We will have re-cap of last weeks summer retreat at Laguna Beach, Florida this Wednesday Night in the main sanctuary at 7 P.M.
Come out and hear dynamic worship, live testimonies, and awesome videos from the life-changing week we had!
Monday, August 04, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Last Night's Service and...Day 2
Last Night's Service
The Holy Spirit came BIG TIME during last night's service. I've never before seen our young people so engaged in worship than when they unashamadely lifted up the Lord last night! Our God is so big, so wonderful, and so holy how could we hold back even the slightest bit of our heart? A God like that deserves our all!
Pastor Kevin Bates brought a wonderful word which was recieved very well by our students. He talked about hunger and thirst for God. He talked about how we must empty ourselves out so that we can fill ourselves with the things of God! Its awesome to just sit back and watch God be God. You don't have to "hype things up." You dont' have to control or manipulate kids into coming to an altar. When we allow God to "do His thing" He is the one who does the drawing of the hearts and that is what will "stick"!
Day 2
We had some cool random relay games down by the beach this morning to help kick off our day. Our students have been split up into six different teams for the week which include Team Hurricane, Tsunami, Tidal Wave, Sting Ray, and Rip Tide! They relayed sandbags, water balloons, and an oil fish! (yes, it looks like it sounds).
Tonight my expectations of what God will do is very, very high! Please pray for us!
The Holy Spirit came BIG TIME during last night's service. I've never before seen our young people so engaged in worship than when they unashamadely lifted up the Lord last night! Our God is so big, so wonderful, and so holy how could we hold back even the slightest bit of our heart? A God like that deserves our all!
Pastor Kevin Bates brought a wonderful word which was recieved very well by our students. He talked about hunger and thirst for God. He talked about how we must empty ourselves out so that we can fill ourselves with the things of God! Its awesome to just sit back and watch God be God. You don't have to "hype things up." You dont' have to control or manipulate kids into coming to an altar. When we allow God to "do His thing" He is the one who does the drawing of the hearts and that is what will "stick"!
Day 2
We had some cool random relay games down by the beach this morning to help kick off our day. Our students have been split up into six different teams for the week which include Team Hurricane, Tsunami, Tidal Wave, Sting Ray, and Rip Tide! They relayed sandbags, water balloons, and an oil fish! (yes, it looks like it sounds).
Tonight my expectations of what God will do is very, very high! Please pray for us!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
We are here...safe and sound! (Day 1)
So after having a bit of bus trouble we finally made it to Laguna Beach yesterday! What great attitudes our students had as they patiently waited to switch buses!
After a few hours on the beach yesterday the students had NO problem warming up in some high-energy, upbeat worship during last night's service! It was intense and they sweat was pouring!
This morning we kicked it off with a few very creative games on the beach, some tug-of-war, and the beach blast game (recommended not to play if you get tired easily which I fall into). The food is scrumptious, the weather is great, ministry is happenin in small groups, and tonight we dive head first in! Our worship team will be leading us into some intense worship before Kevin Bates comes up and brings the word to this generation! I can 't wait!
Parents, your kids are doing great and are safe! No worries! :)
I'm having a bit of trouble downloading pics so I hope I can get that fixed soon!
Keep praying for us!
Beck
After a few hours on the beach yesterday the students had NO problem warming up in some high-energy, upbeat worship during last night's service! It was intense and they sweat was pouring!
This morning we kicked it off with a few very creative games on the beach, some tug-of-war, and the beach blast game (recommended not to play if you get tired easily which I fall into). The food is scrumptious, the weather is great, ministry is happenin in small groups, and tonight we dive head first in! Our worship team will be leading us into some intense worship before Kevin Bates comes up and brings the word to this generation! I can 't wait!
Parents, your kids are doing great and are safe! No worries! :)
I'm having a bit of trouble downloading pics so I hope I can get that fixed soon!
Keep praying for us!
Beck
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Submerge...Getting in Over your Head
Well...it's almost here. This years 2008 E3 Student Ministry Summer Retreat to Laguna Beach, Florida! This coming Sunday night over 113 students and youth workers will load up on a couple of Mayo Tour Buses for a life-changing week!
This week is all about challenging the students to live a life of full-devotion to Jesus Christ. My man Kevin Bates (Pastor of Life Church Winnsboro) will be bringin it each night!
