And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
The first Christmas there was no room for the Lord Jesus in the inn. I'm afraid that today for many there will be no room for Jesus. There seems to be no room for Him in government. Many politicians are writing laws to ban any mention of His name.
There is no room for Him in the world of education. Public schools have banned His Word and expelled Him from being mentioned except in a blasphemous way. Even in the celebration we call Christmas, there is no room for Him. We have moved from Merry Christmas to Happy Holidays. No room for Him in 2010.
We make room for sports. We make room for parties, for food, for parades, for games, for pleasures. We have room for just about everything, but Him.
In 1958, the songwriter John W. Peterson wrote,
No room only a manger of hay
No room he is a stranger today
No room here in his world turned away
No room, No room, No room
No room here in the hearts of man kind
No room No cherry welcome could find
No room surely the world is blind,
No room, No room, No room
Angels in Heaven up yonder watch
With Amazement and wonder
To see the son of the Highest treated so,
no room, no room, no,room
Here was a pregnant girl and her husband and all they wanted was a room, and yet, they were turned away and ignored. You say, "Pastor, honestly, maybe he really didn't have any room." I know there was one room he could have given. That was his own. He could have given his own room. There was room.
This Christmas, why not give Him your room?
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Whose Birthday Party Is It?
The place was packed with the sounds of laughter, music, and conversations from the many family members and friends who had gathered to celebrate his birthday. The party was all about him. The food, the decorations, the pictures-it was all about his birthday.
Finally, they all gathered around and sang Happy Birthday, ate his birthday cake, hugged each other, and left. It was all about his birthday, yet no one gave him a gift.
Can you imagine such a scene as this? Yet, millions of people will spend millions of dollars on parades, parties, pageants, and possessions, but few spend anything for Him. Even those in His family will spend millions of dollars for presents for family; presents for friends, neighbors, work associates, even for people they don't really know that well, but will not give Him a present.
And it is His birthday we are celebrating!
An article entitled, The Forgotten Meaning of Christmas by Crown Financial Ministry, states:
This Christmas season 13 percent of Christians in America will give
at least one dollar to the homeless and 51 percent will give either
funds or their time to some nonprofit organization. Notwithstanding,
the typical Christian family in America will also spend $1,000 this
Christmas season on gifts and the family Christmas meal.
And we wonder why this generation is so materialistic?
This Christmas, I challenge you to join our family in reversing this madness. Let's determine to make Him the center of His birthday celebration. Next, set a budget for the amount of money you are going to spend this year, and stick to your budget. Look at your budget and make sure you are going to give Him the biggest and best of all your presents.
Then, you can teach your children those valuable character traits of generosity, compassion, and service. Find another family that is poor or needy; it may be a military family, a widow, an unemployed or disabled. Minister to that family with food, works of service, and your friendship.
Communicate to your children and to your loved ones that you are going to be doing some things different, because you have decided to make Him the focus of His birthday celebration. It's not about how much stuff we can accumulate; it is about Him, and helping others, and giving in a way that honors Him.
This year's birthday party, make sure He gets your biggest and best gift. After all, it is His birthday we are celebrating.
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: Matthew 2:11
Finally, they all gathered around and sang Happy Birthday, ate his birthday cake, hugged each other, and left. It was all about his birthday, yet no one gave him a gift.
Can you imagine such a scene as this? Yet, millions of people will spend millions of dollars on parades, parties, pageants, and possessions, but few spend anything for Him. Even those in His family will spend millions of dollars for presents for family; presents for friends, neighbors, work associates, even for people they don't really know that well, but will not give Him a present.
And it is His birthday we are celebrating!
An article entitled, The Forgotten Meaning of Christmas by Crown Financial Ministry, states:
This Christmas season 13 percent of Christians in America will give
at least one dollar to the homeless and 51 percent will give either
funds or their time to some nonprofit organization. Notwithstanding,
the typical Christian family in America will also spend $1,000 this
Christmas season on gifts and the family Christmas meal.
And we wonder why this generation is so materialistic?
This Christmas, I challenge you to join our family in reversing this madness. Let's determine to make Him the center of His birthday celebration. Next, set a budget for the amount of money you are going to spend this year, and stick to your budget. Look at your budget and make sure you are going to give Him the biggest and best of all your presents.
Then, you can teach your children those valuable character traits of generosity, compassion, and service. Find another family that is poor or needy; it may be a military family, a widow, an unemployed or disabled. Minister to that family with food, works of service, and your friendship.
Communicate to your children and to your loved ones that you are going to be doing some things different, because you have decided to make Him the focus of His birthday celebration. It's not about how much stuff we can accumulate; it is about Him, and helping others, and giving in a way that honors Him.
This year's birthday party, make sure He gets your biggest and best gift. After all, it is His birthday we are celebrating.
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: Matthew 2:11
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Grieving the Holidays
"I used to feel like I would like to go asleep the day before Thanksgiving and wake up January 2," admits Lois Rabey. She expresses the grief most widows and widowers feel during the holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas usually are times when most families get together and facing the reality that your loved one is not going to be there is almost more than a grieving wife, mother, husband, child, or father can bear.
I was with my dad when he went to heaven two weeks before Thanksgiving. That Thanksgiving was one of intense pain and sorrow for our whole family as we dealt with the reality of him no longer being with us. Even though that was 15 years ago, I still cry thinking about that night and how much we miss him, especially on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
My good friend, Clayton King, lost his sweet mother yesterday and he will preach her memorial celebration, the day before Thanksgiving. Pray for him, his dad and that family.
Even though this was the year in our rotation system that we were going to be with my family, Tebra and I are going to spend Thanksgiving with her sister and family. Her husband, my friend, Redmond, went to heaven February 3, and this will be their first Thanksgiving without him. Pray for Freda and her four children. There is nothing I can say that will help them. There is nothing I can do to help them. But I do know the One who can help them and I want to be there as I call on Him to send His ambulance of grace.
You probably know someone who has a loved one in heaven and their heart is heavy this Thanksgiving. Write, email, text, or tweet them. Call and leave a message saying how much you love them. Remind them that He promised to always be there and to cry out to Him. Don't give them some little trite saying like, "Time will heal your heart." That is a lie. Only Jesus can heal a heart.
Don't tell them to pray and go on with their life. The word "on" implies we leave something and go to something else. If you have to say something, say, "Jesus will help you go forward with your life."
Most of all, pray God's grace: strengthening grace, sympathising grace, sustaining grace. It is God's grace that brings a person through their grief and causes them to survive the holidays. If you are that grieving person, look to Him. He sees. He cares. He is really the only One who knows exactly what you are going through, and He is there, ready to help you.
He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; Isaiah 53:3
I was with my dad when he went to heaven two weeks before Thanksgiving. That Thanksgiving was one of intense pain and sorrow for our whole family as we dealt with the reality of him no longer being with us. Even though that was 15 years ago, I still cry thinking about that night and how much we miss him, especially on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
My good friend, Clayton King, lost his sweet mother yesterday and he will preach her memorial celebration, the day before Thanksgiving. Pray for him, his dad and that family.
Even though this was the year in our rotation system that we were going to be with my family, Tebra and I are going to spend Thanksgiving with her sister and family. Her husband, my friend, Redmond, went to heaven February 3, and this will be their first Thanksgiving without him. Pray for Freda and her four children. There is nothing I can say that will help them. There is nothing I can do to help them. But I do know the One who can help them and I want to be there as I call on Him to send His ambulance of grace.
You probably know someone who has a loved one in heaven and their heart is heavy this Thanksgiving. Write, email, text, or tweet them. Call and leave a message saying how much you love them. Remind them that He promised to always be there and to cry out to Him. Don't give them some little trite saying like, "Time will heal your heart." That is a lie. Only Jesus can heal a heart.
Don't tell them to pray and go on with their life. The word "on" implies we leave something and go to something else. If you have to say something, say, "Jesus will help you go forward with your life."
Most of all, pray God's grace: strengthening grace, sympathising grace, sustaining grace. It is God's grace that brings a person through their grief and causes them to survive the holidays. If you are that grieving person, look to Him. He sees. He cares. He is really the only One who knows exactly what you are going through, and He is there, ready to help you.
He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; Isaiah 53:3
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Wanted: Harvest Laborers
The Scriptures teach that the one priority, the one concern of the Savior's heart is the harvest. He seeks the harvest; He saves the harvest; He sends us to the harvest. Since that is true, the people whom He chooses to fellowship with are harvest laborers.
For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Matthew 20:1
He is still looking for laborers today. Not entertainers, not professionals, not experts-common laborers. To be a good farmer, it is not required that you completely understand biology, chemistry, meteorology or botany.What you have to do is sow and reap.
To be a laborer in the field of souls you don't have to understand all theology, eschatology, or ecclesiology; just sow and reap. Just tell them the gospel and ask them to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Sow and reap.
And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow; Matthew 13:3
No, not all seed will produce. Some will fall on cold hearts; some on cluttered hearts; and some on careless hearts. But if we sow enough seed, some will fall on hearts that have been cultivated by the Holy Spirit and are warm, receptive, fertile hearts. Only God can convict a heart. I sow the seed; God convicts the heart.
Happy is the farmer that knows the difference between his responsibility and God's responsibility. God doesn't sow the seed or cultivate the soil, that is the farmer's responsibility. But after the seed is sown, the farmer has to trust God. Only God can bring life out of death.
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. John 12:24
Would you join me in the harvest? The fields are ready to harvest now. God is looking for sowers and reapers. As the words of Twila Paris invite,
Come and join the reapers
All the kingdom seekers
Laying down your life
To find it in the end
Come and share the harvest
Help to light the darkness
For the Lord is calling
Faithful men
(and women, and students, and prime timers)
For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Matthew 20:1
He is still looking for laborers today. Not entertainers, not professionals, not experts-common laborers. To be a good farmer, it is not required that you completely understand biology, chemistry, meteorology or botany.What you have to do is sow and reap.
To be a laborer in the field of souls you don't have to understand all theology, eschatology, or ecclesiology; just sow and reap. Just tell them the gospel and ask them to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Sow and reap.
And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow; Matthew 13:3
No, not all seed will produce. Some will fall on cold hearts; some on cluttered hearts; and some on careless hearts. But if we sow enough seed, some will fall on hearts that have been cultivated by the Holy Spirit and are warm, receptive, fertile hearts. Only God can convict a heart. I sow the seed; God convicts the heart.
Happy is the farmer that knows the difference between his responsibility and God's responsibility. God doesn't sow the seed or cultivate the soil, that is the farmer's responsibility. But after the seed is sown, the farmer has to trust God. Only God can bring life out of death.
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. John 12:24
Would you join me in the harvest? The fields are ready to harvest now. God is looking for sowers and reapers. As the words of Twila Paris invite,
Come and join the reapers
All the kingdom seekers
Laying down your life
To find it in the end
Come and share the harvest
Help to light the darkness
For the Lord is calling
Faithful men
(and women, and students, and prime timers)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Lord of the Harvest
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:36-38
3 Facts:
1. The number of lost souls in the global fields of harvest is plentiful.
2. The number of laborers working to bring in the harvest is pitiful.
3. Our greatest response to this need is to pray.
Today, there are over 6.804 billion people on this earth, and 5.443 billion souls are lost; without Christ, without hope, heading to an awful eternity. The harvest is plentiful.
In our nation, there are 258 million people who are not a part of any church of any denomination-lost. There is not one county in our nation, not one in any of the fifty states, that has over 50% of the population in some church. Not one county is "churched" in this whole country. The harvest is plentiful.
In the state of North Carolina, with thousands of churches of all kinds and sizes, there are nearly 6 million people who will not be in any church this Sunday. Lost. The harvest is plentiful.
