In the second sermon in the Every Day series we are challenged to Engage in Daily Bible Study.
The term study makes us think of school and cramming for exams and stress! The Daily Study that I am talking about is not stressful and filled with fear of failure at exam time! Every time you study the Scriptures you are a winner! You are receiving relief from all the things about life, and perhaps school, that you hate.
If you can read, I guess you can if you understand this blog, you are a privileged citizen of the earth. According to The White House Conference on Global Literacy (www.globalliteracy.gov/index.html) 18% of the world is illiterate, that is over 770 million people. Take the opportunity to read!
Richard Steel, a British essayist said, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." The Bible says, "...physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things." (1 Timothy 4:8). We need to exercise and take care of our bodies. How much more should we take care of our spirit which is eternal and will outlast our body! You exercise the soul and mind when you read the Scriptures!
Have a great day in the Word.
Paul
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Engage: Daily Study
All leadership is influence. You can not influence if you have not learned and gained information. Leaders are Learners. People who influence their world are learners and learners are readers. This message chalenges you to be learning and studying the Bible Every Day. Here is the outline for the message.
Why should I study the Word Every Day?
It is Authentic Truth
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”
It Is Active Truth
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Why should I stand on the Word Every Day?
Because of God’s Promises to me.
2 Corinthians 1:20 20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Because of God’s Power through me.
1 Peter 1:23-25 “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24For,
“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25but the word of the Lord stands forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.”
1 John 2:14 “ I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
Because of God’s Provision in me.
Luke 4:4 “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Because of God’s Plan for me.
Luke 11:28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Jeremiah 29:11 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God Bless you,
Paul
Why should I study the Word Every Day?
It is Authentic Truth
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”
It Is Active Truth
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Why should I stand on the Word Every Day?
Because of God’s Promises to me.
2 Corinthians 1:20 20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Because of God’s Power through me.
1 Peter 1:23-25 “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24For,
“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25but the word of the Lord stands forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.”
1 John 2:14 “ I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
Because of God’s Provision in me.
Luke 4:4 “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Because of God’s Plan for me.
Luke 11:28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Jeremiah 29:11 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God Bless you,
Paul
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Early Prayer
As I mentioned yesterday, this Sunday's sermon has really stirred me! I determined to give God the first moments (first fruits) of my day and my wife has been doing the same. I used to get up and immediately get inthe shower and get ready, then pray. Now, I am praying, then getting ready. This pays off! I may not be praying in a way that is most comfortable to me, but it is most pleasing to God. A small change with big results in my heart.
William Cowper, a British poet (1731-1800) said,
"Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees."
God Bless,
Pastor Paul
William Cowper, a British poet (1731-1800) said,
"Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees."
God Bless,
Pastor Paul
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Too Much On My Plate
We are in our Every Day Series of messages, and this week we are all striving to be persistent in our private place of prayer.
I hope that you have already experienced more of God in the last two days by taking the time to pray in the morning. This is one sermon where I have convinced myself of the need for more prayer, earlier in my day! It has already been great for me.
Let me challenge you with a thought. What's on your plate today? We use this term to refer to the responsibilities that we have to deal with. There are certain things on my plate that I have no choice to remove. God is my first priority. I am a husband and Stephanie is my second priority. I am a father and Gabe, Ben and Elizabeth are my third priorities. I am a pastor, my fourth priority. I have employees to pray for and lead. I own my home and property, which is another priority. There are many others down the list.
There are some things on my plate that I don't really need. I could be reading and learning something that could change my life, rather than watching the news that I already heard earlier in the day on the radio. Why watch the weather report again when it has not changed, if it even matters. I don't need to stop for another cup of coffee every time (I know, contradicting my blog title). I don't have to waste time on useless things.
If I got rid of the non-priority items on my plate, how much more clear would my plate be for my daily private place of prayer? If you removed some useless things at night could you go to bed and wake up early ready to give God the first 30 to 60 minutes of your day?
Every day we are bombarded with false information form our surroundings. We need to start Every Day by getting the truth into our heads and God's peace in our hearts.
God Bless,
Pastor Paul
I hope that you have already experienced more of God in the last two days by taking the time to pray in the morning. This is one sermon where I have convinced myself of the need for more prayer, earlier in my day! It has already been great for me.
Let me challenge you with a thought. What's on your plate today? We use this term to refer to the responsibilities that we have to deal with. There are certain things on my plate that I have no choice to remove. God is my first priority. I am a husband and Stephanie is my second priority. I am a father and Gabe, Ben and Elizabeth are my third priorities. I am a pastor, my fourth priority. I have employees to pray for and lead. I own my home and property, which is another priority. There are many others down the list.
