Please take a minute to listen to a portion of this audio sermon. Oh, that we would love THE TRUTH of God's Word. Help me Lord.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wftJVYoORug&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Father/Son Campout
As parents, we are called to impress our faith upon our children. I believe having a strong relationship with our children gives us the platform to share our faith and access to their hearts. It's difficult for chlidren or teens to recieve a value system or faith from someone they have no relatonship with. The relationship is what gives us the influence into thier lives, not just the authority position only.
Proverbs 23:26 starts off by saying, "My son, give me your heart." As fathers, we should want to win the heart of our sons. Spending quality time with our sons shows that we love them and want to be apart of their lives. "Doing life" together and special activitites together gives us the opportunity to talk about life and get to know one another.
Many fathers from Family Church took advantage of this opportunity this past weekend. The dads spent time with their sons setting up tents and the camp area. The view of watching fathers and sons cook that evenings meal as they chatted was awesome! Later that evening all the men and sons gathered around the campfire as we sang worship songs together followed by a devotion by Ryan Jordan. Many of the boys there spent time hanging out together and having "BB Gun Wars" (glad no moms were around). We had several men step in to partner with single moms by taking their boys to the campout by "adopting" them for the weekend. For some, this was their very first time to campout.
Great job men and thanks for being involved in your sons lives!
Proverbs 23:26 starts off by saying, "My son, give me your heart." As fathers, we should want to win the heart of our sons. Spending quality time with our sons shows that we love them and want to be apart of their lives. "Doing life" together and special activitites together gives us the opportunity to talk about life and get to know one another.
Many fathers from Family Church took advantage of this opportunity this past weekend. The dads spent time with their sons setting up tents and the camp area. The view of watching fathers and sons cook that evenings meal as they chatted was awesome! Later that evening all the men and sons gathered around the campfire as we sang worship songs together followed by a devotion by Ryan Jordan. Many of the boys there spent time hanging out together and having "BB Gun Wars" (glad no moms were around). We had several men step in to partner with single moms by taking their boys to the campout by "adopting" them for the weekend. For some, this was their very first time to campout.
Great job men and thanks for being involved in your sons lives!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Law of Sowing and Reaping
Although there are certain man made laws upon the earth that can be willingly broken, there are certain “laws” in the universe that cannot be overturned or broken. Take the “Law of Gravity” for instance. Most definitely, “What goes up must come down!” But there is a particular law that is of the upmost importance-the law of sowing and reaping.
When we hear the term or phrase, “Sowing and Reaping” we immediately begin to think of it in terms of finances. The Bible certainly teaches about “sowing and reaping” in the area of finances (2. Cor. 9) but it also goes beyond that arena as well.
How often do we think of the term “sowing and reaping” as it pertains to our words and actions? Do we believe that the “words” we sow into others or say out loud just fall to the ground? Do we believe our actions just “go away” even after they are played or lived out? Our words and actions can result in a harvest of great blessings or they can result in a harvest of destruction!
“Don’t be misled-you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith.” (Galatians 6:7-10)
If we believe that there is no blessing for our obedience to the Spirit or if we don’t believe that there are no consequences to our disobedience to the Spirit than we don’t understand the “justice of God”. God is good. God is love. God is merciful. But don’t forget that God is holy and is just as well. There is truly nothing we can “get away with” –either good or bad! Our obedience won’t go unnoticed by God nor will our disobedience carry no consequences. The fact that we have repented and confessed our sins doesn’t erase the fact that there will still come a harvest of either blessings or consequences from our words and actions. The fact that “I didn’t hurt anybody” doesn’t carry much weight with God!
As parents, do we understand that everyday of our lives we are “sowing” something into our children and teens? Does it not occur to us when we come home and undermine authority by speaking disrespectful that we are sowing rebellion into our children? When we speak openly and disrespectfully around our kids about the teacher that got on to them, the pastor that “didn’t call to check on them”, the political official that we don’t agree with—we are sowing into their lives—destruction! Rebellion! When they see us tell a “little white lie” or not be “completely honest” we are sowing deception into them!
There have been times where I have seen something come to fruition either in my wife or children that I knowingly sowed there! Now, I realized I was beginning to see a harvest I wasn’t pleased with. There have also been those times where we have faithfully and persistenly sowed, and sowed, God’s word into them and we began to see a righteous harvest begin to sprout into their young lives.
Timothy’s faithful mother and grandmother sowed into him as a young boy. (2. Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 3:15)
Consider the following examples from God’s word:
In Genesis chapter 20 Abraham deceived King Abimelech when he tried to deceive the King by hiding his wife Sarah’s identity. In doing this, he sowed this sin into his son Isaac who continued in his father’s footsteps when he too deceived King Abimelech! But guess what? It didn’t stop here! It carried into the third generation when Jacob, Abraham’s grandson and Isaac’s son, Jacob, lied and deceived to Isaac to steal his brother Esau’s blessing! Did it stop even there? No! Remember the story of Joseph? Jacob’s favorite son? He had brothers who lied and deceived there father Jacob into believing that Joseph and been brutally killed!
Exodus 20:5b says, “I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.” You may say, “But I’m a Christian, I’ve accepted Jesus!” When we reject God’s word we are rejecting God’s way and since Jesus is the word who became flesh, we are rejecting him!
But there is good news! Exodus 20:6 goes on to say, “But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.”
Just as there is consequences in our disobedience there are great blessings and rewards for those who obey God! When your words and actions you sow into your family are words and actions that are pleasing to God, there is no end to the blessings they will harvest!
So, sow righteousness into your family by saying and doing things that are pleasing to God!
What type of harvest will you see in your family?
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Back to School Bash in E3!
We had our annual E3 Student Ministry's "Back to School Bash" with Big Al, WMHS Drum line, and "Suit"! We had a packed house of 237 students and adults in the E3 Room!
The WMHS Drum line was "off the charts" and Big Al had the whole place engaged! What a great ministry God has called him to!
What a great way to celebrate the upcoming school and ministry season!
Check out some pics from last night!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
A word to the older generations
A word to the older generation
I’ve heard many older or elderly people make the comment, “I’ve got nothing left to give”, “I’m past my prime”, or “Nobody would listen to me anymore.” They have lived a whole life building up reservoirs of wisdom and understanding learning both from their good and not so good choices. Here they are towards the later part of their life and are they suppose to be pushed to the side? Now, that they are older are they to be “put on the shelf” to be remembered no more? Is there nothing the younger generations could learn from our “mothers and fathers” in the faith?
David was nearing the end of his life. He was well past the “giant slaying” years. Many had said of David that the Lord had left him; he had become weak physically, and now was their chance to get him.
David had been pouring out his soul to God and in Psalm 71:17-18 he says, “O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood…”
In other words, I’ve walked with God my whole life and I have a lifetime of lessons that I learned from God almighty—He has been faithful!
He goes on to say, “and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.” Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.” David was saying that he is always telling others about all that God had done for him in his lifetime and that yes, although he faced the fact that he was old now, he was saying, “God, I’m not done!” “God, just because I’m an old man that doesn’t make me a worthless old shoe to be thrown out!” “God, just because I am old please don’t abandon me! I may not be able to walk like I use to walk, I may not be able to fight the way I use to fight, but Oh, God I still can proclaim your great wonders to other people!
Listen, he says, “Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.”
