Hello Soldiers & fellow followers of Jesus,
I'm not going to blog this weekend as we are heading off for family camp in Wasilla. I will start up blogging daily again when I return so keep checking back!
Just a quick reminder - The soldiers of Homer will still hold church services - Sunday school at the Corps at 10:00 am and holiness meeting at 11:00 am. Don't think that simply because the "officer" (pastor) is gone that the saints can't have an encounter with God in His Church - so pray for the holiness meeting in town, and all those gathering together at Family Camp too - He's the God of the double portion - we can all get blessed this weekend!
For those wanting to caravan together we will leave for camp on Friday the 31st at 8:30 from the Corps.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Witnessing to "Pirate Bob"
Hello soldiers and fellow followers of Jesus,
I just wanted to ask if you've witnessed to your "Pirate Bob" yet.
In our little town of Homer (about 5,000 people) it seems everybody know, or knows of, everybody else. This past week both Captain Michelle and I had separate encounters with who we called "Pirate Bob" (did I mention he wears an eye patch). We see him around every year, always hitch hiking or needing an "annual" clothing voucher - he is homeless and seems to disappear for the winter. Although we have helped him through the thrift store neither of us have every had personal contact with him.
This past week I finally stopped to talk with him because he recognised the uniform and asked me for help while I was out about town (NOTE TO SOLIDER & OFFICERS - wear your uniforms PLEASE they are great witnessing tools - I'll save a rant for another blog). After kneeling down to his level (sitting by some bushes at the job center in town) I took the time to ask what he needed and listen to his story for a little while. After promising to come back I went and got what I thought would at least help his immediate need a little. I had intended to dive into a spiritual conversation one way or another on my return. When I got back he was reading a small new testament (which he told me he got for free at our thrift store). To help decide where he was with the Lord I asked, "who is Jesus to you". Without going into the whole story he did have some understanding of Christ and the gospel and had made a commitment on some level to Him. In the end I know I have opened a door to future talks and at least know he's has a bible and knows the gospel message. Before I left I prayed over my brother, and mentioned the way of salvation again in prayer.
Now for you... If you are like me there are a lot more folks in town, many I see every day (could I shamefully even admit that some I interact with everyday) who haven't had me start a spiritual conversation with - convicted I'd have to say - yes there are.
So let's do something about it!
Have you witnessed to your "pirate Bob" yet? Eternity is a stake. Share the gospel with someone you care about (friend or stranger) today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I just wanted to ask if you've witnessed to your "Pirate Bob" yet.
In our little town of Homer (about 5,000 people) it seems everybody know, or knows of, everybody else. This past week both Captain Michelle and I had separate encounters with who we called "Pirate Bob" (did I mention he wears an eye patch). We see him around every year, always hitch hiking or needing an "annual" clothing voucher - he is homeless and seems to disappear for the winter. Although we have helped him through the thrift store neither of us have every had personal contact with him.
This past week I finally stopped to talk with him because he recognised the uniform and asked me for help while I was out about town (NOTE TO SOLIDER & OFFICERS - wear your uniforms PLEASE they are great witnessing tools - I'll save a rant for another blog). After kneeling down to his level (sitting by some bushes at the job center in town) I took the time to ask what he needed and listen to his story for a little while. After promising to come back I went and got what I thought would at least help his immediate need a little. I had intended to dive into a spiritual conversation one way or another on my return. When I got back he was reading a small new testament (which he told me he got for free at our thrift store). To help decide where he was with the Lord I asked, "who is Jesus to you". Without going into the whole story he did have some understanding of Christ and the gospel and had made a commitment on some level to Him. In the end I know I have opened a door to future talks and at least know he's has a bible and knows the gospel message. Before I left I prayed over my brother, and mentioned the way of salvation again in prayer.
Now for you... If you are like me there are a lot more folks in town, many I see every day (could I shamefully even admit that some I interact with everyday) who haven't had me start a spiritual conversation with - convicted I'd have to say - yes there are.
So let's do something about it!