There are some things on my plate that I don't really need. I could be reading and learning something that could change my life, rather than watching the news that I already heard earlier in the day on the radio. Why watch the weather report again when it has not changed, if it even matters. I don't need to stop for another cup of coffee every time (I know, contradicting my blog title). I don't have to waste time on useless things.
If I got rid of the non-priority items on my plate, how much more clear would my plate be for my daily private place of prayer? If you removed some useless things at night could you go to bed and wake up early ready to give God the first 30 to 60 minutes of your day?
Every day we are bombarded with false information form our surroundings. We need to start Every Day by getting the truth into our heads and God's peace in our hearts.
God Bless,
Pastor Paul
Monday, March 5, 2007
The Good News!
We as Christians always have good news. We have the gospel. The great thing is that when you have The Good News you will experience lots of other good news along with it!
1. Last week during revival the Lord blessed us to be able to give over $1,700 to our guest ministers. We were stunned at the unbelievable giving of the church! God job everyone. God knows your heart and will reward you for your giving and the time we give him.
2. During revival services we as a church experienced several great things. One person saved. Three filled with the Holy Spirit (as in Acts 2:4). One individual called into ministry. One testimony of healing and many great encouraging experiences for us all.
As you continue to pray and seek God you will experience more good news!
Let me encourage you to have faith in God for miracles. I am convinced of two things . First, we doubt God's willingness to help way too often. Second, we don't spend enough time with God to have a decent conversation with him to receive the things we need. We need Quality time with God (full of faith). We also need Quantity time with God (full attention).
God Bless you all,
Paul
1. Last week during revival the Lord blessed us to be able to give over $1,700 to our guest ministers. We were stunned at the unbelievable giving of the church! God job everyone. God knows your heart and will reward you for your giving and the time we give him.
2. During revival services we as a church experienced several great things. One person saved. Three filled with the Holy Spirit (as in Acts 2:4). One individual called into ministry. One testimony of healing and many great encouraging experiences for us all.
As you continue to pray and seek God you will experience more good news!
Let me encourage you to have faith in God for miracles. I am convinced of two things . First, we doubt God's willingness to help way too often. Second, we don't spend enough time with God to have a decent conversation with him to receive the things we need. We need Quality time with God (full of faith). We also need Quantity time with God (full attention).
God Bless you all,
Paul
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Every Day
In this series we are looking at things that every Christian needs Every Day.
Every Day we are bombarded with influences that squeeze God out of our thoughts and add all kinds of wrong thoughts to our thinking. We have to fight back against this flood of influences. You will be influenced, but you can choose what will influence you the most.
Every Day, every Christian must ENGAGE in Daily Prayer.
The Priority of Prayer
Exodus 33:7-117 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.Acts 2:42
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The Privacy of Prayer
Matthew 6:6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
ŽThe Persistence of Prayer
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
The Praise of Prayer
Psalm 145:2
Every Day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever.
The Privilege of Prayer
Ephesians 3:12
12In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence
1 John 5:14
4This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears
us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Hebrews 10:19-25
19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The Presence of Prayer
Hosea 6:1-2
“Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.
The Power of Prayer
John 14:12-14
12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Exodus 33:9
9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses.
The Peace of Prayer
Exodus 33:11
11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.
First A/G Washington www.firstagwshington.org
Every Day we are bombarded with influences that squeeze God out of our thoughts and add all kinds of wrong thoughts to our thinking. We have to fight back against this flood of influences. You will be influenced, but you can choose what will influence you the most.
Every Day, every Christian must ENGAGE in Daily Prayer.
The Priority of Prayer
Exodus 33:7-117 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.Acts 2:42
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The Privacy of Prayer
Matthew 6:6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
ŽThe Persistence of Prayer
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
The Praise of Prayer
Psalm 145:2
Every Day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever.
The Privilege of Prayer
Ephesians 3:12
12In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence
1 John 5:14
4This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears
us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Hebrews 10:19-25
19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The Presence of Prayer
Hosea 6:1-2
“Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.
The Power of Prayer
John 14:12-14
12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Exodus 33:9
9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses.
The Peace of Prayer
Exodus 33:11
11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.
First A/G Washington www.firstagwshington.org
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Everyday
Starting March 4th, we will dive into a series of sermons titled, Every Day. Five things every Christian needs Every Day. Each week the sermon will start with the same introduction which Dylan Glastetter has helped me to put on DVD. Don't miss one week of this series! We want the passion, spirit, and results of revival to continue EVERY DAY. Below is the text verson of that video introduction.
Every day we are bombarded by our culture and our surroundings. “What are we bombarded with,” you ask? We are bombarded every day with pressure from Satan, and people who fight against God, to live our Christian life in a safe, harmless, little way that never affects our world. There is pressure to live an impotent life that never causes anyone to wrestle with conviction. To live a twisted Christian life that imitates the world and its values rather than Jesus Christ and His perfection. Just think about what we are bombarded with Every day.
