I just did a little research about the state of the church in America. Some of what I discovered broke my heart. For instance, there are communities in the north eastern part of the United States where as high as 66% of the population are classified as post Christian. In fact 8:10 of such cities are the north east. The other two are in the Pacific Northwest.
While I am not ashamed of my heritage in the Southern Baptist Convention, which dates back to my salvation in 1984, nor do I boast about it. There are more than 47,000 churches in the convention. That is up about 2,900 more congregations than a decade ago. That should be reason to celebrate.
While we have 2,900 more churches, baptisms have declined eight of the past ten years. In fact, baptisms have dropped over 26% since 2007. That is alarming. While we have significantly more churches, we are reaching significantly lower amounts of people through all our evangelism emphasis. To take this a little bit further, the ration would be one baptism per 59 churches. Disheartening.
Multiple books and articles have been written to reveal the reasons why this occurs. Studies and surveys have been done to gather insightful information to reverse this trend. Still the steady decline in baptisms continue.
I've read numerous books on this topic and the subject of church growth. I have a few shelves lined with such books. In the early days of my ministry those things consumed me. Not so much these days. I really only concern myself with the numbers of how many are getting saved and how many are following in baptism. That informs me if we are keeping the Great Commission. [Matt 28:19-20].
I believe the Lord has shown me one of the major reasons why churches are losing ground. I plan to share that with our church this weekend. It will require change. It will require some adjustments. We will see if the congregation and other congregations are willing to alter their present courses, if they are ineffective in the area of evangelism. Time will tell.
Friday, January 31, 2020
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
The Art Of Listening
I met with some college buddies for lunch today. During the course of conversation, one took out his phone and began responding to text messages. I asked if our conversation bored him. He told me he heard all previously said. He recounted the first part of the discussion nearly word for ward. Afterward, I asked him, "What was said next." He stammered and then said, "You got me. I don't know."
We talked about everything from education, debt , parenting, ministry stuff along with church planting and church revitalization. Needless say, lunch lasted longer than an hour. We had not all been together in years. We had much to catch up on sine we last met.
I listened a lot today. My friends had plenty to say and in the back of mind I kept thinking about some scripture from James. "This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;" [James 1:19]
It seems everyone wants to be heard, but few want to listen. Opinions are expressed by news pundits, celebrities, politicians, the wealthy and special interest groups. It appears nobody is listening to anyone else. Listening is an art. It is one thing to hear words. It is another thing to understand what the other person is communicating.
You stand face to face with another person and tune out the words being spoke n to you. Ask any parent with young children. Or ask anyone who works in the public sector dealing with people all day long. Especially critical people. It is a whole other thing to give another person your undivided attention and make them feel what they are saying is important to you and that you are interested. Also, much can be learned by listening. You never know when someone might drop a nugget of truth you can hang onto.
We all need to be quicker to listen and slower to speak. Being slow to anger is another topic for another day. The focus for today is working hard at listening to others. Really concentrating on what they have say instead of formulating your response. Lord, please help us learn to be good listeners.
We talked about everything from education, debt , parenting, ministry stuff along with church planting and church revitalization. Needless say, lunch lasted longer than an hour. We had not all been together in years. We had much to catch up on sine we last met.
I listened a lot today. My friends had plenty to say and in the back of mind I kept thinking about some scripture from James. "This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;" [James 1:19]
It seems everyone wants to be heard, but few want to listen. Opinions are expressed by news pundits, celebrities, politicians, the wealthy and special interest groups. It appears nobody is listening to anyone else. Listening is an art. It is one thing to hear words. It is another thing to understand what the other person is communicating.
You stand face to face with another person and tune out the words being spoke n to you. Ask any parent with young children. Or ask anyone who works in the public sector dealing with people all day long. Especially critical people. It is a whole other thing to give another person your undivided attention and make them feel what they are saying is important to you and that you are interested. Also, much can be learned by listening. You never know when someone might drop a nugget of truth you can hang onto.
We all need to be quicker to listen and slower to speak. Being slow to anger is another topic for another day. The focus for today is working hard at listening to others. Really concentrating on what they have say instead of formulating your response. Lord, please help us learn to be good listeners.
Before It's Too Late
The righteous judge sits on His throne,
Rejecting those who are not His own,
Welcome are those in the book of life,
Others banished rejecting God's sacrifice,
Fame and fortune do not make one holy,
Torment of hell perseveres ever slowly,
Repent and turn before it's way too late,
Judgment awaits all on the appointed date.
Rejecting those who are not His own,
Welcome are those in the book of life,
Others banished rejecting God's sacrifice,
Fame and fortune do not make one holy,
Torment of hell perseveres ever slowly,
Repent and turn before it's way too late,
Judgment awaits all on the appointed date.
Where Is He Now
There has been a lot written and spoken about the tragic death of Kobe Bryant. A five time NBA champion with multiple other accomplishments. The news shocked me. I learned of it after lunch this past Sunday, when Turner walked in the room with the report. It shocked me.
I don't know why it shocked me. People die all the time. Famous people die. Sadly, young famous people die. Like Buddy Holly, Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Princess Dianna, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and James Dean. Now we can add to that list Kobe Bryant. One moment he gets on a helicopter with his daughter headed for her game, and the next tragedy.
So much has been said about Kobe's death. One question penetrates my mind and disturbs my heart. Did Kobe Bryant know Jesus as his savior? Bryant often referred to himself as the Black Mumba for his fierceness in competition. What did the Black Mumba have to say when he stood before Righteous Yahweh?
Where is he now? Is he rejoicing in heaven? Is his daughter there with him? Is he suffering unimaginable torment in hell that is only just beginning and will last for eternity? Agonizing, weeping, gnashing of teeth suffering. If Kobe could give one last message for the masses what would it be? Turn to Jesus before it is too late.
Kobe's death should be a wake up call. For a few moments we will think about our own mortality. Soon life will go on. One day we will hear that it has been a year since Kobe died. We will think about how fast time flies and feel like it only happened a few days ago. Life goes on. People get lulled back to sleep. They forget about matters of eternity.
Eternity is only one heartbeat away for all of us. A friend texted me recently that a man he loved was found dead. No fan fare. The deceased friend lived alone. He suffered physically in every way imaginable and died of a heart attack. On e heartbeat away. Where is that man now?
Eternity is too long to be wrong. Fame and fortune or isolation and denial of truth do not alter the fact everybody dies and faces God in the end.
Hebrews 9:27 "For it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment."
I don't know why it shocked me. People die all the time. Famous people die. Sadly, young famous people die. Like Buddy Holly, Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Princess Dianna, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and James Dean. Now we can add to that list Kobe Bryant. One moment he gets on a helicopter with his daughter headed for her game, and the next tragedy.
So much has been said about Kobe's death. One question penetrates my mind and disturbs my heart. Did Kobe Bryant know Jesus as his savior? Bryant often referred to himself as the Black Mumba for his fierceness in competition. What did the Black Mumba have to say when he stood before Righteous Yahweh?
Where is he now? Is he rejoicing in heaven? Is his daughter there with him? Is he suffering unimaginable torment in hell that is only just beginning and will last for eternity? Agonizing, weeping, gnashing of teeth suffering. If Kobe could give one last message for the masses what would it be? Turn to Jesus before it is too late.
Kobe's death should be a wake up call. For a few moments we will think about our own mortality. Soon life will go on. One day we will hear that it has been a year since Kobe died. We will think about how fast time flies and feel like it only happened a few days ago. Life goes on. People get lulled back to sleep. They forget about matters of eternity.
Eternity is only one heartbeat away for all of us. A friend texted me recently that a man he loved was found dead. No fan fare. The deceased friend lived alone. He suffered physically in every way imaginable and died of a heart attack. On e heartbeat away. Where is that man now?
Eternity is too long to be wrong. Fame and fortune or isolation and denial of truth do not alter the fact everybody dies and faces God in the end.
Hebrews 9:27 "For it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment."
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Secret Sincerity
So many people do things to be applauded by others. Sadly, this is also true in the Christian church. People give to be recognized for their sizeable contributions. They pray eloquent prayers meant for the ears of people more than the ears of God. The do all sorts of religious exercises to be seen publicly. They desire to be well thought of and talked about in respectful tones.
What about the secret service offered by followers of Jesus from hearts of sincerity. Acts done in secret to be noticed by God, but hidden from the masses. What about sincere sacrifice not broadcast for the watching crowd. A sincere sacrifice offered humbly to God who sees what is done in secret. Such sincerity must move His heart deeply.
Is there sincerity among the people of God. Do people sing for God exaltation, or to exalt self and talent. Is it more important to hit every note in a powerful performance, or to get lost in the wonder of worship forgetting a word now and then. Do people truly give offerings sincerely with no strings attached, or special favors desired. Do Christian people do good works when nobody is watching, and they will get no notoriety. Do preachers proclaim God's truth for compliments or for conviction. Sobering questions.
I am a people watcher. I notice things others might miss. I notice the servants who do what they do in secret. Or at least they think it is done in secret. Seldom do they know I'm watching in the shadows. I see sincere servants. Those who will never get credit for what they do, nor do they want credit for what they do. These are the ones I believe who please God. Their motives are pure. Their desire is serve, and glorify their King sincerely.
I am blessed to be in a church filled with such people. Sincere servants who seek and serve their King. They do not do such things to try to impress others. They are way too mature for that. They are not insecure people. They are simple down to earth kind of folks. Please note, I did not say simple minded. I serve among very intelligent people. They are filled with wisdom. They are skilled at many things and not one trick ponies. They are also sincere. They serve out of the purity of their hearts. They labor for the pure joy it brings them to help others. I stand amazed watching these folks in action when they don't know I am watching. More importantly, God watches. He also rewards sincerity.
Signed,
A very grateful shepherd of a very sincere flock.