- If you are a solider get your uniform on and people will come to you if you are available.
- If you are a follower of Jesus (uniform wearing or not) get bold, don't be ashamed, what can man do to us, share your faith.
- Remember it is God who makes things grow - so technically you can't mess up what He wants to do correct??? So just go plant some seeds - share your story - start a conversation - dive in and let the Holy Spirit direct the encounter.
Have you witnessed to your "pirate Bob" yet? Eternity is a stake. Share the gospel with someone you care about (friend or stranger) today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
I should have runned away from my brain - overcoming temptation
"I should have runned away from my brain"
Quite the comment right? These are the profound words of my 6 year old right before the good spanking for disobeying (a repeat offense I might add).
The first time she expressed the concept of temptation she said "her head told her to do it" and she said, "no, I'll get in trouble". She told me this conversation went back and forth about 3 times (word for word) and then... "I did it".
We discussed the greater biblical concepts of taking your thoughts captive, running away from sin, that you will always get caught eventually, and the inevitability of consequences (not with all those big words of course - but she got the point).
After that first time, following discussing, and punishment there was sorrow, forgiveness, and restoration.
Just a couple days ago she did the same thing again and as I pulled her aside for "the talk" (the kind she knows comes before a spanking) and she started off with with that great phrase, "I should have runned away from my brain".
Wow... out of the mouth of babes, so easy an adult could get it.
Here are two verses for you to recall the next time you need to tell the devil to flee - or to run away from "your brain".
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
James 1:13-15 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
For your own good and the glory of God - don't forget to "runned away from your brain" if you need to today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Quite the comment right? These are the profound words of my 6 year old right before the good spanking for disobeying (a repeat offense I might add).
The first time she expressed the concept of temptation she said "her head told her to do it" and she said, "no, I'll get in trouble". She told me this conversation went back and forth about 3 times (word for word) and then... "I did it".
We discussed the greater biblical concepts of taking your thoughts captive, running away from sin, that you will always get caught eventually, and the inevitability of consequences (not with all those big words of course - but she got the point).
After that first time, following discussing, and punishment there was sorrow, forgiveness, and restoration.
Just a couple days ago she did the same thing again and as I pulled her aside for "the talk" (the kind she knows comes before a spanking) and she started off with with that great phrase, "I should have runned away from my brain".
Wow... out of the mouth of babes, so easy an adult could get it.
Here are two verses for you to recall the next time you need to tell the devil to flee - or to run away from "your brain".
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
James 1:13-15 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
For your own good and the glory of God - don't forget to "runned away from your brain" if you need to today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - live a life worthy of the gospel
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For a simple fill in the blank page and a written outline of this message see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For a simple fill in the blank page and a written outline of this message see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Have a blessed Sunday - Faith for Greater things!
My prayer for you, is the same for me, that God would increase our faith - and give us faith for greater things.
On Wednesday night our Corps has a meal and study (currently focused on one to one evangelism) and I mentioned the prophetic word I was given at camp this past week (see the post on July 22nd). When I mentioned it there was an immediate "out loud" praise by several that were there, obviously ready to accept God's Word that growth should be a part of every Christian Community, church, and Corps.
Lord give us faith to believe that if we will do our part (obedience) that you will be faithful - not because we did anything great, but simply to exalt Your Name. Lord give us faith for greater things.
In our Salvation Army Songbook #769 Albert Orsborn penned these words...
What a work the Lord has done
1. What a work the Lord has done by his saving grace;
Let us praise him, every one, in his holy place.
He has saved us gloriously, led us onward faithfully,
Yet he promised we should see even greater things.
Greater things! Greater things!
Give us faith, O Lord, we pray,
Faith for greater things.
2. Sanctify thy name, O Lord, by thy people here,
For the altar or the sword! Save us from our fear
When the battle rages fast; Help us in the fiery blast,
Let us not be overcast, Prove thy greater things.
3. Every comrade, Lord, we pray, Thou wilt richly bless;
Lead us forth into the fray, One in holiness,
One in faith and harmony, One in perfect charity;
Then we know that we shall see even greater things.
