WE ARE WHAT WE ARE
Throughout the years, there has been an ever-changing face of this ministry. As
band members leave and new players come in plus just the maturity of the band
itself lends to the many faces. However, there has always been a constant theme
which has never been compromised and that theme is Jesus Christ, Him crucified
and raised from the dead.
Jesus said in Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also
deny before my Father which is in heaven.
It is important to understand that our boldness does not come from flesh and
blood or our natural mindset but rather from the Christ who lives and abides in
us. Troy and myself have always been forthright to proclaim the "Good News" of
Jesus Christ. We minister salvation through Him everywhere we travel. Our faith
has never wavered in this for it is not something we do; IT IS WHAT WE ARE!
We do not have to try our best or pretend to be Christians because we can only
be what Christ has made us to be. We do not struggle in our walk. Our walk with
the Lord comes naturally because He has planted His seed deep into our hearts.
This seed produces Christ and His nature in us. A seed can only produce of its
own kind.
Jam 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a
kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
No matter if we are on a stage, among a crowd of fans, or just in the general
public we can only be what Christ is for we have been bought with the price of
the blood of the Lamb and our lives are no longer our own. We were not saved
from hell as many suggest but rather "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of
the law, being made a curse for us:" (Galatians 3:13 - Romans 8:2) This freedom
gives us liberty to walk as we never walked before; "IN HIS FOOTSTEPS!"
In this "Law of Faith "Whether we eat, or drink, or whatsoever we do, we do all
to the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31) We have embraced the words of Spirit and
Life that has apprehended us and spoke to us directly. Knowing that the body is
dead because of sin, we are awake to righteousness by His quickening Spirit.
As able ministers with eyes wide open we see the separation of Spirit and flesh
and understand that the flesh profits NOTHING (John 6:33)
The Bible calls us Overseers and as Overseers, we are to shine forth the light
that is within us that men may see our good works, and glorify our Father. As
living sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] our reasonable service,
in nothing shall we be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so]
now also Christ shall be magnified in our body, whether [it be] by life, or by
death.
I write this as an encouragement to those of you who struggle with who you are.
A good scripture to motivate you is found in Psa 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he
[is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are] his
people, and the sheep of his pasture.
What we have from our Father is a free gift. It is called salvation. We did not
earn it nor deserve it yet He gave it to us by apprehending us. Now we run for
the prize, which does take a little effort on our part, but the effort is in
trusting Him for the strength and courage through all adversity.
Rom 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. You see
our Father who sits upon the throne of our hearts governs ALL that we do in
every facet of our lives.
1 Timothy 4:11 tells us that we are to command and teach something. What is this
word we are to share? The answer is found in the verse above it verse 10 reads
"For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the
living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe."
The doctrine of men will never agree with the truth of God's love. The Apsotle
Peter said it best "We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29).
It is sinful to worship God in vain, as many do. For they go through the motions
of Praise and Worship inside the security of their churches but once on the
outside of their little sanctuary no one even knows that they claim in some
circles to be children of God. Mar 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me,
teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
Saul of the Old Testament feared the people and obeyed their voices not
hearkening unto the Word of the Lord and it cost Him dearly.
If you do not see Troy or I on the cover of magazines, being exploited on the
radio, pasted like pinups in the bookstores, or winning awards, just praise God
and know that we are busy about our Father's business. In all humility let
Christ shine from you and in this boldness you will not be seen. Only what you
are will be recognized and in doing so you shall bring glory to God the Father
of us All.
Dale Thompson