Older generation let me tell you, just because you are older now does not mean that you have become useless to God and worthless to His kingdom! Look, you are just now in a position to pour back to others all that you have “mustered up” in your lifetime! There is a generation of believers coming up after you that desperately needs to hear your story! There is a generation of believers coming up after you that desperately needs to hear about the wonders of God Almighty! You have the stories to tell! You have the wisdom and the understanding that we need! Please don’t keep silent and allow all that you have been through to become wasted! Tell us your stories! Tell us about God’s mighty hand in your life! Hand off the baton of faith to the upcoming generation! God is not through with you yet! God is not abandoning you to your old age! You open your mouth to all who will listen and tell about the mighty miracles and wonders of the God you have served!
I’ve heard many older or elderly people make the comment, “I’ve got nothing left to give”, “I’m past my prime”, or “Nobody would listen to me anymore.” They have lived a whole life building up reservoirs of wisdom and understanding learning both from their good and not so good choices. Here they are towards the later part of their life and are they suppose to be pushed to the side? Now, that they are older are they to be “put on the shelf” to be remembered no more? Is there nothing the younger generations could learn from our “mothers and fathers” in the faith?
David was nearing the end of his life. He was well past the “giant slaying” years. Many had said of David that the Lord had left him; he had become weak physically, and now was their chance to get him.
David had been pouring out his soul to God and in Psalm 71:17-18 he says, “O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood…”
In other words, I’ve walked with God my whole life and I have a lifetime of lessons that I learned from God almighty—He has been faithful!
He goes on to say, “and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.” Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.” David was saying that he is always telling others about all that God had done for him in his lifetime and that yes, although he faced the fact that he was old now, he was saying, “God, I’m not done!” “God, just because I’m an old man that doesn’t make me a worthless old shoe to be thrown out!” “God, just because I am old please don’t abandon me! I may not be able to walk like I use to walk, I may not be able to fight the way I use to fight, but Oh, God I still can proclaim your great wonders to other people!
Listen, he says, “Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.”
Older generation let me tell you, just because you are older now does not mean that you have become useless to God and worthless to His kingdom! Look, you are just now in a position to pour back to others all that you have “mustered up” in your lifetime! There is a generation of believers coming up after you that desperately needs to hear your story! There is a generation of believers coming up after you that desperately needs to hear about the wonders of God Almighty! You have the stories to tell! You have the wisdom and the understanding that we need! Please don’t keep silent and allow all that you have been through to become wasted! Tell us your stories! Tell us about God’s mighty hand in your life! Hand off the baton of faith to the upcoming generation! God is not through with you yet! God is not abandoning you to your old age! You open your mouth to all who will listen and tell about the mighty miracles and wonders of the God you have served!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Obedience
“There I gave them my decrees and regulations so they could find life by keeping them. And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I am the Lord, who had set them apart to be holy. But the people of Israel rebelled against me, and they refused to obey my decrees there in the wilderness. They wouldn’t obey my regulations even though obedience would have given them life.” (Ezekiel 20:11-13)
“But their children, too, rebelled against me. They refused to keep my decrees and follow my regulations, even though obedience would have given them life.” (Ezekiel 20:21)
Each of us are faced each day with doing life our own way, the world's way, or God's way. So many insist on doing life thier own way believing that they will find life by following thier own desires. Little do they know by following thier selfish desires they are actually being robbed of life. The only way we will find true life is by doing life God's way. We know what "God's way" is because God has given us His word.
God had given Israel decrees, regulations, and Sabbath days he expected them to follow. But instead, stubborn Israel wanted to "be like the nations around them."
How about you and I? Do we want to fit in to this world and this culture so much that we would forsake God's word in order to do so? This world promises "life" but it is as empty. Only the life God promises and gives can be recieved by faith and in obedience to His word.
“But their children, too, rebelled against me. They refused to keep my decrees and follow my regulations, even though obedience would have given them life.” (Ezekiel 20:21)
Each of us are faced each day with doing life our own way, the world's way, or God's way. So many insist on doing life thier own way believing that they will find life by following thier own desires. Little do they know by following thier selfish desires they are actually being robbed of life. The only way we will find true life is by doing life God's way. We know what "God's way" is because God has given us His word.
God had given Israel decrees, regulations, and Sabbath days he expected them to follow. But instead, stubborn Israel wanted to "be like the nations around them."
How about you and I? Do we want to fit in to this world and this culture so much that we would forsake God's word in order to do so? This world promises "life" but it is as empty. Only the life God promises and gives can be recieved by faith and in obedience to His word.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Doing the "little things" right
"Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom."
(Song of Solomon 2:15)
I come from a long family line of athletics and coaching. As far back as you can find, my family has been involved in athletics and coaching athletics. Before my father became a successful insurance agent, he was a successful football coach. From Farmerville, to Winnfield, to West Monroe High School; wherever he went, he won. He never had an interview—always offers of hiring him on the spot. His focus wasn’t just having a winning record, but winning with his players. What I believe was a part of his success wasn’t just that he cared so deeply about his players, but that he believed so strongly in doing “the little things right.” Even after entering the insurance industry he continued to get calls and offers from programs from within our state and abroad. When a principal would call to ask my father to come look at their school he would always detour to the bathrooms. Why would he do that you might ask? Simple, he would go see how the bathrooms were kept up. If they didn’t have enough pride to take care of their bathrooms then they didn’t have enough pride in their school—they didn’t know how to win. He would call the principal and decline their meeting. I’ve also been coached by some other legendary coaches. One in particular was big on “doing the little things right”. When we would conclude with football practice, we were expected to have everything picked up from our equipment, to showers turned off, to stools put up, and so on. One day I remember coming in from practice and somebody had left out one stool from the previous day. Guess what? The whole team ran until we couldn’t run anymore! Guess what else? Nobody ever left there stool out again.
The point in all of this? My dad and these other coaches were trying to teach discipline, winning, and thinking “team” concepts. If you couldn’t learn to pick up your stuff after practice, then what if you missed that “key block” in a tight game? What if you “slacked up” the last few minutes of the fourth quarter? We were being taught that there was no “I” in team. We were being taught that for every little thing we missed, forgot, or wanted to do our “own way” would affect the team as a whole. Think this is ridiculous? Go look at their records and also the people they coached. They weren’t only teaching athletic concepts but “life concepts”.
This parallels so much in the Kingdom of God. There are certainly small things we shouldn’t sweat, but far too many times we as Christians miss the “small things”. We need to realize that we are responsible not only for our lives, but for others as well. We make up a “body”. Our choices and decisions affect the body as a whole. Every decision we make affects our spouses and our children. It’s the “small things” that go so far.
One of the reasons Chic Fil A is "set apart" from other fast food restaurants is they excel in doing "the small things" not just right, but GREAT!
When I was in the insurance business, I set several appointments everyday for sometime in the future. Obviously, a huge part of my market were churches and believers. I remember not being able to get returned phone calls from some of the smallest churches. Yet, there was one mega church in particular that every single staff member I called on, not only returned my call, but did so within 24 hours. When I had the opportunity to "brag on" this church and staff, they told me they are all given 24 hours to return calls. They obviously were big on "doing the little things right".
Doing the "little things right" goes so far! It’s picking up the small piece of litter in the parking lot that others have walked past. It’s picking up the ticket at lunch instead of “splitting it”. It's that sweet note you leave for your wife before you head off to work. It's returning phone calls promptly, returning emails, and being thorough. Not doing the "small things" can work in the reverse affect as well. It’s leaving the T.V. show on “a bit longer” when we know we should have cut it off. It’s allowing that “small piece of anger” in our hearts that turns into forgiveness over time. It’s the “small things” that aren’t dealt with in our marriage that turn into “large” things over time. It's allowing the "small attitude" squeeze by in our children instead of discipling them. Over time the "small attitude" turns into a "big problem".
You see, the small things really can matter in our lives. What are some of the "little things" you could do today that would make a "big difference"?
