week of October. We are jokingly calling it our "Farewell Tour." :D But when the laugh dies away, we know it's true. We won't be the same for very much longer. Life changes things.

But, as sad as it can be, it can be that exciting as well! The journey goes on, and God is looking to do much with the Maynard family in the future. Whether that is the college student trying to make a difference at school, the eldest trying to add Maynards to the bunch, the youngest making fun of both, or the parents trying their dead-level best to lead a ministry, a church, and some goofy Maynard boys toward God's will for them, I promise you, much is in store. Just wait and see!

Congrats!

My brother, Russell, and my Dad have just returned from the Netherlands. This was a special trip, especially for Russell and the one he was going there to visit. (oooohhhh!) :D

Hannah Huussen, daughter of missionary Bro. Jake Huussen, was the purpose of Russells trip. Through divine direction on the part of both Russell and Hannah, it is now official that they are courting! (party) Hannah was unaware of his coming until the morning he arrived, though from what I can tell, she is very pleased with the outcome of the visit! :)

Congrats, big brother! You deserve everything God has and is blessing you with due to your patience and waiting on his direction. Staying on your toes and dodging a few bullets was surely worth the prize in the end. Love you, Russell!

Hannah, my sister in one way and soon to be in another, congrats! :) It is truly precious to me to see the Lord's hand guiding the two of you together. I'll try not to hold your choice against you. LOL Actually, it was God's choice, and he doeth all things well! I know it was God's choosing because Russell, for all his good tastes, isn't THAT good at choosing! :) Love you, Hannah!

What's best about the whole thing....IT CAN STILL BE DONE RIGHT!!! So for all the doubters, the mockers, and disputers that would try to discourage, distract, and help God out, stay away from me!! God doesn't need your help, and he'll do a top notch job without your input. Patience pays, and haste wastes! When God sends Ms. Universe into my world (not for a while, I assure you), God will know, I'll know, and Dad and Mom will know. I don't need to go to other churches, college, campmeetings, etc. to find a choice. God's way is best--always has been, always will be.

Thank God for his works toward them that fear him! God be praised! Russell and Hannah, God bless you both! We love you dearly!

When you don't understand, just understand!

Sometimes we have a thought processes that lead us to believe that what we think is important. "I think....", "I believe...", etc. I have come to the conclusion that what we think is not only unimportant, but also unnecessary. We think too much instead of focusing on what we know.

In the military, it doesn't matter what you think. It matters what you know. In the academy where I work, there is a chain of command from the top to the bottom, and it doesn't matter what you think, it only matters what you know. The Christian life is no different.

In a battle situation for the military, you thinking could cost lives. It's not your job to think, and it's not your job to weigh options, it's only your job to act on what you know is right. Do. Quit thinking! When the order comes, don't think about it...just do it. It comes from the top, and you aren't going to be held responsible for the right or wrong of the order, only whether or not you obeyed.

That brings me to the point of this post. Sometimes things don't make sense. There always will be things that don't make sense. But when you don't understand, just understand this: you understanding is not a priority! When you understand that, understanding everything else becomes a commodity. We need to quit thinking like we as Christians have to understand things that happen.

I think of David...he was completely misunderstood. He did not understand why he couldn't be king from the day that God annointed him. But the important thing was he didn't let his lack of understanding God's doings get in the way of him allowing God to work on him. There are things you will never understand...and there are people who will never understand you. They misunderstood David and read into his actions because they had a plan. Others around him had reason to read into his actions so they could call him subversive. This was a plot to find reason for Saul to kill him.

There is not one whose actions have not been misread or read into. Everyone has been misunderstood at some point. None was misunderstood and misread like our Lord, though. He was killed for claiming to be who he was, being charged with blasphemy.

Like Christ did, and like David did, we should not worry about what we can't control, what others think, what we think about things we don't understand, and focus on what we know. And Christian, you know what's right! Quit thinking...just do right. If you do that, your misunderstood and misread actions will be explained by your steadfastness in what is the truth.
What's right? Do it...and leave the rest up to God to sort out.

Don't think. Do right.

