The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

Many are seeking power and authority in this life. Jesus’ disciples were no exception. Jesus handled the question “who will be greatest in the Kingdom?” and “Can my sons be on your right and left of your throne?”. The answer is one the disciples would understand only after the Lord was raised from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father.

Jesus told the disciples the greatest would be a minister and a servant. I wonder how many of us today are waiting for our turn to be ministered to or to be served. If we are doing this I dare say we may not recognize real service when it comes. Jesus served the Truth to the disciples and they didn’t get it. They thought Christ would rule over the earth in their lifetime. He didn’t! He died and is now waiting for the appointed time.

What are we doing while we wait. Are we being the ministers (teachers) and servants (attendants) while we wait?

Our motive should be to glorify the risen Lord and in that Christ will be pleased.

Hang In There

Hang in there. Do you often think of the circumstances that perplex you allowing those thoughts to consume you? Or are you someone with the wisdom to look back and see things you would do different if you could. Do you then find yourself looking forward at the endless possibilities God has set before you? Many look back at the past by turning toward it only to never turn back around and look ahead. Keep looking back in the mirror while you move forward and don’t allow the past to rob you of the future blessings that are waiting on you to come by and pick them up.
In the words of a country preacher “hang in there like a hair in a biscuit” (Dean Haun).
Disgusting thought i know but it will stay in your mind when times get tough.
Thanks be to God for hope

Is your faith alive… and well?

Matthew 18; 14-35

Is Your Faith Alive… and Well?

Note: Again Jesus is speaking to the Kingdom People.

 

Questions:

1. Have you witnessed someone committing sin this week?
2. Have you been wronged this week?
3. Have you been offended this week?
4. Did you do something to get even this week?
5. Who did you willingly forgive this week?
6. When did you bow before God this week and actually say; “Lord I forgive _______________”?

1-4 are questions we can answer quickly with what seems to be a superior attitude. Questions 5 & 6 seem to always convict us. Why is that so? Our human nature stirs our self-righteous sinful attitudes causing us to be hypocrites. Jesus tells us to forgive. Seldom do we willingly and openly do so. We are sinful.

Most of us enjoy listening to messages that remind us of our status as forgiven. Praise God we are forgiven as believers in Christ! We enjoy hearing the brethren discuss our home in Heaven. When the preacher mentions the sins taking place in the gutters of the earth we give a resounding Amen. Too often when we hear the Word of God preached and the message is forgive those who trespass against us we leave with unrepentant hearts causing ourselves misery and unnecessary anguish.

While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. That is forgiveness. Jesus Christ lived the perfect example showing us how to forgive. Those who beat and crucified our Lord were no exception to Him. He said “Father forgive them they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Bibles Destroyed

The U.S. military is confirming that it has destroyed some Bibles belonging to an American soldier serving in Afghanistan.http://www.onenewsnow.com/Security/Default.aspx?id=516980

Culture Change, and Vacation Bible School

Our culture is changing and Vacation Bible School is fast approaching! To consider the current culture wars argued among adults seems far removed from the subject of VBS. Maybe that is why we are not seeing cultural shifts toward conservative Christian values.

As Christian churches we have a duty to teach God’s Word meaning we teach Biblical Truth and principles. Making the most of the time we have with a church full of children is most important. We are given a responsibility to teach. We are also given an opportunity to follow up with those who attend Vacation Bible School.

We can only teach so much in a week. Working t connect with the families of VBS children is important. I want to encourage all church leaders not teaching a class to be looking for wandering parents, waiting parents and hiding parents in cars. Speak to them. Open the door of communication and invite them to your church services.

Looking at our opportunities as the beginning of turning our culture back to Biblical principles.

He Has Risen

Resurrection of Christ

Easter has become a celebration of many things. Some celebrate the birth of spring. Others believe we are paying homage to the fertility “gods”. Many are simply glad to get a little time off work and eat chocolate or little tasty sugar chickens. Sadly a growing number of people have no idea what Easter is really all about.