First, we are bombarded Every Day by the Secularization of our culture. That is, our culture is telling us that in our public lives God and our personal values have no place. You can love Jesus and serve him at home, at church and in your private time, but don’t take him out in public, or to work. Leave your values, beliefs, and faith at home. Here is an illustration, how many comic book superheroes have faith? Think about most leading characters in movies, most have a completely secular character. You can not emulate their imaginary lives.
Second, we are bombarded Every Day by the Sexualization of our culture. Commercials, the internet, television, magazine and print ads all seem to scream, “sexy is important!” Sex and the power of lust are used to sell everything from Hardee’s Thickburgers to Cadillac’s. We are all sexual beings. Sex is good and created by God. When we function sexually outside of God’s plan we sin. It may be physically or it may be in our thought life, either way sexual sins are killing Christians Every Day.
Third, we are bombarded Every Day by the Sadism of our culture. Sadism is the enjoyment of pain and violence. Are you tired of watching people be murdered and graphically blown to bits in Movies and on Television? If you are not sick of it yet, then you are sadistic. That is you are finding pleasure and enjoyment in people’s pain. The devil wants to desensitize you to violence. When a news report comes across the screen where eight were killed in a car bomb Satan wants you first, to not care, second, to yearn for the gory stuff, and finally to enjoy viewing violent scenes.
Finally, we are bombarded Every Day by the Sadness of our culture. The view of reality that does not include a loving God is a view that is doomed to sadness, meaninglessness, despondency, and frustration. Without a just God our world is heartless at its core. Our world may hold wonder, but without God the wonder has no purpose! We may be fascinated by things, but the fascination is countered by a cruel lack of compassion. Death becomes the ultimate end for every living thing. Our greatest goal is to propagate our species, which will one day go extinct and be replaced by another. All our efforts ultimately lead to nothing. Every Day is meaningless.
Satan may never convince you to walk away from your faith in Jesus Christ. But, he has you completely defeated if he has you living for Jesus in his cramped little cage of fear and complacency.
Satan may never talk you into leaving your church, but he may make you so secularized, so sexualized, so sadistic, and so sad that you are completely void of God’s power.
How do we confront this Every Day bombardment of our lives?
We fight back! Jesus said in Matthew 11;12, “The kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”(the violent take it by force KJV) We fight back by bombarding our minds Every Day with the truth of God’s Word, the voice of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of God’s people.
Consider this: -We all have 8760 hours in a year.
-Subtract seven hours of sleep per day and you will be awake for 6205 hours in 2007.
-If you attend church every Sunday and a Small group every week you will have less than 130 hours of specific God time!
-If you miss church or small group you will have far less.
-Now, what if you spend thirty minutes Every Day with the Lord? Add that to your 130 hours. You will have 312.5 hours of God time this year, almost three times as much! Still a small part of your time!
When you think about the tiny amount of time we give to God and how many hours our culture is bombarding us with its messages, it is a wonder that any of us serve the Lord!
This is why our relationship with the Lord must be an Every Day, all day experience, not an event in the day!
Lets’ get ready to live with God, EVERY DAY!
Every day we are bombarded by our culture and our surroundings. “What are we bombarded with,” you ask? We are bombarded every day with pressure from Satan, and people who fight against God, to live our Christian life in a safe, harmless, little way that never affects our world. There is pressure to live an impotent life that never causes anyone to wrestle with conviction. To live a twisted Christian life that imitates the world and its values rather than Jesus Christ and His perfection. Just think about what we are bombarded with Every day.
First, we are bombarded Every Day by the Secularization of our culture. That is, our culture is telling us that in our public lives God and our personal values have no place. You can love Jesus and serve him at home, at church and in your private time, but don’t take him out in public, or to work. Leave your values, beliefs, and faith at home. Here is an illustration, how many comic book superheroes have faith? Think about most leading characters in movies, most have a completely secular character. You can not emulate their imaginary lives.
Second, we are bombarded Every Day by the Sexualization of our culture. Commercials, the internet, television, magazine and print ads all seem to scream, “sexy is important!” Sex and the power of lust are used to sell everything from Hardee’s Thickburgers to Cadillac’s. We are all sexual beings. Sex is good and created by God. When we function sexually outside of God’s plan we sin. It may be physically or it may be in our thought life, either way sexual sins are killing Christians Every Day.
Third, we are bombarded Every Day by the Sadism of our culture. Sadism is the enjoyment of pain and violence. Are you tired of watching people be murdered and graphically blown to bits in Movies and on Television? If you are not sick of it yet, then you are sadistic. That is you are finding pleasure and enjoyment in people’s pain. The devil wants to desensitize you to violence. When a news report comes across the screen where eight were killed in a car bomb Satan wants you first, to not care, second, to yearn for the gory stuff, and finally to enjoy viewing violent scenes.
