I want to take this time to say Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year as we soon celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It's been challenging year.  The song "Hallelujah" is one of my favorite Christmas songs to sing and wanted to share it with you. 

Real Purpose with Pastor Bob Lenz

Pastor Bob singing "Hallelujah" Christmas Version. Merry Christmas from our Church family.

John 3:16-17 (NIV) 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

"Love" Second Sunday Advent 2020 Sermon

Since my last Podcast in 2019, we have relocated to Scott City Missouri where I am now the Senior Pastor of Restoration Community Church. Our world is facing the daily fear of the pandemic, "coronavirus," that has many people feeling afraid, anxious and the reality that thousands of human beings have died over the past few weeks and many are in the hospital fighting for their lives. We continue to pray for every person who is sick with the virus for Gods' healing touch. 

Re-Connecting and Trusting God in a challenging Time

Why Go To Church? With Pastor Bob and Sandy Lenz My special Guest, my wife and best friend Sandy, who serves as an Assistant pastor here at New Rock Wesleyan Church in the Pastoral position New Rock Childrens Pastor, Health Connect, Womens Discipleship and she preaches the Word of God frequently with great passion and articulation!  Episode Questions  Why Is It Important That I go to Church?  Do I really Have To Go To Church To Connect With God?  What does the Bible say about attending Church? How do I choose a Church to Attend?  Aren’t Churches all the same?  Is it important that the church I attend fill my needs? Is what I wear to Church important to God? Are pews verses chairs important to God? Does God favor one style of Worship music over another?  Sandy, shares some of her testimony. What Does The Bible Say about Corporate Worship in the New Testament under the New Covenant? Genesis 2:18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Acts 2:46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) 4 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.  Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be?  If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. One of the most significant things regarding corporate worship under the New Covenant is the intentional focus on building up the whole body. The Apostle Paul wrote in: Colossians 3:16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 1 Corinthians 14:26  What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. Church is the Hub and not the final destination!  “worship” isn’t something we mainly do at church on Sunday! Its not about the sticks and bricks! Prayer To Accept Jesus Into Your Heart Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life; I give it to you. From this day forward, help me to live every day for you. Help me to live for you the rest of this life. In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen. email me: realpurpose.pastorboblenz@gmail.com   References Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible : English standard version. Wheaton, IL: Author.

Pastor Bob & Sandy Lenz "Why Go To Church?"