Jesus Christ who was born of a virgin lived without sin (the only person to do this) and is the son of God. He was crucified on a cross. On one hand He was killed for His claims to the Kingdom of Heaven. On the other hand He was killed because He took on the sins of His people. His people are those who trust in His redemptive work accomplished on the cross and that which followed. You see man thought killing Jesus was to stop a blasphemer, but the truth is He was born to die. Man really couldn’t stop the murder of Christ if he wanted to. Jesus died as the only righteous one in the place of sinners. He paid the penalty for sin. He accepted the wrath of a Holy God. God’s wrath is poured out on sin and Christ took that sin (mine and others) on himself on Calvary’s Hill hanging on the cross. What happened next is the miracle we celebrate during the Easter season.

Jesus Christ gave up the ghost (died). He was taken down from the cross and laid in a borrowed tomb (grave). A great stone was rolled in front of the entry way of the tomb. At the end of three days and nights some of His followers came to anoint His body, but…. His body was not there. Angels asked the ones who were present “why seek ye the living among the dead?” Jesus was alive! Yes, He was raised from the dead! This man had given up the ghost and now had taken His life back up. He has power not only over life but also over death. He is Lord!

Easter is a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Silencing the Christians

If anyone doubts the current White House administration is attempting to silence the Christian voice in our nation you are wrong! President Obama is proposing doing away with funding to health care facilities that refuse to perform abortions;

Obama seeks to take away religious rights of doctors and health care providers who refuse to perform abortions Urgent: send your e-mail to the White House today!

 

According to several news agencies, President Barack Obama will rescind the “conscience rule” that protects health workers who refuse to participate in abortions or other medical procedures that go against their moral and religious beliefs. If the rule is rescinded, doctors, nurses and other health care workers could lose their jobs or be punished professionally for adhering to their sincerely held religious convictions. Obama’s proposal would take away their religious freedom.

 

The current rule empowers federal health officials to cut off federal funding for any state or local government, hospital, clinic, health plan, doctor’s office or other entity if it does not accommodate employees who exercise their right of conscience.  It applies to more than 584,000 health care facilities.

 

The Obama administration is doing the bidding of pro-abortion advocacy groups who seek to penalize health care providers who refuse to participate in abortions.

 

According to The Washington Post, Obama administration officials stressed that the proposal will be subject to 30 days of public comment. That is why it is so very important for you to let the White House hear from you today.

 

Take Action

Enter your ZIP CODE and click “GO” to send your e-mail to President Obama opposing his plan to rescind the “conscience rule.”

 

Forward this to family and friends and ask them to do the same.

 

Thanks for caring enough to get involved.  If you consider our efforts worth supporting, would you please consider a small tax deductible donation to help us continue?

 

Sincerely,

 

Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman
American Family Association

Don’t let this happen without your voice being heard.

The First Ammendment protects against this type of persecution.

Yes it is persecution on a mild scale.

Gambling, Good or Bad?

Gambling has been debated for years. Is it just for fun or is it a game of chance designed to take you for all you have? With the issue at hand in some states the artcle comes to mind giving ten things the gambling inustry doesn’t want you to know. If you are not sure what your position is on the subject I hope you will read te article and then decide.

http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/deals/ten-things-the-gaming-industry-wont-tell-you-3932/Consumer/

Vacation Bible School, Outdated?

This is an old post, but deserves a fresh look each year.

Does your church think Bible School is outdated and ineffective? Many churches are deciding to do away with VBS (Vacation Bible School). The reasons are plentiful. Some churches beleive they are not equipped with the staff or volunteer base to execute a VBS. Others cite a lack of financial resources. The overwhelming reason given is the decline in children and youth attending regular services. All the above sound like legitimate reasons for not holding VBS in a church, but none are sufficient for me to agree with.