Finally, we are bombarded Every Day by the Sadness of our culture. The view of reality that does not include a loving God is a view that is doomed to sadness, meaninglessness, despondency, and frustration. Without a just God our world is heartless at its core. Our world may hold wonder, but without God the wonder has no purpose! We may be fascinated by things, but the fascination is countered by a cruel lack of compassion. Death becomes the ultimate end for every living thing. Our greatest goal is to propagate our species, which will one day go extinct and be replaced by another. All our efforts ultimately lead to nothing. Every Day is meaningless.
Satan may never convince you to walk away from your faith in Jesus Christ. But, he has you completely defeated if he has you living for Jesus in his cramped little cage of fear and complacency.
Satan may never talk you into leaving your church, but he may make you so secularized, so sexualized, so sadistic, and so sad that you are completely void of God’s power.
How do we confront this Every Day bombardment of our lives?
We fight back! Jesus said in Matthew 11;12, “The kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”(the violent take it by force KJV) We fight back by bombarding our minds Every Day with the truth of God’s Word, the voice of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of God’s people.
Consider this: -We all have 8760 hours in a year.
-Subtract seven hours of sleep per day and you will be awake for 6205 hours in 2007.
-If you attend church every Sunday and a Small group every week you will have less than 130 hours of specific God time!
-If you miss church or small group you will have far less.
-Now, what if you spend thirty minutes Every Day with the Lord? Add that to your 130 hours. You will have 312.5 hours of God time this year, almost three times as much! Still a small part of your time!
When you think about the tiny amount of time we give to God and how many hours our culture is bombarding us with its messages, it is a wonder that any of us serve the Lord!
This is why our relationship with the Lord must be an Every Day, all day experience, not an event in the day!
Lets’ get ready to live with God, EVERY DAY!
A Great Week!
This week we are hosting special guest speakers, Don and Martha Tennyson. Their experiences as Pastors and nearly 20 years as evangelists are amazing to hear about. So many people were in tears Sunday morning as Don and Martha spoke that we had to go out and buy more tissue before the Sunday evening services.
Three people were filled with the Holy Spirit on Sunday for which we are grateful and excited. A man in the church was healed in his foot from an injury in 2005. His foot has hurt every day since September, 2005, but this week he has no pain. He works on his feet all day in the landscaping business. People are hungry for more of the Lord. We are praying that God would heal others and that lives would be changed.
Three people were filled with the Holy Spirit on Sunday for which we are grateful and excited. A man in the church was healed in his foot from an injury in 2005. His foot has hurt every day since September, 2005, but this week he has no pain. He works on his feet all day in the landscaping business. People are hungry for more of the Lord. We are praying that God would heal others and that lives would be changed.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Awesome Missions Convention
I want to give everyone a report on the missions convention! We added up all the giving represented by the faith promises and it comes to a total of 1,626 dollars every month for the next year. That means that we will see an increase in missions giving this year. There were ten faith promises from individuals who have started attending First AG in the last year! It is extremely awsome to see that the passion for missions is expanding in our church. I know that some who love to give to missions were not able to turn in a faith promise and we may see even greater things than what is evidenced by the faith promise response.
Plese remember to pray for our missionaries! If you go to www.firstagwashington.org you will find a missions page on our church website. There is information about missionaries that we support that you need to pray for. Also, keep your eye on the Missions Prayer Focus in the bulletin each week giving up to sate info on what our missionaries are doing.
I am so proud:
1. to be a Pastor
2. of a church that loves the great commission from Jesus and
3. that loves world missions!
Plese remember to pray for our missionaries! If you go to www.firstagwashington.org you will find a missions page on our church website. There is information about missionaries that we support that you need to pray for. Also, keep your eye on the Missions Prayer Focus in the bulletin each week giving up to sate info on what our missionaries are doing.
I am so proud:
1. to be a Pastor
2. of a church that loves the great commission from Jesus and
3. that loves world missions!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Wuzup?
This month we are enjoying our Missions Convention and looking forward to Don and Martha Tennyson being with us for a week of spiritual challenge and renewal.
It makes for a huge preaching break. I am studying for a five week series between revival and Easter and a series on the Person and work of the Holy Spirit between Easter and Pentecost Sunday. I am getting really excited about these messages.
I am reading a very good book given to me by Pastor Ed Sherril. It is, Secrets of the Secret Place, it is about creating your daily personal time with God and then making it really life changing rather than some time consuming religious chore in your day. So far it is proving to be a very good read. It has 52 very short chapters. You can read one chapter a day to begin your devotional time, read the Word of God and pray. In less then 2 months cover the entire book in your devotional time. You can check it out at www.oasishouse.net. It has been very good for my daily time with God.