Cant You Hear My Heart beating? Sound of heart beating 6 Weeks 4 Days From 6 ½ -7 weeks is the time when a heartbeat can be detected and viability can be assessed. A normal heartbeat at 6-7 weeks would be 90-110 beats per minute. The presence of an embryonic heartbeat is an assuring sign of the health of the pregnancy. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.   Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Isaiah 44:2 Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb…   Abortion defined according to online dictionary says, “it is the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.” Miriam Webster defines “abortion”  1 : the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus: such as a : spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus during the first 12 weeks of gestation   www.medicinenet.com: Abortion: In medicine, an abortion is the premature exit of the products of conception (the fetus, fetal membranes, and placenta) from the uterus. It is the loss of a pregnancy and does not refer to why that pregnancy was lost. The verbiage on the Planned parenthood website seem to make it seem like its a walk in the park, that its as common as a common cold, everyone does it. I pray for this Nation and every women who is making this decision today as you listen to this podcast. There is no mention of "what's best" for the baby in the womb? None? Its as if there is no exisitence of a life, no advocate for this precious life. 61,000,000 babies returned to heaven since Roe v. Wade. How will history look back and judge us?    Website Planned Parenthood  Is abortion the right option for me? Abortion is very common, and people have abortions for many different reasons.  Only you know what’s best for you, but good information and support can really help you make the decision that is best for your own health and well-being.  No one should pressure you into making any decision about your pregnancy, no matter what. At the end of the day, only you know what’s right for you. (Planned parenthood)  Why do people decide to have an abortion? If you’re thinking about having an abortion, you’re so not alone. Millions of people face unplanned pregnancies every year, and about 4 out of 10 of them decide to get an abortion. Some people with planned pregnancies also get abortions because of health or safety reasons. Overall, 1 in 4 women in the U.S. will have an abortion by the time they’re 45 years old. Sometimes, the decision is simple. Other times, it’s complicated. But either way, the decision to have an abortion is personal, and you’re the only one who can make it. Everyone has their own unique and valid reasons for having an abortion. Some of the many different reasons people decide to end a pregnancy include: They want to be the best parent possible to the kids they already have. They’re not ready to be a parent yet. It’s not a good time in their life to have a baby. They want to finish school, focus on work, or achieve other goals before having a baby. They’re not in a relationship with someone they want to have a baby with. They’re in an abusive relationship or were sexually assaulted. The pregnancy is dangerous or bad for their health. The fetus won’t survive the pregnancy or will suffer after birth. They just don’t want to be a parent. Deciding to have an abortion doesn’t mean you don’t want or love children. In fact, 6 out of 10 people who get abortions already have kids — and many of them decide to end their pregnancies so they can focus on the children they already have. And people who aren’t already parents when they get an abortion often go on to have a baby later, when they feel they are in a better position to be a good parent. The bottom line is, deciding if and when to have a baby is very personal, and only you know what’s best for you and your family.       Abortion There are two ways of ending a pregnancy: in-clinic abortion and the abortion pill. Both are safe and very common. If you’re pregnant and thinking about abortion, you may have lots of questions. We’re here to help.   What are the types of in-clinic abortions? In-clinic abortion works by using suction to take a pregnancy out of your uterus. There are a couple of kinds of in-clinic abortion procedures. Your doctor  or nurse will know which type is right for you, depending on how far you are into your pregnancy. Suction abortion (also called vacuum aspiration) is the most common type of in-clinic abortion. It uses gentle suction to empty your uterus. It’s usually used until about 14-16 weeks after your last period. Which kind of abortion you choose all depends on your personal preference and situation. Some people choose in-clinic abortion because they want to to have their procedure done at a health center, with nurses, doctors, and trained support staff there the whole time. (With the abortion pill, you have the abortion at home.) In-clinic abortions are also much faster than the abortion pill: most in-clinic abortions only take about 5-10 minutes, while a medication abortion may take up to 24 hours to complete. How late you can get an abortion depends on the laws in your state and what doctor, abortion clinic, or Planned Parenthood health center you go to. It may be harder to find a health care provider who will do an abortion after the 12th week of pregnancy, so it’s best to try to have your abortion as soon as possible.   What is the abortion pill? Medication abortion — also called the abortion pill — is a safe and effective way to end an early pregnancy.   How effective is the abortion pill? The abortion pill is very effective. The effectiveness depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy when you take the medicine. For people who are 8 weeks pregnant or less, it works about 94-98 out of 100 times. For people who are 8-9 weeks pregnant, it works about 94-96 out of 100 times. For people who are 9-10 weeks pregnant, it works about 91-93 out of 100 times. The abortion pill usually works, but if it doesn’t, you can take more medicine or have an in-clinic abortion to complete the abortion.   