What about the secret service offered by followers of Jesus from hearts of sincerity. Acts done in secret to be noticed by God, but hidden from the masses. What about sincere sacrifice not broadcast for the watching crowd. A sincere sacrifice offered humbly to God who sees what is done in secret. Such sincerity must move His heart deeply.
Is there sincerity among the people of God. Do people sing for God exaltation, or to exalt self and talent. Is it more important to hit every note in a powerful performance, or to get lost in the wonder of worship forgetting a word now and then. Do people truly give offerings sincerely with no strings attached, or special favors desired. Do Christian people do good works when nobody is watching, and they will get no notoriety. Do preachers proclaim God's truth for compliments or for conviction. Sobering questions.
I am a people watcher. I notice things others might miss. I notice the servants who do what they do in secret. Or at least they think it is done in secret. Seldom do they know I'm watching in the shadows. I see sincere servants. Those who will never get credit for what they do, nor do they want credit for what they do. These are the ones I believe who please God. Their motives are pure. Their desire is serve, and glorify their King sincerely.
I am blessed to be in a church filled with such people. Sincere servants who seek and serve their King. They do not do such things to try to impress others. They are way too mature for that. They are not insecure people. They are simple down to earth kind of folks. Please note, I did not say simple minded. I serve among very intelligent people. They are filled with wisdom. They are skilled at many things and not one trick ponies. They are also sincere. They serve out of the purity of their hearts. They labor for the pure joy it brings them to help others. I stand amazed watching these folks in action when they don't know I am watching. More importantly, God watches. He also rewards sincerity.
Signed,
A very grateful shepherd of a very sincere flock.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Occupied
My translation of the scriptures uses the word occupied. Other translations word it differently. They use words like devoted, pressed in Spirit, engrossed and completely absorbed.
Have you ever been so preoccupied doing something you last track of time? Have you ever so completely devoted yourself to a project you became oblivious to everything ad everyone around you? Have you ever been so completely absorbed in the work before you that completing the job got your utmost concentration and best efforts?
It was that little word occupied that stopped me in my tracks studying today. I intended to teach elven verses. The word occupied appeared in the fifth, and I never went any further. The word and context it was used in both inspired and convicted me at the same time. Inspired by utter devotion to the task at hand. Convicted by my failure to follow this example.
The word is found in Acts 18:5 in the ESV. Paul is in Corinth reasoning with the Jews in the synagogue trying to persuade them to believe on Jesus Christ. Many did believe and followed in baptism including the leader of the synagogue and his family. He was occupied in this mission.
I love Spring Creek Baptist Church with my whole heart. I am so blessed to serve here. This church is commendable in many ways. We have one glaring weakness. We only baptized two people in all of 2019. In my previous church we only baptized one in 2018 and 2019 combined. I don't blame them. I blame myself. I should be more occupied with sharing Jesus. I was trained to do that as a young Christian. I did it consistently in previous ministries. I have not succeeded in that ministry in the past several years.
It breaks my heart as I write this. I have not been occupied. I have been occupied with dozens of other things that will not matter that much in eternity. The glaring question I ask myself is why? I cannot use the excuse I don't know enough. I was trained in evangelism. I took a college and seminary class on it. I have witnessed to many people over the years. It has been months since God used me to lead anyone to faith in Christ. There is only one tragic explanation. I don't care enough to motivate me witness consistently. ,
It is very convicting to teach through the book of Acts and realize evangelism is something I and so many others in the church across the United States, give lip service to, but do not follow through in doing. Something has to change. I have to change. No more excuses. I plead with God to make me occupied with taking the name of Jesus to those who do not know Him. May the Holy Spirt press this on me night and day without relief.
Have you ever been so preoccupied doing something you last track of time? Have you ever so completely devoted yourself to a project you became oblivious to everything ad everyone around you? Have you ever been so completely absorbed in the work before you that completing the job got your utmost concentration and best efforts?
It was that little word occupied that stopped me in my tracks studying today. I intended to teach elven verses. The word occupied appeared in the fifth, and I never went any further. The word and context it was used in both inspired and convicted me at the same time. Inspired by utter devotion to the task at hand. Convicted by my failure to follow this example.
The word is found in Acts 18:5 in the ESV. Paul is in Corinth reasoning with the Jews in the synagogue trying to persuade them to believe on Jesus Christ. Many did believe and followed in baptism including the leader of the synagogue and his family. He was occupied in this mission.
I love Spring Creek Baptist Church with my whole heart. I am so blessed to serve here. This church is commendable in many ways. We have one glaring weakness. We only baptized two people in all of 2019. In my previous church we only baptized one in 2018 and 2019 combined. I don't blame them. I blame myself. I should be more occupied with sharing Jesus. I was trained to do that as a young Christian. I did it consistently in previous ministries. I have not succeeded in that ministry in the past several years.
It breaks my heart as I write this. I have not been occupied. I have been occupied with dozens of other things that will not matter that much in eternity. The glaring question I ask myself is why? I cannot use the excuse I don't know enough. I was trained in evangelism. I took a college and seminary class on it. I have witnessed to many people over the years. It has been months since God used me to lead anyone to faith in Christ. There is only one tragic explanation. I don't care enough to motivate me witness consistently. ,
It is very convicting to teach through the book of Acts and realize evangelism is something I and so many others in the church across the United States, give lip service to, but do not follow through in doing. Something has to change. I have to change. No more excuses. I plead with God to make me occupied with taking the name of Jesus to those who do not know Him. May the Holy Spirt press this on me night and day without relief.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Problems
Problems: a matter or situation unwelcome that needs to be overcome.
Everyone has problems. Some work hard at hiding them from others. Others are very vocal about the problems they face. It does not matter your skin color, economic status, position at work, or if you are a believer or non believer, Problems are part of the curse of this sin infested planet.
There are some problems we may face that are totally out of our control. Ask victims of hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and mass shootings. Such problems are not welcome and come suddenly. Lives are often left in shambles afterwards.
Then, there are relational problems. Pain and sorrow caused by someone else. It could be a family member, friend or co-worker. These problems are also unwelcome. They are deeply distressing. Many times there is nothing you can do to fix the situation. Truth gets distorted and the fire of strife grows.
There is also, the problems we bring on ourselves. When we choose to rebel against God, and do things our way we invite problems. There are consequences for sin. We can be forgiven, but the consequences can linger.
The prodigal son did this. He plotted a problematic course when he left his father and squandered his money in loose living. The problems we bring on ourselves are some of the worst. We know in hindsight they could have been avoided, if we had just obeyed God. Even in our fits of rebellion God has a way of using those problems to lead us back to Him in repentance. That is exactly what happened to the prodigal son. His problems brought him to his senses and back to his father.
God also can use problems to test and strengthen our faith. While they may not be welcome, God can use them for good.
God is the ultimate problem solver. When Brenda worked as a Senior Merchandise Manager for the JC Peenney company, one of her responsibilities was settting the floor with all the merchandise. She told me many times she would get to a stand still and not know what to do. She would come home, pray about it and ask God to show her what to do. She would dream about how to set the floor and follow what she saw in her dream. She had a problem and God solved it.
Nobody can solve a problem as efficiently, wisely, powerfully and as compassionately as God. Whatever problem you have let Him be your problem solver.
Everyone has problems. Some work hard at hiding them from others. Others are very vocal about the problems they face. It does not matter your skin color, economic status, position at work, or if you are a believer or non believer, Problems are part of the curse of this sin infested planet.
There are some problems we may face that are totally out of our control. Ask victims of hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and mass shootings. Such problems are not welcome and come suddenly. Lives are often left in shambles afterwards.
Then, there are relational problems. Pain and sorrow caused by someone else. It could be a family member, friend or co-worker. These problems are also unwelcome. They are deeply distressing. Many times there is nothing you can do to fix the situation. Truth gets distorted and the fire of strife grows.
There is also, the problems we bring on ourselves. When we choose to rebel against God, and do things our way we invite problems. There are consequences for sin. We can be forgiven, but the consequences can linger.
The prodigal son did this. He plotted a problematic course when he left his father and squandered his money in loose living. The problems we bring on ourselves are some of the worst. We know in hindsight they could have been avoided, if we had just obeyed God. Even in our fits of rebellion God has a way of using those problems to lead us back to Him in repentance. That is exactly what happened to the prodigal son. His problems brought him to his senses and back to his father.
God also can use problems to test and strengthen our faith. While they may not be welcome, God can use them for good.
God is the ultimate problem solver. When Brenda worked as a Senior Merchandise Manager for the JC Peenney company, one of her responsibilities was settting the floor with all the merchandise. She told me many times she would get to a stand still and not know what to do. She would come home, pray about it and ask God to show her what to do. She would dream about how to set the floor and follow what she saw in her dream. She had a problem and God solved it.
Nobody can solve a problem as efficiently, wisely, powerfully and as compassionately as God. Whatever problem you have let Him be your problem solver.
Thursday, January 16, 2020
And The Rains Came
I awoke around 4:00 a.m. to the rumbles of thunder. Most of the time I'm flying blind without watching weather forecasts. Not long after, I heard the rain falling. Then I heard it pouring. When I got up to make breakfast later, it had rained hard for the better part of three hours.
Walking to the office gave me an unofficial shower, though it is only a few steps without any covering. It rained most of the morning. It stopped for awhile, but about an hour ago it started raining again.
Not long ago I heard much talk about a drought. Surely this moisture has put a little dent in that. I finally watched a weather forecast where they are predict rain again for tomorrow. While rain is necessary, it can also prove inconvenient. When flash flooding occurs, it can also be dangerous.
There are seasons of life that mirror the weather outside today. We could say and the rain comes and the winds blow. Hard times. Troubling times. Adverse times. Distressing times. Such times come to all.
