A Word from Pastor Larry Carnes
There has been a strong prompting from the Holy Spirit for me to preach, and teach Trinity Grace Fellowship to clearly understand the call from Christ to be His disciples.
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20 was His charge for all his disciples to do as He had done during his earthly ministry. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ requires humility, commitment, and servanthood. Putting Christ first in all things in our lives takes much practice and persistence. Day after day, if we are intentional in doing so, we learn that following Him is what we were created for!!
I would like to share a wonderful observation that Ruth Bell Graham recorded in her book, "The
Legacy of a Pack Rat". She wrote;
"They splashed and they flopped, those aspiring wind surfers. Day after day we chronicled their struggles. It looked simple enough: a surfboard, a detachable sail with a length of rope tied to it, water, wind and of course, instruction….
The following summer we discovered a few surfers who had more or less mastered the art! They
skimmed about with surprising skill even on rough days. One that had much confidence that he even
sailed without his lifejacket on, maneuvering his board skillfully wherever he wished it to go! He was so cocky! I kept hoping he would flop just once, but he had learned well. He was, we had discovered, the instructor!!
Like windsurfing, the Christian life is simple but not easy… We who are older in the Christian walk and those who, through experience, have earned the status of instructor should be quick to encourage, and quick to help the one who has stumbled!
We who have not yet mastered the art of Christian living need to keep carefully studying our Book of Instructions, listening attentively when The Instructor speaks, and promptly following His instructions!"
Ruth's father, Billy Graham, said this about Christian perseverance, "Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion- it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ." And the great theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, "Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you your life!" May He who began a good work in you carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus' return."
in His grip,
Larry