(Song of Solomon 2:15)
I come from a long family line of athletics and coaching. As far back as you can find, my family has been involved in athletics and coaching athletics. Before my father became a successful insurance agent, he was a successful football coach. From Farmerville, to Winnfield, to West Monroe High School; wherever he went, he won. He never had an interview—always offers of hiring him on the spot. His focus wasn’t just having a winning record, but winning with his players. What I believe was a part of his success wasn’t just that he cared so deeply about his players, but that he believed so strongly in doing “the little things right.” Even after entering the insurance industry he continued to get calls and offers from programs from within our state and abroad. When a principal would call to ask my father to come look at their school he would always detour to the bathrooms. Why would he do that you might ask? Simple, he would go see how the bathrooms were kept up. If they didn’t have enough pride to take care of their bathrooms then they didn’t have enough pride in their school—they didn’t know how to win. He would call the principal and decline their meeting. I’ve also been coached by some other legendary coaches. One in particular was big on “doing the little things right”. When we would conclude with football practice, we were expected to have everything picked up from our equipment, to showers turned off, to stools put up, and so on. One day I remember coming in from practice and somebody had left out one stool from the previous day. Guess what? The whole team ran until we couldn’t run anymore! Guess what else? Nobody ever left there stool out again.
The point in all of this? My dad and these other coaches were trying to teach discipline, winning, and thinking “team” concepts. If you couldn’t learn to pick up your stuff after practice, then what if you missed that “key block” in a tight game? What if you “slacked up” the last few minutes of the fourth quarter? We were being taught that there was no “I” in team. We were being taught that for every little thing we missed, forgot, or wanted to do our “own way” would affect the team as a whole. Think this is ridiculous? Go look at their records and also the people they coached. They weren’t only teaching athletic concepts but “life concepts”.
This parallels so much in the Kingdom of God. There are certainly small things we shouldn’t sweat, but far too many times we as Christians miss the “small things”. We need to realize that we are responsible not only for our lives, but for others as well. We make up a “body”. Our choices and decisions affect the body as a whole. Every decision we make affects our spouses and our children. It’s the “small things” that go so far.
One of the reasons Chic Fil A is "set apart" from other fast food restaurants is they excel in doing "the small things" not just right, but GREAT!
When I was in the insurance business, I set several appointments everyday for sometime in the future. Obviously, a huge part of my market were churches and believers. I remember not being able to get returned phone calls from some of the smallest churches. Yet, there was one mega church in particular that every single staff member I called on, not only returned my call, but did so within 24 hours. When I had the opportunity to "brag on" this church and staff, they told me they are all given 24 hours to return calls. They obviously were big on "doing the little things right".
Doing the "little things right" goes so far! It’s picking up the small piece of litter in the parking lot that others have walked past. It’s picking up the ticket at lunch instead of “splitting it”. It's that sweet note you leave for your wife before you head off to work. It's returning phone calls promptly, returning emails, and being thorough. Not doing the "small things" can work in the reverse affect as well. It’s leaving the T.V. show on “a bit longer” when we know we should have cut it off. It’s allowing that “small piece of anger” in our hearts that turns into forgiveness over time. It’s the “small things” that aren’t dealt with in our marriage that turn into “large” things over time. It's allowing the "small attitude" squeeze by in our children instead of discipling them. Over time the "small attitude" turns into a "big problem".
You see, the small things really can matter in our lives. What are some of the "little things" you could do today that would make a "big difference"?
Monday, June 13, 2011
Hope for the discouraged
“Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble comes your way…” (James 1:2)
James states it clearly that in life, trouble WILL come our way. (James 1:2) As believers we will be opposed by the enemy, by the world, and just “life” itself can be very, very difficult. It is easy to fall prey to doubt, fear, and unbelief. If not careful, we can begin to complain, whine, and blame others for our troubles. If we look at our “troubles” through the proper lens they can become an “opportunity” not just a “trouble with no end”.
James goes on to say, “Consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2) Joy is something that comes from the inside out, not from our outer circumstances. Our circumstances will change constantly but joy can remain whether life is good or difficult. The enemy is after your joy. If he can snatch your joy he can zap your strength.
We all can become discouraged in life.
Look at several examples taken from the word of God where people of God became discouraged.
Rachel was discouraged because she could have no children. “Give me children, or else I die!” she said.
Elijah came to a point in his life where he wanted to die.
Job said, “My soul is weary of my life.” (Job 10:1, 3)
The last example I will give is maybe my favorite. David was about to be stoned by his own people and he was also constantly chased by his enemies. David was at a very low point. I’m so glad when you are surrounded by church friends, family, and others God sends your way to encourage you. But there are times when nothing anyone can say can help. There are times when encouragement doesn’t come from the mouth of others. There are times when no one will come close to understanding all that you are going through. The Bible said that “David encouraged himself in the Lord.” (I. Samuel 30:6) There must be that absolute point of desperation that comes over you where you run to your prayer closet, fall on your face before God, and cry out to him for help! You must pray, you must fast, you must completely give yourself to His word. You must trust. You must believe. You must be at a place where you know that God sees all, knows all, and is sovereign. You must know that he loves you, cares for you, and will provide for you.
Have you been at a place of discouragement? Take heart, others in God’s word have been where you are. Today, “encourage yourself in the Lord.” He is God Almighty and He loves you.
James states it clearly that in life, trouble WILL come our way. (James 1:2) As believers we will be opposed by the enemy, by the world, and just “life” itself can be very, very difficult. It is easy to fall prey to doubt, fear, and unbelief. If not careful, we can begin to complain, whine, and blame others for our troubles. If we look at our “troubles” through the proper lens they can become an “opportunity” not just a “trouble with no end”.
James goes on to say, “Consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2) Joy is something that comes from the inside out, not from our outer circumstances. Our circumstances will change constantly but joy can remain whether life is good or difficult. The enemy is after your joy. If he can snatch your joy he can zap your strength.
We all can become discouraged in life.
Look at several examples taken from the word of God where people of God became discouraged.
Rachel was discouraged because she could have no children. “Give me children, or else I die!” she said.
Elijah came to a point in his life where he wanted to die.
Job said, “My soul is weary of my life.” (Job 10:1, 3)
The last example I will give is maybe my favorite. David was about to be stoned by his own people and he was also constantly chased by his enemies. David was at a very low point. I’m so glad when you are surrounded by church friends, family, and others God sends your way to encourage you. But there are times when nothing anyone can say can help. There are times when encouragement doesn’t come from the mouth of others. There are times when no one will come close to understanding all that you are going through. The Bible said that “David encouraged himself in the Lord.” (I. Samuel 30:6) There must be that absolute point of desperation that comes over you where you run to your prayer closet, fall on your face before God, and cry out to him for help! You must pray, you must fast, you must completely give yourself to His word. You must trust. You must believe. You must be at a place where you know that God sees all, knows all, and is sovereign. You must know that he loves you, cares for you, and will provide for you.
Have you been at a place of discouragement? Take heart, others in God’s word have been where you are. Today, “encourage yourself in the Lord.” He is God Almighty and He loves you.
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
The Way of the Cross
The Way of the Cross—Part I
“There is a way that seems right to a person but in the end leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12
“You can enter God’s kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)
“For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.” (I. Cor. 1:17)
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But to we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” (I. Cor. 1:18)
I am the father of three children. From the earliest days of infancy of each of those children, it didn’t take long to recognize something. Yes, they were cute and cuddly (except in the wee hours of the morning) but they also possess something that each and every man must conquer—a sin nature. That sin nature becomes evident in every little baby and child as they fight with everything within them, their self-will, to carry out that will. If this sin nature is never dealt with, never crucified, never “died too”, then my young children will never be able to serve the living God. For one to serve God, that self-will, that sin nature must be crucified to the cross of Christ and must be submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ each and every day of their lives. This can only be accomplished by them coming to and through the cross. They then must take up their cross and follow Jesus Christ daily.