Please be in prayer for our student ministry as we will spend five days of fun in the sun, games, relationships, and of course LIFE-CHANGE!
The way of the cross
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” (I. Corinthians 1:18)
“Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:17-18)
The cross. We see it hung around peoples necks as jewelry. For others they have them hung in their homes. It has been a fad in stores who carry them in different shapes, sizes, and colors. But is the cross really something appealing? The truth is the cross was where our Lord suffered, hung, and bleed for the sins of the world. He was and is the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world! That message, the cross, is what saves and transforms lives! For some churches it is still preached with passion but for others it is a faded teaching that is seldom heart anymore. The truth is the message of the cross is still as powerful today than when it was first preached! It still saves and transforms lives!
For centuries people have had a desire to know God or a “god”. Some cultures seek him in the moon, the sun, or in some other part of creation. Some people seek him in buddsim, islam, etc. But there has always been and always will be only one way to God-through Jesus Christ! So how do we get to Christ? By merley confessing? By just believing he exists? The truth is to come to Jesus you have to come by the way of the cross! There is no way around it! The cross represents death to sin and death to self!
In Mark 8:31-33, Jesus began to tell his disciples the terrible things that he would be faced with and even his death. In verse 32 it says, “As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.”
Verse 33 “Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
Wow! That same voice still whispers in people’s minds and ears today, “You don’t have to go by the way of the Cross.” In other words Satan is saying, “You don’t’ have to die to your old way of life” “You don’t have to die to yourself.” “You don’t have to die to your sin!” You can confess Jesus and stil live how you want!” “You can still confess Jesus just don’t get radical and make changes.” “You don’t have to do what God’s word says, just do what feels good to you.” “Just don’t die!” “Don’t go to the cross”!
Satan was trying to distract Jesus and trying to get him to go another route but the truth is there was no other route! He had to go to the cross!
Jesus goes on to say in verse 34, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.”
People want to go to heaven but they don’t want to repent of their sins! People want to know Jesus they just don’t want to “die”. But if we truly want to know Christ the way He wants us to know Him we have to go by the way of the cross! It is the cross or the message behind it that transforms us! It is what stops us from living for ourselves and gives us the power to live for him!
“Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:17-18)
The cross. We see it hung around peoples necks as jewelry. For others they have them hung in their homes. It has been a fad in stores who carry them in different shapes, sizes, and colors. But is the cross really something appealing? The truth is the cross was where our Lord suffered, hung, and bleed for the sins of the world. He was and is the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world! That message, the cross, is what saves and transforms lives! For some churches it is still preached with passion but for others it is a faded teaching that is seldom heart anymore. The truth is the message of the cross is still as powerful today than when it was first preached! It still saves and transforms lives!
For centuries people have had a desire to know God or a “god”. Some cultures seek him in the moon, the sun, or in some other part of creation. Some people seek him in buddsim, islam, etc. But there has always been and always will be only one way to God-through Jesus Christ! So how do we get to Christ? By merley confessing? By just believing he exists? The truth is to come to Jesus you have to come by the way of the cross! There is no way around it! The cross represents death to sin and death to self!
In Mark 8:31-33, Jesus began to tell his disciples the terrible things that he would be faced with and even his death. In verse 32 it says, “As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.”
Verse 33 “Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
Wow! That same voice still whispers in people’s minds and ears today, “You don’t have to go by the way of the Cross.” In other words Satan is saying, “You don’t’ have to die to your old way of life” “You don’t have to die to yourself.” “You don’t have to die to your sin!” You can confess Jesus and stil live how you want!” “You can still confess Jesus just don’t get radical and make changes.” “You don’t have to do what God’s word says, just do what feels good to you.” “Just don’t die!” “Don’t go to the cross”!
Satan was trying to distract Jesus and trying to get him to go another route but the truth is there was no other route! He had to go to the cross!
Jesus goes on to say in verse 34, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.”
People want to go to heaven but they don’t want to repent of their sins! People want to know Jesus they just don’t want to “die”. But if we truly want to know Christ the way He wants us to know Him we have to go by the way of the cross! It is the cross or the message behind it that transforms us! It is what stops us from living for ourselves and gives us the power to live for him!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The way God sees it...
