Friday, January 19, 2007
Don't Neglect The Harvest
John 4:35
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
Jesus says “Say ye not…” "Don’t you say this? Can you not discern the appropriate times to harvest in the natural. Can't you tell when it's time to bring in the crops in the natural world. Then take a spiritual look at the harvest field before you - it's white. It's ready to harvest."
Jesus is saying, “Don’t put off the HARVEST…” Don’t wait to harvest, or the harvest will go to waste. We can’t allow the harvest to die in the field. We must harvest it while we still have the time. What could put us off? Why would we ever put the brakes on the harvest?
Sometimes we hesitate because we’re afraid of uncharted territory. “We’ve never done it that way before…” New territory… new methods… new programs… new directions… It’s easy to get uneasy when you’re sailing through uncharted waters; places you’ve never been to before; reaching new people with new ways of reaching them. But if we are going to be successful in the Lord’s harvest field, we’re going to have to get down to business and try some new things.
There are a lot of folks that are holding on to the idea that church should never change. And yet, the world changes.
I grew up in Sunday School, where my teacher would use the flannel board to tell me about Moses, and Elijah, Joseph and especially Jesus. I would sit spell-bound for the whole hour while she positioned those cardboard cutouts on the flannel board. I remember my teacher building the story of the children of Israel and their 40 years in the desert with a sandbox, and figures made of pipe cleaners, and scraps of fabric. But friend, this is the video generation. My children can do more with my cell phone than I can do. They are computer gurus at 11 and almost 9 years old.
I remember the time BEFORE the microwave, and they can’t understand the value of a home-cooked meal because it TAKES TOO LONG. I can remember when we would TYPE bulletins on a typewriter, and run them off on an old mimeograph machine. And today we can download graphics for our bulletin by DSL, and print directly from the computer to the printer/copier/fax machine
And the kids can probably put it together better than we can. We can’t hesitate in making that transition. We have to be a church body that not only grows in physical numbers, But also spiritually growing, financially growing; inside our walls and outside of our walls as well.
We have to present facilities and equipment that grow with this community. We have to expand when we need to expand; build when we need to build; buy when we need to buy. And why? Why do we have to change? Because we have to become effective partners with God in His business.
We have to become a source for people of all ages; for children; for youth; for young adults; for adults; for senior adults. We have to endeavor to love the hopeless and the helpless. We have to make a choice to become a community resource. All the while we have to work to take our adherents to a higher spiritual level. We have to develop an effective prayer, healing and deliverance ministry. Our services should be alive with the power of the Holy Ghost. We need to get a hold of the revival sweeping this nation. And we have to change to a position of EVANGELISM for the sake of our community.
And it’s going to take a paradigm shift.
I have a very good friend from the Orlando Area, named Rick. Rick is a Shaklee salesman. The thing that is amazing about Rick, that he can find a way to interject Shaklee into ANY LIFE PROBLEM from two perspectives: (1.) He BELIEVES in the product, and (2.) He wants to make that sale.
Well, I’m marketing a product that is guaranteed to cure and heal, help and repair. And it becomes my pleasure to interject Him into every conversation I have with anyone. I believe in Bethel Church of God, and what God’s doing here. It becomes a pleasure to interject information about our church into every conversation I have with anyone. We have to become makers of disciples and teachers of the gospel message and faith. We have to become edifiers of these new converts; training them to observe Christ’s commands. We have to WANT to see people saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. We have to desire it.
This isn’t just about us; this is about HIS KINGDOM, HIS POWER and HIS GLORY FOREVER.
Sometimes we hesitate because of today’s lack. “Pastor, we don’t have the financial means to do what we need to do…” “We’d like to save the whole city… but we don’t have the room to accommodate them…” “We’d like to see many come to Christ here… but we are sort of like the dog chasing the car… If we caught it, what would we do with it?” “If we get them in here… what are we going to do with them?” “We need more teachers… more workers… more leaders… more givers… we need more than what we have…”
And so we hesitate. But I’m here to tell you today, that the just STILL live by faith: If we hesitate, or draw back… God’s not going to have any pleasure in us. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:38-39
Jesus said it like this…
Luke 9:62
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
We’ve put our hand to this plough at Bethel Church of God, and now’s not the time for us to reconsider or look back or draw back. Now is the time for us to advance… forcefully advance! Matt 11:12 tells us that “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
We have to become that ardent in our passion and enthusiastic in our message. We have to keep our hand on the plough and HOLD ON until we get this. We have to become like Eleazar smiting the enemies of God until our hand literally becomes joined to the sword of the Lord. Sometimes, we hesitate because we’re apathetic. It’s too easy to tell a dying world, “Be warmed, and filled, and clothed and fed…” And yet their need is still there. They are still cold, and naked, and hungry and thirsty.
There’s an absolute apathy today to the need of people. Every person we see, we ought to view him, view her as God views them. “THIS IS A PRECIOUS SOUL… something so precious that the Only-Begotten son of God was offered in their stead…” Nothing was more valuable to God, so nothing can be more valuable to me.
“Lord, lay some soul upon my heart…” If it’s my waitress, my hair dresser, my doctor, whoever. Let me become a purveyor of the gospel message. Let me be a lighthouse for the wayward, and a hope for the hopeless.
Sometimes we hesitate because we’re disobedient to Him. He said go, but we don’t. He said share the message, but we don’t. He said make disciples, but we don’t. But if we have the knowledge of this impending judgment that is coming upon the face of the whole earth; if we know there is a heaven, and a hell and that there is a way out of the latter; and if we don’t say to the wicked, “Thou shalt surely die…” and warn him in the error of his ways, then his blood will be required at OUR HAND according to Ezekiel 3.
We can’t hesitate. There isn’t time for that. We have to preach the Word without hesitation and without doubt. For the Christian, there isn’t some set period of time until the Second Coming or until the end of the harvest; the HARVEST is NOW. No man knows the day or the hour. But the wise virgin is awaiting with Bridegroom with a lamp full of oil, and a trimmed wick, and prepared unto the wedding supper of the Lamb.
No one knows the day or the hour. It’s going to take people by surprise. If we knew what time the thief was coming we’d have the alarm on; but NO MAN KNOWETH. That’s why He tells us to take heed, watch and pray.
1 Peter tells us that “…the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” (1 Peter 4:7)
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15)
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. (James 5:9)
HARVEST IS HERE. HARVEST IS NOW. He says it’s all around us if we’ve got eyes to see it. A lot of times we can’t see the forest for the trees. That harvest is all around us. It’s all around us. Now the harvest field is NOT going to be filled up with picture-perfect, spiritually prepared Christians. No, honey; we catch ‘em and then we let the Holy Ghost clean ‘em. Guess what the harvest field is full of? People who cuss like sailors and drink like fish; people who can’t hold down jobs, and who have anger problems; people with emotional disorders and people with baggage. The harvest field is full of people with dysfunctions and morality issues. It’s full of people with drug problems and perversions. It’s full of FISH that WE are to catch. It’s not our job to clean them up; we just catch.
We just go out into the highways and the hedges and compel them to come in, so that the house will be full. Then the HOLY GHOST cleans them; the HOLY GHOST gets them ready for service. The Holy Ghost cleans their tongues, and prepares their hearts. Now the thing we’re going to have the most trouble with, is resisting that urge to try to clean people up; that’s not our job. That’s God’s job. We just get them in here; let the Holy Ghost clean them. Let the Holy Ghost clean them.
Jesus says, “BEHOLD…” In other words, “This is something important I want you to see it.” Sometimes we have to OPEN OUR EYES, so that we can see what God’s trying to show us. There are things we might not be getting.
I earnestly believe that Bethel is NOT YET LIVING her highest purpose for the Kingdom of God. We’re not yet living our HIGHEST PURPOSE for winning this city. But if we’re ever going to reach our potential we’re going to have to open our eyes and see it the way God’s seeing it. “I say unto YOU…”
“Hey! I’m talking to you here… PAY ATTENTION!!” He casts aside ANY DOUBTS that this is a message for anyone else. I think it’s a message for us. “I’m saying unto you… Lift up your eyes!”
I think of how many times my Mom tried to talk to me. I think of how many times my wife has tried to talk to me… Both of them have had to work at it a few times, just to get my attention. Occasionally each has had to get me to stop what I was doing so I’d pay attention to what they were saying. I’m a multi-tasker, so I do a lot of things at the same time. And it is frustrating for the person who tries to talk to me. But sometimes, we have to be INTERRUPTED in our plans, paths and purposes to hear from Jesus.
“I want you to LOOK UP FROM WHAT YOU’RE CURRENTLY DOING. Take a minute, and view things my way.”
This is Jesus’ business. Don’t you think we could take a few business tips from Him? “LOOK UP! Stop! Focus on what I’m saying. LOOK on the fields!” He’s saying, “LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL. Don’t you see what’s possible?” Of course, we have to get our attention on His plans.
I believe that there are fields in Echols County that have never been harvested. I believe that there are souls that are just ripe for the picking. I believe that there might be hurting people that need this message that we’re preaching. There might be someone that needs what we’re doing here. There might be someone who needs to hear…
“NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE… NO MATTER WHAT YOU’VE DONE… NO MATTER WHERE YOU’VE BEEN… WHEN YOU COME TO BETHEL CHURCH OF GOD, WE’RE GOING TO LOVE YOU.” Without question; without hesitation; without a doubt; no matter what you look like. No matter, we’re going to love you.
Fields that have never been harvested; whole neighborhoods that have never been evangelized. Fields… FIELDS… that’s large, open spaces full of fruit.
For generations this church has cried out and wept before the Lord. And cried out and carried the seed of the Gospel into the fields. But I have an assurance from the Word today; your years of service are not going to be null and void.
If God will allow me, I’ll be sitting here in 2010. The pictures out there on the back wall begin in 1910… is that our year of inception? Is that the year it all started? If it is, you just wait and see! 2010 will be a barn-burner. We’ll have tent service, put up the brush arbor… we’ll have special guests from far and wide, and dinner on the grounds that will make Jenny Craig spontaneously start calling people in this church to try to help us out.
But friends, the years since the building of this building are not for nothing.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:6)
We’ve got some reaping to do today for the planting you did yesterday. And God’s got a crop READY for a harvest. That phrase “white unto harvest…” that meant the EARS were ready to be picked. I believe that there are FIELDS OF PEOPLE out in these streets that are just RIPE for the pickin’. But do we have the vision to see it come to pass? We’ve got to step into this harvest field
We’ve got to get the VISION. We have to BEHOLD. We have to LIFT UP OUR EYES, or look up from what we’re doing. We have to SEE THE HARVEST.
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
Jesus says “Say ye not…” "Don’t you say this? Can you not discern the appropriate times to harvest in the natural. Can't you tell when it's time to bring in the crops in the natural world. Then take a spiritual look at the harvest field before you - it's white. It's ready to harvest."
Jesus is saying, “Don’t put off the HARVEST…” Don’t wait to harvest, or the harvest will go to waste. We can’t allow the harvest to die in the field. We must harvest it while we still have the time. What could put us off? Why would we ever put the brakes on the harvest?
Sometimes we hesitate because we’re afraid of uncharted territory. “We’ve never done it that way before…” New territory… new methods… new programs… new directions… It’s easy to get uneasy when you’re sailing through uncharted waters; places you’ve never been to before; reaching new people with new ways of reaching them. But if we are going to be successful in the Lord’s harvest field, we’re going to have to get down to business and try some new things.
There are a lot of folks that are holding on to the idea that church should never change. And yet, the world changes.
I grew up in Sunday School, where my teacher would use the flannel board to tell me about Moses, and Elijah, Joseph and especially Jesus. I would sit spell-bound for the whole hour while she positioned those cardboard cutouts on the flannel board. I remember my teacher building the story of the children of Israel and their 40 years in the desert with a sandbox, and figures made of pipe cleaners, and scraps of fabric. But friend, this is the video generation. My children can do more with my cell phone than I can do. They are computer gurus at 11 and almost 9 years old.
I remember the time BEFORE the microwave, and they can’t understand the value of a home-cooked meal because it TAKES TOO LONG. I can remember when we would TYPE bulletins on a typewriter, and run them off on an old mimeograph machine. And today we can download graphics for our bulletin by DSL, and print directly from the computer to the printer/copier/fax machine
And the kids can probably put it together better than we can. We can’t hesitate in making that transition. We have to be a church body that not only grows in physical numbers, But also spiritually growing, financially growing; inside our walls and outside of our walls as well.