There are over 146,000 people living in Nash and Edgecombe counties. Research shows that one out of three people in our area will attend some kind of a church service at least one Sunday in a year. IF every person who stepped inside of a church building one time a year would all go to heaven, that still would mean there are over 98,000 people living within 30 minutes of our church property that are lost and heading for a Christless eternity. The harvest is plentiful!
Our precious Savior came to earth for the harvest. He died for the harvest. Soon, He is coming back for the harvest. His main concern today and tomorrow is not the election, the economy, or the environment; He is concerned only about the harvest. He is- the Lord of the harvest.
Would you join Him? You can, by praying and by participating in the harvest. Pray that He would send out laborers into the harvest fields of our area, into our nation, and to the world.
There are over 269,000 people in one unreached, unengaged people group in India called the Koli Malhar. There is not one church among all these people. Lost.
Pray that He would send a couple from Englewood, either a married couple or two single adults or college students, to live for 8-12 months among the Koli of India. This mission team of two would follow-up on those who give their life to Christ when our volunteer teams go there in February and April of 2011. Pray that this team of two would hear His call, heed His call and be ready to go to India in February of 2011.
Pray, and then be the answer to someone else's prayer by personally going out into the harvest.
3 Facts:
1. The number of lost souls in the global fields of harvest is plentiful.
2. The number of laborers working to bring in the harvest is pitiful.
3. Our greatest response to this need is to pray.
Today, there are over 6.804 billion people on this earth, and 5.443 billion souls are lost; without Christ, without hope, heading to an awful eternity. The harvest is plentiful.
In our nation, there are 258 million people who are not a part of any church of any denomination-lost. There is not one county in our nation, not one in any of the fifty states, that has over 50% of the population in some church. Not one county is "churched" in this whole country. The harvest is plentiful.
In the state of North Carolina, with thousands of churches of all kinds and sizes, there are nearly 6 million people who will not be in any church this Sunday. Lost. The harvest is plentiful.
There are over 146,000 people living in Nash and Edgecombe counties. Research shows that one out of three people in our area will attend some kind of a church service at least one Sunday in a year. IF every person who stepped inside of a church building one time a year would all go to heaven, that still would mean there are over 98,000 people living within 30 minutes of our church property that are lost and heading for a Christless eternity. The harvest is plentiful!
Our precious Savior came to earth for the harvest. He died for the harvest. Soon, He is coming back for the harvest. His main concern today and tomorrow is not the election, the economy, or the environment; He is concerned only about the harvest. He is- the Lord of the harvest.
Would you join Him? You can, by praying and by participating in the harvest. Pray that He would send out laborers into the harvest fields of our area, into our nation, and to the world.
There are over 269,000 people in one unreached, unengaged people group in India called the Koli Malhar. There is not one church among all these people. Lost.
Pray that He would send a couple from Englewood, either a married couple or two single adults or college students, to live for 8-12 months among the Koli of India. This mission team of two would follow-up on those who give their life to Christ when our volunteer teams go there in February and April of 2011. Pray that this team of two would hear His call, heed His call and be ready to go to India in February of 2011.
Pray, and then be the answer to someone else's prayer by personally going out into the harvest.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
That's bad. No, that is good.
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
Even after 40 years I still remember Abbott and Costello doing a comedy skit that has since taught me a great scriptural truth. Lou would tell about an incident which seemed to be awful, and Bud would respond by saying, "Oh, that was bad." Lou would say, "No, that was good." Then after explaining the entire situation, Bud would say, "Oh, that is good." "No, that was bad," Lou would answer.
Have you ever thought about how some things which seem so bad at the moment, actually turned out for good, while some things which appear so good at first, eventually turn out so bad.
Today, Tebra and I saw the largest living things on the earth-giant sequoia trees. While traveling through the Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park, we saw trees that were over 2500 years old, over 300 feet tall, and over 30 feet in diameter. These huge sequoias have experienced droughts, insects, fires, and man, and still survived. In fact, I learned that forest fires, which seem to be the worst thing that could happen to a tree, was really the life-saver for the sequoia.
Sequoias rely on fire to release most seeds from their cones, to expose bare mineral soil in which seedlings can take root, to recycle nutrients into the soil, and to open holes in the forest canopy through which sunlight can reach young seedlings. They need a fire to sweep the forest every 10-15 years, and where God does not provide one through lightning strikes, foresters in Yosemite will now conduct controlled fires. Bad? No, that's good.
On September 9, Barbara Givens, was driving from delivering brownies to our Prime Timer Bible Study which Pastor Jack teaches on Thursdays. Her car was suddenly hit on her driver's side by a truck. She was taken to the hospital where she was told she had some broken vertebrae and bleeding from a kidney. After being taken by helicopter to another hospital, they did more tests, scans, and x-rays and found that she actually had a cancerous tumor on her kidney.
The doctor explained to Pastor Jack and Barbara that the accident may have saved Barbara's life. Because she had no symptoms, had it not been for the car wreck and subsequent tests, they may not have found the tumor until it was too late. Barbara is scheduled to have the tumor and kidney removed on October 5. A car wreck-bad? No, it will turn out for her good and for God's glory.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
Even after 40 years I still remember Abbott and Costello doing a comedy skit that has since taught me a great scriptural truth. Lou would tell about an incident which seemed to be awful, and Bud would respond by saying, "Oh, that was bad." Lou would say, "No, that was good." Then after explaining the entire situation, Bud would say, "Oh, that is good." "No, that was bad," Lou would answer.
Have you ever thought about how some things which seem so bad at the moment, actually turned out for good, while some things which appear so good at first, eventually turn out so bad.
Today, Tebra and I saw the largest living things on the earth-giant sequoia trees. While traveling through the Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park, we saw trees that were over 2500 years old, over 300 feet tall, and over 30 feet in diameter. These huge sequoias have experienced droughts, insects, fires, and man, and still survived. In fact, I learned that forest fires, which seem to be the worst thing that could happen to a tree, was really the life-saver for the sequoia.
Sequoias rely on fire to release most seeds from their cones, to expose bare mineral soil in which seedlings can take root, to recycle nutrients into the soil, and to open holes in the forest canopy through which sunlight can reach young seedlings. They need a fire to sweep the forest every 10-15 years, and where God does not provide one through lightning strikes, foresters in Yosemite will now conduct controlled fires. Bad? No, that's good.
On September 9, Barbara Givens, was driving from delivering brownies to our Prime Timer Bible Study which Pastor Jack teaches on Thursdays. Her car was suddenly hit on her driver's side by a truck. She was taken to the hospital where she was told she had some broken vertebrae and bleeding from a kidney. After being taken by helicopter to another hospital, they did more tests, scans, and x-rays and found that she actually had a cancerous tumor on her kidney.
The doctor explained to Pastor Jack and Barbara that the accident may have saved Barbara's life. Because she had no symptoms, had it not been for the car wreck and subsequent tests, they may not have found the tumor until it was too late. Barbara is scheduled to have the tumor and kidney removed on October 5. A car wreck-bad? No, it will turn out for her good and for God's glory.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Why Revival Tarries
It is not a personal opinion, but it is a documented fact-the Church in America is in trouble. Why? What's the problem? What's the solution?
In December 1959, God used a man by the name of Leonard Ravenhill to pen these words which gives a precise diagnosis of the church in America today. I pray that as you read them, and reread them, you will be as convicted and repentant as I have been:
No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. The pulpit can be a shop-window to display one's talents; the prayer closet allows no show offs.
Poverty stricken as the church is today in many things, she is most stricken here, in the place of prayer. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few pray-ers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere.
The secret of praying is praying in secret. A sinning man will stop praying, and a praying man will stop sinning. Spiritual adolescents say, "I'll not go tonight, it's only the prayer meeting." We are beggared and bankrupt, but not broken, not even bent.
Are we so substandard to New Testament Christianity that we know not the historical faith of our fathers, but only the hysterical faith of our fellows? Prayer is to the believer what capital is to the business man. Can we deny that in the modern church setup the main cause of anxiety is money? Yet that which tries the modern churches the most, troubled the New Testament church the least. Our accent is on paying; theirs was on praying. When we have payed, the place is taken. When they had prayed, the place was shaken!
In the matter of New Testament, Spirit-inspired, hell-shaking, world-breaking prayer, never has so much been left by so many to so few. For this kind of prayer there is no substitute. We do it-or die!
Taken from Why Revival Tarries, by Leonard Ravenhill, Fires of Revival Publishers, 1959.
In December 1959, God used a man by the name of Leonard Ravenhill to pen these words which gives a precise diagnosis of the church in America today. I pray that as you read them, and reread them, you will be as convicted and repentant as I have been:
No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. The pulpit can be a shop-window to display one's talents; the prayer closet allows no show offs.
Poverty stricken as the church is today in many things, she is most stricken here, in the place of prayer. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few pray-ers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere.
The secret of praying is praying in secret. A sinning man will stop praying, and a praying man will stop sinning. Spiritual adolescents say, "I'll not go tonight, it's only the prayer meeting." We are beggared and bankrupt, but not broken, not even bent.
Are we so substandard to New Testament Christianity that we know not the historical faith of our fathers, but only the hysterical faith of our fellows? Prayer is to the believer what capital is to the business man. Can we deny that in the modern church setup the main cause of anxiety is money? Yet that which tries the modern churches the most, troubled the New Testament church the least. Our accent is on paying; theirs was on praying. When we have payed, the place is taken. When they had prayed, the place was shaken!
In the matter of New Testament, Spirit-inspired, hell-shaking, world-breaking prayer, never has so much been left by so many to so few. For this kind of prayer there is no substitute. We do it-or die!
Taken from Why Revival Tarries, by Leonard Ravenhill, Fires of Revival Publishers, 1959.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Sanctified Selfishness
Basically, I am a selfish, self-centered person. I have received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and He lives in me. Yet, every day of my life, in all the decisions of life, I have to choose whom will I focus my life upon-me or Him.
Even in something as spiritual as my prayer life, I have to intentionally choose to set my gaze upon Him, and my glance upon my requests. Because of my sinful nature which still resides in this redeemed body, I have to conscientiously focus my motives, my actions, and my thoughts upon the Lord rather than upon me. I have to watch myself or I will spend 95% of the time talking about me and my needs, and only 5% on Him and His will.
I have discovered this about prayer- effectual prayer is not me getting what I want from God; but it is God getting what He wants from me. It is not Him doing what I want Him to do; but it is me doing what He wants me to do. It is not me getting Him to see things from my point of view; but Him causing me to see things from His perspective.
James warns us about what I call "sanctified selfishness."
You want something you don't have, and you will do anything to get it. You will even kill! But you still cannot get what you want, and you won't get it by fighting and arguing. You should pray for it. Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons. James 4:2-3
I want to be more like my Savior who focused His life, His motives, His prayer, and His actions on the Father. Not my will; but Yours be done.
Even in something as spiritual as my prayer life, I have to intentionally choose to set my gaze upon Him, and my glance upon my requests. Because of my sinful nature which still resides in this redeemed body, I have to conscientiously focus my motives, my actions, and my thoughts upon the Lord rather than upon me. I have to watch myself or I will spend 95% of the time talking about me and my needs, and only 5% on Him and His will.
I have discovered this about prayer- effectual prayer is not me getting what I want from God; but it is God getting what He wants from me. It is not Him doing what I want Him to do; but it is me doing what He wants me to do. It is not me getting Him to see things from my point of view; but Him causing me to see things from His perspective.
James warns us about what I call "sanctified selfishness."
You want something you don't have, and you will do anything to get it. You will even kill! But you still cannot get what you want, and you won't get it by fighting and arguing. You should pray for it. Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons. James 4:2-3
I want to be more like my Savior who focused His life, His motives, His prayer, and His actions on the Father. Not my will; but Yours be done.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Jesus Saves
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. Matt. 1:21
God has blessed our church family with reaching arms that extend around the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our mission efforts are built upon our vital relationships with the missionaries, native pastors, and sending organizations.
