At the dedication service of the new building for Pastor Willie Lewis and his congregation, I was led to speak on the importance of working on yourself to better the church. Your problems are not to be blamed on the church, the pastor, the music leader or anyone else in church leadership. Timothy was told "If a man cleanse himself from these (sins) he shall be a vessel of honor, fit for the Master's use." God did not save us for salvation alone, but so we would become disciples of the Lord, vessels of honor in God's house. Maybe it is time for all of us to do a little self-examination. The church will be better when the individual members become more dedicated to the Lord.
I dropped Loretta off to pick up some vitamins today and I waited in her car. Since it was 95 degrees outside, I rolled down all the windows and waited for her to come back. As she approached, I rolled up the windows and heard a loud crack come from one in the rear. The windows then would not roll up at all. I decided to take the car by the dealership to see if they could do anything so late in the day (3:00). The lady who took care of us, not only gave us a loaner car, but promised the car would be fixed before the end of the day. It was ready by 5:00! How nice is it when people go out of their way to take care of you. This is how Christians should handle their relationships with each other and with the world. We should go out of our way to do above and beyond what we promise in service to others and ultimately to the Lord Jesus Christ!
Proverbs 27:9 tells of the importance of friends and their wise words of counsel to us. I think a good holiday would be Friends Day. We celebrate mothers and fathers, why not something which lasts and is usually stronger than family ties, friendship? When life is ending, in our old age, we often wish we would have had more close friends. Children move away and we don't get to see grandkids as often as we would like to. Friends can be there on a daily basis. Let's make our thanksgiving list a little longer today by adding the names of our friends. Thank God for friends. Let's not only thank God for them, but thank them personally for making our life a little more complete. Friends are a gift from God!
Psalm 122:6 tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. This has been God's desire for all believers from the Old Testament to the New. In your daily life, as you pray for your own needs, the needs of your family and job, do you also pray for peace in the spiritual hub of the world, Jerusalem? Israel is surrounded by enemies who want to remove them from the earth. Hatred of the Jewish people is spreading around the world and the source is Satan. Our prayers to God should be for another day of peace in Israel so the world can hear the gospel message. We are to love that nation because God does. God has a future for Israel and we part of it. Just like the Church, the nation of Israel will survive all attacks and has an eternal future with God!
This is a week of our senior graduation for Grace Christian School. After Saturday afternoon, a summer like no other awaits the members of the class of 2006. This summer these graduates will begin their lives as adults, making more of their own decisions than ever before. Colleges, universities, trade schools, the military and new employment are on the horizon. It is an exciting, and a sobering time of life. Please keep the graduates in your prayers. They are tomorrow's business, political, and spiritual leaders. God brought us through with the prayers of others. It is our time to return the favor.
Tonight in the midweek service, is my last lesson on "The Glory of the Church." God chose to put His glory, His presence, His Holy Spirit inside an earthen vessel, my body. I don't know why, but it must make sense to Him. If the decision had been left to me, I would have given each new believer a resurrection body to house the Holy Spirit and left them on earth as a supernatural sign to God's power. But God chose the stealth approach. His glory is inside our natural, aging human body. This way, we cannot brag on ourselves, but God gets all the praise. Jesus was born in a manger, raised in obscurity and died on a cross. The Church began in an upper room and met in homes. God has chosen to live in human beings and work behind the scenes until His Son returns in power and great glory. God doesn't do things our way. He does them the right way!
I have been reading my morning update on world conditions and with all that is going on in our own country's political process, the war in Iraq and nuclear buildup in Iran, I am glad God still rules in the affairs of men. Jesus said in the midst of wars, daily world catastrophes and even personal problems, "Let not your heart be troubled." That's a good thing to praise God for today. I have been given His Word and His Spirit so my heart and mind can be at peace. Keeping my mind on the Lord and having God's peace are decisions I must make. I choose this day to walk in peace. Why don't you join me?
I have heard many reports from the people of Tulsa about the Real Answers television program. In the malls and restaurants, Loretta and I have heard how the questions and answers were exactly what the people needed. One man told me he had wondered about a Bible issue for years and never heard anyone teach on it. On the program, I answered that very question. God has blessed the program and now it has a chance to be seen in other markets. Keep the future of Real Answers in your prayers. People need to be taught in the Word and this is a unique way to meet that need. Loretta and I appreciate your partnership with us in spreading the Word.
From what I have heard, our troops understand why we are in Iraq even more than the general population of our country. I have prayed for our nation, for the people to gain an appreciation for our troops and to pray for the future of the people of Iraq. They deserve a democracy and a chance to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have switched much of my praying to the troops and military leaders, for them to be encouraged in the truth. We are fighting for a people who were enslaved and oppressed. They have seen our troops come in and fight to free them to set their own course and destiny as a nation. Please pray more for our military. They deserve our appreciation. It would be nice also for you to contact our representatives in Washington and let them know you appreciate their support for our troops also. God bless America!
I hate to be the judge over the weather, but I think we have had enough rain. Everything is so green and the drought seems to be over. I remember the Sunday service just a few weeks ago when we prayed for rain to fall on our dry state and city. It came in great volumes the next day and has remained for a few weeks. I hope this answer to prayer gave you an incentive to pray for more results in your own life. If God cares about our state and city, think of how much He must love you, His own child. Try praying more today for your needs. Dust your faith off and use it for the meeting of needs in your life and the lives of others. God promised us our prayers would be answered if we would ask Him in faith.