We have to present facilities and equipment that grow with this community. We have to expand when we need to expand; build when we need to build; buy when we need to buy. And why? Why do we have to change? Because we have to become effective partners with God in His business.
We have to become a source for people of all ages; for children; for youth; for young adults; for adults; for senior adults. We have to endeavor to love the hopeless and the helpless. We have to make a choice to become a community resource. All the while we have to work to take our adherents to a higher spiritual level. We have to develop an effective prayer, healing and deliverance ministry. Our services should be alive with the power of the Holy Ghost. We need to get a hold of the revival sweeping this nation. And we have to change to a position of EVANGELISM for the sake of our community.
And it’s going to take a paradigm shift.
I have a very good friend from the Orlando Area, named Rick. Rick is a Shaklee salesman. The thing that is amazing about Rick, that he can find a way to interject Shaklee into ANY LIFE PROBLEM from two perspectives: (1.) He BELIEVES in the product, and (2.) He wants to make that sale.
Well, I’m marketing a product that is guaranteed to cure and heal, help and repair. And it becomes my pleasure to interject Him into every conversation I have with anyone. I believe in Bethel Church of God, and what God’s doing here. It becomes a pleasure to interject information about our church into every conversation I have with anyone. We have to become makers of disciples and teachers of the gospel message and faith. We have to become edifiers of these new converts; training them to observe Christ’s commands. We have to WANT to see people saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. We have to desire it.
This isn’t just about us; this is about HIS KINGDOM, HIS POWER and HIS GLORY FOREVER.
Sometimes we hesitate because of today’s lack. “Pastor, we don’t have the financial means to do what we need to do…” “We’d like to save the whole city… but we don’t have the room to accommodate them…” “We’d like to see many come to Christ here… but we are sort of like the dog chasing the car… If we caught it, what would we do with it?” “If we get them in here… what are we going to do with them?” “We need more teachers… more workers… more leaders… more givers… we need more than what we have…”
And so we hesitate. But I’m here to tell you today, that the just STILL live by faith: If we hesitate, or draw back… God’s not going to have any pleasure in us. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:38-39
Jesus said it like this…
Luke 9:62
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
We’ve put our hand to this plough at Bethel Church of God, and now’s not the time for us to reconsider or look back or draw back. Now is the time for us to advance… forcefully advance! Matt 11:12 tells us that “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
We have to become that ardent in our passion and enthusiastic in our message. We have to keep our hand on the plough and HOLD ON until we get this. We have to become like Eleazar smiting the enemies of God until our hand literally becomes joined to the sword of the Lord. Sometimes, we hesitate because we’re apathetic. It’s too easy to tell a dying world, “Be warmed, and filled, and clothed and fed…” And yet their need is still there. They are still cold, and naked, and hungry and thirsty.
There’s an absolute apathy today to the need of people. Every person we see, we ought to view him, view her as God views them. “THIS IS A PRECIOUS SOUL… something so precious that the Only-Begotten son of God was offered in their stead…” Nothing was more valuable to God, so nothing can be more valuable to me.
“Lord, lay some soul upon my heart…” If it’s my waitress, my hair dresser, my doctor, whoever. Let me become a purveyor of the gospel message. Let me be a lighthouse for the wayward, and a hope for the hopeless.
Sometimes we hesitate because we’re disobedient to Him. He said go, but we don’t. He said share the message, but we don’t. He said make disciples, but we don’t. But if we have the knowledge of this impending judgment that is coming upon the face of the whole earth; if we know there is a heaven, and a hell and that there is a way out of the latter; and if we don’t say to the wicked, “Thou shalt surely die…” and warn him in the error of his ways, then his blood will be required at OUR HAND according to Ezekiel 3.
We can’t hesitate. There isn’t time for that. We have to preach the Word without hesitation and without doubt. For the Christian, there isn’t some set period of time until the Second Coming or until the end of the harvest; the HARVEST is NOW. No man knows the day or the hour. But the wise virgin is awaiting with Bridegroom with a lamp full of oil, and a trimmed wick, and prepared unto the wedding supper of the Lamb.
No one knows the day or the hour. It’s going to take people by surprise. If we knew what time the thief was coming we’d have the alarm on; but NO MAN KNOWETH. That’s why He tells us to take heed, watch and pray.
1 Peter tells us that “…the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” (1 Peter 4:7)
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15)
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. (James 5:9)
HARVEST IS HERE. HARVEST IS NOW. He says it’s all around us if we’ve got eyes to see it. A lot of times we can’t see the forest for the trees. That harvest is all around us. It’s all around us. Now the harvest field is NOT going to be filled up with picture-perfect, spiritually prepared Christians. No, honey; we catch ‘em and then we let the Holy Ghost clean ‘em. Guess what the harvest field is full of? People who cuss like sailors and drink like fish; people who can’t hold down jobs, and who have anger problems; people with emotional disorders and people with baggage. The harvest field is full of people with dysfunctions and morality issues. It’s full of people with drug problems and perversions. It’s full of FISH that WE are to catch. It’s not our job to clean them up; we just catch.
We just go out into the highways and the hedges and compel them to come in, so that the house will be full. Then the HOLY GHOST cleans them; the HOLY GHOST gets them ready for service. The Holy Ghost cleans their tongues, and prepares their hearts. Now the thing we’re going to have the most trouble with, is resisting that urge to try to clean people up; that’s not our job. That’s God’s job. We just get them in here; let the Holy Ghost clean them. Let the Holy Ghost clean them.
Jesus says, “BEHOLD…” In other words, “This is something important I want you to see it.” Sometimes we have to OPEN OUR EYES, so that we can see what God’s trying to show us. There are things we might not be getting.
I earnestly believe that Bethel is NOT YET LIVING her highest purpose for the Kingdom of God. We’re not yet living our HIGHEST PURPOSE for winning this city. But if we’re ever going to reach our potential we’re going to have to open our eyes and see it the way God’s seeing it. “I say unto YOU…”
“Hey! I’m talking to you here… PAY ATTENTION!!” He casts aside ANY DOUBTS that this is a message for anyone else. I think it’s a message for us. “I’m saying unto you… Lift up your eyes!”
I think of how many times my Mom tried to talk to me. I think of how many times my wife has tried to talk to me… Both of them have had to work at it a few times, just to get my attention. Occasionally each has had to get me to stop what I was doing so I’d pay attention to what they were saying. I’m a multi-tasker, so I do a lot of things at the same time. And it is frustrating for the person who tries to talk to me. But sometimes, we have to be INTERRUPTED in our plans, paths and purposes to hear from Jesus.
“I want you to LOOK UP FROM WHAT YOU’RE CURRENTLY DOING. Take a minute, and view things my way.”
This is Jesus’ business. Don’t you think we could take a few business tips from Him? “LOOK UP! Stop! Focus on what I’m saying. LOOK on the fields!” He’s saying, “LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL. Don’t you see what’s possible?” Of course, we have to get our attention on His plans.
I believe that there are fields in Echols County that have never been harvested. I believe that there are souls that are just ripe for the picking. I believe that there might be hurting people that need this message that we’re preaching. There might be someone that needs what we’re doing here. There might be someone who needs to hear…
“NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE… NO MATTER WHAT YOU’VE DONE… NO MATTER WHERE YOU’VE BEEN… WHEN YOU COME TO BETHEL CHURCH OF GOD, WE’RE GOING TO LOVE YOU.” Without question; without hesitation; without a doubt; no matter what you look like. No matter, we’re going to love you.
Fields that have never been harvested; whole neighborhoods that have never been evangelized. Fields… FIELDS… that’s large, open spaces full of fruit.
For generations this church has cried out and wept before the Lord. And cried out and carried the seed of the Gospel into the fields. But I have an assurance from the Word today; your years of service are not going to be null and void.
If God will allow me, I’ll be sitting here in 2010. The pictures out there on the back wall begin in 1910… is that our year of inception? Is that the year it all started? If it is, you just wait and see! 2010 will be a barn-burner. We’ll have tent service, put up the brush arbor… we’ll have special guests from far and wide, and dinner on the grounds that will make Jenny Craig spontaneously start calling people in this church to try to help us out.
But friends, the years since the building of this building are not for nothing.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:6)
We’ve got some reaping to do today for the planting you did yesterday. And God’s got a crop READY for a harvest. That phrase “white unto harvest…” that meant the EARS were ready to be picked. I believe that there are FIELDS OF PEOPLE out in these streets that are just RIPE for the pickin’. But do we have the vision to see it come to pass? We’ve got to step into this harvest field
We’ve got to get the VISION. We have to BEHOLD. We have to LIFT UP OUR EYES, or look up from what we’re doing. We have to SEE THE HARVEST.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
I'm BAAAACK
I've been off the internet for 10 days! Did you miss me? Yeah, I still posted a few times, but had a hard time via cell phone. Now, my WildBlue is back. (Yeah!!)
I'll try to get some stuff up tomorrow.
:o)~
I'll try to get some stuff up tomorrow.
:o)~
Thursday, January 11, 2007
I Have Prayed For You
Thursday Morning, January 11, 2007
Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
There is nothing more important to me than the prayers of God’s people. How in a moment of weakness, I can call upon the people of God, and they will put up a prayer to heaven, and shake the foundations of hell with the prayer of faith.
In Jannise’s recent time of infirmity, the first thought that came to my mind was, “I must have the people of God pray for her.” So I began to make phone calls… I sent forth emails on the internet. Before too long… hundreds of people were lifting Jannise up to the throne. It wasn’t too long before her condition began to improve. I attribute her healing to the people of God. I minister in a praying church, and the people of Bethel know how to pray for those who are sick. They pray the prayer of faith… and they recover. I’ve seen it over and over again even in the three months I’ve been here. We are in a praying church.
And I trust my internet friends and their prayers. So many times I have forwarded requests to those all over this country… Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina… as far North as New Jersey; as far west as California; several in Missouri… and even some as far North as Canada. I even have a friend in London who prays with us during times of trouble. (Hey, Ems!) I thank God for EVERY prayer. Every single one. I’ve seen things turn around within just a few minutes of the people of God praying, and believing.
But do you know the prayer that moves me the most? The prayer that has the most profound impact on my life? The prayer that really has the most powerful effect? The fact that the Lord Jesus Christ HIMSELF is praying unceasingly for ME; constantly making intercession for His own. From the minute the weight and burden of life hits my heart… when I begin to pray, He makes intercession for us… Even when I’m not praying, He becomes the Champion of our cause. He protects me from dangers unseen, and dispatches angels to my side. His own Spirit comforts and guides. These are the prayers which most profoundly impact me. These are the prayers which humble me to the core. Not that man might say a word to God on my behalf, but that the Savior would whisper a prayer to the Father for me.
Luke 22:31-32
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
What a comfort! “Simon, Satan wants you so that he can sift you like wheat… now go pray for your own self. Lift your own name up to God. Ask God for help ALL BY YOURSELF!” Nope. That’s not what it says. The Lord would be completely justified to tell us to go and pray for ourselves. But He didn’t do that. What did He say?
I’VE PRAYED FOR YOU. I’ve prayed for you, so that your faith won’t fail.
Only God knows how many times Jesus’ own prayers for me have kept me out of a mess of trouble. Only GOD knows how many times I’ve been pulled out of the tempest because of Jesus’ concern for my soul. Only GOD knows the miracles that came about because of His prayers for me.
When I stand victorious in the face of troubles, it would do me good not to get the “big head” or think it’s because of my own strength; in all likelihood, when I AM victorious, it is because Jesus prayed for me; because He made intercession for His own; because He called out my name to the Father. How many times did Jesus unseat the devil, before He even had the time to attack me? How many times was satan’s assignment cancelled because of those sacred prayers? Only God knows.
I’m telling you, Jesus never STOPS praying… not during the daytime when we run here and there… or by night, while we lay on our bed and sleep. He PRAYS FOR US.
Thank you Jesus, because you never stopped praying for me. You never stopped, day or night. He reminds the throne of heaven, “These stripes on my back are for Chris’ healing. These wounds in my hands and feet were for his sins. He is mine, and I am his.”
I like the fact, too, that the prayer started… even before the devil did. Jesus anticipated the coming attack against Peter, and had ALREADY PRAYED. “I see it coming, so I’ve already prayed.” Thank God that His MERCY can still outrun the devil.