Many of them are with us for these next four days and nights because they partner with us in allowing Englewood Baptist Church to be not only a sending church and a giving church, but a doing church in global missions. We believe the whole world is the arena of God's love and concern - that every person is in need of His forgiveness and grace.
When we experience people of other cultures - individuals who differ from us in color, culture, and language-we affirm that God loves them as He does us. We increasingly broaden our vision of God's compassion beyond Rocky Mount, or North Carolina, or even the United States.
Priscilla Owens taught Sunday School for half a century at the Union Square Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Often she would write a hymn and use it to teach a Biblical truth to her students. In 1882, she wrote the words that are the theme of our Global Impact Celebration for this year- Jesus Saves. Every line emphasizes the global impact of the gospel:
We have heard the joyful sound:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land,
Climb the mountains, cross the waves;
Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command;
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Waft it on the rolling tide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Tell to sinners far and wide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing, you islands of the sea;
Echo back, you ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Give the winds a mighty voice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout salvation full and free;
Highest hills and deepest caves;
This our song of victory:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
God has blessed our church family with reaching arms that extend around the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our mission efforts are built upon our vital relationships with the missionaries, native pastors, and sending organizations.
Many of them are with us for these next four days and nights because they partner with us in allowing Englewood Baptist Church to be not only a sending church and a giving church, but a doing church in global missions. We believe the whole world is the arena of God's love and concern - that every person is in need of His forgiveness and grace.
When we experience people of other cultures - individuals who differ from us in color, culture, and language-we affirm that God loves them as He does us. We increasingly broaden our vision of God's compassion beyond Rocky Mount, or North Carolina, or even the United States.
Priscilla Owens taught Sunday School for half a century at the Union Square Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Often she would write a hymn and use it to teach a Biblical truth to her students. In 1882, she wrote the words that are the theme of our Global Impact Celebration for this year- Jesus Saves. Every line emphasizes the global impact of the gospel:
We have heard the joyful sound:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land,
Climb the mountains, cross the waves;
Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command;
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Waft it on the rolling tide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Tell to sinners far and wide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing, you islands of the sea;
Echo back, you ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Give the winds a mighty voice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout salvation full and free;
Highest hills and deepest caves;
This our song of victory:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
What About Those Who Have Never Heard?
I personally know some very nice Muslims; some wonderful Jews; and some very friendly Hindus. The questions I hear often is, What about these people? Are you telling me just because they have never become a Christian they aren't going to heaven? Is God fair; is He good and is He just if He would allow a person to be eternally separated from Him if they have never even heard about Him?
Our sense of fairness and justice is so different from God's. To begin with, we usually approach these ideas these from man's perspective, as if man is the center. That is humanism; the belief that everything exist for the happiness and good of man. Biblical Christianity teaches that the goal of life and everything that exists is the glory of God. Therefore, fairness and justice is determined not by what we think or feel, but what the Righteous Creator says in relation to His glory.
This Sunday morning we will look at the book of Romans and see what the Scriptures teach about those who have never heard. I am calling it, Without Excuse. Humanists and liberals would hate it. I am praying that God would speak to all of us to motivate the saved to make the gospel known to all peoples, and He would convict the lost and bring them to salvation.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20
Our sense of fairness and justice is so different from God's. To begin with, we usually approach these ideas these from man's perspective, as if man is the center. That is humanism; the belief that everything exist for the happiness and good of man. Biblical Christianity teaches that the goal of life and everything that exists is the glory of God. Therefore, fairness and justice is determined not by what we think or feel, but what the Righteous Creator says in relation to His glory.
This Sunday morning we will look at the book of Romans and see what the Scriptures teach about those who have never heard. I am calling it, Without Excuse. Humanists and liberals would hate it. I am praying that God would speak to all of us to motivate the saved to make the gospel known to all peoples, and He would convict the lost and bring them to salvation.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20
Saturday, August 7, 2010
To the Jew First
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. Rom. 1:16
They are mentioned in the Bible more than any other people. They are the only people called God's chosen people. All the prophets were Jews; so were , all the priests, and the kings of Israel and Judah, and all the apostles. Our Bible was written by them, copied by them, and preserved by them.
Our Lord was a Jew. He came to His own, and His own received Him not (John 1:11). When He gave us our mission He told us to go into all the nations making disciples, beginning in Jerusalem. there is no misunderstanding here-our Lord has a special concern and plan for the Jewish people.
As we prepare for our Global Impact Celebration, we are setting aside this Sunday, August 8, as a day to honor Israel and the Jewish people. We are calling it, To the Jew First.
Our special speaker in the morning and evening is Erez Soref, President of Israel College of the Bible. One of our members, Anna Watkins, completed her one-year international studies at this college.I have known Erez for several years and he is a renown Bible scholar and leader in Israel.
Here is a principle for studying Scripture and for studying history, sociology, or anthropology- As the Jew Goes, So Goes the World. The Jews are God's blueprint, God's measuring stick for what He does with nations. This is why America is at the most critical and dangerous time in our nation's history. Evey nation's history is directly linked to one nation-Israel.
But don't just take it from me, hear what a completed Messianic Jewish believer has to say this Sunday.
They are mentioned in the Bible more than any other people. They are the only people called God's chosen people. All the prophets were Jews; so were , all the priests, and the kings of Israel and Judah, and all the apostles. Our Bible was written by them, copied by them, and preserved by them.
Our Lord was a Jew. He came to His own, and His own received Him not (John 1:11). When He gave us our mission He told us to go into all the nations making disciples, beginning in Jerusalem. there is no misunderstanding here-our Lord has a special concern and plan for the Jewish people.
As we prepare for our Global Impact Celebration, we are setting aside this Sunday, August 8, as a day to honor Israel and the Jewish people. We are calling it, To the Jew First.
Our special speaker in the morning and evening is Erez Soref, President of Israel College of the Bible. One of our members, Anna Watkins, completed her one-year international studies at this college.I have known Erez for several years and he is a renown Bible scholar and leader in Israel.
Here is a principle for studying Scripture and for studying history, sociology, or anthropology- As the Jew Goes, So Goes the World. The Jews are God's blueprint, God's measuring stick for what He does with nations. This is why America is at the most critical and dangerous time in our nation's history. Evey nation's history is directly linked to one nation-Israel.
But don't just take it from me, hear what a completed Messianic Jewish believer has to say this Sunday.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
We're in This Together
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ....Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Cor. 12: 12,27
God has blessed Englewood Baptist Church.
After 45 years since this congregation was chartered, God continues to grow this Body of believers. Sunday night I was reminded again of all He has done through this church in working towards fulfilling the great commission.
How did it happen? It wasn't the pastor. It wasn't just the deacons. It was the Spirit of God working through many members of the Body of Christ, using their gifts and abilities to edify the Body.
We need to recognize the fact that God has blessed us with a wonderful, gifted staff. We have seven pastors, elders, bishops who love this church and allow God to use them to serve this Body. We also have a multi-talented, efficient support staff who go far beyond their job descriptions, because they not only serve this Body, but they all are a part of this Body.
And we are blessed in this Body to have hundreds of Bible Fellowship leaders, Deacons, servants, members who use their gifts to build up the Body.
So when we think about all God has done through these years to cause this Body of believers called Englewood to grow and reproduce, remember it took many members functioning as God designed. As I say often when we hold hands, we're in this thing together.
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. 1 Cor. 3:5-9
God has blessed Englewood Baptist Church.
After 45 years since this congregation was chartered, God continues to grow this Body of believers. Sunday night I was reminded again of all He has done through this church in working towards fulfilling the great commission.
How did it happen? It wasn't the pastor. It wasn't just the deacons. It was the Spirit of God working through many members of the Body of Christ, using their gifts and abilities to edify the Body.
We need to recognize the fact that God has blessed us with a wonderful, gifted staff. We have seven pastors, elders, bishops who love this church and allow God to use them to serve this Body. We also have a multi-talented, efficient support staff who go far beyond their job descriptions, because they not only serve this Body, but they all are a part of this Body.
And we are blessed in this Body to have hundreds of Bible Fellowship leaders, Deacons, servants, members who use their gifts to build up the Body.
So when we think about all God has done through these years to cause this Body of believers called Englewood to grow and reproduce, remember it took many members functioning as God designed. As I say often when we hold hands, we're in this thing together.
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. 1 Cor. 3:5-9
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Thank You for 10 Years!
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:1-5
Yes, when I look back over these past 10 years since I came to Englewood as your pastor, I have mixed emotions. I remember the victories, the souls saved, the lives changed, the global lostness penetrated, the blessed relationships formed, the gospel declared, and the many Christ glorified times with a heart full of gratitude and thanksgiving. Everything that has happened that has had an eternal significance- God has done it! Give Him the glory.
This tenth anniversary also reminds me that I do not have a lot of time left. There are 6,424 unreached, unengaged people groups around the world that have never heard once what Rocky Mount has heard hundreds of times. There are over 81,000 within thirty minutes of our doors who are lost, without Christ and facing a horrible future. So much to do; so little time to do it. Yes, mixed emotions.
From the depths of my heart I want Englewood Baptist Church to know how humbly grateful Tebra and I are for you allowing us to have these past ten years with you. You have stood with us when we laughed, and when we cried. You have watched others walk away, and you remained on mission. You have blessed us and treated us much better than we deserve, or than we expected. God our Father will bless you for the ways you have blessed us.
Thank you!
Words are inadequate to fully describe our surprise and gratitude for the sacrificial gifts of love you showered us with. I will drive the new truck with humble appreciation for the many people God allows me the privilege of serving. From our hearts-Thank you.
I commit to you that I will continue to be passionate about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and about being your servant. In ten years I have grown to love and appreciate you and it is my heart's desire to see you become all He wants you to be. I hear the clock ticking, and I want every day of my life to be totally abandoned to Him, being who He wants me to be, and doing what He wants me to do.
Your servant,
Pastor Michael
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 2 Cor. 4:5
Yes, when I look back over these past 10 years since I came to Englewood as your pastor, I have mixed emotions. I remember the victories, the souls saved, the lives changed, the global lostness penetrated, the blessed relationships formed, the gospel declared, and the many Christ glorified times with a heart full of gratitude and thanksgiving. Everything that has happened that has had an eternal significance- God has done it! Give Him the glory.
This tenth anniversary also reminds me that I do not have a lot of time left. There are 6,424 unreached, unengaged people groups around the world that have never heard once what Rocky Mount has heard hundreds of times. There are over 81,000 within thirty minutes of our doors who are lost, without Christ and facing a horrible future. So much to do; so little time to do it. Yes, mixed emotions.
From the depths of my heart I want Englewood Baptist Church to know how humbly grateful Tebra and I are for you allowing us to have these past ten years with you. You have stood with us when we laughed, and when we cried. You have watched others walk away, and you remained on mission. You have blessed us and treated us much better than we deserve, or than we expected. God our Father will bless you for the ways you have blessed us.
Thank you!
Words are inadequate to fully describe our surprise and gratitude for the sacrificial gifts of love you showered us with. I will drive the new truck with humble appreciation for the many people God allows me the privilege of serving. From our hearts-Thank you.
I commit to you that I will continue to be passionate about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and about being your servant. In ten years I have grown to love and appreciate you and it is my heart's desire to see you become all He wants you to be. I hear the clock ticking, and I want every day of my life to be totally abandoned to Him, being who He wants me to be, and doing what He wants me to do.
Your servant,
Pastor Michael
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 2 Cor. 4:5
Friday, July 30, 2010
Why I Always Extend an Invitation
Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " Rev. 19:9
For years it was called the "altar call" by some people. Baptists, as well as many gospel preaching Methodists, Nazarene and Pentecostal preachers extended one at the end of every sermon. I was saved during one. For over thirty-nine years, at the conclusion of every message I deliver, whether at a worship service, picnic, funeral, Banquet, or event, I always extend God's public offer of salvation. It is called an invitation.
