Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Amazing Video
My dad sent me an email about a guy named Butch Lumpkin that is just amazing. If you feel like you are nothing or from time to time you get down in the dumps, watch this video: http://www.thegolfchannel.com/golf-videos/meet-butch-lumpkin-9477/?ref=26000
Monday, March 29, 2010
Walk and not faint
As I walked back into the sanctuary after getting a drink of water before the 11am service started, I knew in my Spirit that we were in for something special when our song leader began to weep and thank the Lord for changing the song service after only singing one song already. I began to notice that God was wanting to move in a mighty way in the service and that God was beginning with our song leader as he began to obey the voice of God. I began to since the presence of God and Him moving among others in the congregation and I began to praise and to worship God and to pray for all those in attendence to be open and "willing to obey". God is looking for willing vessels that He can fill with His Spirit so that we can be ministers one to another.
I'm proud of my song leader for allowing God to use him as a vessel yesterday because I believe that he was the key that started a domino effect, if you will, and we had a tremendous service. As the Lord continued to move, I began to seek the Lord for direction as to preaching or just waiting upon Him to see what was about to happen. I was immediately lead to read the passage of scripture in Isaiah 40: 28-31 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (NIV). Verse 31 in the KJV reads like this: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." The word renew in this scripture means change, so in other words, if we wait upon the Lord we will be changed!
Needless to say, the Holy Ghost did the preaching yesterday morning and we were filled with His presence. We had individuals on the altar, we had individuals walking the isles, we had individuals giving testimony's, we had individuals spontaneously singing songs of praise and hymns of old. It's amazing to be in a service when people get rid of the flesh and allow themselves to "wait upon the Lord and be changed in strength of the Spirit." I think it was a great way to kick off "Passion Week" and I trust that we will continue to be blessed as we "walk and not faint"! Be blessed today!
I'm proud of my song leader for allowing God to use him as a vessel yesterday because I believe that he was the key that started a domino effect, if you will, and we had a tremendous service. As the Lord continued to move, I began to seek the Lord for direction as to preaching or just waiting upon Him to see what was about to happen. I was immediately lead to read the passage of scripture in Isaiah 40: 28-31 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (NIV). Verse 31 in the KJV reads like this: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." The word renew in this scripture means change, so in other words, if we wait upon the Lord we will be changed!
Needless to say, the Holy Ghost did the preaching yesterday morning and we were filled with His presence. We had individuals on the altar, we had individuals walking the isles, we had individuals giving testimony's, we had individuals spontaneously singing songs of praise and hymns of old. It's amazing to be in a service when people get rid of the flesh and allow themselves to "wait upon the Lord and be changed in strength of the Spirit." I think it was a great way to kick off "Passion Week" and I trust that we will continue to be blessed as we "walk and not faint"! Be blessed today!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Palm Sunday
"Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth." Zechariah 9: 9,10
Let us shout and cheer, raise the roof today for this celebration of the coming of our Salvation! He is a good King who makes all things right, a humble King riding a donkey, a mere colt of a donkey (the beast of burden). He came to give us Life, Peace, and Salvation! Celebrate Him today on this Palm Sunday! Let's cry out to Him today, "Hosanna", which means bring Salvation! Hosanna to the King of Kings!!!!!
Let us shout and cheer, raise the roof today for this celebration of the coming of our Salvation! He is a good King who makes all things right, a humble King riding a donkey, a mere colt of a donkey (the beast of burden). He came to give us Life, Peace, and Salvation! Celebrate Him today on this Palm Sunday! Let's cry out to Him today, "Hosanna", which means bring Salvation! Hosanna to the King of Kings!!!!!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wide-eyed or Squinty-eyed
"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness." Luke 11: 33, 34
Eugene Peterson puts this scripture like this in the Message Bible, he says, "No one lights a lamp, and puts it in a drawer. It's put on a lamp stand so those entering the room have light to see where they're going. Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body. If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank (uncomfortably damp) cellar. Keep your eyes open, your lamp burning, so you don't get musty and murky. Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room."