He didn’t say, “Satan wants you, and when he gets here, I’m going to pray for you. Before Satan could even start the fight, Jesus finished it. It’s already done. Before the prosecuting attorney, the devil, can even step into the courtroom of heaven, Jesus says, “I’ve already entered your not-guilty verdict, and I’ve settled it with the Judge. I’ve paid for it with my own blood. You’re PRAYED FOR.”
I love your prayers… called out to heaven for me. PLEASE don’t stop praying them. I need every single one. But I am so grateful for the prayers of my precious Savior. They turn the devil upside down… and keep me alive day by day.
“But I have prayed for thee…”
And He’s praying for YOU, TOO!
Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
There is nothing more important to me than the prayers of God’s people. How in a moment of weakness, I can call upon the people of God, and they will put up a prayer to heaven, and shake the foundations of hell with the prayer of faith.
In Jannise’s recent time of infirmity, the first thought that came to my mind was, “I must have the people of God pray for her.” So I began to make phone calls… I sent forth emails on the internet. Before too long… hundreds of people were lifting Jannise up to the throne. It wasn’t too long before her condition began to improve. I attribute her healing to the people of God. I minister in a praying church, and the people of Bethel know how to pray for those who are sick. They pray the prayer of faith… and they recover. I’ve seen it over and over again even in the three months I’ve been here. We are in a praying church.
And I trust my internet friends and their prayers. So many times I have forwarded requests to those all over this country… Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina… as far North as New Jersey; as far west as California; several in Missouri… and even some as far North as Canada. I even have a friend in London who prays with us during times of trouble. (Hey, Ems!) I thank God for EVERY prayer. Every single one. I’ve seen things turn around within just a few minutes of the people of God praying, and believing.
But do you know the prayer that moves me the most? The prayer that has the most profound impact on my life? The prayer that really has the most powerful effect? The fact that the Lord Jesus Christ HIMSELF is praying unceasingly for ME; constantly making intercession for His own. From the minute the weight and burden of life hits my heart… when I begin to pray, He makes intercession for us… Even when I’m not praying, He becomes the Champion of our cause. He protects me from dangers unseen, and dispatches angels to my side. His own Spirit comforts and guides. These are the prayers which most profoundly impact me. These are the prayers which humble me to the core. Not that man might say a word to God on my behalf, but that the Savior would whisper a prayer to the Father for me.
Luke 22:31-32
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
What a comfort! “Simon, Satan wants you so that he can sift you like wheat… now go pray for your own self. Lift your own name up to God. Ask God for help ALL BY YOURSELF!” Nope. That’s not what it says. The Lord would be completely justified to tell us to go and pray for ourselves. But He didn’t do that. What did He say?
I’VE PRAYED FOR YOU. I’ve prayed for you, so that your faith won’t fail.
Only God knows how many times Jesus’ own prayers for me have kept me out of a mess of trouble. Only GOD knows how many times I’ve been pulled out of the tempest because of Jesus’ concern for my soul. Only GOD knows the miracles that came about because of His prayers for me.
When I stand victorious in the face of troubles, it would do me good not to get the “big head” or think it’s because of my own strength; in all likelihood, when I AM victorious, it is because Jesus prayed for me; because He made intercession for His own; because He called out my name to the Father. How many times did Jesus unseat the devil, before He even had the time to attack me? How many times was satan’s assignment cancelled because of those sacred prayers? Only God knows.
I’m telling you, Jesus never STOPS praying… not during the daytime when we run here and there… or by night, while we lay on our bed and sleep. He PRAYS FOR US.
Thank you Jesus, because you never stopped praying for me. You never stopped, day or night. He reminds the throne of heaven, “These stripes on my back are for Chris’ healing. These wounds in my hands and feet were for his sins. He is mine, and I am his.”
I like the fact, too, that the prayer started… even before the devil did. Jesus anticipated the coming attack against Peter, and had ALREADY PRAYED. “I see it coming, so I’ve already prayed.” Thank God that His MERCY can still outrun the devil.
He didn’t say, “Satan wants you, and when he gets here, I’m going to pray for you. Before Satan could even start the fight, Jesus finished it. It’s already done. Before the prosecuting attorney, the devil, can even step into the courtroom of heaven, Jesus says, “I’ve already entered your not-guilty verdict, and I’ve settled it with the Judge. I’ve paid for it with my own blood. You’re PRAYED FOR.”
I love your prayers… called out to heaven for me. PLEASE don’t stop praying them. I need every single one. But I am so grateful for the prayers of my precious Savior. They turn the devil upside down… and keep me alive day by day.
“But I have prayed for thee…”
And He’s praying for YOU, TOO!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
God Made Dirt And Dirt Don't Hurt
Thursday, January 11, 2007
There’s an old saying I remember saying… when Mama would get upset about us eating with DIRTY HANDS… I’d always say to her, “God made dirt and DIRT DON’T HURT. If I die, God’ll know why.” I meant it as a funny, but from that little diddy, I pull tonight’s message…
“GOD MADE DIRT, and DIRT DON’T HURT;” If you’ll pardon my stunted English in that one, small phrase…
Mark 7:1-5
7:1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
Pharisees had a staunch tradition about everything. One of those matters was about cleanliness. They were so concerned with being clean on the outside. It stemmed from a teaching that a person could be defiled by anything he or she touched on the outside.
God had given instructions not to touch the unclean thing… a person who was leprous… a dead body… even a woman was unclean at a certain time of the month. God’s perspective of doing this was to prevent people from being harmed physically. Before Louis Pasteur discovered micro-cell biology, and biochemistry, God understood the harmful effects of microscopic organisms. He was protecting his chosen people from these things.
Today, we have anti-bacterial soap. We understand that we must cook meat thoroughly to eat it. We understand Salmonella, and E-coli, and the like.
Pharisees, in their attempts to be OUTWARDLY HOLY, had taken these teachings and had run them into the ground. And this is what they were fussing about with Jesus about His disciples. They were saying… “Your disciples are eating bread, but they don’t wash their hands…” They didn’t have an understanding that these rules were made to protect men. Men were not made to protect the rules…
The reason I don’t believe in drinking is not because of the RULE; I don’t believe in drinking because it is HARMFUL to the temple of God.
Today, I want to talk about DIRT. God made it. There isn’t a microorganism in the known world that is not embossed with the signature of God. Not so much PHYSICAL DIRT… but a SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE. The Pharisees had a belief that you had to have clean hands to do the work of God. Jesus explained that these were the rules of men… not the doctrines of heaven. The men who were doing the TRUE work of God were the ones with the dirty hands. So today, we are talking about DIRTY HANDS. Doing kingdom work is going to get your hands dirty.
We know what the scriptures say. Faith without works is dead. Not everyone that says “Lord, Lord” to him is going to get into heaven… but the one that DOES the will of the Father.
I want you to know that doing the KINGDOM WORK is going to get your hands dirty. If you hang out with Jesus you’ll get dirty hands. If you hang out with Jesus you’ll get mussed by the needs of a dying world. If you hang out with the Lord… you’ll be besmirched by the times. If you spend time with the Master, and do what He’s called you to do… you’ll be scorned by Pharisees. Religious folks won’t like you so well. Real Kingdom citizens get DIRTY HANDS.
Jesus’ hands were dirty. He was the one who pulled Lazarus, decomposing, out of his grave with just a word. He’s the one who allowed prostitutes to wash His feet. He’s the one who TOUCHED the leprous. He’s the one who HUNG OUT with the ceremonially UNCLEAN.
There’s an old song that says, “Our Lord is coming back to earth again…”
Let’s just say He did. Let’s just say He came, and didn’t wear a Christmas play costume… the long dress-like robe, and sandals. Let’s just say He didn’t have his characteristic long hair and beard. Let’s just say He had a business man’s hair cut, and clean shaven face. Where would we run into Him? There’s a lot of religious folks who say, “You’ll find Him at the Church of God.” You’ll find Him at the Baptist church. I’d venture to say… just like a salesman goes where the customers are… A SAVIOUR goes where the SINNERS ARE. We’d probably have church as usual and NEVER KNOW He was around. He’d might be up at the DOCK, or outside the bar room; or maybe some other local watering hole. He might be calling some loose woman to repentance. He’d be probably hang out at the common centers of commerce. He might show up in church now and then. But he’s an outsider… that’s threatening to most of us… we’d probably run him off.
Jesus didn’t spend His days in cloistered TOWERS… He got His hands DIRTY with the REGULAR FOLKS. That’s what He’s about… don’t you think that’s what WE ought to be about? What were they doing to get dirty hands? To find that out, you have to go to chapter six…
In verse 2 He was teaching and astonishing people in the synagogue. Teaching the people will get your hands dirty…
You say “I don’t want to get my hands dirty…” Don’t worry about that kind of dirty. That’s the kind of dirt that differentiates a Pharisee, from a Christian. That’s the kind of DIRT that gets God attention.
In verse 5, He was praying for folk. You’ll get your hands dirty by PRAYING. Every child of God ought to have those kind of dirty hands and dirty knees.
In verse 7, He sent out the first missions workers. Jesus recognized that you can’t keep all the dirt for yourself. Kingdom WORK produces mass quantities of that kind of DIRT. And He allowed the Disciples to start getting a little dirty for the Kingdom.
In verse 12 they were preaching repentance. PREACHING the TRUTH will get your hands dirty. The Pharisees won’t like it… but that’s a kind of dirt that changes the world. It’s the kind of dirt that will help you live with a clean conscience.
In verse 13, they were casting out devils and healing the sick. Flowing in the miraculous is a great way to get your hands dirty.
Kingdom work isn’t what happens in the cloistered halls of Christendom. It’s what happens with the demon-possessed, and the infirmed out in the back alleys. It will get your hands dirty.
By verse 33, people were running after Him. If we preach with authority… that kind of truth, folks will run after us too. Preaching the TRUTH will get your hands dirty. Folks will start chasing you, and stir up dust for the Kingdom. PREACH THE TRUTH.
Verse 34 saw Jesus was moved with compassion… and he started teaching again. Compassion will get your hands dirty. Caring about people will get your hands dirty. Being concerned about the plight of those who don’t know HIM will cause us to have dirty hands. The religious folks might not like us for it, but it will certainly get the favor of heaven.
In the 40’s verses… Jesus threw a small dinner party for 5,000 men. The men were those males over 13 years old, in Hebrew culture. That number was not including the women and the children who were present. There might have been as many as 15,000 people there. Just a little dinner party. PROVIDING for the needs of people will get your hands dirty.
In verse 48 He took a little walk on the sea. Jesus was able to work miracles because He listened to the Father. Listening to the voice of the Heavenly Father will cause you to have dirty hands. It was cause you to do PHENOMINAL works for the Kingdom of God.
And by the end of the chapter, He was healing again…
If we’re really going to be about the work of the KINGDOM, we’ll have DIRTY HANDS. The church today is more about external cleanliness that it is about GETTING DIRTY FOR JESUS. We don’t want to be touched by the dirty people… and their dirty little habits.
I hate to tell you this… but DIRTY PEOPLE are DIRTY. They live DIRTY LIVES… in a DIRTY WORLD. They are in over their heads into things that make our heads swim.
Now, I need to say… that the scripture says that the disciples had dirty hands… NOT DIRTY EVERYTHING. They didn’t jump into the world. But they had their hands in it. They were involved in it without being participants. They were touching it… without sharing in it.
Let me ask you a great question. I love the music in this church… it’s great. Some folks say, “I’d like more praise and worship music.” Some folks say… “We need more hymns.” What would you do, if you got to heaven, and you found out that God’s favorite music is RAP? I sincerely hope it’s not… but what if it was? What would you do, if God’s favorite music was rock and roll? I’m not talking about the words… I’m talking the style. What if the Angels aren’t leading Hymns out of the Red Back Song book? Will you pack up and move out of your mansion?
Heaven MIGHT just surprise some of us a bit. It might not be JUST what we think it’s going to be.
Folks, we have to recognize that we have to GET OUR HANDS DIRTY… to TRULY AFFECT THE WORLD.
My children get into some kinds of messes… they get into some things that I don’t even want to touch… but sometimes to get them cleaned up, I have to touch some things that I don’t care to touch.
Sometimes to get folks liberated, we’ve got to lay hold on some things that aren’t really appetizing for us. But we’re not liberated from the task of deliverance… even when the task is awful, revolting or disgusting to us spiritually.
