Giving It Away - The Art of Delegation
by Paul Lemberg

You’ve made an unusual discovery - there’s not enough time left at the end of the day. The corollary, of course, is your list of important things to do never gets smaller. In any company, the CEO’s to-do list has the potential to grow infinitely.

What’s a senior executive to do?

This is not simply a personal problem. Your company’s future depends on what you do next. As you drive your organization beyond its current plateau, you must change the way you relate to your work.

There are three stages to making the transition from chief-cook-and-bottle-washer (CC&BW) to CEO (source of the management and direction of the business). They are:

Understanding your highest value contribution to your company and focusing on that role.
Recognizing your position as a leader and owning the job.
Delegating everything else, and holding others accountable.
My previous article, Time Well Spent, deals with transition one. Visions of Leadership addresses transition two. This article examines the problem of delegation - giving the work away.

The Issue

You have doubtlessly concluded your next level of company performance requires a managerial change. And hopefully, you have realized the changes necessary are with you. As CEO (or, on a divisional or departmental level - senior executive) your jobs include holding the vision; inspiring your senior management and your staff; fostering key relationships with customers, vendors, investors and the public, etc. You now need to let go of some cherished things like product design, hiring, perhaps day-to-day sales - many things you handled in the past, often out of necessity - and focus yourself on your role as CEO.

What about all these things you used to do? Delegate them. Assign the job to someone else. This doesn’t sound like a big deal, why write a whole article on it? Do you delegate? Of course you do. But do you delegate the important things? The things you “know” you could do better? The things you are “best” at? Probably not. The question is, should you?

Your Highest Value Contribution

Think about your highest value contribution to your company. Which of your activities generate the most revenue, profit, market share, etc.? Where do you get the most bang for the buck? Like most chief executives, your greatest leverage is in mobilizing the forces around you - your senior staff and your employees, plus key customers, prospects and vendors. Everything else becomes secondary to that in terms of impact.

So the answer is yes. You should give away even the things you are “best” at. And then make sure they are done right. Make sure they are up to spec and delivered on time.

The Cost of Holding On

Now, the thorny part. Many executives refrain from delegating responsibilities they’ve labeled “critical”. They fear the job won’t be done correctly. Or no one else can do it as quickly, and it won’t get done on time. Or the right attention won’t be paid. Or something. Or something else.

Give it up! The growth of your organization will be stifled to the extent that you hold on to critical functions. Your company will suffer in the exact areas where you think you are the expert!

Product design? You hold up the development of a key component, because you are the expert, yet you are away at a customer meeting. Staffing? Two engineers can’t be hired because you haven’t signed off and are out of town at a meeting with investment bankers. Sales? Negotiations on an important deal are held up because you are in Asia meeting with a vendor.

You become the choke point on each of these vital functions. And you feel - of course - “I have to be involved.” No you don’t. To the exact degree you have not developed your staff to assume these functions, the growth of your company will be retarded.

Aside from fear the job won’t be done as well, there is another, more insidious reason senior executives (particularly entrepreneurs) do not delegate. If you aren’t doing the “important” stuff, you become redundant. Dead weight. Overhead. If you have a great VP of Sales, or a Chief Technologist, what will you do?

You feel this way because you haven’t completed transitions one and two: you haven’t taken the trouble of understanding how you personally create value in your company, and you haven’t fully assumed the role of leader. Once you make these transitions, you won’t have time for the rest.

Delegation, not Abdication.

Many executives delegate like this. They say, “John, would you take on this project? It has to be done by next Thursday. Thanks.” That’s it. Then, when the job comes back incomplete, they are infuriated. What happened? They left out accountability. They neglected the structure for making sure things happened according to plan.

There are five components to successful delegation.

1. Give the job to someone who can get it done.

This doesn’t mean that person has all the skills for execution, but that they are able to martial the right resources. Sometimes the first step in the project will be education. Maybe your delegate has to attend a seminar or take a course to get up to speed.

2. Communicate precise conditions of satisfaction.

Time frame, outcomes, budget constraints, etc.; all must be spelled out. Anything less creates conditions for failure. It’s like the old story about basketball - without nets the players don’t know where to shoot the ball.

3. Work out a plan.

Depending on the project’s complexity, the first step may be creation of a plan. The plan should include resources, approach or methodology, timeline, measures and milestones. Even simple projects require a plan.

4. Set up a structure for accountability.

If the project is to take place over the next six weeks, schedule an interim meeting two weeks from now. Or establish a weekly conference call, or an e-mailed status report. Provide some mechanism where you can jointly evaluate progress and make mid-course corrections. This helps keep the project, and the people, on track.

5. Get buy in.

Often time frames are dictated by external circumstances. Still, your delegate must sign on for the task at hand. If you say, “This must be done by next Tuesday,” they have to agree that it is possible. Ask instead. “Can you have this by Tuesday?” To you this may seem a bit remedial, but the step is often overlooked. Whenever possible, have your delegate set the timeline and create the plan. You need only provide guidance and sign off. As General Patton said, “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.”

If you skip any one of the above steps, you dramatically reduce the likelihood things will turn out the way you want them to. On the other hand, if you rigorously follow the steps, you greatly increase the odds in your favor.

Isn’t this more work than doing it myself, you ask. No - it isn’t. The time it takes to 1) establish the goals, 2) review the plan, and 3) monitor the progress, is not equal to the time it takes to execute. That is how you gain leverage. This is how you multiply your efforts. (Occasionally it does take longer to communicate something than to do it yourself. Delegate it anyway. The next time will be easier.)

Above, I’ve referred to projects. This is not to say delegation is reserved for discrete tasks and problems. You also delegate ongoing functions. The process is the same in each case.

As an exercise, ask yourself, what am I unwilling to delegate? Make a list of the reasons why not. (Use our worksheet to identify projects and functions to delegate. E- mail for a free copy.) Identify the best person in your organization - not you - to take on this project or function. Then call a meeting. Begin the meeting with step one, above.

If there is no one to whom you can give away key functions, you have to look carefully at your staff situation. It may be time to hire the right people. If you don’t have the revenues to support the staff additions, consider what is restraining your growth.

Review your relationship with your assistant or secretary. Have you let them take on there fair share of the workload? Are you giving them sufficiently sophisticated work to do? Are they ready to upgrade?

Some situations call for you to dive back in. Perhaps you are the only one in your company with some particular technical knowledge, or your insight will accelerate the design process, or you have the long-standing relationship with a vendor or customer. Go ahead, dive. Do your thing - briefly, complete the project and resume your leadership position.

Oh, one more thing.

The only point to delegating something is if it frees you for things which create greater value for your company. Don’t give away the hiring function if you are spending your time fiddling with the corporate web site. Don’t hire a Sales VP, if you are spending your time on purchasing. The greatest leverage you have is in leading your company. Lavish your time on that.

As always, thank you to my friend and writer Sallie Batson who helped edit and generally make presentable this and many other articles.

Paul Lemberg is available for company meetings and seminars which transform managers, executives, and individuals into leaders, along with other breakthrough creating programs. To find out more contact us at 760-741-1747 or e-mail to .

To subscribe to Creating Breakthroughs, send an email to .

© Copyright Paul Lemberg and Lemberg & Company, 1998

We had a great day yesterday with several decisions for Jesus and the church.  Summer continues to roll along with blessings and God’s favor toward us.  Let’s not forget to share those blessings with those less fortunate.  Find someone to be a blessing to this week.  See you at prayer meeting on Tuesday night.

Pastor Joel

From birth to age 40:  The Prince of Egypt

Exodus 2:15 …But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian….

From age 40 to 80:  The Shepherd of Midian

From age 80 to 120:  The Leader of Israel

Exodus 3
1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.
3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight--why the bush does not burn up.”
4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”

The God of the burning bush is a God who commissions people to participate in His purposes.

5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

The God of the burning bush is a holy God.

7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.
8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey--the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.

The God of the burning bush is a compassionate God.

The God of the burning bush is an imminent God.

9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.
10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”
13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob--has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.
16 “Go, assemble the elders of Israel…..
18 “The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God.’
19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him.
20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.

Ex 4:10-16

10 Then Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent , neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
11 The LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
12 “Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.”
13 But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.”
14 Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. And moreover, behold, he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.
15 “You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I, even I, will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do.
16 “Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him.

The excuses of Moses

I have no ability 3:11
Ex 3:11 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

I have no message 3:13
Ex 3:13 13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

I have no authority 4:1
Ex 4:1 1 Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?”

I have no eloquence 4:10
Ex 4:10 10 Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

I have no inclination 4:13 [I don’t want to do this; I don’t feel called to do this]
Ex 4:13 13 But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.”

God answers all the excuses

I have no ability:
Phil 4:13 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I have no message:
1 Cor 15:3-4 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

1 Cor 1:23 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
I have no authority:

Matt 28:18-20 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
I have no eloquence:

1 Cor 2:1-5 1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,
5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

I have no inclination:

Phil 2:13 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Phil 2:13 13 For it is God who is the cause of your desires and of your acts, for his good pleasure.

Excuses, Excuses by the Kingsmen
Excuses, excuses, you’ll hear them every day.
And the Devil he’ll supply them, if the church you stay away.
When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses
So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.

In the summer it’s too hot. And, in the winter, it’s too cold.
In the spring time when the weather’s just right, you find some place else to go.
Well, it’s up to the mountains or down to the beach or to visit some old friend.
Or, to just stay home and kinda relax and hope that some of the kin folks will start dropping in.

Well, the church benches are too hard. And, that choir sings way too loud.
Boy, you know how nervous you get when you’re sitting in a great big crowd.
The doctor told you, “Now, you better watch them crowds. They’ll set you back.”
But, you go to that old ball game because you say “it helps you to relax.”

Well, a headache Sunday morning and a backache Sunday night.
But by worktime Monday morning, you’re feeling quite alright.
While one of the children has a cold, “Pneumonia, do you suppose?”
Why the whole family had to stay home, just to blow that poor kid’s nose.

Excuses, excuses, you’ll hear them every day.
And the Devil he’ll supply them if the church you stay away.
When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses
So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.

Well, the preacher he’s too young. And, maybe he’s too old.
The sermons they’re not hard enough. And, maybe they’re too bold.
His voice is much too quiet-like. Sometimes he gets too loud.
He needs to have more dignity. Or, else he’s way too proud.

Well, the sermons they’re too long. And, maybe they’re too short.
He ought to preach the word with dignity instead of “stomp and snort.”
Well, that preacher we’ve got must be “the world’s most stuck up man.”
Well, one of the lady’s told me the other day, “Well, he didn’t even shake my hand.”

Excuses, excuses, you’ll hear them every day.
And the Devil he’ll supply them if the church you stay away.
When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses
So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.
So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.

Sunday was a great day.  My expectations were exceeded by the great number that came and responded to the Gospel.  Holidays can be a “killer” on the local church, especially a holiday celebrating the freedoms you enjoy everyday of the year.  Many of God’s people celebrated our independence by worshiping our King, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am grateful and thankful for our republic.  I am thankful for our troops who continue to serve our nation and protect our freedoms around the world.  Let us pause, pray, and remember the sacrifices by so many so we can have an “independence day.”

Thank you Father for blessing America!

Respectfully,
Pastor

“Give me liberty or give me death!” Patrick Henry evidently placed a high value on freedom.

But there is more to freedom than civil laws protecting such. There are some freedoms that civil law cannot give and armies cannot secure.
We have to look elsewhere for certain freedoms, and they are extremely important ones.

Freedom from sin! 
Freedom from hopelessness and despair!
Freedom from death!
Freedom from sin’s eternal consequences! 

Gal 5:1 1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. [do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh..  v. 13]

When men and women are oppressed and held in bondage God takes notice of them!

Ex 2:23-25 God Taking Notice

23 Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.
24 So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
25 God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.

God calls a man of deliverance!

Ex 3 The Mission of Moses

9 “Now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Me; furthermore, I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppressing them.
10 “Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”

16 “Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt.
17 “So I said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”’

The Ways of God

From the water to blood in Exodus 7:19 to the Death of the Firstborn 11:4-5 God gets the attention of Pharoah!

When Freedom Comes!

Ex 12:40-41 40 Now the time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. [
41 And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, to the very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

Ex 13:3 3 Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery; for by a powerful hand the LORD brought you out from this place.

From 1607 in Jamestown, Virginia the first American colony was begun.

America’s Timeline of Freedom [On this 4th of July weekend]

* The Declaration of Independence 1776 [freedom from tyranny]
* Ratification of the Constitution 1789 [freedom to govern]
* The Louisiana Purchase 1803 [freedom to expand westward]
* The Emancipation Proclamation 1863 [the beginning of the end of slavery]
* Women’s Suffrage or the Women’s Right to Vote 1920 [the voice of women are heard]
* The Civil Right’s Act of 1964 [segregation begins its slow death]
* Walking on the Moon 1969 [liberated beyond the boundaries of our planet]
* Berlin Wall Comes Down 1989 [the freedom for millions begins]
* 9-11 2001 [when freedom is attacked]
* Ongoing War on Terror 2001-???? [seeking the freedom from terror]

Throughout history:

“All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke

The Price of Freedom [I don’t agree with all or some of the politics of these leaders] These men sought out freedom!

Spartacus- leader of the slaves in the Third Servile War, a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic.  Before Christ’s birth

William Wallace- hanged, drawn and quartered in 1305 A.D. a hero and patriot in the Wars of Scottish Independence from England [Braveheart]

George Washington- commander of the armies of the revolution against Great Britian

Dred Scott- a slave in the mid 1800’s who sued for his freedom which led to the shameful Dred Scott Supreme Court decision; this decision fueled anti-slavery temperament in the United States leading up to the Civil War and Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 [Abolitionist Frederick Douglass]

Ghandi- freedom for India

Martin Luther King- civil rights in America

Nelson Mandela- imprisoned for terrorism in South Africa; became a proponent of freedom, forgiveness and reconciliation for a nation

The Greatest Freedom of All:  Our freedom in Christ

What Does It Mean to Have Freedom in Christ?

Jesus Christ spoke often of the freedom humankind would find through him. But exactly what is the freedom that He promised His followers?

When the Soviet Union dismantled in 1991, Eastern Europeans jubilantly celebrated the freedom they had long been denied.
However, some of the first “freedoms” to be exercised in these formerly communist countries were indulgence in pornography, prostitution, drug abuse and organized crime.

Some people, needless to say, have erroneous concepts of freedom.

False freedom prophesied

Scripture warns about false promises of freedom.

One such warning:

2 Peter 2:18: “For when they[false teachers] speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

Jesus Christ brings true freedom

Christ came to free us from sin through His atoning sacrifice.

Hebrews 2:14-15 tells us that Jesus:
“shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil-and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”

Freedom through the Holy Spirit

The Scriptures point out that God’s Spirit guides us to truth (John 16:13). It helps us to understand the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:10-14). This spiritual understanding leads to freedom.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

The Answer To A Present Danger

Romans 6:14"For sin shall not be the master over you, for you are not under Law, but under grace.”

We must stand guard over our freedom in Christ, else we may well find our liberty eroded and ourselves enslaved again. Peter warns that the final state of enslavement can be even worse than the first so encourages the faithful not to allow themselves to be led astray by false promises (2 Peter 2:18-22).

Neither let empty human philosophy take your freedom away. The names of the philosophies may have changed but the effects are still the same. They cannot save. Only the gospel can do that (1 Corinthians 1:18-22). The world is constantly bombarding us with words to entice us away from our salvation.

Our answer: Galatians 5:1 “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

Who I Am In Christ [copyright- Freedom in Christ Ministries]
Biblical Truths to “Practice Believing”

I AM GOD’S…
• possession Genesis 17:8/ 1Cor 6:20
• child John 1:12
• workmanship Ephesians 2:10
• friend James 2:23
• temple 1 Cor 3:16/ 6:16
• vessel 2 Timothy 2:2
• co-laborer 1 Timothy 5:18
• witness Acts 1:8
• soldier 2 Timothy 2:3
• ambassador 2 Cor 5:20
• building 1 Cor 3:9
• chosen Ephesians 1:4
• beloved Romans 1:7/ 2 Thess 2:13
• precious jewel Malachi 3:17
• heritage 1 Peter 5:3

I HAVE BEEN…
• redeemed by the blood Rev 5:9
• set free from condemnation Rom 8:1-2
• set free from Satan’s control Col 1:13
• set free from Satan’s kingdom Eph 2
• chosen before foundation of world Eph 1:4
• predestined to be like Jesus Ephesians 1:11
• forgiven of all my trespasses Col 2:13
• washed in the blood of the Lamb Rev 1:5
• given a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7
• given the Holy Spirit 2 Cor 1:22
• adopted into God’s family Romans 8:15
• justified freely by his grace Romans 3:24
• given all things pertaining to life 2 Pet 1:3
• given great and precious promises 2 Pet 1:4
• given ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor 1:22
• authority over the power of enemy Lk 10:19
• access to God Ephesians 3:12
• been given wisdom Ephesians 1:8

I AM…
• complete in him Colossians 2:10
• free forever from sin’s power Romans 6:14
• sanctified 1 Cor 6:11
• loved eternally 1 Peter 1:5 /
• eternally kept in the palm of his hand Jn 10:29
• kept from falling Jude 1:24
• kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5
• not condemned Romans 8:1-2
• one with the Lord 1 Cor 6:17
• on my way to heaven John 14:6
• quickened by his mighty power Eph 2:1
• seated in heavenly places Eph 1:3
• the head and not the tail Deut 28:13
• light in the darkness Matthew 5:14
• a city set on a hill Matthew 5:14
• the salt of the earth Matthew 5:13
• his sheep Ps 23 / Psalms 100:3/ John 10:14
• a citizen of heaven 1 Peter 2:11
• hidden with Christ in God Psalms 32:7
• protected from the evil one 1 John 5:18
• kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5
• secure in Christ Jn 10:28-29
• set on a Rock Psalms 40:2
• more-than-a-conqueror Romans 8:37
• born again 1 Peter 1:23
• a victor 1 John 5:4
• healed by his stripes Is 53:6
• covered by blood of Jesus Rev 12:11, 1 Pet 1:19
• sheltered under his wing Psalms 91:4
• hidden in secret place of the Almighty Ps 91:1

I HAVE…
• access to the Father Romans 5:2
• a home in heaven waiting for me Jn 14:1-2
• all things in Christ 2 Cor 5:17
• a living hope 1 Peter 1:3
• an anchor to my soul Hebrews 6:19
• a hope that is sure and steadfast Heb 6:19
• authority to tread on serpents Luke 10:19
• power to witness Acts 1:8
• the tongue of the learned Isaiah 50:4
• the mind of Christ 1 Cor 2:16
• boldness and access Hebrews 10:19
• peace with God Romans 5:1
• faith as a grain of mustard seed Luke 17:6

I CANNOT…
• be separated from God’s love Rom 8:35-39
• be lost John 10:28, John 3:16
• be moved Psalms 16:8
• be taken out of my Father’s hand John 10:29
• be charged or accused Romans 8:33
• be condemned 1 Cor 11:32

I CAN…
• do all things through Christ Phil 4:13
• find mercy and grace to help Heb 4:16
• come boldly to the throne of grace Heb 4:16
• quench all the fiery darts Eph 6:16
• tread on the serpent Luke 10:19
• declare liberty to captives Isaiah 61:1
• pray always and everywhere Luke 21:36
• chase a thousand Joshua 23:10
• defeat (overcome) the enemy Rev 12:11
• tread Satan under foot Rom 16:20

Employment Statistics

Nevada has reported the highest unemployment rate among the states in May 2010 with 14.0%. Michigan posted the next highest rate at 13.6%, then California with 12.4% and Rhode Island with 12.3%.

The lowest jobless rate in May 2010 was recorded in North Dakota with 3.6%, followed by South Dakota and Nebraska with 4.6% and 4.9% respectively.

The largest jobless rate increase from May 2009 was recorded by Nevada (+2.5 percentage points) followed by Mississippi (+2.1 points).

Employed persons in the U.S. work an average of 7.5 hours on the days they work. Employed men work an average of 56 more minutes per day than employed women.

83% of employed people work on weekdays; 35% of employed persons work on weekends.

On the days they work, 24% of people do some or all their work at home. 84% do some or all their work in a workplace. Men and women are equally as likely to do some or all their work at home.

40% of employed people over age 25 with a bachelor’s degree or higher did some work at home. Only 10% of those with less than a high school diploma did so.

On an average day, 50% of women and 20% of men spent some time doing housework.

The leisure activity that occupies the most time per day for the average American is watching T.V. (an average of 2.8 hours per day). Socializing (visiting with friends or attending social events) was the next most common activity at 0.75 hours per day.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 22 & 28, 2010

We had a great day on Sunday.  Many of our people are traveling on vacation and we pray for them to have a great time.  The altar was filled, we showed a video clip of our High School Student camp and heaven came down.  God is sooooooo good!  I am including my sermon notes from Sunday.  Keep reading..... PJ

Before Freedom:  The Assignment

Genesis 30 begins the story of Joseph

Gen 50:19-20 (NASB)
19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place?
20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

Gen 50:21 (NASB)
21 “So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Gen 50:24 (NASB)
24 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.”

Ex 1:1-12 (NASB)
1 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob; they came each one with his household:
2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah;
3 Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin;
4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
5 All the persons who came from the loins of Jacob were seventy in number, but Joseph was already in Egypt.
6 Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation.
7 But the sons of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly, and multiplied, and became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them.
8 Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. #1
9 He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we.
10 “Come, let us deal wisely with them, or else they will multiply and in the event of war, they will also join themselves to those who hate us, and fight against us and depart from the land.”
11 So they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor. And they built for Pharaoh storage cities, Pithom and Raamses.
12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out, so that they were in dread of the sons of Israel.

Ex 1:13-22 (NASB) Death of the Innocents
13 The Egyptians compelled the sons of Israel to labor rigorously;
14 and they made their lives bitter with hard labor in mortar and bricks and at all kinds of labor in the field, all their labors which they rigorously imposed on them.
15 Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other was named Puah;
16 and he said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.”
17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.
18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and let the boys live?”
19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can get to them.”
20 So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty .
21 Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them.
22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you are to cast into the Nile, and every daughter you are to keep alive.”

Ex 2:1-10 (NASB)
1 Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi.
2 The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was beautiful , she hid him for three months.
3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got him a wicker basket and covered it over with tar and pitch. Then she put the child into it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile.
4 His sister stood at a distance to find out what would happen to him.
5 The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the Nile, with her maidens walking alongside the Nile; and she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid, and she brought it to her.
6 When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the boy was crying. And she had pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”
7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for you?”
8 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go ahead.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother.
9 Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him.
10 The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. And she named him Moses , and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

Heb 11:23-29 (NASB) The Assignment of Moses
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned .

In the book The Law of Recognition we see the need to recognize our assignment.  Moses had an assignment to be God’s deliverer for the nation of Israel. 

We must know these key facts about our Assignment:

1.  Your assignment is always to a person or a people.

Moses had an assignment to bring God’s people out of bondage to freedom.  Fathers, mothers, teachers, coaches, etc.

In speaking to Jeremiah:  Jer 1:7-8 (NASB)

7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak.
8 “Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

2.  Your assignment determines the suffering and attacks you encounter. 

Moses experienced all kinds of suffering and attacks during the 40 year journey. 

The apostle Paul wrote of his appointment this way:

2 Tim 1:11-12 (NASB)
11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.
12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

3.  What grieves you is a clue to what you are assigned to heal and restore.

Ex 2:11-12 (NASB)
11 Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.
12 So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

What breaks you is a clue to the problem God has qualified you to heal.

Look at Nehemiah:

Neh 1:3-4 (NASB)
3 They said to me, “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.”
4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

4.  Your assignment is geographical.

Where you are matters as much as what you are. 

Abraham had leave the Ur of the Chaldees to find his place.
Joseph had to leave his father and brothers to find Egypt to provide for his family.
Moses left Pharaoh’s house to prepare to become the leader of the Israelites.

Where must you go?  When must you go?

5.  You will only succeed when you assignment becomes an obsession.

Freeing the children of Israel became Moses obsession.  This is what I was born to do.

Paul said it this way:

Phil 3:13-14 (NASB)
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.

6.  Your assignment will require seasons of preparation.

Noah waited 120 years before the predicted rains arrived.

Abraham waited 25 years for a promised son.

Joseph waited 14 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Moses received a 40 year “seminary education” in the desert before he began to lead the Israelites.

Jesus invested 30 years of preparation for 3.5 years of ministry.

Isaiah 40:28-31 (NASB)
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

7.  Your assignment will always have an enemy. 

John 15:18-21 (NASB)
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
21 “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.

Adam had Satan
Noah had the rain
Joseph had his brothers
Moses had Pharoah
Nehemiah had Sanballat and Tobias
David had Goliath
Jesus had the Pharisees
John the Baptist had Herod
Paul had Agrippa

Ezra 4:4-5 4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose,

Satan is your eternal enemy.