It is not a matter of if but a matter of when. What do you do when the rain comes? I am talking about the rain of trials and tumultuous troubles? Some fall apart. Others keep a stiff upper lip and trudge ahead. A few crater under the pressure and look for unhealthy coping mechanisms. Sadly,some descend into dark depression from which they struggle to recover.
The person who anchored their souls in Jesus, and sunk their roots deep into the word of God are better equipped to weather the storms of life. They lean on God in days of trouble. [Ps 50:15] They find refuge in the storms of life. [Ps 46:1] They unload their burdens on Jehovah. [Ps 55:22] They are able to persevere. They maintain hope that the storms will not last forever.
Even when the rain comes in your life, there is hope. Read[Psalm 30:5]. Meditate on that truth. And of course, read [Matthew 7:24-27]. I think they will help on those rainy days in life.
Walking to the office gave me an unofficial shower, though it is only a few steps without any covering. It rained most of the morning. It stopped for awhile, but about an hour ago it started raining again.
Not long ago I heard much talk about a drought. Surely this moisture has put a little dent in that. I finally watched a weather forecast where they are predict rain again for tomorrow. While rain is necessary, it can also prove inconvenient. When flash flooding occurs, it can also be dangerous.
There are seasons of life that mirror the weather outside today. We could say and the rain comes and the winds blow. Hard times. Troubling times. Adverse times. Distressing times. Such times come to all.
It is not a matter of if but a matter of when. What do you do when the rain comes? I am talking about the rain of trials and tumultuous troubles? Some fall apart. Others keep a stiff upper lip and trudge ahead. A few crater under the pressure and look for unhealthy coping mechanisms. Sadly,some descend into dark depression from which they struggle to recover.
The person who anchored their souls in Jesus, and sunk their roots deep into the word of God are better equipped to weather the storms of life. They lean on God in days of trouble. [Ps 50:15] They find refuge in the storms of life. [Ps 46:1] They unload their burdens on Jehovah. [Ps 55:22] They are able to persevere. They maintain hope that the storms will not last forever.
Even when the rain comes in your life, there is hope. Read[Psalm 30:5]. Meditate on that truth. And of course, read [Matthew 7:24-27]. I think they will help on those rainy days in life.
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Future Focused
It is easy to get bogged down by the past. Past sorrows. Past trials. Past mistakes. Past sins. It is very difficult to make much progress if you are always looking behind you.
I learned this valuable lesson as a student driver. I was about to enter a major highway for the first from an on ramp. I fixated on the traffic behind me looking over my shoulder to the point I almost ran the car off the road due to not looking ahead. I wish I could say I have always corrected my life as quickly as I corrected that car.
What in your past bogs you down? Where you feel like you are stuck in the mud and cannot move forward. For some it is the death of someone with whom they were very close. They just can't get over it and move forward. For some it is a wrong done to them decades ago. They were so deeply wounded and traumatized they carry the pain to this day. They have never been healed and drag that pain with them wherever they go and whatever they do. Past sins still can haunt the psyche of individuals. God may have forgiven them, but they have never forgiven themselves living in condemnation. In each case the past is their primary focus. Life is viewed from that perspective.
Are you running from something or to somethin?. You can spend a good number of years running from something. Running from the past. It is much more productive to run toward something healthy, wholesome and God ordained. Run toward God. He is with you and ahead of you. You focus on the future. Where does He want you in the future? Go after that.
I have a lifetime of work in the future. This church of my dreams still comes with work for the future. There is no lack of something to do. There are messages to study, messages to deliver, people who need prayer visits to make, books to read, scriptures to memorize, lost souls to evangelize, a flock to shepherd, articles to write, meetings to lead, relationships to cultivate and future events to plan. Future focused.
What happens when you age and feel like you don't have much future to bring into focus. There are people who could always use prayer. There are younger mothers and fathers who need mentoring. There is some sort of service you can still offer Jesus. You could call new visitors or absentees at your local church or from your home. You could write letters of encouragement. You could gather canned foods for a ministry feeding the homeless. You can always pursue God and get closer to Him. All of that can be future focused.
Philippians 3:12-14 (CEB)
12 It's not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose.
13 Brothers and sisters, I myself don't think I've reached it, but I do this one thing: I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me.
14 The goal I pursue is the prize of God's upward call in Christ Jesus.
Let us put the past behind us and focus on God's future. Let us focus on how we can seek Him and serve Him for effectively. Forgetting what lies behind let us press on to what lies ahead.
I learned this valuable lesson as a student driver. I was about to enter a major highway for the first from an on ramp. I fixated on the traffic behind me looking over my shoulder to the point I almost ran the car off the road due to not looking ahead. I wish I could say I have always corrected my life as quickly as I corrected that car.
What in your past bogs you down? Where you feel like you are stuck in the mud and cannot move forward. For some it is the death of someone with whom they were very close. They just can't get over it and move forward. For some it is a wrong done to them decades ago. They were so deeply wounded and traumatized they carry the pain to this day. They have never been healed and drag that pain with them wherever they go and whatever they do. Past sins still can haunt the psyche of individuals. God may have forgiven them, but they have never forgiven themselves living in condemnation. In each case the past is their primary focus. Life is viewed from that perspective.
Are you running from something or to somethin?. You can spend a good number of years running from something. Running from the past. It is much more productive to run toward something healthy, wholesome and God ordained. Run toward God. He is with you and ahead of you. You focus on the future. Where does He want you in the future? Go after that.
I have a lifetime of work in the future. This church of my dreams still comes with work for the future. There is no lack of something to do. There are messages to study, messages to deliver, people who need prayer visits to make, books to read, scriptures to memorize, lost souls to evangelize, a flock to shepherd, articles to write, meetings to lead, relationships to cultivate and future events to plan. Future focused.
What happens when you age and feel like you don't have much future to bring into focus. There are people who could always use prayer. There are younger mothers and fathers who need mentoring. There is some sort of service you can still offer Jesus. You could call new visitors or absentees at your local church or from your home. You could write letters of encouragement. You could gather canned foods for a ministry feeding the homeless. You can always pursue God and get closer to Him. All of that can be future focused.
Philippians 3:12-14 (CEB)
12 It's not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose.
13 Brothers and sisters, I myself don't think I've reached it, but I do this one thing: I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me.
14 The goal I pursue is the prize of God's upward call in Christ Jesus.
Let us put the past behind us and focus on God's future. Let us focus on how we can seek Him and serve Him for effectively. Forgetting what lies behind let us press on to what lies ahead.
Monday, January 13, 2020
What Will You Do Next
What will you do next I wondered in my head,
Pondering future testimonial platforms in bed,
What mountain will You move with great power,
How will You step in to help at the lasestt hour,
What mighty need willYyou meet with provision,
How will You orchestrate plans with precision,
There are many opportunities for You abounding,
To work in miraculous ways that are astounding,
The stage is set, the players have their script text,
We wait to see what You Almighty will do next.
Another Lap Around The Sun
Pastor and author Mark Batterson, wrote a chapter titled "Another lap around the sun." What he went on to explain is that another lap around the sun is another year to live as the sun revolves around the earth. The challenge is that we make the most of our years. We only have so many laps around the sun.
I don't know where you are on your journey. You may be closer to the end than the beginning. Some may be in the middle and others may be just starting out. No matter where you are on this journey called life, I bet most agree it goes fast. Birthdays seem to come around faster than when you were a youngster. So do holidays. Life spins at a pretty good clip. If not careful how you use your time, another lap around the sun will come and go.
In my mind I am still a young man. When I work out and hear the snaps, pops and crackling of my joints, I'm reminded many laps around the sun are catching up with me. My body does not bounce back from injury the way it used to. Long hard days catch up with me sooner than they used to. I forget things a little more. Some of you chuckle, because you have already been there too, or you are battling these same things yourselves.
Like it or not, we all age. Laps around the sun take their toll. That does not mean we have to quit living. We can still be productive in our old age. Mother Teresa was 69 when she won the Nobel Peace Prize. Laura Ingles Wilder did not publish the fist book in her Little House On The Prairie series until she was 64. President Trump is 73 and going strong. The oldest CEO among the Fortune 500 companies is Warren Buffet at 84.
It got me to thinking about the ages of some of our nation's most iconic pastors. David Jeremiah is still preaching and serving as pastor of the Shadow Mountain Community Church at age 78. Chuck Swindoll is still pastoring at the age of 85 as well as leading a radio ministry.. Charles Stanley has served the First Baptist Church of Atlanta, GA for decades and still preaches at age 87.
We still have something to offer even on our last laps around the sun. We still can be productive. At 53, I'm just a spring chicken. Lord willing, I have many more laps around the sun and I want to make the most of all them. Serving a flock I love deeply and living in my sweet spot I am having the time of my life. I don't take those things for granted. I may pace myself a little more these days, but by the grace of God I set my sights on another lap. I trust you will do the same.
I don't know where you are on your journey. You may be closer to the end than the beginning. Some may be in the middle and others may be just starting out. No matter where you are on this journey called life, I bet most agree it goes fast. Birthdays seem to come around faster than when you were a youngster. So do holidays. Life spins at a pretty good clip. If not careful how you use your time, another lap around the sun will come and go.
In my mind I am still a young man. When I work out and hear the snaps, pops and crackling of my joints, I'm reminded many laps around the sun are catching up with me. My body does not bounce back from injury the way it used to. Long hard days catch up with me sooner than they used to. I forget things a little more. Some of you chuckle, because you have already been there too, or you are battling these same things yourselves.
Like it or not, we all age. Laps around the sun take their toll. That does not mean we have to quit living. We can still be productive in our old age. Mother Teresa was 69 when she won the Nobel Peace Prize. Laura Ingles Wilder did not publish the fist book in her Little House On The Prairie series until she was 64. President Trump is 73 and going strong. The oldest CEO among the Fortune 500 companies is Warren Buffet at 84.