Well, gotta' go. God bless you all.
It makes for a huge preaching break. I am studying for a five week series between revival and Easter and a series on the Person and work of the Holy Spirit between Easter and Pentecost Sunday. I am getting really excited about these messages.
I am reading a very good book given to me by Pastor Ed Sherril. It is, Secrets of the Secret Place, it is about creating your daily personal time with God and then making it really life changing rather than some time consuming religious chore in your day. So far it is proving to be a very good read. It has 52 very short chapters. You can read one chapter a day to begin your devotional time, read the Word of God and pray. In less then 2 months cover the entire book in your devotional time. You can check it out at www.oasishouse.net. It has been very good for my daily time with God.
Well, gotta' go. God bless you all.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Normal Christian Life
A Life With family
The normal Christian life is a life lived with a family. I don't necessarily mean the family you were born into by blood relation. I mean the family of God. Do you know that the Bible instructs us to call God, "our father?" If God is a father that means he has children and a family. If you have asked Jesus to forgive your mistakes and direct your life then you have taken the first few steps into God's family.
Though those are the first steps they are not the last. I want to show you four stages in the development of our life with the family of God.
2 Kings 4:1-7
1The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”
2Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a little oil.”
3Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”
5She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”
But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.
7She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”
The QUALITY of her miracle was based on her FAITH.
The QUANTITY of her miracle was based on her RELATIONSHIPS.
Without good relationships she would have had her neighbors shut their doors in her face and she would have collected very few, very small jars. Because she had lots of freinds, she had lots of jars and lots of big jars. She gained enough jars to fill them with oil. Enough oil to pay off all her debts and buy back her two sons from slavery!
Your relationships are the only thing you will take with you into eternity, you can take them to Heaven or Hell.
Membership – Choose to belong.
Choose to belong to God's family by asking God to forgive you for your mistakes in Jesus name.
Friendship – Choose to be friends.
Once you are in God's family, make some friends with others in God's family.
Partnership – Choose to help out.
The nest step in really feeling like you are in a family is working together and doing life together. Pray for these new friends and they will pray for you. Do things for each other, we call this minstry.
Kinship – Choose to be family.
The final goal is truly knowing that you are a part of a family. A church or religion that does not treat you like family if missing the mark. You are not a member on the roll, or a name on a list. You were made to be a member of a family.
The normal Christian life is a life lived with a family. I don't necessarily mean the family you were born into by blood relation. I mean the family of God. Do you know that the Bible instructs us to call God, "our father?" If God is a father that means he has children and a family. If you have asked Jesus to forgive your mistakes and direct your life then you have taken the first few steps into God's family.
Though those are the first steps they are not the last. I want to show you four stages in the development of our life with the family of God.
2 Kings 4:1-7
1The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”
2Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a little oil.”
3Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”
5She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”
But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.
7She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”
The QUALITY of her miracle was based on her FAITH.
The QUANTITY of her miracle was based on her RELATIONSHIPS.
Without good relationships she would have had her neighbors shut their doors in her face and she would have collected very few, very small jars. Because she had lots of freinds, she had lots of jars and lots of big jars. She gained enough jars to fill them with oil. Enough oil to pay off all her debts and buy back her two sons from slavery!
Your relationships are the only thing you will take with you into eternity, you can take them to Heaven or Hell.
Membership – Choose to belong.
Choose to belong to God's family by asking God to forgive you for your mistakes in Jesus name.
Friendship – Choose to be friends.
Once you are in God's family, make some friends with others in God's family.
Partnership – Choose to help out.
The nest step in really feeling like you are in a family is working together and doing life together. Pray for these new friends and they will pray for you. Do things for each other, we call this minstry.
Kinship – Choose to be family.
The final goal is truly knowing that you are a part of a family. A church or religion that does not treat you like family if missing the mark. You are not a member on the roll, or a name on a list. You were made to be a member of a family.
The Normal Christian LIfe
A Life Like Jesus
Last week we began looking at some ways of defining the normal Christian life. We often have wrong concepts of what we think God says is normal for one of his children. We want to judge the state of our Christian life by the Word of God.
One aspect of a normal Christian life is this, it is a life like Jesus. What was Jesus like? We find him in the Bible in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. He is further described in the rest of the New Testament.
The normal Christian life is one that is constantly growing and changing to be more like Jesus. No, I don't wear sandals and I am not a carpenter. However, I want my actions and my attitudes to be more like the actions and attitudes of Jesus all the time. If Jesus were born in 1971 and was 35 today, how diferent would I be from him? That is the honest question I must ask myself every day.
Consider these Scriptures that tell us what Jesus was like.