Why? It's scriptural.
It is sad to see the day come in many evangelical churches including Baptist, that this Biblical call for a public acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior has been discarded and even ridiculed by some seminary professors and pastors. They place the blame for the Laodicean lifestyle of the 21st century American church at the feet of those who give public invitations.
I loath cheap grace, casual devotion and shallow commitment. But I am convinced that to extend a public call to deny yourself, take up your cross and fully and faithfully follow Jesus Christ as your Lord is a practice true to Christ and His Word. I intend to extend God's invitation to Come, every time I preach and witness.
This Sunday, we will continue our series on Jesus Saves, as we take our third look into Luke 14, as I preach on The Supper Invitation.
Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ Luke 14:16-17
For years it was called the "altar call" by some people. Baptists, as well as many gospel preaching Methodists, Nazarene and Pentecostal preachers extended one at the end of every sermon. I was saved during one. For over thirty-nine years, at the conclusion of every message I deliver, whether at a worship service, picnic, funeral, Banquet, or event, I always extend God's public offer of salvation. It is called an invitation.
Why? It's scriptural.
It is sad to see the day come in many evangelical churches including Baptist, that this Biblical call for a public acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior has been discarded and even ridiculed by some seminary professors and pastors. They place the blame for the Laodicean lifestyle of the 21st century American church at the feet of those who give public invitations.
I loath cheap grace, casual devotion and shallow commitment. But I am convinced that to extend a public call to deny yourself, take up your cross and fully and faithfully follow Jesus Christ as your Lord is a practice true to Christ and His Word. I intend to extend God's invitation to Come, every time I preach and witness.
This Sunday, we will continue our series on Jesus Saves, as we take our third look into Luke 14, as I preach on The Supper Invitation.
Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ Luke 14:16-17
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
What It's All About
I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world. John 6:51
Jesus fed multitudes, then after He met their physical need, He met their spiritual need. He genuinely cared about their hunger, their temporary need, but He was also more concerned about their eternal need.
The main reason we have large events, wheter it be a Wild Game Banquet, Concert, or July 4th Celebration, the purpose is to use that event to reach people for Christ so that they would become His disciples.
This year's July 4th Celebration was the largest ever. We gave out over 1500 meals and had over 900 non-EBC families register. Of those, we had 356 families who did not indicate any church affiliation on their card.
Praise the Lord for the dozens of members who have followed up this month by visiting these on Tuesdays and this past Sunday night. From those visiting, there have been testimonies of 8 people already praying to receive the Lord Jesus in their homes! Pray with me that this Sunday morning we will see many people come to publicly profess Jesus Christ as a result of that one big (and hot) event.
That's what it's all about.
Nothing is unusual about a church that majors on evangelism; in fact, no one has a right to call it a church if it does not emphasize winning the lost. However, evangelism that does not minister to the needs of the whole person falls short of the New Testament standard. Our Lord's approach to evangelism was incarnational, ministry evangelism. He was concerned about the total person-spirit, soul, and body. He healed the sick, comforted the afflicted, released those in bondage to the devil, fed the hungry, and loved the unlovable, all with the purpose of bringing them into an eternal relationship with the Father.
Evangelism in the New Testament was never devoid of concern for physical and social needs. This is our mandate. Ministry evangelism is about caring. It is about giving desperate and needy persons a loving touch. But what separates it from charity that the lost world may give is this- it is caring with an eternal view in mind. It is caring with a difference, and that difference is Jesus.
He is what it's all about.
And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. Acts 4:33-35
Jesus fed multitudes, then after He met their physical need, He met their spiritual need. He genuinely cared about their hunger, their temporary need, but He was also more concerned about their eternal need.
The main reason we have large events, wheter it be a Wild Game Banquet, Concert, or July 4th Celebration, the purpose is to use that event to reach people for Christ so that they would become His disciples.
This year's July 4th Celebration was the largest ever. We gave out over 1500 meals and had over 900 non-EBC families register. Of those, we had 356 families who did not indicate any church affiliation on their card.
Praise the Lord for the dozens of members who have followed up this month by visiting these on Tuesdays and this past Sunday night. From those visiting, there have been testimonies of 8 people already praying to receive the Lord Jesus in their homes! Pray with me that this Sunday morning we will see many people come to publicly profess Jesus Christ as a result of that one big (and hot) event.
That's what it's all about.
Nothing is unusual about a church that majors on evangelism; in fact, no one has a right to call it a church if it does not emphasize winning the lost. However, evangelism that does not minister to the needs of the whole person falls short of the New Testament standard. Our Lord's approach to evangelism was incarnational, ministry evangelism. He was concerned about the total person-spirit, soul, and body. He healed the sick, comforted the afflicted, released those in bondage to the devil, fed the hungry, and loved the unlovable, all with the purpose of bringing them into an eternal relationship with the Father.
Evangelism in the New Testament was never devoid of concern for physical and social needs. This is our mandate. Ministry evangelism is about caring. It is about giving desperate and needy persons a loving touch. But what separates it from charity that the lost world may give is this- it is caring with an eternal view in mind. It is caring with a difference, and that difference is Jesus.
He is what it's all about.
And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. Acts 4:33-35
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Ministering to the Misfits
This Sunday-Services And Times As Usual
When I first saw these words on a church sign the week after July 4, I had to take a second look. God has been doing a fresh work in my heart and in the lives of hundreds of Englewood members. He is leading us to understand what it means to be the Body of Christ in a broken world. To us, business as usual is not good enough.
We know that God is calling us to go beyond the protective walls of the church building into a world that is dirty, demonic, and dangerous. We want to make a difference for the masses of hurting people who walk our streets, live in other nations and even in our neighborhoods, speak other languages, and maybe sit in our rows.
Every member has their own idea of what a church should be and do. Most agendas expressed by church leaders and members are worthy ones. However, for us to truly experience God as a church, each of us must let go of any personal agenda and get on God's agenda.
When we study the Bible we see what God's agenda is-to offer an intimate relationship with Him to every person on earth. That means to those people whom the world considers outcasts, misfits, rejects, losers. Those are the poor, the crippled, the incapacitated, and the blind. The homeless, the helpless and the hopeless.
No one is outside the realm of God's love. And no one should be outside the reach of our church. As Englewood is actively, intentionally ministering to the homeless, the orphans, the poor, the disabled, the alcoholic and addict, and the outcasts of our society with the intention of bringing them into the fold of God, then we are on God's agenda.
Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind. Luke 14:21
When I first saw these words on a church sign the week after July 4, I had to take a second look. God has been doing a fresh work in my heart and in the lives of hundreds of Englewood members. He is leading us to understand what it means to be the Body of Christ in a broken world. To us, business as usual is not good enough.
We know that God is calling us to go beyond the protective walls of the church building into a world that is dirty, demonic, and dangerous. We want to make a difference for the masses of hurting people who walk our streets, live in other nations and even in our neighborhoods, speak other languages, and maybe sit in our rows.
Every member has their own idea of what a church should be and do. Most agendas expressed by church leaders and members are worthy ones. However, for us to truly experience God as a church, each of us must let go of any personal agenda and get on God's agenda.
When we study the Bible we see what God's agenda is-to offer an intimate relationship with Him to every person on earth. That means to those people whom the world considers outcasts, misfits, rejects, losers. Those are the poor, the crippled, the incapacitated, and the blind. The homeless, the helpless and the hopeless.
No one is outside the realm of God's love. And no one should be outside the reach of our church. As Englewood is actively, intentionally ministering to the homeless, the orphans, the poor, the disabled, the alcoholic and addict, and the outcasts of our society with the intention of bringing them into the fold of God, then we are on God's agenda.
Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind. Luke 14:21
Monday, July 19, 2010
Remember the Laborers
For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 1 Thess. 2:9
The weather man on the news today said this is usually the hottest week of the year in Eastern North Carolina. In days like today, when I begin to think how hot it is here, my mind often goes to those laborers around the world who are serving Christ in difficult weather situations. When you see how cyclones are hurling the southeast Asia shores and islands, remember our family laborers who work the harvest fields there.
When you watch the soccer spectators shivering in South Africa, IN JULY, remember our family who are toiling there. Many of them have no heat in their homes.
This week we have 12 family members in Dominican Republic, and when you hear the weather man say, "It is tropical storms all week over Dominican"-remember them. We also have 15 in Phoenix, where the high was only 109 today, and 111 tomorrow. Remember them.
In fact, every day around the globe, as you hear of earthquakes, hurricanes, cyclones, volcanoes, blizzards, and blazing heat, just bow your head and before God remember those who are toiling in the fields of souls in the midst of those circumstances.
The weather man on the news today said this is usually the hottest week of the year in Eastern North Carolina. In days like today, when I begin to think how hot it is here, my mind often goes to those laborers around the world who are serving Christ in difficult weather situations. When you see how cyclones are hurling the southeast Asia shores and islands, remember our family laborers who work the harvest fields there.
When you watch the soccer spectators shivering in South Africa, IN JULY, remember our family who are toiling there. Many of them have no heat in their homes.
This week we have 12 family members in Dominican Republic, and when you hear the weather man say, "It is tropical storms all week over Dominican"-remember them. We also have 15 in Phoenix, where the high was only 109 today, and 111 tomorrow. Remember them.
In fact, every day around the globe, as you hear of earthquakes, hurricanes, cyclones, volcanoes, blizzards, and blazing heat, just bow your head and before God remember those who are toiling in the fields of souls in the midst of those circumstances.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Jesus Saves
I am so excited about the messages God has laid on my heart in this new series we begin this Sunday. For the next 6 weeks we will study the who, how and why of the truth, Jesus Saves.
This Sunday morning we see Paul's heart for his own people, the Jews, and how they, and we, are saved.
The Jewish religion is like every other religion on earth in one aspect; they all believe that salvation is attained by doing something, accomplishing something. It is a works salvation. It is opposite of the gospel of grace. And yet, if you were to ask people around us, What do you believe it takes for a person to go to heaven, 95% of the people believe we have to do something-go to church, be a good person, be good to others.
The Bible teaches that salvation is not in the merit of man but in the mercy of God; not in the goodness of man, but in the grace of God.
You are not saved by keeping the law. The law says, do this and thou shalt live. The gospel says, live and you will do.
The law says, pay me what thou owest. The gospel says, I freely forgive all. The law says, Cursed is everyone who continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. The gospel says, Blessed is the man whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered.
The law says, The wages of sin is death. The gospel says, The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
The law places the day of rest on Saturday, at the end of the week. The gospel places the day of celebration on Sunday, the first day of the week. The law says, If. The gospel says, Therefore.
The law makes blessing the result of obedience. The gospel makes obedience the result of blessing.
The law tells us to run, but it doesn't give us any legs. The gospel encourages us to fly and it gives us wings.
The law demands holiness. The gospel provides holiness. The law says, Do. The gospel says, Done.
Oh, thank God for the gospel!
For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4
This Sunday morning we see Paul's heart for his own people, the Jews, and how they, and we, are saved.
The Jewish religion is like every other religion on earth in one aspect; they all believe that salvation is attained by doing something, accomplishing something. It is a works salvation. It is opposite of the gospel of grace. And yet, if you were to ask people around us, What do you believe it takes for a person to go to heaven, 95% of the people believe we have to do something-go to church, be a good person, be good to others.
The Bible teaches that salvation is not in the merit of man but in the mercy of God; not in the goodness of man, but in the grace of God.
You are not saved by keeping the law. The law says, do this and thou shalt live. The gospel says, live and you will do.
The law says, pay me what thou owest. The gospel says, I freely forgive all. The law says, Cursed is everyone who continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. The gospel says, Blessed is the man whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered.
The law says, The wages of sin is death. The gospel says, The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
The law places the day of rest on Saturday, at the end of the week. The gospel places the day of celebration on Sunday, the first day of the week. The law says, If. The gospel says, Therefore.