Eph 6:12 (NASB)
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Your greatest weapon against your enemy is the Word of God.

Eph 6:17 (NASB)
17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Your enemy will not be allowed by God to win.

Psalms 118:6-9 (NASB)
6 The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is for me among those who help me; Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes.

We kicked off strong last night in worship!  The group Bluetree is leading our worship.  They wrote the original song God of this City.  The setting last night was awesome.  Pray for us as we continue the journey!  PJ

Have you read your Proverb today.  Some pretty good insight!

Prov 21:1-31 (NASB)
1 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.
2 Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
6 The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, Because they refuse to act with justice.
8 The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.
9 It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin.
13 He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.
14 A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead .
17 He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.
19 It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.
21 He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
24 “Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names, Who acts with insolent pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;
26 All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!
28 A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.
29 A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.
30 There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the LORD.

Wow!  What a great day yesterday.  Father’s Day is always a special time for my family.  Jo and Zeke go all out and make me feel like I am doing a pretty good job of being a husband and daddy.  My favorite gift was a new Starbuck’s gift card.  God is good! 

My parents arrived on Friday night and we got to spend some good time together in spite of busy weekend of visits, a great trip with our widows to Indiana and our cars being broken into after my parents arrived.  Don’t worry, its all good. 

I got to honor my dad yesterday and remembered it was our first Father’s Day worshipping together in several years.  We had three great altar calls and I believe some men of God made decisions to step up to the plate and become a warrior for their family. 

I am including my sermon notes with this post.  The theme Distracted Warrior comes from a sermon series by Craig Groeshel.  Craig is a great preacher and author.  He is greatly influencing my life by his work for the Lord.

Blessings to you this week.  Don’t forget to pray for student camps this week.  Both our middle and high school students will be away.  Pray for eyes and ears to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor

THE DISTRACTED WARRIOR

Happy Father’s Day

This message is inspired by a sermon series by Craig Groeschel.

1 John 2:12-17 (NASB)

12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. [John is speaking to all who know the Lord]- Mark 10:15 (NASB) 15 “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Three categories or stages of growth as believer is spoken of here:  Notice how John addresses those who follow Christ:

fathers:  mature believers who have known, walked with and are satisfied with Christ
young men:  characterized by vigor and combat; this is the season of armed conflict with the enemy; these have learned the secret to victory-“ Not I, but Christ living in me.” Galatians 2:20 “These are Warriors”
children: babies in the faith; they don’t know much, but they do know the Father

Notice what John tells them: 

15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

John is saying, “Warrior, do not be DISTRACTED!” The “world”[kosmos] and “things in the world” pass away.  They are short-lived.  They ultimately vanish!  Without Jesus, it’s all just “stuff.”

20 times in 11 verses in Ecclesiastes 2 Solomon uses the personal pronoun “I”. 

I explored.  I enlarged. I planted.  I built.  I made.  I possessed.  I provided.  I became great. 

Eccl 2:10-11 10 All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor.
11 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted , and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.
Solomon realized his life was empty and without meaning without GOD! 

He had become DISTRACTED by:

Abandoning his heavenly post in pursuit of an earthly kingdom!  This can happen to any of us at any time.  I am not talking about a “mid-life” crisis, but a crisis that affects us all. 

We will abandon what we know to be eternal, a divine cause in pursuit of the score, the win, the applause!  We will be seduced to build our kingdom instead of His Kingdom. 

Warrior, beware!

We fall in love with the things of this world rather than the things of God.  We get involved with things that do not matter!  Notice what Paul said about it:
2 Tim 2:4 4 No soldier [warrior] in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

“entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life”- DISTRACTIONS

We are too please GOD!  Not satisfy the flesh by pleasing men.

Because we are MEN, because we are WARRIORS, we become easily DISTRACTED “by the things of the world.”

Why?  As WARRIORS, we want to conquer.  We want to keep score.  We want to win.  We want measured progress.  We want to know how we are doing.

We want to be able to WIN and the world makes it so much easier to keep score!

In God’s economy, it is hard to know, “Am I winning?  Am I losing? How am I doing?”

Why?  There is a theological dilemma.  It is not about winning or losing, it is about being faithful and obedient! 

Warriors are consistently and constantly being drawn back to the world.  Why?  We want to keep score, so we are drawn to the place where we can keep score!

Let’s finish our text:
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Satan used this very same attack strategy on Jesus:

Matt 4:1-10 (NASB)
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.
3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” [Lust of the flesh-Hunger]

4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’ “

5 Then the devil took* Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,
6 and said* to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’ “ [Pride of Life- Get God to serve you instead of you serving Him]
7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’ “

8 Again, the devil took* Him to a very high mountain and showed* Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;
9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”
[Lust of the eyes] [All this can be yours]
10 Then Jesus said* to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’ “

Satan’s 3-fold attack strategy:

We must ask ourselves this question:

Which Distractions are most dangerous in my life right now?

Let’s begin to close by breaking these down practically in our lives as Warriors:

Lust of the Flesh:  Sexual Lusts [David and Bathsheba- 2 Samuel 11]

You are a hostage to sexual impurities and you haven’t broken free.  It’s time to invite other spiritual warriors into your life to hold you to the fire!  It’s time to confess to your warrior princess and say, “I am no longer going to abandon my heavenly cause by losing a lesser battle.”

Warriors, Satan will attack you here.  The lust of the flesh!

Secondly, the Lust of the Eyes:  Material Lusts [Gehazi- 2 Kings 5]

The Bible encourages hard work, but it repeatedly warns against greed.

2 Kings 5:20 20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought , “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, by not receiving from his hands what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”

We fall for this one every time guys:

If I could just have that, or make this much money or get this new thing, or a shinier, or a bigger, or a faster, or a newer, then I would be happy. 

We know better:  Intellectually we can know that more doesn’t really matter, but effectually we do it anyway!

We rationalize as husbands and fathers and say:

If I get more, then:  I am a better husband, a better father, a better man, because as warriors we think our value is based on what we conquer.

We look at our wife and say:  “Me leave cave.  Me kill something, bring it home.  You cook!

We wrongly obtain our identity by what we accumulate and what we accomplish and we are buying into the “big lie!”

We have abandoned our heavenly post for an earthly kingdom!

Lastly, The Pride of Life- the boasting of what one has and what one does:  self-made man

We wrongly start believing, “It’s really about me.  It’s about my abilities.  It’s about what I can do.  I am going to be the star of my own show.  I am an American Idol!!!

We start saying, “If it’s going to be done right, I’ve got to do it.  I’ve got to be in control.  I want to be in control of everything.”

Including the television: 
Jo on occasions will get the remote control and you will not believe what she does.  She watches an entire show, all the way through.  She just sits there and watches the show. 

It is not about what is on, but what else is on.

I can watch five shows at once.  I must be in control of the remote!

You see, we want to be in charge, we want it to be about us, and all of a sudden we start to think that we are good and look at what we have accomplished, what we have achieved and we start to boast about what we have and what we do and we become ensnared by:  The Pride of Life- I am a self-made man!!!

Let me give you a little look into the ministry side of a warrior:

As a pastor, I am studying throughout the week, I’m surrounded by godly things and godly people.  You would think, it should be easy for Pastor Joel to stay focused. 

But it’s not:  I get bombarded with all these other thoughts, let’s achieve more, let’s accomplish more, conquer this, win that, etc., etc.  Start this program, preach this series, on and on….

In the church world, here is the deal.  If things go well, the offerings are up, attendance is up, everything is UP!!!  Who gets the credit?  GOD!!!

We cannot take the credit for the good things God is doing in the local church. 

But, if things go bad, who gets the blame?  Time for a new pastor!  He is not doing a good job.  So, from a spiritual standpoint, fleshly speaking, spiritual warriors are set up to lose. 

I don’t like that.  You don’t like that.  So what do we do?

We gravitate back to the things of the world, where I can measure, compare, rank, keep score and win! 

That’s why Warriors are so easily distracted!  How do we come back to “focus?”

Heb 12:1-3 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Prov 24:16 16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again,…..

Perseverance:  We must stay the course!

Wow!!!  God blessed us yesterday with a total of 930 people in VBS!  I cannot wait to see what God will do next.  Blessings, PJ

Read 1 Samuel 16:1–11

God knew David had the quality of integrity. Today, we live in a world that says, in many ways, “If you make a good impression, that’s really all that matters.” But you will never be a man or woman of God if that’s your philosophy. Never. You cannot fake it with the Almighty. He is not impressed with externals. He always focuses on the inward qualities, those things that take time and discipline to cultivate. God trained David for a leadership role with four disciplines.

First, God trained David in solitude. He needed to learn life’s major lessons all alone before he could be trusted with responsibilities and rewards before the public. Solitude has nurturing qualities all its own. Anyone who must have superficial sounds to survive lacks depth. If you can’t stand to be alone with yourself, you have deep, unresolved issues in your inner life. Solitude has a way of bringing those issues to the surface.

Second, David grew up in obscurity. That’s another way God trains His best personnel—in obscurity. Men and women of God, servant-leaders in the making, are first unknown, unseen, unappreciated, and unapplauded. In the quiet context of obscurity, character is built. Strange as it may seem, those who first accept the silence of obscurity are best qualified to handle the applause of popularity.

Which leads us to the third training ground, monotony. That’s being faithful in the menial, insignificant, routine, unexciting, uneventful, daily tasks of life. Life without a break . . . without the wine and roses. Just dull, plain L-I-F-E. Just constant, unchanging, endless hours of tired monotony as you learn to be a man or woman of God . . . with nobody else around, when nobody else notices, when nobody else even cares. That’s how we learn to “king it.”

That brings us to the fourth discipline: reality. Up until now you might have the feeling that despite the solitude, obscurity, and monotony, David was just sitting out on some hilltop in a mystic haze, composing a great piece of music, or relaxing in the pastures of Judea and having a great time training those sheep to sit on their hind legs. That’s not true.

Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, Great Days with the Great Lives (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2005). Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

Chuck Swindoll, accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award at Catalyst 09, offered the following lessons he has learned:

1.It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decision, the lonelier it is.
2.It’s dangerous to succeed. I’m most concerned for those who aren’t even 30 and are very gifted and successful. Sometimes God uses someone right out of youth, but usually he uses leaders who have been crushed.
3.It’s hardest at home. No one ever told me this in Seminary.
4.It’s essential to be real. If there’s one realm where phoniness is common, it’s among leaders. Stay real.
5.It’s painful to obey. The Lord will direct you to do some things that won’t be your choice. Invariably you will give up what you want to do for the cross.
6.Brokenness and failure are necessary.
7.Attitude is more important than actions. Your family may not have told you: some of you are hard to be around. A bad attitude overshadows good actions.
8.Integrity eclipses image. Today we highlight image. But it’s what you’re doing behind the scenes.
9.God’s way is better than my way.
10.Christlikeness begins and ends with humility.

A great word from All Pro Dad!

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle-income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn’t even touch college tuition.  But $160,140 isn’t so bad if you break it down. It translates into $8,896.66 a year, $741.38 a month, or $171.08 a week. That’s a mere $24.24 a day!  Just over a dollar an hour.  Still, you might think the best financial advice is don’t have children if you want to be “rich.” Actually, it is just the opposite.  What do you get for your $160,140?

· Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
· Glimpses of God every day.
· Giggles.... under the covers every night.
· More love than your heart can hold
· Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
· Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
· A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
· A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, building sandcastles, and skipping down the sidewalk in the pouring rain.
· Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to finger-paint, carve pumpkins, play hide-and-seek, catch lightning bugs, and never stop believing in Santa Claus. You have an excuse to keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, watching Saturday morning cartoons, going to Disney movies, and wishing on stars. You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother’s Day, and cards with backward letters for Father’s Day.

For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof, taking the training wheels off a bike, removing a splinter, filling a wading pool, coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to history to witness the first step, first word, first date, and first time behind the wheel. You get to be immortal.  You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you’re lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so . . . one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost.

Check out this story from All Pro Dad.  Don’t forget Father’s Day is on the horizon.

Bear Bryant’s Six Minutes Speech

“Most of you will live another fifty years or more. I hope it’s seventy, but if it’s fifty that’s still a good life, and what happens today, you’ll have to live with the rest of the way. You can’t get it back if you don’t win. It’s sixty minutes and over. The losers are the ones who say, ‘Oh I wish I could play it again.’ You can’t play it again.

Well, you’re not really going to have to play sixty minutes. None of you. The longest play in a game is six and a half seconds. The shortest play is less than two seconds. That’s barely a wink of the eye. You’ll average five seconds a play. Five seconds of total effort, going all out, giving a hundred percent. You oughta be able to hold your hand in a fire that long.

If you’re lucky enough to play seventy plays, that amounts to about six minutes. Six minutes of your time. Out of fifty years, six minutes doesn’t seem like much. But a loser will regret it the rest of his life.

You’ve worked a long time for this. You’ve been playing since you were in the seventh grade. You go out there in front of all those people and don’t give a hundred percent every play then you’re cheating yourself, and your recruiters, and your parents, and your high school coach, and everybody whoever helped you. This is what you have been working toward…

In any big game there are five or six or seven key plays that will decide the outcome. If you put out for five seconds on every play, you’ll get your share of those key plays. You never know when they’ll come, so you have to go all out every time.

If you’re reckless, and give that extra effort, and every play try a little harder, you’ll see in the films on Monday that it was you who made those five or six plays that win. Play ‘em jaw to jaw, and you’ll win in the fourth quarter.”

We had over 600 kids and over 800 total the first day of VBS.  I am thankful for the 260+ volunteers who make this week happen.  Pastor Mark did a great job getting us started and Ms. Shannon led us in worship.  The kids were pumped and everyone is anticipating what God might do tomorrow.  By the way, the boys won the opening day of “pennies for missions.” I believe the girls are sandbagging waiting until the end of the week.  I will keep you up to date. 

Blessings, Joel

We had great services yesterday.  The Holy Spirit was evident and the altar was found by many.  We observed the Lord’s Supper as a church family and I believe God moved in lives.  Can’t wait to see what will happen in Vacation Bible School this week.

Don’t forget that Vacation Bible School starts this coming Monday morning at 9 a.m. sharp!!!!  Help us to pray for the hundreds of children who will come to hear about Jesus throughout the week.  PJ

Wow!!!! Time sure does fly when your having fun.

Pastor Lon and I talked briefly on the phone last night and I was reminded that it was three years ago today that I became the pastor at Valley View Church.  The Lord has been very good to my family as we have made this journey.  I am grateful for the many acts of kindness and grace shown to us these first three years.  I am also thankful for the hundreds of people who have been baptized and have joined our team here at Valley View.  I rejoice at what God is doing all around us.  Thank you for allowing me to serve you as your pastor.

Joel

I am a student of history.  I enjoy reading about the men and women who have shaped history.  Months ago, Jo and I stopped in a theatre and watched the movie Invictus.  I am not a rugby fan because I do not understand the rules, but I do enjoy the combat I see on the field.

When Jo and I sat in the darkened theatre and watched the movie I was reminded of the history behind it.  Nelson Mandela, a former communist and terrorist in South Africa had spent three decades in prison.  South Africa was a blight on the world because of racism and hatred.  Mandela was released from prison in 1990 and was then elected president of his country.  My friend, Pastor Norman Schaeffer and his wife Gaby lived in South Africa at the time.  In speaking to him during my last mission trip to Botswana he told me if Mandela had not “forgiven” his tormentors, South Africa would have erupted into civil war. 

The movie Invictus is the story of the South African rugby team bringing a nation together under a new constitution, national anthem and flag. The team won the 1995 World Cup.  President Mandela understood forgiveness to set his own soul free.  He then provides the leadership to a country to exorcise the demons of the past.  Forgiveness, true forgiveness, sets us free!

The great actor Morgan Freeman gives an Oscar-worthy performance of Nelson Mandela.  Several times during the film you hear Freeman’s gravel voice reciting the poem that helped Mandela survive his time in prison.  Here is that poem:

William Ernest Henley. 1849–1903

Invictus

OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul. 

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud. 
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed. 

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. 

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate: 
I am the captain of my soul. 

I don’t know where you are today in your journey of forgiveness, but may I suggest you find your peace in the Lord Jesus Christ.  With all due respect to author William Ernest Henley:  Jesus is the master of my fate:  Jesus is the captain of my soul. 

“Be still and know I am God.” Psalm 46:10

My mom and dad are celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary today.  Thank you both for your example!  Joel

WOW!!!  What a great day yesterday!

I am going to do my best to try and give you an overview of what God is doing during our Sunday services every Monday morning.  With training camps in the NFL set to open in about 6 weeks, I thought the Monday Morning Quarterback theme would suffice. 

Our 4th Annual Car and Motorcycle was a great success on Saturday.  Thousands came and checked out hot rods, antique cars and motorcycles.  We gave away over 3,000 hot dogs again.  Wow!!!!!  I am thankful and grateful for every volunteer who took the time to minister.  This show is a big operation and requires hundreds of volunteers.  Thank you again for all each of you do for JESUS!!!!

I am privileged to get to experience anointed intercession every Sunday morning with a different group of men and/or ladies in my study.  Yesterday was no exception.  The heavens opened up and we had church before church.  This anointing transitioned right into the worship services where we met face to face with our Lord in song and preaching. 

During our three worship services we were able to baptize 23 people.  That never gets old! 

I preached yesterday on the subject of Jealousy using the lives of King Saul and David from 1 Samuel 18.  I had way too much material but was able to hopefully make a connection with God’s Word to those of us who struggle at times with our sin-nature relating to jealousy. 

We had a great elder’s meeting last night until around 8:45 or so.  I love our staff and our elders.  I cannot wait to see what God will continue to do.

Don’t forget our prayer time tomorow night from 7-8 p.m.

Vacation Bible School cranks up Monday week!  Hundreds and hundreds of students will make Valley View their home next week.  Pray earnestly for them to receive the Gospel.

Have a blessed week!

Pastor Joel

A great article on preaching.  Enjoy!!!!

How do I feel about preaching? To say, “I love to preach” seems too simplistic. I love to eat pasta, hang out with my wife Martie, play golf, or drive a fast car. But do I love preaching? Well, maybe…? It depends!

Preaching is not like anything else I love to do. I do not agonize over eating a great dinner, spending time with my wife, hitting a perfect drive, or nailing the accelerator. But I do agonize over preaching. I don’t have to dig deep to do most of the things I love, but I have to dig deep to preach.
Most of the things I love don’t bring my worst insecurities to the surface. They don’t tighten my gut on a Friday night or ruin an otherwise good Saturday. Although I love preaching, I usually have the nagging thought that the sermon I am about to preach could still be improved. Even after preaching, my anxiety level can remain elevated because I forgot a key transition or muffed the introduction.

I’m never plagued about how to grip a putter when I golf, but I am often haunted by the thought that there may be something pivotal in the biblical text that I have not yet seen. As I preach, I agonize about how to articulate the message in the most compelling way.

The Agony of Preaching

I am haunted by the words of my professor and mentor Howard Hendricks, who warned me that one of the worst sins is boring people with the Bible. It is certainly challenging to convince “what-have-you-done-for-me-lately” church members that what I am about to say is more important than what they would like to think about for the next forty minutes.

Preachers are human, and humans wrestle with ego. When you give birth to one sentence at a time, articulating something so intrinsically a part of your soul, there is always a certain risk. It is a blow to a pastor’s ego when he walks by the most spiritual people in the church, huddled in the foyer after the morning message, only to overhear them talking about the great insights of their favorite radio preacher. Of course, preaching is not supposed to be about egos, but there is nothing like preaching to remind you that you have one.

As someone who lives in the suburbs, I love to cut my lawn and edge my driveway with precision. There is something satisfying about standing back and thinking, “There, that’s done. I’m great with how it looks!” I never feel that kind of satisfaction with preaching. When someone asks me if I’m ready to preach, my response is always, “Not really!” I never feel completely ready. There always seems to be a more interesting illustration, a clearer transition, a better thought about the historical and cultural context, on and on, forever and ever—with no amen! Preaching is the ultimate in open-ended art form; it can always be improved.

Preaching never feels like it is over and done. I can walk away from a lousy golf game and get on with my life, but I can’t walk away after a poorly preached sermon and forget it. I can’t tell you how many times I have preached and afterward promised God I would never embarrass Him like that again.
Why is it that when I feel I have preached a really good sermon, it sometimes seems to go nowhere? And, when I feel I have not done so well, God often sees fit to use it in someone’s life? In moments like these, I comfort myself with the reminder that God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). God often uses my inadequacy to keep me appropriately humble. A public display of weakness in the thing that people expect me to do well isn’t very comfortable. I don’t enjoy being humbled. But preaching has a way of doing that to me.

My Goal is Preaching

I must remind myself that the goal in preaching is not be a great preacher but to be an effective preacher. Hitting this goal consistently is a complicated, multifaceted enterprise that plays with my head and my heart. I am humbled when I remember that God even spoke through a donkey in the Old Testament.
Saying I love preaching seems too simplistic and too flippant a way to speak of such a profound responsibility. I am awed by the magnitude of the responsibility. I am the middleman in a divine encounter between the Almighty God and sinful humanity. When I think of preaching as a matter of crafting my own words into what God wants me to say, it is a terrifying and weighty pursuit.

I am always aware that preaching is serious business. It entangles us in a myriad of conflicting emotions and self-deprecating thoughts. Preaching demands our best, even while it reminds us that we are not up to the task. I feel a kinship with Bruce Thielemann, who writes, “The pulpit calls those anointed to it as the sea calls its sailors; and like the sea, it batters and bruises and does not rest…. To preach, to really preach, is to die naked a little at a time and to know each time you do it that you must do it again.”

Yet the reality, as strange as it may seem, is that I do return to it again and again. Not because I have to, but because I want to. No, actually, I preach because I love to. I’m not sure I can even explain my ambivalence. But I know this. After thirty-six years of “dying naked a little at a time,” I still love to preach. To me, in spite of all the challenges and nagging insecurities, preaching is the sweetest agony in the world.

A Key Reason to Love Preaching

Whether you are an aspiring preacher or a seasoned veteran, let me try to describe to you what drives us to publicly fall on the sword of our inadequacies Sunday after Sunday and somehow love it all the same.

First, we should love to preach because you and I are wired for preaching. In the classic movie Chariots of Fire, the Olympic runner Eric Liddell says, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.” My spiritual gifts are bent toward preaching, and when I preach I feel His pleasure. This should be true for you if you love Jesus and are gifted to preach.

It is wonderfully rewarding to hear people tell you how God has used the message to impact their lives in a strategic way. If you and I have this spiritual gift, we should use it to honor Him.

Preaching is a way to bring glory to God. Preaching offers the opportunity to proclaim the nature, ways, and will of God on a regular basis so that all of the radiance of His surpassing glory can be comprehended and adored.

My Top Three Reasons

If you were to ask me to give my “short list” of reasons I love to preach, three others would be at the top of my list—and perhaps yours, too.

1.  Being a voice for God in a world of distracting and destructive voices.

Preaching, as it is meant to be, is not an exercise in sharing our thoughts with interested people. Thankfully! After many years of talking, I find that what I think is important and interesting is not always as compelling to those who have to listen to me. I hate to tell you how many times I have launched into a discourse on some topic I thought would be gripping to my listeners, only to watch their eyes glaze over. More than once, I have dogmatically shared my opinions, only to realize later how wrong I have been. To be honest, I sometimes tire of hearing myself talk.

However, I never tire of telling people God’s thoughts. His words are always compelling, relevant, and more importantly, always correct. Preaching is the one verbal exercise I can do with confidence. Only when I preach God’s Word can I be sure that my words are indisputably true, and, if acted upon, are as transforming as they are profound.

The tricky part is making sure that I am preaching God’s thoughts and words, and not simply something I would like to say. The hard word of exegesis—understanding the true meaning of the text in its historical, grammatical, and cultural context—is essential to preaching with confidence. It is not always easy. I have studied many texts that at first blush seemed to contain a great sermon idea, for which I have both a passion and a bunch of killer illustrations, only to have the dream of that great sermon die on the battlefield of exegesis.

No matter how tempting it was to try to revive the original sermon idea, integrity demands that I preach God’s intention in the text. There is no power in preaching what I wish the text would say. The power comes only when the sermon is aligned with what God is saying in the text. His Word, not mine, is the sword that plunges deep into the heart of the listener, piercing all the way to its hidden intentions and motives (Hebrews 4:12).

Preaching that is effective and powerful is the intentional commitment of the preacher to connect the head and heart of the listener to the central message of the text in a way that enables the hearer to understand what the passage is saying about the message of the text and to communicate appropriate ways to help the listener implement the proclamation point of the text in relevant aspects of their lives.

People want to hear a word from God. If our thoughts are not the thoughts of God as expressed in the text, then we have missed the essence of preaching. I have become painfully aware that my preaching must always be about “Thus saith the Lord!” not “Thus saith Joe!” When I was a student in seminary, Haddon Robinson often told our homiletics class, “When you are done preaching, if someone disagrees with you, your sermon should be so deeply rooted in the text that you can tell them that their disagreement is with Scripture, not with you!” That’s great advice!