Philippians 2:5
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
John 13:15
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you
1 Corinthians 11:1
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Titus 2:7-8
In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
1 Peter 2:21
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Phillipians 3:10
10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
To be more like Jesus I need to develope these things:
The Attitudes of Jesus
The Actions of Jesus
The Attraction of Jesus
The Afflictions of Jesus
Last week we began looking at some ways of defining the normal Christian life. We often have wrong concepts of what we think God says is normal for one of his children. We want to judge the state of our Christian life by the Word of God.
One aspect of a normal Christian life is this, it is a life like Jesus. What was Jesus like? We find him in the Bible in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. He is further described in the rest of the New Testament.
The normal Christian life is one that is constantly growing and changing to be more like Jesus. No, I don't wear sandals and I am not a carpenter. However, I want my actions and my attitudes to be more like the actions and attitudes of Jesus all the time. If Jesus were born in 1971 and was 35 today, how diferent would I be from him? That is the honest question I must ask myself every day.
Consider these Scriptures that tell us what Jesus was like.
Philippians 2:5
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
John 13:15
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you
1 Corinthians 11:1
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Titus 2:7-8
In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
1 Peter 2:21
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Phillipians 3:10
10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
To be more like Jesus I need to develope these things:
The Attitudes of Jesus
The Actions of Jesus
The Attraction of Jesus
The Afflictions of Jesus
The Normal Christian Life
A Life of Worship
In the next few weeks we will discuss what the Bible says is the normal Christian life. We have created cultural ideas of what a normal Christian life should look like, but according to the Bible, most Christians are living a stunted and far from normal Christian life.
Many good people who attend church, and many good people who confess Christ but are not connected to a local body of believers will find themselves in serious trouble when they stand before God and have to answer for their lives. Some will miss true salvation. Some will miss the rewards that other normal believers will receive. Still others will miss the victorious life and blessings that God intends for his Children living a life of struggle.
So the question is, “What does a normal Christian look like?”
First of all, The Normal Christian Lives a Life of Worship.
Luke 17:11-19
11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Nine Reasons the Nine did not return to worship.
1. I had to get busy and make a living.
Often our work squeezes worship out of our lives. These men have been unable to work due to disability. They may be very anxious to get back to work and earn a living.
Some people will not worship through tithing! Are you one of the 9?
2. I had to have some family time.
We all have many Godly priorities, let’s balance them.
3. It’s too much effort to go all the way back.
We fail to worship for lack of boldness and effort.
4. No body else is doing it.
We fail to worship when we look at others, and follow them.
5. My religious duty is to go to the priest, not Jesus.
We fail to worship when we practice mindless ritualistic religion.
6. I can praise God without praising Jesus.
We can not worship the only God without acknowledging his Son.
7. I don’t need to praise God, I already obey him.
God deserves our worship and praise and our obedience.
8. God already knows how I feel in my mind.
The Scriptures command that we speak, shout, and sing praise.
9. I just never think about it.
We have to think about praise and worship to God.
John 4:23-24
23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Worship Honors God First
Worship Obeys God Fast
Worship Offends God’s Foes
Worship Opens God’s Floodgates
Worship Observes God’s Face
In the next few weeks we will discuss what the Bible says is the normal Christian life. We have created cultural ideas of what a normal Christian life should look like, but according to the Bible, most Christians are living a stunted and far from normal Christian life.
Many good people who attend church, and many good people who confess Christ but are not connected to a local body of believers will find themselves in serious trouble when they stand before God and have to answer for their lives. Some will miss true salvation. Some will miss the rewards that other normal believers will receive. Still others will miss the victorious life and blessings that God intends for his Children living a life of struggle.
So the question is, “What does a normal Christian look like?”
First of all, The Normal Christian Lives a Life of Worship.
Luke 17:11-19
11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Nine Reasons the Nine did not return to worship.
1. I had to get busy and make a living.
Often our work squeezes worship out of our lives. These men have been unable to work due to disability. They may be very anxious to get back to work and earn a living.
Some people will not worship through tithing! Are you one of the 9?
2. I had to have some family time.
We all have many Godly priorities, let’s balance them.
3. It’s too much effort to go all the way back.
We fail to worship for lack of boldness and effort.
4. No body else is doing it.
We fail to worship when we look at others, and follow them.
5. My religious duty is to go to the priest, not Jesus.
We fail to worship when we practice mindless ritualistic religion.
6. I can praise God without praising Jesus.
We can not worship the only God without acknowledging his Son.
7. I don’t need to praise God, I already obey him.
God deserves our worship and praise and our obedience.
8. God already knows how I feel in my mind.
The Scriptures command that we speak, shout, and sing praise.
9. I just never think about it.
We have to think about praise and worship to God.