Why do people choose the abortion pill? Which kind of abortion you choose all depends on your personal preference and situation. With medication abortion, some people like that you don’t need to have a procedure in a doctor’s office. You can have your medication abortion at home or in another comfortable place that you choose. You get to decide who you want to be with during your abortion, or you can go it alone. Because medication abortion is similar to a miscarriage, many people feel like it’s more “natural” and less invasive. Claims about treatments that reverse the effects of medication abortion are out there, and a handful of states require doctors and nurses to tell their patients about them before they can provide abortion care. But these claims haven’t been proven in reliable medical studies — nor have they been tested for safety, effectiveness, or the likelihood of side effects — so experts like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reject these untested supposed treatments. Studies on the abortion pill do show that if you take the first medicine but not the second, the abortion pill is less likely to work. So if you’ve begun the process of having an abortion using the abortion pill but are having second thoughts, contact the doctor or nurse you saw for the abortion right away to talk about your best next steps and what to expect.   Trimesters (Healthline.com) A normal, full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks, and can range from 37-42 weeks. It’s divided into three trimesters. Each trimester lasts between 12 and 14 weeks, or about three months.   The first trimester lasts from the first through the 13th week of pregnancy. Although you may not look pregnant during the first trimester, your body is going through enormous changes as it accommodates a growing baby. Listen to the heart beat 6 weeks 4 days The second trimester (weeks 13-27) is the most comfortable period of time for the majority of pregnant women. Most of the early pregnancy symptoms will gradually disappear. You will likely feel a surge in energy levels during the daytime and be able to enjoy a more restful night's sleep. The second trimester is when most women can feel their baby move for the first time, usually by 20 weeks. The baby can even hear and recognize your voice during the second trimester. An anatomy ultrasound might be performed between weeks 18 and 22. At this scan, parts of the baby’s body will be measured and assessed to make sure that they are functioning. These body parts include the: heart lungs kidney brain Around 18 weeks of pregnancy, your little one hears their very first sounds. By 24 weeks, those little ears are rapidly developing. Your baby's sensitivity to sound will improve even more as the weeks pass. The limited sounds your baby hears around this point in your pregnancy are noises you may not even notice. The third trimester lasts from the 28th week through to the birth of your baby.  Science of Fetal Pain - Can The Fetus Feel Pain?  (lozierinstitute.com) Fetal reactions provide evidence of pain response. The unborn baby reacts to noxious stimuli with avoidance reactions and stress responses. As early as 8 weeks the baby exhibits reflex movement during invasive procedures.There is extensive evidence of a hormonal stress response by unborn babies as early as 18 weeks Fetal surgeons recognize unborn babies as patients. A leading children’s hospital performed nearly 1,600 fetal surgeries between 1995 and June 2017. Perinatal medicine now treats unborn babies as young as 18 weeks for dozens of conditions. Pain medication for unborn patients is routinely administered as standard medical practice.  The Wesleyan Church (11) Abortion. The Wesleyan Church seeks to recognize and preserve the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and, thus, is opposed to the use of induced abortion. However, it recognizes that there may be rare pregnancies where there are grave medical conditions threatening the life of the mother, which could raise a serious question about taking the life of the unborn child. In such a case, a decision should be made only after very prayerful consideration following medical and spiritual counseling. The Wesleyan Church encourages its members to become informed about the abortion issue and to become actively involved locally and nationally in the preparation and passage of appropriate legislation guaranteeing protection of life under law to unborn children. What Can You Do? “I Mode” Women’s Health and Wellness Clinic of Walton  PRCWC provides compassionate care, practical help and evidence-based education to women who believe they’re pregnant and who may be considering abortion. We offer help without judgment and a path to Christ, both in word and deed.    SERVING FROM YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTEDNESS…       First Corinthians 12, 13, 14 – Love being the greatest of these!!!   Prayer team -gift of intercession, faith, encouragement Medical professionals-licensed practical and registered nurses, N.P., P.A.-gift of mercy Patient Advocates (Female)-gift of wisdom, faith, mercy, teaching Fatherhood Mentors (Male)-gift of wisdom, faith, mercy, teaching Telephone Consultant-gift of wisdom, faith, mercy, administration Hope Closet Coordinator-gift of administration, mercy Earn-While-You-Learn Program Facilitators – gift of faith, teaching, exhortation Abstinence/STD/Fetal Development Educators for Students-gift of teaching, exhortation Abortion Recovery/Healing Facilitators-gift of mercy, faith, encouragement/exhortation   Administrative Services Clerical Assistance to Managers Bulk Mailing Church Liaison Fundraiser/Public relations/ Event Committee Speakers Team PRCWC Commitment To Care Link: http://prcwalton.com/about-pregnancy-resource-center-of-walton-county/commitment-to-care/   email me: realpurpose.pastorboblenz@gmail.com   References The Discipline 2016: The Wesleyan Church . Wesleyan Publishing House. Kindle Edition.  https://abort73.com/abortion_facts/us_abortion_statistics/ http://prcwalton.com/contact-pregnancy-resource-center-of-walton-county/  

