Are you sharing the Gospel?

It is sometimes hard to talk to strangers and even harder to talk to members of the family about our faith. It truly can be a difficult thing but I want to ask this question,
Are you sharing the Gospel? Or…..are you making excuses? We do often make excuses about why we cannot live up to our expectations or the expectations of others, but I want to clear up some things, mainly, that we are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

One enormous problem is in our misunderstanding of exactly what we are supposed to do as Christians. We either have such high expectations of ourselves that we never do anything because we know we will fail. Who gives us these high expectations? Sometimes we get these unreasonable expectations from priests, pastors or teachers. Sometimes we get these expectations from parents or other relatives and it causes us to live in fear of always failing God and other people. We can withdraw and resign ourselves to simply living the bare minimum life so we won’t let people down. The worst part of this is that we believe these things and so we have unreasonable expectations of ourselves and we can constantly condemn ourselves. Anytime we fail, we simply say, “see, it is true, I cannot succeed as a good Christian, I cannot please God with a holy life.”
Let me tell you that these super high expectations are not from God. We cannot live perfect lives and HE knows this. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us and to judge us but we often choose to judge ourselves and to punish ourselves. It is wrong for us to try and prove that we are sinners and worthy of suffering and judgment. Christ came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly, John 10:10. Christ came to seek and to SAVE the lost, Luke 19:10. Christ came that we might be free from sin, Romans 6:18, 22. The spirit of Jesus is with us to lead us to truth, John 15:16-18 & 16:13 We are sealed with His spirit unto the day of salvation , Ephesians 4:13. It is God at work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure, Philippians 2:13
If we depend on our strength, we will not succeed. If we trust in the Lord, then we can succeed. God expects us to grow, day by day, little by little, and to work on the weak areas of our lives.
Let me tell you that Biserica Calea Credintei is a safe place for you to grow and mature. You will make mistakes, as we all do, but as we work together, you will see that our expectations are not unreasonable for you but we believe that with God all things are possible and it is He that is at work in each of His disciples. We cannot form you into our image, but we all work together to be more like Christ and to live in His image.
There is another danger to have unreasonable expectations, and that is to strive so hard that you begin to believe you have earned special rights or privileges with God and His people. You may feel worthy to condemn others and to preach a hard, mean Gospel (which is NOT the good news of Jesus Christ). Some say, “My church is the best, we have the best music, best preaching, etc.”. This is not our jobs as Christians.
Just as we are not supposed to live in fear, condemnation and constant punishment of ourselves, we are not supposed to live in pride, condemning others and trying to punish them for not working as hard as we feel we have worked. Life is hard for everyone and we need to work together, help each other, and to live in peace and love.
At “Calea Credintei” Church, we are not about condemning others or trying to find fault and blame, but to seriously work at being better disciples of Christ.
My question then is, are you sharing the Gospel? Or…..are you making excuses? Maybe you are saying, I am not good enough (not true, Christ makes us good enough by His goodness). You do not have to keep living to prove you are a Christian, if you just know that you are and live to please God. His goodness becomes our goodness, even when we do not do things that are good and right.

Maybe you say, I don’t know enough (not true, if you know that Christ forgave your sins, washed you clean and made you a new person, then you know enough). You do not have to preach every time you share the love of God, just gently let people know where you stand in your relationship with the Lord. You can do this in public, at work, in school, on the bus, or wherever you are. You can smile and say kind words, say thank the Lord, and so on. When the time is right, open a discussion on how Jesus has changed your life.

Maybe you say, I cannot speak well, I get tongue-tied (probably not true, because we talk about anything we WANT to talk about – the weather, sports, gossip, politics, problems, and complaints). Do we want to talk about Jesus? We should WANT to talk about Him. If your attitude is one of the main problems, then work on changing your attitude toward people and ask the Lord to give you a love for them.

Sharing the Gospel is as easy as talking about anything else. Sometimes you share by living right and speaking about God when the time is right. Sometimes you share by doing a good thing for someone. Sometimes by inviting them to church or sending them a link to this blog via e-mail. And, sometimes you need to share the full gospel and Christ’s love and redemption and the need to escape from the wrath of God and eternal punishment.

Please understand, Biserica “Calea Credintei” is a safe place for you to learn truth, grow and mature and to learn how to help others in need.
God bless you richly and continue to grow into His likeness.

Pastor Matt Elliott

Bruce Koen - Called to serve

Bruce Koen - Called to serve - Chemat sa slujesti
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Thanksgiving

Sunday, the 30Th of October, our Church celebrated a sort of a Thanksgiving day, in Micesti. On Thursday we went through the village to invite people to come to the Church and we challenged them to bring a vegetable or a fruit that they are really proud of and then we awarded them on Sunday.
People in the village really understand what it means to depend on God's goodness in order to have a harvest, that is why we chose to celebrate this day in Micesti and thank God together for everything and acknowledge that all we have is from Him.