In 2 Timothy 4:1–2, Paul commands Timothy to “Preach the Word!” The Greek term in the text translated “preach” is the word “herald.” In the ancient world, a herald was one who took the edict of the king and declared it to the villagers of the kingdom. A herald who wanted to keep his life didn’t go to the villages and say, “The king has a thought that he wants you to discuss and see if you think it is worthwhile.” Or, “What I wish the king would have said…” He didn’t dare. It would have been a breach of his calling and an abrupt end to his career. A herald simply declared, “The king says…!” He represented the will and wishes of the king and carried the authority of the king to communicate it without apology. This is the privilege and power of great preaching.

Preachers join the grand legacy of the prophets of the Old Testament, who for good or ill shamelessly and courageously served as middlemen in a divine informational transaction. Their message was aimed at repentance and the realignment of lives gone out of whack. Being a modern “prophet” is a good thing. People desperately need to hear from God!

Lots of voices are vying for the minds and hearts of God’s people. Most of them are counterproductive and contradictory to God’s voice. But no voice is as dangerous as the inner voice that responds to our own desires and shapes our decisions. We are fallen creatures. Too often our first instincts are wrong and destructive. We do not lean toward forgiveness and love for our enemies. We tend more toward greed than generosity. Our hearts rush to serve self instead of others. We believe we have an inherent right to joy and happiness in the here and now. We think suffering is unproductive and something to be despised. Is it any wonder our relationships fail, spiritual expectations are not realized, and we remain empty and disillusioned with life?

Thankfully, God’s Word helps us with these impulses. The preacher is an agent of transformation when he speaks the Word and will of God.
God’s voice is counterintuitive and countercultural. Whether it’s on talk shows or in self-help books, classrooms or chat rooms, from neighbor chatter to church folk sharing their thoughts, God’s point of view is rarely expressed. He warns us that there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death (Prov. 14:12). I love the thought that when I preach, I am bringing God’s voice back to center again. His voice desperately needs to be heard.

The prophet Isaiah speaks of the readiness of God to receive and restore those who have wandered from His thoughts and His ways when he writes: “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord” (Isa. 55:6–8).

If you visit Staunton Harold Church in Staunton, England, you will find an inscription praising its founder, Robert Shirley: “In the year of 1653, when all things sacred were throughout the nation destroyed or profaned, this church was built to the glory of God by Sir Robert Shirley, whose singular praise it was to have done the best things in the worst times…”

In this godless age, preaching has to be among the best things you can do in what many believe to be the worst of times. I pray that the same will one day be said of my ministry and me.

2.  Talking about the real, compelling Jesus.

Through the years I have discovered how easy it is to tire of myself. I tire of the insecurities that hound me, of the sins that defeat me, and of the words I wish I could take back. I tire of the foolish decisions I have made, of being tempted to think too well of myself, and of my tendency to fail repeatedly.
Yet I never tire of Jesus. I find Jesus more compelling, more adventuresome, and more troubling (in the best sense of the word) than anyone I have ever known. Each day I serve Him He proves to be more worthy of my adoration than before.

And I love to tell others about Him.

I love to help people wake up to the fact that when life is “all about me,” it backfires. But when it is all about Jesus, even our greatest accomplishments become like dung, compared to the surpassing value of knowing and experiencing Him (Phil. 3:1–11).

I love to lead people to the true Jesus—to the Jesus who is more than a meek and mild hero of history. I want them to know the Jesus who was a tough and determined revolutionary, who came to overthrow the regime of hell and set the captives free. I want them to see Jesus as He really is, intriguingly radical and truly authentic—to recognize that He had nothing but warning for religious hypocrites and scorn for Bible bureaucrats. This Jesus loved sinners. He came to heal the sick, to help the hurting, and to restore the lost. He made losers winners. Tough men dropped everything to follow Him, and women felt safe with Him. By observing His life and listening to His teaching, we too can learn how to really live, right side up in an upside-down world, and how to really die. By knowing Jesus, we can die to ourselves and live to God.

I love to invite others to care for the kind of people Jesus cared for—the marginalized, the weak, the despised, and outcasts of this world. I love helping people get their heads on straight and their hearts back in line. I love being a part of the process of allowing Jesus to dominate our thoughts and our ways, so that our broken lives can announce the reality of His kingdom and the radiance of His glory.

I love to ignite the spark of hope in the unbeliever’s heart by telling them that Jesus loves them and died so they might be forgiven. I tell them that Jesus will liberate them from their sins and that Jesus alone is someone they can follow without disappointment.

Knowing that God will be at work though the preaching of His Word.

It has happened many times. I am sure it has happened to you as well. After you have given birth to the sermon—in public for all to see—someone approaches you and tells you word for word what they heard. “It was just what I needed,” they say. “Thank you so much! It was such a blessing.” At this point most preachers press the rewind button only to discover that they never actually said that—something close, perhaps—but not that! What does a preacher do in such a case? Does integrity demand we say, “Sorry, I never said that, so scratch the blessing”? Or do we acknowledge that there is a supernatural dynamic to our preaching?

In a mysterious way, beyond our comprehension, the Holy Spirit takes our words and runs them through the grid of the listener’s life, customizing the application to a needy heart in order to make a difference.

If it weren’t for the Holy Spirit, who empowers us and energizes God’s Word, I would quit today. There is no way I could stand before people Sunday after Sunday and talk to them for thirty to fifty minutes and expect them to listen to me, not after being stimulated all week by a high-tech, special-effects world. How can a preacher compete? A preacher can’t. Not by himself.

But we can be assured that the supernatural work of the Spirit probes deep into hearts in a way that is “living and active.” God’s Word is “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” (Heb. 4:12). The preacher can now know that in spite of the odds he is up against, God is at work.

I preach to see the light of discovery in the eyes of a listener…to see a tear of relief or repentance roll down a cheek…to see a genuine nod of understanding. I preach to have my listeners tell me that God has used my ministry to make a difference in their lives and then to hear how God used His Word for His glory and their gain.

I preach with the confidence that even when no one tells me what is going on in his or her heart, God knows and his Word meets listeners right where they are. I preach to hear what I have heard so many times before, that the passage I chose to preach was exactly what they needed.

Hearing that God has used our preaching to touch the lives of others is encouraging. We live for those affirmations. But I find it awkward to respond to such compliments. I could say something like, “Thanks, I really worked hard on that sermon and I’m glad you liked it.” But that doesn’t seem like a good plan. God doesn’t it take it lightly when we steal His glory. I remind myself that it is God and His Spirit who have been at work in spite of me. I remind myself of the gifts He has given me, the education He has permitted me to have, the opportunities He has granted, the wife with whom He has blessed me, the abundant mercy with which He covers my persistent failures—the list is long. If it weren’t for all these things, my preaching would be in vain. I am nothing without Him. Really! I cannot take credit for the gain He brings to people when I preach.

Hence, my problem. What should I say when someone wants to tell me what God has done through my ministry?

I have learned not to reject my listener’s words of appreciation. God has been at work in their lives, and it is important for them to express thanks for the impact my ministry has made. So I listen with a sense of appreciation and say something like, “Well, we know where all of that came from. But thanks, your words are a real encouragement to me.”

I often tell them that I pray God will use me to make a difference in somebody’s life and if that has happened with them, then God has answered my prayer. But my all-time favorite answer is, “See how much God loves you? I had no idea what you needed, and God laid that on my heart just for you. How good is it that He loves you that much! Thanks for telling me. It’s a great encouragement!”

While I want to transfer the gratitude to its proper destination, my heart is overflowing with joy that God would see fit to use me in a divine connection between His heart and theirs. It’s what I love about preaching!

When the Preacher Disappears

Some time ago I sat in a congregation where people were going to microphones in the aisles to describe what God had done in their lives through the ministry of that church. One man addressed the pastor, “Bill, ten minutes into the sermon last week you disappeared and I heard from God.” There could not be a more profound compliment for a preacher than that. When His Word is preached, God rolls up His sleeves and gets to work.

This is why I love to preach!

I don’t understand the current climate that downgrades preaching to a brief closing thought at the end of extended worship. Nor do I understand those who say that preaching is “arrogant.” If I am only preaching my own thoughts, then perhaps they are right. A sermon based on the authority of my own thinking is indeed arrogant. But if it is based on God’s truth clearly seen in His Word, and carefully proclaimed by the prophet-preacher, it is not arrogant. What we preach is then strategically important. Truth is not found in community. Truth is found in the God who is true and in His Word, which is truth. For reasons best known to God alone, He has enlisted preachers to join in the enterprise of conveying His Word to His people.

I have preached enough to fully understand that getting God’s Word to His people is a demanding task. I must extract God’s ideas from the text and craft them into a sermon that speaks to the head and the heart. I want my audience to know that I am in touch with their struggles. Delivering the goods while staying on top of my insecurities and shortcomings requires an unshaken reliance on God. Preaching is a demanding assignment, but I love it just the same!
I love it when the light of exegetical discovery illuminates the text. I love sensing that I am, at last, emerging from the dark cave of wondering what I will say in the sermon.

Every preacher knows the excitement of feeling a sermon grow within, like an embryo developing cell upon cell. It is an excitement that flows from the increasing awareness that we have something to say from God for His people—an excitement that gives way to a sense of urgency and confidence. Urgency makes us passionate about the message of the text, and confidence empowers us to preach that message with boldness and authority.

Simply put, good preaching is the art of bringing glory to God by delivering a word from God to His people in a way that touches them where they live and leads them to where they should be living. When I sense that I have found that word, it takes on a life of its own in my soul. It is then that I can’t help myself. I must preach. At that moment, I know I am almost ready to preach. And when I am ready—almost ready—I love to preach!

I Am a Soldier
Author unknown

I am a soldier in the army of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer, and the Word are my weapons of Warfare.
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire in this Army or die in this Army;
but, I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.
I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.
If my God needs me, I am there.

I am a soldier. I am not a baby.
I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up,
pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.
I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.

I am a soldier. I am not a wimp.
I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders,
praising His name, and building His kingdom!
No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.
I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.

I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even. I will win.

My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror.
I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ.
Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me, and hell cannot handle me!
I am a soldier.

Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield,
He will promote me to a captain.
I am a soldier, in the Army, I’m marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier, marching Heaven bound.

Please take a moment today from your festivities and remember the ultimate sacrifice made by so many so we may continue to enjoy our freedoms.

We are not a democracy, the United States of America is a republic:  “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”

The Bible teaches we have a dual citizenship of heaven and earth.  We are “pilgrims” here just passing through.  But while we are here let’s make a difference for the kingdom of God as we live out His plan of the redemption story to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with every person we come in contact with.  In fact, why not start today?  You can do it, I can do it, we can all do it.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your pastor for such a time as this.

Pastor Joel

Looking forward to a blessed day tomorrow.  Preaching out of Acts 1:12-26!  The passage teaches about Judas, betrayal, and Matthias.  These final verses of chapter one lead us to the beginning of the New Testament Church in Acts 2.  Come and check us out.

9:00 a.m.  Worship and LifeGroups

10:20 a.m.  Worship and LifeGroups

11:44 a.m.  Worship

If we open a quarrel between past and present, we shall find that have have lost the future.  Unknown

Advocate (1 John 2:1)
Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18)
Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13)
Amen (Rev. 3:14)
Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1)
Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2)
Author of Life (Acts 3:15)
Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2)
Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10)

Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13)
Blessed and only Ruler (1 Tim. 6:15)
Bread of God (John 6:33)
Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48)
Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15)
Capstone (Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7)
Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20)
Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4)
Christ (1 John 2:22)
Creator (John 1:3)
Deliverer (Rom. 11:26)
Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20)
Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11)
Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5)
Faithful and True Witness (Rev. 3:14)
First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13)
Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5)
Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15)
Gate (John 10:9)
God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1;1 John 5:20; etc.)
Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)
Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20)
Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)
Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)
Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2)
High Priest (Heb. 2:17)
Holy and True (Rev. 3:7)
Holy One (Acts 3:14)
Hope (1 Tim. 1:1)
Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27)
Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
I Am (John 8:58)
Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4)
Immanuel (Mt. 1:23)
Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)
King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17)
King of Israel (John 1:49)
King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11)
King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16)
King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3)
Lamb (Rev. 13:8)
Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19)
Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45)
Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4)
Light of the World (John 8:12)
Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)
Living One (Rev. 1:18)
Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4)
Lord (2 Pet. 2:20)
Lord of All (Acts 10:36)
Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8)
Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16)
Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48)
Master (Lk. 5:5; 8:24; 9:33)
Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15)
Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)
Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16)
Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:9)
Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)
Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2)
Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3)
Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7)
Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6)
Prophet (Acts 3:22)
Rabbi (Mt. 26:25)
Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)
Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5)
Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1)
Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)
Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16)
Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14)
Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5)
Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20)
Son of David (Lk. 18:39)
Son of God (John 1:49; Heb. 4:14)
Son of Man (Mt. 8:20)
Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32)
Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey him (Heb. 5:9)
The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5)
The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11)
True Bread (John 6:32)
True Light (John 1:9)
True Vine (John 15:1)
Truth (John 1:14; 14:6)
Way (John 14:6)
Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Word (John 1:1)
Word of God (Rev. 19:13)

Show Yourself a Man

1 Kings 2:1-4 (NKJV)
Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying:
2 “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove/show yourself a man.
3 “And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn;
4 “that the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’

The character of Manhood

1.  David makes Solomon understand that manhood involves a certain character: a demonstration of strength.  Develop a godly character and obey what God has said. 

The context of Manhood

The way in which Solomon is to work out this commitment to God will be masculine.  It will be within the context of leading, providing and protecting. 

In verses 5-9 Joab’s unlawful killing of two of David’s commanders is going to require a response from Solomon that involves avenging this act. [Braveheart]

1 Kings 2:5-9 (NKJV)

“Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed. And he shed the blood of war in peacetime, and put the blood of war on his belt that was around his waist, and on his sandals that were on his feet.
6 “Therefore do according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace.
7 “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
8 “And see, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a malicious curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by the LORD, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’
9 “Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood.”

David’s instruction has a particularly masculine context to it.  Most of us know this intuitively.  A noise outside, “honey, go see what that is.” Biblical manhood is lived out in a particular manner. 

The content of Manhood

What does this look like?  How is a man, in his home, supposed to express his masculinity as the leader?

VISION:  This is where we are going:  You as the man of God are the primary keeper of the vision.  Sit down and ask, what do we want this thing to look like 10-15 years from now?

DIRECTION:  This is how we get there:  The details of the vision.  Daily, weekly and monthly steps.

INSTRUCTION:  Let me show you how:  Rehearse possible scenarios with your children and/or wife.

IMITATION:  Watch me:  This is the heart of leadership.  A good leader says with the apostle Paul, “Follow me inasmuch as I follow Christ.” Make restitution when you sin and fall.

INSPIRATION:  You are responsible for the morale.  [This is a great church family; this is a great family?]

AFFIRMATION:  Your doing great: Everyone and I mean everyone needs affirmation and they need it from the leader.  Encourage and inspire; Pull them aside and bless them! 

EVALUATION:  How are we doing?  This is the hardest one.  Potential criticism?  Must listen even when it hurts!? 

Prov 27:6 (HCSB) 6 The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive. 

Prov 26:28 (HCSB)28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.

Prov 28:23 (HCSB)23 One who rebukes a person will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.

Prov 29:5 (HCSB)5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

CORRECTION:  Let’s make a change:  Evaluation is no good unless you agree on a plan to make the needed corrections.  Initiate this process NOW….It is a vital and necessary part of good leadership.

PROTECTION AND PROVISION:  I will take care of you:  This is to be done with the intention of communicating that “I will never leave you.  I will spend my last drop of energy and love and life taking care of you and I can be counted on by God’s grace.”
Life will happen to us, but our families must know we will be there for them.

THE CHRIST-LIKENESS OF MANHOOD

Solomon ultimately failed to “show himself a man.” This should teach us all to not blindly follow man, but to always follow Christ.
Just a few chapters later in 1 Kings 9-11 we find that Solomon has violated nearly every command Moses gave to kings in Deuteronomy 17.  A vast contrast from the perfections of Christ to the failures of Solomon. 

Let us be willing to embrace the characteristics of biblical manhood to lead, provide and protect.  Don’t wait for a worldly endorsement and do not embrace the feminized version of man espoused by our culture.

Hear the words of a father to a son and “show yourself a man.”

Sources:

The Word
Dr. Randy L. Stinson
Southern Seminary Magazine Winter 2005
Unlocking Your Legacy by Paul J. Meyer
Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell

Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Luke 1:13-17 (NKJV)
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
14 “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
15 “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
16 “And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
17 “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

John 1:6-8 (NKJV)
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

John 5:35 (NKJV) 35 “He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.

The Mandate, Mission and Mindset for Male Leadership in the Local Church.

“Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.”
- Emerson, Ralph Waldo

A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.  Winston Churchill

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
Winston Churchill

[I am learning] We need to be reminded as much as we need to be taught.

* The Mandate for Male Leadership in the Local Church

Today’s man does not know who he is.

He will simply define himself by:

1. What he does
2. What he knows
3. What he owns

A compilation of several surveys that has been gathered from men’s ministry resources
around this country has given us many specific facts that outline our mandate:

1. There are approximately 94 million males, age 18 or older.

2. On a typical weekend, about 26 million men attend church services, meaning 68 million
men do not. (In 1992, 42% of all men were churched. Five years later in 1997, 28 % of
men were churched).

3. During a typical week, roughly 27 million men read the Bible, meaning 67 million do not.

4. One in three men embraces Christ as Savior. Approximately 60 million men rely on
other means for salvation.

5. Eighty-five percent of all un-churched men were previously churched.

6. Since 1991, all church activities have decreased among men, while the proportion of
born-again men has remained unchanged.

7. Forty-four percent of Christian men would like to change the way the feel about
themselves.

8. Forty-three percent of Christian men feel a deep sense of failure when they think about
their past.

9. Twenty-five percent of Christian men indicate satisfaction with themselves as “father.”

10. Sixty-two percent of Christian men are satisfied with their relationship with their wives.
11. Eighty-one percent of Christian men describe their jobs as “highly stressful.”

12. Sixty-three percent of Christian men are concerned about the future health of their career.

13. Fifty-three percent of Christian men admit to fantasizing about sex with other women.

14. Fifty-four percent of Christian men feel ashamed about their past sexual experiences.

15. Seventy-five percent of Christian men have feelings they do not share with anyone.

16. Thirty-five percent of Christian men have others to hold them accountable for their
sexual thoughts and behaviors.

In the context of fathering, Evangelist Steve Hale shared these statistics from The National Center of Fathering. They are, since 1960:

1. The divorce rate has gone up two times

2. Teenage suicides have gone up three times

3. Violent crimes, four times

4. Prison population, five times

5. Babies born out of wedlock, six times

6. Cohabitation, seven times

7. Clinical depression treatments, ten times

• Six and a half million are incarcerated in the nation’s correctional system. That is one
out of every thirty-two adults

• One child out of every five children lives in poverty in this country.

• Four in ten children go to sleep without a father in the home.

• If that child is a teenager, half of our children go to sleep without “daddy” in the house.

• If that daddy is not in the house, 25% of those children see dad once a week.
• Thirty-five percent of those children never see their dad at all.

• Sixty percent of all children born in the 1990’s grew up in a single-parent home.

• Three thousand children every day see their parents get divorced.

• Seventy percent of America’s adolescent murders and long-term prisoners come from
fatherless homes.

A study was given credence in that it identified that when the first person in the family
came to know the Lord, how many of those families followed that person in baptism and church
attendance.

If the child was the first one to come to know the Lord, it was found that 3% of those families would follow that child in believer’s baptism. If mom was the first one to come to know the lord, 17% of those families would follow her in believer’s baptism.

But if dad comes to know the Lord first in a family, 93% of those of those families would follow the Lord Jesus in believer’s baptism. Some challenge the integrity of those statistics, but I submit to you that it happened in the first century.

In Cornelius’ house, his whole household came to know the Lord.  Acts 11:14

* The Mission for Male Leadership in the Local Church

Is there a model? I would submit to you that there is. The Lord Jesus, Himself, said that there was one amongst us who was the greatest man; one born of woman who was greater than the rest.

Jesus pointed straight to the herald whom God had placed on Earth before Him, John the Baptist. In Bible, there are five specific points about John the Baptist that explained clearly his mission.

They are:

1. He was a God-appointed messenger to announce the arrival of Jesus.
2. He was a preacher whose theme was repentance.
3. He was a fearless confronter.
4. He was well known for his remarkable lifestyle.
5. He was uncompromising.

Generally when I read these to a group of men, I go back and ask the question after all five of
those: “Are you?”

If John the Baptist had those criteria and qualities in his life, and Jesus Christ said that this was the greatest man, may it be true that those five characteristics—those five marks—of John the Baptist are reality in my life. Someone once preached about John the Baptist and they said that he knew:

1. Who he was
2. Where he came from
3. What he was doing
4. Where he was going

The same question follows. Can I answer those simple questions about myself? I read a message on John the Baptist once, and the preacher said that John the Baptist was:

1. Unimpressed with who he was
2. Unshaken by what he saw
3. Unmoved by why he came

In our mission, Sid Woodruff writes, breaking our text down into four component parts. Sid says the man of God:

1. Receives a divine call
2. Accepts a daily assignment
3. Follows a determined mission
4. Chooses to deflect the glory

Most men who are not fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ really do not see themselves as
divinely-called and sent from God into the culture that they live; not at their work, not in
their home, not even in their church.

They don’t see themselves as receiving an assignment from God to bear witness to the light—to witness of the glory of God—and they certainly don’t see themselves finishing faithful to the task that all men might believe in this Christ.

WE HAVE A TENDENCY: To believe so much in their abilities and their experiences that they choose to accept the glory for themselves rather than deflect the glory to God.

There is a mandate for male leadership in the local church, and there is a mission for every man, imposing on the church to raise up men who are fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

* The Mindset for Male Leadership in the Local Church

Matthew 28:19-20:

19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…
20 “…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”

You might ask why.

Ephesians 4:12: “To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ
may be built up.”

Not unlike John the Baptist, our marching orders are very clear; they are crystal clear.

Therefore, the mindset—the changing of the mind—that needs to happen in every church,
in every local church ministry is simply stated: Everything must pass the test of discipleship.

The “meet, greet, and eat” mentality has got to disappear.

The challenge for us is to live in such a way that we resemble John the Baptist at some level. I have to understand that everywhere I go and in everything I do, there is opportunity to GROW.

I would submit to all of us that we need to be like John the Baptist: there came a man, sent from God.

His name is ME, and I will be HIM.

The journey of a godly man is one that requires a ticket he cannot afford, going to a destination he does not deserve. 

Sources:

The Word
Danny Singleton
Sid Woodruff
Steve Hale
FBCW Men’s Ministry Resources

There can be only two basic loves, the love of God unto the forgetfulness of self, or the love of self unto the forgetfulness of God.

- St. Augustine

Mark 15:1-47 (KJV)

1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.
3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.
5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.
6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.
7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.
9 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.
11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
12 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?
13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.
14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
and Christ is delivered up to be crucified
15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.
25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.
36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.
37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,
43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

Easter Eve Saturday Evening:  4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday Morning:  9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

If you presently worship at the 9:00 a.m. worship service please make plans to come to the 4 p.m. Saturday worship service.
If you presently worship at the 10:20 a.m. time please make plans to come to the 6:00 p.m. Saturday worship service. 
This will allow room for the thousands of guests who will come and worship with us on Sunday morning.  Thank you in advance for sacrificing your Sunday morning parking space and pew.  Your sacrifice could possibly lead to hundreds coming to know Jesus Christ!!!!!!

If you presently worship at the 11:44 a.m. Sunday morning/afternoon service, please feel free to choose either the 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. worship service on Saturday night.  Your ongoing sacrifice allows us to have room to continue to grow.  Thank you for loving Jesus the way you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You may dress casual on Easter weekend.  Please don’t feel like you MUST wear coat, tie, dress or something new.  Take the money you would have purchased for an Easter suit or dress and give it to our Jerusalem missions!!!! 

Thank you in advance for making a difference!

Pastor Joel

Don’t forget that Senior Minister Dave Stone from Southeast Christian Church will be our guest preacher this coming Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m.  SECC has a weekend attendance of over 20,000 people.  We are blessed and fortunate to have Dave to come and preach the Gospel for us. SECC baptized over 600 souls this past year.  PTL!!!!!  Make plans to come and worship with us.  I love you church family.  Pastor Joel

Concern

Every day 74,000 people across the globe come to faith in Christ.

That’s 3,083 new fellow believers every hour of every day.

In India, 10,000 people a day are being saved.  70 million have been won to Christ in the last nine years!

An average of 28,000 people become believers every day in the People’s Republic of China.