It got me to thinking about the ages of some of our nation's most iconic pastors. David Jeremiah is still preaching and serving as pastor of the Shadow Mountain Community Church at age 78. Chuck Swindoll is still pastoring at the age of 85 as well as leading a radio ministry.. Charles Stanley has served the First Baptist Church of Atlanta, GA for decades and still preaches at age 87.
We still have something to offer even on our last laps around the sun. We still can be productive. At 53, I'm just a spring chicken. Lord willing, I have many more laps around the sun and I want to make the most of all them. Serving a flock I love deeply and living in my sweet spot I am having the time of my life. I don't take those things for granted. I may pace myself a little more these days, but by the grace of God I set my sights on another lap. I trust you will do the same.
The Widow's Message
I stopped by to visit one of our widows today. We had a delightful conversation. What she shared as I setepped out the door to go bac to go back to the office is priceless.
We were talking about the previous day in worship. I told her the message on giving did not seem that great from my perspective. Then she told me a story. A story I will not forget soon.
She told me about her daddy being a hardworker. One time when the finances were tight her mother told her daddy they would not be able to tithe that week. There was not enough money to live on. The daddy insisted they tithe. They did so as an act of faith and obedience.
The next morning when he checked the mail, there was an unexpeted check. In his line of fabricating work, if they finished a job early, the men got bonuses on what the company saved. It just so happened one of those bonus checks arrived that very day.
I have heard similar stories. I have expereinced such things first hand. Some of the last words that lady spoke before I walked to my car included, "You can't outgive God."
I have spoken those same words. Brenda and I have experiened this reality over and over again. The widow's words were timely.
Over breakfast earlier I prayed, "Lord, I don't know what this day will hold, but I want to seek and serve you." In less than half an hour later my faith got tested. The widow's message later that morning spoke to my heart more powerfully than any message I have preacehd to her. Thank God for another word of inspiration and comfort. Thank God for the timing of that message.
Friday, January 10, 2020
Words For The Grieving
Death is real. It hits everyone at some time or another. Sometimes deeth comes after long months of suffering. The end is predicted and can actually be relief for both the sufferer and those wsatching the suffering. At other times, death comes stealthily and unexpectedly. You just don't see it coming and you have no time to prepare. It is both harsh and cruel as death put icy hands on your loved one suddenly snatching them from you into eternity.
Toby Mac is a superstar. I Christian music celebrity. He began with a group called DC Talk. His pop and rap lyrics took young Christians by storm. His rap rythyms were ahead of the Chrisitan radio programming times, who refused to play their songs.
Eventually Toby Mac went out on this own. To say he is a musical genius is an understatement. His abitlity to adapt different musical styles and messages keeps him atop the music charts and among the best selling albums.
Recently, his 21 year old son died. Toby Mac just wrote a song in tribute of his son. I predict it will top the charts in no time. The message resonates with many people. The song is called "2." You can listen to it on www.youtube.com I think one line might minister from one grieving faother to other grieving people. "Now God has you in Heaven but I still have you in my heart."
That is the truth for anyone forced to endure life without someone they love who died. Well, that is the turth if the departed repented of their sin and turned to Jesus for salvation. Even though their is a comfort in knoiwng a loved one went to Heaven, it does not take the sting of sorrow away of lonely days and nights filled with greif. Many a pillow has been soaked with the tears from grieving people. Many more live day in and day out with a hole in their heart.
Nothing I can write or say will change any of that. So I turn to one going through greif to minister to you. God may have yours in Heaven, but you still treasure them in your heart. I would like to point you to a passage that has comforted many people through the ages. I pray it will do the same for you today.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ESV)
13
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Toby Mac is a superstar. I Christian music celebrity. He began with a group called DC Talk. His pop and rap lyrics took young Christians by storm. His rap rythyms were ahead of the Chrisitan radio programming times, who refused to play their songs.
Eventually Toby Mac went out on this own. To say he is a musical genius is an understatement. His abitlity to adapt different musical styles and messages keeps him atop the music charts and among the best selling albums.
Recently, his 21 year old son died. Toby Mac just wrote a song in tribute of his son. I predict it will top the charts in no time. The message resonates with many people. The song is called "2." You can listen to it on www.youtube.com I think one line might minister from one grieving faother to other grieving people. "Now God has you in Heaven but I still have you in my heart."
That is the truth for anyone forced to endure life without someone they love who died. Well, that is the turth if the departed repented of their sin and turned to Jesus for salvation. Even though their is a comfort in knoiwng a loved one went to Heaven, it does not take the sting of sorrow away of lonely days and nights filled with greif. Many a pillow has been soaked with the tears from grieving people. Many more live day in and day out with a hole in their heart.
Nothing I can write or say will change any of that. So I turn to one going through greif to minister to you. God may have yours in Heaven, but you still treasure them in your heart. I would like to point you to a passage that has comforted many people through the ages. I pray it will do the same for you today.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ESV)
13
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Not Meant For Human Ears
I just heard a beautiful prayer. We open the church from 11:00-1:00 on Thursdays near lunch so people and come and go to pray as their schedules allow. I walked in the sanctuary close to 11:30 a.m. As I prepared to pray, I heard the fervent prayers of another pouring their heart out to God.
The person prayed for family, the country and the Spring Creek church. I distinctly heard prayers lifted up for my family. I just listened for a bit silently humbled to be in the presence of such a great prayer warrior. Such beautiful praying. Prayers not uttered for human ears, but God alone.
When the room cleared later, alone I prayed through music. I sang out to God. Old songs. New ones. Worship not meant for human ears, but God alone. Another form of beautiful praying. Pure authentic worship not hindered by what others might think. Worship and prayers unleashed from deep in the soul.
You probably heard the old saying, "Dance like nobody is watching and sing like nobody is listening." We out to pray and worship like somebody is listening. Not with human ears. Somebody is listening from the other side of eternity. The only One who can straddle eternity and finite planet Earth.
He listens. He listens for more than the melody. He listens for more than the right pitch on each note. .He listens for more than empty clichés and repetitious phrases void of feeling. He listens for more than the echoes of others voices. He listens for sincerity. He listens for true faith, adoration, fervency and passion. What does He hear from you day to day? What does He hear from you in private and public worship? May it be a sweet sweet sound in His ears. Prayers and worship not intended for human ears.
The person prayed for family, the country and the Spring Creek church. I distinctly heard prayers lifted up for my family. I just listened for a bit silently humbled to be in the presence of such a great prayer warrior. Such beautiful praying. Prayers not uttered for human ears, but God alone.
When the room cleared later, alone I prayed through music. I sang out to God. Old songs. New ones. Worship not meant for human ears, but God alone. Another form of beautiful praying. Pure authentic worship not hindered by what others might think. Worship and prayers unleashed from deep in the soul.
You probably heard the old saying, "Dance like nobody is watching and sing like nobody is listening." We out to pray and worship like somebody is listening. Not with human ears. Somebody is listening from the other side of eternity. The only One who can straddle eternity and finite planet Earth.
He listens. He listens for more than the melody. He listens for more than the right pitch on each note. .He listens for more than empty clichés and repetitious phrases void of feeling. He listens for more than the echoes of others voices. He listens for sincerity. He listens for true faith, adoration, fervency and passion. What does He hear from you day to day? What does He hear from you in private and public worship? May it be a sweet sweet sound in His ears. Prayers and worship not intended for human ears.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
He Said
Between Exodus chapters 6-12 the phrase, "God said to Moses," appears 20 times. God communicates His desires, instructions and plans to His servant. In the Exodus account,t He does so to Moses repeatedly.
Moses never seemed to misunderstand what God said. He never questioned who it was speaking to him. I challenge you,, as yo read and study the Bible, especially the Old Testament, gospels and the book of Acts to mark every time God speaks to someone It is everywhere. God wants to communicate with His children, much more so I believe than His children want to hear from Him.
Hearing from God is fundamental to our relationship with Him. He communicates His love, His rebuke, His will, His directions, the future, words of comfort and faith. How few really make hearing from Him a priority. Do we believe God only communicated with characters in the Bible? Surely not. We stand in need of His counsel and wisdom as persons in the Bible did.
Learning to discern God's voice takes some training like a child first learning how to speak. It takes some time and practice. I have preached and written this hundreds if not thousands of times. The primary way God speaks to us today is through His word. That is why it is so vital that we stay in His word. I do not believe that is the only way God speaks to us. He might speak to us through another person. He might use a song. He can communicate through circumstances. He can also reveal His instructions through the Holy Spirit.
Here is the question to consider. Does God have anything to say to His people today? Let's be more specific. Does God have anything to communicate to you today? If so, are you attentive? Are you fully engaged in receiving His instructions? Do you even desire to hear from Him? If you do desire, you will have be on constant alert. You never know when or how God might communicate. He spoke to Moses from a burning bush on one occasion. He spoke to Him on the sandy shores of the Red Sea and on top of Mount Sinai. Later, Moses met with and heard from God in the tent of meeting.
So, don't get locked into a certain way God has to communicate. He refuses to be boxed in. Keep vigilant watch. Be on the alert. Stay attentive. You never when God will speak next or what He has on His mind. It is all part of the grand adventure of walking with Him. The fact that God spoke to Moses 20 times in a few chapters ought to get our attention. It certainly got mine this morning. He spoke to me just reading about Him speaking to Moses. Maybe He will use this to speak to you too.
Moses never seemed to misunderstand what God said. He never questioned who it was speaking to him. I challenge you,, as yo read and study the Bible, especially the Old Testament, gospels and the book of Acts to mark every time God speaks to someone It is everywhere. God wants to communicate with His children, much more so I believe than His children want to hear from Him.
Hearing from God is fundamental to our relationship with Him. He communicates His love, His rebuke, His will, His directions, the future, words of comfort and faith. How few really make hearing from Him a priority. Do we believe God only communicated with characters in the Bible? Surely not. We stand in need of His counsel and wisdom as persons in the Bible did.