Dream!

Do you come from a dysfunctional family? One of the most famous characters from the Bible came from a very unhappy family.

Joseph was the 11^Th son of the 12 sons of Jacob. No one in this family was happy. Jacob’s wives Leah, Rachel and the maidservants Zilpah and Bilhah were always disputing with one another.

Furthermore Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son and his brothers hated him. Jacob gave him a colored coat which just to make matters worse – Joseph wore.

When he was 17 years old, he had two dreams you can find in Gen. 37:7 and 9.

The brothers could not bear the thought that one day they would bow down to Joseph. But God had a purpose in these dreams.

The important dreams that we have are not dreams about riches, fast cars, beautiful cloths, etc. The important dreams are the dreams of destiny – Dreams about life as it was intended to be lived – Dreams about fulfilling God’s purpose in our life. Dreams about making the world a better place through God’s love.

These dreams cannot be pushed aside or destroyed. The enemy has no power to push aside your dream. The enemy may try to persuade you but he cannot destroy a dream of destiny.

The enemy can interfere with the circumstances of your life, but he cannot shape you. Although people may die dreams of destiny will be fulfilled. Martin Luther King, the American civil rights campaigner, had a dream. He died but the dream lives on.

Joseph’s brothers grabbed him when he came to see them at Dothan, they put him in a pit in order to sell him.

But Joseph although he did not understand his dreams, at the time, knew he had heard God.

The question arises what do you do when you heard God but nothing is happening. What do you do when you are in a ‘pit’ – your brothers are having a meal and about to sell you?

1. When you are in the pit, throw away the shovel! Be holly surrendered to God. Trust God, do not panic. Submit to Him. Give everything over to Him.

2. Joseph heard his brothers arranging a sale price with the Midianite traders. Do not let the culture of the day, establish your value. You are worth more than anything the world has to offer. Jesus gave everything for you – He paid the full price for you.

3. Even though you are in the pit and what God said is not happening – believe that you have a future!

In Chapter 39 when Joseph was a slave in Potiphar’s house, he knew that although he was a slave, he was also a man of destiny. He determined to live like that. He would have nothing to do with Potiphar’s wife when she tried to seduce him – he was a man with a dream and a vision and the enemy was not going to destroy him. Joseph although living in Potiphar's house lived in a place of grace. Potiphar’s house was blessed because of Joseph. By our presence we can make the office, factory, university, be a better place. Whether in the pit, in Potiphar’s house, in prison, or in the palace, Joseph reigned in life.

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17

We too, whatever our circumstances , can dream dreams of destiny and reign in life through our Savior Jesus Christ.

Message preached in our Church

Sunday, 20Th of September

By John Patman

Saturday, the 15Th of August, our Church had it's first wedding and it was an honor due to the fact that the bride is a very dear sister of ours so we "adopted" the groom immediately.
Raluca Murăşan and Sandu Petcu united their destinies before The Lord and before us and we blessed them and wish them all the best that a couple can have in this life.
It was a simple and very beautiful wedding and we are really happy for them. May God bless them and keep them close to each other and close to Him.

What is stopping us from using our Talent?

„On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable“ (1 Corinthians 12:22)

(Matthew 25:14-15 -28) "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.“
When God is calling you to serve Him, He gives you a talent and by that He is entrusting to you something that He values. It is up to you how much you will do with the things that He values, and how much you will value it. God gives everyone according to his/her capacity. He doesn't give you more than you can take, but He gives you more than you can imagine.
God doesn't give you a talent considering your current state of being or your abilities. He gives you things due to what you are in the Spirit and what you can accomplish.
When God called Gideon to save the people from the hands of Madianites, he wasn't called because he was something in the natural things.
'But Lord, " Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." - Judges 6:15
'Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon...' - Judges 6:34
Things that can stop us from using our talent:
- we consider ourselves unworthy to be used by God
„Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.“ (Acts 13:46)
- we see ourselves week, and lacking power when we are faced with a challenge
(1 Timothy 1:12) „I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.“
(2 Corinthians 12:9) „But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.“
- we don't try to understand the gift that God has placed in us
- we don't seek to know whether it's true or not the words that other people speak in our lives (we don't ask God to confirm it to us if the prophecies that we receive are right and if so to help us understand the time of those prophetic words) - maybe we just blame prophets for not being accurate, but we never bother to know if it's true or not and if it is to fulfill it
(1 Timothy 1:18)„Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight'
- maybe we end up saying 'I am too young, or too unprepared, or now it's not the right time'
(1 Timothy 4:12) „Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.'
- we are careless when it comes to the call of God for our life
- we don't see the significance and importance of the gift that God gave us
- we can't value correctly the gift of the Spirit
(1 Timothy 4:14)”Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.'
- we take it easy concerning the gifts and due to the fact that we don't value them enough there is a lack of discipline
- we don't evaluate ourselves constantly to see where we stand with God, we can't be open neither to critics or to encouragements
(1Timothy 4:15- 16) „Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.'
- we don't invest our talent (we don't grow in using our gift)
- Lacking enthusiasm
- fear of failure, fear of men
(2 Timothy 1:6-7) „For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.'
- we don't protect these gifts and we allow Satan to steal them from us
- we are not faithful with the things which have been entrusted to us
- we are easily distracted by things that are good in appearance or things that other people think are successful
- we are not careful enough with the way we speak, our attitude isn't always right
(1 Timothy 6:20) „Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge'
(2 Timothy 1:14) „Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you-guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. “
(1 Timothy 6:11-12) „But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Pastor Rareș Călugăr