John 4:23-24
23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Worship Honors God First
Worship Obeys God Fast
Worship Offends God’s Foes
Worship Opens God’s Floodgates
Worship Observes God’s Face
Monday, December 18, 2006
Free Admission
or, The Sheep out of the Fold
This week we have been looking at two stories from Jesus. The first is the story of the shepherd who leaves the 99 safe sheep to seek for the one that is lost. The Second is the story of the prodigal son, but we focused on the response and failure of the older son who represents the failure of God's people to show Godly grace.
These messages are particularly appropriate at this time of year. First, many believers have opportunities around religious holidays to talk about their faith. Christmas is a great time to talk to close friends and realities about Christ! Second, starting in January, there are many people who look at the new year as an opportunity to make a new start. Let's help some or our friends find their faith in Christ again and gain a new start with God.
Matthew 18:12-1412
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
The Relationship of the Sheep
The relationship of the sheep to the shepherd is central to this story. God created every person to have a relationship with him. Many people have taken initial steps to gain that relationship with God. However, multitudes have only heard the message, made and initial response to God and then turned back away from him again. Many who start out with the Lord do not finish with the Lord.
1. The sheep is a sheep, not a goat.
2. The sheep is outside the flock.
3. The shepherd loves the sheep.
4. The shepherd brings them back.
5. The shepherd rejoices over his sheep.
Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
What are you doing on a regular basis to maintain a relationship with God?
Since God has promised to keep believers secure, how can Jesus tell a story about a sheep leaving his place of protection and blessing?
Do you believe that a relationship with God must be maintained through Jesus Christ or are there other ways to God? What Scriptures support your answer?
The Reality of our Situation
1. We have all gone astray (1 Peter 2:25).
2. Jesus found us (Luke 19:10).
3. God used other people (James 5:19-20).
Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
Since we have all sinned and failed, shouldn't we be gracious to others who have failed?
How can we practically show a "lost sheep" the grace of God?
The Responsibility of the Saints
1. Of the Wise (Proverbs 11:30 and Daniel 12:3).
2. Of the Daring (Jude 23).
3. Of the Willing (1 Cor. 9:22).
4. Of the Observant (John 4:35).
5. Of the Blessed (Acts 4:20).
6. Of the Motivated (1 Cor. 9:16).
Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
Who do you know that you can pray for and share Jesus Christ with this Christmas holiday?
Do you believe that if you pray and talk to them about Christ that they will respond?
Do you believe that the Holy Spirit will go with you and be present with you to minister to your friend or family member?
Pray: God I am not sure what might happen when I bring up this topic, but help my unbelief and help me plant a seed and see the fruit that the seed will produce.
When we freely admit our failures to God he will freely admit us to his blessing and grace!
Your Friend,
Pastor Paul
This week we have been looking at two stories from Jesus. The first is the story of the shepherd who leaves the 99 safe sheep to seek for the one that is lost. The Second is the story of the prodigal son, but we focused on the response and failure of the older son who represents the failure of God's people to show Godly grace.
These messages are particularly appropriate at this time of year. First, many believers have opportunities around religious holidays to talk about their faith. Christmas is a great time to talk to close friends and realities about Christ! Second, starting in January, there are many people who look at the new year as an opportunity to make a new start. Let's help some or our friends find their faith in Christ again and gain a new start with God.
Matthew 18:12-1412
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
The Relationship of the Sheep
The relationship of the sheep to the shepherd is central to this story. God created every person to have a relationship with him. Many people have taken initial steps to gain that relationship with God. However, multitudes have only heard the message, made and initial response to God and then turned back away from him again. Many who start out with the Lord do not finish with the Lord.
1. The sheep is a sheep, not a goat.
2. The sheep is outside the flock.
3. The shepherd loves the sheep.
4. The shepherd brings them back.
5. The shepherd rejoices over his sheep.
Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
What are you doing on a regular basis to maintain a relationship with God?
Since God has promised to keep believers secure, how can Jesus tell a story about a sheep leaving his place of protection and blessing?
Do you believe that a relationship with God must be maintained through Jesus Christ or are there other ways to God? What Scriptures support your answer?
The Reality of our Situation
1. We have all gone astray (1 Peter 2:25).
2. Jesus found us (Luke 19:10).
3. God used other people (James 5:19-20).
Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
Since we have all sinned and failed, shouldn't we be gracious to others who have failed?
How can we practically show a "lost sheep" the grace of God?
The Responsibility of the Saints
1. Of the Wise (Proverbs 11:30 and Daniel 12:3).
2. Of the Daring (Jude 23).
3. Of the Willing (1 Cor. 9:22).
4. Of the Observant (John 4:35).
5. Of the Blessed (Acts 4:20).
6. Of the Motivated (1 Cor. 9:16).
Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
Who do you know that you can pray for and share Jesus Christ with this Christmas holiday?