"My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord.'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways,And My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)
The more I study and read God's word the more I realize how differently His ways are than ours. God's views are so much different than the way the world would view things. So if it were up to us to choose people in whom God would work through how would we go about that? Would we choose the most skilled, gifted, talented, handsome or beautiful person? According to the way the Lord chose David that's not exactly how He went about it. You see He sees things man can't-he goes straight for the heart! With what man is impressed with God necessarily isn't! We look outwardly He looks inwardly.
"Now the Lord said to Samuel, "You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem...Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me."...When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, "Surely this is the Lord's anointed!" But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Now this happened to all seven of Jesse's sons but Samuel was a bit thrown off because none of them, as impressive as they looked, were the Lord's anointed.
"Then Samuel asked, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse replied. "But he's out in the fields watching the sheep and goats."
Wow! Jesse didn't even see it right to bring David in with the rest of the sons to even be considered! He was out tending to sheep and goats! Jesse obviously didn't see what God could see! Jesse saw a shepherd animals but God saw a SHEPHERD OF PEOPLE! God saw a warrior! God saw a giant killer!
"So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, "This is the one; anoint him."
Can you imagine David coming in smelling like sheep dung, hot, sweaty, and stinky? Yes, he was dark and handsome but this isn't why God chose him! Can you imagine the brothers reaction when they heard the prophets words, "This is the one"! Can you imagine what they thought?
"What!" David! "The guy that watches sheep?" "The guy that isn't trained? "The guy that isn't educated?"
Isn't that how people react sometimes? "God could never use this person or that person you don't know what they've done" "God could never use that person they don't use good English. God could never use this person they don't speak well in public."
You see, what the brothers didn't know is that David was in training. He learned to hear God's voice as he was peacefully staring at the stars at night while the sheep lay asleep. He learned how to worship God in the fields with his harp as he sat for hours as the sheep grazed. He learned courage, boldness, trust, and faith when he had to fight off enemies like the lion and bear! He was in God's school of training! Yes, no one else could see but God was at work in this young man's heart because He saw a King!
My prayer is, "Lord, help us to see things the way you see them. Help us see the potential in people that you see!"
The more I study and read God's word the more I realize how differently His ways are than ours. God's views are so much different than the way the world would view things. So if it were up to us to choose people in whom God would work through how would we go about that? Would we choose the most skilled, gifted, talented, handsome or beautiful person? According to the way the Lord chose David that's not exactly how He went about it. You see He sees things man can't-he goes straight for the heart! With what man is impressed with God necessarily isn't! We look outwardly He looks inwardly.
"Now the Lord said to Samuel, "You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem...Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me."...When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, "Surely this is the Lord's anointed!" But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Now this happened to all seven of Jesse's sons but Samuel was a bit thrown off because none of them, as impressive as they looked, were the Lord's anointed.
"Then Samuel asked, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse replied. "But he's out in the fields watching the sheep and goats."
Wow! Jesse didn't even see it right to bring David in with the rest of the sons to even be considered! He was out tending to sheep and goats! Jesse obviously didn't see what God could see! Jesse saw a shepherd animals but God saw a SHEPHERD OF PEOPLE! God saw a warrior! God saw a giant killer!
"So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, "This is the one; anoint him."
Can you imagine David coming in smelling like sheep dung, hot, sweaty, and stinky? Yes, he was dark and handsome but this isn't why God chose him! Can you imagine the brothers reaction when they heard the prophets words, "This is the one"! Can you imagine what they thought?
"What!" David! "The guy that watches sheep?" "The guy that isn't trained? "The guy that isn't educated?"
Isn't that how people react sometimes? "God could never use this person or that person you don't know what they've done" "God could never use that person they don't use good English. God could never use this person they don't speak well in public."
You see, what the brothers didn't know is that David was in training. He learned to hear God's voice as he was peacefully staring at the stars at night while the sheep lay asleep. He learned how to worship God in the fields with his harp as he sat for hours as the sheep grazed. He learned courage, boldness, trust, and faith when he had to fight off enemies like the lion and bear! He was in God's school of training! Yes, no one else could see but God was at work in this young man's heart because He saw a King!
My prayer is, "Lord, help us to see things the way you see them. Help us see the potential in people that you see!"
Monday, July 14, 2008
Another arrow in the quiver!
One of the greatest joys I have as a father is to drive to my country home in the evening after a long day to be greeted by my two year old daughter on our front porch! There is just something about seeing a precious life that is so happy to see you! It just does something to a father's heart. I wonder if that is how God feels when we come to him so childlike?
