{"id":1145,"date":"2015-11-13T14:15:52","date_gmt":"2015-11-13T18:15:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tmcimissions.org\/?p=1145"},"modified":"2015-11-13T14:15:52","modified_gmt":"2015-11-13T18:15:52","slug":"kneeology-steer-clear-of-the-barking-dogs-and-religious-busybodies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tmcimissions.org\/?p=1145","title":{"rendered":"Kneeology: Steer clear of the barking dogs and religious busybodies"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Little Kneeology\u2026\u2026\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n

(Msg) \u00a0Philippians 3:2<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they’re interested in is appearances\u2014<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Last week I was in Galveston, TX ministering at the Lone Star Motorcycle Rally, one of the largest in the nation.\u00a0 Bikers For Christ set up prayer and blessing stops throughout the rally, praying for folks and praying over their bikes.\u00a0 We had banners up that simply said, \u201cNeed Prayer \u2013 Stop Here\u201d.\u00a0 We greeted folks as they walked by saying \u201cGod Bless You\u201d and when we recognized a veteran, we said, \u201cThank You For Your Service.\u201d\u00a0 We did not hand out tracs to litter the ground, but did have some Biker Bibles for those who requested.\u00a0 We ministered to thousands each day, prayed with many.<\/h4>\n

Across the street were a group of non-bikers from the city who were dressed in prayer shawls, holding signs and banners of poles that spoke of God\u2019s hate<\/strong> of sin and consequently God\u2019s hate for the sinner.\u00a0 They shouted at folks who were going down the sidewalks and street drinking beer, smoking, or even some of the women who might be dressed rather skimpy how God despised them and how they were.\u00a0 The police intervened several times and finally an officer was stationed with them to keep the angry public from attacking them.\u00a0 I found myself wanting to thump them on the head pretty hard as they offered no recourse for God\u2019s grace.\u00a0 They were stepping out in front of traffic, nearly causing some bikers to go down.<\/h4>\n

A young woman who was selling beer at a stand near our location came up to me and said, \u201cThat is what has kept me from the church.\u00a0 I love the way your people handle themselves and it is an encouragement to me.\u201d\u00a0 I replied, \u201cWe try to use the \u2018Jesus method\u2019. Surprisingly, she said, \u201cThat\u2019s the kind of people that put Jesus on the Cross.\u201d<\/h4>\n

I guess what I am saying is, she might or might not have been a Christian but at least she knew what she expected a Christian to act like.\u00a0 As evangelists and ministers we must follow the example of Jesus when ministering.\u00a0 Our goal should always be to bring focus on Jesus, not ourselves.\u00a0 Our purpose must not be on our church or organization but on the Kingdom of God.\u00a0 Although God despises sin, we must speak of repentance, forgiveness, and grace.\u00a0 We must offer hope for all.<\/h4>\n

As I thought back on the words of the young lady, I had to agree that I too had been accosted by such folks in my younger days and that kept me from desiring to have anything to do with church, and for that matter, Christians.\u00a0 People that are broken, chained to the ways of sin, who are searching for truth need to know the true Jesus, not that which is conjured up by religious zealots.<\/h4>\n

In all things let us show the Jesus that the woman at the well encountered. He spoke of her sin, offered grace, and then sent her off to tell others about Him.<\/h4>\n

NOTW\u2026Bro. Mike<\/strong><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Little Kneeology\u2026\u2026\u00a0 (Msg) \u00a0Philippians 3:2 \u00a0Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they’re interested in is appearances\u2014 Last week I was in Galveston, TX ministering at the Lone Star Motorcycle Rally, one of the largest in the nation.\u00a0 Bikers For Christ set up prayer and blessing … <\/p>\n

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