Learning to discern God's voice takes some training like a child first learning how to speak. It takes some time and practice. I have preached and written this hundreds if not thousands of times. The primary way God speaks to us today is through His word. That is why it is so vital that we stay in His word. I do not believe that is the only way God speaks to us. He might speak to us through another person. He might use a song. He can communicate through circumstances. He can also reveal His instructions through the Holy Spirit.
Here is the question to consider. Does God have anything to say to His people today? Let's be more specific. Does God have anything to communicate to you today? If so, are you attentive? Are you fully engaged in receiving His instructions? Do you even desire to hear from Him? If you do desire, you will have be on constant alert. You never know when or how God might communicate. He spoke to Moses from a burning bush on one occasion. He spoke to Him on the sandy shores of the Red Sea and on top of Mount Sinai. Later, Moses met with and heard from God in the tent of meeting.
So, don't get locked into a certain way God has to communicate. He refuses to be boxed in. Keep vigilant watch. Be on the alert. Stay attentive. You never when God will speak next or what He has on His mind. It is all part of the grand adventure of walking with Him. The fact that God spoke to Moses 20 times in a few chapters ought to get our attention. It certainly got mine this morning. He spoke to me just reading about Him speaking to Moses. Maybe He will use this to speak to you too.
The Wondrous Word
Psalm 119:18 (ESV)
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
It is easy to take having access to the Bible for granted. Many around the world cannot get a Bible. When you have one, or in my case multiple translations, you can lose the excitement and enthusiasm. Think about it. God took time to inspire and reveal His word to human authors who penned it. Through the ages that collection of books has been preserved in the Bible for us to enjoy. Some died so that we could have an English translation of the scriptures.
All that truth has been preserved for us to study, read and reflect. Anytime we read the Bible we are in essence having an encounter with God, because it is His message we read. The Bible is not like other books. It is a living book. It's sharp like a two edged sword. It penetrates people.
Shouldn't we be exuberant to read it day after day. Look at the Psalmist's prayer. First, he asks that his eyes might be opened. He is not talking about vision here. This is not our physical eyes, but rather our spiritual eyes. The author is asking for open spiritual eyes to understand more and deeper truth. There are hidden nuggets of truth in God's word that will not be discovered unless God reveals them. We should pray for God to open our eyes.
We need our eyes opened to behold. That word has a great many meanings. It means to become aware, to encounter, to examine and to give attention to. Think about it. When we crack open the pages of the sacred book, we have a chance to examine God's truth, and to have an encounter with Yahweh at the same time. The serious study of the scriptures is something we need to devote ourselves to. Why?
There are wondrous things contained in those pages. The word wondrous is pregnant with meaning. It means astounding, surpassing, extraordinary, marvelous and difficult things. Is that our attitude when we read our devotions? Have we asked God for supernatural spiritual vision as He reveals wondrous truth? Are we ever caught up in the wonder of His truth. How He can take a timely word and apply right to our hearts and lives where we live is an incredible experience.
I fear we take a much more casual cavalier approach to the word of God. How I pray God would convict us and renew our eager encounters in God's word revealed to us. May we take full advantage of that word. Millions around the world wish they had just a chapter of God's wondrous word. May our eyes be opened to see more extraordinary things in this new year than we have ever seen before.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
It is easy to take having access to the Bible for granted. Many around the world cannot get a Bible. When you have one, or in my case multiple translations, you can lose the excitement and enthusiasm. Think about it. God took time to inspire and reveal His word to human authors who penned it. Through the ages that collection of books has been preserved in the Bible for us to enjoy. Some died so that we could have an English translation of the scriptures.
All that truth has been preserved for us to study, read and reflect. Anytime we read the Bible we are in essence having an encounter with God, because it is His message we read. The Bible is not like other books. It is a living book. It's sharp like a two edged sword. It penetrates people.
Shouldn't we be exuberant to read it day after day. Look at the Psalmist's prayer. First, he asks that his eyes might be opened. He is not talking about vision here. This is not our physical eyes, but rather our spiritual eyes. The author is asking for open spiritual eyes to understand more and deeper truth. There are hidden nuggets of truth in God's word that will not be discovered unless God reveals them. We should pray for God to open our eyes.
We need our eyes opened to behold. That word has a great many meanings. It means to become aware, to encounter, to examine and to give attention to. Think about it. When we crack open the pages of the sacred book, we have a chance to examine God's truth, and to have an encounter with Yahweh at the same time. The serious study of the scriptures is something we need to devote ourselves to. Why?
There are wondrous things contained in those pages. The word wondrous is pregnant with meaning. It means astounding, surpassing, extraordinary, marvelous and difficult things. Is that our attitude when we read our devotions? Have we asked God for supernatural spiritual vision as He reveals wondrous truth? Are we ever caught up in the wonder of His truth. How He can take a timely word and apply right to our hearts and lives where we live is an incredible experience.
I fear we take a much more casual cavalier approach to the word of God. How I pray God would convict us and renew our eager encounters in God's word revealed to us. May we take full advantage of that word. Millions around the world wish they had just a chapter of God's wondrous word. May our eyes be opened to see more extraordinary things in this new year than we have ever seen before.
Now You Shall See
Exodus 6:1-6 (ESV)
1 But the LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”
2 God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the LORD.
3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them.
4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners.
5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant.
6 Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.
Things had not gone so well for Moses on his quest to deliver Israel. Pharaoh refused his request to release the Israelites. He made it harder and increased the burden on those Hebrew slaves. Everything seemed to be going wrong. That is when God showed up with a special message.
He started that message with these words, "Now you shall see what I will do." It was a moment of clarification and reassurance for Moses. We all need some of those, "Now you shall see moments." Moments when God reminds us He is still there and still at work. Those moments when God gives hope and confident expectation.
In those verses, pay attention to all the things God said He would do. God would personally deal with Pharaoh. God would force him to release Israel from their slavery. He established a covenant dating back centuries which Jehovah would not break. He heard the groanings of his people while they suffered in slavery. He promised Moses and Israel He would bring them out from under their burden. He also promised to deliver them. He also assured Moses He would judge Pharaoh.
I don't know what you are up against today. I am sure it is something. Many are discouraged and near losing heart. We all go through seasons like that. I am thankful that God is faithful to meet us in those low moments with our own, "Now you shall see what I will do," moments. Moments when God reminds us He has not forsaken or forgotten us. I hope this little blog might serve as one of those moments in your life. Hang on. God is not finished yet. Wait on Him to see what He will do in the end.
1 But the LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”
2 God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the LORD.
3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them.
4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners.
5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant.
6 Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.
Things had not gone so well for Moses on his quest to deliver Israel. Pharaoh refused his request to release the Israelites. He made it harder and increased the burden on those Hebrew slaves. Everything seemed to be going wrong. That is when God showed up with a special message.
He started that message with these words, "Now you shall see what I will do." It was a moment of clarification and reassurance for Moses. We all need some of those, "Now you shall see moments." Moments when God reminds us He is still there and still at work. Those moments when God gives hope and confident expectation.
In those verses, pay attention to all the things God said He would do. God would personally deal with Pharaoh. God would force him to release Israel from their slavery. He established a covenant dating back centuries which Jehovah would not break. He heard the groanings of his people while they suffered in slavery. He promised Moses and Israel He would bring them out from under their burden. He also promised to deliver them. He also assured Moses He would judge Pharaoh.
I don't know what you are up against today. I am sure it is something. Many are discouraged and near losing heart. We all go through seasons like that. I am thankful that God is faithful to meet us in those low moments with our own, "Now you shall see what I will do," moments. Moments when God reminds us He has not forsaken or forgotten us. I hope this little blog might serve as one of those moments in your life. Hang on. God is not finished yet. Wait on Him to see what He will do in the end.
Monday, January 6, 2020
Not Safe Or Easy
Hudson Taylor is a missionary legend. He founded the China Inland Mission. He had a burden to take the gospel message to the interior of China. Most missionaries of His time stayed in the coastal regions. He adopted the Chinse culture of dress, hair styles and food. He lived and challenged others to live like they were native Chinese. He suffered loosing two wives and children.
Read what he said.
"We did not come because missionary work here was either safe or easy, but because He called us. We did not enter upon our present position under a guarantee of human protection, but relying on the promise of His presence."
He said they did not come because it was safe or easy. Those are two things that define much of the American church. People drift toward the safe, predictable, secure and risk averse paths. They also want it easy. They will not stand for hard preaching. They want easy sermons. They want easy commitments, and if pushed too hard they will just move on down the road to a church where a weak preacher will water down the messages in order to keep a crowd and gather large offerings.
The path Jesus called the disciples to walk following Him was neither safe nor easy. In the end, most of them would die violently. There is no danger in the tea parties, brunches, game nights and fellowships. Someone might get upset with someone else, but that is not like the danger Hudson Taylor referred to. He talked about real and present danger from hostile pagans.
Even as I write this, I am reminded of the past and recent church shootings that dominate headlines. These horrific events have traumatized many believers. I think most Christians feel pretty safe in their places of worship. Churches have put security measures in place to hopefully prevent this.
Modern day church members want it easy. They shy away from words like work, sacrifice, service, challenges and denying self for the greater kingdom good. None of those things is easy.
To be a true follower of Jesus takes grit. The biblical concept of following Jesus is neither safe nor easy. We may content ourselves with a watered down version of Christianity, but the Bible paints a far different picture. One that is neither safe or easy. For example, what was safe or easy about leading an entire nation out of slavery has Moses did? What was safe or easy about facing down a nine foot tall giant as David did? What was safe or easy about walking around with Christ pre and post crucifixion as the disciples did?
In these troubling days it is not a time to play it safe. It is time to risk for the kingdom of God where the Holy Spirit leads us. It is also time to embrace the difficult challenge of getting Jesus to others in this dark pagan culture. Following Jesus is not for the faint of heart. It is for the adventurous. It is for the determined who are not easily defeated. May the Lord raise up more Hudson Taylors and those who served with him.