Cant You Hear My Heart Beating?

“Are You Distracted? God calls us to be fully present to the moment at hand, but so often we are lost in another world, lost in the past, lost in the future, lost in our anguish, lost even in our joys. Or perhaps we just get lost in the latest silly game on our smart phones while someone or some task needs our full attention. (Thibodeaux,2015). What are those distractions keeping you from being present to the moment at hand impacting your relationship with Jesus Christ? How are distractions preventing you from experiencing life as God planned for you?   “Distraction”  definition - “a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else. synonyms - diversion, interruption, disturbance, intrusion, interference, obstruction, hindrance John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. What “Boundaries have you established for your life that is allowing you to make healthy Choices?” How are you dealing with your distractions? Mark 10:46-52 (CEB) 46 Jesus and his followers came into Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho, together with his disciples and a sizable crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, Timaeus’ son, was sitting beside the road.  47 When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!”  48 Many scolded him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, show me mercy!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him forward.” They called the blind man, “Be encouraged! Get up! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his coat to the side, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.” 52 Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” At once he was able to see, and he began to follow Jesus on the way.   God calls us to be fully present to the moment at hand Expose Your life to Gods’ Examination.    Be Intentional (Be willing, open and vulnerable to God ) Be Strategic (Create a Spiritual Formation Plan for your life. Email me and I will email you a Spiritual Formation Plan Document) Be Accountable! (Prayer Partners. Men to Men, Women to Women.)   Proverbs 28:13 Those who hide their sins won’t succeed, but those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.   1. Lost in the past - (What things in your past haven’t you placed on His altar?) 2. Lost in the future - (Luke 12:22 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 3. Lost in anguish  - (Matthew 11:30 My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”) 4. Lost even in our joys - (Declare that everything You own belongs to God. Luke 12:34 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too.)    “The Maximum You are willing to give, will always determine the Minimum You get back.”   God has a plan for Your life!  Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the LORD; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. “Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. A boundary shows me where I end and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership.” (Cloud,p.29)  “The inability to set appropriate boundaries at appropriate times with the appropriate people can be very destructive.” (Cloud, p.25)   “Distraction”  definition - “a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else. Synonyms - diversion, interruption, disturbance, intrusion, interference, obstruction, hindrance   John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.   “Get Connected, Stay Connected” My email:  realpurpose.pastorboblenz@gmail.com   References Common English Bible: (2010). A Fresh Translation to Touch the Heart and Mind. New Testament. Common English Bible. Cloud, Henry; Townsend, John. Boundaries: When To Say Yes, How to Say No (p. 25). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.  Thibodeaux, Mark E.. Reimagining the Ignatian Examen: Fresh Ways to Pray from Your Day (p. 18). Loyola Press. Calhoun, A. A. (2005). Spiritual disciplines handbook: Practices that transform us. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible : English standard version. Wheaton, IL: Author. Foster, R. J. (1988). Celebration of discipline: The path to spiritual growth. San Francisco: Harper & Row. Foster, N. (2014). The making of an ordinary saint: My journey from frustration to joy with the spiritual disciplines. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks.

Are You Distracted?