The law makes blessing the result of obedience. The gospel makes obedience the result of blessing.
The law tells us to run, but it doesn't give us any legs. The gospel encourages us to fly and it gives us wings.
The law demands holiness. The gospel provides holiness. The law says, Do. The gospel says, Done.
Oh, thank God for the gospel!
For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4
Monday, July 12, 2010
More Than Enough!
They went to Moses and reported, “The people have given more than enough materials to complete the job the Lord has commanded us to do!” So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: “Men and women, don’t prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!” So the people stopped bringing their sacred offerings. Exodus 36:5-6
Nine months ago the people of God at Englewood Baptist Church began giving above and beyond their tithes, to pay for the construction and furnishing of a student building we call the EDGE. Yesterday, I had the privilege of doing what I, and thousands of other pastors, have never done before. I announced to this precious congregation, what Moses said 35 centuries ago- Brothers and sisters, don’t prepare any more gifts for the EDGE. We have enough!
With the money we had been saving the past 4 years, plus the money Nancy Battle left Englewood in the sale of her estate, we have all the money needed to complete this $1.1 million building project, including the paving of the upper parking lot! All glory and praise goes to our mighty God!!!
Let me answer just a few questions I have been asked since making that announcement:
Aren't we far behind in our budget receipts? Yes, in fact we are $238,935 below our budget for the first half of this year. And that does not include the extra $75,774 we have agreed to pay for re roofing this month.
Aren't you afraid that when you ask people to stop giving towards the building, some people may take that to mean Englewood has plenty of money and they will stop giving? Some may, but they would be wrong in thinking that.
Are you not concerned that if our budget shortfall continues, we may have to cut ministries and missions?
Not at all. If I was looking to man, to humans, to meet our needs, then yes, I would be afraid in this economy. But I am not looking to man, I am depending on God. The same God who met our needs in the building project, is the One who will work through hundreds of obedient Christians at Englewood to supply the needs for the ministries and missions we support.
He is more than enough!
Nine months ago the people of God at Englewood Baptist Church began giving above and beyond their tithes, to pay for the construction and furnishing of a student building we call the EDGE. Yesterday, I had the privilege of doing what I, and thousands of other pastors, have never done before. I announced to this precious congregation, what Moses said 35 centuries ago- Brothers and sisters, don’t prepare any more gifts for the EDGE. We have enough!
With the money we had been saving the past 4 years, plus the money Nancy Battle left Englewood in the sale of her estate, we have all the money needed to complete this $1.1 million building project, including the paving of the upper parking lot! All glory and praise goes to our mighty God!!!
Let me answer just a few questions I have been asked since making that announcement:
Aren't we far behind in our budget receipts? Yes, in fact we are $238,935 below our budget for the first half of this year. And that does not include the extra $75,774 we have agreed to pay for re roofing this month.
Aren't you afraid that when you ask people to stop giving towards the building, some people may take that to mean Englewood has plenty of money and they will stop giving? Some may, but they would be wrong in thinking that.
Are you not concerned that if our budget shortfall continues, we may have to cut ministries and missions?
Not at all. If I was looking to man, to humans, to meet our needs, then yes, I would be afraid in this economy. But I am not looking to man, I am depending on God. The same God who met our needs in the building project, is the One who will work through hundreds of obedient Christians at Englewood to supply the needs for the ministries and missions we support.
He is more than enough!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Good News, Good News
Several exciting things are happening at Englewood Baptist Church this Sunday.
(1) I am going to make an announcement I have read about in the Bible, but I have never heard a pastor make.
(2) We are commissioning 15 mission volunteers to go to Phoenix, and 12 to go to the Dominican Republic. Sunday night we will hear from the first missionary in the New Testament as he requests, Pray For Us. All our Core Teams will meet after the worship.
(3) Malachi was a prophet who was assigned to God's people at the end of an age. They were the last generation before the first coming of Christ. It is a very relevant message to those of us who live in 2010, who are, in my estimation, the last generation before the second coming of Christ.
Sunday morning we will study this book as we study The Signs of The Last Generation.
(4) After weeks of prayer and search, the staff and the Worship Arts Focus Team all believe that God has led us to the man He has chosen to be our next Associate Pastor of Worship. He is Chris Pauley. Chris has served Tri Cities Baptist Church in Conover, NC; Kempsville Baptist Church in Virginia Beach; First Baptist Church Roanoke; and Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Virginia. He is presently serving as Interim Associate of Worship at Grove Avenue Baptist Church, Richmond.
http://www.chrispauleyministries.com/
Chris and Amanda have three children: Landon (11th), Nathan (8th), and Abigail (5th)
Chris will lead our worship on July 18, and the church will vote that evening in our quarterly business session.
Last Sunday was great, but I can hardly wait until this Sunday!
(1) I am going to make an announcement I have read about in the Bible, but I have never heard a pastor make.
(2) We are commissioning 15 mission volunteers to go to Phoenix, and 12 to go to the Dominican Republic. Sunday night we will hear from the first missionary in the New Testament as he requests, Pray For Us. All our Core Teams will meet after the worship.
(3) Malachi was a prophet who was assigned to God's people at the end of an age. They were the last generation before the first coming of Christ. It is a very relevant message to those of us who live in 2010, who are, in my estimation, the last generation before the second coming of Christ.
Sunday morning we will study this book as we study The Signs of The Last Generation.
(4) After weeks of prayer and search, the staff and the Worship Arts Focus Team all believe that God has led us to the man He has chosen to be our next Associate Pastor of Worship. He is Chris Pauley. Chris has served Tri Cities Baptist Church in Conover, NC; Kempsville Baptist Church in Virginia Beach; First Baptist Church Roanoke; and Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Virginia. He is presently serving as Interim Associate of Worship at Grove Avenue Baptist Church, Richmond.
http://www.chrispauleyministries.com/
Chris and Amanda have three children: Landon (11th), Nathan (8th), and Abigail (5th)
Chris will lead our worship on July 18, and the church will vote that evening in our quarterly business session.
Last Sunday was great, but I can hardly wait until this Sunday!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Christian Legos
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5
Tebra and I were trying to finish packing her sisters' belongings from a house their family of 6 have lived in for over 30 years. In the toy room I packed what seemed like a hundred boxes of nothing but Legos. The little plastic building blocks were named "Toy of the Century" by the Toy Retailer Association. I used to like them.
For decades children have used their imaginations to make houses, forts, castles, boats, and so much more. There are Lego men, Lego women, Lego soldiers and Lego firemen......
The genius of Lego is not found in an individual brick, but in what's possible when they are assembled together.
John Ortberg says, "The church could learn something from Lego. Many of us focus our energy on 'building disciples,' and that is certainly important. But our work does not end there. Like bricks, or 'living stones' as Peter calls them, individual disciples are designed to be assembled together into communities that reveal Christ to the world. So our work isn't merely to spiritually form people, but whole communities of Christians."
Legos come in various colors and shapes. By itself a Lego is quite useless and small, but when they are fit together, they can become a giant building that causes people to stand back and say, "Wow! Who made this?"
Are you willing to be fit together with all the other brown, and red, and yellow Lego Christians to form a building that will bring glory and praise to our Maker?
in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Eph. 2:21-22
Tebra and I were trying to finish packing her sisters' belongings from a house their family of 6 have lived in for over 30 years. In the toy room I packed what seemed like a hundred boxes of nothing but Legos. The little plastic building blocks were named "Toy of the Century" by the Toy Retailer Association. I used to like them.
For decades children have used their imaginations to make houses, forts, castles, boats, and so much more. There are Lego men, Lego women, Lego soldiers and Lego firemen......
The genius of Lego is not found in an individual brick, but in what's possible when they are assembled together.
John Ortberg says, "The church could learn something from Lego. Many of us focus our energy on 'building disciples,' and that is certainly important. But our work does not end there. Like bricks, or 'living stones' as Peter calls them, individual disciples are designed to be assembled together into communities that reveal Christ to the world. So our work isn't merely to spiritually form people, but whole communities of Christians."
Legos come in various colors and shapes. By itself a Lego is quite useless and small, but when they are fit together, they can become a giant building that causes people to stand back and say, "Wow! Who made this?"
Are you willing to be fit together with all the other brown, and red, and yellow Lego Christians to form a building that will bring glory and praise to our Maker?
in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Eph. 2:21-22
Monday, July 5, 2010
Declaration of Interdependence
In all the years we have had our July 4 outdoor Celebrations, I have talked to more unchurched and more unsaved people this year than ever before. Pray with me that with all the many seed that has been sown, God will use hundreds of Englewood saints to follow-up and many people can be won to Jesus through this one day's events. I pray over these next two Tuesday nights, every lost person who registered for the event will be personally contacted by someone during GROW outreach. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. (1 Cor. 3:7)
This day also reminded me of a spiritual truth that needs to be stated over and again-we need each other. For the two outdoor events we had yesterday to happen, hundreds of people have to depend upon each other. Our staff at Englewood have all been involved for months in planning, scheduling concessions, porta-potties, and children's games, and securing all the necessary legal permits.
The Set-Up team worked in the sun the day before, setting up all those chairs, and then took all of them away fter the fireworks. Kyle Haskins and his team began two days earlier setting up the staging, and long after everyone had gone home, they were still taking it down. Mark Ferrell and his Technical team took the most time assembling, running and then disassembling all the sound and lights. Some even spent Saturday night working and keeping it all secure.
Libby Caviness and her team provided over 1500 meals for people who registered. Kathy Bennett and her team registered hundreds of prospects whom our Lord loves and wants to use us to reach. Many men served with parking and security. All the Bible Fellowship Groups did their part. Mark Stauffer planned our program and led the orchestra (42 musicians), and all the singers sang as unto the Lord and blessed our hearts.
Then there were the many policemen, fireman, and EMS, greeters, ushers, nursery workers, and of course those who were responsible for the fireworks. And when it was all over, the student ministry cleaned up all the trash.
Whew! That's a lot of people.
We try to remind each other every week as we hold hands to pray- we're in this thing together. We need each other.
As our nation celebrates our independence from England, I pray we would celebrate our interdependence on each other, and most of all, upon our Lord.
From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Eph. 4:16
This day also reminded me of a spiritual truth that needs to be stated over and again-we need each other. For the two outdoor events we had yesterday to happen, hundreds of people have to depend upon each other. Our staff at Englewood have all been involved for months in planning, scheduling concessions, porta-potties, and children's games, and securing all the necessary legal permits.
The Set-Up team worked in the sun the day before, setting up all those chairs, and then took all of them away fter the fireworks. Kyle Haskins and his team began two days earlier setting up the staging, and long after everyone had gone home, they were still taking it down. Mark Ferrell and his Technical team took the most time assembling, running and then disassembling all the sound and lights. Some even spent Saturday night working and keeping it all secure.
Libby Caviness and her team provided over 1500 meals for people who registered. Kathy Bennett and her team registered hundreds of prospects whom our Lord loves and wants to use us to reach. Many men served with parking and security. All the Bible Fellowship Groups did their part. Mark Stauffer planned our program and led the orchestra (42 musicians), and all the singers sang as unto the Lord and blessed our hearts.
Then there were the many policemen, fireman, and EMS, greeters, ushers, nursery workers, and of course those who were responsible for the fireworks. And when it was all over, the student ministry cleaned up all the trash.
Whew! That's a lot of people.
We try to remind each other every week as we hold hands to pray- we're in this thing together. We need each other.
As our nation celebrates our independence from England, I pray we would celebrate our interdependence on each other, and most of all, upon our Lord.
From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Eph. 4:16
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Citizenship
I will never forget my first experience outside the USA. In January 1980, I spent three weeks preaching in Nigeria on a mission trip. I felt so far from home. The language was different, the culture and customs were different, the beliefs, the food, the laws-all different. No matter how hard I tried to fit in, I was an outsider; a stranger, an alien to that country.