What are we gonna do… if we get to heaven and find out Jesus wasn’t Church of God? What are we gonna do… if the Musical Selection in heaven isn’t Southern Gospel? What are we gonna do… if we find out our pursuits don’t really interest the Father? What are we gonna do… if we thought we were disciples, and we get there and He calls us Pharisees… What will we do?
Folks, I’d much rather reexamine the Word now… find those things that Jesus is blessing – and get our hands dirty. Clean hands won’t win the Kingdom… And don’t worry about getting dirty. God made dirt… and DIRT DON’T HURT.
There’s an old saying I remember saying… when Mama would get upset about us eating with DIRTY HANDS… I’d always say to her, “God made dirt and DIRT DON’T HURT. If I die, God’ll know why.” I meant it as a funny, but from that little diddy, I pull tonight’s message…
“GOD MADE DIRT, and DIRT DON’T HURT;” If you’ll pardon my stunted English in that one, small phrase…
Mark 7:1-5
7:1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
Pharisees had a staunch tradition about everything. One of those matters was about cleanliness. They were so concerned with being clean on the outside. It stemmed from a teaching that a person could be defiled by anything he or she touched on the outside.
God had given instructions not to touch the unclean thing… a person who was leprous… a dead body… even a woman was unclean at a certain time of the month. God’s perspective of doing this was to prevent people from being harmed physically. Before Louis Pasteur discovered micro-cell biology, and biochemistry, God understood the harmful effects of microscopic organisms. He was protecting his chosen people from these things.
Today, we have anti-bacterial soap. We understand that we must cook meat thoroughly to eat it. We understand Salmonella, and E-coli, and the like.
Pharisees, in their attempts to be OUTWARDLY HOLY, had taken these teachings and had run them into the ground. And this is what they were fussing about with Jesus about His disciples. They were saying… “Your disciples are eating bread, but they don’t wash their hands…” They didn’t have an understanding that these rules were made to protect men. Men were not made to protect the rules…
The reason I don’t believe in drinking is not because of the RULE; I don’t believe in drinking because it is HARMFUL to the temple of God.
Today, I want to talk about DIRT. God made it. There isn’t a microorganism in the known world that is not embossed with the signature of God. Not so much PHYSICAL DIRT… but a SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE. The Pharisees had a belief that you had to have clean hands to do the work of God. Jesus explained that these were the rules of men… not the doctrines of heaven. The men who were doing the TRUE work of God were the ones with the dirty hands. So today, we are talking about DIRTY HANDS. Doing kingdom work is going to get your hands dirty.
We know what the scriptures say. Faith without works is dead. Not everyone that says “Lord, Lord” to him is going to get into heaven… but the one that DOES the will of the Father.
I want you to know that doing the KINGDOM WORK is going to get your hands dirty. If you hang out with Jesus you’ll get dirty hands. If you hang out with Jesus you’ll get mussed by the needs of a dying world. If you hang out with the Lord… you’ll be besmirched by the times. If you spend time with the Master, and do what He’s called you to do… you’ll be scorned by Pharisees. Religious folks won’t like you so well. Real Kingdom citizens get DIRTY HANDS.
Jesus’ hands were dirty. He was the one who pulled Lazarus, decomposing, out of his grave with just a word. He’s the one who allowed prostitutes to wash His feet. He’s the one who TOUCHED the leprous. He’s the one who HUNG OUT with the ceremonially UNCLEAN.
There’s an old song that says, “Our Lord is coming back to earth again…”
Let’s just say He did. Let’s just say He came, and didn’t wear a Christmas play costume… the long dress-like robe, and sandals. Let’s just say He didn’t have his characteristic long hair and beard. Let’s just say He had a business man’s hair cut, and clean shaven face. Where would we run into Him? There’s a lot of religious folks who say, “You’ll find Him at the Church of God.” You’ll find Him at the Baptist church. I’d venture to say… just like a salesman goes where the customers are… A SAVIOUR goes where the SINNERS ARE. We’d probably have church as usual and NEVER KNOW He was around. He’d might be up at the DOCK, or outside the bar room; or maybe some other local watering hole. He might be calling some loose woman to repentance. He’d be probably hang out at the common centers of commerce. He might show up in church now and then. But he’s an outsider… that’s threatening to most of us… we’d probably run him off.
Jesus didn’t spend His days in cloistered TOWERS… He got His hands DIRTY with the REGULAR FOLKS. That’s what He’s about… don’t you think that’s what WE ought to be about? What were they doing to get dirty hands? To find that out, you have to go to chapter six…
In verse 2 He was teaching and astonishing people in the synagogue. Teaching the people will get your hands dirty…
You say “I don’t want to get my hands dirty…” Don’t worry about that kind of dirty. That’s the kind of dirt that differentiates a Pharisee, from a Christian. That’s the kind of DIRT that gets God attention.
In verse 5, He was praying for folk. You’ll get your hands dirty by PRAYING. Every child of God ought to have those kind of dirty hands and dirty knees.
In verse 7, He sent out the first missions workers. Jesus recognized that you can’t keep all the dirt for yourself. Kingdom WORK produces mass quantities of that kind of DIRT. And He allowed the Disciples to start getting a little dirty for the Kingdom.
In verse 12 they were preaching repentance. PREACHING the TRUTH will get your hands dirty. The Pharisees won’t like it… but that’s a kind of dirt that changes the world. It’s the kind of dirt that will help you live with a clean conscience.
In verse 13, they were casting out devils and healing the sick. Flowing in the miraculous is a great way to get your hands dirty.
Kingdom work isn’t what happens in the cloistered halls of Christendom. It’s what happens with the demon-possessed, and the infirmed out in the back alleys. It will get your hands dirty.
By verse 33, people were running after Him. If we preach with authority… that kind of truth, folks will run after us too. Preaching the TRUTH will get your hands dirty. Folks will start chasing you, and stir up dust for the Kingdom. PREACH THE TRUTH.
Verse 34 saw Jesus was moved with compassion… and he started teaching again. Compassion will get your hands dirty. Caring about people will get your hands dirty. Being concerned about the plight of those who don’t know HIM will cause us to have dirty hands. The religious folks might not like us for it, but it will certainly get the favor of heaven.
In the 40’s verses… Jesus threw a small dinner party for 5,000 men. The men were those males over 13 years old, in Hebrew culture. That number was not including the women and the children who were present. There might have been as many as 15,000 people there. Just a little dinner party. PROVIDING for the needs of people will get your hands dirty.
In verse 48 He took a little walk on the sea. Jesus was able to work miracles because He listened to the Father. Listening to the voice of the Heavenly Father will cause you to have dirty hands. It was cause you to do PHENOMINAL works for the Kingdom of God.
And by the end of the chapter, He was healing again…
If we’re really going to be about the work of the KINGDOM, we’ll have DIRTY HANDS. The church today is more about external cleanliness that it is about GETTING DIRTY FOR JESUS. We don’t want to be touched by the dirty people… and their dirty little habits.
I hate to tell you this… but DIRTY PEOPLE are DIRTY. They live DIRTY LIVES… in a DIRTY WORLD. They are in over their heads into things that make our heads swim.
Now, I need to say… that the scripture says that the disciples had dirty hands… NOT DIRTY EVERYTHING. They didn’t jump into the world. But they had their hands in it. They were involved in it without being participants. They were touching it… without sharing in it.
Let me ask you a great question. I love the music in this church… it’s great. Some folks say, “I’d like more praise and worship music.” Some folks say… “We need more hymns.” What would you do, if you got to heaven, and you found out that God’s favorite music is RAP? I sincerely hope it’s not… but what if it was? What would you do, if God’s favorite music was rock and roll? I’m not talking about the words… I’m talking the style. What if the Angels aren’t leading Hymns out of the Red Back Song book? Will you pack up and move out of your mansion?
Heaven MIGHT just surprise some of us a bit. It might not be JUST what we think it’s going to be.
Folks, we have to recognize that we have to GET OUR HANDS DIRTY… to TRULY AFFECT THE WORLD.
My children get into some kinds of messes… they get into some things that I don’t even want to touch… but sometimes to get them cleaned up, I have to touch some things that I don’t care to touch.
Sometimes to get folks liberated, we’ve got to lay hold on some things that aren’t really appetizing for us. But we’re not liberated from the task of deliverance… even when the task is awful, revolting or disgusting to us spiritually.
What are we gonna do… if we get to heaven and find out Jesus wasn’t Church of God? What are we gonna do… if the Musical Selection in heaven isn’t Southern Gospel? What are we gonna do… if we find out our pursuits don’t really interest the Father? What are we gonna do… if we thought we were disciples, and we get there and He calls us Pharisees… What will we do?
Folks, I’d much rather reexamine the Word now… find those things that Jesus is blessing – and get our hands dirty. Clean hands won’t win the Kingdom… And don’t worry about getting dirty. God made dirt… and DIRT DON’T HURT.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Carefully Wrapped
Christmas is the most joyful time of the year. It is a time of serenity, and peace. It is a beautiful time. But there comes a time when that season is wrapped in tissue paper, and put into storage boxes into the attics and closets and sheds. The New Year comes, and we package the beauties of this season, and put them away.
I’ve spent today carefully wrapping the memories… it’s hard not to stop and look at each ornament. Everyone seems to tell a story; every one, a different set of memories. “These are the bulbs we bought our first Christmas together, baby. This one is from Shara’s first Christmas! I love this one. There’s the clothespin angel with Shiloh’s face cut out and put over the angel’s face. There are the bead ornaments we made in 1998… and the blown glass rose that we found in an antique shop last year.” Every ornament has its own unique story…
It’s almost sad to wrap it up again. Things so beautiful, you hate to hide them. Crinkled tissue wadded in their boxes, and one by one, they are rewrapped, and placed lovingly in their storage places.
I think it’s vitally important that we package up joy… in those seasons when we have it. It’s important to stockpile peace when we have it in abundance. We have to lay these things up in store…
We have to hide His word in our hearts so that we don’t sin against Him. We have to stockpile the THINGS OF GOD while we have them in abundance. We have to work while we can work, because there is a night coming when NO ONE will be able to work for God.
John 12:35
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
Stockpile it while you have it. Make preparations while you’re able. Keep oil in your lamp BEFORE the Bridegroom cometh.
Stockpile peace. Lay up joy in abundance. Carefully wrap it all now.
There is a weight on my family right now. We are well-cared for by our church family. They treat us marvelously, and we are blessed, both in our salary… and in the love they pour out on us every single day. But it’s been a daily battle since we arrived here in October; not for anything they’ve done – but financially. We knew it would be tough… selling a house at Christmas time. And then Jannise’s illness has been a horrible financial obligation hitting us right at Christmas time. There have been dozens of doctor’s appointments for which we’ve had NO health insurance coverage. Her medication for these convulsions has set us back about $100 a week. It’s overwhelming.
With our house unsold it is an additional $1,500 a month from our household income. It has been almost too much to bear. The Lord says He won’t put more on us than we can handle; but sometimes you wonder.
I thank God that in those pressing moments, I have a stockpile of joy that I can turn to. I have a closet full of peace which passes all understanding. Even in the overwhelming circumstances of life, there are precious promises that I can take from their boxes at any moment. I can pull out the memories of the way God has ALWAYS supplied all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I can unwrap the memory of never having been forsaken… and NEVER having to beg for bread. I can pull forth the memories of the times when He has hidden me in the secret place of the Most High, and kept me under the shadow of the Almighty.
Can I tell you a secret? I’ve lived like the Widow down at Zarephath… it makes no sense. I keep using my substance, but miraculously, it keeps being replaced. For several months, my bank statement reflects that I spend more than I deposit… (at least during these months of Jannise’s illness…) and yet, the barrel of meal has not wasted, neither has the cruse of oil failed. I don’t get it. But God has done it.
Miracles from unlikely places; checks you didn’t expect; food when you didn’t have money to buy it; gifts when you didn’t deserve them. Those are the moments that give your heart strength. During the heat of the summer… and dying time of fall… my heart travels to boxes of stockpiled joy, and carefully wrapped peace. I can almost see them presented before me. And it gives me strength to go on.
While you pack away your ornaments… stockpile some peace. Carefully wrap some joy. When the dark days come, you’ll never be without.