Twenty-Seven Degrees Whats Your Spiritual Temperature January-26-2019 Its 27 degrees this morning here in Loganville Georgia.  Leviticus 6:12 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out.  John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 1. Whats your “Spiritual Temperature?” 2. How are you keeping your relationship with Christ above 27 degrees? 3. How are you staying connected? 4. Whats your “desire,” temperature to know Christ? 5. Whats the temperature of your willingness to be intentional in staying connected to Christ? 6. Whats your strategic temperature in the “How” you are keeping your spiritual temperature above 27 degrees? 7. Whats your willingness to be held “accountable,” do you have a circle of accountability partners? 8. Whats your “transparency,” temperature? 9. Whats your spiritual “attitude,” temperature today? I was sitting near our fireplace when I noticed a red hot ember dropped from the fire and it laid off to the one side by itself. It didn’t take long before the red hot ember started to smolder, lost its red hot glow, became dimmer and dimmer and eventually no longer was giving off heat. John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Leviticus 6:12 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out.  1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit. Do not put out the Holy Spirit's fire! Stay Connected!  “The Maximum you are willing to give, will always determine the Minimum your get back.” Desire, Intentional, Strategic, Accountability, Transparency, and Attitude Romans 12:1-2,11 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. First,  Detachment -  Write out a list of that defense mechanisms you are attached to. What triggers your response to Christ? Have a conversation (Prayer) with God to show you what your attachment labels are! Anger,  Forgiveness, addictions? “We are to detach from the accolades of the world and receive ourselves as Gods’ beloved. Detachment finds its true home in attachment to Jesus only” (Calhoun,2005) Second, Submission - Submission is definitely not popular however submission leads to spiritual maturity (growth). It will align you with God’s Will and freedom. John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.” Third, Obedience - Intentional, and eager t! o be obedient. Be accountable! Be teachable! Be approachable! Surrender yourself too Jesus! You cannot do this alone! We are saved by grace and it is only by God working first in us to work through us. Be accountable, submit to one another, we are called into relationships as Jesus was relational.  Be Strategic, Be Intentional, Be Accountable Leviticus 6:12 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out.  Closing Prayer. Email if you have any questions or would like me to pray with you:  realpurpose.pastorboblenz@gmail.com   References Calhoun, A. A. (2005). Spiritual disciplines handbook: Practices that transform us. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible : English standard version. Wheaton, IL: Author. Foster, R. J. (1988). Celebration of discipline: The path to spiritual growth. San Francisco: Harper & Row. Foster, N. (2014). The making of an ordinary saint: My journey from frustration to joy with the spiritual disciplines. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks.

Twenty-Seven Degrees

I find to often that husbands fail to date their wives after marriage. Why? Love her as Christ loved the Church. Take time to actually write your wife a love letter, encourage her, love her. I am no expert on relationships, but I do understand my position in Christ and He in me. Get Connected, Stay Connected. John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Husbands Love Your Wives As Christ Loved The Church Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Confession and Self-Examination Desire - “Maximum you give will determine the minimum you get back!” Scripture: Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Practice: (Calhoun 2005) Seek Gods’ grace to change Replace sinful habits with healthy ones Keep company with Jesus as he helps you with how much or how little you change. Gain insight into your temptations and Gods work in your life. Being transformed into Christlikeness Having compassion for others in their faults Seeing yourself as Gods’ loved and forgiven child no matter what you have done. Living in thankfulness for Gods’ work in your life Savoring the gift of salvation Love Your Wives As Christ Loved The Church Date Your Wife   References Calhoun, A. A. (2005). Spiritual disciplines handbook: Practices that transform us. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible : English standard version. Wheaton, IL: Author. May, G. G. (2005). Addiction and grace: Love and spirituality in the healing of addictions. San Francisco, CA: HarperOne. Foster, R. J. (1988). Celebration of discipline: The path to spiritual growth. San Francisco: Harper & Row. Foster, N. (2014). The making of an ordinary saint: My journey from frustration to joy with the spiritual disciplines. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks.

Husbands Love Your Wives As Christ Loved The Church - "Get Connected"