To speak to the idea of VBS being outdated I praise the Lord for the privilege of witnessing fifteen souls gloriously saved during VBS this year. The church where this took place is a rural church, not a downtown or inner-city church in walking distance of multitudes. Our averages in the past few years remained steady in the sixties and seventies. This year we maintained a one hundred and ten average with one hundred twenty two being the greatest attendance. God did not see VBS as outdated and we did not see it as ineffective this year.

Resources? We are blessed with volunteers, budgets and prayer warriors. For those who “think” they do not have the resources I want to ask you to think outside the box. We often donate our materials, decorations and even some workers to other churches in the surrounding area with small congregations and limited budgets. I’m sure you can find the resources you need to conduct VBS in your church.

Maybe you have not had any children or youth in your church for some time now. That is no reason to not hold VBS. Of the one hundred twenty two attendees only about thirty percent were our regular attendees. Some of our leaders began praying for VBS 2008 the day of commencement VBS 2007. We are already praying for VBS 2009. After bathing the issue in prayer we promoted VBS throughout the community by word of mouth, home-made fliers, newspaper ad and website invitations. Also every event such as homecoming, revival, car and tractor show and more we viewed as opportunities to invite people to VBS. If you only consider VBS as a church event you will never see over the wall. We should always reach out to the community when planning VBS.

All the credit goes to the Lord! He is worthy of honor and praise! Of course we have witnessed dry years for VBS. Of course we have counted years with no salvation’s during VBS. All the years in waiting are worth the hard work when God allows us to witness His Grace being poured out to the fifteen children who asked God to forgive their sins, make them new people and save their souls. Maybe you have been thinking VBS is a waste of time and a drain on the resources of the church. I hope you find encouragement through the testimonies of God’s grace in our VBS.

During VBS we have the opportunity to share the gospel with people we might never see under any other circumstance. That is why VBS remains one of our most effective evangelistic tools as Believers.

The Greatest Man, overlooked by many

Using Matthew 9

Who do you look up to? Most people have someone in their life to look up to for inspiration, guidance and help in the time of need. With that said history reveals some great people in the eyes of man through human perception. No matter who you look up to history will have recorded some unfavorable things in their life. At mans best he still does not measure up to the greatest man to walk this earth!

A look into history will reveal a man who no other can match. Others may have more money, some will have more fame, but still they cannot compare to this man. Bigger houses have certainly been had by others, for this man owned no house. Popularity among the highly esteemed is a goal and comfort for some; however our subject today was despised and rejected by the elite. He still is unmatched by any other.

Who is this man who was despised, rejected, poor and murdered? Who is the one with all the suffering and yet He is unmatched? It is the Lord Jesus Christ! He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords and God incarnate. No other can match Him in any way.

Though He had no place to lay His head He owns all of Heaven. He was despised and rejected by the elite, but He is accepted by The Father in Heaven and will be worshipped throughout eternity. He suffered at the hand of man, but He brings comfort to the burdened and heavy laden. He is the all time, undisputed Lord. As a man He was likely slim in build and He was not great to look at. In the end all the world will feel the weight of His judgment and His people will admire His beauty and splendor for all eternity. Again, He is the Lord Jesus Christ!

2009 is Here! Ready or Not here it comes

2009 is here

Another year has come to a close. Some feel as if it rushed by. Do you? The truth is we all have 365 days in a year. The difference in your 365 days and mine is how we choose to fill them. All of us fill our days with both good and bad things. With that said we can look back in review and determine the direction we must take in the New Year.

How will you launch the New Year? Yes, it is your prerogative. God gives us the privilege of reasoning and choosing. If you will consider the things done in 2008 and notice the good and efficient things you can help yourself in 2009. By recognizing the good and bad you can determine what you do’s and what not to do’s.

If we will be honest with ourselves we can make our life more effective for Christ in the New Year. We cannot overlook the importance of the Holy Spirit in this process. Beginning to pray and ask God to show you the good and the bad in your life is where you start. The seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 & 3 gives a firm foundation for knowing Christ will reveal the good and the bad. After asking and getting an answer we must take them to heart and repent when necessary and rejoice when allowed.