Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Feeling Pumped by God's Word!
This morning I am studying for my future sermon series out of the book of Matthew. I am so blown away by the detail and organization of God's word! I can't wait to preach the next three sermon series that are coming from Matthew. This will be great, because God's word is great!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Day Off Blessings
The last two weeks were very busy and I missed my days off. Though I werestled with a sinus infection and flu, there was no time to take off. So, with the kids out of school, I finished the calls and visits that I needed to make on Monday by 11:00 a.m. and took the family hiking. Just getting out of town and outdoors was spiritual renewal! We found a great bluff to climb that overlooks the Missouri River bottom. We hiked just over two miles. When we got home i started the grill. No phone, no texting, no social media, just God and family.
Thursday was a snow day, Monday was a short sleve hiking day, last night was a thunder storm with hail, today it is freezing. Only in Missouri.
Thursday was a snow day, Monday was a short sleve hiking day, last night was a thunder storm with hail, today it is freezing. Only in Missouri.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
26 Degree Graveside
Today I did a graveside service at Jefferson Barracks for a vetran. It needed to be very short because it was so cold and snowy. I started with a Scripture of comfort about salvation, shared this message, then closed in prayer. I think that the Lord gave me a message for the day. Here it is.
Today we stand in a hall of warriors. There are many stories of bravery behind most of these stones that will never be told to human ears.
Standing in this hall of warriors I bring you a thought from the Scriptures.
2 Samuel 23:20-23
20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.
Today we stand like Benaiah in a hall of heroes.
We face the pit of the grave
We face the lion of loss.
We face them in snowy circumstances.
Who was the help of Benaiah, the great warrior? It was his God, who is also my God, Jehovah who sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. In this time of sudden loss, I encourage you to turn to him. He is the God who strengthens the hands and hearts of warriors.
Today we stand in a hall of warriors. There are many stories of bravery behind most of these stones that will never be told to human ears.
Standing in this hall of warriors I bring you a thought from the Scriptures.
2 Samuel 23:20-23
20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.
Today we stand like Benaiah in a hall of heroes.
We face the pit of the grave
We face the lion of loss.
We face them in snowy circumstances.
Who was the help of Benaiah, the great warrior? It was his God, who is also my God, Jehovah who sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. In this time of sudden loss, I encourage you to turn to him. He is the God who strengthens the hands and hearts of warriors.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
"I Will Rebuke the Devourer"
"I Will Rebuke the Devourer..." is the promise of Malachi 3:11 for those who tithe. The NIV says he, "...will prevent pests..." but either way it refers to God's protection of your field and your work.
My work is being a pastor. My field is the congregation. As a faithful tither I am challenged today to trust God to prevent pests in my field and keep my harvest of souls healthy in their relationship with Jesus Christ. I am trusting God to defend the church I lead from the pests and devourers of gossip, bad doctrine, sickness, discord and other pests that keep the family of God from health and an abundant harvest of souls who love Jesus. Our children, our teens, our college students and our new believers are the developing harvest in my field. The mature saints, Elders, Staff, and Small Group leaders are the workers in the field helping to raise up that harvest.
Stand on the promise for a tither. He said he will do it!
My work is being a pastor. My field is the congregation. As a faithful tither I am challenged today to trust God to prevent pests in my field and keep my harvest of souls healthy in their relationship with Jesus Christ. I am trusting God to defend the church I lead from the pests and devourers of gossip, bad doctrine, sickness, discord and other pests that keep the family of God from health and an abundant harvest of souls who love Jesus. Our children, our teens, our college students and our new believers are the developing harvest in my field. The mature saints, Elders, Staff, and Small Group leaders are the workers in the field helping to raise up that harvest.
Stand on the promise for a tither. He said he will do it!
A Neat Story
Did you know that Colonel Sanders of KFC was Christian? Here is a cool story with some encouraging conclusions from his story. This was sent to me from one of our church members.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Daniel Students
I want some Daniel students in our church. This week I am reading the book of Daniel in my devotions. This is how we are introduced to Daniel.
"...bring in some Israelites...young men without physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve..." Daniel 1:3-4
We are out to reach every student we can with the gospel of Jesus. Then, we must equip them to become the most excellent people that they can possibly be. This week I am focused on making our student ministries to youth and children more equipped to produce Daniel students.
My challenge to you is that you help Pastor John, Dylan, and me fight this fight. Fight for the youth ministry at our church. Push it to be excellent. Join in the work of making it excellent. I want students ministries to be fun, but fun is not the mark of success in ministry. It is only a very basic starting point. Building people who are excellent in Christian character, knowledge of God, and seriously striving to build their talents for service are the marks of excellence. We may not be perfect, but we can be excellent! We have young men and women with the raw materials to be Daniel students. Now we need to fight for their potential to be excellent.
"...bring in some Israelites...young men without physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve..." Daniel 1:3-4
We are out to reach every student we can with the gospel of Jesus. Then, we must equip them to become the most excellent people that they can possibly be. This week I am focused on making our student ministries to youth and children more equipped to produce Daniel students.
My challenge to you is that you help Pastor John, Dylan, and me fight this fight. Fight for the youth ministry at our church. Push it to be excellent. Join in the work of making it excellent. I want students ministries to be fun, but fun is not the mark of success in ministry. It is only a very basic starting point. Building people who are excellent in Christian character, knowledge of God, and seriously striving to build their talents for service are the marks of excellence. We may not be perfect, but we can be excellent! We have young men and women with the raw materials to be Daniel students. Now we need to fight for their potential to be excellent.
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