“Saved By Grace” "The Maximum you give, will always determine the Minimum you get back." The Wesleyan Church The Sufficiency and Full Authority of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation John 3:16 (ESV) 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. The Wesleyan Church  - 218. We believe that the books of the Old and New Testaments constitute the Holy Scriptures. They are the inspired and infallibly written Word of God, fully inerrant in their original manuscripts and superior to all human authority, and have been transmitted to the present without corruption of any essential doctrine.  We believe that they contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man or woman that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.  Both in the Old and New Testaments life is offered ultimately through Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and humanity. The New Testament teaches Christians how to fulfill the moral principles of the Old Testament, calling for loving obedience to God made possible by the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit. Personal Choice 224. We believe that humanity’s creation in the image of God included ability to choose between right and wrong. Thus individuals were made morally responsible for their choices. But since the fall of Adam, people are unable in their own strength to do the right.  This is due to original sin, which is not simply the following of Adam’s example, but rather the corruption of the nature of each mortal, and is reproduced naturally in Adam’s descendants. Because of it, humans are very far gone from original righteousness, and by nature are continually inclined to evil.  They cannot of themselves even call upon God or exercise faith for salvation. But through Jesus Christ the prevenient grace of God makes possible what humans in self effort cannot do. It is bestowed freely upon all, enabling all who will to turn and be saved. Church. The Discipline 2016: The Wesleyan Church . Wesleyan Publishing House. Kindle Edition.  Good Works 232. We believe that although good works cannot save us from our sins or from God’s judgment, they are the fruit of faith and follow after regeneration. Therefore they are pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and by them a living faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit. 15. Sanctification: Initial, Progressive, Entire 236.  We believe that sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the child of God is separated from sin unto God and is enabled to love God with all the heart and to walk in all His holy commandments blameless. Sanctification is initiated at the moment of justification and regeneration.  From that moment there is a gradual or progressive sanctification as the believer walks with God and daily grows in grace and in a more perfect obedience to God. This prepares for the crisis of entire sanctification which is wrought instantaneously when believers present themselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, through faith in Jesus Christ, being effected by the baptism with the Holy Spirit who cleanses the heart from all inbred sin.  The crisis of entire sanctification perfects the believer in love and empowers that person for effective service. It is followed by lifelong growth in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The life of holiness continues through faith in the sanctifying blood of Christ and evidences itself by loving obedience to God’s revealed will. Church. The Discipline 2016: The Wesleyan Church . Wesleyan Publishing House. Kindle Edition.  John 3:16 (ESV) 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. John 10:9 (CEB) 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. Acts 4:12 (ESV) 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Old Testament Isaiah 45:22 (ESV) “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!  For I am God, and there is no other. [Christ] died for all” (2 Cor. 5:14); “Who gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Tim. 2:6); “That he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:9); and, “He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2; cf. also John 1:29; 2 Cor. 5:18; and Gal. 4:4).  Closely related are those verses which describe the Atonement in such terms as could only mean the inclusion of all persons within its scope: “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17); “I came not to judge the world, Those references which represent God’s will as including the salvation of all men. It is inconceivable that God should love and desire the sal vation of all and not make such possible through the Atonement. Jesus is spoken of as “The Savior of the world” (John 4:42) and “of all men, specially of those that believe” (1 Tim. 4:10). Jesus himself said, “The bread that I will give is my flesh, … for the life of the world” (John 6:51).  Paul records, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:3-4). Peter affirms, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).   Sinners Prayer Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life; I give it to you. From this day forward, help me to live every day for you. Help me to live for you the rest of this life. In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.   References Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible : English standard version. Wheaton, IL: Author. Purkiser, W. T. (1960). Exploring our Christian faith. Kansas City: Beacon Hill. Wesleyan Church. (2016). The discipline of the Wesleyan Church. Marion, IN: Wesleyan Pub. House. I His love and grace, Pastor Bob realpurpose.pastorboblenz@gmail.com      