On Wednesday night our Corps has a meal and study (currently focused on one to one evangelism) and I mentioned the prophetic word I was given at camp this past week (see the post on July 22nd). When I mentioned it there was an immediate "out loud" praise by several that were there, obviously ready to accept God's Word that growth should be a part of every Christian Community, church, and Corps.
Lord give us faith to believe that if we will do our part (obedience) that you will be faithful - not because we did anything great, but simply to exalt Your Name. Lord give us faith for greater things.
In our Salvation Army Songbook #769 Albert Orsborn penned these words...
What a work the Lord has done
1. What a work the Lord has done by his saving grace;
Let us praise him, every one, in his holy place.
He has saved us gloriously, led us onward faithfully,
Yet he promised we should see even greater things.
Greater things! Greater things!
Give us faith, O Lord, we pray,
Faith for greater things.
2. Sanctify thy name, O Lord, by thy people here,
For the altar or the sword! Save us from our fear
When the battle rages fast; Help us in the fiery blast,
Let us not be overcast, Prove thy greater things.
3. Every comrade, Lord, we pray, Thou wilt richly bless;
Lead us forth into the fray, One in holiness,
One in faith and harmony, One in perfect charity;
Then we know that we shall see even greater things.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Michael Jackson's REAL cause of death!
Of course no one but the Lord knows where Michael is right now - if he at the end of his life had complete trust in Jesus Christ alone for his salvation and repented of his sins, then he is saved for eternity, but anything less that true repentance would cause him to miss heaven and earn hell for his sins - JUST LIKE WOULD HAPPEN TO ME!
Make sure you trust in Jesus alone today, repent of your every sin. Salvation is more than just a one time prayer for Jesus to "come into your life" it is about the surrender of your life to now be lived for HIM!
10 out of 10 people will die some day - 100% of all of us will pass into eternity - make sure you are right with God today through Jesus Christ.
In John 14:6 Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
"Soldier up" and tell everyone you care about (if you know them or not) about how to find Salvation!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Proper Crowns - a copy of an email by evangelist Mark Cahill
I had this in my inbox today and thought I'd pass it on...
Proper Crowns (from Mark Cahill Ministries - I'll note I did changed his verses to NIV from King James)
As I am sitting here watching the memorial for Michael Jackson, many things come to mind. One is how quickly life can pass. Michael Jackson is from my generation. He is just a few years older than me. Back in the day, I used to listen to a lot of his music. Now it seems people want to talk about his music, his legacy, his money; and since he died, I have only had one thing on my mind: where is he now? Where is he spending eternity? Who did he say Jesus was during his lifetime? What Christians took the time to witness to Him? I am also wondering how many Christians who crossed his path in his 50 years on planet earth, are regretting that they did not take the time to boldly proclaim Biblical truths into his life that he so desperately needed.
One of the names given to Michael was the King of Pop. We also had Elvis, who was known as the King of Rock and Roll. Now we know that kings and queens have crowns. Royalty has always liked money, power, and the things that come with it. And if you are a Bible reader, you know that God’s Word talks about crowns as well.
The word crown shows up 82 times in the Bible. You have earthly crowns like the one that is being put on Queen Esther in Esther 2:17, and you have spiritual crowns.
1 Thessalonians 2:19 says, For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?
As a believer, our crown of rejoicing should be in the hope of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ! There is so much hopelessness in this world we live in, and it is probably only going to get worse. We need to give people hope, and that hope is only in the Lord.
2 Timothy 4:8 states, Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Is there anyone out there that is excited about His appearing?!! We should all be striving for the crown of righteousness that He will give out, but that crown will only go to the righteous.
James 1:12 says, Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Keep fighting against temptation. Fight hard against it. Keep loving Jesus above all else in this world. The crown of life awaits those who do.
1 Peter 5:4 states, And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
God’s crowns do not fade away. Make sure you get them when you die.
Revelations 2:10 says, Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Finish well in the race towards death. Don’t give in to the things of the world. Strive to receive the crown of life!
