Wake Up Early

I am convinced that if you want to have a great life, you have to start early.  Sure, it helps to start early, like when you are young.  But, what I mean today, is that you have to start each day early.  Here are some things that I think we have to do early.

1.  Pray early.  Prepare your day in prayer or you will repair your day in prayer.  The devil wants to own your morning.  Don't let him.  The name "Lucifer" in the Old Testament means, "morning star" or "son of the morning."  My goal is to pray at least one hour every day.  Sure you can pray any time, or even all day while you do other things.  What I mean is praying for one hour doing nothing else.  When you do, take a note pad along to write down thoughts and things to do.  Write them down so you don't forget and so that you can get back to praying.

2.  Read the Word of God early.  My goal is to read the Bible through as many times as I am years alive.  Each time, I read with a pen to take notes and underline.  When a Bible is too full of notes, I save it on a shelf.  I have two full Bibles like this now, and have a third in progress.  I am saving them as wedding gifts for my kids.

3.  Exercise early.  OK, this might not sound as spiritual.  But, the Bible says that, "physical exercise is of some value..."  If you don't exercise early, I think you will most likely not exercise at all.  For three months in 2011 I exercised every day, except the sabbath, at 4:00 in the afternoon.  It was fine for a season, but not sustainable when there are so many other things that need to be done at that time of day for kids, dinner, activities and meetings.

I am not perfect at these things by any means.  Sickness in the home, late night emergencies and various other odds and ends can knock this off schedule easily.  But, it is good to have a strong morning routine.

For you night owls, I know what you think, "I do my best work at night."  Well, I do pretty good work at night too.  I have written three books now, all at night.  But the morning is still important.  I bet if you get up at 4:00 a.m. Tuesday, pray, read, exercise and then get th kids up make them breakfaast and go to work, about 8:00 p.m. Tuesday night the spirit of deliverance will set in, and you might go to bed early.

Augur's Keys to Success

Last week I challenged people at Life Stream Church to set some goals for 2014.  Here are some thoughts for being successful at accomplishing those goals.

 

Proverbs 30:24-28

 “Four things on earth are small,

yet they are extremely wise.”

²⁵ Ants are creatures of little strength,
yet they store up their food in the summer;
²⁶ hyraxes are creatures of little power,
yet they make their home in the crags;
²⁷ locusts have no king,
yet they advance together in ranks;
²⁸ a lizard can be caught with the hand,
yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

Ants - Diligence

They are tiny creatures but always have enough through diligence.

Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”  Proverbs 6 says, "Look to the ant you sluggard and be wise, he has no overseer...yet gathers..."

Hard work and follow through will pay off!

Coneys - Accuracy

They are powerless with little to defend them, yet live in safety through accuracy.

Hebrews 12:13 says, “Make level paths for your feet.”  If you want to be successful, be accurate in your relationship with God, it is called holiness.  Always do your best.  Reach for a higher quality in everything and celebrate when you have done everything well.

Locusts - Unity

Though small individually, they advance in a field destroying everything through unity.

Psalm 133:1 says, “How good it is when brothers live together in unity!”  Some great things can not be accomplished alone.  We all need help and team work to reach goals that are bigger than we are.  Know when to get help and get good help.

The Lizard - Creativity

He is easy to catch, but is found in the most unusual places through wisdom.

Luke 21:12-15 says, “But before all this they will lay hands on you and persecute you.  They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.  This will result in your being witnesses to them.”  You never know where God might take you in fulfilling your goals for him.  Be ready and be creative to follow him.

Wednesday Canceled

We are canceling services tonight, 1-8-2014 due to ice and a water supply problem that will not be fixed till Thursday.

COLD!

This cold weather has been quite an adventure!  I hate canceling church.  It is always more work than having church.  Then, add to that, your entire week is messed up.  Sunday morning church has always been the anchor of my weekly routine.  When ever I miss church my week never feels complete.  I love seeing church people each Sunday.  I missed you all.