In 1989 there were only four known Christians living in Mongolia. That country now has an estimated 10,000 indigenous believers.

40,127 Haitians have made professions of faith in Jesus Christ since the major earthquake in January.

Each year, 124 million people are born, but Christianity’s foreign missions only baptize 4 million new people annually.

70% of Christian ministry is directed toward people who are already professed Christians. Only 5% of total missionary activity focus on those who have never once had a chance to hear about the Gospel.

Luke 16:27-31

CONCERN

Matt 25:34-40

1 Tim 2:7

2 Tim 1:11

2 Peter 2:5

2 Tim 4:5

Romans 10:10

Romans 1:16

1 Cor 15:3-8

1 Cor 15:42-44, 50-58

Phil 3:21

1 Thess 4:13-18

I am a graduate of Liberty University.  I completed my Bachelor of Science in Religion in 1998.  I had the privilege of being on campus for one of my intensive courses and loved it.  Jo and I went to Thomas Road Baptist Church that Sunday morning and I heard Dr. Falwell preach.  He used one scripture text, then proceeded to verbally harass the sitting president of the United States [1998] and at the invitation time, nineteen people came forward to receive Christ as Savior.  It was incredible.  I looked at Jo during the invitation with a puzzled look on my face, she shrugged her shoulders, we sang 10 stanzas of “Just as I am” and the service finally came to a close.  Lynchburg, Virginia is a unique place, Thomas Road Baptist Church is a unique church.  Please read the following article by Denny Burk.  I hope you enjoy it.

Gina Welch’s In the Land of Believers: An Outsider’s Extraordinary Journey into the Heart of the Evangelical Church is the narrative of the author’s two-year sojourn in the late Jerry Falwell’s Thomas Road Baptist Church (TRBC) in Lynchburg, Virginia. As a life-long liberal atheist, Welch had always regarded evangelicals with an elitist contempt. Uncomfortable with her disdain, she goes undercover and joins the church in order to find out what evangelicals are really like.

At the outset of her project, Welch observes miles of ideological distance between her and the subjects of her study. With respect to Jerry Falwell, she writes, “I considered him a homophobe, a fearmonger, a manipulator, and a misogynist—an alien creature from the most extreme backwater of evangelical culture” (p. 2). Of herself, she says, “I cuss, I drink, and I am not a virgin. I have never believed in God” (p. 2). The distance between her and Falwell represented, she believed, the cultural divide afflicting American culture—the divide between liberals like herself and the evangelical heartland. Evangelicals were pro-life; she was pro-choice. Evangelicals believed in God; she did not. Evangelicals held to myths in order to explain the world, she held to science. Evangelicals were conservative; she was a liberal. Welch came to see that this antipathy formed the basis of many of the most divisive political and social issues of our time. She also saw the divide as the basis for liberal intolerance of evangelicals—a position that she believed to be fundamentally at odds with being liberal. So Welch justifies her undercover operation as an attempt to promote understanding and tolerance between evangelicals and their cultured-despisers. “The collateral damage of going undercover, I thought, was mitigated by the possibility that the enterprise would open channels of understanding writ large between Evangelicals and the rest of us” (p. 9).

Through twenty-eight chapters, Welch tells her compelling story of deceit and discovery. In part one, the author describes going into “The Rabbit Hole,” which is her initiation into the culture of TRBC. She wrestles to master evangelical jargon (e.g., “God told me,” “personal relationship with Jesus”) so that her feigned conversion might appear authentic. She realizes that she will have to walk down an aisle, pray a prayer, and get “saved” in order to get in. So that is exactly what she does. She gets baptized, she takes communion, and she joins the TRBC singles group. All the while, no one at TRBC suspects anything to be amiss with their new “sister.”

In part two, Welsh describes “The Microwave Effect” that began to take her over. Even though she despised evangelical beliefs, she found herself warming up to evangelical believers. In particular, she nurtures a growing admiration for the singles-pastor “Ray,” who becomes a sort of father-figure to her. He’s the real deal, and she knows it. She also forms a close bond with a single woman named “Alice,” who by the end of the book becomes Welch’s best friend at the church. Welch even describes her growing esteem for Falwell himself. She writes, “One look at Jerry Falwell’s life showed that he was no hypocrite: he lived precisely according to the message he preached, bilious as it often was” (p. 169). Against her better judgment, Welch’s esteem for Falwell blossoms into genuine respect and affection:

“Against logic, as a liberal secular Jew, born to a Communist father, raised in Berkeley, educated in the Ivy League—I had been charmed by Jerry Falwell. He was an entertainer. I could have listened to him read an engineering textbook. That was one of the main reasons he had such a large following, I think—he had tremendous charisma, and you had to reason your way out of liking him” (pp. 172-73).

When Falwell dies in 2007, she is astonished to find herself grieving along with the other members of TRBC: “Disturbed by my own sadness, unable to explain the odd couple of my affection for Jerry Falwell and my loathing of his ideals, I drove down to Thomas Road that evening to mourn his death” (p. 167). Throughout this middle section of the book, her affection for the church and its people ironically grows while her belief in its most cherished ideals does not.

In part three, Welch narrates her experience being “Salt and Light” on a mission trip to Alaska with other singles from TRBC. Surprisingly, she ends up preaching the gospel that she hates. She even leads one little girl to pray to receive Christ as her savior. Welch forms deep bonds on this trip with the other missionaries—but especially with Ray and Alice. As a result, the doubts about the morality of her enterprise begin to haunt her. She writes,

“The moment I admitted to myself I was having fun, bonding, I felt turbulent undercurrents of anxiety. Casting my mind forward, I tried to picture my friends’ faces when they found out who I really was. They would think back on this time, remember me laughing with them, sharing gum, developing a catalog of mildly perverted inside jokes. The smiles would drop off their faces. They were going to hate me” (p. 251).

These feelings quickly convert into a resolve to end the deception and to leave the church once and for all. And soon after returning to Lynchburg, that is exactly what she does. But she does so without any explanation to her close friends, Ray and Alice.

In the Epilogue, Welch describes coming clean with the two people she was closest to at TRBC: Ray and Alice. After leaving the church, Welch cuts off all communication with her friends and for months gives them no explanation for her departure. Ray, Alice, and other friends from the church reach out to her, but she rebuffs all their efforts even as she misses them terribly. Finally, Welch decides to reveal herself to them in advance of the release of her book. She wants to be the one to tell them. Both Ray and Alice are surprised and hurt. Nevertheless, they both respond graciously, and Welch admits a continuing friendship with Alice.

********

Welch’s target audience for this book is secularists and elites who display open disdain for evangelicals and their faith. Nevertheless, I think that Evangelicals would do well to read this book. Her journey at TRBC gives Evangelicals a chance to see themselves from an outsider’s perspective. It also gives a glimpse into the thinking of an atheist who is resistant to being evangelized.

I can’t remember the last time I felt more personally vested in reading a book than I was in reading this one. As an evangelical Christian, I am hardly a disinterested observer of her subject matter. Three themes in particular kept my attention throughout reading this book.

1. A View from the Outside

Welch’s outsider’s depiction of Evangelical Christianity is a big part of what makes this book so interesting. She has nothing vested in intra-evangelical controversies, and yet her commentary is often surprisingly insightful. Welch questions, for instance, methods of evangelism that don’t appear to result in genuine conversions.

“How can you know if you’ve saved someone if there’s never follow-up, never counseling, never a progress report?… In other words, aren’t you simply counting the people who prayed the prayer in that instant rather than counting new Christians?… If you’re a Christian you believe all it takes is that instant, as long as you’re sincere. Once you’ve prayed the sinner’s prayer, you’re good to go… It seemed evident that Evangelicals were padding their rosters” (p. 254).

Welch mistakes this “easy believism” as characteristic of all evangelicals. It certainly is not. Nevertheless, her trenchant critique of such approaches is spot-on.

Another example relates to Welch’s description of the emerging church. Welch has no dog in the fight between post-modern/emerging evangelicals and traditionalist ones. And that is what makes her assessment so interesting:

“The emerging church is actually a broad category of formulas designed for inclusiveness” (p. 107).

“The emerging church was the future for born-agains, as it acknowledged that Christians needed to mold to the shape of the world—not the other way around” (p. 118).

Here, her evolutionary view of religion comes into full view. In her mind, the emerging church represents a more secular version of Christianity—an advance over the mythologies of a bygone era. Thus it occupies a position further down the road of humanity’s graduation from religion. In her way of thinking, it’s the only kind of Christianity with a future in modern society.

2. Grapplings with Christian Community and Witness

After leaving TRBC, Welch describes what sounds to have been months of depression. She misses the church and its people terribly. She writes,

“When I started at Thomas Road I expected to go in as a sort of anthropologist. I expected to discover the sociological underpinnings for evangelical wackiness. I never imagined that I would feel a kind of belonging… I missed hearing Ray preach. I really missed my friends. I missed the warmth, the easy smiles people offered me when I walked into the room. I missed singing at the top of my lungs in church. I wanted to be able to go back” (p. 303, 312).

It is in this section of the book that Welch becomes most reflective about the Christian faith that she despises. Her longing for the church drives her to consider what it would be like for her to live as a Christian or, at the very least, what it would be like to keep up the charade for the rest of her life.

“Could I be a Christian woman to a Christian man? Could I hold his hand and my zipper-bagged Bible as we hurried into church together? Could I look at him across a basket of bottomless fries and be content knowing he considered it part of his Christian duty to treat me well? Could I consider it part of my duty to have his children? Maybe I could be like Ray, living on having prayed the prayer, but secretly not really believing it until one day the truth opened and washed over my real life, like a black-and-white movie blooming into Technicolor. And then, could I be satisfied living on the reassurance that God was on my side?

“I couldn’t. I couldn’t work back from who I was or what I believed, and in truth, I didn’t want to. I preferred analysis, reason, and the satisfying realism of hard truths. I didn’t mind leaving some corners of the universe cast in the shadow of ambiguity. Moral structure might have been the key to happiness, but maybe happiness wasn’t the only thing worth unlocking” (p. 304).

In reading this book, I found myself pulling for Welch, even as I was appalled by her deception and manipulation of the members of TRBC. She never comes around to embracing an evangelical point of view, but there are numerous points throughout this book in which shafts of light seem to break through. For instance, at the end of the book, Welch describes hearing Psalm 139 read to her for the first time:

“The beauty of this Psalm unfurled in me like great spools of ribbon. God-love—I felt I finally saw it. Human love was this awkward thing, like the most delicious fish you could ever hope to eat but you had to eat it alive. Sometimes it made you feel desperate and crazed, as though you’d have to become the person to ever have enough of them. But God-love, the love in the psalm, the love in Jesus loves you—that was Mobius strip love, love with no beginning or end, love that was both calm and complete, unflinching in the face of anything you could reveal about yourself. Who wouldn’t want that? I certainly did, especially in that moment—knowing the secrets in my own heart, knowing that they’d be revealed. But wanting it still didn’t make me believe it” (p. 309).

Welch describes other experiences like this one—including countless instances of being impressed by the community of TRBC.

“They seem to have, as I came to appreciate, a kind of bottomless spring that keeps their happiness lush. I started to believe it was perfectly authentic, and I wanted some for myself” (p. 152).

“In some ways I guess I was beginning to act like them, too. I was sunnier, gentler, friendlier to strangers. I didn’t have that infinite pasture of happiness like Evangelicals, but I had a kind of miniature golf course approximation” (p. 187).

“What I envied most about Christians was not the God thing—it was having a community gathering each week, a touchstone for people who share values, a safe place to be frank about your life struggles, a place to be reminded of your moral compass. Having a place to guard against loneliness, to feel there are others like you” (p. 187-88).

Sadly, Welch’s atheism prevents her from tracing this love back to its Source. She prefers secular reason over what she deems to be a desperately unreasonable faith. In the end, she reconciles her loathing of Evangelical belief with her love of Evangelicals in this way:

“So this—this became the basis of my love for Evangelicals: I was going to choose to see the mystical oneness. And once I started to see it that way, loving them wasn’t very hard to do. In some sense these days I’m just as I always was: godless and churchless, sure that when we die, we’re dead. There is no part of me that’s me forever” (p. 317).

3. Struggles with the Morality of Her Quest

Welch understands that her deception is morally suspect, and she tries to justify her dishonesty with an end-justifies-the-means kind of an argument. She writes:

“Are the revelations I’ve gathered about Evangelicals eclipsed by the methods I’ve used to gather them? I don’t think so… If we don’t love Evangelicals, if we don’t make an effort to understand and accept them,… we’ll always be each other’s nemeses” (p. 315).

Welch thinks her story humanizes Evangelicals in such a way that even their cultured despisers won’t have to despise them anymore. In other words, her subterfuge inaugurates new possibilities of tolerance between believers and secularists. For Welch, this possibility justifies her deception. I couldn’t disagree more with her on that point. I wonder if she could live with such a rationale if the shoe were on the other foot and she were the one being investigated by an interloper.

********

Welch paints pictures with her words. She is an outstanding writer, and her book is a delight to read. I could hardly put it down despite the ethical difficulties with her subject matter. One might expect an evangelical reader to be offended by this book. She lied to and manipulated Christians for the sake of a project from which she stood to profit. Her actions were deceptive and hurtful to her friends at TRBC, and her narrative was patronizing at times to her evangelical subjects. Nevertheless, I find it difficult to be angry with her. I’m still praying that she may yet acquiesce to a gospel perspective. The Lord’s arm is not too short to save (Isaiah 59:1), and I am holding out hope that it may yet reach her.

Don’t forget Dr. Kevin Ezell from Highview Baptist Church will be with us this coming Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m.  Make plans to come and worship with us.  PJ

What a Rich Man in Hell Can Teach You Part 2
Luke 16:19-31 (HCSB)

19 “There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day.
20 But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was left at his gate.
21 He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores.
22 One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
23 And being in torment in Hades[hell], he looked up[VISION] and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side.
24 And he {cried} [TEARS] and said ‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’[FIRE]
25 “ ‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. [REMEMBERANCE]

Just a couple of lessons today:  from the Rich Man in Hell:

26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.’ [SEPERATION]

SEPERATION:  Separate from sin NOT sinners!

“Holiness is a separation from sin, not sinners” Ed Stetzer

Luke 6:22 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they separate you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake.

2 Cor 6:11-18 11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open.

12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? [Don’t participate in their sin]
15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”
17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”
18 “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.”

Matt 11:19 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”

27 “ ‘Father,’ he said, ‘then I{ pray} you to send him to my father’s house— [PRAYER}

PRAYER: Potential sermon title:  “prayer meeting in hell”

Matthew 21:13/Mark 11:17/Luke 19:46 “My house shall be called a house of prayer”.

Modern Day Examples:

* Protestant Christianity has grown from zero to 30 % of the population in S. Korea.
* Of the 20 churches in the world that count weekend attendance of 20,000 or more, 9 of them are in S. Korea.
* The largest Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Holiness and Pentecostal churches in the world are all in S. Korea.
* Why hasn’t North Korea gone to war with South Korea since the cease-fire of July, 1953?
* How did it happen?  PRAYER

South Korean Prayer Patterns

Early Morning Prayer

Friday Night Prayer Meetings

Prayer Mountains- Mark 6:46/Luke 6:12/Luke 9:28 “mountain to pray” (200 churches have actually bought their own mountain.)[[prayer grottos]

Prayer Closets- 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  Matt 6:6 (KJV)

What is the difference between Effective and Ineffective prayer?

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. (1 Kings 17:1/1 Kings 18:41-46)
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 5:16-18

Effective prayer is prayer that is answered according to God’s will.

Reference to prayer is found 31 times in the Book of Acts, more than any other New Testament book.  Prayer precedes nearly every significant event in Acts. This includes:

corporate prayer
group prayer
individual prayer
prayer of intercession
prayer of petition
physical healing
forgiveness
praise and thanksgiving
commission people for ministry
filling of the Holy Spirit

Everything of significance that Jesus did on earth was preceded by the power of prayer. 

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.  John 14:13-14

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 15:7

POWER
RELEASE
ASSURANCE
YIELD TO GOD
ENERGY
RESTORE

He who spreads the sails of prayer will eventually fly the flag of praise.

Preaching moves men, prayer moves God.

If you work for God, form a committee; if you work with God, form a prayer group.

I’d rather be able to pray than be a great preacher; Jesus Christ never taught his disciples how to preach, but only how to pray.
D. L. Moody

I am so busy now that if I did not spend two or three hours each day in prayer, I would not get through the day.  Martin Luther (1483-1546)

-Pray out loud.
-Write your prayer out.
-Read your Bible out loud. 

-Apologize to someone.  Even if it’s not primarily your fault.
-Talk to someone you trust.  If you don’t have someone, hire a professional.
-Rest.
-Exercise.
-Start eating better.
-Drive around listening to a sermon.
-Turn up some worship music really loud.  Shut the door.  Sing along.
-Go back and do the thing you know you were supposed to do.
-Get organized.
-Repent.
-Encourage somebody who would never expect it.
-Get back in church.  Serve somewhere.
-Quit complaining.
-Go on a date with your wife.
-Tell somebody thank you.
-Give some money away.
-Call on the name of Jesus.
-Remember how far He’s brought you.
-Realize that He’ll never ever leave you.

Just a few ideas to get you started.

You can take it from here…

Dr. Dan Garland will be our guest preacher this coming Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m.  Make plans to come and be with us. 

What a Rich Man in Hell Can Teach You
Luke 16:19-25 (HCSB)

19 “There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day.
20 But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was left at his gate.
21 He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores.
22 One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
23 And being in torment in Hades[hell], he looked up[VISION] and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side.

Vision:

Proverbs 29:18 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish:….

What is your vision?  the vision for your family? business?  lifegroup? ballteam?

“People only see what they are prepared to see.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Hell begins on the day when God grants us a clear vision of all that we might have achieved, of all the gifts which we have wasted, of all that we might have done which we did not do”

Hab 2:2-3
2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

24 And he {cried} [TEARS] and said ‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’[FIRE]

Tears:

Job 16:20 20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

Psalms 42:3 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while all day long people say to me, “Where is your God?”

Psalms 56:8 8 You Yourself have recorded my wanderings.  Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your records?

Psalms 126:5-6 (KJV) 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.

Rev 21:3-4 3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne:  Look! God’s dwelling is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  Death will exist no longer; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.

Fire:

Ex 3:2 (HCSB) 2 Then the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush. As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed.
Is your fire still burning? 

Deut 4:24 (KJV) 24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire,…

Heb 12:29 (KJV) 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Jer 20:9 (HCSB) 9 If I say: I won’t mention Him or speak any longer in His name, His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones. I become tired of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.

25 “ ‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. [REMEMBERANCE]

Remembrance:

Ex 13:3 3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place:

Num 11:1-2 1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
2 And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched.

Num 11:5-6 5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:
6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

Deut 8:2 2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

Psalms 77:10-13 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

Remember where God has brought you from?  Remember what could have been unless He had called you.  Remember, remember, remember! Vision:  Tears:  Fire:  Remembrance…

You may follow me in the “twitterverse” at pastorjfc.  Just go to twitter.com and get signed up.  Blessings, Pastor

Prayer meeting was awesome last night as songs of praise, intercession, scripture reading and brokeness came upon us.  Make plans to join us next Tuesday night for our time of prayer!  You will be glad you did.  Pastor

Right Person, Right Time, Right Place, God’s Plan
Learning the Art of Hot Monogamy

The words intimacy and sexual activity will be interchangeable throughout the message.

Gen 2:24-25 (NKJV) 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

God designed the marital act for procreation and pleasure.  We must remember that SEX is God’s idea.  He is the one who put the passion and desire in your heart. 

It is never wrong to have a longing for sexual unity within the context of marriage.

Only sex within the loving and secure relationship of a committed marriage is called “good”.

“For many years the church had a very restrictive view of sex and frequently banned its practice for religious reasons.  Between the third and tenth centuries, the church prohibited its members from having sex on Saturdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, as well as during the forty-day fast periods before Easter, Christmas, and Pentecost.  One historian estimates that only forty-four days a year were left for marital sex after taking away the possibility of sex during feast days and days of female impurity.”

God doesn’t blush about sex.  A) The portrayal of Israel as a “prostitute” (Jeremiah 2:20) B) The identification of the church as the “bride of Christ” (Revelation 19:7-9) C) The description of the church as a virgin
(2 Cor. 11:2).

Song 6:3-9 (NLT) 3 I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine. He grazes among the lilies!”
4 “O my beloved, you are as beautiful as the lovely town of Tirzah. Yes, as beautiful as Jerusalem! You are as majestic as an army with banners!
5 Look away, for your eyes overcome me! Your hair falls in waves, like a flock of goats frisking down the slopes of Gilead.
6 Your teeth are as white as newly washed sheep. They are perfectly matched; not one is missing.
7 Your cheeks behind your veil are like pomegranate halves—lovely and delicious.
8 There may be sixty wives, all queens, and eighty concubines and unnumbered virgins available to me.
9 But I would still choose my dove, my perfect one, the only beloved daughter of her mother!…

Song 7: selected (NLT) 1 “How beautiful are your sandaled feet,….. Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of a skilled craftsman.
2 Your navel is as delicious as a goblet filled with wine. Your belly is lovely, like a heap of wheat set about with lilies.
3 Your breasts are like twin fawns of a gazelle.
4 Your neck is as stately as an ivory tower. Your eyes are like the sparkling pools… by the gate…. Your nose is as fine as the tower of Lebanon overlooking Damascus.
5 Your head is as majestic as Mount Carmel, and the sheen of your hair radiates royalty. A king is held captive in your queenly tresses.
6 “Oh, how delightful you are, my beloved; how pleasant for utter delight!
7 You are tall and slim like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters of dates.
8 I said, `I will climb up into the palm tree and take hold of its branches.’ Now may your breasts be like grape clusters, and the scent of your breath like apples.
9 May your kisses be as exciting as the best wine, smooth and sweet, flowing gently over lips and teeth.
10 “I am my lover’s, the one he desires.

Song 8: selected (NLT)

2:7; 3:5 The phrase “…not to awaken love until the time is right.” is used three different times in Song of Songs:  look at verse 4:

4 “I want you to promise, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the time is right.”

The Lovers Join in Marriage: The Song of Solomon closes with a new stage in the relationship: the pair have gone from their yearning to be joined together, to actually being wed and consummating their union. The tension of the previous chapters—the anxious waiting, the concern for propriety—gives way to relaxed enjoyment.

5 “Who is this coming up from the desert, leaning on her lover?” [The Hebrew term for leaning occurs only here in the OT, but its use in post-biblical Hebrew points to an intimate connection and thus implies that the pair are now married.] “I aroused you under the apple tree[a place of love in ch.2:3], where your mother gave you birth, where in great pain she delivered you.
6 Place me like a seal over your heart, or like a seal [possibly alluding to the wedding ring] on your arm. For love is as strong as death, and its jealousy is as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love; neither can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with everything he owned, his offer would be utterly despised.”
Young Woman:
10 …And my lover is content with me.

Are you content?

The Reality of Married Intimacy

Sex equals oneness!!!!  Intimacy (from the Latin intimus, means inmost) refers to the state of being most private, most personal in relationship.
“The challenge for couples is balancing a sense of intimacy and safety and security with a sense of unpredictability and creativity,” says Barry McCarthy, Ph.D., a psychology professor at American University in Washington, D.C. “When sexual intimacy is strong, making love plays a healthy 15 to 20 percent role in energizing your marriage. The paradox is that when sex is problematic, it plays an inordinately powerful, negative role in marriages.”

The solution? Talk it out so that you don’t feel rejected, frustrated, or bored.
COMMUNICATION! COMMUNICATION! COMMUNICATION!  It’s something we still have to talk about,” the wife says. “This is the reality for every couple: You’re wired differently. If you have enough sexual experiences together that are positive for both of you, you’ll be able to work out the differences.”

Let’s talk about it:

Clashing sex-pectations: The lost art of touch.

“Not all touching can or should lead to intercourse,” he notes. “When a couple becomes comfortable touching inside and outside the bedroom, they’re building a closer, more solid bond that will make them feel happier, closer, and even sexier now—and help protect against sexual problems in the future.”

Emphasize physical affection: not just the end result. “Exploration and touch without the expectation of intercourse husbands and wives get to know each other’s bodies and needs—you learn what kinds of touch are pleasurable as a giver and as a recipient,” Dr. McCarthy says. Pleasure and affection keep you close even when you don’t want sex.

Nurture emotional intimacy. Feeling understood, supported, and valued will make you both feel closer and therefore more receptive to physical closeness.

Women are Crock-pots and Men are Microwaves: Think of life as foreplay.

Greg Hunt says. “I found out early on that relational issues that seem to have nothing to do with the act of intimacy itself make a huge difference to my wife and to her interest in intimacy.”
Have realistic expectations. Even for the most happily married couples, more than 10 percent of sexual encounters aren’t even pleasurable for one or both spouses, Dr. McCarthy says. An off night—maybe the intimacy is hurried, you’re tired or distracted, or simply uncomfortable—doesn’t mean you’ve got a big problem. It’s life. Don’t expect perfect intimacy every time—or wait for the perfect moment to pounce on your mate. Just connect! It is all about connection.