I’ve spent today carefully wrapping the memories… it’s hard not to stop and look at each ornament. Everyone seems to tell a story; every one, a different set of memories. “These are the bulbs we bought our first Christmas together, baby. This one is from Shara’s first Christmas! I love this one. There’s the clothespin angel with Shiloh’s face cut out and put over the angel’s face. There are the bead ornaments we made in 1998… and the blown glass rose that we found in an antique shop last year.” Every ornament has its own unique story…
It’s almost sad to wrap it up again. Things so beautiful, you hate to hide them. Crinkled tissue wadded in their boxes, and one by one, they are rewrapped, and placed lovingly in their storage places.
I think it’s vitally important that we package up joy… in those seasons when we have it. It’s important to stockpile peace when we have it in abundance. We have to lay these things up in store…
We have to hide His word in our hearts so that we don’t sin against Him. We have to stockpile the THINGS OF GOD while we have them in abundance. We have to work while we can work, because there is a night coming when NO ONE will be able to work for God.
John 12:35
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
Stockpile it while you have it. Make preparations while you’re able. Keep oil in your lamp BEFORE the Bridegroom cometh.
Stockpile peace. Lay up joy in abundance. Carefully wrap it all now.
There is a weight on my family right now. We are well-cared for by our church family. They treat us marvelously, and we are blessed, both in our salary… and in the love they pour out on us every single day. But it’s been a daily battle since we arrived here in October; not for anything they’ve done – but financially. We knew it would be tough… selling a house at Christmas time. And then Jannise’s illness has been a horrible financial obligation hitting us right at Christmas time. There have been dozens of doctor’s appointments for which we’ve had NO health insurance coverage. Her medication for these convulsions has set us back about $100 a week. It’s overwhelming.
With our house unsold it is an additional $1,500 a month from our household income. It has been almost too much to bear. The Lord says He won’t put more on us than we can handle; but sometimes you wonder.
I thank God that in those pressing moments, I have a stockpile of joy that I can turn to. I have a closet full of peace which passes all understanding. Even in the overwhelming circumstances of life, there are precious promises that I can take from their boxes at any moment. I can pull out the memories of the way God has ALWAYS supplied all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I can unwrap the memory of never having been forsaken… and NEVER having to beg for bread. I can pull forth the memories of the times when He has hidden me in the secret place of the Most High, and kept me under the shadow of the Almighty.
Can I tell you a secret? I’ve lived like the Widow down at Zarephath… it makes no sense. I keep using my substance, but miraculously, it keeps being replaced. For several months, my bank statement reflects that I spend more than I deposit… (at least during these months of Jannise’s illness…) and yet, the barrel of meal has not wasted, neither has the cruse of oil failed. I don’t get it. But God has done it.
Miracles from unlikely places; checks you didn’t expect; food when you didn’t have money to buy it; gifts when you didn’t deserve them. Those are the moments that give your heart strength. During the heat of the summer… and dying time of fall… my heart travels to boxes of stockpiled joy, and carefully wrapped peace. I can almost see them presented before me. And it gives me strength to go on.
While you pack away your ornaments… stockpile some peace. Carefully wrap some joy. When the dark days come, you’ll never be without.
Stop and Consider
New Years is one of those times of reflection; reflection over yesterday; contemplation of tomorrow; a time to think about God and His plan for your life. 2007 is a jumping-off place; a new start a fresh beginning. We’ll never have these days again
Tonight, I want us to spend just a few moments in contemplation. I don’t know about you, but 2006 has run by for me, and we’re all still running, just like usual But there comes a time when you have to STOP and CONSIDER; and STOP in ORDER to CONSIDER; a time for reflection a time for examining ourselves. Tonight, read with me in the book of Job, this one verse:
Job 37:14
14 "Listen to this, Job;
stop and consider God's wonders.
Stop – because sometimes what we are doing prevents us from being in the posture God needs us to be in.
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
Job was so busy in his own problems, that He couldn’t see God. God was demanding his attention. There are those moments when you just have to take a breather, and STOP. “My life is falling apart, but I’m going to stop. My world isn’t on the right axis, but I’m going to stop. Things aren’t the way I need them to be, but I’m going to stop. I’ve suffered loss but I’m going to stop”
Stopping is HARD. Stopping means that you have to relinquish control. You have to give up your authority for God’s authority. You have to let Him be Lord. You have to concede that you won’t be able to figure everything out on your own. Sometimes you just have to STOP
Like those moments when you’re driving in an unfamiliar place, and you get lost you don’t know where you are and the further you drive, the worse it gets there comes that point where you have to say “I’m making bad matters worse I just need to stop and get some help outside myself.”
Friend, there are times when we have to stop and get help outside of ourselves.
Stop – because consideration can’t be made while you’re running
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
We are people that go and do; go to here… work for this… do that… accomplish this; but if we are in a pattern of BUSY-NESS then our TASK GETS OUR ATTENTION. There are times when God says “YOUR TASK CAN’T HAVE YOUR ATTENTION. I have to have your attention.”
What happens when a crisis comes? We slip into crisis mode, and we trudge forward, getting the “job” done. And we busy ourselves… God is saying “It’s not my desire that you survive your trials and tribulations by busying yourself. It’s my desire that you survive your trials and tribulations, by relying upon me.” Sometimes we have to STOP when our inclination is to work. Sometimes we have STOP when it feels foreign to us. Sometimes we have to STOP when it doesn’t feel like stopping is an appropriate response.
Stop – because there is something to see
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
The passage tonight says that God is a God of WONDERS. There’s something to stop and take a look at. You’ve heard the old saying, “Stop and smell the roses?” Sometimes you have stop and experience the goodness of God. STOP in order to experience His positive qualities. There are positive attributes to God that bear our consideration.
I’m one of those “drive-by” kind of shoppers. Jannise is one of those “STOP, GO IN, LOOK AROUND, STAY A WEEK” kind of shoppers. But there are those things that you can’t see in a quick drive-by. Some things demand that we put our vehicle in “park” get out and take a look.
Friends, the vehicles of our lives are the same thing. Sometimes we have to park, stop, get out and spend some time in consideration. The goodness of God demands our time and our detailed concern
God has so many positive qualities. They aren’t experienced at the drive-through of life. They are experienced in the banquet room. There is too much of Him to experience in a moment of prayer. He must be experienced over great amounts of time. One cannot hope to experience God, unless He can take the time to slow down even STOP
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
The wonders of God are a good reason to slow down. Consider the good things He’s done. Consider the ways He’s blessed you. Consider what things would have been like without Him. Consider that every good thing you have comes from Him anyway. Consider that if it had not been for the Lord on your side where would you be? Those considerations can’t be made in the fast lane; they must be made in the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty.
Stop – because God demands our attention
“Listen to this, Job…”
There are times when God will STRIVE to get your attention. LISTEN, there’s something you need to learn. LISTEN, there’s something you need to know. LISTEN, you’re missing an important point. LISTEN, you need to see this
One of my biggest irritations with my kids is when I call them, and they say, “Just a minute” or “Can I do so and so first?” I feel that as their parent… what I say, and what I want takes priority over whatever they are doing at the time. I expect them to drop what they are doing and pay attention to me.
How many times does God’s voice get ignored in the name of our busy-ness? We have a problem with OUR children for ignoring our immediate will for their lives or demands for their time. But we must understand that God wants all of OUR attention sometimes, too.
Stop – because it produces a desired result
I’m going to give you a few other scripture references for times when the word tells us to stop hold still or wait. First, if you don’t stop, you can’t see God’s deliverance as clearly.
Ex 14:13-14
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
When things are a mess when the world is against us when things aren’t working out like we’ve planned our first inclination is to FIGHT. God doesn’t want us to do that. Sometimes the best answer is just to stand still. Just hold still and see what God’s going to do. We don’t always understand why God does things the way he does them but He is still God. I love what verse 14 says…
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
God doesn’t need our help. God doesn’t need our help at Bethel Church of God. He doesn’t need our assistance to fix things. God’s been in the fixing business since the Garden of Eden. He doesn’t need our help. HE’LL FIGHT FOR US all we have to do is hold still. Just BE STILL
Anybody ever ask their mama “Mama, look at this little booboo in my scalp…” or “What this little lumpy thing on the back of my neck?” And you lay down in mama’s lap and she proceeds to check it out before long you get fidgety and you start fussing. “I just wanted you to look I didn’t want you to pick at it” And her reply is “HOLD STILL. I’m still working on this thing. I’m still looking at this thing. HOLD STILL. DON’T MOVE. You’ll make me hurt you if you jerk or pull away. HOLD STILL.”
Folks, LET GOD WORK ON YOU. Don’t move. HOLD STILL. You’ve asked Him to perfect in you what you need to be perfected. Sometimes that means HOLDING STILL. HOLD STILL. If you don’t stop, you won’t fully recognize the sovereignty of God, and His Lordship.
Ps 46:10
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
One of the positive benefits of holding still is that you recognize who He is. When you hold still, you can see His majesty in action. If you don’t stop, you can’t adequately worship Him as He deserves.
Hab 2:20
20 But the LORD is in his holy temple;
let all the earth be silent before him."
God is in His house. Let HIM BE GOD. If you don’t stop your strength will never be renewed.
Isa 40:31
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
The scriptures promises us that one of the positives of STOPPING is that you get REST. Don’t we all need that from time to time? If you don’t stop Your ability to continue is hampered.
Ps 27:14
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 27 tells us that when we WAIT He strengthens our heart. That word for heart literally means your WILL He will strengthen your WILL to continue your will to survive. If you DON’T STOP and wait on Him and allow him to bolster your will and your drive, you won’t be able to continue with as much strength.
And finally STOP so that He can exalt you at the right time
Ps 37:34
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
He knows how to take care of his own; but sometimes He demands our attention. LISTEN. STOP AND CONSIDER the wonders of God. STOP AND CONSIDER. STOP so your busyness won’t hinder your hearing. STOP so you can make consideration. STOP because God’s got something for you to see. STOP because He’s working all these things out in you. STOP AND CONSIDER THE WONDERS OF GOD.
In this New Year at this time of valuable reflection let’s stop and consider the wonders of God.
Tonight, I want us to spend just a few moments in contemplation. I don’t know about you, but 2006 has run by for me, and we’re all still running, just like usual But there comes a time when you have to STOP and CONSIDER; and STOP in ORDER to CONSIDER; a time for reflection a time for examining ourselves. Tonight, read with me in the book of Job, this one verse:
Job 37:14
14 "Listen to this, Job;
stop and consider God's wonders.
Stop – because sometimes what we are doing prevents us from being in the posture God needs us to be in.
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
Job was so busy in his own problems, that He couldn’t see God. God was demanding his attention. There are those moments when you just have to take a breather, and STOP. “My life is falling apart, but I’m going to stop. My world isn’t on the right axis, but I’m going to stop. Things aren’t the way I need them to be, but I’m going to stop. I’ve suffered loss but I’m going to stop”
Stopping is HARD. Stopping means that you have to relinquish control. You have to give up your authority for God’s authority. You have to let Him be Lord. You have to concede that you won’t be able to figure everything out on your own. Sometimes you just have to STOP
Like those moments when you’re driving in an unfamiliar place, and you get lost you don’t know where you are and the further you drive, the worse it gets there comes that point where you have to say “I’m making bad matters worse I just need to stop and get some help outside myself.”
Friend, there are times when we have to stop and get help outside of ourselves.
Stop – because consideration can’t be made while you’re running
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
We are people that go and do; go to here… work for this… do that… accomplish this; but if we are in a pattern of BUSY-NESS then our TASK GETS OUR ATTENTION. There are times when God says “YOUR TASK CAN’T HAVE YOUR ATTENTION. I have to have your attention.”
What happens when a crisis comes? We slip into crisis mode, and we trudge forward, getting the “job” done. And we busy ourselves… God is saying “It’s not my desire that you survive your trials and tribulations by busying yourself. It’s my desire that you survive your trials and tribulations, by relying upon me.” Sometimes we have to STOP when our inclination is to work. Sometimes we have STOP when it feels foreign to us. Sometimes we have to STOP when it doesn’t feel like stopping is an appropriate response.
Stop – because there is something to see
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
The passage tonight says that God is a God of WONDERS. There’s something to stop and take a look at. You’ve heard the old saying, “Stop and smell the roses?” Sometimes you have stop and experience the goodness of God. STOP in order to experience His positive qualities. There are positive attributes to God that bear our consideration.