Sunday we had a concert premiere by a Christian Band called Acces (Access). We were really touched by the meaningful lyrics, the talent and the modesty of these guys. But more than what one could see on the outside, we all felt the presence of God among us. The title of the album is RĂSPUNS (answer).
Those of us that hared it truly believe that God can use these songs to restore the hearts of many young people that struggle.
As a Church, we were really honored to have among us God from within them.
May God bless them and use them to build up The Body of Christ.

Source of Life

(Isaiah 53:11) „After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied ; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. “

(Romans 5:2) „By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

The fact that we are into grace has to do with the source from where we get your life in the Spirit. In Isaiah we are told that Christ will see his offspring and rejoice. When we drink from this eternal spring, which Jesus is, then we are promised water even in the desert places. „And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.“ (Isaiah 58:11)

David was praying in Psalm 63: „O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirst for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.“ Does our soul really thirsts for this spring of water, for the freshness of this water that Jesus promised to those that ask for it?

The thing is that we spend too much time in the desert and we allow Satan to steal all our joy and our attitude is always controlled by the circumstances that we're in and it seems like nothing quenches our thirst.

There was a man that found himself lost in the desert and got to the end of his strength. Without any source of water he was quickly fading away. At some point he started hallucinating and couldn't think straight anymore. Then he sees an oasis. He thinks it's just an illusion because he can't think straight anymore. He falls down, almost dead next to the water where he was found and saved.

I hear Christians complaining about being in a spiritual desert and they can't seem to find their way out. Jesus said 'He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.' So my way out of the desert is in Him as well, because He promised that He will be with us through His Spirit. 'The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD [is] upright: [he is] my rock, and [there is] no unrighteousness in him. (Psalms 92:12-15)

In John 4, Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman about the source of life, let's see what we can learn from these verses:

- You must know the One that is able to give you the Water of Life and you must ask for it yourself „Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.' (John 4:10)

– Many times unbelief brings in our lives drought, uncertainty, feeling panic and not trusting the very source that gives us the water. 'The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?' (John 4:11)

– Maybe we wonder 'is God greater than my past, my wounds and the mistakes I've made?' We can't seem to trust the fact that God really did wipe away all our sin, our past and that He gave us a new beginning through Christ. „Art thou greater than our father Jacob,....” (John 4:12)

– If you keep drinking from the same source (of unbelief, what you see in the natural) you will have the same result, you'll always be thirsty and unfulfilled, maybe even blame God for the state you're in and because you don't feel refreshed. Search for the true source of the living water. 'Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again' (John4:13)

– If you drink from Him, you will never thirst again and even those around you will benefit from this water. 'But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.' (John 4:14)

- The reason behind our desire to find God can be a wrong one. Do we want His water for our comfort or for itself? Do we want more of Him so that we could have a revelation for ourselves or do we want Him for others as well? Often times we focus all our attention on ourselves (on how hurt we feel, the way we feel in general) . We always look for our own comfort, we feel sorry for ourselves and we forget to just get up and be a blessing for others. 'The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw' (John 4:15)

Jeremiah 15:18-19 says ' Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, [which] refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, [and as] waters [that] fail? Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, [and] thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.'

Is our hope placed in a lie or something that fails us? Is God playing with our feelings, with our future and our emotions? Does God want me to be one day on top of the mountain and the next day down in the pit?

NO. He wants me to have an emotional balance. He wants good things for me, He wants to give me peace and joy through the Holy Spirit, He wants me to be fulfilled and have a sane mind so that I may glorify Him. This is a hope that doesn't fail me, so I can trust Him with all my heart.

Servant of Jesus

Pastor Călugăr Rareş

UNITY AND TEAM WORK Seminary

The "Way of Faith" Church, organized on the 20Th of June, a Seminary about 'Unity and Team Work'. We invited Pastors and leaders from different Churches in Romania, from Cluj, Deva, Turda and Germany.

The speakers focused on the theme of the Seminary, and we believe that both through The Word that was shared as through the fellowship that we had, God brought us even closer in Unity with each other.

