The Bible says that because Jesus Christ came at Christmas time, three things can be true in your life. I want you to remember this as we enter 2011. Because Jesus came at Christmas: First, my past can be forgiven. Second, my present can be managed – why? because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Third, my future can be guaranteed. When I put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ it secures my eternity with Him.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
We are Family
I am so thankful for my family. I love my wife, my kids, their mates and of course my grandchildren. And as a parent, we do everything we can to protect them and watch out for their ‘blindside’. I thought about this when I was working on Eph 2:19 while preparing for my Sunday School class. In vs 19 Paul says we are now members of the household of God. Which means we are members of Gods family and as believers we are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are ‘family’ and as a family we should watch out for each other and protect each other
The movie ‘Blindside’ is a true story of Michael Oher an adopted son of the Tuohy family. At one point in the movie Michael an offensive left tackle is at High School football practice and is not doing a good job of blocking and protecting the QB. His mother (played by Sandra Bullock) comes down from the stands in the middle of practice, walks up to him, takes him by the shirt and says “would you let anything happen to me? The answer is No. “Would you let anything happen to your little brother?” Again the answer is No. She then says, “this QB is me, your brother, this QB is family. You protect him, you protect his blindside, you don’t let anyone touch him. Do you understand Michael?” Michael responds with a “yes ma’am”. He then proceeds to block like he never did before and ends up playing for Ole Miss and now the Baltimore Ravens. What was it that made a difference in him? It was the word ‘family’ ---he needed to protect the blindside of family..
So it is with us. We are part of God’s family. In the church we are brothers and sisters in Christ and we are family. So instead of gossiping about someone, kicking them while they are down, talking about them, and mistreating them, we should have a desire to protect them. Protect their blindside. Isn’t that what it means when scripture says they (the world) will know we are Christians by our love for oneanother.
The movie ‘Blindside’ is a true story of Michael Oher an adopted son of the Tuohy family. At one point in the movie Michael an offensive left tackle is at High School football practice and is not doing a good job of blocking and protecting the QB. His mother (played by Sandra Bullock) comes down from the stands in the middle of practice, walks up to him, takes him by the shirt and says “would you let anything happen to me? The answer is No. “Would you let anything happen to your little brother?” Again the answer is No. She then says, “this QB is me, your brother, this QB is family. You protect him, you protect his blindside, you don’t let anyone touch him. Do you understand Michael?” Michael responds with a “yes ma’am”. He then proceeds to block like he never did before and ends up playing for Ole Miss and now the Baltimore Ravens. What was it that made a difference in him? It was the word ‘family’ ---he needed to protect the blindside of family..
So it is with us. We are part of God’s family. In the church we are brothers and sisters in Christ and we are family. So instead of gossiping about someone, kicking them while they are down, talking about them, and mistreating them, we should have a desire to protect them. Protect their blindside. Isn’t that what it means when scripture says they (the world) will know we are Christians by our love for oneanother.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Who are you influencing today
Today my heart is full and full of praise for the Lord. Yesterday my daughterNlaw wrote on her blog about our granddaughter who is part of their church’s kids praise and worship team. Marty wrote about how she was so thrilled that Peyton loved Jesus and wanted to be part of something that gave worship to the Lord. Then a couple of weeks ago I read on Scotty’s facebook page about his desire to raise his children for the Lord. He stated how important it was not to be so concerned about their financial future, but their spiritual future. Then there is my daughter Kari who is just now beginning her parental experience in raising Addison and I know her and TJ will have the same spiritual desires for their children. Well, on this week approaching Fathers Day, my buttons are popping with pride for my three children and the impact they are making on their families and children. And while I know very well that the spiritual influences in my grandchildren’s life comes from many areas (which include both parents, both sets of grandparents, and their church) I still take spiritual pride in the direction my children are giving them as fathers and as a mother.
Now, as I was thinking about all this, my wife handed me a prayer letter from our missionary Dan Freeman. In his news letter he brought a very interesting fact about the influences in his life and that got me thinking about the influences of my life, my children and now my grandchildren.
In Dan Freemans newsletter he writes this:
“Many years ago, there was an unknown pastor that lead a young man to Christ. The young man’s name was Kimball and he became a Sunday school teacher. His walk with the Lord took him to a shoe store one day and he witnessed to a shoe salesman named Dwight L Moody and lead him to Christ. Moody became an evangelist that was used by God to influence a young man named Frederick Meyer. Meyer began preaching on college campuses and lead Wilbur Chapman to Christ. Chapman in turn influenced another young man Mordecai Hamm who became a great evangelist in his own right. Hamm would later lead Billy Graham to the Lord along with a young man named GB Vick who would be influenced by Hamm to go into the ministry. Vick became the Pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Detroit and later was the first president of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri (where I attended, along with Scotty for 2 years and Kari graduated from there). While in Detroit, Vick led a young man named Richard Freeman (Dan’s father) to the Lord and Freeman later became pastor of Ryan Road Baptist Church. “
And this is where I insert my story. Because years later Freeman would influence a young man who would get saved during his ministry, and surrender to full time ministry. That young man was me. I was saved and surrendered to the ministry under Richard Freeman.
