Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Profundities From the Apostle Paul

1 Thessalonians 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.6 ¶ Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Sleep. Awake. Darkness. Light. Sober. Drunken. These are words that the Scripture includes in this passage. We are admonished by the Apostle Paul to be be "sober," be "awake," and not "sleep," in the spiritual sense as do others.

Have you ever been in the physical state between being asleep and being awake? I remember being in this state at different times in my life. It is not a good feeling. If you have ever been drunk on alcohol to the point of passing out, you may know how it feels to be in this state between being physically awake and asleep. You want to wake up and it seems you are stuck and no matter how much you try to wake up, you continue to be in limbo. I remember feeling smothered and strangely frozen in this state. I felt that If I fell back to sleep, I would never wake up. So I struggled and struggled until I finally awoke. When I finally awoke, I jumped up and breathed heavily for several minutes. Not a good feeling.

In the spiritual sense, we are admonished to be "awake." The Apostle Paul encourges Christians to continue as children of the light and to avoid the darkness. Perhaps there are those who are "stuck" in limbo between being awake and being asleep in the spiritual sense. We should be ever diligent in being prepared for the coming of the Lord for we know that he has warned that he "will come as a thief in the night." Our light should shine out to others who need to be awakened out of darkness or to those Christians who are stuck in "limbo" between being actively awake or just hanging on between being awake and being asleep spiritually. These Christians are "drunk" on things that keeps them from being actively awake. This "stupor" keeps them from shining as they should for the Lord. Maybe its the stupor of unforgiveness or the stupor of gossip, or a number of other stupors. The cry is "AWAKE!" Those stupors are just "drugs" of the devil to keep us from being awake. Put those things away and joyfully awake!

Put those stupors away and joyfully put on faith and love in HIM! So we gladly rejoice that we can be with HIM who died for us that whether we continue living in this life joyfully awake or in that final light that comes with the final sleep with HIM (passing from temporal breath to the celestial breath). . . .God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

Monday, December 29, 2008

ANNOUNCEMENTS

•PRAYER AND FASTING JAN. 1-21. DANIEL FAST OF 21 DAYS.
•TOTAL FAST, PARTIAL FAST, INTERMITTENT FAST, FAST TO THE LORD

•January 4th at 6 pm. West TN District Meeting with Sectional Overseer, Clayton Mahan and State Overseer, E. C. McKinley, 541 Carriage House Drive, Holiday Inn, Jackson, TN

•Workday on Friday of this week at church for those who will come and help.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Today's Meeting and Revival

Thank God for a great time in the Lord today. The Holy Spirit was very evident in our midst wooing and leading us into a time of intensive prayer and fasting. We have been challenged to join in the 21 day Daniel fast beginning January 1 through the 21st. Some may fast a "total fast." Others may fast a "partial fast" (liquid only or lighter diet). Others may fast intermittently (one meal a day, or a day or two at a time). We are simply fasting to the Lord and desiring HIM and what He wants for us.

The following is part of today's message.

•Some reasons why should we fast?
•1. We fast in obedience to Jesus’ teaching. (Matt. 6:16-18)
•2. We fast to demonstrate our dependence upon God. (James 4:10, 1Cor 9:24-27)
•3. We fast to demonstrate repentance from sin (and to intercede for others who need to repent). (Jonah 3:5-10, Daniel 9, Nehemiah 1)
•4. We fast to receive God’s wisdom and direction. (Acts 13:1-3, 14:21-23)
•5. We fast to receive deliverance in times of crisis. (2Chronicles 20).

We fast to God and for His good pleasure.

We are seeking God for revival and for reaching out to the lost.

SCHEDULED REVIVAL: Revival is tentatively scheduled for February 27, 28 and March 1 with Tennessee State Evangelist Tim Farmer.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Christmas

My family and I wish you and yours a blessed Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year.

Karen, Jason and I have enjoyed a great Christmas week. We have visited with most of Karen's family and most of my family who all convened at her mother's on Christmas Eve and my mother's on Christmas Day. I did not take pictures this year but focused more on being with each one in my family. God has tremendously blessed us and we are thankful.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Quotes

"I learned not to let compliments go to my head, nor criticism my heart." John Hope Bryant, who went from being homeless to founding Operation HOPE, America's first nonprofit banking organization, which has raised more than $400 million for the poor.