Revelation 4:10 tells us, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne..:
I want to make sure when I die that I have got crowns to lay at the feet of our Lord on His throne. You don’t want to be empty handed on that day.
But of course, the greatest crown of all had nothing to do with gold.
Matthew 27:29 says, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said.
You see the world hates this crown. This is the one they don’t want to wear, and don’t want to live for. Most people in the world today would rather have a crown of gold that will not make it past the grave. This crown shed the blood that can wash the world of its sins. But this world lives for self. It lives for what it sees, and not for what it can’t see.
As this world drifts farther and farther away from Jesus Christ and more and more into sin, hold on very tight to Jesus. The King of Kings; the true King of the universe; the only King that matters; will be showing up pretty soon; and if you are not here for His appearing, you will be there when you appear before Him on judgment day. Make sure you are ready.
Until the nets are full,
Mark Cahill
----------------------
P.S. I love his sign off, "until the nets are full"
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Proper Crowns (from Mark Cahill Ministries - I'll note I did changed his verses to NIV from King James)
As I am sitting here watching the memorial for Michael Jackson, many things come to mind. One is how quickly life can pass. Michael Jackson is from my generation. He is just a few years older than me. Back in the day, I used to listen to a lot of his music. Now it seems people want to talk about his music, his legacy, his money; and since he died, I have only had one thing on my mind: where is he now? Where is he spending eternity? Who did he say Jesus was during his lifetime? What Christians took the time to witness to Him? I am also wondering how many Christians who crossed his path in his 50 years on planet earth, are regretting that they did not take the time to boldly proclaim Biblical truths into his life that he so desperately needed.
One of the names given to Michael was the King of Pop. We also had Elvis, who was known as the King of Rock and Roll. Now we know that kings and queens have crowns. Royalty has always liked money, power, and the things that come with it. And if you are a Bible reader, you know that God’s Word talks about crowns as well.
The word crown shows up 82 times in the Bible. You have earthly crowns like the one that is being put on Queen Esther in Esther 2:17, and you have spiritual crowns.
1 Thessalonians 2:19 says, For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?
As a believer, our crown of rejoicing should be in the hope of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ! There is so much hopelessness in this world we live in, and it is probably only going to get worse. We need to give people hope, and that hope is only in the Lord.
2 Timothy 4:8 states, Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Is there anyone out there that is excited about His appearing?!! We should all be striving for the crown of righteousness that He will give out, but that crown will only go to the righteous.
James 1:12 says, Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Keep fighting against temptation. Fight hard against it. Keep loving Jesus above all else in this world. The crown of life awaits those who do.
1 Peter 5:4 states, And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
God’s crowns do not fade away. Make sure you get them when you die.
Revelations 2:10 says, Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Finish well in the race towards death. Don’t give in to the things of the world. Strive to receive the crown of life!
Revelation 4:10 tells us, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne..:
I want to make sure when I die that I have got crowns to lay at the feet of our Lord on His throne. You don’t want to be empty handed on that day.
But of course, the greatest crown of all had nothing to do with gold.
Matthew 27:29 says, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said.
You see the world hates this crown. This is the one they don’t want to wear, and don’t want to live for. Most people in the world today would rather have a crown of gold that will not make it past the grave. This crown shed the blood that can wash the world of its sins. But this world lives for self. It lives for what it sees, and not for what it can’t see.
As this world drifts farther and farther away from Jesus Christ and more and more into sin, hold on very tight to Jesus. The King of Kings; the true King of the universe; the only King that matters; will be showing up pretty soon; and if you are not here for His appearing, you will be there when you appear before Him on judgment day. Make sure you are ready.
Until the nets are full,
Mark Cahill
----------------------
P.S. I love his sign off, "until the nets are full"
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Captain's meditation on Jeremiah 1:4-10
This scripture passage is the call of God to Jeremiah to be His prophet.
Jeremiah 1:4-10 says... 4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." 6 "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." 7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. 9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."