Are you living wide-eyed in wonder and belief or are you living squinty-eyed in greed and distrust? I got up this morning and determined within myself to be all that I can be for the Lord and to put on the armor of God and to be a blessing to someone and to let the light of the Lord shine. I believe that we need to be wide-eyed in our walk with Jesus and to expect to have an experience with God every moment of the day. On the flip side of that, if I had awaken this morning and let the enemy distract me with the things of the world and fill my "eye" with darkness, there would be no way that my light would be able to "stand". I think some of us from time to time find ourselves in those dank cellars because we forget that we have a "strong stand" that will hold the light that is within us. That "strong stand" is Jesus!
Be blessed today and let your lamp shine today and to show the way for those that are living in darkness and don't allow the things of this world to shadow the light that is living in you! Firmly stand for Him!
Eugene Peterson puts this scripture like this in the Message Bible, he says, "No one lights a lamp, and puts it in a drawer. It's put on a lamp stand so those entering the room have light to see where they're going. Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body. If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank (uncomfortably damp) cellar. Keep your eyes open, your lamp burning, so you don't get musty and murky. Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room."
Are you living wide-eyed in wonder and belief or are you living squinty-eyed in greed and distrust? I got up this morning and determined within myself to be all that I can be for the Lord and to put on the armor of God and to be a blessing to someone and to let the light of the Lord shine. I believe that we need to be wide-eyed in our walk with Jesus and to expect to have an experience with God every moment of the day. On the flip side of that, if I had awaken this morning and let the enemy distract me with the things of the world and fill my "eye" with darkness, there would be no way that my light would be able to "stand". I think some of us from time to time find ourselves in those dank cellars because we forget that we have a "strong stand" that will hold the light that is within us. That "strong stand" is Jesus!
Be blessed today and let your lamp shine today and to show the way for those that are living in darkness and don't allow the things of this world to shadow the light that is living in you! Firmly stand for Him!
Monday, March 22, 2010
The Uninvited Guest
"...I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet." Luke 7: 44-46
Last night I shared with the congregation on a thought of "The Uninvited Guest". We see in this passage of scripture that a man, a Pharisee, has invited Jesus into his house for dinner and that as they were sitting and eating a woman came in and began to weep at the feet of Jesus and to wipe her tears off his feet with her hair and then she began to anoint Jesus with perfume. We need to see the two different attitudes that the Pharisee and the woman took upon Jesus.
When we don't see Jesus for who He is, we miss a blessing. There is a quote from Benjamin Whichote that says, "None are so empty as those who are full of themselves." Simon, the Pharisee, was confident of his righteousness; he did not need Jesus, but in Simon's mind, Jesus needed him to help advance His career. Simon did not see his own depravity. By the way, our sin looks so small and insignificant in comparison to the sin of others. Simon's self-righteousness colored his view of the woman, the uninvited guest. Simon saw this woman as one who was not worthy to touch the feet of a great teacher. She was a sinner, likely a prostitute, and Simon felt she was beyond the reach of God's grace. Simon saw Jesus as one who held the sinful at bay if not in utter contempt. He missed grace as it stood in his own home.
When we see Jesus for who He is, we win a victory. The woman had a completely different perspective. She entered Simon's house with tears. Her tears brimmed from a humble recognition of her own sin. While Simon thought Jesus needed him, the woman recognized she needed Jesus! While Simon was consumed with appearances, the woman was oblivious to her surroundings. She didn't care about the crowd; she wanted to experience salvation. Finally, the woman had an accurate view of the Savior. She recognized, or at least she hoped Jesus was merciful. She hoped Jesus would release her from the guilt of sin and offer grace.
Simon saw a teacher who needed a hand; the woman saw a Savior extending a hand. Jesus is there for us when we need a hand. I don't ever want to get to the point that I think God needs me, I have to continuously remind myself that I need God just like this woman did. She needed to be in the presence of Jesus and so do we! Let's not treat Jesus as an uninvited guest, as did this Pharisee to the woman.
(some excerpts from Preaching Magazine)
Last night I shared with the congregation on a thought of "The Uninvited Guest". We see in this passage of scripture that a man, a Pharisee, has invited Jesus into his house for dinner and that as they were sitting and eating a woman came in and began to weep at the feet of Jesus and to wipe her tears off his feet with her hair and then she began to anoint Jesus with perfume. We need to see the two different attitudes that the Pharisee and the woman took upon Jesus.