There is something in each and every one of us that wants to do our own thing. There is something in each and every one of us that does not want to go the way of the cross—why? The cross is painful, grueling, hard, and is in complete opposition to our own self wills. When we come to the cross we must humble ourselves in obedience to God. Even Jesus before he went to the cross, knowing he must go to the cross, cried out, “Lord, if it is possible take this cup from me, nevertheless, not I will but your will!” He then speaks up and states that if anyone wants to be his followers, they must turn from thier selfish ways, take up thier cross, and follow me! If you try to hang on to your life you will lose it!
We live in a world that tells us, “If it feels good, just do it”. We live in a world that tells us to do whatever it takes to be “great” and “successful”. Don’t give things away but “he who has the most toys when he dies, wins.” It teaches nothing of humility, servant hood, or giving. The way of the cross isn’t easy—it’s hard. That’s why Paul said, “I must die daily.” This flesh will rise up each and everyday of your life so it must be put to death “daily.”
So many times we have indirectly told people to “come to Jesus and your life will be great!” You will be successful, happy, and “prosperous”. When the first wave of “hard times” or “trials” come they think, “What is this???”
Jesus says some rather straight forward things in John 15:18 when he said, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” Wow! Those are some pretty strong words! “The world will hate you!” You see the reason the world will hate you because when you go the way of the cross there is nothing in this world that appeals to you and nothing in you that appeals to this world!
Galatians 6:14 says, “Because of that cross, my interest in the world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.”
I recently had a young teenage girl along with her mother who had given her life to Christ come into my office for counseling. She said since she had given her life to Christ the things she was once interested in was now fading away. More than that, those she use to be “friends” with were losing their interest in her and she in them. I told her, “That’s the way of the cross!”
Jesus goes on to say in John 16:1, “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God…Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. J
esus gives us a “heads up” when he says, “don’t be surprised when the world hates you. You will face rejection, persecution, etc. but I have warned you ahead of time “Don’t be surprised”. You won’t abandon your faith when you realize the way of the cross is one that isn’t accepted by the world. When these things come you have been expecting them, not surprised by them.
If we want to truly understand and embrace the way of the cross, then we must renew our minds to understand the attitude and values of the kingdom and renounce the attitudes and values of our worldly, fleshly, carnal system.
In Mark 8, Jesus began to explain to his disciples that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and he would be killed. Peter then took him aside to reprimand Jesus for saying such things.
Jesus then addressed the root of Peter’s messed up values as well as the root of our messed up values—Satan. “Get away from me Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from Gods!”
For us to understand the cross, we must embrace God’s view and not that of human, carnal nature.
The sinful nature says to “be angry and sin.” The cross says, “Be angry and sin not.” The sinful nature says, “don’t forgive”. The cross says, “You must forgive”. The sinful nature says, “I want to be served”. The cross says, “Give up your rights and serve others.” The sinful nature says, “I want to be popular and accepted by the world.” The cross says, “If you follow after Christ, you will be hated by the world.”
Philippians 3:10-11 says, “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!”
Most of us have no problem stating that we want to “know Christ”. Most of us have no problem stating that we want to “experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.” Where we all struggle is when Paul says, “I want to suffer with him…”
In order for us to truly be Disciples of Christ, we must be willing to carry our cross and endure whatever may come.
“There is a way that seems right to a person but in the end leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12
“You can enter God’s kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)
“For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.” (I. Cor. 1:17)
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But to we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” (I. Cor. 1:18)
I am the father of three children. From the earliest days of infancy of each of those children, it didn’t take long to recognize something. Yes, they were cute and cuddly (except in the wee hours of the morning) but they also possess something that each and every man must conquer—a sin nature. That sin nature becomes evident in every little baby and child as they fight with everything within them, their self-will, to carry out that will. If this sin nature is never dealt with, never crucified, never “died too”, then my young children will never be able to serve the living God. For one to serve God, that self-will, that sin nature must be crucified to the cross of Christ and must be submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ each and every day of their lives. This can only be accomplished by them coming to and through the cross. They then must take up their cross and follow Jesus Christ daily.
There is something in each and every one of us that wants to do our own thing. There is something in each and every one of us that does not want to go the way of the cross—why? The cross is painful, grueling, hard, and is in complete opposition to our own self wills. When we come to the cross we must humble ourselves in obedience to God. Even Jesus before he went to the cross, knowing he must go to the cross, cried out, “Lord, if it is possible take this cup from me, nevertheless, not I will but your will!” He then speaks up and states that if anyone wants to be his followers, they must turn from thier selfish ways, take up thier cross, and follow me! If you try to hang on to your life you will lose it!
We live in a world that tells us, “If it feels good, just do it”. We live in a world that tells us to do whatever it takes to be “great” and “successful”. Don’t give things away but “he who has the most toys when he dies, wins.” It teaches nothing of humility, servant hood, or giving. The way of the cross isn’t easy—it’s hard. That’s why Paul said, “I must die daily.” This flesh will rise up each and everyday of your life so it must be put to death “daily.”
So many times we have indirectly told people to “come to Jesus and your life will be great!” You will be successful, happy, and “prosperous”. When the first wave of “hard times” or “trials” come they think, “What is this???”
Jesus says some rather straight forward things in John 15:18 when he said, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” Wow! Those are some pretty strong words! “The world will hate you!” You see the reason the world will hate you because when you go the way of the cross there is nothing in this world that appeals to you and nothing in you that appeals to this world!
Galatians 6:14 says, “Because of that cross, my interest in the world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.”
I recently had a young teenage girl along with her mother who had given her life to Christ come into my office for counseling. She said since she had given her life to Christ the things she was once interested in was now fading away. More than that, those she use to be “friends” with were losing their interest in her and she in them. I told her, “That’s the way of the cross!”
Jesus goes on to say in John 16:1, “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God…Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. J
esus gives us a “heads up” when he says, “don’t be surprised when the world hates you. You will face rejection, persecution, etc. but I have warned you ahead of time “Don’t be surprised”. You won’t abandon your faith when you realize the way of the cross is one that isn’t accepted by the world. When these things come you have been expecting them, not surprised by them.
If we want to truly understand and embrace the way of the cross, then we must renew our minds to understand the attitude and values of the kingdom and renounce the attitudes and values of our worldly, fleshly, carnal system.
In Mark 8, Jesus began to explain to his disciples that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and he would be killed. Peter then took him aside to reprimand Jesus for saying such things.
Jesus then addressed the root of Peter’s messed up values as well as the root of our messed up values—Satan. “Get away from me Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from Gods!”
For us to understand the cross, we must embrace God’s view and not that of human, carnal nature.
The sinful nature says to “be angry and sin.” The cross says, “Be angry and sin not.” The sinful nature says, “don’t forgive”. The cross says, “You must forgive”. The sinful nature says, “I want to be served”. The cross says, “Give up your rights and serve others.” The sinful nature says, “I want to be popular and accepted by the world.” The cross says, “If you follow after Christ, you will be hated by the world.”
Philippians 3:10-11 says, “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!”
Most of us have no problem stating that we want to “know Christ”. Most of us have no problem stating that we want to “experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.” Where we all struggle is when Paul says, “I want to suffer with him…”
In order for us to truly be Disciples of Christ, we must be willing to carry our cross and endure whatever may come.