Do you believe that if you pray and talk to them about Christ that they will respond?
Do you believe that the Holy Spirit will go with you and be present with you to minister to your friend or family member?
Pray: God I am not sure what might happen when I bring up this topic, but help my unbelief and help me plant a seed and see the fruit that the seed will produce.
When we freely admit our failures to God he will freely admit us to his blessing and grace!
Your Friend,
Pastor Paul
Monday, December 11, 2006
Through the vomit
Read Jonah 1:17
There are only a few places in teh Bible where the Scripture talks about vomit. Jonah did not obey the Lord and so he found himself in the stomach of a fish. What is in the belly of a fish? VOMIT! Jonah said in his prayer that, seaweed wraped around his head. Being in the belly of a fish is messy stuff.
What might the vomit be for you? Attacks from the Devil. Problems of our own making. Attacks from people. Whatever the difficulty and whatever the cause, God has a way to bring you through the vomit of life.
God brought Jonah through the vomit. There ae three things that Jonah found on the other side of the vomit.
--Jonah found his God (2:7-10).
Through a painful situation God shook Jonah's life so that he would see God in a new way.
Pain made Jonah remember the Lord
Pain made Jonah repent to the Lord
Pain made Johan right with the Lord
Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
What is God trying to teach you in the pain that you are experiencing?
--Jonah found his calling (3:1-4).
Amazingly, God not only saved Jonah out of the storm, the sea and the fish, God called him again to work.
A Second Chance (3:1)
A Sacred Charge (3:2)
A Super Challenge (3:3-4) Later we learn that there were over 120,000 people to minister to in Niniveh!
Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
Is there a call from God or direction that he has given you that you think can never be realized? Does it seem too big? Do you feel to inadaquate?
--Jonah found his spiritual awakening (3:5-10).
A Revival for Everyone (3:5-6)
A Revival of Humility (3:6-8)
A Revival of Prayer (3:8)
A Revival of Repentance (3:8)
A Revival of Blessings (3:10)
Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
Do we really care about blessing others, or are we only concerned for ourselves? Later we find that Jonah did not want God to be compassionate to Nineveh (4:2). Are we looking for a spiritual experience that is marked by humility, prayer and turning from evil things, or one that is marked by our own desires and whims or an emotional thrill?
Often times we pass through very difficult things to reach where we are going. The key to making it through the vomit is having faith in the bad times. While still in the belly of the fish Jonah thanked God for saving him (2:9). Begin to look at your problems with faith in God and his Son Jesus Christ. Ask for his help and believe that he will help you whithout doubting him, then you will receive what you ask for in prayer.
Your Friend,
Pastor Paul
There are only a few places in teh Bible where the Scripture talks about vomit. Jonah did not obey the Lord and so he found himself in the stomach of a fish. What is in the belly of a fish? VOMIT! Jonah said in his prayer that, seaweed wraped around his head. Being in the belly of a fish is messy stuff.
What might the vomit be for you? Attacks from the Devil. Problems of our own making. Attacks from people. Whatever the difficulty and whatever the cause, God has a way to bring you through the vomit of life.
God brought Jonah through the vomit. There ae three things that Jonah found on the other side of the vomit.
--Jonah found his God (2:7-10).
Through a painful situation God shook Jonah's life so that he would see God in a new way.
Pain made Jonah remember the Lord
Pain made Jonah repent to the Lord
Pain made Johan right with the Lord
Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
What is God trying to teach you in the pain that you are experiencing?
--Jonah found his calling (3:1-4).
Amazingly, God not only saved Jonah out of the storm, the sea and the fish, God called him again to work.
A Second Chance (3:1)
A Sacred Charge (3:2)
A Super Challenge (3:3-4) Later we learn that there were over 120,000 people to minister to in Niniveh!
Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
Is there a call from God or direction that he has given you that you think can never be realized? Does it seem too big? Do you feel to inadaquate?
--Jonah found his spiritual awakening (3:5-10).
A Revival for Everyone (3:5-6)
A Revival of Humility (3:6-8)
A Revival of Prayer (3:8)
A Revival of Repentance (3:8)
A Revival of Blessings (3:10)
Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
Do we really care about blessing others, or are we only concerned for ourselves? Later we find that Jonah did not want God to be compassionate to Nineveh (4:2). Are we looking for a spiritual experience that is marked by humility, prayer and turning from evil things, or one that is marked by our own desires and whims or an emotional thrill?
Often times we pass through very difficult things to reach where we are going. The key to making it through the vomit is having faith in the bad times. While still in the belly of the fish Jonah thanked God for saving him (2:9). Begin to look at your problems with faith in God and his Son Jesus Christ. Ask for his help and believe that he will help you whithout doubting him, then you will receive what you ask for in prayer.
Your Friend,
Pastor Paul
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