Read what he said.
"We did not come because missionary work here was either safe or easy, but because He called us. We did not enter upon our present position under a guarantee of human protection, but relying on the promise of His presence."
He said they did not come because it was safe or easy. Those are two things that define much of the American church. People drift toward the safe, predictable, secure and risk averse paths. They also want it easy. They will not stand for hard preaching. They want easy sermons. They want easy commitments, and if pushed too hard they will just move on down the road to a church where a weak preacher will water down the messages in order to keep a crowd and gather large offerings.
The path Jesus called the disciples to walk following Him was neither safe nor easy. In the end, most of them would die violently. There is no danger in the tea parties, brunches, game nights and fellowships. Someone might get upset with someone else, but that is not like the danger Hudson Taylor referred to. He talked about real and present danger from hostile pagans.
Even as I write this, I am reminded of the past and recent church shootings that dominate headlines. These horrific events have traumatized many believers. I think most Christians feel pretty safe in their places of worship. Churches have put security measures in place to hopefully prevent this.
Modern day church members want it easy. They shy away from words like work, sacrifice, service, challenges and denying self for the greater kingdom good. None of those things is easy.
To be a true follower of Jesus takes grit. The biblical concept of following Jesus is neither safe nor easy. We may content ourselves with a watered down version of Christianity, but the Bible paints a far different picture. One that is neither safe or easy. For example, what was safe or easy about leading an entire nation out of slavery has Moses did? What was safe or easy about facing down a nine foot tall giant as David did? What was safe or easy about walking around with Christ pre and post crucifixion as the disciples did?
In these troubling days it is not a time to play it safe. It is time to risk for the kingdom of God where the Holy Spirit leads us. It is also time to embrace the difficult challenge of getting Jesus to others in this dark pagan culture. Following Jesus is not for the faint of heart. It is for the adventurous. It is for the determined who are not easily defeated. May the Lord raise up more Hudson Taylors and those who served with him.
Spring Creek Vision For 2020
The word vision is defined as, "ability to think about or plan the future with imagination and wisdom." Vision in the Bible is the revelation of God in a mental picture or a dream.
I have spent a good portion of the past two weeks praying for God's vision for Spring Creek in 2020. I asked God for one word to rally around all year long. The word I received is GROWTH.
Before casting the vision for the year, I'd like to start with a little summary of 2019. The Edwards family came on the scene here in August. We hit the ground running and have not stopped. This past year Spring Creek averaged 33 people in Sunday School and 45 in worship attendance. We baptized 2 people last year. I am blessed beyond measure that I got to witness one of those baptisms and perform the other.
During the course of this past year we have restriped the parking lot, added a children's ministry we call Creek Kids and a student ministry we call CSM. We have watched God birth both ministries and bring life to them. Especially in the Creek Kids ministry. We had a fantastic Fall Festival with 45 unchurched families registering. Each of them has been contacted. We also enjoyed a beautiful live nativity scene during what we called Breakfast in Bethlehem as well as a children's Christmas play. We ended with putting in a new gym floor which looks better than I can put into words. God did a lot in 2019 and we celebrate that. There was also a VBS, high attendance day and a mission trip.
Now as we look to 2020 with the GROWTH in mind here is the vision. We know it is God's will to save people. We are challenging the membership to believe God to use each member to see one person come to a saving faith in Jesus. To shorten, we are asking each one to reach one. In this way we know the kingdom of God will grow as well as the church through new conversions. This will also translate into more baptisms. If you take the average of Sunday School, and if each person could be God's vessel in reaching one more soul for Christ in the next twelve months, the church potentially add 33 new believers in the upcoming year. We have the assurance that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
Romans 1:14-16 (ESV)
14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
To help keep us stay on track reaching out to our community we have several events planned. We will enjoy Round Up Sunday in March where we gather up the strays. We'll worship that morning in the tabarnacle, enjoy a barbeque lunch afterwards, followed by a fun filled afternoon of some good old fashioned fun. We will cap the day off with a singing in the tabernacle.
We'll hold an Eggstravaganza in April with carnival style games and weather permitting an Easter egg drop from a helicopter. In the summer, plans are already underway for VBS as well as a volleyball camp, football camp and basketball camp. The gym will be opened for Creek Kids and CSM periodically. Of course, we will have antoher high attendance day in the fall, and plan a bigger and better Fall Festival than ever before. It will be a full year and I hope an evangelistic year.
We are starting a new ministry called Neighbor Care. It has three different phases. First Steps is a ministry for mothers choosing life rather than abortion. We will partner with Grace House to assist them in meeting needs. The second phase is called Home Run. In this phase, we will send out teams to help people who need help in running and maintaining their home as needs are revealed. This will include lawn maintenance and minor home repairs for families in need. Lastly, we will start New Neighbors. This ministry will focus on new people moving into the community. We will deliver baskets of love filled with helpful items as they move into their new homes with an invitation to Spring Creek.
Finally, I believe the Lord has called us to bless the community. God has planted a dream in my heart to build a park for the community complete with playground, covered pavillon, basketball, volleyball and a walking track. This will be done in phases and debt free.
It is a grand vision. Some might say impossible when you add all of it together. God will enable us. He will strengthen us. He will save the lost and draw them to Himself. He will add new folks here. With those new folks he will add new workers. He will also provide. It will mean a great deal of work, faith and sacrifice to pull all these things off. It is a grand vision worthy of our best efforts. To God be the glory for what He does here in 2020.
I have spent a good portion of the past two weeks praying for God's vision for Spring Creek in 2020. I asked God for one word to rally around all year long. The word I received is GROWTH.
Before casting the vision for the year, I'd like to start with a little summary of 2019. The Edwards family came on the scene here in August. We hit the ground running and have not stopped. This past year Spring Creek averaged 33 people in Sunday School and 45 in worship attendance. We baptized 2 people last year. I am blessed beyond measure that I got to witness one of those baptisms and perform the other.
During the course of this past year we have restriped the parking lot, added a children's ministry we call Creek Kids and a student ministry we call CSM. We have watched God birth both ministries and bring life to them. Especially in the Creek Kids ministry. We had a fantastic Fall Festival with 45 unchurched families registering. Each of them has been contacted. We also enjoyed a beautiful live nativity scene during what we called Breakfast in Bethlehem as well as a children's Christmas play. We ended with putting in a new gym floor which looks better than I can put into words. God did a lot in 2019 and we celebrate that. There was also a VBS, high attendance day and a mission trip.
Now as we look to 2020 with the GROWTH in mind here is the vision. We know it is God's will to save people. We are challenging the membership to believe God to use each member to see one person come to a saving faith in Jesus. To shorten, we are asking each one to reach one. In this way we know the kingdom of God will grow as well as the church through new conversions. This will also translate into more baptisms. If you take the average of Sunday School, and if each person could be God's vessel in reaching one more soul for Christ in the next twelve months, the church potentially add 33 new believers in the upcoming year. We have the assurance that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
Romans 1:14-16 (ESV)
14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
To help keep us stay on track reaching out to our community we have several events planned. We will enjoy Round Up Sunday in March where we gather up the strays. We'll worship that morning in the tabarnacle, enjoy a barbeque lunch afterwards, followed by a fun filled afternoon of some good old fashioned fun. We will cap the day off with a singing in the tabernacle.
We'll hold an Eggstravaganza in April with carnival style games and weather permitting an Easter egg drop from a helicopter. In the summer, plans are already underway for VBS as well as a volleyball camp, football camp and basketball camp. The gym will be opened for Creek Kids and CSM periodically. Of course, we will have antoher high attendance day in the fall, and plan a bigger and better Fall Festival than ever before. It will be a full year and I hope an evangelistic year.
We are starting a new ministry called Neighbor Care. It has three different phases. First Steps is a ministry for mothers choosing life rather than abortion. We will partner with Grace House to assist them in meeting needs. The second phase is called Home Run. In this phase, we will send out teams to help people who need help in running and maintaining their home as needs are revealed. This will include lawn maintenance and minor home repairs for families in need. Lastly, we will start New Neighbors. This ministry will focus on new people moving into the community. We will deliver baskets of love filled with helpful items as they move into their new homes with an invitation to Spring Creek.
Finally, I believe the Lord has called us to bless the community. God has planted a dream in my heart to build a park for the community complete with playground, covered pavillon, basketball, volleyball and a walking track. This will be done in phases and debt free.
It is a grand vision. Some might say impossible when you add all of it together. God will enable us. He will strengthen us. He will save the lost and draw them to Himself. He will add new folks here. With those new folks he will add new workers. He will also provide. It will mean a great deal of work, faith and sacrifice to pull all these things off. It is a grand vision worthy of our best efforts. To God be the glory for what He does here in 2020.
Saturday, January 4, 2020
When You Return To This Mountain
I love the mountains. I have been to both Colorado and New Mexico. I even spent a weekend out in Alpine, TX. Mountains are majestic. It cracks my brain to think about God just speaking them into existence. I've had some profound encounters with God on mountains. I hope to have a few more.
My encounters pale in comparison to one a certain man had a long time ago. His encounter impacted millions of people. I am writing that in the most literal sense. That is not a figurative statement. It was just this one man and God in a private rendezvous. The day started out like any other humdrum day. The man was at work when God interrupted the ordinary day with an extraordinary encounter.
This rather shy behind the scenes kind of God was called into a very public new direction of life. It all seemed surreal. To say our friend hesitated reluctantly would be an understatement. He doubted. He did not want the job. As only God can do, He persisted and won the day.
Then God cast an impossible vision and put that dream into His reluctant servant. A dream so bold, so daring, so incredulous, so bewildering not even the servant could believe it at first. When he told others they had their doubts as well. Then, God gave the servant a promise. He assured this servant the proof of the legitimacy of God's call would be that one day He would return to that very same mountain to worship and serve God.