Friday, June 03, 2011
Family Vision
As I sit at my desk this morning I’m really doing a lot of meditating on vision. You hear a lot of talk about vision these days. Organizations and business’ have visions. Private and Public schools have visions. Churches and ministries have visions. But this morning, I wasn’t thinking about the vision of a successful business, organization, or even church vision—I was thinking about the vision of my own family. As a young man I certainly don't come close to "having all the answers"(nor will I ever), but I am giving my life to seeing God's realities come to pass in my family. I have searched the scriptues about family, seen some of the best examples in the world lived out in front of me, and convinced God has given me the same opportunity as any other believer to see family lived out biblically. I actually have spent some of the morning writing out a "vision" for my nuclear family unit.
When you talk about vision, you are talking about an unfolding future possibility. Have you ever thought about the future possibilities or realities for your own family? What it could become? What your marriage could be like? What your children could become? What your home could be to the community it was placed in?
We have strategies and plans to meet our monthly quotas in business. We have our strategies and plans to give young people the best education possible. We have strategies and plans to give excellent service and quality food at restaurants but have you ever considered what your strategy and plan is for your own family becoming a biblically functioning family? A family that is striving to be the family the word of God says it can be? The type of family that dares to carry out the God given, God ordained, and God mandated roles and responsibilities the Bible gives it? The family that looks so absolutely different then the families that make up “the world” and our culture around us? This doesn’t just “happen” anymore than a business man with no business plan thinking he can just “wing it” and believe he can reach his personal or companies goals. It must be purposeful, intentional, and focused.
We live in a world, even in the church world, where marriages are crumbling by the minute. Marriages that don’t necessarily even end up in divorce but marriages that are a far cry from the type of marriage the Bible says believers are to have. Many of “Christian” marriages still look so much like the world. Passive husbands/fathers not taking the spiritual role of leadership that God Almighty commands and demands of them. Wives/Mothers who are fighting to “prove themselves” that they are just as capable as “making it in the world” as their spouse. Spouses who nag, fight, and belittle one another. Children/Teenagers who “run the house” and show more respect and honor to a stranger than to their own parents. Young adults who are leaving the faith by the droves after high school. Is this what Christ died for? Is this the life Christ died to give us? Is this the reality of a biblically functioning home?
An athletic team would never go on the playing field without a game plan. An army would never go to battle without a battle plan. This is much more important than a football game. We are talking about a game plan that would combat the devices of the enemy of the family of God and an offense to see God’s possibilities for our lives and families become a reality for our lives and families.
The bible is our “road map”. The Bible is our “instruction manual”. The Bible is God’s way for God’s family to live the life of God in our homes. It shows us who we are, who we can become. It shows us how our families are to live and what our families can become.
Is there such a thing as perfect unity in a marriage? Is there such a thing as a husband that loves, leads, and models a godly example to his wife and kids? Is there such a thing as a wife that helps her husband fulfill the work and destiny of her husband? Is there such a thing as a wife that respects and submits to her husband? Is there such a thing as children who actually obey and honor their parents? Is there such a thing of multi-generational faithfulness? Can these things become a reality or is it just wishful thinking? Not only can these things become a reality they must become a reality. Not only can they happen, they must happen!
Family is the heartbeat of God. It is the basic unit of relationships. It is the foundation on which churches and communities thrive. And it is the very thing that the enemy has targeted and attempted to destroy in order to hinder the church, discipleship, evangelism, and multi-generational faithfulness. It is the very thing we must “get back” in order to save our dying world.
I encourage you to sit down, search the scriptures, and write out what God says about a true biblical family. You will find it weaved throughout the entire word of God.
“Without vision the people perish”. (Proverbs 29:18)
Without true biblical vision our families will perish.
When you talk about vision, you are talking about an unfolding future possibility. Have you ever thought about the future possibilities or realities for your own family? What it could become? What your marriage could be like? What your children could become? What your home could be to the community it was placed in?
We have strategies and plans to meet our monthly quotas in business. We have our strategies and plans to give young people the best education possible. We have strategies and plans to give excellent service and quality food at restaurants but have you ever considered what your strategy and plan is for your own family becoming a biblically functioning family? A family that is striving to be the family the word of God says it can be? The type of family that dares to carry out the God given, God ordained, and God mandated roles and responsibilities the Bible gives it? The family that looks so absolutely different then the families that make up “the world” and our culture around us? This doesn’t just “happen” anymore than a business man with no business plan thinking he can just “wing it” and believe he can reach his personal or companies goals. It must be purposeful, intentional, and focused.
We live in a world, even in the church world, where marriages are crumbling by the minute. Marriages that don’t necessarily even end up in divorce but marriages that are a far cry from the type of marriage the Bible says believers are to have. Many of “Christian” marriages still look so much like the world. Passive husbands/fathers not taking the spiritual role of leadership that God Almighty commands and demands of them. Wives/Mothers who are fighting to “prove themselves” that they are just as capable as “making it in the world” as their spouse. Spouses who nag, fight, and belittle one another. Children/Teenagers who “run the house” and show more respect and honor to a stranger than to their own parents. Young adults who are leaving the faith by the droves after high school. Is this what Christ died for? Is this the life Christ died to give us? Is this the reality of a biblically functioning home?
An athletic team would never go on the playing field without a game plan. An army would never go to battle without a battle plan. This is much more important than a football game. We are talking about a game plan that would combat the devices of the enemy of the family of God and an offense to see God’s possibilities for our lives and families become a reality for our lives and families.
The bible is our “road map”. The Bible is our “instruction manual”. The Bible is God’s way for God’s family to live the life of God in our homes. It shows us who we are, who we can become. It shows us how our families are to live and what our families can become.
Is there such a thing as perfect unity in a marriage? Is there such a thing as a husband that loves, leads, and models a godly example to his wife and kids? Is there such a thing as a wife that helps her husband fulfill the work and destiny of her husband? Is there such a thing as a wife that respects and submits to her husband? Is there such a thing as children who actually obey and honor their parents? Is there such a thing of multi-generational faithfulness? Can these things become a reality or is it just wishful thinking? Not only can these things become a reality they must become a reality. Not only can they happen, they must happen!
Family is the heartbeat of God. It is the basic unit of relationships. It is the foundation on which churches and communities thrive. And it is the very thing that the enemy has targeted and attempted to destroy in order to hinder the church, discipleship, evangelism, and multi-generational faithfulness. It is the very thing we must “get back” in order to save our dying world.
I encourage you to sit down, search the scriptures, and write out what God says about a true biblical family. You will find it weaved throughout the entire word of God.
“Without vision the people perish”. (Proverbs 29:18)
Without true biblical vision our families will perish.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Billy Hornsby 1949-2011
Billy’s Greatest Ministry
I first met Billy Hornsby (then known by me as “Uncle Billy) over 27 years ago when I was only 5 years old. He had planted and pastored a small church here in West Monroe, Louisiana know as “Victory Fellowship” (the same place that I would eventually be ordained and serve in known as “Life Church”). I can remember, even as a little boy, being so saddened when I heard he and his family were moving to West Germany to become missionaries. How could a man have such an impact even on a little boy of 5 years of age?
Through the years my dad supported him and kept some sort of contact with him. I can remember when I was “reaquainted” with “Uncle Billy” in the year 2000. I had began preaching then and felt that call of God on my life to be in the ministry “full-time”. This made my dad very nervous so he called Billy, who was now living in Baker, Louisiana and on staff at Bethany World Prayer Center, to give me some direction. “Bro. Billy” invited me to come and stay with he and Charlene for 4-5 days. He “tested my character” by making me dig a drainage ditch near his house (which I didn’t like-hence the undeveloped character). A few days into my trip he invited me on what would be one of the greatest transformational trips of my life-my first foreign mission trip to Brazil. On this trip Billy spoke before hundreds or maybe even thousands of people. He allowed me to get up before he spoke each service to share. Why would someone so well known spend time with me, invest in me, and believe in me when he could have invited anyone else?