Anyways, last Tuesday evening I drive home to just that scenario except this time my little girl was holding a couple of white sticks in her hand with her mother standing by. "I big sister daddy". "What's that you say baby?", I said as I took a closer look at her "sticks". Once I realized they weren't sticks but two pregnancy tests which were both POSITIVE I was filled with joy! So my wife of almost six years is now pregnant with baby #2.
Building a Godly family God's way is one of the biggest joys and responsibilities I have ever had as a man. What a joy to love, train, discipline, and encourage a family towards full devotion to Christ! This is something I will never outgrow.
"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates." (Psalm 127:3-5)
Anyways, last Tuesday evening I drive home to just that scenario except this time my little girl was holding a couple of white sticks in her hand with her mother standing by. "I big sister daddy". "What's that you say baby?", I said as I took a closer look at her "sticks". Once I realized they weren't sticks but two pregnancy tests which were both POSITIVE I was filled with joy! So my wife of almost six years is now pregnant with baby #2.
Building a Godly family God's way is one of the biggest joys and responsibilities I have ever had as a man. What a joy to love, train, discipline, and encourage a family towards full devotion to Christ! This is something I will never outgrow.
"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates." (Psalm 127:3-5)
Sunday, June 08, 2008
The Gift of Peace
“I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again.” (John 14:27-28)
As Jesus was preparing his disciples for his departure from this world he told them about a gift that man kind has sought and still seeks-the gift of peace. You see He knew that fear, doubt, and uncertainty would try to creep in their hearts and minds. He was assuring them that He would send the Holy Spirit and that one day He would return! Many people seek this gift of peace through riches, material possessions, financial security, fame, popularity, power, etc. How come that so many of the people that have actually found these things mentioned above take their own lives, drink themselves to sleep every ngiht, and die over drug overdose? Peace eludes them because peace isn’t found in such things but only in a right standing relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus said the gift of peace that I give you the world cannot give! When troubles strick or when trials come believers don’t have to be afraid because of the peace of knowing that God is in control! When 9-11 hit so many people were struck with fear, anxiety, uncertainty, but those whose trust is in Christ alone peace was able to reign in our hearts and lives. There is coming a day where people’s hearts will fail them because of fear and only those whose hearts and minds are guarded with peace will be able to stand strong.
Do you experience the peace of God in your life or have you looked for peace to come in other ways?
As Jesus was preparing his disciples for his departure from this world he told them about a gift that man kind has sought and still seeks-the gift of peace. You see He knew that fear, doubt, and uncertainty would try to creep in their hearts and minds. He was assuring them that He would send the Holy Spirit and that one day He would return! Many people seek this gift of peace through riches, material possessions, financial security, fame, popularity, power, etc. How come that so many of the people that have actually found these things mentioned above take their own lives, drink themselves to sleep every ngiht, and die over drug overdose? Peace eludes them because peace isn’t found in such things but only in a right standing relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus said the gift of peace that I give you the world cannot give! When troubles strick or when trials come believers don’t have to be afraid because of the peace of knowing that God is in control! When 9-11 hit so many people were struck with fear, anxiety, uncertainty, but those whose trust is in Christ alone peace was able to reign in our hearts and lives. There is coming a day where people’s hearts will fail them because of fear and only those whose hearts and minds are guarded with peace will be able to stand strong.
Do you experience the peace of God in your life or have you looked for peace to come in other ways?
Saturday, May 17, 2008
True Greatness...True Success
I will have the honor of ministering the word of God in my home church this Sunday morning on the title, "True Greatness...True Success. The Kingdom of God's definition of this compared to the Kingdom of this world is greatly different! Why not come and visit Family Church this Sunday morning or watch it on the Internet at www.familychurch.org (service is posted a few days later). Please be in prayer for the service.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” (II. Timothy 1:5)
“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciplies scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.” (Matthew 19:13-15)
I think the first verse of the passage above is so very powerful. “One day some parents brought their children to Jesus...” The first perception or impression children first have of God is from their parents. I guess that could either have a positive or negative effect upon the children based upon the parents lives and teaching. Would the children ever have come to Jesus if the parents wouldn’t have brought them to see Him? I know it’s the Lords desire for the “parents” to do it together but so many times it’s been the faithful moms. The “Lois and Eunices of the faith”. Mothers, thank you for bringing your children to Jesus! Everytime you lived out the life in front of your kids you were helping them see Christ. Every prayer you have lifted up on their behalf, every time you faithfully brought them to church, and every time you would teach them Bible stories coming up you were pointing them to Jesus. You single moms, thank yo for not giving up. Thank you, even after life dealt you a hard blow that you continued to walk faithfully before our Lord.