Make intimacy eye-to-eye, soul-to-soul. You’ll feel more vulnerable—but couples report they also feel sexier, more attractive, more in-the-moment, and closer when they look into each other’s eyes during intimacy.

Reader’s Digest asked married women and men across the nation in-depth questions about their attitudes and beliefs about marriage. In this comprehensive survey, a total of 1,001 respondents said that deep down, they value trust, forgiveness, and good communication. Partners told us that fun, laughter, and spending time together are four to five times more important than sex.
Two overwhelming themes kept reoccurring:  They’d marry their spouse all over again and that divorce isn’t the answer.

Over and over again, husbands and wives say their marriages are forever—and they’re ready to roll up their sleeves and work on their relationship:
• 85 percent say, “Marriage is a partnership.”
• 79 percent say, “I intend to stay married for the rest of my life.”
• 75 percent say, “I believe that to have a good marriage you have to constantly work at it.”

Finding No. 1: Marriage Isn’t Broken!
The Statistics
Percentage of survey respondents who agreed with the following statements:
• I would marry my spouse all over again 71%
• I love my spouse even more than when we were first married 62%

Finding No. 2: It’s Really About Trust!
The Statistics
Survey respondents were given a list of traits and asked to pick which were most important to their marriages. These five were rated highest.
• Trust 63%
• Time spent talking, laughing, having fun 52%
• Compatibility 30%
• Ability to resolve differences effectively 30%
• Forgiveness 27%

“We always have people that are envious of our marriage,” a blissfully wed woman told Reader’s Digest. “They don’t understand that most of it is trust and respect. We are like one.”

More than friendship or laughter, forgiveness or compatibility, spouses name trust as the element crucial for a happy marriage. Survey-takers ranked this old-fashioned virtue as five times more important than good-quality sex—and most said the level of trust had improved in the years since they first became husband and wife.

Finding No. 3: Laughter Is More Important Than Sex!
The Statistics
When wives and husbands chose the factors most important for a good marriage, the items that rose to the top—and sank to the bottom—of the list surprised us.
• Time spent talking, laughing, having fun 52%
• Compatibility 30%
• Quality of sex 13%
• Frequency of sex 9%

Want to be happy? Set aside the official list of things every marriage needs—such as sex as incandescent as Fourth of July fireworks, a diplomat’s savvy for resolving conflicts, and endless reserves of saintly patience. Instead, go out for ice cream together. Now.

Don’t stop to change your clothes, wash the dishes, or figure out who forgot to pay the cable bill. Just go. Laugh. Chat. Be. And don’t come home for at least an hour.

You just made an investment in your relationship. “The most important thing in a marriage,” one woman confided, “is being able to laugh together and just plain have fun.”

Partners in our survey surprised us when they ranked “time spent talking, laughing, having fun” as one of the most important elements in their marriages—ahead of forgiveness, problem-solving, and housework and far ahead of frequent or high-quality sex. Only trust earned a higher rating.

Finding No. 4: Challenges Make Us Stronger
The Statistics
Ninety-four percent of husbands and wives said they had experienced challenges in their marriages. The outcome was sometimes negative, but surprisingly there were instances when it was positive.

If you have trust, forgiveness and good communication the other areas of our married lives have the potential to be rich, blessed and joyful.

Getting to know next Wednesday’s speaker:  Kelly Green

Meet Kelly

Kelly Green grew up on the west coast of California with a single Mom who did her best to raise three children alone.  Surrounded by alcohol and a dysfunctional family structure, Kelly learned at an early age to try to fill the voids in his life with those same “escapes” which were being demonstrated to him.  Being a part of the counter culture of the late 60’s, Kelly fell into the spiraling lifestyle of his environment.  Experiencing religion, drugs, and sex in search for significance, Kelly dropped out of high school and wandered seeking something to fill the emptiness of his life.

In Oklahoma City, while visiting church with a friend, Kelly came to know the Lord at Nichols Hills Baptist Church.  Those who observed the “hippie from California” transform were amazed to watch the saving power of God completely and radically make him a new creation in Christ.  Going back to high school to get his diploma, Kelly was discipled by both a loving church, a caring couple and supportive friends.  Not long after his graduation from high school, Kelly was called to the Gospel ministry in 1971. 

Kelly attended Oklahoma Baptist University for a few semesters and then moved to Mobile, Alabama to be on staff at Dauphin Way Baptist Church under Pastor Jaroy Weber.  At this time, he continued to work toward his bachelor’s degree at the University of Mobile.  While attending the university, Kelly met his wife, Beth Thomas and they married in November of 1974.  Upon graduating from the university, Kelly attended Southwestern Seminary obtaining a degree in Master’s of Divinity.  Kelly continued on staff in various churches for over eight years before being called into full time evangelism in 1979. 
Kelly and Beth have two sons: Jonathan and Taylor.  Both sons are great admirers of their father and the passion he has for seeing people come to Christ.

Taylor came to know the Lord in a Frontliner crusade many years ago through Kelly’s ministry and Jonathan recently has chosen to follow Christ as His Lord and Savior.  Even as God has opened many doors through the years whether it be here in the United States or overseas, Kelly has considered his family an extension of his ministry and valued the impact he could make in his sons’ lives.

Kelly’s youngest son, Taylor, recently met his bride, Tina Williams at Liberty University and they were married in December, 2006.

Beth not only supports her husband through prayer and encouragement, but has assisted him in his office for the past twenty-eight year.  She also continues to travel with him as much as possible and assists in training the Frontliner interns.  Both Kelly and Beth share the call of God on their lives to be clay in the potter’s hands.

Kelly’s life verse is:  John 3:30, “He must increase and I must decrease.” Daily seeking the Lord through His Word, this is Kelly’s greatest desire.

Go to valleyviewchurch.org and listen to Pastor Kevin’s revival message on Revelation 2:1-5.  You will laugh, cry and be blessed by the Word.  PJ

If you were one of the almost 1600 here last night for our worship service, you know that God was in the house.  Rod and the worship team led us in a great worship time and then we turned Pastor Kevin loose.  He preached from

Revelation chapter 2 asking us, “have we lost our first love?” ESV- But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.  Rev. 2:4 It was powerful.  Over 25 people responded to the Gospel last night.  The altar was filled with people coming to know Christ, married couples finding joy again, and others seeking physical and emotional healing.  WOW!!!!!!!!

Make plans to follow up last night by coming next week to see what’s NEXT!!!!

Love you church,
Pastor Joel

Some more great material that didn’t make my final sermon notes.  Enjoy!  Pastor

#1 – The Couple Takes The Commitment Too Lightly – Whenever a couple enters into marriage thinking, “well, if this doesn’t work out then I will just…” there is a good shot that the marriage isn’t going to make it.  We need to stop planning for our divorce before the ceremony actually takes place!!!  When the vows take place…those aren’t words that should be taken lightly…but rather a promise before a Holy and Awesome God that should be prayed through and thought about…A LOT!

#2 – Compromise Is The Foundation – When a person feels like they are not getting God’s best…but convinces themselves that, with a little time, the other person can be shaped up…there’s trouble.  Jesus leads us…but never to compromise.  (BTW…if he/she is asking you to compromise before marriage…their pursuit PROBABLY isn’t Jesus but rather getting you out of your clothes!)

#3 – Unrealistic Expectations – I know people that once thought, “once I get married I will be happy!” And…they’re not happy!  Too many couples go into marriage thinking that somehow the other person is going to fill a void that only JESUS could fill…this is dangerous!  (BTW…ladies, “he” is not going to make you happy, if you aren’t happy now you are going to CRUSH him when he can’t fulfill your desire.  And dude…”she” is NOT going to have sex with you all of the time…she’s a woman with a heart and a soul, not a sex toy that should be available at your desire!!!)

#4 – Bad Counsel – It’s sad…but in America today there are more people who will buy into what a talk show host who has never been married says about the subject than what the Scriptures say!  OR…instead of seeking godly counsel when the marriage is in trouble they will surround themselves with people who will affirm their dysfunctional ideas rather than call them out.  When we refuse to seek what Jesus says on an issue…it’s NOT going to go well.

#5 – Selfishness – Whenever a person believes the marriage is all about “getting my needs met,” it’s over!!!  Marriage is NOT someone else’s service opportunity but rather OUR opportunity to serve our spouse.

#6 – Laziness – Couples date before marriage…and stop doing so soon after the ceremony!  Marriage takes WORK!  I am SO guilty of being lazy at times…giving my best at work and then coming home and expecting Lucretia to be content with the leftovers.  SHE’S NOT!  That is why DATING after marriage is WAY MORE IMPORTANT than dating before the marriage!  If a man stops pursuing…and the woman stops responding…that spells trouble!!!

#7 – No Communication – It BLOWS MY MIND the couples that will talk ABOUT one another…but not TO one another.  If a couple wants to see success in marriage then they MUST be willing to have serious, heart to heart conversations…even when it’s hard!!!

I am in my study today completing my message for this coming Sunday.  I am a little saddened that our series on the Song of Songs is coming to an end.  However, in the course of my study time I have read several interesting articles and books relating to our subject matter.  Perry Noble has a gift of putting things on the bottom shelf so any of us can understand.  I came across this blog he wrote in September of 2009.  I would love to share all of these principles in the message Sunday but I will not have enough time.  Take a look at these and let them “convict” and prayerfully turn our hearts back to Jesus. 

Your marriage and family means everything to me.  Let’s keep it real and healthy for not only us but our children and grandchildren.

Because of Jesus,

Pastor

15 Ways To Destroy Your Marriage

#1 – Have an affair! (II Samuel 11-12)
#2 – Refuse to run from tempting situations!  (Genesis 39:1-12, I Corinthians 6:18)
#3 – Look at LOTS of porn!  (Job 31:1)
#4 – Connect with “old flames” through online social networking and then convince yourself it is ok because you aren’t actually doing anything wrong!
#5 – Refuse to talk to your spouse about issues that make you angry…just bury them and let a huge pile build up so that you can explode irrationally on them when they totally do not expect it.  (Ephesians 4:25-27)
#6 – Have an affair!!!
#7 – Make sure you spend lots of person time with the same person of the opposite sex that you are not married to…and when confronted on it say, “It’s business.”
#8 – Make “innocent” remarks to an attractive person of the opposite sex such as, “I wish I had met you before I had gotten married.”
#9 – Put an ad for yourself on an internet dating site…even though you are married…just to see what type of interest you could create!
#10 – Compare your spouse with other people OFTEN and convince yourself that you didn’t get God’s best when you agreed to marry him/her.
#11 – Have an affair!!!
#12 – Take your cues about sexual morality from Hollywood and your “friends” rather than God’s Word.  (John 14:15)
#13 – Begin to believe that your spouse’s main mission on this planet should be to meet your needs…and when they don’t then justify trying to get your needs met elsewhere.
#14 – Fantasize often as to what it would be like to be with another person other than your spouse.
#15 – Be willing to sell out years of marriage, the respect of your children and your character for an affair.

As I prepare this final message on the Song of Songs, I have researched several texts relating to our final topic on sexual intimacy in the Song of Songs.  These texts are by well-known Christian therapists and counselors.  Here is a short list:

Sacred Sex by Tim A. Gardner
Sheet Music by Kevin Leman
Intended for Pleasure by Ed and Gaye Wheat
A Celebration of Sex:  A Guide to Enjoying God’s Gift of Sexual Intimacy by Dr. Doug Rosenau

If you have specific questions about biblical sexuality you may also consult marriagepartnership.com, a publication of Christianity Today magazine.  It has dozens of great articles to answer specific questions for you and your mate. 

My prayer for you is your journey of marriage will be so much more for His glory.  God bless you.  Ephesians 3:20-21

Pastor

Don’t forget to come and be with us this coming Wedneday evening at 6:30 p.m. as Dr. Kevin Hamm comes back to Valley View to kick-off our March Gladness series.  Pray for an outpouring of God’s power and presence. 

Look, but Don’t Lust

1 Kings 11:1,3-4 1 But king Solomon loved many strange women,….
3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

Eccl 2 1 I said to myself, “Come now, let’s give pleasure a try. Let’s look for the `good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless.
2 “It is silly to be laughing all the time,” I said. “What good does it do to seek only pleasure?”
3 After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. While still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness.
8 …I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!
10 Anything I wanted, I took. I did not restrain myself from any joy. I even found great pleasure in hard work, an additional reward for all my labors.
11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless. It was like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.

Song 3:1-5 (NIV)
1 All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him.
2 I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves. So I looked for him but did not find him.
3 The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. “Have you seen the one my heart loves?”
4 Scarcely had I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go till I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room of the one who conceived me.
5 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

Song 4:1 (NIV) 1 How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!…

Song 4:7 (NIV) 7 All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you.

Song 4:9 (NIV) 9 You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.

Song 4:12 (NIV) 12 You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain.

Song 5:2-6 (NIV)
2 I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My lover is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night.”
3 I have taken off my robe-- must I put it on again? I have washed my feet-- must I soil them again?
4 My lover thrust his hand through the latch-opening; my heart began to pound for him.
5 I arose to open for my lover, and my hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with flowing myrrh, on the handles of the lock.
6 I opened for my lover, but my lover had left; he was gone. My heart sank at his departure. I looked for him but did not find him. I called him but he did not answer.

1 Cor 6:18 (NIV) 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

Job 31:1 (NIV) 1 “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.

Prov 6:25 25 Lust not after her beauty in your heart; neither let her take you with her eyelids.

Matt 5:28 (KJV) 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

James 1:14-15 (KJV) 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

1 John 2:16-17 (KJV) 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Four Questions Wives Should Ask Their Husbands [courtesy of Perry Noble]
#1 – Do You Feel Admired?
#2 – Do You Feel Respected?
#3 – Do You Feel Taken Care Of?
#4 – Is Our Sex Life Fulfilling To You?

Five Questions Husbands Should Ask Their Wives [courtesy of Perry Noble]
#1 – What is the most romantic thing that I’ve ever done for you?
#2 – What is something fun we can do together?
#3 – What is one thing I can do for you this week that will relieve stress from your life?
#4 – How Can I Pray For You?
#5 – If you could change one thing about our marriage–what would it be?

Eph 3:20-21 (KJV) 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10).

Tenacity is more than endurance, it is endurance combined with the absolute certainty that what we are looking for is going to transpire. Tenacity is more than hanging on, which may be but the weakness of being too afraid to fall off. Tenacity is the supreme effort of a man refusing to believe that his hero is going to be conquered. The greatest fear a man has is not that he will be damned, but that Jesus Christ will be worsted, that the things He stood for - love and justice and forgiveness and kindness among men - will not win out in the end; the things He stands for look like will-o’-the-wisps. Then comes the call to spiritual tenacity, not to hang on and do nothing, but to work deliberately on the certainty that God is not going to be worsted.

If our hopes are being disappointed just now, it means that they are being purified. There is nothing noble the human mind has ever hoped for or dreamed of that will not be fulfilled. One of the greatest strains in life is the strain of waiting for God. “because thou has kept the word of my patience.”

Remain spiritually tenacious.
—My Utmost For His Highest

Song of Songs 2: (selected verses)

Continued from chapter 1:  The bride to-be continues the dialogue with her groom to be:

1 I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.

2 As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women.

4 He brought me to the banqueting house[a place of love], and his banner over me was love

7 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. [It is clear that the couple is already in love, but they must allow their love to proceed at its proper pace, which includes waiting until the right time to consummate it.]

10 My beloved speaks and says to me:“Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away,

11 for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. [In spiritual or relationship winter certain evils are frozen up]

12 The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

13 The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away. [Springtime is at hand, and with it come fresh, fragrant fruit and flowers, along with the cooing of the turtledove—stimulating all of the lovers’ senses. Springtime is often celebrated as a time for lovers.][But in the spring the little foxes come to spoil the vineyards]

15 Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.”[ The foxes represent some hindrances that are threatening to spoil their relationship.]

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for fox is (pronounced) shoo-awl; it means burrower, from the fox trait of living in dug-out burrows. In the New Testament, the Greek word for fox is (pronounced) al-oh-pakes and means cunning.

LITTLE FOXES, not big foxes spoil the vines.

It is the little foxes that can wiggle through the smallest hole into the vineyard. It is the little sins that creep in unawares –

In any relationship, dating or married, the “little foxes” are the danger.

Someone has said, “If you watch your pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves.” If we will watch for the little sins, the big ones will take care of themselves.

“Little Foxes” Of Sin by Sylvia Gunter

Many Christians, including Christian couples, tolerate a lifestyle of compromise with “little sins.” We call them mistakes, weaknesses, character flaws, “just the way we are,” and dozens of other rationalizations.

When we confess the same sin over and over, it is an evidence of remorse (feeling sorry) without repentance. True repentance is the heart change of seeing the sin as God sees it, hating it as He hates it, and forsaking it because we love our heavenly Father.

Honestly ask the Spirit of God to show you your sins.

After you have repented of the sins, ask Jesus to bring the power of the cross into your life to redeem you from the stronghold that the sin habit has on your life. Jesus is the power for the liberty of a holy life.

When the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.[John 8:36]

Remember, our context today is relationships, but these could include other situations as well.

The little foxes that spoil the vines are numerous. These foxes are the yielding of ourselves to sin and the vines they spoil are the outgrowth of our relationships and Christian lives.

Ecclesiastes 10:1 (New Living Translation) says, “Dead flies will cause even a bottle of perfume to stink! An ounce of foolishness can outweigh a pound of wisdom and honor.” There are little things in our life that can cause disastrous effects upon our relationship futures.

What are these foxes? How do they spoil our lives? Let us see how what the little foxes in the vineyards of our daily lives can become destructive forces that not only keep us from growing closer to God but will divide us from one another.

Strongholds in our lives:  These summarize each of the related sins.

ANGER (dishonoring God’s love and forgiveness)
bitterness
resentment
unforgiveness
revenge
hurts
keeping accounts
impatience

PRIDE (dishonoring His grace)
cold heart
critical spirit
judging
jealousy
murmuring and complaining
no servant spirit
offending others
being opinionated beyond grace
stubbornness

SELF (dishonoring His Lordship)
selfishness, self-centeredness
self-pity
self-justification
defending my rights
being a spiritually spoiled child
unkindness
unloving attitudes or actions
insensitivity
impatience

NO FEAR OF GOD (dishonoring His holiness)
disobedience
tolerance of evil
idols in the heart: family, time, self, job, leisure, comfort, etc
busyness
laziness, idleness, undisciplined life
not heeding discipline by God
people-pleasing more than God-pleasing
no concern for the lost
misuse of the tongue- These foxes do their dirty work through the tongues of accusation and assassination.
gossip
pet sins

CONTROL (dishonoring His sovereignty)
expectations that are not God-given
an entitlement mindset
demanding rights
independent spirit
manipulation
perfectionism

LUST (dishonoring His righteousness)
coveting a person sexually
sexual indulgence
love for things of this world
divided heart: eternal values vs. world’s values
gluttony
addiction

LYING (dishonoring His truth)
falseness, pretense
deception
untruth

UNBELIEF (dishonoring His word)
discouragement-[This fox paid visits to Jonah under his gourd vine and Elijah under the juniper tree.]
fear
guilt
living by feelings
no joy
depression
hopelessness
tension
anxiety
worry

Satan surely has gained more victories among relationships through seemingly small things than the great. How he must laugh to see ministers and laymen alike chasing the “lions” and “dragons” away from around us while the little foxes, unobserved and almost unhindered, spoil their vineyards. How often have we majored in minors! Life’s little worries are the worst. But Satan attacks most often as a little fox[unseen], not as a roaring lion[seen] seeking whom he may devour.

It takes very little time and effort on his part to make a Christian feel overwhelmed.

The enemy will often use random people to irritate and upset you.

But Satan’s favorite tools to use against you are those closest to you. Your spouse. Your family. Your church. Your friends. A stranger can only hurt you to a limited extent. But someone who is close to you can deliver a mortal blow.  Because you trust them.

The “little foxes” merely prepare the way for the final wound. The spouse, weakened and wounded, is an easy target for such an attack.

We must kill off these sly little foxes (our carnal leanings) if we would attain God’s best for our lives, no matter whomever and wherever we may be in our Christian lives.
How:

*Forgive and move on. Go about your Father’s business.

*Choose to love instead of hate. Remember that love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

*Laugh! A merry heart doeth good! It is medicine to the soul and health to the bones. Prov 17:22

*Spend time in the Word together. The Word of God (The Bible) is the ultimate weapon against the enemy. And you WILL overcome the enemy only through the Word of God.

The Great Barrier Reef stretches some 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. Tour guides regularly take visitors to view the reef.

On one tour, the guide was asked an interesting question. “I notice that the lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colorful,” a traveler observed. “Why is this?”

The guide gave an interesting answer: “The coral around the lagoon side is in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, storms—surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of its life. As it is challenged and tested it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces.” Then he added this telling note: “That’s the way it is with every living organism.”

That’s how it is with relationships. Challenged and tested, we come alive! Like coral pounded by the sea, we grow. Physical demands can cause us to grow stronger. Mental and emotional stress can produce tough-mindedness and resiliency. Spiritual testing can produce strength of character and faithfulness.

Song of Songs 2: (selected verses)

15 Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for fox means burrower.
In the New Testament, the Greek word for fox means cunning.

Little foxes, not big foxes spoil the vines.

In any relationship, dating or married, the “little foxes” are the danger.

John 8:36

Ecclesiastes 10:1

Strongholds:

ANGER (dishonoring God’s love and forgiveness)

PRIDE (dishonoring His grace)

SELF (dishonoring His Lordship)

NO FEAR OF GOD (dishonoring His holiness)

CONTROL (dishonoring His sovereignty)

LUST (dishonoring His righteousness)

LYING (dishonoring His truth)

UNBELIEF (dishonoring His Word)

The “little foxes” merely prepare the way for the final wound.

*Forgive and move on.
*Choose to love instead of hate. 1 Peter 4:8
*Laugh!  Prov 17:22
*Spend time in the Word together. 

“Rise, let us be going” (Matt. 26:46).

The disciples went to sleep when they should have kept awake, and when they realized what they had done it produced despair. The sense of the irreparable is apt to make us despair, and we say - “It is all up now, it is no use trying any more.” If we imagine that this kind of despair is exceptional, we are mistaken, it is a very ordinary human experience. Whenever we realize that we have not done that which we had a magnificent opportunity of doing, then we are apt to sink into despair; and Jesus Christ comes and says - “Sleep on now, that opportunity is lost for ever, you cannot alter it, but arise and go to the next thing.” Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ, and go out into the irresistible future with Him.

There are experiences like this in each of our lives. We are in despair, the despair that comes from actualities, and we cannot lift ourselves out of it. The disciples in this instance had done a downright unforgivable thing; they had gone to sleep instead of watching with Jesus, but He came with a spiritual initiative against their despair and said - “Arise and do the next thing.” If we are inspired of God, what is the next thine. To trust Him absolutely and to pray on the ground of His Redemption. Never let the sense of failure corrupt your new action.

To Love Life and to See Good Days
Tame Your Tongue
1 Peter 3:8-12/Psalms 34:12-16

Step 1:  Stop your tongue (v.10)
Step 2:  Turn away from evil and do good (v. 11)
Step 3:  Seek peace and pursue it (v. 11)
Step 4:  Remember the source of life, the Lord Himself (v. 12)

Few tongues are disciplined and controlled. 

James 3:6

How can a person control and discipline his tongue?

1.  A person must deliberately stop his tongue from speaking evil.

There is a vast difference between the occasional offender and the constant offender.

An evil tongue is a tongue that constantly…

How can a person control and discipline his tongue? 

2.  A person is to keep his lips from speaking deceitfully.  A deceitful tongue is…

Deceptive tongues have:

* destroyed marriages
* damaged friendships
* ruined reputations
* caused wars
* caused injuries
* aroused fights

Eph 4:31; Titus 3:1-2; Psalms 101:5; Prov 10:18; Heb 12:14-15

The following is a tweet from Dr. Russell Moore today.  If you are discouraged in ministry or in your secular pursuits this short article will help you.  Stay the course my friend.  Jesus is Lord!  PJ

How I Almost Quit
February 16, 2010 | By: John Piper | Category: Commentary

Are you so discouraged you don’t know what to do next? I want to help you get through this. Maybe this will help.

The following quote is from my journal dated November 6, 1986. I had been at Bethlehem 6 years. If you have ever felt like this, remember this is 24 years ago and I am still here.

The point is: Beware of giving up too soon. Our emotions are not reliable guides.