I sent Bro. Billy the following email just last year. It reads:
Bro. Billy,
I just wanted to take a second to thank you for what you have mean to me all of these years. I will never forget the time you have invested in me and everything else you mean to me. I cherish the times I was able to stay with you in your home(s) and the times I was able to go with you on trips. I miss being able to be around you like I use to very, very much. Thank you for loving me in spite of my shortcomings and many failures. Here are a few things I am thankful for “Bro. or Uncle Billy” for:
1. For founding the church that I would eventually first serve at.
2. For taking me on my first mission trips. (I know you could have taken anybody)
3. For allowing me the opportunities to speak or share in front of the people when I was with you on these trips.
4. For giving me “an offering” in the airport on our way back from Venezuela. (You may not remember that but I never will). You asked, “Did they give you an offering?” and I said, “No sir.” You then gave me a wad of cash!
5. For surprising me on my wedding day by flying in. I will never forget walking out of the side of the church to get ready to walk down the isle and seeing you walk up. It meant the world to me.
6. Thank you for allowing me to come in your home in Baker and in South Carolina.
7. Thank you for you and Mrs. Charlene being a WONDERFUL example of what family is. I wish Jodi could have been with me on several of my stays in your home.
8. Thank you for allowing me to come hunting in South Carolina.
9. I cherish our hunting memories at our hunting club!
10. Thank you for you and Pastor Joel ordaining me.
11. Thank you for being patient with me during my “cage stage” years.
12. Thank you for taking the time to take my calls or answer my emails.
13. Thank you for always being so “positive” in your outlook in life.
These are just several of the MANY things I am thankful for concerning you.
Love you Brother Billy!Although
Bro. Billy left a huge personal impact on my life and family I know his impact has spread to literally thousands of people, families, pastors, and churches. He was the forerunner in the Association of Related Churches (ARC) that some of the fasting growing churches in America are associated with. Here is a full-press release that was posted on Church of the Highlands website by Pastor Chris Hodges:
Billy Hornsby, founder and President of the Association of Related Churches (ARC) and teaching pastor at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama, went to be with the Lord on March 23, 2011, surrounded by family and friends. Billy, 61, had been battling cancer for over two years. He was known for his contagious love and passion for God, family, life, and leaders around the world.
Church of the Highlands will host a memorial service celebrating Pastor Billy’s life at the Grants Mill Campus on Monday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. CDT. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Association of Related Churches (ARC), a non-profit ministry which trains, resources and supports church planters.
Billy was born on April 18, 1949 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He married his childhood sweetheart Charlene in 1967. Their ministry together began in 1975 in West Monroe, Louisiana where they started their first church, Victory Fellowship. In 1984 they moved to Germany to serve as missionaries where they planted and supported churches all across Europe. Billy and Charlene moved back to the USA in 1989 and started two new churches in Kentucky. In 1991 they moved back to their hometown in Louisiana to serve as Associate Pastor at Bethany World Prayer Center. Under Pastor Larry Stockstill’s leadership, Billy launched hundreds of small groups at Bethany and trained thousands of other churches in cell church ministry.
In 2001 Billy and Charlene moved to Charleston, South Carolina to serve at Seacoast Church with Pastor Greg Surratt. During his time there, Billy and Greg began to dream about planting life-giving churches all across the country. In 2001, Billy and Greg, along with Dino Rizzo, Rick Bezet, Scott Hornsby, and Chris Hodges, founded the Association of Related Churches. ARC is now one of the largest church planting organizations in the country and trains thousands of church planters every year and gives millions of dollars annually to church planters. In 2008, Billy and Charlene moved to Birmingham, Alabama where the ARC is currently headquartered.
Billy also served as European Coordinator for EQUIP, a non-profit organization founded by John C. Maxwell which specializes in the development of international Christian leaders. Under Billy’s leadership, hundreds of thousands of new leaders have been trained in Europe over the past ten years.
Pastor Billy was also an author and well-known speaker. His books include “The Cell-Driven Church,” “Success for the Second in Command,” “101 Rules for Relationships,” and “The Attractional Church.”
Billy is survived by his wife of 43 years, Charlene; daughter Tammy Hodges and son-in-law Chris; daughter Trudy Bezet and son-in-law David; daughter Shary Long and son-in-law Phil; eight grandchildren: Natalie Gravois, Sarah, Michael, David, Jonathan, and Joseph Hodges, Wesley and Abby Long; brothers Frank Hornsby, Leon Hornsby, Scott Hornsby, and sister Suzanne Hobgood. Billy is preceded in death by two grandchildren, Will Long and Joy Long.
You read all of the above and you wonder, “What more could a man “be” and “do”? Although Billy was apart of wonderful churches, was a wonderful mentor to so many pastors and men, and touched the lives of literally thousands of people, these were not Billy’s “greatest ministries”. Does this shock and surprise you?
I’ve been in the ministry long enough to see that so many mininsters try to “win the world” at the expense of their own families. Our greatest ministry as ministers or pastors will always be “the ministry to our families” first—the Word of God clearly explains that.
Billy’s greatest ministry-his family. First to his marriage to Charlene.
Marriage was first created and instituted by God—even before his mention of the church in scripture. Our marriages are to be a Godly view and example of Christ’s wonderful love and example of his relationship to the church. This greatest example I’ve ever witnessed of a Godly marriage was Billy and Charlene Hornsby. Having the opportunity to be in almost every home they’ve lived in I watched—and I watched closely. I watched how Billy was kind, loving, gentle, and caring to Ms. Charlene. I watched how Charlene loved, served, submitted to,and cared for Billy. THIS was what I envyed and longed for in my own marriage one day! I looked at their marriage and I see what the Holy Spirit was illustrating in Ephesians 5:22-33, 21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.
25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.[a] 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body.
31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”[b] 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Qualifications on eldership in the church even speaks of the necessity of a leaders family being managed well.
“He must be faithful to his wife…He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot mangage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church.” (I. Timothy 3:4-5)
Billy’s greatest ministry-secondly, his children.
“Didn’t I make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. For I hate divorce says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” ” (Malachi 2:15-16)The Lord tells us what he wants from our marriages—Godly offspring! Godly Children!
Billy and Charlene have three wonderful and Godly daughters! They all serve the Lord! They all have honored and respected him! They loveed being around him!
Billy’s greatest ministry-Godly generations to come.
“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.” (Pslam 145:4a)
From Billy and Charlene’s union of come three Godly daughters! But it hasn’t stopped there…the generations of Godliest is continuing. The passing of their faith is continuing. Our of Billy and Charlene’s union have come three Godly daughters, who married three Godly men (all of who are in the ministry), and now they have produced Godly offspring from THEIR UNION! Start doing the math! Can you see 3, 4, 5, and 6 generations of Godliness beginning with Billy and Charlene’s union? The generational faithfulness? The amount of finances given to missions? The servants of God that will rise up JUST from this family?
Now, what is incredible is that Billy did both—had a Godly family AND impacted thousands of people. This day in age, that is AMAZING!
Thank you for your incredible example Bro. Billy and thank you for the incredible example your family continues to be and live!
I love you!
Beck
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Holy Ghost Boldness!
Jesus said that he is "the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6) The Bible also tells us in John 18:37 that, Pilate said, "So you are a king?" Jesus responded, "You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true." Jesus IS TRUTH!