A lot happened in between the first encounter on the mountain, and the fulfillment of that promise after the job got completed. It did happen. After God used Moses to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage, he did return to that mountain to worship and serve God. Mount Horeb is known as the mountain of God.
There were times when it seemed like Moses would not be successful. He persevered. He obeyed. He survived the many tests along the way. In the end, he stood on that mountain again with a whole nation under his leadership. Hear Moses echo through the centuries into our ears and spirit. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD. HE IS MORE THAN ABLE TO DO ANYTHING HE CALLS US TO DO FOR HIM. MOUNTAINS BECOME MOLEHILLS. IMPROBABLE ODDS ALWAYS TURN IN GOD'S FAVOR. HE IS A PROMISE KEEPER. TRUST AND OBEY HIM.
My encounters pale in comparison to one a certain man had a long time ago. His encounter impacted millions of people. I am writing that in the most literal sense. That is not a figurative statement. It was just this one man and God in a private rendezvous. The day started out like any other humdrum day. The man was at work when God interrupted the ordinary day with an extraordinary encounter.
This rather shy behind the scenes kind of God was called into a very public new direction of life. It all seemed surreal. To say our friend hesitated reluctantly would be an understatement. He doubted. He did not want the job. As only God can do, He persisted and won the day.
Then God cast an impossible vision and put that dream into His reluctant servant. A dream so bold, so daring, so incredulous, so bewildering not even the servant could believe it at first. When he told others they had their doubts as well. Then, God gave the servant a promise. He assured this servant the proof of the legitimacy of God's call would be that one day He would return to that very same mountain to worship and serve God.
A lot happened in between the first encounter on the mountain, and the fulfillment of that promise after the job got completed. It did happen. After God used Moses to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage, he did return to that mountain to worship and serve God. Mount Horeb is known as the mountain of God.
There were times when it seemed like Moses would not be successful. He persevered. He obeyed. He survived the many tests along the way. In the end, he stood on that mountain again with a whole nation under his leadership. Hear Moses echo through the centuries into our ears and spirit. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD. HE IS MORE THAN ABLE TO DO ANYTHING HE CALLS US TO DO FOR HIM. MOUNTAINS BECOME MOLEHILLS. IMPROBABLE ODDS ALWAYS TURN IN GOD'S FAVOR. HE IS A PROMISE KEEPER. TRUST AND OBEY HIM.
Destination
I sat in my office at 2:30 a.m. Something struck me through those early morning hours. Twice I heard jet planes flying overhead. In all the years I have lived here and all those early morning hours I have never noticed that before. Not at those hours. It set me to wondering where all those people were headed. Had they flown all night. Were they flying to DFW or some other exotic destination.
When I fly, I'm always amazed how many people are traveling somewhere. Some for business. Some for recreation and relaxation. Some for relocations. Some to visit family. Sadly, some bereaved travelers head home to mourn the passing of a loved one. In each case, they have a desired destination.
You may not have any plans to fly anytime soon, but what is your destination? Where are you headed? On this Saturday it could mean traveling to the grocery store. It might include traveling to a market or shopping center. Some are traveling to work. Those are not what I meant? Where is your life headed? Where are trying to get to? What is your intended destination?
I know people who only want to make money. That is their primary goal in life. To make more money. They have investments, rental properties, businesses and they keep accumulating more and more. This is contrast to the attitude Jesus had about money and Paul.
Acts 20:35 (NKJV)
35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
When I fly, I'm always amazed how many people are traveling somewhere. Some for business. Some for recreation and relaxation. Some for relocations. Some to visit family. Sadly, some bereaved travelers head home to mourn the passing of a loved one. In each case, they have a desired destination.
You may not have any plans to fly anytime soon, but what is your destination? Where are you headed? On this Saturday it could mean traveling to the grocery store. It might include traveling to a market or shopping center. Some are traveling to work. Those are not what I meant? Where is your life headed? Where are trying to get to? What is your intended destination?
I know people who only want to make money. That is their primary goal in life. To make more money. They have investments, rental properties, businesses and they keep accumulating more and more. This is contrast to the attitude Jesus had about money and Paul.
Acts 20:35 (NKJV)
35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)
19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV)
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Chasing making money is a foolish pursuit. It will never satisfy. Nor seeking pleasure, success, relationships, or anything else this world offers. None of it can fulfill a person ultimately. If those things are your ultimate destination, you will always be left wanting more. You will always be left feeling like you are missing something.
Make the pursuit of God and eternity with Him your ultimate destination. Plan for it. Make that pursuit of Him your ultimate direction in life. Go hard in that direction. Make heaven your ultimate destination. There is fullness of joy in God's presence as well as pleasure. [Ps 16:11] Count the other things as loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Jesus. [Phil 3:7-8] He should be your destination.
Friday, January 3, 2020
Limited Perspective
Moses obeyed God. Reluctantly he accepted the challenge to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. He went to the king of Egypt and delivered God's message. Things did not turn out as Moses imagined. The king got angry and made the work harder on the Israelites.
Moses went again. This angered the king further. The Egyptians began beating the Israelites slaves and putting impossible burdens and quotas on them. When Moses and his brother Aaron approached the Israelites, they rebelled against him. They let Moses have what for. They were mad at Moses for making things worse for them. They did not believe God sent him or that they would ever escaper from their slavery.
Disillusioned, Moses questioned why God even sent Him. Things were not turning out like they were supposed to. God called him to deliver Israel. From his limited perspective, it appeared they were more deeply entrenched in slavery than before. What Moses saw indicated God failed.
By what you see at this moment, what do you believe about God? Do you believe He has or is failing you? Do you believe He has let you down and forsaken you? It is easy to be deceived by what we see. Every circumstance indicated either Moses got it wrong to try to deliver Israel in the fist place, or God had another plan hidden from Moses. You may face the same situation.
Always remember the human perspective is always limited. We see only in part. We cannot see the whole picture as God does. He knows what He is doing. He is in perfect control. He has all the details worked out, even when humans rebel and refuse to cooperate with His plan. He has contingency plans already in motion. That is an mazing truth.
Sure enough, in the end God worked it all out. God fulfilled everything He told Moses He would do to deliver Israel. He prophesied that the king of Egypt would rebel and resist. He prophesied that He would smite the Egyptians. He also prophesied that when they let Israel go, the Israelites would not leave empty handed. Every bit of that came true.
It is easy to doubt from a limited perspective. I challenge you to believe God to do what He said. It may take longer than you anticipated, there will assuredly be several tests of faith along the way, you may travel down unexpected routes, but in the end God will come through. He will fulfill His plans. He will accomplish His purposes. Even when your limited perspective convinces you other wise.
Moses went again. This angered the king further. The Egyptians began beating the Israelites slaves and putting impossible burdens and quotas on them. When Moses and his brother Aaron approached the Israelites, they rebelled against him. They let Moses have what for. They were mad at Moses for making things worse for them. They did not believe God sent him or that they would ever escaper from their slavery.
Disillusioned, Moses questioned why God even sent Him. Things were not turning out like they were supposed to. God called him to deliver Israel. From his limited perspective, it appeared they were more deeply entrenched in slavery than before. What Moses saw indicated God failed.
By what you see at this moment, what do you believe about God? Do you believe He has or is failing you? Do you believe He has let you down and forsaken you? It is easy to be deceived by what we see. Every circumstance indicated either Moses got it wrong to try to deliver Israel in the fist place, or God had another plan hidden from Moses. You may face the same situation.
Always remember the human perspective is always limited. We see only in part. We cannot see the whole picture as God does. He knows what He is doing. He is in perfect control. He has all the details worked out, even when humans rebel and refuse to cooperate with His plan. He has contingency plans already in motion. That is an mazing truth.
Sure enough, in the end God worked it all out. God fulfilled everything He told Moses He would do to deliver Israel. He prophesied that the king of Egypt would rebel and resist. He prophesied that He would smite the Egyptians. He also prophesied that when they let Israel go, the Israelites would not leave empty handed. Every bit of that came true.
It is easy to doubt from a limited perspective. I challenge you to believe God to do what He said. It may take longer than you anticipated, there will assuredly be several tests of faith along the way, you may travel down unexpected routes, but in the end God will come through. He will fulfill His plans. He will accomplish His purposes. Even when your limited perspective convinces you other wise.
How Is Your Vision
As 2020 starts let me ask, "How is your vision?" I am not referring to how you see or whether you need glasses or not. I'm talking about your vision. Your dreams and goals for the new year. More specifically I'm referencing what God is calling you to believe Him for. Do you have His vision?
Have you even asked? Many people make New Year's resolutions, but few sit before God and ask Him what vision He wants pursued and believed. In many cases, people will end up repeating the past and not progress in their walk with the Lord nor in advancing the kingdom of God.
Let me ask you a few questions.
Have you even asked? Many people make New Year's resolutions, but few sit before God and ask Him what vision He wants pursued and believed. In many cases, people will end up repeating the past and not progress in their walk with the Lord nor in advancing the kingdom of God.
Let me ask you a few questions.
- What Bible reading plan will you adopt this year? What tangible goal do you have for reading?
- How many people will you lead to Christ this year? How many will you believe the Lord to save using you?
- How many verses will you memorize this year?
- How many Christian books will you read this year to grow in your faith?
- What ministry will you embrace and serve God?
Each of those is tangible. They are measurable. They are also achievable with God's help. If a person caught God's vision for those things, they would surely grow into more maturity in the coming year.
That is just the start. On top of catching a vision for your personal life, God has things He wants done through His church. He has kingdom assignments to distribute. Kingdom advancement to promote. Kingdom priorities to seek and spread.
So let me ask again, "How is your vision?" While the year is still young, why not stop and sit before the Lord and seek Him for His vision. Be more intentional with your time and energy this year. Live a more focused life. Dream God's dream with Him. Work to achieve those dreams. Pray and believe Him for them. To God be the glory for what follows.