Pastor Rareş Călugăr, shared with us what God has revealed to him about this, from 1 Kings 5:5-6. For the building of the Temple, Solomon, has asked for help from the Sidonians because they were more skilled in felling timber. To build The Body of Christ, we also need to recognize when other ministries are more skilled than us in certain areas, and due to that recognition we should humble ourselves and ask for help, because we are building together The Kingdom of God and not our own ministry.

The "Petra" Church, from Cluj, encouraged us to live victorious in The Body of Christ and pray for this nation day and night.

Dirk Weits, a Belgian missionary that serves The Lord in Deva, Romania, shared how he feels that we should focus more on the things that unite us rather than those that separate us. We should stay in the Word of God and trust The Holy Spirit to reveal that Word to us.

Elmar Drossler, German missionary, spoke about the way he feels that Churches should be a standard of morality in the world. He also shared the way he feels that God has called him to build bridges between the different ministries.

Pastor Helmuth Schuller, from "Emanuel" Church in Turda, shared with us what he felt God spoke to him through all the other speakers and encouraged us to walk in the things we have hared.

Finally, Ionel Sauciuc, coordinator of a network of Independent Churches, in our area, talked about the way Christians are like soldiers and if they want to please their commanding officer, they don't get involved with civilian affairs. We should stay pure in an impure world and represent God especially through Unity.

We have been encouraged and built up, ready to move forward, to rejoice in the things that unite us and show love when it comes to the things that separate us.

The key to success

Today we are overwhelmed by all kinds of recipes for success and books about success and how to have success. All these, talk about men and women that are successful in the eyes of people. This kind of success is measured in numbers, in how much money you got, the car you drive or the house you own, the studies and the job you have, or how well known you are to people. Is that the standard according to which a Christian's success should be measured? Or better yet, can you really measure your success here on earth? If this life is all you're living for, then yes, but if you live your life for eternity, then no. Your success will be truly known only when you will be facing your Creator.
The people that don't have a personal relationship with Jesus, they are looking for success in the things that will not last, and likely they will find it, but that's all that their life will be, a chase after things that can't really fulfill you.
We have the recipe that works for a life of fulfillment. Jesus said 'So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.' Matthew 6:31-34
Jesus is showing us the right motivation for this life. He is telling us what we should be focusing on. If what we're looking for is to be fulfilled in Christ and have peace with God, then our search should be around one thing alone, which is the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. If my main concern is to know the will of God for my life and where He wants me to be, then all things will work together for my good and He will take care of my every need. All decisions you take should be based on what God wants from you. First of all you have to be committed to a local church, to feel connected to that body and be under a spiritual authority. Then, together with your pastor you should try and find God's call for your life. You must see the gifts that were given to you and you must learn how to use them to bless others. Your entire life must circle around this call. When you are faced with a choice, the first thing you must ask yourself is if the plans you are about to make are according to His word and your call. If you do that then you will be a balanced person, you will not be leaded by your emotions nor your circumstances, but all the decisions you'll take will be blessed by God. More so, you will see God's favor in your life, and His blessing both spiritual and material. You will have peace in your heart and God will lead your every step. My advice to you is seek His face first.
If you're not married yet and maybe you long to have a family, focus on being fulfilled in Christ first. If you are already marred and you want a good future for you and your family, seek to understand what God wants from you first. If you have a specific need (a healing, or financial blessing) don't focus all your attention on the problem or on the need you have, seek His face . Your answer might come from the last place you can imagine, but it won't matter because God will help you due to the fact that you are in His will and you seek His kingdom first. Why should you waste precious time focusing on your need, when you can be used by Him?
When I was 21, I chose to put my life in His hands, and i made a deal with God. I told Him 'God I will do you will and seek your face and kingdom first, but you have to take care of me and my family.' It's bee 8 years since then, and God has been more than faithful. I want to continue to live my life according to this principle. Jesus said 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.' Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus is making a deal with us. He wants us to trade your burden and worries for his peace and rest. All that a man is looking fr in this life is to be happy and fulfilled. But looking for this you end up chasing ghosts our entire life and getting utterly tired of everything. If you will seek His Kingdom first, you will find rest for your soul. Live according to this, and want to be pleasing to God more than you want to be pleasing to people. Success in the eyes of people doesn't compare with success in the eyes of God.

Servant of Jesus
Pastor Călugăr Rareş

Live according to the call God has for your life

Do we live according to the call God has for us through Jesus Christ?

Paul was praying for the Ephesians : 'I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength.' - Ephesians 1:17-19

What is our attitude towards the things we have to go through every day, or the different circumstances that we face? Do we have a living hope in a living God? Or are we just barelly surviving without any hope?