After an exhausting journey back to the US and a long wait in the customs line, I handed the agent my passport. He looked it and me over thoroughly, looked at his computer files, stamped my passport and said some of the most beautiful words I ever heard, Welcome home. This stranger had finally returned where his citizenship was-home.
In preparation for this Sunday's outdoor worship celebration, I am studying about our citizenship. I am encouraged to know that there is a reason I don't fit into this world, I don't understand it's language, or it's culture-this is not where my citizenship is.
Don't let the strangeness of your surroundings get you down. If you are saved, then you are a stranger here in this foreign land. Get your passport ready, soon we'll be going home.
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Eph. 2:19
After an exhausting journey back to the US and a long wait in the customs line, I handed the agent my passport. He looked it and me over thoroughly, looked at his computer files, stamped my passport and said some of the most beautiful words I ever heard, Welcome home. This stranger had finally returned where his citizenship was-home.
In preparation for this Sunday's outdoor worship celebration, I am studying about our citizenship. I am encouraged to know that there is a reason I don't fit into this world, I don't understand it's language, or it's culture-this is not where my citizenship is.
Don't let the strangeness of your surroundings get you down. If you are saved, then you are a stranger here in this foreign land. Get your passport ready, soon we'll be going home.
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Eph. 2:19
Monday, June 28, 2010
Get It While the Gettin's Good
Get that one!
We were having a blast collecting shells as we sit partially in the water at the beach. My grandson had just noticed a beautiful purple seashell at the same time I did. Get that one! Noticing it was about five feet from us, rather that getting him off my lap and walking to the shell, I decided to wait until after the next wave left. With an incoming tide, that next wave broke farther up the shoreline, rolled over the shell, and returned back to the ocean.
It's gone, Papaw! It's gone.
I noticed it at the same time. We waited, watched, and waited some more but we never saw that purple shell again. We had missed our opportunity.
Life is full of those-once in a lifetime opportunities. Most of us Christian adults know better; we know from experience time is quickly moving on and we have no guarantees that those opportunities will ever be available again. When we have them, we better do what my mountain kinfolk say, You better get it while the gettin's good.
If there is a letter you need to write, a hug to give, a call to make, a kiss to give, a witness to share, a blessing to bestow, a gift to give-do it now! This is the day. Seize the moment!
At any second, everything could change and you will never have that opportunity again.
Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth. Prov. 27:1
We were having a blast collecting shells as we sit partially in the water at the beach. My grandson had just noticed a beautiful purple seashell at the same time I did. Get that one! Noticing it was about five feet from us, rather that getting him off my lap and walking to the shell, I decided to wait until after the next wave left. With an incoming tide, that next wave broke farther up the shoreline, rolled over the shell, and returned back to the ocean.
It's gone, Papaw! It's gone.
I noticed it at the same time. We waited, watched, and waited some more but we never saw that purple shell again. We had missed our opportunity.
Life is full of those-once in a lifetime opportunities. Most of us Christian adults know better; we know from experience time is quickly moving on and we have no guarantees that those opportunities will ever be available again. When we have them, we better do what my mountain kinfolk say, You better get it while the gettin's good.
If there is a letter you need to write, a hug to give, a call to make, a kiss to give, a witness to share, a blessing to bestow, a gift to give-do it now! This is the day. Seize the moment!
At any second, everything could change and you will never have that opportunity again.
Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth. Prov. 27:1
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Why?
Why are you wearing those shoes?
Because they are my comfortable shoes.
Why are they your shoes?
Because I bought them.
Noticing mine were not Velcro like his, Why are you tying your shoes?
One thing my three year-old grandson does well is ask questions. In fact, all of us probably ask our share of questions when we were growing up. That's one way we learn. It is a sign of growing, of not having all the answers.
I have also learned that patience is a major quality needed in this realm of endless questions. When I am bombarded by questions, I want to patiently answer those questions. The questioner must also be patient for an answer.
Sometimes children ask, Why, about things they don't understand, and we know they would never understand, even if we took all the time and eloquence in explaining. It's at those times I either say, Just because, or I say nothing at all. It would be no use to continually ask, or pitch a fit, or show displeasure-I am not going to answer. Not because I have no answer, but because I have no answer a little boy would understand.
Praise the Lord for His patience, His long suffering, His kindness in giving us answers in His Word to our many questions. And when I ask Him a question and find no answer, I want to be content that it is just because. He always knows best.
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways,
and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
Because they are my comfortable shoes.
Why are they your shoes?
Because I bought them.
Noticing mine were not Velcro like his, Why are you tying your shoes?
One thing my three year-old grandson does well is ask questions. In fact, all of us probably ask our share of questions when we were growing up. That's one way we learn. It is a sign of growing, of not having all the answers.
I have also learned that patience is a major quality needed in this realm of endless questions. When I am bombarded by questions, I want to patiently answer those questions. The questioner must also be patient for an answer.
Sometimes children ask, Why, about things they don't understand, and we know they would never understand, even if we took all the time and eloquence in explaining. It's at those times I either say, Just because, or I say nothing at all. It would be no use to continually ask, or pitch a fit, or show displeasure-I am not going to answer. Not because I have no answer, but because I have no answer a little boy would understand.
Praise the Lord for His patience, His long suffering, His kindness in giving us answers in His Word to our many questions. And when I ask Him a question and find no answer, I want to be content that it is just because. He always knows best.
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways,
and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
No Other Place To Be
I love our Life @ Englewood video at the beginning of our worship times. Along with the urgent reminders, there are pictures of those who made decisions last Sunday along with the new members. The song playing in the background is exciting and a blessing; No better place on earth, than the road that leads to heaven........ and it ends with these words on the screen- No better place to be.
I agree with that, no other place, no better place to be than in heaven. I must confess that when I see those words, I am also reminded of Israel. I love the Lord Jesus Christ, I love the Bible, I love His principles taught in the past, and I love His promises about the future. All that takes place in one country on earth-Israel.
Exactly one year from today we will be in Israel leading a group of thirsty, seeking saints on the pilgrimage of their life. Beulah Land-no place like it on earth. It was in this country where 95% of the Bible was written. It was in Israel where the prophets preached, where the tabernacle and temple was, where it all started, and where it will all end. No place like it on earth.
Next June 21-July 1, 2011, my friend Bob Pitman and his wife Sheryl, are going to join Tebra and me as we lead anyone who wants to go with us as we experience Israel together.
I am starting to count the days. No better place on earth.......
For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year. Deut. 11:10-12
No better place to be.
I agree with that, no other place, no better place to be than in heaven. I must confess that when I see those words, I am also reminded of Israel. I love the Lord Jesus Christ, I love the Bible, I love His principles taught in the past, and I love His promises about the future. All that takes place in one country on earth-Israel.
Exactly one year from today we will be in Israel leading a group of thirsty, seeking saints on the pilgrimage of their life. Beulah Land-no place like it on earth. It was in this country where 95% of the Bible was written. It was in Israel where the prophets preached, where the tabernacle and temple was, where it all started, and where it will all end. No place like it on earth.
Next June 21-July 1, 2011, my friend Bob Pitman and his wife Sheryl, are going to join Tebra and me as we lead anyone who wants to go with us as we experience Israel together.
I am starting to count the days. No better place on earth.......
For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year. Deut. 11:10-12
No better place to be.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
The Call to Commitment
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. Heb. 11:27
In making Moses into a man of God, God prepared him for over eighty years. He has worked with Moses through the steps of Protection, Education, and Confrontation. Next comes the crucial step in Moses life I call Secluded Isolation.
Here was a man raised in a royal palace, given special privileges, treated with respect and preference. He thought he was somebody. He had a B.S. degree, a Be Somebody degree. This was one reason he had taken matters into his own hands and killed an Egyptian. Now, he has to run for his own life and hide from the police. For the next 40 years he lives as a fugitive in the land of Midian. His job-leading sheep.
It was here, on the backside of a desert, that God prepares Moses for the work He had been preparing for him. In seclusion, in isolation, Moses earned his B.N. degree,a Be Nobody. God was using this time to get the 'self' out of Moses life, bringing him to realize all he needed was God.
He will do the same in all of us. Do not be afraid of sickness, job loss, or any circumstance in life that causes you to be alone and quiet. God is using that time to teach you things you will need for the next step in the journey.
That next step, the final step for Moses to take so that God would use him to glorify Himself, was the step I am preaching on today. It is the step of Commitment, where we are willing to do anything, go anywhere, at any time, at any cost.
Which step are you at in this matter of God making you into the person He wants you to be?
In making Moses into a man of God, God prepared him for over eighty years. He has worked with Moses through the steps of Protection, Education, and Confrontation. Next comes the crucial step in Moses life I call Secluded Isolation.
Here was a man raised in a royal palace, given special privileges, treated with respect and preference. He thought he was somebody. He had a B.S. degree, a Be Somebody degree. This was one reason he had taken matters into his own hands and killed an Egyptian. Now, he has to run for his own life and hide from the police. For the next 40 years he lives as a fugitive in the land of Midian. His job-leading sheep.
It was here, on the backside of a desert, that God prepares Moses for the work He had been preparing for him. In seclusion, in isolation, Moses earned his B.N. degree,a Be Nobody. God was using this time to get the 'self' out of Moses life, bringing him to realize all he needed was God.
He will do the same in all of us. Do not be afraid of sickness, job loss, or any circumstance in life that causes you to be alone and quiet. God is using that time to teach you things you will need for the next step in the journey.
That next step, the final step for Moses to take so that God would use him to glorify Himself, was the step I am preaching on today. It is the step of Commitment, where we are willing to do anything, go anywhere, at any time, at any cost.
Which step are you at in this matter of God making you into the person He wants you to be?
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Doing God's Will My Way
Chapter 3 in the shaping of Moses into a man God can use is called
Significant Confrontation.
Exodus 2:11-17, tells us how Moses confronted an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew. This was wrong and the man needed stopping. Moses had the granted authority to stop the man and release the Hebrew. However, Moses reacted liked so many who want the right thing to be done-he tried to do God's will in his own way and that never pleases God.
He killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. God's Word warns us, "Be sure your sins will find you out." It wasn't long until Moses' sin was uncovered and he was confronted by another Egyptian, and then by Pharaoh.
When you are confronted with the will of God, how do you try to achieve it? A tragic mistake is to attempt to do God's will in the strength of the flesh. Do God's will God's way. The time will be right; the results will be righteous.
And when you are out of God's will, expect a confrontation, from your companions, as well as from your authorities. God can use these confrontations to make you usable in His hands.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:23-24
Significant Confrontation.
Exodus 2:11-17, tells us how Moses confronted an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew. This was wrong and the man needed stopping. Moses had the granted authority to stop the man and release the Hebrew. However, Moses reacted liked so many who want the right thing to be done-he tried to do God's will in his own way and that never pleases God.
He killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. God's Word warns us, "Be sure your sins will find you out." It wasn't long until Moses' sin was uncovered and he was confronted by another Egyptian, and then by Pharaoh.
When you are confronted with the will of God, how do you try to achieve it? A tragic mistake is to attempt to do God's will in the strength of the flesh. Do God's will God's way. The time will be right; the results will be righteous.
And when you are out of God's will, expect a confrontation, from your companions, as well as from your authorities. God can use these confrontations to make you usable in His hands.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:23-24
Friday, June 18, 2010
The Making of a Man of God- Part 2
Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it. Prov. 22:6
Moses is one of the few men in the Bible that have been referred to as "a man of God." I have been challenged as to what causes a man to be a man of God? In the life of Moses I see five steps in him becoming a man that God could show Himself through:
Step 1- Supernatural Protection Hebrews 11:23; Exodus 2:1-10
Step 2- Spiritual Education
The Bible tells us in Exodus 2 that little baby Moses was found at the river's edge by Pharoah's daughter. She need someone who would nurse Moses, rear Moses, and train Moses. She asked a young Hebrew girl, Miriam, to find her someone who could do all that for Moses. Of course, she got the mother of her and Moses. Just when the devil thought he had destroyed the deliverer of Israel, God saves him, secures him, and trains him-all at the financial expense of the enemy.