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Prayer Experiment
It started as an experiment in prayer. Spring Creek provided a parsonage for my family. Brenda and I promised Turner he could graduate from the school he has attended most of his life. He is a junior and we live one hour from the Spring Creek community. We still have a year and a half of time here and part time in Weatherford. We planned to set up a make shift home in the parsonage for weekends, and for me to stay over some during the week.
The challenge we faced dealt with furniture. In our current home, all the furniture is accounted for, especially when the college guys come home. So I determined to pray in all the needed furniture. Let me report what God has done.
First, we received a queen sized bed with matching dresser. Very classy pieces of furniture. Beautiful pedestal bed. Very comfortable I would like to add. We got two sets of sheets to go with the bed. Better than what we could have hoped for.
Not long afterward, we were given a 50" television which we set up in the living room. Her boss intended to throw it away until Brenda said she would take it. Another prayer blessing.
We were blessed with a sofa with recliners on each end from a former parishioner many years ago. A total answer to prayer. I ate my supper on that couch on Monday night. We asked and God provided.
Most recently, we were blessed with an oversized greenrecliner from a church family. Another family gave us a bed frame and a brown leather lounge chair. Anther family gave us a box spring and mattress. We asked and God provided again. They also blessed us with two end tables for the living room. Hallelujah.
A few days later, a deacon took me to a storage building he had where we found a solid wooden bunk bed with a full size bed on the bottom and a twin bed on top. I had prayed for that kind of bunk bed as the make the transition from a four bedroom home to a three bedroom home. Another blessing from the Lord.
We were also given two end tables and a couple of lamps. Extra blessings from God like frosting on the cake.
Today, Brenda and I drove to the metroplex to her middle sister's house. Her and her husband found a Queen Victoria recliner on the side of the curb that is still in working condition and clean. We loaded it in the truck and hauled it to the parsonage. We took it inside, and formally set the living room in order. My wife has a knack for that kind of thing. Looks like we live there full time already.
All of it in answer to prayer. Some might say coincidence. Most of these items I have asked God for specifically. There are a few things left to trust God for. Even as I write this I pause and ask Him for things. We have called the parsonage our vacation home joking.
I long for the day we can permanently move to Weatherford. It sure was nice this past week when two different days I stayed there overnight, and could walk to the office next door the following morning. That day will come when we will set deep roots in the Weatherford and Spring Creek community.
I determined up front I would not go in debt for any furniture needed for that second home. Thus far, God has supplied all of it in different ways. We are both humbled and grateful again God has given us a platform to testify about His amazing power. Our prayers are no more special than anyone else's. We have learned to trust God over the years, and put our faith into practice by asking God for what others might say is foolishness. Most of the time these prayers come from necessity. We have learned to trust God by faith for His provision. He has honored that faith walking in many ways over the years.
I'd rather have a platform in ministry such as souls saved, church growth, revival and community transformation. For some reason, God has chosen our platform to be tangible answers to prayer for His provision. We have seen it in the form of vehicles, homes, furniture, appliances and yes cash. I am not sure how many, if any, of these answers help others to keep praying and believing.. My prayer experiment has been a success, and why not? God is faithful. I have stood on His word and He has honored it.
John 14:14 (ESV)
14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
The challenge we faced dealt with furniture. In our current home, all the furniture is accounted for, especially when the college guys come home. So I determined to pray in all the needed furniture. Let me report what God has done.
First, we received a queen sized bed with matching dresser. Very classy pieces of furniture. Beautiful pedestal bed. Very comfortable I would like to add. We got two sets of sheets to go with the bed. Better than what we could have hoped for.
Not long afterward, we were given a 50" television which we set up in the living room. Her boss intended to throw it away until Brenda said she would take it. Another prayer blessing.
We were blessed with a sofa with recliners on each end from a former parishioner many years ago. A total answer to prayer. I ate my supper on that couch on Monday night. We asked and God provided.
Most recently, we were blessed with an oversized greenrecliner from a church family. Another family gave us a bed frame and a brown leather lounge chair. Anther family gave us a box spring and mattress. We asked and God provided again. They also blessed us with two end tables for the living room. Hallelujah.
A few days later, a deacon took me to a storage building he had where we found a solid wooden bunk bed with a full size bed on the bottom and a twin bed on top. I had prayed for that kind of bunk bed as the make the transition from a four bedroom home to a three bedroom home. Another blessing from the Lord.
We were also given two end tables and a couple of lamps. Extra blessings from God like frosting on the cake.
Today, Brenda and I drove to the metroplex to her middle sister's house. Her and her husband found a Queen Victoria recliner on the side of the curb that is still in working condition and clean. We loaded it in the truck and hauled it to the parsonage. We took it inside, and formally set the living room in order. My wife has a knack for that kind of thing. Looks like we live there full time already.
All of it in answer to prayer. Some might say coincidence. Most of these items I have asked God for specifically. There are a few things left to trust God for. Even as I write this I pause and ask Him for things. We have called the parsonage our vacation home joking.
I long for the day we can permanently move to Weatherford. It sure was nice this past week when two different days I stayed there overnight, and could walk to the office next door the following morning. That day will come when we will set deep roots in the Weatherford and Spring Creek community.
I determined up front I would not go in debt for any furniture needed for that second home. Thus far, God has supplied all of it in different ways. We are both humbled and grateful again God has given us a platform to testify about His amazing power. Our prayers are no more special than anyone else's. We have learned to trust God over the years, and put our faith into practice by asking God for what others might say is foolishness. Most of the time these prayers come from necessity. We have learned to trust God by faith for His provision. He has honored that faith walking in many ways over the years.
I'd rather have a platform in ministry such as souls saved, church growth, revival and community transformation. For some reason, God has chosen our platform to be tangible answers to prayer for His provision. We have seen it in the form of vehicles, homes, furniture, appliances and yes cash. I am not sure how many, if any, of these answers help others to keep praying and believing.. My prayer experiment has been a success, and why not? God is faithful. I have stood on His word and He has honored it.
John 14:14 (ESV)
14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
So It Begins
I went to bed long before midnight. I did not see the ball drop nor ring in the new year. When I awoke this morning, it is my first time to be awake in 2020. It begins. A brand new year and the start of a brand new decade.
I want to start it off writing. Writing about the beginning. To begin means to start. On this official New Year's Day, it is a fresh start. Many will still face the same old trials that carried over rom 2019. Still many will make a new start. Gym memberships will soar as people start their resolutions.. They vow this is the year that they will change. They will lose the weight, finish the education, travel more, find another job and a host of other things. Many will begin with good intentions.
The wanting is there to change at this beginning. What is lacking is discipline. One of the definitions of discipline is the practice that provides mental or physical training. For example, if a person sets a goal to read through the Bible in 2020, it will take discipline to start and finish. If a person chooses to lose weight, they will have to alter their diet, and begin a regimented workout routine. It will require self-control when delicious food is put on the table. If a person chooses to finish their education, it will take mental training to hit the books fulfilling assignments to earn the degree.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Did you notice the words self-control? It means to bring the body under submission, control and subjection. This is part of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we begin this new year with goals, resolutions and plans to turn over a new leaf, we trust the Holy Spirit to give us the self-control to walk those things out. I looked in multiple translations for the word self-control in Gal 5:23. Everyone of them had the words self control except the King James Version which translates it as temperance.
No matter how you translate it, as the new year dawns we all need discipline, self-control, temperance at the beginning and throughout these next 365 days. Will this be the year you mature in your walk with God? Will this be the year you start memorizing scripture? Will this be the year you commit to pray more fervently and effectively? Will this be the year you spend more time in the Bible? Or when 2020 fades into 2021, will you end the year in the same old spot?
So it begins. A new year. Filled with new opportunities. A new year to give God your absolute best. [Col 3:17,23]. I wish you well at this beginning. May you progress in your faith journey. May you advance in your knowledge and understanding of God's word. May you get on the relentless pursuit of knowing God in 2020. May you finish what you start at this new beginning.
I want to start it off writing. Writing about the beginning. To begin means to start. On this official New Year's Day, it is a fresh start. Many will still face the same old trials that carried over rom 2019. Still many will make a new start. Gym memberships will soar as people start their resolutions.. They vow this is the year that they will change. They will lose the weight, finish the education, travel more, find another job and a host of other things. Many will begin with good intentions.
The wanting is there to change at this beginning. What is lacking is discipline. One of the definitions of discipline is the practice that provides mental or physical training. For example, if a person sets a goal to read through the Bible in 2020, it will take discipline to start and finish. If a person chooses to lose weight, they will have to alter their diet, and begin a regimented workout routine. It will require self-control when delicious food is put on the table. If a person chooses to finish their education, it will take mental training to hit the books fulfilling assignments to earn the degree.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Did you notice the words self-control? It means to bring the body under submission, control and subjection. This is part of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we begin this new year with goals, resolutions and plans to turn over a new leaf, we trust the Holy Spirit to give us the self-control to walk those things out. I looked in multiple translations for the word self-control in Gal 5:23. Everyone of them had the words self control except the King James Version which translates it as temperance.
No matter how you translate it, as the new year dawns we all need discipline, self-control, temperance at the beginning and throughout these next 365 days. Will this be the year you mature in your walk with God? Will this be the year you start memorizing scripture? Will this be the year you commit to pray more fervently and effectively? Will this be the year you spend more time in the Bible? Or when 2020 fades into 2021, will you end the year in the same old spot?
So it begins. A new year. Filled with new opportunities. A new year to give God your absolute best. [Col 3:17,23]. I wish you well at this beginning. May you progress in your faith journey. May you advance in your knowledge and understanding of God's word. May you get on the relentless pursuit of knowing God in 2020. May you finish what you start at this new beginning.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)