"Don't dwell on what you lack; dwell on what you have and use it to the fullest with gratitude. Don't dwell on your failures--learn from them and move on. Don't dwell on your fears or sorrows--dwell on your hopes." Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund. . .from her Book The Sea Is So Wide and My Boat Is So Small: Charting a Course for the Next Generation

Christmas Service this past Sunday

We thank the Lord for a special Christmas service. We sang Christmas songs and had a great time in our Christmas banquet. We enjoyed playing the Christmas gift game. The game was new to the people here. We read the birth of Christ account from Luke and put the words right and left throughout the story. Each time the word right or left was read each one moved their Christmas present to the person to their right or left. All ages enjoyed this time.

We also enjoyed the Turkey provided by the pastor's family and all the trimmings provided by the members and friends of the church. We thank the Lord for this special time of the year and for our Lord and Savior who was born of a virgin and took upon himself the earthly, human body. Emmanuel, God with us, how awesome!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Profundities From the Apostle Paul

2Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

It has been said, "the greatest gift in the privilege to give." This was evident with the church at Macedonia." Paul says of them, "2 Corinthians 8:15 ¶ Brothers and sisters, we want you to know how God showed his kindness to the churches in the province of Macedonia. 2 While they were being severely tested by suffering, their overflowing joy, along with their extreme poverty, has made them even more generous.3 I assure you that by their own free will they have given all they could, even more than they could afford.4 They made an appeal to us, begging us to let them participate in the ministry of God’s kindness to his holy people in Jerusalem.5 They did more than we had expected. First, they gave themselves to the Lord and to us, since this was God’s will." GWV

The Macedonians were desirous to give even in their "extreme poverty" to those Christians in desperate need in Jerusalem. With the persecution and ostracizing of the Jerusalem Christians came great temporal need. Those in Macedonia were "extremely poor" as well but they understood the joy and blessedness of giving. The Apostle Paul commended and then admonished (not commanded) the church at Corinth, "2 Corinthians 9:1 ¶ I don’t need to write anything further to you about helping the Christians in Jerusalem. 2 I know how willing you are to help, and I brag about you to the believers in the province of Macedonia. I tell them, "The people of Greece have been ready to send their collection since last year," and your enthusiasm has moved most of them to act. 3 I’ve sent my coworkers so that when we brag that you’re ready, we can back it up. 4 Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me, they might find out that you’re not ready after all. This would embarrass us for feeling so confident as much as it would embarrass you." GWV

He emphasized the greatest gift of all. He reminds them in 2 Corinthians 8:9, "You know about the kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor in order to make you rich through his poverty." When we think of the greatest gift of all we are constrained, yes moved with compassion, to give. He gave the best and the most to us.

So at this time of the year when we remember the gift that God (Emmanuel, God with us) gave we are thankful that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son." No matter what words are used, "unspeakable gift," or any other words, no words have the power to describe the greatest gift of all. That is what Paul said, "unspeakable." What more can I do but give myself and all that He has given me or made of me. Just as the Macedonians who, "did more than we had expected. First, they gave themselves to the Lord and to us, since this was God’s will."

God knows what one can give but most of all we should give ourselves. As the "Little Drummer Boy" song says, "I have no gift to bring, Shall I play for you, ba rum ba bum bum on my drum." He brought himself and what he had. So I bring myself, with all the faults, with little else to bring and joyfully proclaim, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Today God Is First

The Anguish of Faith

Psalms 143:7 Do not hide Your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

Of all the biblical characters, David gives us a glimpse of a man who walked with God with great emotion in victory and in defeat. David never lost a battle throughout his many years of serving as king of Israel. In many of the Psalms, David often lamented about the difficult places where God had placed him. He talked of his enemies and the need for God to deliver Him. He talked of God's everlasting love for him. How do you suppose David came to this understanding after years of being sought after by King Saul who wanted to take his life? His years of turmoil within his family gave him many reasons to lose all hope in a loving God.

David often began his Psalms in a place of discouragement and loss of hope. But He never ended one Psalm in defeat. He always came to a place of victory in God by the end of the Psalm. David always placed his life in God's hands, knowing He would care for him.

Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground (Psalm 143:8-10).

It is okay to feel discouragement. It is part of the process of grieving and working through those times of pain. But God wants each of us to allow Him to walk with us in these places. If you find yourself in one of these places, do what David did. Ask God to show you the way and let Him bring the word of His unfailing love to you.