When the parents attempted to bring their children to Christ the disciples scolded them for bothering Christ but that didn’t stop them from getting to Him. Thank you mothers for not giving up when the world shouted at you to “give up. Let up, or cast discouragement on you for continuing to get your kids to Jesus. When the world would fight for your time, attention, and concerns you continued to press on for your family.
There are so many wonderful things mothers you have done for church, family, and your children! Thank you!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Beck
“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciplies scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.” (Matthew 19:13-15)
I think the first verse of the passage above is so very powerful. “One day some parents brought their children to Jesus...” The first perception or impression children first have of God is from their parents. I guess that could either have a positive or negative effect upon the children based upon the parents lives and teaching. Would the children ever have come to Jesus if the parents wouldn’t have brought them to see Him? I know it’s the Lords desire for the “parents” to do it together but so many times it’s been the faithful moms. The “Lois and Eunices of the faith”. Mothers, thank you for bringing your children to Jesus! Everytime you lived out the life in front of your kids you were helping them see Christ. Every prayer you have lifted up on their behalf, every time you faithfully brought them to church, and every time you would teach them Bible stories coming up you were pointing them to Jesus. You single moms, thank yo for not giving up. Thank you, even after life dealt you a hard blow that you continued to walk faithfully before our Lord.
When the parents attempted to bring their children to Christ the disciples scolded them for bothering Christ but that didn’t stop them from getting to Him. Thank you mothers for not giving up when the world shouted at you to “give up. Let up, or cast discouragement on you for continuing to get your kids to Jesus. When the world would fight for your time, attention, and concerns you continued to press on for your family.
There are so many wonderful things mothers you have done for church, family, and your children! Thank you!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Beck
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Set free!
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
Think of how many people are out there that don’t have a revelation of John the Baptist’s statement about Jesus. “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” Think of how many people are out there that need to know that they don’t have to continue to live in their sins because Jesus came to take them away! They don’t have to continue to live in darkness! They don’t have to continue to live in bondgage, in addiction, or condemnation! Christ came to take those sins away! They were nailed with the rest of the sin of the world on the cross in which Jesus hung! Many people have information about Christ but what they need is a revelation about Christ and who He is! In Mark Chapter 8 Jesus asked, “Who do people say I am?” and they responded with people’s different answers and information about Him. It was only Peter in verse 29 that had a revelation of who Christ was! “Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” In another gospel in the Bible Jesus responded by saying, “Blessed are you Simon (Peter) for flesh and blood didn’t reveal this to you but my Father in heaven.”
You see when we come to know Christ and His power we have been set free and don’t have to sin anymore! We don’t have to! We may choose to, but we don’t have to! Why? Because we are no longer slaves to sin! Chrsit has set us free!
“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” (Romans 6:6-7)
Has the Lamb of God taken away your sins?
"So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." (John 8:36)
Think of how many people are out there that don’t have a revelation of John the Baptist’s statement about Jesus. “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” Think of how many people are out there that need to know that they don’t have to continue to live in their sins because Jesus came to take them away! They don’t have to continue to live in darkness! They don’t have to continue to live in bondgage, in addiction, or condemnation! Christ came to take those sins away! They were nailed with the rest of the sin of the world on the cross in which Jesus hung! Many people have information about Christ but what they need is a revelation about Christ and who He is! In Mark Chapter 8 Jesus asked, “Who do people say I am?” and they responded with people’s different answers and information about Him. It was only Peter in verse 29 that had a revelation of who Christ was! “Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” In another gospel in the Bible Jesus responded by saying, “Blessed are you Simon (Peter) for flesh and blood didn’t reveal this to you but my Father in heaven.”
You see when we come to know Christ and His power we have been set free and don’t have to sin anymore! We don’t have to! We may choose to, but we don’t have to! Why? Because we are no longer slaves to sin! Chrsit has set us free!
“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” (Romans 6:6-7)
Has the Lamb of God taken away your sins?