We're showing the movie Luther in the church auditorium tonight. Loretta and I were taken to see the film by members of our congregation. We loved it so much we took other friends to see it also. We immediately bought the DVD when it came out and have recommended it to many other people. Since I am teaching on the value of our Bible on Sunday mornings, this film will fit right in and help us appreciate even more the value of having our own Bible in our own language. Martin Luther's fight with the Catholic Church over the right for individuals to own and understand the Bible is the story of this film and one of the pivotal points in church history. You will not want to miss this presentation. Skip dinner and eat hot dogs and chips, drink a Coke and enjoy popcorn during the movie. All the proceeds will go to our youth group. See you tonight at 7:00 pm.
I heard the other day that the unemployment rate in Tulsa is one of the lowest in the nation. It is hard not to work in our city. Prayer has gone up for Tulsa from our congregation and others around the city for prosperity. God does not bless a city only because the leadership is good or the righteous are in office. God blesses a city, a nation, and a business because believers pray. Don't let down on your prayers for our nation, our city, your place of employment or your family. The prayers of the righteous avail much.
Yesterday's sermon makes me even more appreciative of the truth we have in our Bible, the Word of God. The DaVinci Code book and movie are only another attempt by the world to take Jesus and the Father from the attention of men. I like what Psalm 2 says, "...he that sits in the heavens shall laugh." God laughs because He knows the pointlessness of trying to dethrone God. Many have tried it in the past and will continue to do so in the future. All will come to the same fate. Man and all his arguments will be gone and God and His Word will live forever! So, whatever trouble you have in your life, it will be alright. God will take care of it and you will survive all the attacks against you. With God's Word in your heart and on your lips, you will outlast every attack.
The weekend is upon us and Sunday is only a couple of days away. As a pastor I know how important it is to be prepared for the service with prayer and preparation for the sermon. Yet, what about you? It is just as important to be prepared as a member of God's congregation. I will ENTER His gates with thanksgiving. I will ENTER His courts with praise. Now is the time to begin to meditate on having your heart and spiritual ears open to God's direction and power this Sunday.
Loretta and I took the high school seniors out to lunch this week. I was proud to see them all together, laughing and planning on their future. This class has the highest composite test scores on record. Yet, the most important thing they will leave Grace Christian School this year with will be a closer relationship with the Lord and a foundation of character built on God's word. They will do well. Add them to your daily prayer list for doors to open to them in college, vocation, military and anything else they choose to do in life.
I think the drought is over. It must be because the meteorologist on the news last night said it must be. We had a lot of rain at one time and the rest has come slowly over many days. It is nice of the Lord to send the rain one drop at a time. What if the rain came all at one time, one large wall of water. God breaks everything down into small portions to give us time to receive it. Our blessings come daily, our healing comes as recovery, our finances come one paycheck at a time we grow "here a little, there a little" and we live the Christian life one day at a time. God knows better than to flood us with blessings. He gives us what we can handle at the moment.
Sunday night Larry Huggins told us to have a spiritual trunk at the end of the bed and throw all our problems, worries and unforgiveness of the day into it before we go to bed. That way we will not have it when we wake up in the morning. We can start each day out fresh. If you were not there, you now know the most important part of his sermon (at least to me). I needed to hear that. It sure helped when I got up this morning.
The rain let up for one day and it is beautiful. Monday is my day off from church work, but not a day off from the Lord. That's like taking a day off from being a parent or child. You are what you are. You can only take off from doing what you do, never from what you are. Being a Christian is more what you are than what you do. So, it's alright to enjoy not having to be up early, get dressed and get the kids ready for church. But, don't forget to thank God for all He will do today.
School has only a few more weeks then students will be off for three months. God does not take days off and that should make us glad. On your vacations and holidays this summer, don't forget to pray and take time to study God's Word. Since God does not take a day off, neither should you. Fellowship with God is not like a day at the office where you can take off at 5 p.m. It is also not like school where you attend for nine months and take off three. Fellowship and communion with God through prayer and fellowship with the scripture is non-stop. Since God is always there for you, why don't you make the decision today to be there for Him?
Have you ever thought of Thursday as an "in-between day"? It's not the "hump day" like Wednesday. It's also not like Friday, the "kickoff" to the weekend. Thursday is just kind of there. Do you think God thinks that way in heaven? Do you think He ever faces an "in-between day"?
Everyday with God is special. He does not look forward to Sunday so His power can operate in the church. He does not look forward to Wednesday night so He can get His Word into us. Each day with God is a miracle day, a learning day, a healing day, and a blessing day. Let this day be your day for answered prayer and for reaping harvests you have already planted. This is the day the Lord has made!
I have known Walter Hallum for many years and consider him a great minister and a good friend. His church in La Marque, Texas is a wonderful monument to the power of the Word and the Holy Spirit. I would love for my friend to become your friend. Whatever you have planned for tonight, set it aside and come and hear the challenging message I know Walter will bring to you.
How often have you called for someone to work on your house or yard and they did not show up when they promised? You can't seem to reach them for a few days and when you do, they tell you how busy they have been. Why didn't they call and let you know they could not make it? Keeping your word is such an important part of life. The sad thing is that not keeping your word is not a monopoly for unbelievers, but is also found among Christians. Proverbs 25:1 tells us that our reputation is something to be treasured. So make a strong effort today, this Tuesday, to build a strong reputation.
It’s always amazing to see the intense green
of spring after the brown of winter. What
a contrast. The recent rain was an answer
to prayer and it is amazing how much rain we got
in such a short period of time. Watering
the lawn is never as good as a rain from heaven. The
sudden change in nature is so apparent after a
downpour from the sky. It’s kind of
like studying and praying at home compared to the
Word and prayer in church. It is alright
at home, but it is wonderful at church.
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