From http://www.crosswalk.com/

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Sister Cathy Coleman's Visit Today

What a great time in the Lord today! The presence of the Lord was very evident throughout the worship time and the Sunday School today. Thank God for the power of the Holy Ghost and the closeness of the presence of our Captain - Jesus Christ.

Sister Cathy Coleman came today with her family after being unable to attend services since her brain injury accident back in late April. After much prayer and several months in rehabilitation, we rejoice that she is back with us. She went to class and was singing and worshipping the Lord throughout the worship time. She sang the songs from memory. It was a special time for her family and all of us to see our Sister who has gone through so much to be back in church. She had attended one other time with her husband about three months ago but was unable to stay because of pain and hearing problems. Today, however, she was there rejoicing and we all rejoiced with her. Praise the Lord!

Sister Cathy and the family continue to request prayer as she continues to gain strength and memory.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

This Coming Sunday's Message

The Spirit of Christ. . .Forgiveness

Text: Matthew 16: 14, 15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Introduction: There are many treatises, books, articles and papers on forgiveness. Some have pushed forgiveness as the absolute answer to any trouble in a person's life. They casually and pointedly say, "just forgive and it will all work out." Some have made forgiveness as an optional discipline that only applies if the person chooses to forgive.

It has also been said, "to err is human, to forgive is divine." While this may be partially true, it cannot cover the full extent of the command of our Lord. This message may challange some of the casual statements that have been put forward over the years. This is the first of several messages on forgiveness. These messages will not exhaust this text but hopefully and prayerfully the Holy Spirit will help each one of us to become forgiving.

Supporting Scriptures:

Forgiveness is a command not a suggestion.
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

There is no limit to forgiveness.
Matt 18:21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?“
22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Did Jesus mean that we keep count and after the 490th time then we can wallop them?

Unforgiveness holds one in bondage.
Mt 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Mt 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Matt. 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

Forgiveness is a volitional act.
It is a choice not a feeling. (hurt, anger, resentment, and vengence will resolve with forgiveness)
It is a purposeful decision.
It is based on Christ’s sacrifice and His power.

Reconciliation is always the answer.
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Illustrations: In his book "What’s so Amazing About Grace," Philip Yancey tells a story about a man and wife who one night had an argument about how supper was cooked, it was so heated that night they slept in separate rooms. Neither has approached the other to say I’m sorry or to offer forgiveness, and they have remained in separate rooms years after the argument, each night they go to bed hoping that the other will approach them with an apology or forgiveness, but neither goes to the other. God’s forgiveness does not wait for repentance, it initiates and calls out repentance by offering forgiveness.

Power to Forgive and Love With The Weakest Effort
Her name was 66730, or at least that was the name she went by. Her father had died in a German Concentration camp as did her sister. Her freedom, her dignity, her humanity had been stripped away by those who imprisoned her and yet she survived. They had robbed her of everything she ever possessed but they couldn’t rob her of the one who possessed her, Jesus. She saw every day in Ravensbruck as a chance to minister to someone more needy then herself, and then one day she was released. As suddenly as she had become a prisoner she was freed, and her solitary aim was to minister to others. When the war was over she began traveling and speaking sharing her Savior and the vision that He had given her. And then one day, something happened, something that shook her to the very center of her being, why don’t you let me read you her account of what happened, oh you probably wouldn’t know her as 66730, you would be more apt to know her as Corrie ten Boom.

"It was at a church service in Munich that I saw him, the former S.S. man who had stood guard at the shower room door in the processing center at Ravensbruck. He was the first of our actual jailers that I had seen since that time. And suddenly it was all there, the roomful of mocking men, the heaps of clothing, Betsy’s pain blanched face.

He came up to me as the church was emptying, beaming and bowing. "How grateful I am for your message Fraulein, " he said. "To think, as you say, He has washed my sins away!"

His hand was thrust out to shake mine. And I, who had preached so often to the people in Bloemendall the need to forgive, kept my hand at my side.

Even as the angry vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man: was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him.

I tried to smile, I struggled to raise my hand. I could not. I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity. And so again I breathed a silent prayer. Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness.

As I took his hand the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed me.

And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that this worlds healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself."