"So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." (John 8:36)
Monday, May 05, 2008
A lesson from my fig tree!
Since I have the privilege of living off the map in Luna, Louisiana I have all kinds of blessings I enjoy that ordinary "city folk" wouldn't have. Fig trees, gardens, mulberry trees, cats, dogs, deer, and about everything else you can think of. The fig tree right outside our kitchen window has been there for like 100 years and its gotten crazy out of hand! I took the time to do some "pruning" over the weekend and left the tree almost naked! Piles and piles of fig branches lay all over our yard! I ran to do an errand that day and about an hour later when I returned I noticed the fig limbs were noticeably drying and withering. You could tell that life had left them. Why? They had been cut off from there source. That fig tree reminded me that Jesus IS and always WILL BE our source of life and cut off and/or apart from Him we would wither away!So many times we try to be and do things on our own. We attempt to do things in the flesh without the Spirit of God leading us. When we go through our day not in prayer mindedness, without saturating ourselves in His presence, and without feasting on His word we have no life, dry up, and will wither away! May we always remember our source of life-Jesus Christ!
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Family
(enjoying Family Night at Chili's and Books-A-Million with my family)
"And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deut. 6:5-9)
As parents we have the responsibility of teaching and training our children to know, love, and serve God. For so long families have often times seem to have put the responsibility of their kids spiritual well-being when in fact it is theirs. The churches responsibility is to equip the parents (or partner) with the parents in assisting them in their childrens spiritual well-being.
Ephesians 4:11-12 says, "Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ."
Simply put, when the church equips the saints (or families) to do the work of the ministry it will help build up the church. Strong families build strong churches.
Monday, April 21, 2008
I'm blessed
I can remember my senior year of high school when I made my big "come back" to the football field. Weeks prior to my coming to the Lord I had gotten in a street fight which left me with a broken wrist. I kept my wrist bandaged before games and would have the word "Remember" with a Cross beneath it. Every time I ran the ball, would get tired, and would feel like giving up I would look at my wrist and "remember". I would remember what Christ has done for me and it would inspire me to keep going.
This morning in prayer I was reminded of just how blessed I am. God has saved me and my family from our sins. God has given me a beautiful wife to do life with and a lovely daughter as well. We are all healthy with a roof over our head, clothes on our backs, and food on the table. My wife is able to stay at home to "train" our daughter while I serve God full-time at the greatest church I know-Family Church. I am truly a very blessed young man.
There is a story in the gospel of Luke 17 where ten lepers cried out to Christ to heal them. It goes on to say in verse 14, "He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy." One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God!" He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" (Luke 17:14-18)
Jesus Christ had healed ten lepers with the power of God and only one came back to give him thanks. Only one remembered. Only one didn't forget where God had brought him from. The other nine had forgotten what Christ had done. May we be like the one leper who didn't forget what Jesus Christ had done in his life. We are blessed people.
What has Christ done in your life? What are you to be thankful for? Do you remember or have you forgotten?
This morning in prayer I was reminded of just how blessed I am. God has saved me and my family from our sins. God has given me a beautiful wife to do life with and a lovely daughter as well. We are all healthy with a roof over our head, clothes on our backs, and food on the table. My wife is able to stay at home to "train" our daughter while I serve God full-time at the greatest church I know-Family Church. I am truly a very blessed young man.
There is a story in the gospel of Luke 17 where ten lepers cried out to Christ to heal them. It goes on to say in verse 14, "He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy." One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God!" He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" (Luke 17:14-18)
Jesus Christ had healed ten lepers with the power of God and only one came back to give him thanks. Only one remembered. Only one didn't forget where God had brought him from. The other nine had forgotten what Christ had done. May we be like the one leper who didn't forget what Jesus Christ had done in his life. We are blessed people.
What has Christ done in your life? What are you to be thankful for? Do you remember or have you forgotten?
Monday, March 31, 2008
Drink from the river
Exodus 17:1-7
“Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink. So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.” (Exodus 17:6b)
“All of them at the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.” (I. Cor. 10:3-4)
Summer is quickly approching us and many people will hit the rivers, ponds, and pools to be refreshed from the heat. Water brings refreshment to our bodies and it gives us life! Without it we would die!