Saved By Grace Part 1 & The Wesleyan Church

Habits and Living The Life God Planned For You Aristotle once said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” Aristotle believed that the key to living a good life is to develop good habits.” Nathan Foster, (2014),The Making of an Ordinary Saint…“The truth is that everyone is bored, and devotes himself to cultivating habits.”  Albert Camus1 Webster Define “Habit” as…a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up. Welcome to Humanity! Humans, (WE),  are ALL creatures of habit. God did create us with the ability and FREE-WILL choice that we can train our minds, bodies, and souls to habitually, naturally do the right thing. The issue is, we as easily fall into unhealthy habits! We ALL develop habits and patterns we live by.  My first recommendation is that you make a list of your daily habits? Be transparent! Run your list by someone you trust, that you have given permission to hold you accountable that you may consider your accountability partner, that person or persons that you give permission to speak truth into your life that have your life in their best interest and won’t hold back. BE INTENTIONAL, BE STRATEGIC! What are your Attachments?  Practice LETTING GO, Be Intentional, PRAYER, ask God to search your inner being to reveal to you anything that you have not placed on His altar! Spend time telling God what you are attached to! Where do you require GRACE to GET CONNECTED by DETACHING from habits that DO NOT GLORIFY GOD?  Ask God to provide you with opportunities to detach from habits, secondary things, time, to develop new habits.  List what you believe to be your Good and Bad Habits, BE Transparent! We ALL have Good and Bad Habits! Start SMALL, which habits are you willing to give up first toward your transformation in Christ? Which Habits can you you celebrate!  Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Philippians 2:14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, Hebrews 10:25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. BE Intentional, Strategic and Accountable!  Discovering your purpose and passion in Gods’ plan may require to “UNLEARN” to “DETACH” and Intentionally through  accountability strategically CULTIVATE New Habits/Patterns.  Colossians 3:9-10  9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator John 14:23  Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. For those who belong, “A FOLLOWER”  of Jesus Christ, intentionally CULTIVATING new habits through the indwelling control of the Holy Spirit becomes a NEW and CONSISTENT way of life. These new habits are described by Jesus as loving Him. Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him" (John 14:23). Most importantly, we are told, "And whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Simply Attending Church on a Sunday and thats IF you attend 52 Sundays, doesn’t mean you are SAVED, nor does it imply its enough to transform your life. Its a Good start! Church Hopping which is another topic for a future Podcast will only Delay your transformation!  God will lead you to the right Church IF you are searching, being intentional, that its NOT ABOUT YOU! It is ALL about seeking a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ that Will transform your life! Intentional! Strategic! “The Maximum You give will Always determine the Minimum You get Back.” John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Lay those habits metaphorically at the Cross! Invite God in to intentionally give you the strength and wisdom to break old bad habits and to cultivate new habits that glorify Him.    Isaiah 41:10 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. “If I do something that makes me feel good, I am likely to do it again! If I keep doing it, and if it keeps making me feel good, I will probably make a habit of its.” (May,2005) How Can I pray for you? Email me:  rev.boblenz@gmail.com   References Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible : English standard version. Wheaton, IL: Author. May, G. G. (2005). Addiction and grace: Love and spirituality in the healing of addictions. San Francisco, CA: HarperOne. Foster, N. (2014). The Making of an Ordinary Saint: My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual Disciplines. Ada, MI: Baker Books. Thibodeaux, Mark E.. Reimagining the Ignatian Examen: Fresh Ways to Pray from Your Day (p. 27). Loyola Press. Kindle Edition.  Email: realpurpose.pastorboblenz@gmail.com    

Habits and Living The Life God Planned For You

Beginning with Spiritual Practices That will Transform Your Life From:  Calhoun, 2005, Spiritual disciplines handbook: Practices that transform us. 1. Set aside 20 minutes for the practice of your chosen discipline. Some require longer, so its good to start with 20 minutes. 2. Pray a prayer of dedication, such as, “ Here I am, Lord. I want to be with you. Open me up.” SIMPLE PRAYERS work!  3. EXPRESS your DESIRE to be with God BE INTENTIONAL! 4. Read the Scripture SLOWLY, let it settle into your HEART. 5. Posture is important to sit comfortable, a quiet place apart from distractions. 6. Respond to God in Prayer. 7. Tell God what it was like to practice the spiritual discipline. Express your thoughts and feelings freely: Gratitude Anger Frustration Impatience 8. Bring it all to God! BE REAL and Transparent!  9. Take away ONE word or THOUGHT with you into the rest of your day. Returning to the word or thought over time develops soul reflexes of attention to God. The practice of noticing God throughout your day shapes the way you live and interact with others. 10. Offer yourself to God and place yourself in His hands for the remainder of your day Willpower and discipline alone can never fix your soul. Striving, pushing, and trying harder will not recover your life. Being intentional wanting to keep company with Jesus has a staying lasting power that “SHOULD” and “OUGHTS” seldom have. YOU are blessed when you have worked up a good APPETITE for God! (Calhoun,2005) The very first thing Jesus asked his soon to be disciples was, “what do you want?” (John 1:37) Over and over again he asked about desires:  Matthew 20:21 “What is it you want?” Matthew 20:32 / Mark 10:36 “What do you want me to do for you?” John 5:6 “Do you want to get well?”    Pray! References Calhoun, A. A. (2005). Spiritual disciplines handbook: Practices that transform us. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Foster, R. J. (1988). Celebration of discipline: The path to spiritual growth. San Francisco: Harper & Row. Foster, N. (2014). The making of an ordinary saint: My journey from frustration to joy with the spiritual disciplines. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks.   Email: realpurpose.pastorboblenz@gmail.com    