The Far Country

When the prodigal son took his journey, there is no doubt he took a physical, literal journey into the far country. The far country was full of bright lights, city attractions, and sensuality. It was enough, whatever it was, to lure even the fathers son away from home. But what is the far country? Does it have to be across the country? I don't believe so.

The moral of this story as Jesus told it was not the son that left, but the elder son that was still with the father. The Pharisees were murmuring about Jesus eating with and receiving sinners. Jesus responded by telling them about the sheperd who left ninety-nine to find one, and when he is found, there is great rejoicing. The same with the lost coin, etc.

So the problem being dealt with in this parable is not the sons that leave physically, but rather the ones who never left the fathers side, yet never understood the heart of their father toward those who were wayward.

The Bible is clear that we should be very forgiving as spiritual Christians in the spirit of meekness. (Gal. 6:1) This was not the case in Luke 15. The elder brother had a clear problem.

Only a selfish, self-centered person would be upset with the rejoicing over a son come home. You see, the elder brother was as far away in his heart from the father as the younger son was literally. And by the way, it's just as far of a trip back home when it's a heart problem as when it's a outward flesh problem. I know this because I've never been to the far country in person. I've never run to the bright lights and big city attractions of this world. Yet I have made my homeward run many times--in my heart.

I do not downplay the fact that the elder son had never left home. It is no secret that the physical far country holds far more dire consequences than the far country of your heart. But I assure you that the far country of your heart is no less sinful.

I have returned from that far country a few times. I will not, by the grace of God, go back. That far country has its markings--critical of everyone and everything, fleshly decisions, and self-serving and self-centered actions. While in that far country of your heart, you can't even allow someone else to enjoy the blessings of God on their life. The servants think they're spiritual, the brethren are overplayed, and the father is unjust and unfair after how good YOU'VE been. That's how you think in the far country of your heart! Leave it at once. Realize that the physical far country is a place that you could be tomorrow aside from Gods grace, and rejoice with the rest of us. The father has slain the fatted calf for those for whom we rejoice. You won't stop the party, so you might as well get in on it.

Notice that the father reminded the elder about his inheritance at the end of the story..."All that I have is thine," he said.

Just maybe if you'll come home from the pity-party, you'll be the next recepient of the fatted calf. In fact, I know that you will. But there aren't fatted calfs slain at the fathers table for those who abide in the far country, whether in the flesh, or in their heart.

Come home.

Quote of the Week

The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but throught men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men....and at that, men of prayer.

~ E.M. Bounds

P.S. I am not dead, just real busy right now. I have some posts on the way, I just can't make any promises. There "should" be a new one by tonight on both of my blogs.

In Christ Alone,
Clay

New Blog!

I have started a new blog!!! Pray I have more time for it than I have for this one...or maybe it would be better to have more time for this one, and then some more time after that for the other one. LOL Either way, I wouldn't mind spending more time blogging, so pray about that!

The purpose of the blog is stated on the top right sidebar, so check it out.

http://www.freedompoliticsonline.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

In Christ Alone,
Clay

On the Fourth of July

I got this email from a friend of mine that goes to our church who works out on the beach. I thought it was pretty good...

"With the 4th of July coming up in two days working at the beach, I have and will see a lot of fire works; people will stand in awe and say 'oohh...ahh, they are so pretty...look at all the colors!' But when is the last time some one stood in awe in an open field or on the beach and said 'ooh look at Gods painting in the sky which is new twice a day everyday!' or watched the lightning and imagined what majesty it took to create. This just came to me as I am walking my floors watching the fire works and watching people watch the fireworks all the while above the fireworks God is not being upstaged as he has lightning in the clouds. Glory and Honor and Praise be to God, Holy and Righteous. AMEN!

Quote of the Week

"Whatever mans opinion of you may be, let it not be more humbling than your own view of yourself. If any man thnks ill of you, do not be angry with him, for you are worse than he thinks you to be. If he charges you falsely on some point, yet be satisfied, for if he knew you better he might change the accusation, and you would be no gainer by the correction. If you have your moral picture painted and it is ugly, be satisfied, for it only needs a few blacker touches and it would be still nearer the truth."

-Charles H. Spurgeon