Jesus also tells us in John 8:44c that, "He (the devil) has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies." Even in the beginning we see the Devil trying to decieve Eve by planting seeds of doubt in her mind, "Did
We learn very quickly that there is a battle between truth and lies! The devil always has and always will hate the truth! Therefore, when truth is presented he will do whatever he can to oppose it, stop it, and use counterfeit tactis to decieve people to lead them away from the truth.
In Acts 3, God uses Peter to pray for a man that had been crippled from birth. The power of God touched the man who had been crippled for more than 40 years and the man who once was crippled could walk! This presented an opportunity for Peter to preach the no nonsense truth of the gospel to the people. As a result many believed and were saved! But there was another power at work...Peter and John were confronted by the priests and some of the other religious leaders. Peter, who was filled with the Holy Ghost, didn't back down from the confrontation but continued to put the truth out there! In Acts 4: 13 it goes on to say, "The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognzied them as men who had been with Jesus." So why is it these men were so bold? What was their confindence being placed in? Thier own wisdom? Thier own education? No, because they had none! Their boldness was a result of being filled with the Holy Ghost of God and they had spent time with Jesus the Christ! When the council couldn't decided what to do with Peter and John or deny the fact that they had seen a miracle, they ordered the apostles never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Didn't Peter and John back down? Did they compromise the truth of the gospel? No, they responded with, "Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:19) The council continued to threaten them and finally let them go because they couldn't deny the fact that they had witnessed a mighty miracle of a man who had never walked!
When Peter and John went back to the other believers they had explained to them everything that they had experienced--the miracle and the threats. In verse 29 it goes on to say, "O Lord hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word...After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness."
We live in a time where preaching the truth with boldness is becoming less and less popular. The enemy of all that is true wants nothing more than to shut down men and women of God from spreading the truth of God's Word. But it is the truth of God's Word that does and will set people free and we can never back away from that!
May I encourage you no matter what kind of threats come your way. No matter who the threats are coming from, be filled with the Holy Spirit and spread God's Word with great boldness! We will need that now more than ever!
Jesus also tells us in John 8:44c that, "He (the devil) has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies." Even in the beginning we see the Devil trying to decieve Eve by planting seeds of doubt in her mind, "Did
We learn very quickly that there is a battle between truth and lies! The devil always has and always will hate the truth! Therefore, when truth is presented he will do whatever he can to oppose it, stop it, and use counterfeit tactis to decieve people to lead them away from the truth.
In Acts 3, God uses Peter to pray for a man that had been crippled from birth. The power of God touched the man who had been crippled for more than 40 years and the man who once was crippled could walk! This presented an opportunity for Peter to preach the no nonsense truth of the gospel to the people. As a result many believed and were saved! But there was another power at work...Peter and John were confronted by the priests and some of the other religious leaders. Peter, who was filled with the Holy Ghost, didn't back down from the confrontation but continued to put the truth out there! In Acts 4: 13 it goes on to say, "The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognzied them as men who had been with Jesus." So why is it these men were so bold? What was their confindence being placed in? Thier own wisdom? Thier own education? No, because they had none! Their boldness was a result of being filled with the Holy Ghost of God and they had spent time with Jesus the Christ! When the council couldn't decided what to do with Peter and John or deny the fact that they had seen a miracle, they ordered the apostles never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Didn't Peter and John back down? Did they compromise the truth of the gospel? No, they responded with, "Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:19) The council continued to threaten them and finally let them go because they couldn't deny the fact that they had witnessed a mighty miracle of a man who had never walked!
When Peter and John went back to the other believers they had explained to them everything that they had experienced--the miracle and the threats. In verse 29 it goes on to say, "O Lord hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word...After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness."
We live in a time where preaching the truth with boldness is becoming less and less popular. The enemy of all that is true wants nothing more than to shut down men and women of God from spreading the truth of God's Word. But it is the truth of God's Word that does and will set people free and we can never back away from that!
May I encourage you no matter what kind of threats come your way. No matter who the threats are coming from, be filled with the Holy Spirit and spread God's Word with great boldness! We will need that now more than ever!
Monday, March 07, 2011
Desperate Deliberate Faith
“A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Luke 8: 43-48)
Here was a woman that had suffered for twelve long years with an “issue of blood.” In another accout from the Gospel of Matthew we learn that she actually had gone to many different sources for her healing but instead of getting better, she got worse. She was tired of looking for her miracle in all the wrong places. Here is a woman that was desperate for a touch from God! She finally came to a point in her life where she was desperate enough to do anything. Fighting through the crowd she came up behind Jesus with a “desperate deliberate faith” and touched the fringe of his robe! Her touch was desperate and deliberate. Desperate because she had suffered for so long and run out of options. Delieberate, because she knew exactly what she needed from God-healing! In her "desperate and deliberate" step in faith, she immediately was healed! Jesus knew that someone had “deliberately touched him” and that healing power had left his body! The disciples tried to tell him that many people had “touched” him but Jesus knew that there was one in the crowd that had really “touched him”! It wasn’t just a brush on the robe, or an accidental encouter. No, this woman deliberately touched Jesus Christ! Her faith touched him!
Maybe you are dealing not with an “issue of blood” but an “issue of life”. Maybe it is a physical issue, but maybe it’s more than that. Maybe it is a spiritual issue. Maybe it is a financial issue or a difficult situation you find your family in. Desperate times call for desperate measures! At what point will you allow yourself to come to before you say, “I don’t care what I have to do, I’m going to touch Jesus Christ! I don't care how much I have to pray and fast--I'm going to touch Jesus! I don’t care what kind of crowd I have to push through! I don’t care what kind of sacrifices I have to make! I don't care how radical my obedience may appear! I don’t care how stupied or foolish I may look to the world or even other Christians-I am desperate! I am desperate to touch Jesus with my faith and in turn have him touch me like only He can!
Desperate people can do all kinds of things so therefore we must be deliberate about approaching the throne of God. It is my prayer that you reach out in faith—desperate faith, and touch not only the robe of Jesus Christ, but the heart of God!
Here was a woman that had suffered for twelve long years with an “issue of blood.” In another accout from the Gospel of Matthew we learn that she actually had gone to many different sources for her healing but instead of getting better, she got worse. She was tired of looking for her miracle in all the wrong places. Here is a woman that was desperate for a touch from God! She finally came to a point in her life where she was desperate enough to do anything. Fighting through the crowd she came up behind Jesus with a “desperate deliberate faith” and touched the fringe of his robe! Her touch was desperate and deliberate. Desperate because she had suffered for so long and run out of options. Delieberate, because she knew exactly what she needed from God-healing! In her "desperate and deliberate" step in faith, she immediately was healed! Jesus knew that someone had “deliberately touched him” and that healing power had left his body! The disciples tried to tell him that many people had “touched” him but Jesus knew that there was one in the crowd that had really “touched him”! It wasn’t just a brush on the robe, or an accidental encouter. No, this woman deliberately touched Jesus Christ! Her faith touched him!
Maybe you are dealing not with an “issue of blood” but an “issue of life”. Maybe it is a physical issue, but maybe it’s more than that. Maybe it is a spiritual issue. Maybe it is a financial issue or a difficult situation you find your family in. Desperate times call for desperate measures! At what point will you allow yourself to come to before you say, “I don’t care what I have to do, I’m going to touch Jesus Christ! I don't care how much I have to pray and fast--I'm going to touch Jesus! I don’t care what kind of crowd I have to push through! I don’t care what kind of sacrifices I have to make! I don't care how radical my obedience may appear! I don’t care how stupied or foolish I may look to the world or even other Christians-I am desperate! I am desperate to touch Jesus with my faith and in turn have him touch me like only He can!