I’m one of those “drive-by” kind of shoppers. Jannise is one of those “STOP, GO IN, LOOK AROUND, STAY A WEEK” kind of shoppers. But there are those things that you can’t see in a quick drive-by. Some things demand that we put our vehicle in “park” get out and take a look.
Friends, the vehicles of our lives are the same thing. Sometimes we have to park, stop, get out and spend some time in consideration. The goodness of God demands our time and our detailed concern
God has so many positive qualities. They aren’t experienced at the drive-through of life. They are experienced in the banquet room. There is too much of Him to experience in a moment of prayer. He must be experienced over great amounts of time. One cannot hope to experience God, unless He can take the time to slow down even STOP
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
The wonders of God are a good reason to slow down. Consider the good things He’s done. Consider the ways He’s blessed you. Consider what things would have been like without Him. Consider that every good thing you have comes from Him anyway. Consider that if it had not been for the Lord on your side where would you be? Those considerations can’t be made in the fast lane; they must be made in the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty.
Stop – because God demands our attention
“Listen to this, Job…”
There are times when God will STRIVE to get your attention. LISTEN, there’s something you need to learn. LISTEN, there’s something you need to know. LISTEN, you’re missing an important point. LISTEN, you need to see this
One of my biggest irritations with my kids is when I call them, and they say, “Just a minute” or “Can I do so and so first?” I feel that as their parent… what I say, and what I want takes priority over whatever they are doing at the time. I expect them to drop what they are doing and pay attention to me.
How many times does God’s voice get ignored in the name of our busy-ness? We have a problem with OUR children for ignoring our immediate will for their lives or demands for their time. But we must understand that God wants all of OUR attention sometimes, too.
Stop – because it produces a desired result
I’m going to give you a few other scripture references for times when the word tells us to stop hold still or wait. First, if you don’t stop, you can’t see God’s deliverance as clearly.
Ex 14:13-14
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
When things are a mess when the world is against us when things aren’t working out like we’ve planned our first inclination is to FIGHT. God doesn’t want us to do that. Sometimes the best answer is just to stand still. Just hold still and see what God’s going to do. We don’t always understand why God does things the way he does them but He is still God. I love what verse 14 says…
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
God doesn’t need our help. God doesn’t need our help at Bethel Church of God. He doesn’t need our assistance to fix things. God’s been in the fixing business since the Garden of Eden. He doesn’t need our help. HE’LL FIGHT FOR US all we have to do is hold still. Just BE STILL
Anybody ever ask their mama “Mama, look at this little booboo in my scalp…” or “What this little lumpy thing on the back of my neck?” And you lay down in mama’s lap and she proceeds to check it out before long you get fidgety and you start fussing. “I just wanted you to look I didn’t want you to pick at it” And her reply is “HOLD STILL. I’m still working on this thing. I’m still looking at this thing. HOLD STILL. DON’T MOVE. You’ll make me hurt you if you jerk or pull away. HOLD STILL.”
Folks, LET GOD WORK ON YOU. Don’t move. HOLD STILL. You’ve asked Him to perfect in you what you need to be perfected. Sometimes that means HOLDING STILL. HOLD STILL. If you don’t stop, you won’t fully recognize the sovereignty of God, and His Lordship.
Ps 46:10
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
One of the positive benefits of holding still is that you recognize who He is. When you hold still, you can see His majesty in action. If you don’t stop, you can’t adequately worship Him as He deserves.
Hab 2:20
20 But the LORD is in his holy temple;
let all the earth be silent before him."
God is in His house. Let HIM BE GOD. If you don’t stop your strength will never be renewed.
Isa 40:31
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
The scriptures promises us that one of the positives of STOPPING is that you get REST. Don’t we all need that from time to time? If you don’t stop Your ability to continue is hampered.
Ps 27:14
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 27 tells us that when we WAIT He strengthens our heart. That word for heart literally means your WILL He will strengthen your WILL to continue your will to survive. If you DON’T STOP and wait on Him and allow him to bolster your will and your drive, you won’t be able to continue with as much strength.
And finally STOP so that He can exalt you at the right time
Ps 37:34
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
He knows how to take care of his own; but sometimes He demands our attention. LISTEN. STOP AND CONSIDER the wonders of God. STOP AND CONSIDER. STOP so your busyness won’t hinder your hearing. STOP so you can make consideration. STOP because God’s got something for you to see. STOP because He’s working all these things out in you. STOP AND CONSIDER THE WONDERS OF GOD.
In this New Year at this time of valuable reflection let’s stop and consider the wonders of God.
The Inoculation of Christianity
Our text is found in 2 Timothy 3:1-7… specifically we’ll be looking at verse #5…2 Tim 3:1-7
3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Verse #5, once again says… “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
We’re going to discuss SHOTS today. Infection, and INJECTION… to fight infection or prevent infection. There are thousands of virulent strains floating around in our world today. There are new strains of the flu; new types of pneumonia; new strains of this and that. Every year, the centers for disease control work feverishly to find new inoculations for viruses, and diseases. It’s all about HAULTING the spread of disease. Stopping it from going further than it has gone.
They encourage the elderly to get flu shots, and pneumonia shots. They encourage parents to get their children a shot to ward off Chicken Pox. Even employees are offered injections for things like Hepatitis. It’s all about KEEPING you from getting a disease… KEEPING you from getting infected.
When you get an inoculation, what is happening? You get some of the DISEASE. A small CONTROLLED portion of a disease is injected into your blood stream. The hope of getting the injection is that your body’s natural immunities will kick in and keep you from getting the actual illness. In the case of the FLU SHOT… you get just enough of the real FLU VIRUS injected in you. The hope in getting it is that by taking the shot, it keeps you from getting the flu.
For the majority of people every year, inoculation is successful in keeping people from becoming ill. It is a kick start of your immune system. It wakes up your immunities PRIOR TO your getting the larger exposure to something that can potentially be harmful.
Inoculation in the world is POSITIVE THING. Every year it keeps people from getting sick… in some cases prevents death. How many children were saved because of the Small Pox Vaccine? How many elderly and small children are saved every year because of the flu shot? It’s a miracle.
Inoculation in the WORLD is a POSITIVE thing. But I’m going to talk with you briefly about a NEGATIVE inoculation; an inoculation that does NOT produce a positive result; a shot that doesn’t save lives but guarantees death; a shot that kills everyone who gets it; a shot that is guaranteed to have a negative effect. Do you want that shot?
I’m talking today about the Inoculation of Christianity. Stick with me now…
Remember, an inoculation means getting a small dose of the real thing… in order to keep you from getting the disease. In the case of Christianity, people get JUST ENOUGH of Jesus. Just enough of church… just enough of God… just enough of the Bible… Just enough of a dose to keep them from catching the REAL THING.
Is Christianity VIRULENT? What do I mean? Does it have spreading power? YES! Christianity is a SPREADING FAITH. It is constantly GROWING and TAKING OVER. That’s the effect it’s supposed to have in our lives. We’re supposed to become infected by it. It’s supposed to consume our very being. All one has to do is read the book of ACTS, and see the way Christianity truly spread in the first century church…
Acts 6:7
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Acts 12:24
24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Acts 13:49
49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
Acts 19:20
20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
But that shouldn’t surprise us. Does not the scripture tell us…
Matt 11:12-13
12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. (NIV)
Christianity should be virulent. It ought to infect us… and be spread from us, infect everyone we come in contact with. It ought to infect our family and friends and neighbors and coworkers. It should be VIRULENT in a positive way. It should spread. It should INFECT.
But for SOME, it doesn’t infect. Some miss it. Some never get INFECTED WITH JESUS. They go to church every week, but it never sticks. They go to Sunday School but their daily life never changes. They get RELIGION, but never catch a RELATIONSHIP with God. It’s the INNOCULATION of CHRISTIANITY; just enough exposure to never catch the disease; just enough to avoid the INFECTION. And it’s a problem…
How is that a problem? The Inoculation of Christianity? Hearing the Word just enough that it ceases to affect you and fails to change you. Worship doesn’t move you. Prayer doesn’t interest you. Praise doesn’t matter to you. Fellowship doesn’t concern you. Jesus doesn’t change you. Paul wrote about it to the Galatians:
Gal 5:4
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you,
That’s EXACTLY what inoculation does. It makes the INFECTION POWERLESS in your life. Friend… JESUS is one INFECTION I want to get! I want to be hopelessly infected by His presence. I want it to be a terminal condition. I don’t want there to be a treatment for it. I WANT it to invade every part of my body and my life. I WANT IT to change me… I want it to influence me. I want it to spread from me into others. That’s one INFECTION that I HAVE to have! I want to be INFECTED by Jesus. I want HIM to flow in my blood… and be pumped by my heart. I want to breathe HIM out through my words, and my speech. I want the world to be able to look at me and say, “He’s got a BAD CASE OF JESUS.”
God, don’t let me EVER be inoculated to your presence! Don’t let me ever take worship for granted! Don’t let me ever fail to be filled with your Spirit! Don’t let me ever stop feeling the anointing! Don’t let me ever become desensitized! Don’t let me ever get INOCULATED against YOU, Lord.
And yet, the church is full of people that have been INOCULATED against Christianity. They got a SHOT of it… but never CAUGHT THE INFECTION. They got a taste… but never filled up. They sampled, but never bought in. They have a FORM OF GODLINESS, but DENY THE POWER of it.
Service after service goes by… and they remain unchanged. They haven’t been to an altar in more years than they can count. No one’s ever heard them pray out loud. If there was a trial to prove their Christianity, there wouldn’t be enough witnesses to win the case. They don’t cry before the Lord ever. Either they’ve NEVER been saved, or they abandoned their relationship with God years ago. Either they’ve NEVER been filled with the Holy Ghost… or they gave up speaking in tongues years ago. Christianity no longer moves them. Church is just something they do. It satisfies a social obligation… but don’t expect it to move them.
But FRIEND, if you’re WILLING, God will INFECT you with His power today! In spite of an INOCULATION, He’ll give you the real deal. Despite the apathy… He’ll give you FEELING again. Despite the disinterest… He’ll get a hold of you again. He’s able to give us the genuine article again.
Bethel Church of God needs a REINFECTION of JESUS. We need a REINFECTION of the HOLY GHOST. A REINFECTION of HOLINESS. A REINFECTION of VISION. Child of God, you are called for GREATER THINGS… in Jesus name. If you only knew what God got planned for us! If you only knew what God has in store! He KNOWS the plans He has for us… plans to PROSPER US AND NOT TO HARM US! PLANS TO GIVE US A HOPE AND A FUTURE. He’s got plans.
Bethel Church of God is a church of DESTINY. You are a PEOPLE OF DESTINY. You were never intended to be inoculated, and never catch the real thing. You were destined to be a carrier of Christianity; a carrier of the GOSPEL; a carrier of the HOLY GHOST. You are a man of DESTINY! You are a woman of DESTINY! God doesn’t have you here by accident. Decide today… “NO MATTER WHERE I AM… NO MATTER WHERE I’VE BEEN… I’m getting INFECTED TODAY!”
“I’m getting the genuine article. I’m not taking the shot. I want the REAL THING.” TODAY is your day. TODAY is your day.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Get Rid of the Mouse
It’s inevitable; if you live in a 40 year old house, you’re liable to have a mouse or two. I suppose you just don’t EXPECT to see them when they show up.I was wearing my flannel pajama bottoms with my crusty, old grey youth camp shirt (my most comfortable knock-about outfit). I was standing in front of the stove… I had just finished curing a cast iron pan, and had taken it out of the oven. The urge hit me for Jiffy Pop… that horribly fattening, but wonderfully delicious snack. It sizzled over the flames of the gas stove. My feet were hurting; my calves were stiff. I’d spent the day working on promos for the New Year. Now, the snack!
Back and forth, the aluminum pan slid over the blue flames, and sizzled. I was getting tired of waiting, and wasn’t entirely focused on my surroundings; back and forth, back and forth mindlessly. Quite suddenly, it darted out from under the garbage can, and cut a diagonal line across the kitchen right in front of my feet. My mind raced. “Is it a roach? Is it a shadow? Is it a little furry demon?” Nope. It was a mouse. A nasty, diseased, disgustingly cute little rabies carrier, darting across my kitchen floor.