Just a couple of thoughts... (not original to me, but profound to me)....
The first is proclaim God's Word - the gospel - that salvation is only through trust in Jesus alone who lived, died for our sins, and rose from the dead. Do not be afraid of anyone or anything because He will deliver if necessary - but most of the time it just costs us discomfort and not our lives - so share the message of Jesus.
Listen to Catherine Booths comment on this passage... "I am tired of hearing the words 'I can't'. Jeremiah said, 'I am a child'; but the Lord didn't pat him on the back and say, Jeremiah, that is very good, I like that in you; your humility is beautiful.' Oh no! God didn't want any such mock humility. He reproved and rebuked it. I do not like the humility that is too humble to do as it is bid. When my children are too humble to do as they are bid, I pretty soon find a way to make them. I say, 'Go and do it!' The Lord wants us to 'go and do it'." - Catherine Booth
The second thought is that God will put His Word into our mouths - so when we speak God's Word (although it is with our voice and "sounds" like us - it is actually Him). God has given us His Word, His gospel, and our voices for the furtherment of His Kingdom - get out there and share with the world.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Jeremiah 1:4-10 says... 4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." 6 "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." 7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. 9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."
Just a couple of thoughts... (not original to me, but profound to me)....
The first is proclaim God's Word - the gospel - that salvation is only through trust in Jesus alone who lived, died for our sins, and rose from the dead. Do not be afraid of anyone or anything because He will deliver if necessary - but most of the time it just costs us discomfort and not our lives - so share the message of Jesus.
Listen to Catherine Booths comment on this passage... "I am tired of hearing the words 'I can't'. Jeremiah said, 'I am a child'; but the Lord didn't pat him on the back and say, Jeremiah, that is very good, I like that in you; your humility is beautiful.' Oh no! God didn't want any such mock humility. He reproved and rebuked it. I do not like the humility that is too humble to do as it is bid. When my children are too humble to do as they are bid, I pretty soon find a way to make them. I say, 'Go and do it!' The Lord wants us to 'go and do it'." - Catherine Booth
The second thought is that God will put His Word into our mouths - so when we speak God's Word (although it is with our voice and "sounds" like us - it is actually Him). God has given us His Word, His gospel, and our voices for the furtherment of His Kingdom - get out there and share with the world.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
a phrophetic word
Hello soldiers, Friends and fellow followers of Jesus,
I just wanted to pass on this prophetic word given to me at camp this past week. Another salvationist (a new friend) prayed over me while feeling ill and I felt the best I had in weeks (praise be to God). In addition to that amazing relief from my illness he told me of a dream in which we had over 100 people coming to our corps. He then said, "are you ready?" and that it was to happen within a year! AMEN and "Let it be so Lord Jesus". May God by His power at work within His church and His saints accomplish this.
Just wanted to pass on the encouraging word - do you have doubts about this fellow saints of Homer? Remember that with God all things are possible - nothing is impossible with God - He can do immeasurable more than all we ask, dare, hope or imagine - if we abide in Him we will bear much fruit (because we are connected to the vine).
May God completely shatter what we have come to believe is "rational" growth. Lord give us a supernatural increase not because of us, but for YOUR GREAT NAME.
Now - to my soldiers and friends abroad we covet your prayers.
To my soldiers and fellow saints in Homer - preach the good news that Jesus died for the sins of the world, He rose again, and offers salvation to all who will repent of their sins, turn to Him alone and believe. Go live a transformed life of pure holiness unto the Lord. Then keep your eyes wide open looking for both opportunities and GROWTH for HIS KINGDOM.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I just wanted to pass on this prophetic word given to me at camp this past week. Another salvationist (a new friend) prayed over me while feeling ill and I felt the best I had in weeks (praise be to God). In addition to that amazing relief from my illness he told me of a dream in which we had over 100 people coming to our corps. He then said, "are you ready?" and that it was to happen within a year! AMEN and "Let it be so Lord Jesus". May God by His power at work within His church and His saints accomplish this.