You and I are not alone in this battle. We have a Spirit of wisdom and we have a divine revelation of what every trial and every situation means and does in our life. We are not lead by fear, nor hopelessness, nor bad news, because we know The Light and we tasted God and saw that He's good, so we know that God's strength itself works within us. That is the reason why I want to encourage you to see yourself through the eyes of God and live according to the call you have, meaning to live a holy life. Why should you be satisfied with the scraps that fall off the table of those that live by the Spirit? Why should you just be a spectator to other people's Christianity? Why would you be happy to sit aside and live by your emotions and just listen to nice stories of people that have great experiences with The Lord, when God Himself calls you to all the riches of his grace that you inherited through Jesus?

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

God chose you, paid a price for your life, took you out of the darkness, and He did all that for the sole purpose of enabling you to declare His praises, and the power of His Kingdom. But in order to get there, you must start living with great expectations. Be confident in that which He placed within you through the Holy Spirit, and choose to live as a conqueror not a victim of your circumstances.

2 Peter 1:1-12

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.'

You have received a faith of untold value and you too have all of God's tools, and that's why you too can live a life filled with spiritual riches, at the level that God has called you to live through the Holy Spirit. God did His part. So now, if we realize the great price He paid for our lives, and the wonderful things He prepared for us through Jesus, then we will do our best to do all those things that Peter points out.

Paul, is telling the Ephesians to stop living like pegans do and 'with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.' - Ephesians 4:22-24

That's where God wants us to be. In the place where our minds can be made new and have within itself the mind of Christ. Then we will not be lazy nor lacking fruits. Today I want to dare you to raise up to the level God wants you to live. Not in a mediocre kind of life, not being a Sunday morning Christian, not living someone else's convictions, but having a true relationship with a Holy and Faithful God.

„For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.“ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Servant of Jesus

Pastor Rares Calugar

Friday, the 22nd of May, came in to the world a really beautiful baby boy, named Lucas Eliot Calugăr, the son of Rares and Nicoleta Calugăr, our Pastors.
May he grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Authentic Christianity

The word authentic, means = worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact, conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features, made or done the same way as an original, not false or imitation, real, actual, genuine, being actually and exactly what is claimed, authentic implies being fully trustworthy as according with fact, it can also stress painstaking or faithful imitation of an original.
Is your Christianity according to Biblical truth? Do you live something real, something that comes from your every day experience with God? Or is your Christianity something dictated by others, something unnatural, false, a Christianity that lacks essence?
When David wanted to fight Goliath, Saul dressed him up with his heavy armor and his sword, but David couldn't move with those on. The same thing happens when others try to teach you "their way of fighting' and try to 'dress us up' with new rules and tactics, that for sure work in their case, but is useless in our case and to our relatioship with God. David had a good and strong relatoship with God, a relationship built in intimacy, siplicity, and he was aware of what God can do for him, that's why he didn't need Saul's war strategy nor the tools that Saul used and were helpful to him.
A good example for my point, are vegetables. There are vegetables that are grown in a very natural way, without adding anything to them, but most vegetables are grown with all kinds of chemical compounds that makes them look incredible. The ones that are 'forced' to grow look really good on the outside, but have no taste. It's the same with many Christians today.
We look good on the outside, we show what people want to see, and that's all we care about, but sadly we have no taste. Jesus was telling his disciples:
"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." Matthew 5:13
What do we look like on the inside? What do we taste like? Are we just "good looking" Christians that have a certain charisma? Are we the kind of Christians that try to sell a 'a good product' which is Jesus?
What is the fragrance we spread around us? Is it the holy perfume of Christ, or is it a man made perfume?
The 21st Century Church has created it's own perfume, it's own look, a good image, but sadly, lacking any real taste.
What kind of vegetable or fruit would you prefer? One that looks good but has no taste, or one that doesn't look that great but has a great taste? I prefer the second choice. But those kind of fruits and vegetable can't really be found in our supermarkets, much like you can't find real Christians in our Super Churches. Due to our desire to look 'spiritual' (of course to look spiritual in the Church, because we don't want to seem fanatics to the people in the world) we jump major steps in our Christianity. Our every day life doesn't reflect the image of Christ. If you would be named the ambassador of Romania in America, you wouldn't behave in a sloppy manner, now would you? I don't think so. You know why? Because you would have a boss that would fire you for misrepresenting an entire nation. It's sad that we, as ambassadors of God's kingdom on earth, don't really care about the impression we give to the people in the world, and even worse, we don't fear (respect) our 'boss'. I am tired of empty words made up to seem spiritual, words that are not followed by action and a fake living compared to what you pretend you are when you go to Church. If I wouldn't be a Christian, I wouldn't want this kind of Christianity. The essence of Christianity is proved in our every day living.
When Jesus talks about the salt of the earth, he addresses a question that we should ask ourselves as well. If the salt will lose it's taste, how will it ever recover that attribute? How can we get recover our flavor and the strength to be salt again for those around us? We find a little bit of the answer in John 15. If we remain in Him and if His words remain in us, we will bring forth fruit, because apart from Him we can do nothing. He is the vine, we are the branches. Our life comes from being in the vine. It's from Him that we get our taste. You don't have o try to hard, it's not something you force to happen, it's a natural flow that comes from the surse, which is Jesus, and it flows towards the others. I want to dare you to discover the simplicity of the authentic Christianity, just the way the first Christians lived it in Antioch, a plesant perfume that spreaded from Christ to others, and it's the same perfume that got you as well.
'Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.' 1 Peter 3:3-4
Treasure the intimacy you have with Christ, be transformed by Him, and don't jump over major steps that are crucial in knowing Him. Christianity is not a race, it's a marathon.