Ten Spiritual Formation Practices To Start With

Influence - The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself. Spiritual formation provides an active spiritual pathway to draw closer to God through intentional desire and practices to become the Imago Dei, the image of God. John 15:4,.“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (Crossway Bible,2007).  Spiritual formation connects us to God. Spiritual formation consist of both inward, outward and corporate spiritual disciplines that should impact the spiritual transformation in the life of a professing follower of Jesus Christ. Our capacity to have intimacy with God requires freedom to trust without borders. We cannot trust God if we depend on our own resources for our survival because fear will overcome any attempt we make to get close to God or other people. Trust and submission is the bridge to intimacy with our Lord. “Inward disciplines are practiced in the privacy of our intimate walk with Jesus.   Outward spiritual disciplines/practices affect how we interface with the world.” (Foster,1988). The knowledge and spiritual formation practices put into action through an integration of daily life in Christ and not simply as agenda listed task items should reflect the ongoing spiritual transformation in the life of the believer. Although I am not providing all inward, outward and corporate disciplines of spiritual formation, the inward, outward and corporate practices of prayer, meditation, solitude, personal and corporate worship, celebration, communion, fasting, thankfulness, discipleship, confession, discernment, silence and solitude are all significant and strategic practices in the transformation of life of a believer. “Spiritual practices must include all compartments in the life of a believer. Everything contributes to our act of spiritual worship.” (SPIR-711 notes, September 24, 2018).  Corporate or communal spiritual formation practices provide the every part for every other part in how, “ where every part belongs and finds its health in right relationship to every other part. No part is meant to function alone.” (Calhoun 2005). Community enhances community. Holiness flows out of community. Paul the Apostle gives us another wonderful way to know who we are in Galatians 5:22 & 23. He declares that all who are born of God will have the fruits of the Spirit that are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Each of these are obtained through an ongoing intentional desire and willingness to present ourselves as living sacrifices.  Spiritual formation practices possess the necessary strategic equipping tools to obtain a posture of humility that is the gateway to God. Spiritual practices should not in of themselves become the actual focus that would cultivate a life of neglecting Jesus Christ. Nathan Foster said that “The concept of the spiritual disciplines is really quite simple: we do the practices that Jesus did. Over time these practices become habitual,” (Nathan Foster, 2014). Creating and cultivating habits that become normal integrated spiritual practices into daily life is cultivating a spiritual knee jerk reaction response to life as Jesus would.  In His love and grace, Bob realpurpose.pastorboblenz@gmail.com      

"Influence"

A short message welcoming you to Real Purpose and a few things I plan to share each week. Look for my Podcasts to be available no later than Thursday afternoon each week. God has a plan for your life. If you have any questions, you can reach me by email:  realpurpose.pastorboblenz@gmail.com   Have a blessed day, In His love and grace Pastor Bob Lenz    

God Has a Plan fort Your Life

What does it look like when your purpose and passion collide with Gods' plan for your life.

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Real Purpose with Pastor Bob Lenz

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