Desperate people can do all kinds of things so therefore we must be deliberate about approaching the throne of God. It is my prayer that you reach out in faith—desperate faith, and touch not only the robe of Jesus Christ, but the heart of God!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
My Confession
My Confession…
May today’s confession be a daily confession unto you God.
You are God…and I am not.
You are Soveriegn…and I am not.
You have always been…and I have not.
You hold the world in your hands…and I do not.
You see my total future…although I cannot.
I can completely trust in you…and I will!
Just me or did you feel perfect peace come over your soul?
May today’s confession be a daily confession unto you God.
You are God…and I am not.
You are Soveriegn…and I am not.
You have always been…and I have not.
You hold the world in your hands…and I do not.
You see my total future…although I cannot.
I can completely trust in you…and I will!
Just me or did you feel perfect peace come over your soul?
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Finding Strength in Trust
"Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31)
As human beings, we all are prone to becoming tired, weak, and weary. I'm so glad that the God that we serve never experiences any of these things! He fully understands the things in life that we will never understand and because of his depth of understanding we can rest assured by trusting in Him.
"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength."
It is when we begin trusting in ourselves, in our flesh, and in our own understanding that we will find ourselves tired, frustrated, and worn out! We are prone to find strength in trusting in ourselves, our education, our emotions, etc. But when we come to the place where we fully put our hope and trust in God, it is there where we will find new strength! It is when we are fully trusting God we will be able to soar high like eagles!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Because of our experiences in life, we as human beings find it hard to trust. Humans can lie, humans can let us down, but God is the one we can fully trust with all of our heart! We are to walk through life FULLY trusting God in every circumstance, what seems to be good and bad. There are certainly times in life that we do not, in our finite mind, understand everything. We are commanded to not depend on our understanding, which is so shallow at times, but to fully trust in the one who understands all things! So when we find ourselves in situations in life that we don't quite understand, we are to continue to seek HIS will in everything we do and trust in the Sovereignty of God to direct us!
Trust God today and experience new strength and peace like no other!
As human beings, we all are prone to becoming tired, weak, and weary. I'm so glad that the God that we serve never experiences any of these things! He fully understands the things in life that we will never understand and because of his depth of understanding we can rest assured by trusting in Him.
"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength."
It is when we begin trusting in ourselves, in our flesh, and in our own understanding that we will find ourselves tired, frustrated, and worn out! We are prone to find strength in trusting in ourselves, our education, our emotions, etc. But when we come to the place where we fully put our hope and trust in God, it is there where we will find new strength! It is when we are fully trusting God we will be able to soar high like eagles!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Because of our experiences in life, we as human beings find it hard to trust. Humans can lie, humans can let us down, but God is the one we can fully trust with all of our heart! We are to walk through life FULLY trusting God in every circumstance, what seems to be good and bad. There are certainly times in life that we do not, in our finite mind, understand everything. We are commanded to not depend on our understanding, which is so shallow at times, but to fully trust in the one who understands all things! So when we find ourselves in situations in life that we don't quite understand, we are to continue to seek HIS will in everything we do and trust in the Sovereignty of God to direct us!
Trust God today and experience new strength and peace like no other!
Monday, December 06, 2010
Children's Home Outreach
Jodi and I took the 9th Grade Boys and the 8th Grade Girls small groups to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home yesterday. "Joy Cottage" is made up of three girls and two boys and "The Pierce's" are the cottage parents. We all got them gifts and had the priviledge of watching them open them up yesterday! We all hung out, played some XBox, football, archery, and loved on them! I was so pround of how our teens engaged with each of them!
Thursday, December 02, 2010
The Gospel According to Scrooge!!!
For over ten years Family Church has blessed the community with the "Gospel According to Scrooge". This is a powerful "broadway like" presentation when Ebenezer Scrooge comes face to face with "another chance" with life concerning Jesus Christ. You DONT want to miss!
Performances start tonight at 7 P.M.!
The dates are Dec. 2-4 & 9-11, 7 P.M. December 12 @ 3 P.M. is the Matinee!
Tickets are available online at www.familychurch.org and General Admission is FREE!
Reserved seating is only $10 and can be purchased online!
There will be opportunities to "meet the cast" after each night's performance as well as hot chocolate, coffe, and spice cider!
Hope to see you there!
Performances start tonight at 7 P.M.!
The dates are Dec. 2-4 & 9-11, 7 P.M. December 12 @ 3 P.M. is the Matinee!
Tickets are available online at www.familychurch.org and General Admission is FREE!
Reserved seating is only $10 and can be purchased online!
There will be opportunities to "meet the cast" after each night's performance as well as hot chocolate, coffe, and spice cider!
Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thankful!!!
Here are some things I am thankful for...
1) God's amazing love that he continues to show me daily through Jesus Christ my Lord.
2) An amazing wife he gave me to do life with! God certainly handpicked her for me!
3) Two wonderful daughters! "Children are a gift from the Lord..." I love being a dad!
4) Being able to be apart of the staff team at Family Church!
5) Being able to be apart of the Body of Christ here at Family Church! What a great place to grow your faith and family!
6) The wonderful teens, youth workers, and families that are apart of E3 Student Ministry!
7) Wonderful friends that are apart of my life! I am so thankful for people that pray, encourage, sharpen, and believe in you!
8) Being able to have the resources to help and bless people!
9) Being able to spend a little bit of time in the woods with a hobby that refreshes my soul!
10) Being able to spend time with extended family and friends during this season of the year!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
1) God's amazing love that he continues to show me daily through Jesus Christ my Lord.
2) An amazing wife he gave me to do life with! God certainly handpicked her for me!
3) Two wonderful daughters! "Children are a gift from the Lord..." I love being a dad!
4) Being able to be apart of the staff team at Family Church!
5) Being able to be apart of the Body of Christ here at Family Church! What a great place to grow your faith and family!
6) The wonderful teens, youth workers, and families that are apart of E3 Student Ministry!
7) Wonderful friends that are apart of my life! I am so thankful for people that pray, encourage, sharpen, and believe in you!
8) Being able to have the resources to help and bless people!
9) Being able to spend a little bit of time in the woods with a hobby that refreshes my soul!
10) Being able to spend time with extended family and friends during this season of the year!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Finally joined the "Twitter" world!
Most teenagers are so engaged in the world of technology that we live in. Me? I'm usually several years behind!
Twitter is a social networking and microblogging service that allows you answer the question, "What are you doing?" by sending short text messages 140 characters in length, called "tweets", to your friends, or "followers."
I'd like to use this resource to stay engaged with friends, students, and parents about life and other things. I may send out random things that are going on personally or send out encouraging messages, challenges, etc.
If you don't "twitter" you can go to www.twitter.com and sign up free today so you can start recieving messages!
Beck
Twitter is a social networking and microblogging service that allows you answer the question, "What are you doing?" by sending short text messages 140 characters in length, called "tweets", to your friends, or "followers."
I'd like to use this resource to stay engaged with friends, students, and parents about life and other things. I may send out random things that are going on personally or send out encouraging messages, challenges, etc.
If you don't "twitter" you can go to www.twitter.com and sign up free today so you can start recieving messages!
Beck
As for Me and My Family
I had the honor of speaking during this past Sunday morning's service at Family Church. I spoke a message entitled, "As for Me and My Family" that was directed towards the men of our congregation.
You can view it via the internet at www.familychurch.org
It should be up this Wednesday afternoon.
You can view it via the internet at www.familychurch.org
It should be up this Wednesday afternoon.
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