Servant of Jesus
Pastor Rareș Călugăr

Payer for the Church

Some time ago, God spoke to our Pastor, about having a time of fasting, all throughout the month of May, starting Friday evening and ending Saturday evening.
We've been challenged to seek God's face and pick an hour, during this time, when to pray for our Church. Everyone of us chose to give up on something they love doing and that would be the thing they're fasting from. For instance, some chose to fast from food, others by not watching TV, others computer, others thoughts, and so on.
Last week was the first time we did this as a Church, and we all felt the benefits, not only during the sermon, but during the praise and worship, during prayer and not least in our relationships with one another.
Here are some of the things we bring before the Lord:

- To see born again Orthodox Christians in Cluj and in Romania

- For our loved ones that we want to see saved

- For disciples, not multitudes that are just amazed by miracles. For people that we can invest in, like Paul did with Timothy.

- At least one baptism in our Church this year

- Healthy relationships and unity between the people that come to the Church

- Emotional healing and spiritual restoration

- Church services that honor Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to be present

- For every message that we hear each Sunday, to be inspired by the Holy Spirit that would bring lasting fruit in the lives of those that listen to it

- For spiritual growth and maturity in our relationship with God

We know that we ask these things for God's glory and not for our own vanity, we come before Him not in our own merits but in The mighty Name of Jesus and so we have every right to believe that the things we are asking for will be given to us.

Amen.

For those of you that decided to pray for the Church, here's a schedule for 8Th/9Th of May. Try to also bring before the Lord the person that is after you and try to encourage him/her by sending a text message or an e-mail, or however God is leading you.
May God bless you all and strengthen your faith.

Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Passover in Romania

We hope that you all had a meaningful and blessed Passover.

We had a really special week. Wednesday, 15^Th of April, we went to Micesti, where we invited people to a special Passover service.

Friday evening we organized a different program, where we had The Lord’s Supper, had a great fellowship with one another and with our Lord.

Sunday morning, we had a service in the honor of our Saviour’s Resurrection and we were truly blessed by a message from our Pastor, Rares Calugar.

Monday morning, we had a special service in Micesti, and to our surprise, many Orthodox Christians came. We heard a message from a good friend of our Church, Elmar Drössler.

We hope that what God did in us and through us in this time, will bring lasting fruit, that will be praising to Him.