Just wanted to pass on the encouraging word - do you have doubts about this fellow saints of Homer? Remember that with God all things are possible - nothing is impossible with God - He can do immeasurable more than all we ask, dare, hope or imagine - if we abide in Him we will bear much fruit (because we are connected to the vine).
May God completely shatter what we have come to believe is "rational" growth. Lord give us a supernatural increase not because of us, but for YOUR GREAT NAME.
Now - to my soldiers and friends abroad we covet your prayers.
To my soldiers and fellow saints in Homer - preach the good news that Jesus died for the sins of the world, He rose again, and offers salvation to all who will repent of their sins, turn to Him alone and believe. Go live a transformed life of pure holiness unto the Lord. Then keep your eyes wide open looking for both opportunities and GROWTH for HIS KINGDOM.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Captain's meditation on Revelation 3:14-22
I have preached on, and heard many sermons and studies on the Laodicean church, but a comment in a sermon called "lukewarm no more" by Mark Cahill really touched me yesterday.
Go ahead and look up Revelation 3:14-22 and read God's Word for yourself.
After mentioning the words of Jesus, that because He knows their deeds and that they are neither hot nor cold he is going to spit (or vomit) them out of His mouth, we are reminded that this rebuke is because Jesus says I LOVE YOU.
I won't preach the whole passage now - but you really should read it.
After mentioning to this lukewarm church about how they make Jesus sick we read these lines...
verse 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Even when I make Christ sick with my "lukewarm" living - He still loves me. I know this through and through, but as I considered the aspects of my life that are lukewarm and was convicted that He deserves so much more (and hotter) from my life - again I hear the reassuring words of God's love to me.
Today, if you are truly saved by trusting alone in Christ as your Savior, and have proof of your salvation seen in a life change and words and deeds to reflect what He has done for you,... and if you know you are lukewarm (perhaps in personal out-loud hot evangelism - or on fire holy living seeking only His glory in all things)... and if you feel conviction for it - know this - God's conviction, even rebuke, is a call from a Loving God who is calling you back to higher and "hotter" living.
Receive the loving call of Christ to return to being "fired up" for Him.
Let's live on fire for Christ today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Go ahead and look up Revelation 3:14-22 and read God's Word for yourself.
After mentioning the words of Jesus, that because He knows their deeds and that they are neither hot nor cold he is going to spit (or vomit) them out of His mouth, we are reminded that this rebuke is because Jesus says I LOVE YOU.
I won't preach the whole passage now - but you really should read it.
After mentioning to this lukewarm church about how they make Jesus sick we read these lines...
verse 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Even when I make Christ sick with my "lukewarm" living - He still loves me. I know this through and through, but as I considered the aspects of my life that are lukewarm and was convicted that He deserves so much more (and hotter) from my life - again I hear the reassuring words of God's love to me.
Today, if you are truly saved by trusting alone in Christ as your Savior, and have proof of your salvation seen in a life change and words and deeds to reflect what He has done for you,... and if you know you are lukewarm (perhaps in personal out-loud hot evangelism - or on fire holy living seeking only His glory in all things)... and if you feel conviction for it - know this - God's conviction, even rebuke, is a call from a Loving God who is calling you back to higher and "hotter" living.
Receive the loving call of Christ to return to being "fired up" for Him.
Let's live on fire for Christ today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - live and die with joy
Sorry that the audio is a little poor this week because of a recording error - it should be back to normal next week.
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For a simple fill in the blank page and a written outline of this message see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For a simple fill in the blank page and a written outline of this message see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Have a blessed Sunday! - A Camp Report
Hello soldiers, Friends, and fellow followers of Jesus Christ,
A great report having returned from camp. We had 90 kids between S.A.Y. (7-12 year olds) and Teen camp (13-18). Some interesting challenges - yes. Many troubled kids - yes. (This was not just for Salvation Army youth, but open to all the communities of Alaska).
