Focal Point

Focal Point
Focal Point is more than a blog. It's purpose is to help us stay focused on Christ through Gods Word as we navigate through life and today's culture.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Jesus Knows Your Name and He Cares

Does God really care? Does he really care about the small things going on in my life? In fact does he really know my name? Well, yes he cares and not only does he care, he even knows your name. As it says in Isaiah he even has your name written on the palm of his hands. Think of that, God knows your name and cares about you and wants you to pray.

The Lord has been teaching me and convicting me so much in the matter of prayer. Presently I am doing a prayer series at our church and through this I hope our church will grow to a greater level of prayer. (And you can hear these messages via our church web page at  http://www.smithriverbaptist.org/  ) It is my prayer that we will see the vast importance and blessing that comes through prayer.

Now, sometimes God wants us to pray and go, to act and cooperate with His plan. But that takes the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives to realize exactly what it is He wants us to do as we pray. Then there are other times we are to simply pray and wait on the Lord. This too takes prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit if that is what we are to simply do.

But most importantly God wants us to remember that He cares about every aspect of our life. That we can put all our troubles and cares into His Almighty Hand knowing that He has the power to help us. I love what 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 says We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” why? Because through prayer God can and will help.

I think about Moses as he was leading the children of Israel out of Egypt. In Exodus 14:13 he instructs them to “do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” Are you kidding? Stand still? Moses, the enemy is approaching, they are behind us and there is a body of water we can’t cross in front of us. It was an impossible situation from man’s point of view, but not for God. May I remind you that nothing is impossible with God.

As Moses spoke to the people to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. I am also reminded of the Psalmist words in Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God” And that is exactly what God wants us to do when we go through difficulties, trials and valleys. He wants us to pray and turn to Him. He wants us to cast all our cares at His feet. He wants us to be still and know He is God.

I came across this writing from the ‘Angels were Silent’

He’s waiting for you. God is standing on the porch of heaven, expectantly hoping, searching the horizon for a glimpse of his child. You’re the one God is seeking. God is the waiting Father, the caring Shepherd in search of his lamb. His legs are scratched, his feet are sore, and his eyes are burning. He scales the cliffs and traverses the fields. He explores the caves. He cups his hands to his mouth and calls into the canyons. And the name he calls is yours. The message is simple; God gave up His Son in order to rescue all his sons and daughters. To bring his children home. He’s listening for your answer.”

God wants us to pray to Him and trust Him

Sunday, April 11, 2010

The Importance of Evangelism

Since my wife almost went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 6th the Lord has been teaching me a lot of things. For one, the importance of eternity and reaching people for Jesus Christ. Life is short, heaven and hell are real and people need Jesus.

While in Jacksonville, I heard a sermon by Dr. David Platt. In that message he pointed out these facts. He said, there are about 6.8 billion people in the world, 1/3rd of those are assumed to be Christian (but in truth many are not and that word 'Christian' is often used socially and politically ). But if 1/3rd were Christians, that would still leave around 4.5 billion people who do not know Christ as Savior. That is an astonishing number. Now neither I nor my church can even begin to think about reaching that many people. Not even the mega churches could do that. However, we can do our part to fulfill the Great Commission. We can do and must do our part in fulfilling our responsibility as a church, people and pastor to reach not only those across the sea, but those right here at home. Smith River, Crescent City and Brookings Oregon is my home mission field and I want God to use me here. My prayer is that the Lord would help me become more passionate about people’s spiritual lives. My prayer is that the Lord would help my church become more passionate about others. That we would spend the time we have left on this earth for His glory and to fulfill His purposes and the purpose He has left us to do.

A few weeks ago I came across a great article in a blog written by Thom Rainer the CEO of Lifeway. Here is the link, I hope you will go to it, scroll down to the article on Seven Characteristics of an Evangelistic Christian.

People need the Lord. It is not just some song from the 80’s, it is a fact of life

http://www.thomrainer.com/

Friday, April 2, 2010

Gods Word is a light to our path

We have always had some type of night light in our house that helps to guide us in the night. But now, Karen wants more than ever to have that little light shining in a room or down the hallway when darkness falls for protection. We can all get easily confused when we wake up at night but for her (having just gone through two brain surgeries on Feb. 6th and 7th) she can get confused and lose her balance a little more easily.

You know, we can all do that in our spiritual life and what we need is something to keep us going in the right direction. Something that will help us make not just a good decision but the best decision. Something that can point the way when we need it most.

God’s Word says; “it is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” That means that because it is God’s Word to us it can have a direct positive impact on our life every day. As we read it and follow Gods guidelines for our lives it will be a light not only to our path, direction and future, but also guide our direct steps that we are taking. Someone walking in a dark cave, not only needs to see where they are going, but know exactly what they are stepping into. God’s Word can give us that kind of direction