Be blessed

Luke 19: 29 – 46 - The triumphal entry of Jesus in Jerusalem

The Greek Orthodox Christians, are celebrating this Sunday, the "Palm tree Sunday', meaning Jesus entering Jerusalem one week before the Resurrection.
The sad part is, that we stop at these events and and we don't really talk about what happened after Jesus entered Jerusalem.
His concern was that Jerusalem lost the things that gave peace to it, and made God's worship place, meaning the Temple, a den of robbers. God showed me in this passage some things that deal with the Church today, the attitude that people have when coming to Church and the fact that we turned our gatherings in to a sort of a club that is really good with offering services to it's attendants. Let us go back to the times of Moses, and see the purpose and the significance of the Tabernacle, for the people of Israel. It use to be a holy place and God was present there. People were aware of the fact that they couldn't just approach God without preparing first, both the outside and the inside. They knew they were approaching a Holy God. If we move a bit further and take a look at Solomon's Temple, the first thing that should come to our mind is that the construction of the Temple, wasn't God's idea, but David's.
„Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"
(2 Samuel 7:7). While David lived in a palace, he saw all the riches he was enjoying and thought it's not fair for the Holy Ark (Which was the presence of God) to be in a tent. And David said "I will build Him a Temple".
God desired for His presence to be among His people. He wanted a tent because it was movable, and wherever the children of Israel went they could take it with them. That means they were able to have God's presence with them at all times. Putting together the Tabernacle took less than a year, while the building of the first Temple took 7 years (1 Kings 6:38) and the second Temple took 46 years to be built (John 2:20).
Can you see how people complicated things out of their desire to do something for God? Getting back to present time, what is the Church today? Better yet, what was the will of Jesus for His Bride? Jesus said that wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in His Name, He is with them. We turned the Church, that was meant to be a living organism (First Christians) in to a living organization. If on the time of Moses there was a tabernacle, since Solomon and up to Jesus time, there was a Temple. After Jesus went to heaven, He left a Church that was meant to be a living body, but what we have today is a "Church Club". We have activities on top of more activities, we have businesses, fashion, amazing buildings, comfort, great music, the best instruments, and much, much more. The Church has an offer for anyone and to please everyone. We try our best to entertain people, to have the best possible Church service, and we can't even see that God doesn't have any room left, due to the fact that we have increased and He has decreased in our meetings.
Going back to the passage in Luke 19, verse 37, we can see the crowds cheering up for Jesus. That's exactly what the Church does today with our "Praise and Worship' program, because whoever has the best and latest music wins.
Through praise, we say we open the gates of heaven and we prepare a way for God to come during the worship time. A sort of a spiritual battle. But we ended up covering through our praise the things that must be changed in our lives. We say we have Jesus and therefore we have a free entrance to the Father. It is true, Jesus is the Intercessor but there is also an unchanged fact: we still serve a Holy God. Moses was the Intercessor between Israel and God, but when Gd wanted to meet with them at the Sinai mountain, He asked them to prepare themselves so that they may stay in His presence. We go to Church, which is the meeting place with God, as if we would go to a fancy club, we don't eve think that we are about to meet The God of Avram, Isac and Jacob. In verse 41, it's written that Jesus wept for the city. Why? Because they knew no longer the things that were meant to bring them peace and failed to know the time of their visitation. I believe the Church s in the same situation today. They are looking for their peace in other places and in other things and when Jesus comes to visit our Churches, we are too busy with our own agenda and we don't allow Him to touch us and change us.
„Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be a house of prayer' ; but you have made it 'a den of robbers.' (Luke 19:45-46)
Today the Church of Christ has turned in to a den. A place that is so cold and so dark and so unwelcoming for those that are outsiders, it's a place for businesses, it's a place where you can make deals with your brothers. A Christian club that doesn't have any room for the people in the world, and on the surface is something so great and something that pleases one's eyes, but that's all, it;s just pleasing to men. „And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: " 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' ? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.' (Mark 11:17) Our house of prayer has become private property and it's no longer a place where anyone can come and worship together with us. I am a Pastor and I just realized that the Church I pastor, is heading towards an earthly image and on it's way to become a club. I don't wish to take over an idea of some man of what the Church should be and what program it should have. I love "Praise and worship"and I know it's a Scriptural thing, but it's not a standard that i want to copy and by that standard to judge the success of the Church and if God's presence is there or not. The way things are in Church today is no longer something heavenly but very earthly.
Maybe some of you are expecting me to give an example of what a Church should do, but I don't believe that there is just one way of doing things, we do need diversity, but I also believe that if i set my heart on understanding God's idea of what His body should be like, a body that will praise Him, then I am on the right track. I want to challenge you to pray for your Church to become a house of prayer for all nations and most of all, a place where Jesus is honored.

God's servant
Pastor Rares Calugar

Mercy not sacrifice

We must do all things the way Jesus did. Behind every miracle, behind every sign, behind every action on those in need, Jesus was moved by only one thing. Compassion.

Jesus taught people because he felt compassion for them. Not to show off his qualities of a great teacher.

Mark 6:34

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Jesus set people free of demonic powers because He had compassion on them. Not to amaze people, but because |He had compassion on people.

Mark 5:18-19

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

Jesus healed people because He had compassion on them. Not to make people follow Him, not because he needed their praise or their admiration.

Mathew 14:14

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Jesus fed people out of compassion.

Mark 8:2

"I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.

Jesus raised up people from death, still because He had compassion on them.

Luke 7:13-15

When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

If anyone desires to do the work of God, the way God wills it, then one needs mercy and compassion to do so. If not, then these miracle performers just draw attention, but don't necessarily lead the healed person to salvation. If compassion doesn't embody the action one does in The Name of The Lord, then we might face the harsh words that Jesus will address one day:

Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

These people really did miracles, really performed healing, Jesus doesn't say, 'no, you didn't do these things', He just tells them that they are evildoers. Now, the miracles themselves can't be the evil Jesus is accusing them of, but because they did all these things to impress others. If what pushes me towards doing good is mercy and compassion, then I begin to resemble God. Then I walk on the way God asked me to walk. He said:

Matthew 9:13

But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'

Meaning, the action that I make, even if it's made for God, if it doesn't have compassion for my neighbour, motivating it, I am just fooling myself in to thinking that I am serving God.

How can I show my love towards God? Can I do anything for Him?

In the Book of Job 35 is written:

If you sin, how does that affect him? If your sins are many, what does that do to him? If you are righteous, what do you give to him, or what does he receive from your hand? Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only the sons of men.