When we don't see Jesus for who He is, we miss a blessing. There is a quote from Benjamin Whichote that says, "None are so empty as those who are full of themselves." Simon, the Pharisee, was confident of his righteousness; he did not need Jesus, but in Simon's mind, Jesus needed him to help advance His career. Simon did not see his own depravity. By the way, our sin looks so small and insignificant in comparison to the sin of others. Simon's self-righteousness colored his view of the woman, the uninvited guest. Simon saw this woman as one who was not worthy to touch the feet of a great teacher. She was a sinner, likely a prostitute, and Simon felt she was beyond the reach of God's grace. Simon saw Jesus as one who held the sinful at bay if not in utter contempt. He missed grace as it stood in his own home.
When we see Jesus for who He is, we win a victory. The woman had a completely different perspective. She entered Simon's house with tears. Her tears brimmed from a humble recognition of her own sin. While Simon thought Jesus needed him, the woman recognized she needed Jesus! While Simon was consumed with appearances, the woman was oblivious to her surroundings. She didn't care about the crowd; she wanted to experience salvation. Finally, the woman had an accurate view of the Savior. She recognized, or at least she hoped Jesus was merciful. She hoped Jesus would release her from the guilt of sin and offer grace.
Simon saw a teacher who needed a hand; the woman saw a Savior extending a hand. Jesus is there for us when we need a hand. I don't ever want to get to the point that I think God needs me, I have to continuously remind myself that I need God just like this woman did. She needed to be in the presence of Jesus and so do we! Let's not treat Jesus as an uninvited guest, as did this Pharisee to the woman.
(some excerpts from Preaching Magazine)
Friday, March 19, 2010
Stones vs Pebbles
"...If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7
These are awesome, strict words from Jesus to the Pharisees that brought before him an adulterous woman. The scripture says that they made her stand before the group of people that Jesus was teaching and they made accusations, no, they had actually caught her in the act of adultery, and by Moses' law, they said, she is to be stoned. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: wonder why they didn't bring the other MAN involved? All along this was to try to trip Jesus up in his teachings. I like the manner in which Jesus addressed the Pharisees and the woman. The bible says that Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger (v 6), then spoke the words that you see at the beginning of this paragraph. Jesus is not a man that would put himself above anyone else and degrade them. He proved this on the cross of calvary!
As you go on and read "the rest of the story" you find that there was no one that could throw a stone in the direction of this adulterous woman because of the sin that was prevalent in their own lives. After everyone had left Jesus and the woman alone, Jesus looked at the woman and asked her where the ones that had condemned her went? Jesus said to her "I don't condemn you either" and told her to go and leave her life of sin. Jesus saved this woman from being stoned by showing the others that they had "sins - stones, if you will" in their own lives.
How many of us have "stones" in our lives and we often just try to shrug them off to be "pebbles". If you stack enough pebbles on the ground they will become a great mound of stones. Jesus came to clear those pebbles away and to give us victory over our sins. When we see someone fall to temptation and seem to be living a life of treachery, we are not to bring them before the crowds to stand them up and be stoned, we are to do what Jesus did and show them compassion and love. Afterall, the bible talks about removing the plank in our eyes before we can worry about the toothpick in someone else's.
Let's be on guard everyday to remove the "peebles" in our lives through prayer, reading the Word, and walking in the presence of God. I for one don't want to have a stone wall built up between me and God! Be blessed today and if you need to do some "excavating"in your life, Jesus is writing in the sand for you!
These are awesome, strict words from Jesus to the Pharisees that brought before him an adulterous woman. The scripture says that they made her stand before the group of people that Jesus was teaching and they made accusations, no, they had actually caught her in the act of adultery, and by Moses' law, they said, she is to be stoned. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: wonder why they didn't bring the other MAN involved? All along this was to try to trip Jesus up in his teachings. I like the manner in which Jesus addressed the Pharisees and the woman. The bible says that Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger (v 6), then spoke the words that you see at the beginning of this paragraph. Jesus is not a man that would put himself above anyone else and degrade them. He proved this on the cross of calvary!
As you go on and read "the rest of the story" you find that there was no one that could throw a stone in the direction of this adulterous woman because of the sin that was prevalent in their own lives. After everyone had left Jesus and the woman alone, Jesus looked at the woman and asked her where the ones that had condemned her went? Jesus said to her "I don't condemn you either" and told her to go and leave her life of sin. Jesus saved this woman from being stoned by showing the others that they had "sins - stones, if you will" in their own lives.