So, I now have 3 children and 5 grandchildren that are being influenced for the cause of Christ from many directions and other family members. But it’s interesting to know as well that part of their lives have been directly affected by a spiritual family tree that goes back to a shoe salesman. I doubt he had any idea of the impact he would make for Jesus Christ way back then.
You never know who you will impact for Jesus Christ…..so..what kind of influence and impact are you and I making today?
Now, as I was thinking about all this, my wife handed me a prayer letter from our missionary Dan Freeman. In his news letter he brought a very interesting fact about the influences in his life and that got me thinking about the influences of my life, my children and now my grandchildren.
In Dan Freemans newsletter he writes this:
“Many years ago, there was an unknown pastor that lead a young man to Christ. The young man’s name was Kimball and he became a Sunday school teacher. His walk with the Lord took him to a shoe store one day and he witnessed to a shoe salesman named Dwight L Moody and lead him to Christ. Moody became an evangelist that was used by God to influence a young man named Frederick Meyer. Meyer began preaching on college campuses and lead Wilbur Chapman to Christ. Chapman in turn influenced another young man Mordecai Hamm who became a great evangelist in his own right. Hamm would later lead Billy Graham to the Lord along with a young man named GB Vick who would be influenced by Hamm to go into the ministry. Vick became the Pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Detroit and later was the first president of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri (where I attended, along with Scotty for 2 years and Kari graduated from there). While in Detroit, Vick led a young man named Richard Freeman (Dan’s father) to the Lord and Freeman later became pastor of Ryan Road Baptist Church. “
And this is where I insert my story. Because years later Freeman would influence a young man who would get saved during his ministry, and surrender to full time ministry. That young man was me. I was saved and surrendered to the ministry under Richard Freeman.
So, I now have 3 children and 5 grandchildren that are being influenced for the cause of Christ from many directions and other family members. But it’s interesting to know as well that part of their lives have been directly affected by a spiritual family tree that goes back to a shoe salesman. I doubt he had any idea of the impact he would make for Jesus Christ way back then.
You never know who you will impact for Jesus Christ…..so..what kind of influence and impact are you and I making today?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Love part 2
We live in an age that honors personal feelings above almost everything. We do what we want when we want because we feel like it. And if we don’t feel like it we don’t. But as I survey I Cor 13 of Gods Word I am struck by the complete absence of any stress on personal feelings. The kind of love spoken of there is seen, experienced and demonstrated. While it may start in a feeling of compassion or pity - it never ends there.
Gods Word gives us several elements of a love that should be evident in our lives. The first one is Patience - The Bible says ‘Love is patient’ and its not dealing with patience in difficult circumstances but rather patience with difficult people and that can be tough at times can't it? But It also carries with it the idea of one who has the power to get even but chooses not to use that power.
As we think of ways to be patient, let me suggest that you start with someone you love.
Gods Word gives us several elements of a love that should be evident in our lives. The first one is Patience - The Bible says ‘Love is patient’ and its not dealing with patience in difficult circumstances but rather patience with difficult people and that can be tough at times can't it? But It also carries with it the idea of one who has the power to get even but chooses not to use that power.
As we think of ways to be patient, let me suggest that you start with someone you love.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Love
You know we use the word ‘love’ so loosly that its really lost its meaning. We say we love America, love our car, love pizza, love our mate and love God all in the same breath. But In I Cor. 13 of Gods Word it talks about what real love is. What it looks like in the nitty-gritty of life. Whether it's toward our mate, children or just a friend. And true love that the Bible talks about is a love that is better seen than defined. It’s a love that is seen in our actions towards others.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Corporate Worship
I want to share a word with you about the importance of your corporate worship in church on the Lords Day. The Bible says, “Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy” but what does that mean? To help us understand this we need to go back to the book of Genesis and there we read that God rested on the seventh day not because He was overwhelmed with fatigue, but to pause and celebrate the goodness of the created world. So this commandment stands for us to take a day and reflect on God's power, His majesty over all that is, and to reflect on Who made us and loves us.
This is why Sunday worship is important. Scripture calls people to acknowledge a sacred focus to all of life. It’s a command given to keep us from living life with ourselves at the center of everything. It calls us to remember that there's more to us than chemicals and glands. And how our world needs this reminder today. God, in a tremendous act of life giving love, says, we must take one day a week and remember Him or we will fail to orient the rest of our lives properly.
Yes, corporate worship is important and here is one more, it allows me to break with my normal routine! Corporate worship in church is designed to jar my earthbound patterns and wake my soul up like a speed bump on a parking lot. The Lords Day isn't just a pause to catch my breath in a busy world. It's a pause to turn my life from self to God - from my pursuits and plans to His. And I can't properly remember God without giving Him this time.
This is why Sunday worship is important. Scripture calls people to acknowledge a sacred focus to all of life. It’s a command given to keep us from living life with ourselves at the center of everything. It calls us to remember that there's more to us than chemicals and glands. And how our world needs this reminder today. God, in a tremendous act of life giving love, says, we must take one day a week and remember Him or we will fail to orient the rest of our lives properly.
Yes, corporate worship is important and here is one more, it allows me to break with my normal routine! Corporate worship in church is designed to jar my earthbound patterns and wake my soul up like a speed bump on a parking lot. The Lords Day isn't just a pause to catch my breath in a busy world. It's a pause to turn my life from self to God - from my pursuits and plans to His. And I can't properly remember God without giving Him this time.
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
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
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