Am I under attack by Satan to abandon my post at Bethlehem? Or is this the stirring of God to cause me to consider another ministry? Or is this God’s way of answering so many prayers recently that we must go a different way at BBC than building? I simply loathe the thought of leading the church through a building program. For two years I have met for hundreds of hours on committees. I have never written a poem about it. It is deadening to my soul. I am a thinker. A writer. A preacher. A poet and songwriter. At least these are the avenues of love and service where my heart flourishes. . . .

Can I be the pastor of a church moving through a building program? Yes, by dint of massive will power and some clear indications from God that this is the path of greatest joy in him long term. But now I feel very much without those indications. The last two years (the long range planning committee was started in August 1984) have left me feeling very empty.

The church is looking for a vision for the future—and I do not have it. The one vision that the staff zeroed in on during our retreat Monday and Tuesday of this week (namely, building a sanctuary) is so unattractive to me today that I do not see how I could provide the leadership and inspiration for it.

Does this mean that my time at BBC is over? Does it mean that there is a radical alternative unforeseen? Does it mean that I am simply in the pits today and unable to feel the beauty and power and joy and fruitfulness of an expanded facility and ministry?

O Lord, have mercy on me. I am so discouraged. I am so blank. I feel like there are opponents on every hand, even when I know that most of my people are for me. I am so blind to the future of the church. O Father, am I blind because it is not my future? Perhaps I shall not even live out the year, and you are sparing the church the added burden of a future I had made and could not complete? I do not doubt for a moment your goodness of power or omnipotence in my life or in the life of the church. I confess that the problem is mine. The weakness is in me. The blindness is in my eyes. The sin—O reveal to me my hidden faults!—is mine and mine the blame. Have mercy, Father. Have mercy on me. I must preach on Sunday, and I can scarcely lift my head.

10 Reasons Small Churches Tend to Stay Small
Joe McKeever

I know more about getting smaller churches to grow than larger ones. I pastored three of them, and only the first of the three did not grow—I was fresh out of college, untrained, inexperienced, and clueless about what I was doing. The next two grew well, and even though I remained at each only some three years, one almost doubled and the other nearly tripled in attendance and ministries.

By using the word “grow,” I do not mean in numbers for numbers’ sake. I do not subscribe to the fallacy that bigness is good and small churches are failures. What I mean by “grow” is reaching people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, if you are located in a town that is losing population and your church manages to stay the same size, you’re probably “growing” (i.e., reaching new people for the Lord). In addition, any church—large or small—that does not place a high value on evangelism and outreach to the unchurched can’t expect to grow…period. But countless articles and books have been written on that subject. Now, after working for years among hundreds of small congregations, I speak here to the subtle growth barriers that tend to go unnoticed or unaddressed in stagnant churches.
I send these observations forth hoping to plant some seed in the imagination of a pastor or other leader who will be used of the Lord to do great things in a small church. The “ten reasons” that follow are not necessarily in the order of importance or prevalence, and there are probably other reasons individual churches might not be growing, simply because no two churches are alike.  But this is the way they occurred to me, and the order seems right.

1. Wanting to stay small.
“We like our church just the way it is now.” While this attitude usually goes unspoken—it might not even be recognized by its carriers—it’s widespread in many churches. The proof of it is seen in how the leaders and congregation reject new ideas and freeze out new people.
The process of rejecting newcomers is a subtle one, never as overt as snubbing them. They will be greeted and chatted with and handed a printed bulletin. But they will still be excluded: “Bob’s class is meeting this week over at Tom and Edna’s. Come and bring a covered dish.” “The youth will have a fellowship tonight at Eddie Joe’s. We’re serving pizza and you don’t want to miss it.” Unless you know who Bob, Tom, Edna, and Eddie Joe are and where they live, you’re out of luck.
Pastors who want to include newcomers and first-timers should use full names from the pulpit. This allows newcomers to learn who people are. “I’ll ask Bob Evans to come to the pulpit and lead us in prayer.” “For those who need directions to Eddie Joe Finham’s house for the youth fellowship, he’s the guy with the crewcut wearing the purple shirt. Raise your hand, Eddie Joe. He has printed directions to give you.”
No one can promise that just because a church wants to grow, it will. However, I can guarantee you that if it doesn’t, it won’t.

2. A quick turnover of pastors.
A retired pastor who served his last church some 30 years was supplying for a small congregation south of New Orleans. He told me of a discovery he made: “On Sunday afternoon, I had several hours to kill before the evening service. In the church office, I was reading their history and discovered that in their nearly 50 years of existence, they’ve had 22 pastors.” He was aghast. “Think of that. If they had around six months between pastors, that means the average tenure was less than two years.” He was quiet a moment, then said, “They didn’t have pastors. They just had preachers.”
It takes at least a couple of years for a pastor to become the real deal for a church—a pastor in more than name only, one who has earned the right to lead the congregation. With larger churches, the time period is more like six years.
Again, no one will promise you that keeping a pastor a long time guarantees the church will grow. But I can assure you that having a succession of short-term pastors will prevent it from growing as surely as if you had taken a vote from the congregation to reject all expansion.

3. Domination by a few strong members.
The process by which a man (it’s almost always a man) becomes a church “boss” is subtle and rarely, if ever, the result of a hostile takeover.
Say the pastor of a small church leaves for another town. The pastorless congregation looks within its membership for leaders to rise up and “take care of things” until a new pastor arrives. So two or three faithful and mature (we assume) members are chosen. They do their job well. If the next pastor leaves after an unusually short tenure for whatever reason, the congregation resorts to the fallback position: They enlist the services of those same two or three mature—and now experienced—leaders.
That’s how it happens that one of them—or possibly all of them—begin to make important decisions for the body, and everything works out. When the new pastor arrives, they let him know that for anything he needs to know, he should call on them. The pastor quickly sees that these men have set themselves up as a layer of authority between the hired man (the preacher) and the congregation.

These “bosses” explain that they are protecting the congregation. “We don’t like to upset them with matters like this.” “These things are better off handled by just a few.” Pity the young idealistic pastor who walks into that church unsuspecting that they lie in wait to—ahem—"give direction to his ministry.” Or, as one said to me, “We thought you would like to have some help in pastoring this church.”
Such self-appointed church bosses tend to frustrate the pastor’s initiatives, block his bold ventures, and control his tendencies to want the church to act on (gasp!) something he calls faith! Result: The church stays small. No normal family coming into the community would want to join such a church.
The remedy: The congregation must see that key lay positions in the church rotate, that no one stays chairman of deacons for thirty years or church treasurer for a generation. Members of the congregation should feel free to respectfully ask questions about why decisions are made. Church bosses cannot stand the light of day shown on their activities (“They wouldn’t understand”), even though they convince themselves what they are doing is in the interest of the congregation. Read about Diotrephes in the little epistle of III John. He “loves to have the pre-eminence.”

4. Not trusting the leaders.
Interestingly, the opposite phenomenon often occurs with the same result. I’ve seen this phenomenon occur in small churches (and never in large ones) at the monthly business meetings. In the small-and-determined-to-stay-small church, discussion centers on why 35 cents was spent on call-forwarding and $2.00 on paper for the office. Leaders and pastors alike are always frustrated that the congregation doesn’t trust them with $20.00, let alone $200.00.
The determined-to-stay-small church is far more concerned about the dollars and cents in the offering plate than about the lost souls in the community. This church would never step out in faith and do something bold to reach the lost and unchurched, and if they did, unless their mindset changed, they would then harass their leaders into the grave demanding an accounting of every dime spent. Instead, small churches should elect good leaders and—within reason, as mentioned earlier—trust these leaders to do their work.

5. Inferiority complex.
I was a seminary student when called to my second pastorate, a church which had been stuck at 40 in attendance for years. I discovered that small churches often are stymied by inferiority complexes. “We can’t do anything because we’re small. We don’t have lots of money like the big churches in town.” So, they set small goals and ask little from their members.
One day, I was visiting in the First Baptist Church of a nearby community. In no way was it what we would call large, but it was three or four times the size of mine. The pastor and I were chatting about some program or other. He said to me, “My people won’t attempt anything like that. They’ll say, ‘We’re not large like the First Baptist Church of New Orleans.’”
That’s when it hit me: Feelings of inferiority can be found in any size church. I wouldn’t be surprised if the members of FBC-New Orleans were excusing themselves for their inaction by saying, “We’re not Bellevue in Memphis or the FBC of Dallas.”
The remedy is to put one’s eyes on Jesus Christ and ask, “Lord, what do you want us to do?” Peter said, “Lord, what about John here? What do you want him to do?” Our Lord said—and thus set a wonderful pattern for all of us for the rest of time—"What is that to you? You follow me!”
Want your church to reach people and expand and grow? Get your eyes off what others are doing. Many of them, to tell the truth, are declining at a rate so fast it can hardly be measured. You do not want to take your cues from them. Ask the Lord, “What would you have us to do?” Then do it.

6. No plan.
The typical, stagnant small church is small in ways other than numbers. They tend to be small in vision, in programs, in outreach, and in just about everything else. Perhaps worst of all, they have small plans. Or no plans at all.
The church with no plan—that is, no specific direction for what they are trying to do and become—will content itself with plodding along, going through the motions of “all churches everywhere.” They have Sunday School and worship services and a few committees. Once in a while, they will schedule a fellowship dinner or a revival. But ask the leadership, “What is your vision for this church?” and you will receive blank stares for an answer.
When Peter and John were threatened by the religious authorities who warned them to stop preaching Jesus, they returned to the congregation to let them know of this development. Immediately, everyone dropped to their knees and began praying. Notice the heart of their prayer, what they requested: “Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to...(what? How they finished this is how we know their plan, their chief focus)...to speak your word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:29) When the Holy Spirit filled that room, the disciples “were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” (v. 31). Clearly, this means they spoke it into the community, the world around them, and not just to one another.
A number of leaders have shared with me why they think so many small churches do not grow: “They need to focus on the two or three things they do best—not try to be everything to everyone.” Some churches need to focus on children’s ministry, others on youth or young adults, young families, or even the oldsters. Some will focus on teaching, others on ministry in the community, some on jail and prison ministries, and some on music or women’s or men’s work. This is not to say that the church should shut down everything else to do one or two things. Rather, they will want to keep doing the basics, but throw their energies and resources, their promotions and prayers and plans, into enlarging and honing two or three ministries they feel the Lord has uniquely called them into.

7. Bad health.
Anyone who has spent time in more than a few churches can see that some are just unhealthy. And by that, we do not mean they are small—they are sick. You can be small and healthy; behold the hummingbird.
An unhealthy church is known more by what it does than by a list of characteristics and attributes. A church that runs its preachers off every year or two is unhealthy. A church that is constantly bickering is unhealthy. A church that cannot make a simple decision like choosing the color of the carpet, adopting the next year’s budget, or accepting changes in an order of worship may be unhealthy.
So, what is a healthy church? Entire libraries could be filled with books written on the healthy church, and consultants abound ready to assist congregations toward that purpose. But Romans 12 is God’s blueprint for a healthy church: Verses 1-2 call for each individual to make a personal commitment to Christ ("present your bodies as a living sacrifice"); verses 3-8 call for each one to find his/her place of service where they can use their spiritual gifts; and verse 9 through the end of the chapter describes the relationships within a healthy, loving fellowship of believers.
Show me a congregation where members are wholeheartedly committed to Jesus Christ, each is using (or learning to use) their God-given spiritual gifts in the Lord’s service, and their fellowship is sweet and active—and I’ll show you a healthy church.

8. Lousy fellowship.
This overlaps with the last point, but it deserves a spot by itself. For my money, the best thing a church has to offer individuals and families in the community—other than the saving gospel itself—is a place they will be loved and welcomed and made part of an active, healthy family. It’s what we mean by “fellowship.”
There are ways to tell if the fellowship in your church is unhealthy: Visitors are basically ignored, even resented in some areas. No one follows up with visitors to let them know they are wanted or to give information on the church. There’s no attempt to get people to visit your church in the first place. Everything is orderly in the worship service, but it’s the same order you’ve used since forever. The singing is lifeless, and any departure from the norm is verboten. A new hymn or chorus, a different kind of musical instrument, a testimony here, an interview there, a short drama or video—no sir, not in our church. There’s no laughter, nothing spontaneous. The invitation time is tacked on, lifeless, and without any response—ever. The prayers are stale and filled with platitudes.
When the Old Testament prophets called on God’s people to “break up the fallow ground"—Hosea 10:12 and Jeremiah 4:3—they wanted to see evidence of brokenness, a willingness to change, a desire to bear new fruit. Fallow ground is soil that has laid unproductive for several seasons. The hard crust requires a deep-turning plow to open it up, and even then the soil may require more preparatory work before it is productive.
A church with poor fellowship is not failing to have enough socials and dinners. The church is failing in the most basic of area of discipleship: a failure to love. Jesus said, “By this shall all men know you are my disciples, that you love one another” (John 13:35).
The disciple who is close to Christ loves the brethren. As such, a congregation that is unloving toward one another may be said to be far removed from the Lord and in a backslidden state. It’s a simple deduction. “Draw near to the Lord and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

9. A state of neglect permeates the church.
Not always, but often, a dying church shows signs of its weakening condition by the disrepair of its buildings and the neglect of its appearance. The interior walls haven’t been painted in years and bear the collective fingerprints of a generation of children. The carpet is threadbare, the piano’s keys stick, the pulpit chairs need reupholstering, and the outside sign is so ugly it would be an improvement if someone knocked it down.
Dying churches do not tend to their business. They let problems fester and divisions go unaddressed. Listen closely and you will hear a leader speak those infamous words: “These things have a way of working themselves out.” And so they do nothing, and the church trudges on toward the grave. No one gets saved, no one joins, people drift away, the community becomes less and less aware of the existence of that little church, and the remaining members complain that people just don’t love the Lord the way they used to.

10. No prayer.
It’s tempting to make a little joke here and say, “Such churches do not have a prayer,” but they could if they chose to. When King Saul was bemoaning the woes that had descended upon him as a result of his rebellion against God, one of his chief complaints was that God no longer heard his prayer. “He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer...” (I Samuel 28:6) Luke tells us, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show themthat they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). Pray or quit. Those seem to be the alternatives.
Want to give your congregation a little test, pastor? Next Sunday, call for your people to meet you at the altar for a time of prayer. Do not beg them or cajole them. Just announce it, then walk there yourself, kneel, and begin praying. See if anyone joins you. Notice who comes and pay close attention to who does not. It won’t tell you everything you’d like to know about your church, but it will say a lot.
A friend on Facebook requested prayer for his new ministry. When I asked him about it, he responded privately that in addition to pastoring his church, he was working for the state convention in his region. He said, “Almost all our churches in this part of the state are dying. We have buildings that were constructed for hundreds now running 15 or 20.” The plan, he said, is to get systems in place to re-evangelize those regions as the old-line churches die off. I hope they don’t wait until those churches actually close their doors; a lifeless church can take a long time to give up the ghost.
The best solution would be for those stagnant, dying congregations to awaken and get serious about becoming vibrant again. This would mean taking the unprecedented step of doing whatever it takes to re-establish their witness and presence in the community. Unfortunately, in almost every case I know personally, this doesn’t happen. The leaders would rather see their church disappear from the earth than to do anything new or different.

That is as sad a sentence as I’ve written in a long time.
Let us pray. “Father, we do like our routines and ruts. Forgive us for limiting you by asking you to adapt to us instead of the other way around. Lord, in the words of the old hymn and the older Psalm, ‘Wilt thou not revive us again that thy people may rejoice in Thee?’ We ask this for Jesus sake. Amen.” (Psalm 85:6)

Dr. Joe McKeever is a preacher, cartoonist and the retired Director of Missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans. Currently he loves to serve as a speaker/pulpit fill for revivals, prayer conferences, deacon trainings, leadership banquets and other church events. Visit him and enjoy his insights on nearly 50 years of ministry at JoeMcKeever.com.

Hey guys, don’t forget Valentine’s Day is Sunday.  Do something beyond the flowers and the chocolate.  Blessings, Joel

Saints’ QB Drew Brees Says Faith Affects His Game

In an interview last week with Sharing the Victory magazine, Drew Brees, MVP quarterback in last weekend’s Superbowl, talked about how his faith affects his life and his game: “I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart on my 17th birthday…

Before that, I’d gone to church with my family, but I didn’t fully understand it or accept it...I remember my pastor talking about God ‘looking for a few good men.’ All of a sudden the light bulb went [on] in my head and I was like, ‘Hey, that’s me; I can be one of those few good men!’” When asked what that meant, Brees answered, “"It means that you trust in the Lord, you trust that He has a plan for your life. You trust that He’s never going to put anything in front of you that’s too hard for you…so no matter what comes your way, you’ll overcome it and it will make you stronger. [It’s] the ability to influence—in a positive way—so many other people, and just be able to spread the blessings that God has bestowed upon you.” He also talked of his career-changing injury: “When I had that injury...in San Diego, I felt that was the worst thing that could’ve ever happened to me at the worst time—potentially career-ending—and you start to feel sorry for yourself. You start to ask, ‘Why me, why now?’ I looked back a year after that—after I’d already been [in New Orleans] a year—and I said, ‘You know what, God? That was probably the BEST thing that could’ve happened to me!’ ...Otherwise, I would’ve never had the opportunity to be a part of this community, to be a part of this rebuilding effort. I feel like I’m a mentally tougher, and stronger person for it; both with my job as a professional football player, as a husband, soon after as a father, and then with my faith.”

Sharing the Victory 2/2/10

I awakened early again this morning, but today I had someone else on my mind when I hit the treadmill.  My dad, Bobby Carwile is 69 years old today.  As I walked on the dreaded treadmill I was successful in recalling some of my great memories of childhood.

Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t have a perfect childhood, but my parents created an atmosphere of affirmation and love that Jo and I are striving to instill in Zeke.  Every family is different, every dad is different.  Bobby Carwile was born on February 10, 1941 to Alec and Earline Carwile.  He was the second of eight children.  My grandparents had little of everything except children.  They worked hard, my dad and his siblings worked hard and somehow they made it.  In October of 1956 my grandfather took his own life.  Everything changed in that moment.  Each child, including my dad, would go through life without their dad.  The late 50’s were a time of transition and then the 60’s changed the landscape of the south and our nation forever.

Vietnam, Civil Rights, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy’s asassination influenced an entire generation and helped to shape a culture.  My dad was a part of that tumultuous change, but through it all he has remained faithful to himself, my mom and my sister and I.  My dad has always been an honest, good man with many admirable qualities.  He is a veteran of the United States Army, presently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Alabama State Defense Force serving the state as a battalion commander.  He is ultra-conservative and is deeply affected by the direction our country appears to be headed in.  I constantly tell him to pray for America.  This year will be my parents 47th wedding anniversary in June.  Through it all there is “daddy” to me and “Ba” to our Zeke. 

Every year during the holidays we try to bring out the pictures from years gone by.  You should have seen my mullet in the 80’s, you would laugh out loud.  Besides the team pictures of my sister and I when daddy was our coach, he is not in a lot of pictures.  Why?  He was behind the camera.  Yep.  Behind the camera, until the grandkids came along and we started taking the pictures.  But I think you might know where I am headed. 

This is not one of the columns where I tell you my dad could beat up your dad.  Or my dad makes more money than your dad.  That is not his style.  You see, for the almost 46 years of my life he has led me by example and sometimes used words.  I remember years ago when our family ran a small convenience store and the economy was not doing well and daddy had an opportunity to alleviate some of the debt by “not being dishonest” but crossing into a gray area.  As a 14 year old, I heard the conversation between my parents and he chose the high-road.  It took several years to get out of that debt but because of my dad’s honesty it caused me to be a better man.

I could go on and on this morning, giving you story after story, but I won’t.  Daddy wouldn’t want me to do that.  You see, in 1989, my dad, a good man was a lost man.  He was honest, hard-working, faithful to my mom, etc. and etc.  But he was lost without Jesus Christ.  After 25 years of my mother praying, I had the privilege of leading my dad to Christ and days later baptizing him.  It was one of the greatest days of my life.  In fact, looking back over my life, my dad has been there on all of my great days:  hitting my first homerun, running my first touchdown, graduation, buying my first house, the night I was ordained into the ministry, serving as my best man at my wedding, the proud grandfather when Zeke was born, and encouraging me when I call home and wonder what in the world I am doing.

I try to read a Proverb a day.  Today being the 10th was Proverbs 10:  Here is the verse that stood out to me:

A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

Happy Birthday daddy, I am sorry I am not there in person to give you a hug and a kiss but know you are my hero.  Thank you for being my dad.

Your son,
Joel

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.  I am in the war room today studying the Word in preparation for tomorrow night’s message on 1 Peter 3:8-12.  I hope to see you at 6:30 p.m.  Isn’t the snow beautiful?  Be careful if you are out and about.  Blessings this day, PJ

Let us be found faithful to pray and seek His face on behalf of those who serve.

Praying for My Pastor

I thank You, Father, that Your eyes are on my shepherd and Your ears are attentive to my pastor’s prayers and Your face is against those who plot evil against my pastor (1 Peter 3:12).  For I know that in all things You work for the good of _______(insert your pastor’s name) who loves You (Rom. 8:28).  Who can accuse this pastor who is daily interceded for by Christ Jesus? (Rom. 8:33-34).  Therefore, in all things my pastor is more than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37).

Lord, I pray for discernment in exposing any schemes of the enemy against my pastor.  Show our congregation how to pray against the enemy for my pastor.  Show our congregation how to pray against all powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of darkness in heavenly realms.  And, Lord, protect us as we wage warfare on behalf of our pastor (Eph. 6:11-12).

Father, I thank You that no weapons formed against my pastor will prosper.  Every tongue raised against my shepherd will be cast down.  Rumors and gossip will be turned aside.  For ______ will be still before the Lord and wait on You.  My pastor will dwell in the shadow of the Most High God and will be delivered from terror, darts of doubt, and diseases (Ps. 91:5-6).  Set your angels about my pastor (Ps. 91:11)
No power of the enemy shall harm ______ (Luke 10:19).  Thank God Forevermore!

Lord, Let ______ have a discerning mind to prioritize the precious minutes in the day.  Let my pastor discern what is most important and be guarded against the tyranny of the urgent (2 Cor. 11:14, 1 Jn. 4:1)

Father, allow my pastor to glory only in the cross (Gal 6:14).  Keep my pastor from pride and vainglory. Let the cross be his reason for ministry.

Jesus, keep my pastor holy in every way (1 Pet. 1:16).  Protect my shepherd from seducing spirits especially when he is tired and hard-pressed.  Give ______ comrades to help protect him, and to share with in personal holiness (Jas. 4:7).  As my pastor draws near to You, draw near to my pastor. (Jas. 4:8)

I pray that the eyes of my pastor be enlightened to know the hope to which we are called and know the riches of our glorious inheritance in the saints.  Let my pastor know the incomparable great power which is in us who believe (Eph. 1:18-19).  Let ______ see the full revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:12).  Place in him a desire to know Christ and the power of His Resurrection (Phil. 3:10).

Lord, I lift up the hands of my pastor and his family.  Place them in the shelter of the Most High to rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, You are their refuge and their fortress.  You will preserve their family time.  You will cover their home.  Your faithfulness will meet their financial needs in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). 
You will command Your angels to guard them as they travel and win the lost.  You have said, “I will be with (them) in trouble, I will deliver (them) and honor (them).  With a long life, I will satisfy (them) and show (them) my salvation (Ps. 91:15-16).  In Jesus’ name I cancel all assignments of the enemy against them.

In Jesus name I speak to church hurts, abuse, and ungrateful forces to move.  I speak to mountains of criticism and inordinate expectations to be cast into the sea.  I speak to stress, excessive phone counseling, and fatigue to be cast into the sea, and I believe every need, vision, and dream of ______’s will be completed (Mk. 11:22-24, Phil. 4:19).

Forgive those who hurt ______ and speak against him, and let my pastor walk in forgiveness (Eph. 4:32-5:1). 
Guard my pastor from futile thinking (Eph. 4:17) and a vain imagination. 
Let every thought be taken captive to obey Christ (2Cor. 10-3-5).

In Jesus name I bind the fear of failure and the fear of humankind (Jn. 14:1).  Let ______’s confidence not be eroded by the daily resistance to the Gospel or his vision.  Allow my pastor to fear God more than people.

Father, heal my shepherd’s heart of any grief caused by ministry.  Bestow on my pastor a crown of beauty instead of ashes and anoint him with the oil of gladness instead of mourning.  Clothe my shepherd with a garment of praise instead of a spirit of depression.  I call my pastor an oak of righteousness, a planting of the Lord to display Your splendor (Is. 61:3).

Keep my pastor in the midst of good and exciting worship.  Keep my pastor from the traditions of men and religion, which holds the form of godliness, but denies its power (2Tim. 3:5). 
Give a vision of heaven (Isaiah 6, Rev. 4).

With my shield of faith I cover my shepherd’s mind to quench all flaming darts of doubt or vain imaginations or mental distractions (Eph. 6:16, Col. 2:6-8).
Let the mind of Christ be strong in my pastor 1 Cor. 2:16).