Can I ask you when is the last time you drank from the river of life? How often to you “strike the rock” which is Christ and drink from His Spirit? Without His Spirit we will die? Many people are dry and thirsty and are in need of refreshing times. God is saying take the time and drink from the river! Drink from the fountain! Drink from His Spirit and you will never die! His fountain, His river, and His Spirit will never ever run dry!
“Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink. So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.” (Exodus 17:6b)
“All of them at the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.” (I. Cor. 10:3-4)
Summer is quickly approching us and many people will hit the rivers, ponds, and pools to be refreshed from the heat. Water brings refreshment to our bodies and it gives us life! Without it we would die!
Can I ask you when is the last time you drank from the river of life? How often to you “strike the rock” which is Christ and drink from His Spirit? Without His Spirit we will die? Many people are dry and thirsty and are in need of refreshing times. God is saying take the time and drink from the river! Drink from the fountain! Drink from His Spirit and you will never die! His fountain, His river, and His Spirit will never ever run dry!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Lessons out of Egypt
“So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other’s welfare and then went into Moses’ tent. Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles. Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians.” (Exodus 18:7-9)
As Moses met up with his father-in-law Jethro, he discussed everything God had done for Israel and how God delivered them out of Egypt. I’m sure he told Jethro of God’s faithfulness, power, and miracles he performed to deliver them from their bondage. One thing that really stood out to me was the next verse. “He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way…” I’m sure the people of Israel may have thought once God delivered them from the land of slavery that everything would be “peaches and cream” from here on out but it wasn’t. There were still trials and there were still tests-all to prove God’s faithfulness and to see if they would obey God’s instructions. Sometimes that’s how we are as believers. We tell of God’s faithfulness of how he saved us and delivered us from “our Egypt” but we must realize we WILL HAVE HARDSHIPS ALONG THE WAY EVEN AFTER EGYPT! My question is. What will you do when those hardships come? Go back to Egypt? We will experience hardships in every area of life. How will we respond? How will we respond when we hit hard times at church? Leave or walk it out? What about marriage? Leave or walk it out? What about other important relationships? Give up or walk it out? We can’t just rejoice out our deliverence from Egypt but rejoice in God’s goodness as he brings us through troubles as well.
As Moses met up with his father-in-law Jethro, he discussed everything God had done for Israel and how God delivered them out of Egypt. I’m sure he told Jethro of God’s faithfulness, power, and miracles he performed to deliver them from their bondage. One thing that really stood out to me was the next verse. “He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way…” I’m sure the people of Israel may have thought once God delivered them from the land of slavery that everything would be “peaches and cream” from here on out but it wasn’t. There were still trials and there were still tests-all to prove God’s faithfulness and to see if they would obey God’s instructions. Sometimes that’s how we are as believers. We tell of God’s faithfulness of how he saved us and delivered us from “our Egypt” but we must realize we WILL HAVE HARDSHIPS ALONG THE WAY EVEN AFTER EGYPT! My question is. What will you do when those hardships come? Go back to Egypt? We will experience hardships in every area of life. How will we respond? How will we respond when we hit hard times at church? Leave or walk it out? What about marriage? Leave or walk it out? What about other important relationships? Give up or walk it out? We can’t just rejoice out our deliverence from Egypt but rejoice in God’s goodness as he brings us through troubles as well.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
New Student Ministry Blog!
We have a new blog site for the E3 Student Ministry of Family Church in which I have the priviledge of serving and leading. Check it out!
www.e3students.blogspot.com
www.e3students.blogspot.com
I wonder...
We just wrapped up a two week series entitled, "The Unseen World" and we've been talking alot about fighting the fight of faith. We spoke to our students last night concerning the full armor of God and how we are engaged in a daily spiritual battle. As I was praying in the E3 Room this morning I looked out and saw all the empty chairs left over from last night. Last night there were students in those chairs. Last night they were worshiping God, there was loud music, and young people that filled the room. This morning in the room it was much different. I was the only one in there-the room was quite and the chairs were empty. The truth is, those students went out into the battlefield. Some of their battlefields are at home. Some of their battlefields are in school, and some of their battlefields are very private. I couldn't help but ask myself, "I wonder if they really got it last night?" "I wonder if they took to heart what we talked to them about?" "I wonder that if today they applied to thier lives what we talked about last night?" "Did they put on their armor today and fight the fight of faith? I wonder?
"But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves." (James 1:22
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