Then today, we came into work to find that a pressure regulator in our water system had frozen just next to the water meeter.  It was working fine when I left Monday, it froze overnight even with the heat on in the building!  It sits close to the ground and too close to the exterior wall.  I thawed it out with a space heater to find that it now leaks and will have to be replaced.

Well, that is the ministry.  You go to Bible College and get a graduate degree in theology learning lofty ideas, languages, psychology, and history to use it as a plumber.

I am going to post a few extra devotional thoughts for this week.  Stay warm and safe.  Be richly blessed!

Think ahead for Christmas.

Christmas always brings up the horrible topic of procrastination.  Many of us have great gift ideas and procrastinate until it is too late to follow through with the shopping.  While you are thinking ahead to Christmas gifts and celebrations, you need to think ahead about some important things with God.

1.  Think ahead about your actions at family gatherings.  Make up your mind to reject temptation before you get to the party.  Christians will be mixing with their unsaved family again for the holidays and it often brings up the old family temptations.  Spending time with family is important.  But remember, believers have been born again, adopted into the family of God.  By faith you are an heir of Abraham.  Stand up and be different.  Be holy and pure.  Don't compromise God's word and your morals just to fit in with family.  Don't be wishy-washy, be a witness!

2.  Think ahead about how to bless others outside your normal gift list this year.  You may want to give to the Christmas benevolence project.  You may want to help shop or deliver items to a needy family at church.  You may want to contact an agency like Loving Hearts and adopt a family for Christmas.  To be a blessing you need to make up your mind ahead of time.

3.  Think ahead and talk with your family about creating fun Christmas traditions that can honor God and keep Jesus at the center of your Christmas.  There is so much pressure at Christmas to do so many things.  We have to plan gatherings, food, gifts, clothing, programs and travel.  In all that busyness, it is usually normal for Jesus to get pressed out of the celebration of his life.  Can you imagine your friends throwing you a birthday party, starting without you, and not realizing your absence until the party was almost over!  Think ahead and make a tradition that keeps Christ in your Christmas.

I hope that thinking ahead will make your Christmas more merry, more peaceful, and more meaningful that ever before!

A Church Planting Victory!

We had another church planting victory for our church planters, JD and Angela Elleman!  Sunday was our grand opening, but it was their first missionary service as home missionary associates.  They have another service scheduled and several other pastors have indicated that they will be scheduled in their churches as well.

Please remember to join us for 3 on 3 prayer, the third Tuesday of every month at church.  Even if you only can attend for a few minutes, lets pray for Utah.  Also, remember our 5 on 5 initiative and lets pray five minutes for Utah every Friday, the fifth day of the week.  God answers prayer and a project of this size must be covered in prayer.  There are spiritual powers at work that we battle against and we will win if we apply ourselves to pray.

If you want to be a part of their prayer or financial support team, let me know.  You can post a comment here.

Grand Opening Weekend Rewind

This last weekend was our grand opening in the new location.  Huge thanks to all who helped out!  Saturday was a fun day for open house.  We met lots of new friends and had some great conversations.  Sunday was a beautiful service.  We had a new record attendance for our church with 277 people attending.

Back to Being The Pastor

After nine months of building project, I am going to try to get back to the blog and some normal things I want to do.  It has been an amazing ride this year, and there is more work to do still.  I have a budget meeting at 7:45 a.m. to figure out how to do phase two projects quickly in the morning.  There is always more to do when you work for the Lord of the entire universe.

Our moving day was absolutely great!  So many people worked hard to make it a great day.  I am very proud of all of you.  We have done a great thing and God is going to bless us in amazing ways.  Check out the photo show by Cindy Watterson.

Work That Energizes

Monday night, four people met with me to work on the new building in the evening.  It was great!  We were able to knock out some very important items that allow us to move forward Tuesday morning right away.

After a three hour work session like that, I am so energized!