How many of us have "stones" in our lives and we often just try to shrug them off to be "pebbles". If you stack enough pebbles on the ground they will become a great mound of stones. Jesus came to clear those pebbles away and to give us victory over our sins. When we see someone fall to temptation and seem to be living a life of treachery, we are not to bring them before the crowds to stand them up and be stoned, we are to do what Jesus did and show them compassion and love. Afterall, the bible talks about removing the plank in our eyes before we can worry about the toothpick in someone else's.
Let's be on guard everyday to remove the "peebles" in our lives through prayer, reading the Word, and walking in the presence of God. I for one don't want to have a stone wall built up between me and God! Be blessed today and if you need to do some "excavating"in your life, Jesus is writing in the sand for you!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
LOL
Well if you have a teenager of your own, or for that matter, around you at any time with a phone and has texting abilities you may know what the initials "LOL" mean, or, you may have seen those initials and not really know what they mean. Either way, when you see those initials, lol, in a text it is short for, laughing out loud (it may have other meanings but atleast that's what my daughter told me). Why can't they just stick with "ha, ha" or something like that?
I'm not posting about laughing out loud today. I'm posting about another "lol" - labor of love. First Thessalonians 1:3 says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ..." I shared this scripture this past Sunday night in our service and I spoke about the three characteristics that is found in this scripture that we ought to follow as a "Kingdom Church". You see Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus was addressing the Thessalonians and told them they were thankful of the faith, love and hope they were sharing and experiencing in their lives. I shared with our congregation that we ought to take this example and when people remember us "as a church" or think of us "as a church" they ought to take thought of these three characteristics as well, work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope.
I may post later on about the other two characteristics but for today, lol is on my mind (labor of love). Love is where it all starts. If we are going to be the Kingdom Church that God is wanting us to be, we have to love people just as Jesus did when he came to show us the Father. Jesus didn't have any restrictions when it came to loving people. He loved the good as well as the bad. He loved the adultress as well as the children. He loved the ones that crucified him as well as those that opposed it. I like the NIV version of this scripture, it says, "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." We don't serve or labor for any other reason than love. That's why Jesus went to the cross - his love for us! Our labor for Christ, whatever that is in your life, should be prompted by our love for Jesus, which gives us a love for others and we can only have that love for others if we are continually abiding in Christ!
Have you lol'd lately? What have you done for the cause of the Kingdom lately? Do you love others like you should? Have you done something for someone with "no strings attached" lately? We all need to have a spirit of lol about us because it shows that God is present in our lives. God is love! What prompts you to labor?Remember what First Corinthians 13: 13 says, "...these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." LOL today!
I'm not posting about laughing out loud today. I'm posting about another "lol" - labor of love. First Thessalonians 1:3 says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ..." I shared this scripture this past Sunday night in our service and I spoke about the three characteristics that is found in this scripture that we ought to follow as a "Kingdom Church". You see Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus was addressing the Thessalonians and told them they were thankful of the faith, love and hope they were sharing and experiencing in their lives. I shared with our congregation that we ought to take this example and when people remember us "as a church" or think of us "as a church" they ought to take thought of these three characteristics as well, work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope.
I may post later on about the other two characteristics but for today, lol is on my mind (labor of love). Love is where it all starts. If we are going to be the Kingdom Church that God is wanting us to be, we have to love people just as Jesus did when he came to show us the Father. Jesus didn't have any restrictions when it came to loving people. He loved the good as well as the bad. He loved the adultress as well as the children. He loved the ones that crucified him as well as those that opposed it. I like the NIV version of this scripture, it says, "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." We don't serve or labor for any other reason than love. That's why Jesus went to the cross - his love for us! Our labor for Christ, whatever that is in your life, should be prompted by our love for Jesus, which gives us a love for others and we can only have that love for others if we are continually abiding in Christ!
Have you lol'd lately? What have you done for the cause of the Kingdom lately? Do you love others like you should? Have you done something for someone with "no strings attached" lately? We all need to have a spirit of lol about us because it shows that God is present in our lives. God is love! What prompts you to labor?Remember what First Corinthians 13: 13 says, "...these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." LOL today!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Spring Forward
Daylight Saving Time falls on Sunday, March 14, at 2:00 AM (That's tomorrow morning). Don't forget to move your clocks forward one hour before you to bed or you will be late for Sunday School!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Update on Debra McKinley
I just spoke with Bishop McKinley by phone and he said Debra is now at home resting. She is bruised and sore but she is ok. Thank you for your prayers!