Now, you’ll have to credit me. I don’t do the “Eeeek! It’s a mouse!” dance. No, I stood there, pretty much in disbelief, not quite grasping what I had seen… half not believing it; the other half not WANTING to believe it. I think part of what I DON’T want to think about is the possibility that this might be a “family mouse…” homesteading in my kitchen, under the dishwasher. Or perhaps a single mother mouse, deciding we have a nice abode, and wanting to bring little mouse-lings into the world under my roof.
Well, we live by the Bible up in my house… I know what the Bible says…
Leviticus 11:29
These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind
She’s unclean, baby. As they say in Jackson, Mississippi… She gots to go.
It’s like the little sin. The little habit. The little indiscretion. While it might seem harmless… almost invisible… even cute… it just can’t stay. It staying in my life would be a hazard to me, and my family. It will eat up my provision and my sustenance. It will breed, and fester, and become more than I bargained for. It will spread like a disease in my life. So it has to go.
I lay the traps to capture it. The steel trap of the Word of God. His Word is hidden in my heart so that the mouse of sin can’t take up residence there. The Holy Ghost exterminator is patrolling the dark recesses of my life, to let me know when there is a problem. It is crucial. It’s not something I can let slide. The mouse has to go. It cannot stay. Not for one minute. I can’t jeopardize health… and peace… and sanity… for vermin.
Do you have a mouse in your house? I’m not talking about the furry rodent that darts about the dark corners of your home. I’m talking about the little sin… all but hidden to the world, but ravaging your life in the secret places, and the hidden spaces. Do you have a mouse in your house? If you do, it’s time to lay the trap. It’s time to stop it NOW. Clean the house. Get RID of the MOUSE!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
RAIN IS COMING
When I woke up this morning, there was a strange feeling to the air. It was almost like a foreboding. I was awake at 6 a.m., and somehow drifted back off to sleep. I didn't wake up again until 10:30! (That’s pretty late for me to sleep in.) Jannise had long been up, to get the girls on the bus by 7 a.m. The light was deceptive this morning. The sun didn't rise as one might expect. When I finally roused myself, and rolled over to look at the clock... it was hours later than I usually get out of the bed. It was 10:30 a.m., and the ambient light from the bedroom window had a strange, almost pre-dawn glow.Once I got out of bed, I made my way to the window and the atmosphere was unusual. That late in the morning, there was still a haze in the air; there was a layer of fog hanging heavy in the morning sky. The feeling was foreboding. I had to know what the weather held for us for this new day.
The Weather Channel issued the prediction; today would be clear, but tomorrow... the front makes its way through. There would be heavy rain, possible flooding, and the chance for thunderstorms; RAIN IS COMING.
With the portending of the next day's weather pattern, there were the regular weather channel warnings. "Be prepared for flooding. If you're in a flood zone, be prepared to seek out higher ground."
I can imagine some being afraid of rain. I’ve seen images of people stranded in the middle of a suddenly flooded street, seated atop their now worthless car – the engine submerged beneath a brand new, though ill-placed river. I’ve seen the helicopters plucking hapless, helpless victims from bridge abutments and bare tree branches. That always happens out West somewhere. We hardly see such here.
Those of us who have done without that precious rain from heaven… for us, it isn't something we fear - we look forward to it. Yes, for those who have had TOO MUCH, the rain is overwhelming; but for those who have had none at all – those left dry and wanting – we want the rain to pour down once again.
I actually found myself rather excited at the promise of some rain. Our first rain in a long while was New Year’s Eve. It ruined a great fireworks display, that’s for sure. But it was hard to fuss at the sky for dropping that precious rain – a commodity that this community has needed so desperately. We just dashed into the rain, and shot our fireworks intermittently between heavy showers. I was drenched to the bone. As I told some, “I don’t get this wet in the shower.” And it was true. But I rather enjoyed the soaking; the soaking told me the ground would get some much needed rain.
It's been a dry few months. I have no feeling of foreboding. I’m forgetting about the dark skies. I’m going to ignore the gray of the days. The fog isn’t a fright for me. I have the promise of rain. I'm going to celebrate.
It caused me to think about what Joel 2 records:
Joel 2:23-2523 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
I believe there is a HOLY GHOST RAIN in the forecast for Bethel as well. God is up to something… BIG. You can feel the anticipation in the services. Every prayer seems to spark the electricity in the place. Every song seems to carry us right to the edge… of… that something… Every time we get together there’s that feeling in the air. We’re at the “jumping off place” of something supernatural. We’re ready for a step to the NEXT LEVEL. We’re ready for some RAIN.
And I’ll just have you know it today; I'm not bringing my umbrella. If I had one I wouldn’t use it. I want to feel every drop of His heavenly rain. I want to be drenched to the bone with Holy Ghost showers. I don't want to miss a single bit. I want to know Him in His fullness... and experience this rain to the uttermost.
Do you need a little rain today? Are you tired of dry? Are you ready for Holy Ghost showers to fall in your life again?
Get ready for the rain, friends. It's on the forecast. Some look at it with dread, or even doubt. I look at the prediction as a blessing, and a promise for ME and for MY CHILDREN as well. RAIN IS COMING. RAIN IS COMING. ARE YOU READY FOR IT? RAIN IS COMING.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
BUT I PRESS ON
Wednesday Evening, January 3, 2007
We have 362 days left in 2007. 362 days left to do the will of the Father. 362 days left to do what He would have us to do. Just 362 short days. 8688 Hours left to do something for the Kingdom. Just 8688 hours remaining to do anything for the Lord. 521,280 Minutes remaining in 2007 to propel the kingdom forward. 521,280 Minutes to advance the cause of Christ. 31,276,800 Seconds left to please God in 2007. 31,276,800 Seconds remaining to praise him in 2007… to pray the will of God… to expedite the workings of the Lord. Folks, it’s already counting down…
The better part of three days… already gone. Three days… 72 hours… 4320 minutes… we’ve already exhausted 259,200 seconds in just THREE SHORT DAYS. Assuming He’s still wanting to save someone… He might just delay his coming the entire year. We’ve got this year.
There are a thousand different resolutions that were made in this room for 2007. Most of them involved something about losing weight… or being more healthy… or changing a behavior or pattern… perhaps an attitude or an action. Thousands of resolutions… representing thousands of good intentions. In general, I’m against the New Year’s Resolution, because most of the time they are simply promises we break to ourselves… that’s horrible. So I don’t make them. If I can’t keep them, I won’t make them.
I have a resolution that I would like for you to adopt for 2007. For this 362 days, 8688 hours, 521,280 Minutes, 31,276,800 Seconds left in 2007. We’re going to read our scripture, and then we will pray. I’m reading from the Updated New American Standard Version. In Philippians 3:12-14…
Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
“Not that I have already obtained it…” (Vs. 12)
A lot of New Year’s resolutions make the assumption that because the year rolled over to a new year… you’re going to have it all together. “Now, I am in the NEW YEAR, I can start over… and I’ll be different because I’m in a new year.” And how many people do it all over the world… it sounds like this in their resolution closet…
“I’m not going to eat so much in this New Year…” “I’m going to control my appetites…” “I’m going to control my spiritual life…” “I’m going to stop smoking…” “I’m going to give up the drinking…”
And what winds up happening? They might keep their resolution for a week… or two… maybe even three. But before long… pattern and habit, push good intentions out of the way. And a person can be back in 2006’s habits in 2007. I don’t have to HAVE IT TOGETHER… but I PRESS ON…
You might not have it all together in your life. You might fail in every resolution. You might ALREADY be kicking yourself for not keeping them just three days in. But the thing to do is to DECIDE NOW… I’m NOT quitting. I PRESS ON… I keep GOING. I will not allow my struggles to be bigger than my ambition. I will not allow my fears to overshadow my God. I might not HAVE IT RIGHT NOW… BUT I PRESS ON.
I’ll just tell you RIGHT NOW… Bethel Church of God doesn’t have it all together. Her pastor doesn’t have it all together. His family doesn’t have it all together. Her members don’t have it all together. With God’s help, we’re working to GET it together. But if we’ll just make a decision… no matter where we’ve failed; no matter where we’ve messed up; no matter where we’ve dropped the ball in 2006; WE PRESS ON in 2007!
We press on to victory… we press on to the plan of God… and with will of God.
Paul just came out and said it…
“Not that I have already obtained it…”
In other words, “I don’t have it all together yet.” If the Apostle Paul doesn’t have it all together… you and I aren’t either. But that’s not an excuse to give up… I might mess up… BUT I PRESS ON…
Then Paul says…
“…or have already become perfect…”
A lot of folks are faulting themselves because of a lack of perfection in their lives. I can’t be the perfect dad… the perfect mom… the perfect spouse… the perfect weight. I don’t have the perfect home… The perfect kids… the perfect life…
Perfect life? Are you kidding? It would be nice if I could just keep the filter on the A/C changed regularly. I would just be happy if I could keep my refrigerator cleaned out. But that wouldn’t make us happy either. We shoot for an elusive perfection that we will never attain. I’m not PERFECT… but I PRESS ON.
Let me tell you friend, YOU WON’T EVER BE PERFECT THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN. The best thing we can hope for is being changed by the power of the Holy Ghost. Sanctification… that being set apart for His Holy purposes. But friend… even so, YOU WON’T be perfect until you see Him…
1 John 3:2-3
2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. NASU
You’ll be perfected when you’re face to face with Him. Until then, you purify yourself… and keep your HOPE FIXED ON HIS APPEARING. Don’t try to aim for perfection in 2007. Paul said himself that he didn’t have perfection. He said… “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect…”
Paul said, “I haven’t already become perfect…” If he wasn’t, Lord knows we won’t be either. Bethel Church of God won’t be the perfect church in 2007. You won’t be the perfect Christian in 2007. The pressure’s off. Now, we understand… let’s resolve… “We’re not perfect… BUT WE PRESS ON…” Let’s decide now… in 2007, we won’t see perfection… but we will PRESS ON TOWARDS IT.
Then, Paul says in verse 13…
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet…”
“I don’t have it in my grasp yet… I haven’t LAID HOLD… but I PRESS ON…” Let me tell you, we won’t have a handle on everything in 2007. We won’t be have the tiger by the tail. You won’t have it all in your grasp this year. Paul himself said that HE didn’t.
“I do not regard myself as having laid hold yet…”
In other words, “I don’t have a handle on everything…” If Paul didn’t… YOU WON’T. But HE pressed on… and YOU can press on in 2007. I may not have a handle on everything in my life. I might not have a handle on everything in my world. I might not have a hold of everything in my life that I should, but that’s not going to keep me from pressing on toward that end. I don’t have a hold on it… BUT I PRESS ON. I PRESS ON… regardless.
Paul says this… in verse 13
“… forgetting what lies behind…”
Forgetting what lies behind; in other words, SOMETHING’S BACK THERE. There might be skeletons in the closet. Things I might not want the world to know about. Paul as much as said that a past might be back there. He tells the Philippians… FORGET IT!
We’ve all got a past. Some of them are more eventful than others. Some may have more sin in them than others. It never bothered Jesus… He just said…
Luke 7:41-47
41 "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43 Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
The one who’s got the worst past, is usually the most grateful for the forgiveness. Don’t let your past keep you behind in 2007. I might have a PAST… but I PRESS ON. I might have baggage… but I PRESS ON. I might have a history… but I PRESS ON. I’m not going to let my yesterdays keep me from my tomorrows. I PRESS ON.
If the Apostle Paul wasn’t concerned about the PAST… and didn’t think it was a hindrance to PRESSING ON… should we concern ourselves with it? He was an assassinator of the saints… he was a murderer of the beloved. That was the past HE had to look back to. But he FORGOT ABOUT IT… and WENT ON. Should we concern ourselves with OUR past? I don’t think so.
Why do we need to press on in 2007? First, we need to press on to FORGET some things.
Verse 13 says…
“…forgetting what lies behind…”
Paul is pretty adamant that there are some things that we just need to forget about. Past is past. You worrying about 2006 won’t fix it. It won’t fix anything. Worrying about yesterday only robs you of your todays. Remember… just 362 left in 2007. Not a single moment to lose. If the Apostle Paul says to forget about it… FORGET ABOUT IT! Put it all behind you… and START OVER. YOU CAN START OVER in 2007. You might have messed up everything until now… but you can start over.