Joseph says to his brothers: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20 NIV)

The Judds - Beautiful Star of Bethlehem (full song wynonna)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

WISDOM FROM THE PSALMS

Psalm 145:2Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Janet, Ann, and Jenny all agreed. This year they were going to get together daily to pray together and share their experiences. Over the past few months they had spent more time in fellowship with one another, and it was the best part of their weeks. They all worked in the same office, ate lunch together, went to church together, and they lived close enough that they could meet at one another's homes when necessary. In covenant with God and one another, they promised to get together for praise and prayer.

Perhaps such a set-up is not feasible for everyone, but it is easier and more enjoyable when we can share our faith with others. Other people hold us accountable to the commitment we make in a way that God does not. He will not force anyone to make time for Him. It is from a willing heart that God wants our time with Him to come. Friends and prayer partners can help us remember God every day, and thereby help us praise Him always.

Prayer:
Every day will I praise Thee, Lord. I will try to take time each day to reflect on the great gifts I have been given and the wonderful love that is in my heart. Thank You for that love. Amen.

From: www.crosswalk.com

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

CHRISTMAS SERVICE AND DINNER: Sunday, December 21, 11-1 pm. Children will present their Christmas poems and there will be a Christmas program.

Friday, December 05, 2008

This Coming Sunday's Message

Continuing with "The Spirit of Christ - Humility."

Text: Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Introduction: Ever been around little children for any length of time? It is amazing to observe them and see the interaction between them.

For the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to work with 3, 4 and 5 year olds. One of them who is three years old, has trisomme three or Downe's Syndrome. She is the sweetest and easiest one to work with at times, yet the most independent and difficult at times. She can do many things for herself but sometimes she tries to do more difficult things that she needs help with.

Most of the children at this age are between becoming more independent in doing things for themselves, yet needing encouragement, and sometimes, help to do what is needed for them (like putting their coat on and taking it off, going to the bathroom, getting their lunch trays, etc.). They need a lot of encouragement and simple instruction.

For the most part these children are dependent. That is, they need constant care and supervision. They look to adults (parents, teachers, caregivers, aids, etc.) for supervision, provision, security and stability. Children smaller than them (birth to 3) are even more dependent. They need closer supervision and care.

As children grow older they become more independent. That is the goal of most parents - to see their children become independent (supervise and provides for themselves) and be able to function as mature, responsible adults. The natural flow of life leads one to want to become independent. When the child turns twelve, we want to see certain growth patterns and educational levels. As the young person reaches 16, 18 and 21 we look for benchmarks in their maturity (there are variations and factors to be considered with each one). That is the natural flow of growing and maturing. This may seem simplistic and it is in the natural physiological realm.

Yet in the Kingdom of God a more unique insight is noted. Jesus says in Mark 10:15, "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." Jesus does not say that we are to continue to be spiritually immature or to be childish in our knowledge. The Bible speaks clearly that we should grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, but we never come to the place that we do not need Him. That is, one can never declare independence from Him. We are dependent on Him from the beginning of our faith and all throughout our lives.

Independence from Him often becomes the failure of many. Adults or even older chilren often fall into the pit of "managing" their lives or being caught up in temporal, trivial pursuits that are completely independent of Christ. A sixteen year old decides he or she does not want to follow acceptable rules and patterns for life. She or he becomes involved in "independent" living that is far removed from Christ and a close relationship with Him. Child-like faith, dependence and innocence are pushed aside for what "I" want and not what Christ wants. Humility is pushed aside for "I" and Christ is removed from the picture.

One can never fulfill their destiny with Christ as long as "I" rules. The Apostle Paul said, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 An independent Pharisee who "wasted the Church of God" never forgot his dependence on the ONE he met on the road to Damascus.

Luke 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

to be continued. . .

Thursday, December 04, 2008

WISDOM FROM PSALMS

Psalm 141:5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.


"You were really out of line back there."

Alan looked over at Barbara and nodded. He had been angry about a mix-up at the bank and had taken out his wrath on a poor, innocent teller. His temper often got him into hot water. Without a word, the two turned around and headed back to the bank. Though the line was long, Alan waited until he could return to the same teller, where he then apologized.

We need to have loving friends around us who will let us know when we are doing something wrong. If we are to grow, we need to have our shortcomings pointed out to us, so we can turn our weaknesses into strengths. Loving, constructive criticism will not hurt us; in fact, it will make us feel better. Love each other enough to criticize, for in caring criticism is the seed of maturity.

Prayer:
I do so many foolish things. I allow my own emotions to get the best of me at times. Channel my passions into constructive streams, and show me the better ways to go. Amen.

From: http://www.crosswalk.com/