LM
LM
Prayer Request
I just received word that Debra McKinley, Bishop E.C. McKinley's wife, has been involved in a serious car accident this morning and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Please pray for her and for those involved.
Pastor Meadors
Pastor Meadors
In His Presence
Everyday this week I've gotten up before the wife and kids and spent time in the living room beside the window with my bible and a cup of coffee (good combination). The reason I'm sharing this with you is because I've gotten away from my personal morning devotion (only human!) and have only been relying on my studies for sermons to be my "personal devotion". It's not supposed to work that way! We have to have a time of personal reflection, of personal commitment, of personal time in His presence with our own individual lives in order to find the graces and mercy of God. We often forget what it means to have a "personal relationship" with Jesus.
Oswald Chambers said, "Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless, in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day. But, swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God." I like the first sentence in this comment, get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. I think there is a lot of truth to that because when we get into a habit about something, it becomes who and what we are and we need to become people that walk in the presence of God with everything about us.
Let me share with you a devotion from Once a Day Every Day that lines up with this:
"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:7-10
If God is everywhere, why does He sometimes seem so far away? The answer to the question, of course, has nothing to do with God and everything to do with us. When we begin each day on our knees, in praise and worship to Him, God often seems very near indeed. But, if we ignore God's presence or rebel against it, the world in which we live becomes a spiritual wasteland. Today, and every day, thank God and praise Him. He is the Giver of all things good. Wherever you are, whether you are happy or sad, victorious or vanquished, celebrate God's presence. And be comforted, for He is here.
Practice being in His presence in your life today!
Oswald Chambers said, "Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless, in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day. But, swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God." I like the first sentence in this comment, get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. I think there is a lot of truth to that because when we get into a habit about something, it becomes who and what we are and we need to become people that walk in the presence of God with everything about us.
Let me share with you a devotion from Once a Day Every Day that lines up with this:
"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:7-10
If God is everywhere, why does He sometimes seem so far away? The answer to the question, of course, has nothing to do with God and everything to do with us. When we begin each day on our knees, in praise and worship to Him, God often seems very near indeed. But, if we ignore God's presence or rebel against it, the world in which we live becomes a spiritual wasteland. Today, and every day, thank God and praise Him. He is the Giver of all things good. Wherever you are, whether you are happy or sad, victorious or vanquished, celebrate God's presence. And be comforted, for He is here.
Practice being in His presence in your life today!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Why Bother?
Do you ever get up in the morning and ask the question, "Why bother?" Maybe you had a bad day and when you get home, still nothing goes right and you ask, "Why bother?" You seem to be doing the same old thing time after time and it seems like you're not getting ahead and you ask, "Why bother?" Things are piling up and it seems like there is no end to the circumstance you are faced with and you ask "Why bother?" Why bother when it seems that you are the only one trying to do things right and it seems that you are all alone in your efforts?
My mom will have a hay-day with this post because she is always trying to "read my mind" with what I am writing! I just felt impressed to write this way this morning!
"Why bother" seems to be a phrase that many people use and often ask themselves, and sometimes others, when the rough get going or just maybe because it's a real question! I'm reminded about a passage of scripture found in Matthew chapter 14 when there were gathered around Jesus a great many people just sitting and listening to the teachings of Jesus and the disciples came up to Jesus some time later and told him that the distance the people had to go back to their homes was great and that he should send them home, for it was getting late already and they would need to buy food for themselves as they went. Jesus replied to the disciples with this statement: "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." (Matt. 14:16) Can you imagine what was going through the minds of the disciples when Jesus told them to feed all those people themselves? They only had two fish and five loaves of bread. How did they expect to feed the people with what they were looking at? Why bother?
As you know the ending of this passage, Jesus prayed to the Father and the food was multiplied beyond need. I'm convicted to look at this verse again and apply it to my questions when I feel inadequate to do the things that God has called me do and to rely on His leading and not on my own understanding! I believe this scripture is only one of many that can help us answer the question, "Why bother?" - because "They do not need to go away. Give them something to eat." We are commissioned by God to give the lost "something to eat" and to live an example before them because if we "let them go away" they will receive a worldly example and starve. I hope this message is getting through today because I feel the need to tell someone to keep on giving, keep on ministering, keep on putting that effort out there - You give them something to eat! God has told me the same! Be blessed today!!