And when he is old he will not depart from it. Prov. 22:6
Moses is one of the few men in the Bible that have been referred to as "a man of God." I have been challenged as to what causes a man to be a man of God? In the life of Moses I see five steps in him becoming a man that God could show Himself through:
Step 1- Supernatural Protection Hebrews 11:23; Exodus 2:1-10
Step 2- Spiritual Education
The Bible tells us in Exodus 2 that little baby Moses was found at the river's edge by Pharoah's daughter. She need someone who would nurse Moses, rear Moses, and train Moses. She asked a young Hebrew girl, Miriam, to find her someone who could do all that for Moses. Of course, she got the mother of her and Moses. Just when the devil thought he had destroyed the deliverer of Israel, God saves him, secures him, and trains him-all at the financial expense of the enemy.
Moses' parents did just what God's word teaches, they trained Moses in the way he should go. That word trained means, to prepare for an event such as an athelte training for a contest; to form into proper shape; to discipline for effective use. Moses' parents knew God had a purpose for their son's life, so they poured their spiritual training into him.
Even though Moses was intellectually trained for hours each day in the educational program of Egypt, he never forsook his spiritual training at home. It was those few hours with his parents, praying with them, listening to them, watching them example godliness to him, that shaped and fashioned Moses. This spiritual training daily from his parents gave him the solid foundation he neede to stand firm the rest of his life. Eighty years later he was the man of God that God used, because his parents made spiritual education a priority.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Making of a Man of God
"....as it is written in the Law of Moses, the man of God." Ezra 3:2
In preparing for Father's Day this Sunday, God has been showing me lessons from the life of Moses on how He takes an ordinary man and makes him into the man He can use for His glory. It isn't fast, easy, or comfortable. In other words, it isn't the American way; but it is the Biblical way.
I have discovered that there is no such thing as an instant father, an instant leader, or even an instant pastor. For us to be the man (or woman) God wants to use to do mighty things through for His glory, He takes us through a process of preparation. I have also learned that with God, the process is just as important as the end result.
I saw five steps that God brought Moses through to make him into God's man for the time. Over these next four days, let me take a few moments and show you four of these before we spend Sunday morning looking at the final step.
Step One- Supernatural Protection.
All of us face the same enemy as Moses faced-the devil. He did everything he could to keep Moses from ever becoming the man of God, and he used Pharaoh as his instrument. Just like in today's modern self-centered, abortion culture, he started even before Moses was born by enacting a law which would kill all Hebrew babies.
Moses mother and dad took necessary steps to do all they could to protect their son.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. Heb 11:23
Their faith was rooted in the Word of God. They knew the Word of God; they had studied it. They knew God had said to Abraham, Know certainly that your descendants will be stronger in a land that is not theirs and will serve them and they will inflict them 4oo years. Also, this nation whom they serve, I will judge; afterward they will come out with great possessions. Gen. 15:13,14.
They saw he was a "beautiful" child. Of course, all parents (and grandparents) believe their baby is a beautiful child. However, that word in Hebrew means "special", "unique." Moses' parents knew what God had said. They had been looking at the calendar: 398, 399, 400 years. They knew now was the time for a deliverer to be born. All faith roots itself in the Word of God (Heb. 11:5; Rom. 10:17). Dads and moms-saturate your life in God's Word; read it; study it; memorize it; meditate upon it; apply it.
How do we know their faith was genuine? Because they did something! This is what Hebrews 11:23 says. Real faith takes action. James 2:26; For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
What did they do? They did all they could to put their little boy in an ark. Yes, he was in the Nile river, but don't miss this-what protected him was the fact that he was in the ark. We know from scriptures, that ark was a picture of the Ark of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ.
As parents, the only guaranteed protection for our children from the evil one, is to do all we can to place our children in the Ark of Christ. Take every advantage you have for your children to be involved in Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other Christians. Then, like Moses' parents, rest in the assurance of God's protection. Do not be afraid of the threats of the evil one.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. Heb 11:23
In preparing for Father's Day this Sunday, God has been showing me lessons from the life of Moses on how He takes an ordinary man and makes him into the man He can use for His glory. It isn't fast, easy, or comfortable. In other words, it isn't the American way; but it is the Biblical way.
I have discovered that there is no such thing as an instant father, an instant leader, or even an instant pastor. For us to be the man (or woman) God wants to use to do mighty things through for His glory, He takes us through a process of preparation. I have also learned that with God, the process is just as important as the end result.
I saw five steps that God brought Moses through to make him into God's man for the time. Over these next four days, let me take a few moments and show you four of these before we spend Sunday morning looking at the final step.
Step One- Supernatural Protection.
All of us face the same enemy as Moses faced-the devil. He did everything he could to keep Moses from ever becoming the man of God, and he used Pharaoh as his instrument. Just like in today's modern self-centered, abortion culture, he started even before Moses was born by enacting a law which would kill all Hebrew babies.
Moses mother and dad took necessary steps to do all they could to protect their son.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. Heb 11:23
Their faith was rooted in the Word of God. They knew the Word of God; they had studied it. They knew God had said to Abraham, Know certainly that your descendants will be stronger in a land that is not theirs and will serve them and they will inflict them 4oo years. Also, this nation whom they serve, I will judge; afterward they will come out with great possessions. Gen. 15:13,14.
They saw he was a "beautiful" child. Of course, all parents (and grandparents) believe their baby is a beautiful child. However, that word in Hebrew means "special", "unique." Moses' parents knew what God had said. They had been looking at the calendar: 398, 399, 400 years. They knew now was the time for a deliverer to be born. All faith roots itself in the Word of God (Heb. 11:5; Rom. 10:17). Dads and moms-saturate your life in God's Word; read it; study it; memorize it; meditate upon it; apply it.
How do we know their faith was genuine? Because they did something! This is what Hebrews 11:23 says. Real faith takes action. James 2:26; For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
What did they do? They did all they could to put their little boy in an ark. Yes, he was in the Nile river, but don't miss this-what protected him was the fact that he was in the ark. We know from scriptures, that ark was a picture of the Ark of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ.
As parents, the only guaranteed protection for our children from the evil one, is to do all we can to place our children in the Ark of Christ. Take every advantage you have for your children to be involved in Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other Christians. Then, like Moses' parents, rest in the assurance of God's protection. Do not be afraid of the threats of the evil one.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. Heb 11:23
Monday, June 14, 2010
Resurgence
I like that word-resurgence.
At the Southern Baptist Convention we are discussing and voting on something called the GCR- Great Commission Resurgence. God has blessed the SBC for many decades as thousands of missionaries have been sent, millions have been saved and followers of Christ have been discipled. But any net that has been fishing for as long as the SBC has is bound to gather a lot of unnecessary debris and weight. Every net to be effective needs to be cleaned, not from wrong things necessarily, but from extra things that slow it down and keep it from being effective.
For several years, thousands of us pastors, leaders and members have sensed the need to wash the net and focus the attention of our agencies, institutions and seminaries on the main thing-
the Great Commission. It will mean changes needs to be made from the local churches all the way down to the denominational entities. It will mean we must become radical, transformational, sacrificial if we are going to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.
In 1979, I was in Houston to vote for what is now called in history, the Conservative Resurgence, when Southern Baptist reclaimed our denomination from liberalism. For the past 31 years we have attended Conventions and voted for Biblical, conservative moral values.
At this Convention, Tebra and I will represent Englewood Baptist Church as messengers and vote in favor of the Great Commission Resurgence.
I know for the largest evangelical denomination on earth to change, it will take more than voting, sermons, and resolutions. It will take a resurgence.
I looked this term up in the dictionary and it means-a revival. That's the only thing that will radically change our lives, our churches and our denomination. "Lord, send a revival, and let in begin in my chalk circle."
For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “ I dwell in the high and holy place,With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15
At the Southern Baptist Convention we are discussing and voting on something called the GCR- Great Commission Resurgence. God has blessed the SBC for many decades as thousands of missionaries have been sent, millions have been saved and followers of Christ have been discipled. But any net that has been fishing for as long as the SBC has is bound to gather a lot of unnecessary debris and weight. Every net to be effective needs to be cleaned, not from wrong things necessarily, but from extra things that slow it down and keep it from being effective.
For several years, thousands of us pastors, leaders and members have sensed the need to wash the net and focus the attention of our agencies, institutions and seminaries on the main thing-
the Great Commission. It will mean changes needs to be made from the local churches all the way down to the denominational entities. It will mean we must become radical, transformational, sacrificial if we are going to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.
In 1979, I was in Houston to vote for what is now called in history, the Conservative Resurgence, when Southern Baptist reclaimed our denomination from liberalism. For the past 31 years we have attended Conventions and voted for Biblical, conservative moral values.
At this Convention, Tebra and I will represent Englewood Baptist Church as messengers and vote in favor of the Great Commission Resurgence.
I know for the largest evangelical denomination on earth to change, it will take more than voting, sermons, and resolutions. It will take a resurgence.
I looked this term up in the dictionary and it means-a revival. That's the only thing that will radically change our lives, our churches and our denomination. "Lord, send a revival, and let in begin in my chalk circle."
For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “ I dwell in the high and holy place,With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Spanning the Gap
How then can man be righteous before God?
Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman? Job 25:4
That is the question all religions of the world seek to answer- How can sinful man and holy God come together? And every religion has it's own answer.
Islam says it is through the strict observance of the five pillars of Islam. Buddhists believe that all "negative states" can be overcome by meditation, and through positive thoughts and pure living one may finally reach Nirvana. Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.
Judaism teaches that man and God can only come together if man keeps all the Torah, the law. According to Roman Catholicism, one must rely on faith plus “meritorious works”such as the observance of the Seven Sacraments.
Two major areas all world religions have in common is this: (1) They all believe that salvation, righteousness, reconciliation only comes by man doing all he must do, depending entirely on man's works. (2) They are all wrong.
The only way a human can have a personal, eternal relationship with God is for someone to come between them as the Mediator, and do for them what they cannot do for themselves. That is the reason for Calvary.
"Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan.
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man.
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary."
Thank God for the Bridge He built, for the Mediator He sent, for the only solution to our human dilema.
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5
Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman? Job 25:4
That is the question all religions of the world seek to answer- How can sinful man and holy God come together? And every religion has it's own answer.
Islam says it is through the strict observance of the five pillars of Islam. Buddhists believe that all "negative states" can be overcome by meditation, and through positive thoughts and pure living one may finally reach Nirvana. Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.
Judaism teaches that man and God can only come together if man keeps all the Torah, the law. According to Roman Catholicism, one must rely on faith plus “meritorious works”such as the observance of the Seven Sacraments.
Two major areas all world religions have in common is this: (1) They all believe that salvation, righteousness, reconciliation only comes by man doing all he must do, depending entirely on man's works. (2) They are all wrong.
The only way a human can have a personal, eternal relationship with God is for someone to come between them as the Mediator, and do for them what they cannot do for themselves. That is the reason for Calvary.
"Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan.
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man.
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary."
Thank God for the Bridge He built, for the Mediator He sent, for the only solution to our human dilema.
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5
Friday, June 11, 2010
Security
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psa 91:1
Is there any place that is safe? Can you rest at any time knowing that you are secure? Yes, but not in any city or building.
Yesterday evening, one of our Prime Timer leaders was preparing for the evening event. Knowing there are people all around our buildings, she took necessary precautions to hide her purse in what she thought would be a secure location. During the same time, two of our staff saw a man in the hallway that led them to believe he was a construction worker that needed water. In less than 30 minutes we knew two facts:
He was not a construction worker.