Lord, I stand against the enemies of my pastor’s prayer life: “busyness” (Acts 6:2-4), compulsions, compromise (Acts 5), unnecessary phone calls, chronic counselees, fatigue, sleepiness (Mt. 26:41), appetites, television, late meetings, over-commitments, and doubt.  Let nothing hinder ______’s time with You.  Let my pastor rise up to seek You (Mk. 1:1:35), pray with other pastors (Acts 1:14), and pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17). 
Give my pastor the time, the desire, and the place to pray (Acts 16:16).  I rebuke in the name of Jesus any distractions from my pastor’s devotional life.

Bless my pastor with rich study time (Acts 6:4, 2 Tim. 2:15).

As ______ preaches, let him proclaim Jesus Christ (Col. 1:28).  Let my pastor’s preaching be in the energy of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, by Your Holy Spirit, anoint ______ to preach and bring glorious results (Acts 2:37).  As my pastor speaks the Word, let decisions be made in Jesus` name.  Let the sick be healed; let the oppressed be set free.  Anoint ______ with the truth (Mt. 16:17). Let people be cut to the heart and accept Jesus Christ.

Lord, as You have promised, grant my beloved shepherd lasting fruit (Mal. 3:11, Jn. 15:16).  Let my pastor’s converts become disciples who in turn disciple.  Bless my pastor with disciples who grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Lord, keep my pastor in the fear of God.  Let my pastor not fear people (Prov. 19:23).  Give ______ boldness to confront sin and church controllers.  Honor my pastor’s stand for You.  Come to my pastor’s rescue.  I claim Psalm 35 for my shepherd.

Good Morning all, I am still at the pastor’s home checking e-mail before I start my journey back to the United States this afternoon.

I cannot tell you how much I have been blessed by this time in Botswana.  Here are just a few of the highlights:

* We had several people receive Jesus this past Sunday morning.  “That never gets old.”

* All of these nations were represented in the worship services: 35 nations

Japan, Sri Lanka, India, China, Egypt, Germany, Holland, England, Scotland, South Africa, Canada, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Cameroon, Congo, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Burma, Somalia, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Barbados, Australia, New Zealand, Angola, Botswana and the United States

* The Lord let me preach (7) times in four days.  I was in heaven.  On Sunday morning over a thousand gathered to worship in two morning services.

* Open Baptist Church dedicated a new office wing and will be dedicating a new Sunday School building this coming April.  God is so good!

* On Monday morning February 1, 2010 the Face the Nation organization (an Open Baptist Church ministry) began the training of their facilitators.  After an intense orientation this group will train over 150 other “team leaders” who will then begin the process this school year to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and teach abstinence with True Love Waits material to approximately 55,000 students in the school system across the country.  Listen to this, last year, 2009, 10,000 students committed themselves to abstinence [AIDS epidemic], and 4,781 made first time decisions for the Lord Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* Valley View Church, along with other partnering churches are making an impact on the continent of AFRICA. 

Don’t forget prayer meeting tonight at Valley View from 7-8 p.m.  I will be praying with you in the air somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. 

Be in prayer for our Cambodian Mission team who will be ministering during the Wednesday night service on February 3rd.

Blessings,
Pastor

It is approximately 8:23 p.m. on Monday evening as I write this posting.  I have had the most wonderful trip.  Pastor Dave Walker were on the same plane to J’Burg, South Africa last week and I got to spend some time with him and a good friend he has known for the last ten years or so.  We had a great supper together on Thursday night before my flight continued on to Botswana the following morning.

I awakened early at the hotel and made it through ticketing and boarded my plane to meet Pastor Norman and his lovely wife, Gabi.  To save on costs I have stayed with them these last several days and have been greatly blessed.  I have had the privilege to preach the Gospel seven times over the last four days.  We saw a great harvest of souls on Sunday morning and we had a corporate prayer meeting tonight at Open Baptist Church in Gaborone with great attendance.  These days together has been a time of preparing OBC for monumental decisions to be made concerning their property and future ministry opportunities.  The theme has been:  The Empowering Vision!!!!

On Sunday afternoon we dedicated a new office wing that Valley View Church had an opportunity to partner on.  It will allow this dynamic, growing church of over 1,000 people to be able to more effectively minister to their community but also their church planting adventures, orphanages, and the sending of their own missionaries.  The future most certainly looks bright!

I will board my plane tomorrow afternoon and begin my journey home to Louisville to love on Jo and Zeke.  I cannot wait to see them and the snow that fell while I was away. 

Be assured of my prayers for you as I travel.  I can’t wait till Sunday to be back in the pulpit as I complete our series on Missions, Evangelism and Discipleship.  This week we will preach on:  Come, Learn, Live, Go!!!

I will blog to you of my safe arrival back in the states in the coming days. 

God bless you!  I love you church family.

Pastor

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Property usage for Open Baptist Church
Trip to Israel in April for OBC church family
Pastor Norman and Gabi’s trip in February
Pastor’s Conference

We just finished up our first worship service at Open Baptist Church.  Tonight was youth night and I preached on Empowering the Vision by Running the Race.  Norman and Gabi are wonderful and I will be staying with them throughout the conference.  It is nice and warm here.  I hear we have snow in Louisville.  Please be careful.  God bless you and I will try and give updates in the days ahead.  Blessings from Gaborone, Pastor Joel

I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything;
but still I can do something;
and because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two “Wolves” inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, false pride, inferiority, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, truth, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed the most.”

Luke 14:25-35
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:

v. 25 Huge crowds were following Jesus at this time and then He began to teach them the challenge of discipleship.

26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple.

v. 26 “A man must put Christ first:  before family, even before self.”
v. 26 Jesus was not saying that family and self were to be literally hated.  He spoke in this extreme to prove His point of radical obedience to the Gospel call.  The true believer is to love even his enemies (Lk. 6:27) What did Jesus mean?

27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

v. 27 “A man must bear the cross of death:  death to self.”

Jesus goes on to explain discipleship with two parables:

28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?
29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him,
30 saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’
31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

v. 28-33 “A man must give thought to discipleship:  count the cost and the consequences.”

The point of the two parables is clear:  a man must pay the ultimate price.  He must forsake all, renounce and give up all that he is and has; or else “he cannot be my disciple.”

Two points to clarify:

1.  It will cost him all he is.  It will cost the man..

His heart:  total devotion and commitment
His mind: being controlled by Christ
His eyes:  watching what he looks at
His ears:  watching what he listens to
His hands:  watching what he touches and picks up
His feet:  watching where he goes
His mouth:  watching what he eats and drinks and says
His desires:  watching, controlling, and changing his urges and desires
His energy:  committing his strength and will to Christ

2.  It will cost him all he has.  To really follow Christ will cost…

Family: being put after Christ
Friends:  being put after Christ and centered around Christ
Home:  comfort and extravagances
Job:  being centered around Christ an being used to earn enough to give to those who do not have
Investments:  using for God’s cause

Look what Paul said:
Phil 3:8-9 (HCSB) 8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ —the righteousness from God based on faith.

If a man chooses to reject Christ, to struggle against Him, the man will…

Never experience the abundant life
Never know God, his love and care
Never have an eternal sense of purpose, meaning and significance
Never know the joy of the assurance of eternal life
Never be free from the dread and fear of death
Never be freed from a sense of false security

Notice what the Scripture says:

To the rich young ruler:  Matt 19:21 (NIV) 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Luke 12:33-34 (NIV) 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Let’s go back to the text:
34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

v. 34-35 “A man must have the salt of discipleship:  the salt of self-denial.”

Whatsoever we have over-loved, idolized, and leaned upon, God has from time to time broken it, and made us to see the vanity of it;…..
- John Flavel – 17th century Presbyterian Clergyman

The most important question we ask of this text is not, “What does this mean?” but “What can I obey?”– Eugene Peterson, Eat this Book (p. 71)

“What can I obey?” This is a legitimate question.

Salvation is free, ... but discipleship will cost you your life. [Dietrich Bonhoeffer]

1 Cor 15:31 (KJV) 31…..I die daily.

Thorns, it seems, always accompany visits to glory. No one who has walked in Christ’s presence will ever be allowed to strut. - Jamie Buckingham

Gal 6:17 (KJV) 17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

A fundamental law of teaching states: ‘You cannot impart what you do not possess.’ Paul possessed it; the disciples possessed it.

Discipleship is imparting truth by demonstration.

Gal 6:14 (KJV)14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Col 2:14-15 (KJV)14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Are you ready to dethrone all rivals to his authority? [Graham Kendrick]

Are you ready to become the apprentice, and allow Jesus, the Master-Teacher to disciple you?

Discipleship is relationship.

To understand “the Call to Discipleship” we must understand the difference between cheap and costly grace!

Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our Church, any church.

Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner.

Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession.... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

Costly grace is the sanctuary of God; it has to be protected from the world, and not thrown to the dogs.

Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.

“Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ”.

“The life of discipleship can only be maintained as long as nothing is allowed to come between Christ and ourselves…..the heart of the disciple must be set upon Christ alone.”
It is against this backdrop that we read Bonhoeffer’s words as Dr. Ken Boa writes quoting Bonhoeffer, “Today we define discipleship at best as impartation of a certain . . . knowledge rather than life-changing approach to come and follow Jesus.”

We have somehow been deceived to believe that discipleship can be separated from what we know and what we do.  JC

“WHEN CHRIST calls a man,” says Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “he bids him come and die.” There are different kinds of dying, it is true; but the essence of discipleship is contained in those words.

Why not begin the journey of a disciple today?

Here, then, is the real problem of our negligence. We fail in our duty to study God’s Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or a lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy. - R.C. Sproul –

References: 
The Bible
The Believer’s Bible Commentary
The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible Volume 3
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Boenhoffer
Wilmington’s Guide to the Bible by H.L. Wilmington
http://lutheran_peace.tripod.com/Bonhoeffer24quotes.htm
The Cost of Discipleship by John MacArthur 1997 Grace to You
Eat this Book by Eugene Peterson

Don’t Sink Your Success by Ignoring Relationships

John Paul Jones is regarded as The Father of the American Navy, and rightly so given his heroic courage in battle and his devotion to America’s struggle for independence. Yet sadly, Jones alienated himself from the country he loved, dying penniless and alone in France at the age of 45. Why did the war hero’s story end so dismally? The answer is simple: John Paul Jones never valued relationships.

Talent and Temper

John Paul Jones was born in Scotland under the given name of John Paul. He achieved notoriety as a 21-year old sailor when he safely piloted a ship back to port after its captain and first mate had succumbed to yellow fever. The feat won him the respect of the ship’s owners, who made him the vessel’s captain and gave him a commission on its profits.

John Paul’s success in Scotland was short-lived, though. Soon after being named as captain, he became enraged with a sailor and demanded that the man be whipped. The flogging ordered by John Paul was so severe that the man later died from his wounds. Although he avoided criminal charges and kept his command, John Paul’s reputation never recovered, nor did he learn his lesson.

A few years later, John Paul slaughtered a mutinous shipmate after a dispute over wages. Rather than stand trial for his actions, he fled to America, changing his name to John Paul Jones. Thus began a familiar trend, Jones’ spectacular skill and talent would gain him renown, but then his relational incompetence would undermine the success.

A Fresh Start Runs Afoul

John Paul Jones arrived in America at the dawn of the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in the American Navy and distinguished himself as a privateer captain, preying upon British commercial ships. Duly promoted, he then led a daring mission all the way to mainland Great Britain, raiding a coastal town and capturing a warship. His gallantry brought much needed credibility to the American cause abroad, and gained him popularity at home.

However, after returning to American shores, John Paul Jones did not receive the official recognition that he felt he deserved. Feeling slighted, he launched scathing criticisms at the politicians by whom he felt overlooked. Although he had vanquished his enemies in combat, John Paul Jones’ disrespect and arrogance turned his would-be friends into adversaries.

Fame without Fortune

John Paul Jones next military adventure brought him to the pinnacle of his fame. In a battle on the high seas, two of his primary cannons malfunctioned and left him outgunned and outmanned against a British warship, the Serapis. Repeatedly battered by the guns of his opponent, Jones’ ship, the Bonhomme Richard, caught fire and began to go down. Sensing victory, the British commander asked if Jones was ready to surrender, receiving the famous reply, “I have not yet begun to fight!”

Jones rallied his crew and rammed his sinking vessel into the side of the Serapis. Then, his men tied together the two warships with grappling hooks, hopped aboard the Serapis, and engaged in intense hand-to-hand combat. By the time the skirmish ended, the Americans had won control of the Serapis and had forced the British to surrender.

Elevated to celebrity status after the improbable victory, John Paul Jones nonetheless managed to estrange himself after returning home. First, he took all of the credit for his military triumph, discounting the bravery of his men. Then, he wrote several self-aggrandizing accounts of the battle and sent them to newspapers in America and Europe. His blatant and excessive self-promotion rankled politicians and further alienated him from those in power. Next, he sailed out to sea, only to be embarrassed when his crew mutinied and left him stranded in France. Finally, after returning home, he lobbied tirelessly to be named First Admiral of the United States Navy. Denied his request and having worn out his welcome, John Paul Jones left America for good and spent the remainder of his days vainly chasing personal glory in the service of foreign governments.

Summary

The life of John Paul Jones is indicative of a leader with loads of talent but no regard for relationships. Prickly, self-focused, and egotistical, such leaders sabotage their success by pushing away everyone in their lives. Regardless of their accomplishments, leaders never attain fulfillment until they learn to win with people.

The Influence Question: Will You Grow or Plateau?

Seldom does someone consciously choose to stop growing. Yet we all know people whose influence has leveled off or gone into decline. Why do hard-working, well-intentioned leaders plateau? How can people ascend the levels of influence throughout their careers, but then suddenly stop climbing?

About five years ago I facilitated an all-day roundtable with 15 leaders. During Q&A, a very successful leader, a man who had done wonders with his organization, spoke up to voice a concern. “John,” he said, “the last two years I’ve hit a plateau. For the first time in many years, I’ve stopped growing as a leader. Could you help me?”

After prodding him with a few questions, I diagnosed his problem. As a leader, he had accomplished all of his goals! His company was bigger than he had ever anticipated it to be, it was reaching more customers than he had ever hoped to reach, and revenue was coming in higher than he could ever have imagined. Instead of concentrating on continual growth, he had stagnated after hitting all of his goals.

Goal-Conscious Versus Growth-Conscious

I have discovered that goal-conscious people plateau more often and for longer stretches than people who are growth-conscious. I’m certainly not saying, “don’t have goals.” I have goals, you have goals, and there’s nothing wrong with goals. But I am saying that there is something more important than setting goals.

If you’re goal-conscious, then you focus on a destination-a sales target, a prestigious position, or a certain level of income. Whereas goal-conscious people lock onto a destination, growth-conscious people focus on the journey. They see the big picture, and they understand that success comes through a process.

If you’re goal conscious, you motivate people. You put a target in front of your team and drive them to achieve it. If you’re growth-conscious, then you’re more concerned about maturing your people. Outcomes, while important, cease to be the sole determinant of success to a growth-conscious leader. He or she is more concerned with improvement, progress, and learning the right lessons.

If you’re goal-conscious then your measures of success are seasonal. In other words, you have a time period during which you’re focused on reaching the next level. If you fail, it’s easy to get discouraged and to derail temporarily as a result of the setback. If you succeed, it’s tempting to coast on your recent accomplishment. However, when you’re growth-conscious, you’re a lifelong learner. Win or lose, rain or shine, growth-conscious leaders press on toward their potential all of the time-not just in spurts.

Leaders Develop Daily, Not in a Day

Growth occurs during a process, not by arriving at a destination. In my book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, I talk about the Law of Process, which says, “Leaders develop daily, not in a day.” It’s human nature to overestimate the event and underestimate the process. We want instant results, but instead of focusing our attention on the endpoint, we would be wise to make the most of the present day.

Summary

Influence and personal growth are intertwined. When you quit growing, you relinquish the privilege of leadership. You simply can’t take others to a place you’ve never been yourself.

To keep your influence growing, trade a goals-oriented mindset for a growth-conscious way of thinking. Goal-conscious people get wrapped up in a destination, and consequently they are in danger of reaching a plateau in their personal development. Hitting goals causes them to coast, while missing targets causes them to mope. In contrast, growth-conscious individuals put goals into proper perspective. The path they’re traveling matters more to them than the place where they’re going.

It gives me great joy to share with you that our love offering for Haiti exceeded $30,000.00!!!  YOU have made a difference in the lives of others.  God bless you church family!  PJ

I can’t wait to share with you what the Lord has laid on my heart for us this coming Sunday.  As we complete our series on MISSIONS, EVANGELISM and DISCIPLESHIP, let’s be prepared for the next part of our journey.  Don’t forget to prayerfully consider our LIFEGROUPS to get plugged in to a SMALL GROUP so you can be encouraged!!!! 

Love you church family, Pastor Joel

Church Family and Friends of Valley View,

Please don’t forget we will be taking up a love offering after each of our three worship services this coming Sunday morning, January 24, 2010.  This will be yet another opportunity for us to invest in others who will never be able to repay us. 

This is part of our missional DNA!!!!  Tim Hartlage of Salem Radion here in Louisville has promised ALL of our love offering will be used for the needs of the Haitian people.  Any administrative costs incured by the organization Food for the Poor will be paid by Salem Radio.  I thank God for men like Tim who will move heaven and earth to minister to others. 

So, thank you in advance for your generous gift(s) that will go to provide water, food and spiritual nourishment to a nation crying out for Jesus.

Blessings,
Pastor Joel

I took a long walk along the Gulf of Mexico this morning. 

Jo’s side of the family always take the week after Christmas and spends time together on the coast of Florida.  I had not been able to go with them the past two years but decided months ago to join back in the family fun.  We have been having a ball.  Zeke enjoyed his birthday celebration.  I cannot believe he turned four yesterday.  It seems like he was just born yesterday, but four years have flown by.  I again want to remind you to take the time and spend memorable moments with family.  “These are the moments, I thank God that I am alive.” We all have been given a certain amount of time for faith, family and fortune.  Please make the right choices that will enable you to remember what is most important. 

We just returned from the beach playing football, throwing frisbee, and building a sandcastle with the kids.  The joy of watching them brings me great contentment in my life.  In these last moments of 2009 please evaluate what matters.  The right choices will bring no regrets.

I count it a joy to serve you.

Pastor Joel

In these closing days of 2009 make sure your “forgiveness” tank has been examined.

One of the last things you would want to do is carry over the weight of one year to the next.  I pray your shackles can finally fall to the ground.  Whatever you have experienced is not worth the ulcer or the mindplay.  God bless you this very hour.  I pray you find peace and rest in the new year.  Why not start today.  You are loved!
Pastor

All of the packages have been opened, the food is still settling and December’s purchases becomes January’s payments. 

As I was loading and unloading Jo’s car for the upteenth time last night as we rolled back into Hazel Green I was a little frustrated.  Putting bags, packages and other items in and out of the car.  Then it hit me.  This is only twice a year (Thanksgiving and Christmas)!  Shut up and grow up was my thought!  Zeke will only be this age once.  Our parents are getting older and it is our time to make the repeated trips back and forth because “we can.”

I heard a pastor years ago say these words that have rung true in my heart for a long time:  “How big is your want to?” That applies to anything in life.  “How big is your want to?” So, I write these words today with my family and your family in mind.  Go ahead and do whatever it takes to make this time of year the best time of year.  Mortality will catch up with all of us.  There will be a last Christmas with parents, there will be last year the kids believe in Santa and there will be “regrets.”

One of our responsibilities as Christ-followers is to live the Spirit-filled life.  A life lived as best we can under the authority of the Word that will help us put this thing called “life” in its proper perspective.  Friend, enjoy your journey.  Invest in your family and friends like there is no tomorrow.  Life can have a tendency to produce a “series of goodbyes.” Let’s make sure when “goodbye” comes, you have no “regrets.”

Finish this year with all forgiven and go forward for the glory of God.  Don’t live with the regret of a past consumed with what doesn’t matter. 

PJ

Proverbs 26:1-28 (KJV)

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
about sluggards
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
and about quarrelsome busybodies
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. 

Prov 25:1-28 (KJV)

1 These are also proverbs of Solomon,.... 

which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
and about avoiding causes of quarrels
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Merry Christmas as we celebrate One Solitary Life

In 1926, Dr. James A. Francis wrote,.... 

“Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office.

He never owned a home. He never set foot in a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He had no credentials but Himself. While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.

His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth while He was dying - and that was His coat. When He was dead, He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Twenty-one centuries have come and gone, and today He is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of progress. All the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as that one solitary life - Jesus Christ.”

In the early dawn of April 19, 1775, under secret orders from the Crown, a band of 700 British soldiers were dispatched to find and destroy the colonist’s military cache hidden somewhere in Concord, Massachusetts.

Fortunately for the young nation, patriot intelligence had uncovered the British plot, moved all supplies to new storage, and positioned themselves for a stand-off with the unwelcome Red Coats. It was the colonists’ way of saying; “No more!” to the strong-arm tactics of the mother-land. The arrogant British throne had gone too far and America decided it was time to fight.

It was the original Mouse that Roared.

History has called it, “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World.” But to this day, nobody knows who-or even which side-pulled the trigger. Either way, it lasted only a matter of minutes and we got clobbered.

The entire battle consisted of verbal threats, a noisy exchange of musket-fire, and a charge by the British troops. More than one-fourth of the American militia were killed or wounded, while the rest broke ranks and ran. The Red Coats suffered only one minor injury. To the casual observer greatness was dressed in bright red.

For the British, it was a quick drill. To the colonists, the Revolution had begun.

Never have there been longer odds for winning a war. England, the strongest economic power on earth, boasting the world’s most formidable navy and largest army, lost to the rag-tag Americans who had neither navy, army, or organized defense. Missing also was historical precedent-no colony had ever broken from a country to produce an independent nation. It was tantamount to Montana declaring its independence from the United States, then waging war, and winning.

Sounds impossible, yet it happened. But how?

Certainly, God had a hand in it. But so did America’s eclectic band of makeshift leaders. While some soon-to-be-historical icons entered the war with reputations, most did not-they were simply average Joes from next door.

* Samuel Adams was a tax collector.
* Patrick Henry was a bartender.
* George Washington was a surveyor.
* Nathan Hale was a poet.
* Thomas Paine’s resume included pastoring a Methodist church, teaching school, and corset making-and he wasn’t very good at any of them.

Paul Revere, the local coroner, was another nondescript patriot. He made his famous midnight ride while unarmed and breaking through numerous road blocks. Once captured, the British beat him, stole his exhausted horse, and interrogated him on the whereabouts of John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Ultimately, they released him since, being dressed as a gentleman, he posed no apparent danger. Once freed, Revere ran through the woods to warn Hancock and Adams and led them to safety.

Many other Sons of Liberty waved bright lanterns while riding horseback, or beat drums from their farms, or ran through town blowing horns, or set signal fires, or fired shots into the air to warn others of the advancing enemy.

In the best of movements, leadership comes from the unexpected. Treasures, once out of sight and stuck to the bottom, bob to the top in stormy weather. Ordinary people, when pressed, can do extraordinary things...if the cause is right.

Though lacking the usual credentials, Joshua, Nehemiah and Amos rose to leadership, ignoring generations of protocol in favor of necessity. Abigail, Esther and Deborah could have easily refused their assignments if righteousness hadn’t been the issue.

The size of the cause will always determine the risk...and define the risk taker. Scripture is filled with the small who slew giants, the meek who called down fire from heaven, the barren who produced a nation, the powerless who led. Even the Savior came as a lowly lamb.

God’s specialty has always been to use the “foolish things of the world to confound the wise...the weak to shame the strong.” And today, He’s chosen you and me to champion His great cause.

History may-or may not-write about our legacy. But eternity will never forget.

Just a few quotes that have gripped me in my latest readings:

“The mounting evidence indicting the leaders of the sexual revolution is impressive. They promised joy, liberation, and good health. They’ve delivered misery, disease, and even death.” (Drs. Alexandra and Vernon Mark noted in Medical World News)

“Power kills; absolute power kills absolutely…. The more power a government has, the more it can act arbitrarily according to the whims and desires of the elite…” (Death by Government, R. J. Rummel)

“The problem with Christianity is not that it has been tried and found wanting, but that it has been found difficult, and left untried.” (G. K. Chesterton)

Nothing is a surprise to God; nothing is a setback to His plans; nothing can thwart His purposes; and nothing is beyond His control. His sovereignty is absolute. 