My mom will have a hay-day with this post because she is always trying to "read my mind" with what I am writing! I just felt impressed to write this way this morning!
"Why bother" seems to be a phrase that many people use and often ask themselves, and sometimes others, when the rough get going or just maybe because it's a real question! I'm reminded about a passage of scripture found in Matthew chapter 14 when there were gathered around Jesus a great many people just sitting and listening to the teachings of Jesus and the disciples came up to Jesus some time later and told him that the distance the people had to go back to their homes was great and that he should send them home, for it was getting late already and they would need to buy food for themselves as they went. Jesus replied to the disciples with this statement: "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." (Matt. 14:16) Can you imagine what was going through the minds of the disciples when Jesus told them to feed all those people themselves? They only had two fish and five loaves of bread. How did they expect to feed the people with what they were looking at? Why bother?
As you know the ending of this passage, Jesus prayed to the Father and the food was multiplied beyond need. I'm convicted to look at this verse again and apply it to my questions when I feel inadequate to do the things that God has called me do and to rely on His leading and not on my own understanding! I believe this scripture is only one of many that can help us answer the question, "Why bother?" - because "They do not need to go away. Give them something to eat." We are commissioned by God to give the lost "something to eat" and to live an example before them because if we "let them go away" they will receive a worldly example and starve. I hope this message is getting through today because I feel the need to tell someone to keep on giving, keep on ministering, keep on putting that effort out there - You give them something to eat! God has told me the same! Be blessed today!!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Young Harvest
This past weekend my wife and I attended a Youth Harvest Training at Camp Hickory Hills in Dickson, Tn. given by the Tennessee Church of God of Prophecy. We were blessed to be around a great group of people that are involved in the youth camps and children's ministries. My friend, Bishop E. C. McKinley and his wife were in attendance along with other great people of God that minister across the State of Tennessee. I was able to catch up with a school buddy of mine that is pastoring a church in Columbia, Gary Clements, and was delighted to meet his wife and also have them meet my wife and to talk about what God is doing in our lives today.
I want to share with you some "tidbits" from the message that Bishop Randall Howard, General Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy, delivered to us Friday night. He spoke to us on the thought of "Why minister to the young harvest?" Is this a question that you have heard in the past? Bishop Howard gave us 9 points to ponder on this question: "Why minister - because..."
1.) It was the "passion of Christ" - Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me."
2.) It is the strategy of the enemy - the enemy targets our young people through music, media, tv, friends, etc...
3.) They are our window of opportunity - they are a ready, reachable harvest. Only a small percentage of our young people believe the Bible is God's word.
4.) Key to a vibrant church - they are not only our future church but they are "a part" of our church today.
5.) They are our missionaries in waiting - mobilize them.
6.) Our guides to a new world
7.) Generation transmission essential - we must translate Christ to them - their secular mind is either Theistic, Moralistic, Therapeutic, or Deism.
8.) They are 50% of the great commission challenge
9.) God is calling us - It's our call to reach our young people before the world does!
This is just an outline of what Bishop Howard gave us but I believe that our dedication to the young harvest is vital. We have to minister to them and love them just as Jesus gave us the example to do! Why minister to the young harvest? Because someone ministered to you and was that example to you!
I want to share with you some "tidbits" from the message that Bishop Randall Howard, General Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy, delivered to us Friday night. He spoke to us on the thought of "Why minister to the young harvest?" Is this a question that you have heard in the past? Bishop Howard gave us 9 points to ponder on this question: "Why minister - because..."
1.) It was the "passion of Christ" - Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me."
2.) It is the strategy of the enemy - the enemy targets our young people through music, media, tv, friends, etc...
3.) They are our window of opportunity - they are a ready, reachable harvest. Only a small percentage of our young people believe the Bible is God's word.
4.) Key to a vibrant church - they are not only our future church but they are "a part" of our church today.
5.) They are our missionaries in waiting - mobilize them.
6.) Our guides to a new world
7.) Generation transmission essential - we must translate Christ to them - their secular mind is either Theistic, Moralistic, Therapeutic, or Deism.