We also PRESS ON… in order to REACH…
Verse 13 says…
“…and reaching forward to what lies ahead…”
There is something to reach for. We’ve got to stretch in 2007. We’ve got to push ahead… in 2007. We have to REACH FORWARD. There are those times when we feel like… “What’s the point? Why should I keep striving for what never seems to come? Why keep reaching?” Because there is something that lies ahead.
Paul said it; “Reaching FORWARD to what lies ahead.” There is something that lies ahead of you. There is something that lies ahead of me. There is something that lies ahead of Bethel Church of God. We have a hope and a future. REACHING… always reaching. We also press on WITH A GOAL:
“…I press on toward the goal…”
We have a goal to reach. We have somewhere to get to. We have the great commission driving us. We have the building of the kingdom as our aim. We have a goal. Paul said it… I press on toward the goal. I press on to get where God want me to get. I press on achieve everything he has for me to achieve. That’s why I press on
And finally, I PRESS ON to WIN…
Paul says three little words that I love…
“…for the prize…”
If there’s a prize, friend… then there’s something to win. If there’s a prize, then there’s something to attain. If there’s a prize… then there’s a reason to go on… and stay holy… and walk worthy. If there’s a prize… I haven’t already obtained it… BUT I PRESS ON. I’m not perfect yet… BUT I PRESS ON… I haven’t got a hold on everything yet… BUT I PRESS ON. I’m forgetting the past… and I PRESS ON… I reach ahead… and I PRESS ON. I have a goal… and I PRESS ON… I’m gonna win in 2007. Bethel Church of God is going to win in 2007. And WE PRESS ON.
We have 362 days left in 2007. 362 days left to do the will of the Father. 362 days left to do what He would have us to do. Just 362 short days. 8688 Hours left to do something for the Kingdom. Just 8688 hours remaining to do anything for the Lord. 521,280 Minutes remaining in 2007 to propel the kingdom forward. 521,280 Minutes to advance the cause of Christ. 31,276,800 Seconds left to please God in 2007. 31,276,800 Seconds remaining to praise him in 2007… to pray the will of God… to expedite the workings of the Lord. Folks, it’s already counting down…
The better part of three days… already gone. Three days… 72 hours… 4320 minutes… we’ve already exhausted 259,200 seconds in just THREE SHORT DAYS. Assuming He’s still wanting to save someone… He might just delay his coming the entire year. We’ve got this year.
There are a thousand different resolutions that were made in this room for 2007. Most of them involved something about losing weight… or being more healthy… or changing a behavior or pattern… perhaps an attitude or an action. Thousands of resolutions… representing thousands of good intentions. In general, I’m against the New Year’s Resolution, because most of the time they are simply promises we break to ourselves… that’s horrible. So I don’t make them. If I can’t keep them, I won’t make them.
I have a resolution that I would like for you to adopt for 2007. For this 362 days, 8688 hours, 521,280 Minutes, 31,276,800 Seconds left in 2007. We’re going to read our scripture, and then we will pray. I’m reading from the Updated New American Standard Version. In Philippians 3:12-14…
Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
“Not that I have already obtained it…” (Vs. 12)
A lot of New Year’s resolutions make the assumption that because the year rolled over to a new year… you’re going to have it all together. “Now, I am in the NEW YEAR, I can start over… and I’ll be different because I’m in a new year.” And how many people do it all over the world… it sounds like this in their resolution closet…
“I’m not going to eat so much in this New Year…” “I’m going to control my appetites…” “I’m going to control my spiritual life…” “I’m going to stop smoking…” “I’m going to give up the drinking…”
And what winds up happening? They might keep their resolution for a week… or two… maybe even three. But before long… pattern and habit, push good intentions out of the way. And a person can be back in 2006’s habits in 2007. I don’t have to HAVE IT TOGETHER… but I PRESS ON…
You might not have it all together in your life. You might fail in every resolution. You might ALREADY be kicking yourself for not keeping them just three days in. But the thing to do is to DECIDE NOW… I’m NOT quitting. I PRESS ON… I keep GOING. I will not allow my struggles to be bigger than my ambition. I will not allow my fears to overshadow my God. I might not HAVE IT RIGHT NOW… BUT I PRESS ON.
I’ll just tell you RIGHT NOW… Bethel Church of God doesn’t have it all together. Her pastor doesn’t have it all together. His family doesn’t have it all together. Her members don’t have it all together. With God’s help, we’re working to GET it together. But if we’ll just make a decision… no matter where we’ve failed; no matter where we’ve messed up; no matter where we’ve dropped the ball in 2006; WE PRESS ON in 2007!
We press on to victory… we press on to the plan of God… and with will of God.
Paul just came out and said it…
“Not that I have already obtained it…”
In other words, “I don’t have it all together yet.” If the Apostle Paul doesn’t have it all together… you and I aren’t either. But that’s not an excuse to give up… I might mess up… BUT I PRESS ON…
Then Paul says…
“…or have already become perfect…”
A lot of folks are faulting themselves because of a lack of perfection in their lives. I can’t be the perfect dad… the perfect mom… the perfect spouse… the perfect weight. I don’t have the perfect home… The perfect kids… the perfect life…
Perfect life? Are you kidding? It would be nice if I could just keep the filter on the A/C changed regularly. I would just be happy if I could keep my refrigerator cleaned out. But that wouldn’t make us happy either. We shoot for an elusive perfection that we will never attain. I’m not PERFECT… but I PRESS ON.
Let me tell you friend, YOU WON’T EVER BE PERFECT THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN. The best thing we can hope for is being changed by the power of the Holy Ghost. Sanctification… that being set apart for His Holy purposes. But friend… even so, YOU WON’T be perfect until you see Him…
1 John 3:2-3
2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. NASU
You’ll be perfected when you’re face to face with Him. Until then, you purify yourself… and keep your HOPE FIXED ON HIS APPEARING. Don’t try to aim for perfection in 2007. Paul said himself that he didn’t have perfection. He said… “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect…”
Paul said, “I haven’t already become perfect…” If he wasn’t, Lord knows we won’t be either. Bethel Church of God won’t be the perfect church in 2007. You won’t be the perfect Christian in 2007. The pressure’s off. Now, we understand… let’s resolve… “We’re not perfect… BUT WE PRESS ON…” Let’s decide now… in 2007, we won’t see perfection… but we will PRESS ON TOWARDS IT.
Then, Paul says in verse 13…
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet…”
“I don’t have it in my grasp yet… I haven’t LAID HOLD… but I PRESS ON…” Let me tell you, we won’t have a handle on everything in 2007. We won’t be have the tiger by the tail. You won’t have it all in your grasp this year. Paul himself said that HE didn’t.
“I do not regard myself as having laid hold yet…”
In other words, “I don’t have a handle on everything…” If Paul didn’t… YOU WON’T. But HE pressed on… and YOU can press on in 2007. I may not have a handle on everything in my life. I might not have a handle on everything in my world. I might not have a hold of everything in my life that I should, but that’s not going to keep me from pressing on toward that end. I don’t have a hold on it… BUT I PRESS ON. I PRESS ON… regardless.
Paul says this… in verse 13
“… forgetting what lies behind…”
Forgetting what lies behind; in other words, SOMETHING’S BACK THERE. There might be skeletons in the closet. Things I might not want the world to know about. Paul as much as said that a past might be back there. He tells the Philippians… FORGET IT!
We’ve all got a past. Some of them are more eventful than others. Some may have more sin in them than others. It never bothered Jesus… He just said…
Luke 7:41-47
41 "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43 Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
The one who’s got the worst past, is usually the most grateful for the forgiveness. Don’t let your past keep you behind in 2007. I might have a PAST… but I PRESS ON. I might have baggage… but I PRESS ON. I might have a history… but I PRESS ON. I’m not going to let my yesterdays keep me from my tomorrows. I PRESS ON.
If the Apostle Paul wasn’t concerned about the PAST… and didn’t think it was a hindrance to PRESSING ON… should we concern ourselves with it? He was an assassinator of the saints… he was a murderer of the beloved. That was the past HE had to look back to. But he FORGOT ABOUT IT… and WENT ON. Should we concern ourselves with OUR past? I don’t think so.
Why do we need to press on in 2007? First, we need to press on to FORGET some things.
Verse 13 says…
“…forgetting what lies behind…”
Paul is pretty adamant that there are some things that we just need to forget about. Past is past. You worrying about 2006 won’t fix it. It won’t fix anything. Worrying about yesterday only robs you of your todays. Remember… just 362 left in 2007. Not a single moment to lose. If the Apostle Paul says to forget about it… FORGET ABOUT IT! Put it all behind you… and START OVER. YOU CAN START OVER in 2007. You might have messed up everything until now… but you can start over.
We also PRESS ON… in order to REACH…
Verse 13 says…
“…and reaching forward to what lies ahead…”
There is something to reach for. We’ve got to stretch in 2007. We’ve got to push ahead… in 2007. We have to REACH FORWARD. There are those times when we feel like… “What’s the point? Why should I keep striving for what never seems to come? Why keep reaching?” Because there is something that lies ahead.
Paul said it; “Reaching FORWARD to what lies ahead.” There is something that lies ahead of you. There is something that lies ahead of me. There is something that lies ahead of Bethel Church of God. We have a hope and a future. REACHING… always reaching. We also press on WITH A GOAL:
“…I press on toward the goal…”
We have a goal to reach. We have somewhere to get to. We have the great commission driving us. We have the building of the kingdom as our aim. We have a goal. Paul said it… I press on toward the goal. I press on to get where God want me to get. I press on achieve everything he has for me to achieve. That’s why I press on
And finally, I PRESS ON to WIN…
Paul says three little words that I love…
“…for the prize…”
If there’s a prize, friend… then there’s something to win. If there’s a prize, then there’s something to attain. If there’s a prize… then there’s a reason to go on… and stay holy… and walk worthy. If there’s a prize… I haven’t already obtained it… BUT I PRESS ON. I’m not perfect yet… BUT I PRESS ON… I haven’t got a hold on everything yet… BUT I PRESS ON. I’m forgetting the past… and I PRESS ON… I reach ahead… and I PRESS ON. I have a goal… and I PRESS ON… I’m gonna win in 2007. Bethel Church of God is going to win in 2007. And WE PRESS ON.
Monday, January 01, 2007
2007 has begun.
It's just 364 days till 2008! Only 357 days till Christmas 2007! Get to shopping! You've got just enough time. Just kidding.
What a great few months it's been here at Bethel. We've had some great times, and a few breathtaking moments. A few of those crazy things that you'd never anticipate. But all in all, we've had three great months, and we're anxious about what the Lord will do next, as we step boldly into this New Year.
The past few months has been fun. First, we had our Fall Festival in October. It was great. A lot of fun, and we even managed to get my wife into the dunking booth.
Soon thereafter, we were into the Thanksgiving Season. We celebrated a great time, honoring our Interim Pastor - Brother Green. Brother Don Green served as the Pastor of Bethel for several years, but in his retirement, returned to the helm as the interim and kept the ship sailing during the transitional period. He was a wonderful blessing to the people of God at Bethel.
We didn't turn around good from Thanksgiving until it was full-scale Christmas. The halls were decked. The parties, and programs were planned. First our Kid's Church Christmas Program, which was a wonderful combined effort from our children, and our young college age folks, and youth department. It was a great production.
Jannise had a period of illness, but God is faithful. She is much better now. Thanks to all those who have prayed, and believed.
Christmas Eve was such a moving, meaningful time together. Our Choir blessed the congregation with both a Christmas number, and other songs. We had Christmas Scripture readings from Matthew 1, Luke 2, and other writings from the prophets of the Old Testament. The service was full of Special Music, and we even had sign language during one piece.
We closed the service with a special Communion Service, and Candlelight singing of Christmas Songs accapella around the altar. It was a moving day together.
Then, last night... our Very Bethel New Year. It was so much fun to get together... eat... sing... share the evening with one another. At 9 p.m., several of our young adults lead in a time of praise and worship, with others from other churches locally. At 10 p.m., despite the driving rain, we sent fireworks skyward in a great display (even though it was a wee bit wet). At 11:30 we gathered in the sanctuary, and sang songs together. At the midnight hour, we prayed, and welcomed 2007 with a new resolve to serve our Master with all our hearts. Hugs ensued...
With the end of 2006 we have a great anticipation for what is in store for us. We know God will do exceeding abundantly above all that we could even ask or think, according to HIS power that works within us.
ANTICIPATE, friends! God is up to something!
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