Everything that happens is uniquely ordained by God. Sovereignty is a weighty thing to ascribe to the nature and character of God. Yet if He were not sovereign, He would not be God. The Bible is clear that God is in control of everything that happens. As Moses learned, when God gives a disability, He also gives us the means to deal with it (Exodus 4:11-12). God does not delight in our afflictions, but when they are in His will for us, He delights in working everything our for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28) — whether He removes the affliction or not! If examining the sovereignty of God teaches us anything, it teaches us that real satisfaction comes not in understanding God’s motives, but in understanding His character… in trusting in His promises… and in leaning on Him and resting in Him as the Sovereign who knows what He is doing and does all things well

~ Joni Eareckson Tada ~

44 Ways to Kick-Start Your New Year

What are you going to do now to make sure you have your best year ever? What one thing will mean the difference in actually achieving your goals rather than chalking them up to yet another year’s unfulfilled resolutions? What can you do to enhance an aspect of your life that you’ve neglected in your single-minded pursuit of that elusive brass ring? Think about it.

We asked a host of experts, readers who follow SUCCESS on Twitter and Facebook, and our SUCCESS staff what they will do to kick-start 2010. We got wide-ranging answers, anecdotes and tips. Our aim is to get you thinking and to inspire you to reach farther, go faster, achieve more than ever before. Are you energized by this prospect? Or maybe a little overwhelmed? Then start small, focusing on just one thing you want to accomplish. This life is yours to make of it whatever you desire, so start now!

1 - Expand your thinking with new experiences. Each month for 30 days in a row, commit to doing something new that you have thought about doing, but have not done, and notice how it affects your life. Some possibilities: do aerobic exercise for 30 minutes, listen to only positive music, don’t read the newspaper, stop watching television, eat only vegetarian or raw food, verbally appreciate at least 10 people a day, get eight hours of sleep, meditate for 20 minutes, visualize your goals as already complete, do 20 minutes of yoga, read a self-help book every morning for 30 minutes, plan your next day’s schedule and prioritized to-do list before you leave work, do five things every day that forward your No. 1 goal, spend an hour with your spouse, call one of your children on the phone, write a handwritten thank-you note to someone, drink 10 glasses of water, take a nap, listen to a motivational CD on the way to work. Start this month and do one activity for the next 30 days in a row and then assess how it has impacted your life. I started doing this in July of 2009 and it has created the most magical year of my life. —Jack Canfield, co-founder of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and co-author of The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

2 - Write letters to three people in your life to let them know what they mean to you.

3 - START A BUSINESS PLAN. If you’ve been sitting on a business idea for a while and haven’t acted on it, it’s time to do something about it. Write down your ideas and start working on a business plan. If you don’t know how, buy a book on starting a business and read it, or check the Internet for tips.

4 - WRITE A 101 LIFE-GOAL LIST.

5 - Make a commitment to fitness. Don’t just make a resolution and join a fitness center you won’t see after February—make a commitment and build fitness into your schedule. Join a class at your fitness club, an exercise group or a team sport. Or, if you can afford it, hire a trainer. Doing any of these things will not only make your workouts more productive, but they will also be more fun. Plus, you get the advantage of having others hold you accountable to your workout commitment. —Deborah Heisz, SUCCESS editor in chief

6 - Find a volunteer opportunity at Volunteer.org.

7 - Invest in a bright financial future. I will start a savings account. I graduated from college a little over a year ago and I need to start planning out my financial future. I want my financial future to be bright and to have no worries when I’m older and ready to retire. —Brandy Jules, SUCCESS researcher/ staff writer

8 - Build value every day. Business is all about high-touch/ high-trust relationships. In this age of dramatic distraction, it’s especially easy to forget that. People do business with people they trust and people who make them feel special. Create a ritual that ensures you reach out to three possible or current customers every day. This isn’t about asking for the order; this is about adding value. The more people you help, the more profits you’ll see. Send them an article. Connect them with a business opportunity. Do something to help them close in on their greatest dreams. They’ll soon help you close in on yours. —Robin Sharma, leadership expert and author of the new book The Leader Who Had No Title

9 - PRACTICE THE ONE-A-DAY PRINCIPLE. You can’t delight everybody all the time but you can do something extraordinary for someone each day. Find a customer, colleague, relative or a friend each day and do something remarkable. Using the one-a-day principle will make your business and life remarkable.—Mark Sanborn, leadership development speaker and author of the best-selling book The Encore Effect

10 - Sign up for a birthday/anniversary reminder service.

11 - Increase your awareness of your thoughts. Become aware of what leaves your mouth by recording everything you say for at least an hour each day for the entire month. Words have power! When you listen carefully to your language, you will know whether or not you are moving with momentum and purpose toward your vision. As you develop a keen awareness of your communication, you become empowered to purposefully choose language that inspires and empowers you to realize your vision. If you catch yourself speaking about limitations or problems, give yourself the chance to look for solutions and possibilities. Holding yourself to a higher standard in your choice of language is key to achieving consistent outstanding results. —Niurka, speaker, author, entrepreneur, trainer

12 - Write a personal mission statement or mantra.

13 - Schedule family time. I want to set up a schedule that is devoted only to my family. Maybe it’s playing a game with the kids twice a week or going to get ice cream. It’s hard to make time to do those family things, but I want to make sure I’m working to live instead of living to work. —David Lee, SUCCESS assistant editor

14 - LOSE OTHER PEOPLE’S OPINIONS. Quit worrying about trying to please everyone. As Bill Cosby says, “I don’t know the key to success, but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” —Gina Muré from Facebook

15 - STOP USING THE “BAD THING” LABEL. Whenever something happens that is not in line with our desires, we get disappointed. We stick the label “bad thing” on it. And when we do, we experience it as such. In truth, we do not know whether something unexpected is “good” or “bad,” and we may never know.

When Greyston Bakery filled its first order for brownies for Ben & Jerry’s, the thin brownie sheets stuck together in 50-pound lumps and could not be separated. You could certainly label this a “bad thing.” But Ben pondered what to do and ultimately Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream was born— one of Ben & Jerry’s most popular products. So don’t stick a label “bad thing” on whatever happens to you that you don’t like initially. Who knows, that may be the very thing that you need to break out into a brilliant new future. —Srikumar Rao, professor teaching personal mastery and the best-selling author of Are You Ready to Succeed?

16 - Find a mentor.

17 - Take stock and charge forward. I’ll ask myself: What battles did I fight and not win last year? Are any of those battles worth continuing? Why didn’t I win them last year? What can I do to win them this year? How can I make those things I liked most about last year happen more frequently? 2010 is going to be another great year! —Alan Dwelle, SUCCESS production manager

18 - Reach my financial goals. I want to evaluate my cost-of-living expenses and see where I can cut back. I just started my own business, and I want to evaluate my income versus my expenses to see where I am currently, with the ultimate goal of hitting the salary I want to make. —Erica Jennings, SUCCESS Media digital consultant

19 - Get a whole new hairstyle or haircut.

20 - Keep friends close. My oldest friend is my former college suitemate. We used to laugh that no matter how many months passed between conversations, we could still pick up as though we’d spoken yesterday. But a lot of time has passed—fast. Work schedules, family obligations: life gets in the way. She’s not the only out-of-state friend I’ve lost touch with, either. This year, my 50th, I’ll make changes. I’m working on taking time off for visits, but meantime I’ll reconnect the old-fashioned way by writing, sending cards throughout the year, little gifts the family might enjoy, too. Last time we spoke, we agreed life’s just too short. Too short, indeed. —Lisa Ocker, SUCCESS editor

21- GET A LEG UP. You know what I’ll be doing! I’ll take the stairs because success means doing what others won’t. —Rory Vaden from Facebook

22 - Create an environment fostering your success. You might not even realize to what extent you are influenced—negatively and positively—by things and people around you. Start a journal to keep track of these influences so you can eliminate the negative and increase the positive. For instance, if being around a certain friend always makes you feel discouraged or drained, you should limit time with that person. Nurture your emotional well-being by choosing friends who genuinely want you to succeed and who encourage you. Also, consider your environment—is your home or office dreary or energizing? And make sure to read and listen to inspirational and motivational material. Make it a point to go to funny movies or watch a TV sitcom that makes you laugh. Overall, whether it’s gossip from co-workers, violence in the media, pessimism in your own thoughts or other influences, make conscious efforts to reduce your exposure to the negative. You’ll see positive benefits immediately! —Tony Alessandra, a communication and sales expert and co-author of the best-selling book The New Art of Managing People

23 - Write your top 10 goals for this year and post them where you can see them.

24 - INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY. I’m going to put the 80/20 rule to serious work, focusing on the 20 percent of my work that generates 80 percent of the revenue. —Haziq, via Twitter

25 - Take daily steps toward achieving my long-term vision. I’ve learned that my daily choices make a big difference in my long-term happiness. Les Brown says, “Greatness is a choice; it’s not our destiny.” I’ve always been a big-picture person, but this year, I’m breaking down my vision into daily, actionable goals that I can measure. The choices I make to spend a few minutes each day on my long-term vision will make great things happen! —Amy Anderson, SUCCESS managing editor

26 - Refresh your network. Have a host of contacts you’ve lost touch with over the last few months? Pull up those numbers and refresh your network! Now is the perfect time to check in and keep your network working for you.

27 - Automate bill payments.

28 RECONNECT WITH FAMILY. I’m making the change to reconnect with family by having a conference call scheduled for the same time once a week with my mom and brother, so that we can catch up and stay close even though we live in different cities. —Kathlena Smith, SUCCESS production artist

29 - Do something that scares you.

30 - Be a student of all you do. You must become an expert in your field. How? Read! Ask questions of mentors and peers. Attend training. Start today by identifying areas for improvement, looking for training opportunities in your field and signing up for seminars and web-casts, reading or listening to personal-development material, seeking out people you would like to emulate and approaching those you’d like as your mentors. —Stedman Graham, speaker, entrepreneur and author of You Can Make It Happen: A Nine-Step Plan for Success

31 - Have gratitude. I often think I need new clothes, but when I clean out or organize my closet, I realize I have lots of options and everything I need at my fingertips. In many areas of my life, I am often surprised by how I already have what I need if I just choose to look at things differently. Take a life inventory. How are your relationships with friends and family? How often do you laugh? Are you doing the things you love the most? Be sure to delight in all the amazing aspects of your life and don’t live in a constant state of —Sandra Bienkowski, SUCCESS columns editor

32 - Stop smoking.

33 - REVIEW YOUR EXPENSES AS A COUPLE. The first of the year is a great time for couples to sit down and take a good look at their financial goals and habits. Are you both on the same page about your long-term plan? Are your investments meeting your needs for that plan? Do you need to adjust your spending or look for new ways to increase your income? This year, why not focus on diversification? Make a specific plan to put those new wealth-building ideas into action.

34 - Take a dance or fitness class.

35 Slow down to speed up. It’s easy to stay busy, moving as fast as you possibly can. But what’s the point of spending your days climbing a mountain, only to realize at the end of this new year, you’ve climbed the wrong one? The best businesspeople are staggeringly focused on their vital few—those few priorities that will yield explosive results. And the way to build this type of business focus just might surprise you: Slow down.

If only for 30 minutes each day, slow down to think, plan, visualize and recite your best moves in a journal. You’ll become aware of your biggest opportunities, your smartest activities and your greatest tactics for growth. With this insight and clarity, you can then take actions that will drive excellent results. Commit to making it your breakthrough year and slow down for a bit each day. Then you’ll be perfectly prepared to speed up. And win in your business. —Robin Sharma, leadership expert and author of the new book The Leader Who Had No Title

36 - Cut up credit cards.

37 - Plan a trip to a place you have always wanted to go.

38 - Write a not-to-do-list. There is a difference between being busy and being productive. What are you wasting time on? What are you doing that doesn’t produce revenue? Here’s a powerful exercise. In 15- to 30-minute increments, keep track of each of your activities during the workday. Do this for a week. Then annualize the total amount of time for each activity that doesn’t lead to a sale or increased cash fl ow. How much more would you make per year if you did not do those activities any longer? How much more free time would you have for family? For health? Put those things on your not-to-do-list and pay people to help you with the stuff that doesn’t produce the sales and lifestyle success you desire. —Todd Duncan, sales expert and author of the best-selling High Trust Selling: Make More Money in Less Time with Less Stress

39 - Clean out your closet and donate unwanted clothes to charity.

40 - Schedule a regular date night on your calendar with your spouse.

41 - Schedule all doctor and dentist appointments for the year.

42 - SAY “YES” WHEN YOU WANT TO SAY “NO.” In this new year, we want to increase our possibilities, options and opportunities. When we say “no” to a business, social or community project, invitation or event, we are also saying “no” to the serendipitous benefits that arise. Rather than waiting for these events to present themselves, start today by actively seeking opportunities to meet people, gather new ideas, learn more about your industry and just connect and share.—Susan RoAne, networking expert, speaker and author of the best-selling How to Work a Room

43 - Communicate and connect. With my three kids off to college this year, setting up new ways to communicate regularly is important. So I’ll be making a lot more cell phone calls, texting, posting to Facebook, e-mailing, sending handwritten letters to their school mailboxes and surprise goodie bags during exams, and heck, maybe even making a surprise 7 a.m. visit one weekend! —Reed Bilbray, SUCCESS Media group vice president

44 - Lower your blood pressure. Cut your sodium intake. The American Heart Association recommends consuming less than 2,300 milligrams daily, which is about a teaspoon of salt. Some people—middle-aged and older adults, people with high blood pressure and African-Americans— need less than 1,500 milligrams per day, the AHA says. Start by reading product labels for sodium content. Be wary of processed foods and soups, sugar-free items; even raw poultry can contain added salt. Baking soda also contains about 1,000 milligrams of sodium per teaspoon. Ask restaurant servers for low-sodium options—you’d be surprised how eager they are to help. Look for low-sodium options at the grocery, such as bread and deli items and, of course, fresh produce.

Christmas is almost here.  Zeke is over the top this year with expectation.  Jo is doing a great job teaching him the balance of the whole Jesus-Santa thing.

Jo and I have had a great week.  We left out on Sunday after church and headed to Pigeon Forge for our late-anniversary trip.  It is hard to believe that she has put up with me for the past 17 years as her husband.  I have now known her for over 20 years.  We have shared (21) Christmas Days together as a couple, (17) of those as husband and wife.  I cannot imagine life without her and Zeke. 

In just a little while, we will drive over to my parents and share Christmas eve with “my” side of the family and then tomorrow evening we will travel to Jo’s homeplace in Lacey’s Spring to spend time with “her” side of the family.  We will eat too much, laugh alot, watch the kids open gifts, talk sports and politics, and then head back to our respective homes.  Another Christmas, another year gone by. 

As you make plans this holiday season don’t forget to keep the priorities in order:  God, family, ministry, then self.  Jo, Zeke and I love you very much.  Thank you for taking the journey with us.  Merry Christmas, Pastor Joel

Luke 2:1-52 (KJV)

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
An angel announces it to shepherds
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Jesus is circumcised
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Simeon and Anna prophesy of Jesus
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

When you dread straightening up the house for company, be grateful for having a place to host guests and family.

When you clean dirty dishes from the Thanksgiving spread, give thanks for the food that contributed to the mess.  When you’re stressed by the traffic on your way to visit loved ones, be grateful for having the means to travel.  When you encounter the long lines shopping on Black Friday, appreciate the consumer choices you have in the this country.  Work or play, there’s a variety of things Americans will be doing this Thanksgiving holiday.  More than 45 million turkeys have been consumed.  The Detroit Lions lost again.  We all overate and had to walk around to overcome our indulgence.  Our naps were not long enough.  The conversations about sports, religion and politics were once again biased toward our way of thinking.  For many families this will be the last Thanksgiving for an aging loved one, for the children, their journey has just begun.  As you ponder the many things for which you are thankful, a good place to start would be that you live in the United States of America.  It’s a land of the free and home to many patriots who have fought--and are fighting today--to protect those freedoms.  So, lets all give thanks for dirty dishes.  May God continue to watch over and bless America!

Words cannot express the joy that Jo, Zeke and I have in serving Jesus.  We sat at our dinner table this morning and asked Zeke what he was thankful for.

He looked at us and in his almost four-year old vernacular he said, “I am thankful for momma, daddy and God!” Maybe we are doing something right so far. 

I am thankful for:

* Jesus
* My family
* The opportunity to serve the Lord
* Our Republic
* Freedom
* Health
* The health of my family

Take a few moments over these “holidays” and reflect what you are thankful for.  Like me, you may find more to be thankful for than you ever imagined. 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

PJ

I read a book recently entitled Dont Blink in a Hailstorm.  It was a great leadership read.  I was then prompted to revisit a book by John Maxwell entitled Failing Forward.  I got to be honest, I was greatly challenged.

Over the past several weeks I have shared what has turned into a series on Ministry:  The Ministry of Encouragement, The Ministry of Interruptions, and The Ministry of Empowerment.  This coming Sunday I will be preaching on the subject of The Ministry of Failure.  If you have ever blown it and feel deep regret but just can’t shake it, you need to be here at one of our three weekend services.  9 a.m./10:20 a.m./11:44 a.m.  If your schedule doesn’t allow for Sunday morning worship please check out our Valley High School campus called LifeSong.  James Gribbons is the lead pastor and is doing a great job.  He actually preached for me this past Sunday.  You can find his video message on our website. 

Unless the Lord changes my mind I am planning on preaching a message inspired by the preaching ministry of Pastor Craig Groeshel on Sunday morning November 29th entitled “Are U a Practical Atheist?” Much of my material will come from a four-part series he preached at his pastorate but I will also have some “fresh bread” as well.  I will also be using Bruce Sheilman’s five star text An Atheist Defends Religion: Why Humanity is Better Off with Religion Than Without It .  You will not want to miss this message.

It is hard to believe 2009 is wrapping up but it is.  Let’s finish the year strong and continue to make the enemy mad.  Blessings to you and I hope to see you SUNDAY!!!!!!  PJ

* Last night was over the top.  We kicked off with baptism then worshipped for the next 70 minutes.  Our choir blessed the Lord!!!!  and we got to join in.....

* Tuesday night prayer meeting was incredible.  We prayed the Psalms, claimed victories for Jesus.  Our hour together was awesome.

* Monday at Lindsay Lane BC in Athens, Alabama was wonderful.  I got to hear Dr. Mike McLemore[Dusty’s brother], Dr. Sammy Gilbreath, Dr. Junior Hill[a spiritual hero of mine], Dr. Phil Hoskins, and Dr. Bob Pitman.  Dr. Bob was my pastor when I walked at the University of North Alabama to play football in the spring of 1983. 

Thank you for taking the journey with us.  Pastor Joel

Forgiveness means not merely that I am saved from hell and made right for heaven (no man would accept forgiveness on such a level); forgiveness means that I am forgiven into a recreated relationship, into identification with God in Christ. The miracle of Redemption is that God turns me, the unholy one, into the standard of Himself, the Holy One, by putting into me a new disposition, the disposition of Jesus Christ.

—My Utmost For His Highest

Submission to Authority

1 Peter 2:13-17

Every authority or institution is to be obeyed.  Every level of government:  local, state and national government.

Judges 17:6
Prov 12:15
Prov 21:2

Chaos is not God’s will for the world; law and order are God’s will. 

(3) institutions ordained by God:  the family, the church, and the government. 

There are three reasons why believers are to obey civil rulers:

CIVIL RULERS ARE SENT BY GOD:

God ordained the family and the office of parents to rule within the family.
God ordained the church and the office of elders to rule within the church.
God ordained the government and the office of government officials to exercise authority within the state.

Romans 13:1

CIVIL AUTHORITIES EXECUTE JUSTICE FOR GOD:

Civil government and law are a restraint upon evil.

THE BELIEVER’S GOOD BEHAVIOR IS TO SILENCE THE CRITICS OF JESUS CHRIST:

Ex 22:28
Titus 3:1-2

1 Peter 2:13-15

Acts 5:29
Mark 12:13-17

1 Peter 2:16-17

If a man’s law stands against God’s law, the believer is to obey God rather than man.

(4) Clear duties:

RESPECT EVERYONE
Phil 2:3

LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD OF BELIEVERS

John 13:34-35
John 15:12
1 Thess 3:12

FEAR GOD

Matt 10:28
Deut 10:12

HONOR THE KING OR SUPREME AUTHORITY OF THE NATION
Acts 23:1-5

References:
The Bible
Never Blink in a Hailstorm by David L. McKenna
The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible
The Message//Remix Solo
Interpreting the Prophetic Word by VanGemeren
The MacArthur New Testament Commentary 1 Peter by John MacArthur
Holman New Testament Commentary 1 Peter edited by Max Anders
Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster

Friday began for me with some of the finest teaching on the proclamation of the Word I have ever listened to. 

Dave Stone and Kyle Idleman took four hours and taught from their heart on Friday afternoon.  Both of these guys are great communicators of the Gospel.  I would say they are more conversational in approach but they lack nothing in answering Paul’s question in Romans 10:14, “how shall they hear without a preacher?” These guys can preach.  Their practical advice to preachers, including me, was invaluable.  In a day when many men who have never pastored, never grown another person, much less led a church, set themselves up as a “judge” of preaching.  It was refreshing and eye-opening to hear from humble men of God who have something valuable to teach to the next generation of pastors, preachers and evangelists.

On Friday night I met with my fellow elders and our middle school pastor in an extended time of worship and then preaching by SECC Senior Minister, Dave Stone.  It was worth every moment.  The worship was awesome and the teaching was over the top. We were blessed beyond measure.

Our all-day Saturday conference far exceeded its advertisement.  Bob Russell, former and present elders of SECC, gave us a model to follow as we continue to learn how to be biblical elders at Valley View.  I was renewed in my spirit as I listened and learned with our elder council.  I felt as excited about the ministry again as I felt when I first came to Valley View 28 months ago.  Learning how to implement the biblical model of Elder-led, Staff-driven and Deacon served leadership.  I feel confident our greatest days are ahead of us.

Sunday morning’s three services were pretty incredible.  The worship in song was dynamic.  The praise team and choir did a great job in leading us to Him.  I preached on the Ministry of Encouragement .  I concluded with Dave Stone’s closing from Friday night.  I asked those who were journeying through seasons of fear, discouragement and joy to each stand and prayer warriors ministered to those who were and are struggling.  I was greatly encouraged by what I experienced and saw in the hearts of our people.

After service I drove to Owen Funeral Home on Taylorsville Road and ministered to a family whose godly mom had passed away.  I met most of the family for the first time, they were a joy to be with.  Each of them spoke of their mom and sister’s faith in Jesus Christ.  Pray as I share the Gospel for the funeral tomorrow morning. 

It has been awesome these last few days.  I am greatly blessed to serve Valley View and I thirst for God’s next _________________!!!

“Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

Have a great week!

Pastor Joel

I wanted to give you an update on our third week of prayer meetings at Valley View.

Last night was again, INCREDIBLE.  Almost all prayed, some sang songs of praise and we joined in.  The pulpit area was prayed over, the instruments, the choir, the baptistry, and every pew.  Since we began our Tuesday night prayer time on October 6th we have had multiple decisions every service, our transition to three Sunday morning services has been smooth and there is a sense of excitement for what God might do next.  He is the God of the next MOVE!!!!

We fall down, and lay our crowns, at the feet of Jesus......

I just left the home of one of our members who is staring death right in the face.  He has been given only a few precious weeks to live. I had visited my brother in his home a couple of weeks ago. 

I had asked him if I could come back to visit and observe the Lord’s Supper together with his wife and son.  Today was the day.  The brain cancer has taken much of his body but not his sense of humor.  We took a moment and made small talk but then we got serious.  I read the Scriptures in 1 Corinthians 11 about the Lord’s Supper and the offered a prayer of thanks and healing.  His precious wife served him and then herself.  I took the elements with their son sitting on the spare bed. As we took this moment together in all of the busyness of our day, the Lord once again spoke to me of His grace and mercy.  I felt in my heart the Lord say, “This is the last time Craig will take the Lord’s Supper this side of heaven. Next time it will be with Me.”

I thank the Lord today for His continual covering of grace, mercy and peace.  As a church, we have many people facing uncertainty because of cancer and other health related issues.  Whether our Healer touches us here for a temporary miracle or gives us the ultimate healing, we can trust Him.  If you are in good health while you read this, take a moment and thank God for it, if you are suffering in your health, cry out to Jesus yet again for His touch and covering of grace, mercy and peace.  He is Lord, He is Jehovah-Rapha!

Don’t forget prayer meeting this evening from 7-8 p.m.  Looking forward to seeing you.  Pastor

Unity + Humility = Harmony

The Lord moved in powerful ways yesterday morning at Valley View.  A time of brokeness and repentance.  PTL!!!  Thank you for praying and fasting! 

I am looking forward to worshipping with you this weekend.  Jo, Zeke and I can’t wait to see you.  I will be preaching from

Acts 6 and 7 detailing the arrest, trial and martyrdom of Stephen.  Think of these words or phrases as you prepare to experience the message:  living like a Jesus freak, a religious mob, religious terrorism [think our way or I will kill you], transformation by the power of God [Saul to Paul]

http://valleyviewchurch.org/weblog/pastorspen/a_must_read_for_leaders http://valleyviewchurch.org/weblog/pastorspen/a_must_read_for_leaders Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:59:30 GMT