The purse was gone.
No, as much as it pains me to say it-one is not safe in a church building. Police reports, insurance reports, security procedures have all been handled. We still do not know who this man was or why he was inside the building.
I do know this; robbery goes on each week inside this church building. Statistics reveal that several hundred church attenders at this location alone, rob from God each week. I have said for years, "One place I always lock my doors are at a church, because anyone that would rob from God would rob from anyone else." (Malachi 3:8)
Sadly, the fact is that in today's world, you are not secure at home, in a church building, in a police station, or even a hospital.
So I ask again, is there any place that is safe? Can you rest at any time knowing that you are secure? Yes. Not in a place, but in a person. My security, my social security, my eternal security, my security deposit, is in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thieves can steal my stuff, but they can't steal my soul. They can rob me of happiness, but they can't take away my joy! Criminals can take temporary treasures, but they can never take my eternal, heavenly treasures.
May the beloved of the LORD dwell in security by Him, Who shields him all the day, And he dwells between His shoulders. Deut 33:12
Is there any place that is safe? Can you rest at any time knowing that you are secure? Yes, but not in any city or building.
Yesterday evening, one of our Prime Timer leaders was preparing for the evening event. Knowing there are people all around our buildings, she took necessary precautions to hide her purse in what she thought would be a secure location. During the same time, two of our staff saw a man in the hallway that led them to believe he was a construction worker that needed water. In less than 30 minutes we knew two facts:
He was not a construction worker.
The purse was gone.
No, as much as it pains me to say it-one is not safe in a church building. Police reports, insurance reports, security procedures have all been handled. We still do not know who this man was or why he was inside the building.
I do know this; robbery goes on each week inside this church building. Statistics reveal that several hundred church attenders at this location alone, rob from God each week. I have said for years, "One place I always lock my doors are at a church, because anyone that would rob from God would rob from anyone else." (Malachi 3:8)
Sadly, the fact is that in today's world, you are not secure at home, in a church building, in a police station, or even a hospital.
So I ask again, is there any place that is safe? Can you rest at any time knowing that you are secure? Yes. Not in a place, but in a person. My security, my social security, my eternal security, my security deposit, is in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thieves can steal my stuff, but they can't steal my soul. They can rob me of happiness, but they can't take away my joy! Criminals can take temporary treasures, but they can never take my eternal, heavenly treasures.
May the beloved of the LORD dwell in security by Him, Who shields him all the day, And he dwells between His shoulders. Deut 33:12
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Using New Technology
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Col. 1:16
I am having difficulty keeping up with all the latest technology. It seems I had just mastered my garage door opener and then IPhone 4 G comes out. Why all this new technology?
In the past 2 weeks, Tebra and I have had the joy of seeing all 3 of our children and their spouses, and all 3 of our grandchildren,and we saw them in 3 different states. We stay in touch with each other daily by cell phones, Twitter, Facebook, and at least weekly by Skype. What a great day to live!
Today, parents and grandparents can talk to their children and grandchildren, while looking at them. Wow! There are families in Englewood that stay connected to their family who are serving Christ in Asia, the Middle East or South Africa, and they seem to know everything that is going on in their lives. What a great day to live!
Have you ever asked, "Why has God allowed all this technology to be invented in our lifetime?"
There is a simple answer-it is all for the gospel.
Jet planes were not invented to carry movie stars or ball players, but to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. Computers were not invented to watch YouTube, but to carry the gospel.
While we reap many personal side benefits from them, God has allowed all this new technology for one reason-to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.
So while we talk to one another, let's also use all this stuff for His purpose.
I am having difficulty keeping up with all the latest technology. It seems I had just mastered my garage door opener and then IPhone 4 G comes out. Why all this new technology?
In the past 2 weeks, Tebra and I have had the joy of seeing all 3 of our children and their spouses, and all 3 of our grandchildren,and we saw them in 3 different states. We stay in touch with each other daily by cell phones, Twitter, Facebook, and at least weekly by Skype. What a great day to live!
Today, parents and grandparents can talk to their children and grandchildren, while looking at them. Wow! There are families in Englewood that stay connected to their family who are serving Christ in Asia, the Middle East or South Africa, and they seem to know everything that is going on in their lives. What a great day to live!
Have you ever asked, "Why has God allowed all this technology to be invented in our lifetime?"
There is a simple answer-it is all for the gospel.
Jet planes were not invented to carry movie stars or ball players, but to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. Computers were not invented to watch YouTube, but to carry the gospel.
While we reap many personal side benefits from them, God has allowed all this new technology for one reason-to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.
So while we talk to one another, let's also use all this stuff for His purpose.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Stay on the Path
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct[a] your paths. Prov. 3:5,6
In our morning worship celebrations today, Brother Preston Garner resigned as our Associate Pastor of Worship, effective June 20. God has used him greatly during the five months he has been with us.
You will have to admit, it has been a very busy five months: Experiencing God Weekend, Spiritual Leadership Conference, Fresh Encounter, East Coast Men's Bible Conference and Women's Conference, Resurrection Celebration, Remember the Veteran's Day......busy. Plus our usually exciting, fast-paced weekly worship celebrations.
Why is he leaving us after such a short time? He has said to me, to the staff, and now to our church family, it is to get back on the path God has purposed for his life-itinerant music evangelism. He and his wife believe this is the path God has planned for his life. It is an uncertain path which one must live by faith from week to week. No guaranteed income, benefits or security. Preston said today he believes he got off that path to come to the security of ministry at Englewood. He has made the decision to take his family back to live where their families are in East Tennessee, and to get back on path.
Just like a hiker who notices someone hurt "off the beaten path", I believe God allowed the Garner's to step away from their appointed path these five months in order to help us. Now it is time to get back on path. As surely as God has a path for each of each, as surely as NASA has a path for every spacecraft, God has a projected path for Englewood Baptist Church. I am excited to see where the next step in the journey takes us.
I would ask you to pray for the Garner family, for all the staff, and for all our graduates we saw today in our services, that each one will stay on the path God has for each and every one of us.
Find God's path for your life.
Focus on His path.
Follow His path.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct[a] your paths. Prov. 3:5,6
In our morning worship celebrations today, Brother Preston Garner resigned as our Associate Pastor of Worship, effective June 20. God has used him greatly during the five months he has been with us.
You will have to admit, it has been a very busy five months: Experiencing God Weekend, Spiritual Leadership Conference, Fresh Encounter, East Coast Men's Bible Conference and Women's Conference, Resurrection Celebration, Remember the Veteran's Day......busy. Plus our usually exciting, fast-paced weekly worship celebrations.
Why is he leaving us after such a short time? He has said to me, to the staff, and now to our church family, it is to get back on the path God has purposed for his life-itinerant music evangelism. He and his wife believe this is the path God has planned for his life. It is an uncertain path which one must live by faith from week to week. No guaranteed income, benefits or security. Preston said today he believes he got off that path to come to the security of ministry at Englewood. He has made the decision to take his family back to live where their families are in East Tennessee, and to get back on path.
Just like a hiker who notices someone hurt "off the beaten path", I believe God allowed the Garner's to step away from their appointed path these five months in order to help us. Now it is time to get back on path. As surely as God has a path for each of each, as surely as NASA has a path for every spacecraft, God has a projected path for Englewood Baptist Church. I am excited to see where the next step in the journey takes us.
I would ask you to pray for the Garner family, for all the staff, and for all our graduates we saw today in our services, that each one will stay on the path God has for each and every one of us.
Find God's path for your life.
Focus on His path.
Follow His path.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
It's Only Natural.
Children's children are the crown of ald men,
and the glory of children is their father. Prov. 17:6
Tebra and I have known Jack and Barbara Givens for two decades. We have experienced many joys and sorrows together and have watched each other's children grow up. What a blessing it is to have both of us have a grandchild born on the same day!
Less than an hour after Ella Jane Sanchez was born, I had already seen 5 pictures of her. It isn't as if I don't have plenty of my own to show people.
Why? Why do parents show off their children? Why do grandparents want others to see their pictures and listen to the stories of their grandchildren?
Because it is natural.
God's Word says it is only natural for grandparents to boast of their grandchildren. It is as natural for a parent to glory, wear a parent crown (bumper sticker), to boast of a child, as it is for a child to brag about his daddy. It's only natural to share in the achievements and accomplishments of our ancestry and of our posterity.
Tomorrow, Pastor Jack is preaching at the church where his parents are members in South Carolina. Then he has the honor of baptizing his own dad. After all these years as a church member, Mr. Given confessed he had never surrendered all his life to Christ. This 80+ dad was saved and is being baptized by his son.
Tomorrow, we will have Graduate Recognition Day at Englewood. There will be dozens of parents and grandparents taking pictures and wearing the crown of their children. It's only natural.
Question for me- Do I live in such a way that my Father in heaven wants to boast about me, as He did about Job?
Tomorrow will be a great day of worship, at both of these churches; and I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of snapshots of grand babies either.
and the glory of children is their father. Prov. 17:6
Tebra and I have known Jack and Barbara Givens for two decades. We have experienced many joys and sorrows together and have watched each other's children grow up. What a blessing it is to have both of us have a grandchild born on the same day!
Less than an hour after Ella Jane Sanchez was born, I had already seen 5 pictures of her. It isn't as if I don't have plenty of my own to show people.
Why? Why do parents show off their children? Why do grandparents want others to see their pictures and listen to the stories of their grandchildren?
Because it is natural.
God's Word says it is only natural for grandparents to boast of their grandchildren. It is as natural for a parent to glory, wear a parent crown (bumper sticker), to boast of a child, as it is for a child to brag about his daddy. It's only natural to share in the achievements and accomplishments of our ancestry and of our posterity.
Tomorrow, Pastor Jack is preaching at the church where his parents are members in South Carolina. Then he has the honor of baptizing his own dad. After all these years as a church member, Mr. Given confessed he had never surrendered all his life to Christ. This 80+ dad was saved and is being baptized by his son.
Tomorrow, we will have Graduate Recognition Day at Englewood. There will be dozens of parents and grandparents taking pictures and wearing the crown of their children. It's only natural.
Question for me- Do I live in such a way that my Father in heaven wants to boast about me, as He did about Job?
Tomorrow will be a great day of worship, at both of these churches; and I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of snapshots of grand babies either.
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Gift of Life
You have granted me life and favor,
and Your care has preserved my spirit. Job 10:12
The first blog of my life needs to be on the day my third grandchild is born.
Silas Abram Cloer came here weighing 7 lbs 7 oz and is just as calm, happy and content as his dad, Aaron. Last week we were in Memphis when Gideon Isaiah Cloer was born. He came here at 9 lbs 1 oz and was so much like his dad, Jacob.
Yes, yes, they are both also like their moms, Erin and Melissa, but I was there when their dads were that same age and I see the resemblance.
What did these little boys do to earn the right to live? Nothing. Their life, likes ours, was a gift. It was granted to them by our God. In the providence of our God, He is the One who provides our life; He protects our life; and it is He who preserves our life.
Thank him for life; your life and the lives of those He has given you to love.
and Your care has preserved my spirit. Job 10:12
The first blog of my life needs to be on the day my third grandchild is born.
Silas Abram Cloer came here weighing 7 lbs 7 oz and is just as calm, happy and content as his dad, Aaron. Last week we were in Memphis when Gideon Isaiah Cloer was born. He came here at 9 lbs 1 oz and was so much like his dad, Jacob.
Yes, yes, they are both also like their moms, Erin and Melissa, but I was there when their dads were that same age and I see the resemblance.
What did these little boys do to earn the right to live? Nothing. Their life, likes ours, was a gift. It was granted to them by our God. In the providence of our God, He is the One who provides our life; He protects our life; and it is He who preserves our life.
Thank him for life; your life and the lives of those He has given you to love.
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