8.) They are 50% of the great commission challenge
9.) God is calling us - It's our call to reach our young people before the world does!
This is just an outline of what Bishop Howard gave us but I believe that our dedication to the young harvest is vital. We have to minister to them and love them just as Jesus gave us the example to do! Why minister to the young harvest? Because someone ministered to you and was that example to you!
Favor
"For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:12
As I sat by the window in the living room yesterday morning and read this scripture, I began to ponder on the blessings and favor of God. We are blessed people to have a God that loves us, to have a God that provides for us, to have a God that wants to have a relationship with us. David said that the Lord surrounds the righteous with favor like a shield. Do you realize that God puts up a shield around us and protects us in times of battle and in times of struggle. I'm thankful that God gives favor to my children, not to make them popular or to cause people to like them, but to protect them, lead them, give them a relationship that only they can have with Him. I love my daughter and son and it's my job as a parent to pray for them to have the favor of God in their life and when the enemy tries to come against them I believe in this scripture, they will have favor as with a shield! Let's all today do away with our own self-righteousness and turn to God's righteousness and let him surround us and our families with his favor! Be blessed today!
As I sat by the window in the living room yesterday morning and read this scripture, I began to ponder on the blessings and favor of God. We are blessed people to have a God that loves us, to have a God that provides for us, to have a God that wants to have a relationship with us. David said that the Lord surrounds the righteous with favor like a shield. Do you realize that God puts up a shield around us and protects us in times of battle and in times of struggle. I'm thankful that God gives favor to my children, not to make them popular or to cause people to like them, but to protect them, lead them, give them a relationship that only they can have with Him. I love my daughter and son and it's my job as a parent to pray for them to have the favor of God in their life and when the enemy tries to come against them I believe in this scripture, they will have favor as with a shield! Let's all today do away with our own self-righteousness and turn to God's righteousness and let him surround us and our families with his favor! Be blessed today!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
19 years
What a week this started out to be and it's already mid-week and I find myself for the first time being able to sit in my office to reflect on the goodness of the Lord and try to get some work done in the office. I've been on the road pretty much for the last two days visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and funeral homes and I was fortunate to do some substituting at the school yesterday, so I've been pretty busy.
Speaking of yesterday. Yesterday was a very special day in my life because it marked the 19th wedding anniversary for my wife and I. We have made it 19 years and the reason that I say that is because we had some individuals tell us 19 years ago that we wouldn't last 3 years. Well, we had a rough go at the beginning but look at us now!!!! God is a God of restoring marriages and allowing people to grow up and to love eachother with the love that only God can provide. I am a firm believer that only God can provide the love in a relationship between a husband and a wife that will cause them to have the marriage that they need. First, they have to be committed to following God no matter what, individually. They have to have a relationship with the Father before they can have a "right" relationship with the spouse. It's proven in my life! Second, they have to be able to give 110% to the other person not expecting anything in return and when we do this, the other person will return the love.
Kelly has stood with me through the years during my "stupid" times and she's still standing with me as we have embarked on a new challenge doing ministry. I thank God for my companion and I wouldn't want to go this journey alone. She's my "help meet", she's "close enough to perfect for me!" I love my hot wife!!!!! She's the one below with the FAT guy!
Speaking of yesterday. Yesterday was a very special day in my life because it marked the 19th wedding anniversary for my wife and I. We have made it 19 years and the reason that I say that is because we had some individuals tell us 19 years ago that we wouldn't last 3 years. Well, we had a rough go at the beginning but look at us now!!!! God is a God of restoring marriages and allowing people to grow up and to love eachother with the love that only God can provide. I am a firm believer that only God can provide the love in a relationship between a husband and a wife that will cause them to have the marriage that they need. First, they have to be committed to following God no matter what, individually. They have to have a relationship with the Father before they can have a "right" relationship with the spouse. It's proven in my life! Second, they have to be able to give 110% to the other person not expecting anything in return and when we do this, the other person will return the love.
Kelly has stood with me through the years during my "stupid" times and she's still standing with me as we have embarked on a new challenge doing ministry. I thank God for my companion and I wouldn't want to go this journey alone. She's my "help meet", she's "close enough to perfect for me!" I love my hot wife!!!!! She's the one below with the FAT guy!
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