I can't see God and there is absolutely nothing I can do god for Him. If I want to do good for God the the only way i can do that is by doing good for my neighbour.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Let us walk in the footsteps of Jesus by letting compassion to move us in our every action. Let us do everything as for the Lord.

Inspired by Pastor Douglas Montague's message, Sunday, the 5Th of April

I am what I am because He is what He is

Do you feel good with what you are? Do you have a good self esteem? What do you see when you look at yourself?
I see Christ, I see a crucified and resurrected man, I see a new creation in Christ, I see a part of Christ's Body, I see the strength of God, I see a righteous man, I see The Kingdom of God, I see The wisdom of God, I see the glory of God, I see a justified and approved man by God, I see the grace of God, I see a conqueror, I see a man empowered by God, i see humility, eternal life, the love of God, I see a son of light.

I am what I am because He is what He is


What leads your life? From what does your identity come? What is it that controls you?

YOUR STRENGTH, YOUR ABILITIES?

(1 Corinthians 15:10) „But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.“

If The grace of God is sufficient for you to be able to do great things for God, then you must trust the grace of God and not your abilities and your own strength.

YOUR WEAKNESSES?

(2 Corinthians 12:9) „And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.“
(2 Corinthians 13:4) „For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he live by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.“

THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD?

(2 Corinthians 1:12)„For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.“

YOUR WISDOM, YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT YOU KNOW OR DON'T KNOW?

(1 Corinthians 1:27)„But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty"

YOUR FEAR, THE DEVIL'S LIES, WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT YOU?

(Romans 8:29-34)„For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestined [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestined, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justified. Who [is] he that condemned? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also made intercession for us.“
IF GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE, THEN MAKE BIG PLANS


YOUR FLESH, YOUR SIN? YOUR EGO?

(Romans 6:5-8)„For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him“
(Romans 13:14) „But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfill] the lusts [thereof]. “

YOUR PAST, YOUR FAILURES, YOUR WOUNDS?

(2 Corinthians 5:17) „Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

YOUR PRIDE, YOUR FALSE HUMILITY?

(Luke 16:15)„And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.“
Galatians 6:14 „But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.“
(Luke 14:11) „For whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.”

YOUR LOOKS, YOUR BACKGROUND?

(2 Corinthians 5:12)„For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to [answer] them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.“

YOUR FAMILY OR IT'S IDENTITY?

(Luke 9:60)„Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.”

FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES? BAD CIRCUMSTANCES?

2 Corinthians 11;24 – 27 and 30 (Paul and his tribulations)

John 7:6 „Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready.“
John 1:23 “He said, I [am] the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord.........."
2 Corinthians 5:20„Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.“
John 3:30 „For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. “

Think if what you are right now, what you are doing right now, the way you think right now, the way you live your life right now is what God wants for you right now. If not, what must change? The way you see yourself? The way you act? The way you live? The way you think? What is it that you must do for Him to increase and for you to decrease?


-- Pastor Rareș Călugăr, Sunday 29Th of March, 2009

Our Intercessor

Today we decided to introduce you to someone really special and dear to our Church. Her name is Mihaela Serban.

There are many things that describe Mihaela, such as her constant smile, a good attitude that anyone could envy, but more than anything Mihaela is synonym with prayer in our Church. She is the person that intercedes for our Church's needs, constantly. Even though she thinks she's doing the most simple thing on earth, all of us benefit from her steadfastness in prayer. We would like you to know, about Mihaela, that the way she does things in the most humble way, is an example for all of us. We post this entry as an appreciation for a soul that sits in a secret place and from there, where no one can see her, she's lifting up prayers for an entire Church, for all of the Body of Christ, and for the entire country.

We asked Mihaela to write down a few words about the way she sees God using her.

Here's what she wrote:

”Ever since I can remember i loved people, I wanted to listen to them, to try and understand them, to know their problems and try to help them in any way I could, even if it was just an encouragement. My friends use to come to me and tell me their troubles and they were opening up to me. I had a desire to help the lonely ones, the ones that were suffering or felt rejected, but I didn't know how.

After i came to know Christ, I found out there was a way to help them: BY PRAYING!!

Later I understood that God placed within me the gift of mercy and compassion. I always had and still have a strong patriotic spirit. I love all Romanians, no matter what nationality. I am proud to be Romanian and it really hurts me when people speak disrespectfully of Romanians and Romania.

When I asked God what was His will for me, He showed me the verse 13 of Psalm 51: "[Then] will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. "

I thought that I am not the right person, that I am so small compared to such a great call. But still, God placed on my heart the need to pray for my Pastor, for the leaders, for my "small family" (husband, parents, kids) and my "big family" Romania! - Mihaela Șerban –”

We thank God for Mihaela and if there is something that we can wish to the other Churches, is that they should have someone like Mihaela.

May God bless you all!