Now, on Tuesday morning, I am still feeling that energy as I study and pray for Sunday's sermon.  I am putting the last touches on my study and then its off to work I go.

Love University

 

I am having a great time preaching Love University: Summer Term.  The messages are so basic, but so important.  Don't miss this Sunday!  The sermon title is, "...as yourself..."  I want to talk to you about what the Bible says about loving yourself and seeing yourself like God sees you.

I encourage you to catch up on past sermons by listening to the podcast on our web site.  I especially urge you to listen to the message, "What's In A Name."  I will have it posted later this week.  If you have not heard the message describing our name change, you need to hear it before you enter the process of helping choose a new name.

Thanks to National Community Church and their team for cool logo for the series!

Crazy Bits Of News

I have been so crazy busy with the building project and name change that my blog has fallen behind.  Sorry.

Here are some recent highlights and bits of news.
1.  We are working very hard to get everything done that is necessary for us to have our occupancy permit by August 4th.
2.  We are going to have more to finish after we move in.
3.  We desperately need workers who can paint and sand drywall in the next week.
4.  We are about ready to put down the new tile.  If you have any home experience with tile you will be a perfect helper.
5.  We have begun the process of changing the name of First Assembly of God.  You will get info in the mail this week!  Ballots will be received all week and at church this Sunday.  This is not a survey.  This is a vote.  Anyone 12 and older can vote.
6.  We are starting to plan for our public grand opening on September 8th!  Let's have at least 300 people at church that day!  Service at 10:00 a.m.
7.  The first night of MEGA Sports Camp was very good.  Go find more friends who can be there this week!  We have plenty of room.
8.  Plans have progressed wonderfully for youth camp and kids camp.  Our students are going to have great camping experiences with God this year.

It is a historic summer for our church.  I don't have time to contact each person and beg you to get involved.  So, jump in with confidence and help out and be involved in some great opportunities this year.

Thank you Lord

There are times when we need to stop and just say thank you Lord.  God is faithful.  I am just feeling grateful today for God's goodness.  I am thankful for my wife and family.  I am thankful for the people of our church.  I am thankful for lots of friends.  I am thankful for the truth and the beauty of God's word.  I am trusting that this will be a very good day.

New Service Schedule

There are some changes coming in May!

First, we are going back to two services for the summer.  Our attendance is usually lower in May, June and July.  So, we are giving the workers a break.  Based on last years numbers, we have room for summer crowds and room to grow in two services.  Don't let up in inviting friends to church.  We will have room.  The new times will be, 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Second, we are going to really mix it up on Wednesday nights in May and work on the building each Wednesday night.  There are many who have not been able to join in the work and really feel like they are missing out.  To make time for you, we are going to take the adults to the new building each Wednesday for a short burst of work.  My goal is simply to give a new outlet for workers.  Kids ministries will still meet at the 408 East 8th building from 6:30 to 7:30.  If you want to work early, I'll be there by 6:00 each Wednesday (with coffee).

Building Blog

We are having great success with the volunteer work on the building.  Amazing work has been finished by many helpers.  Huge thanks to St. Jame First Assembly of God for a great team Saturday.  What a huge blessing you were!  They also took up an offering for the project and raised over $1,300.00.

This Saturday Rolla First Assembly will be sending a team to help.  It is going to be a great day.

Check out the latest video blog.
http://www.firstagwashington.org/category/building/

Celebration Sunday Spring 2013

Sunday was a great Celebration Sunday.  Every six months we have a joint service at a rented facility so that our entire church can be together.  It won't be long and we will not need to rent a place for one service.  By the fall celebration, we will be in our new facility. 

I am so glad that four people responded at the end of the message.  The most important thing that can happen at church is a changed life!  It was amazing to see and feel people responding to the preaching during the sermon.  Attendance was great, our offering was great and lunch was great too!

It is sad to think that this may be our last meeting in a rented place for a few years.  But, these celebrations have been wonderful!