I was only really a part of Teen Camp, but saw many make recommitments, heard many truly considering the things of Christ, saw an acquaintance from long ago (who has been away from "the church") come back with her family and even have the chance to minister to a young person. Her quote was "that young 13 year old girl has no idea how much she blessed me". What an amazing thing when God restores us both to Him and also to His service. I also got to see someone who Michelle and I have invested a lot into over the years serving beyond her comfort zone (after some time away from "the work").
Although physically and emotionally draining being right with the teens 24 hours a day - there were great opportunities and victories. One of my favorite quotes from camp was from a young man in my cabin asking if I was going to read again from the Bible before they went to sleep.
God is so good, the ministry of The Salvation Army King's Lake Camp was great, and the standard at how safe the camp was for everyone involved (on a child safety level) was extraordinary.
May God continue to bless the "camp" experience and produce fruit from all the seeds planted.
For your Sunday today - make sure you take time to read from His Holy Word, to seek Him in prayer, to lift up your voice in a time of Praise and Thanksgiving, and share His gospel with someone you care about (friend, family, or stranger) today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
A great report having returned from camp. We had 90 kids between S.A.Y. (7-12 year olds) and Teen camp (13-18). Some interesting challenges - yes. Many troubled kids - yes. (This was not just for Salvation Army youth, but open to all the communities of Alaska).
I was only really a part of Teen Camp, but saw many make recommitments, heard many truly considering the things of Christ, saw an acquaintance from long ago (who has been away from "the church") come back with her family and even have the chance to minister to a young person. Her quote was "that young 13 year old girl has no idea how much she blessed me". What an amazing thing when God restores us both to Him and also to His service. I also got to see someone who Michelle and I have invested a lot into over the years serving beyond her comfort zone (after some time away from "the work").
Although physically and emotionally draining being right with the teens 24 hours a day - there were great opportunities and victories. One of my favorite quotes from camp was from a young man in my cabin asking if I was going to read again from the Bible before they went to sleep.
God is so good, the ministry of The Salvation Army King's Lake Camp was great, and the standard at how safe the camp was for everyone involved (on a child safety level) was extraordinary.
May God continue to bless the "camp" experience and produce fruit from all the seeds planted.
For your Sunday today - make sure you take time to read from His Holy Word, to seek Him in prayer, to lift up your voice in a time of Praise and Thanksgiving, and share His gospel with someone you care about (friend, family, or stranger) today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Captain Mark gone at camp
While I'm out, here are some verses I was meditating on recently.
Isaiah 8:9-13
9 Raise the war cry, you nations, and be shattered! Listen, all you distant lands. Prepare for battle, and be shattered! Prepare for battle, and be shattered! 10 Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us. Fear God 11 The LORD spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said: 12 "Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. 13 The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, ...
Raise the war cry, God is with us, do not fear, The Lord Almighty is holy...
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Isaiah 8:9-13
9 Raise the war cry, you nations, and be shattered! Listen, all you distant lands. Prepare for battle, and be shattered! Prepare for battle, and be shattered! 10 Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us. Fear God 11 The LORD spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said: 12 "Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. 13 The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, ...
Raise the war cry, God is with us, do not fear, The Lord Almighty is holy...
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Captain Mark gone to camp
While I'm out here are some verses I was meditating on recently.
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge- 10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge- 10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Captain Mark gone to camp
While I'm out - here are some verses I've meditated on recently.
Psalm 84
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Selah 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. 8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Selah 9 Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. 10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Live holy, Preach Jesus!
Psalm 84
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Selah 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. 8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Selah 9 Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. 10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Live holy, Preach Jesus!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Captain Mark gone to camp
While I'm out - here are some verses I've meditated on recently.
Isaiah 30 Woe to the Obstinate Nation
1 "Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; 2 who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh's protection, to Egypt's shade for refuge. 3 But Pharaoh's protection will be to your shame, Egypt's shade will bring you disgrace. 4 Though they have officials in Zoan and their envoys have arrived in Hanes, 5 everyone will be put to shame because of a people useless to them, who bring neither help nor advantage, but only shame and disgrace." 6 An oracle concerning the animals of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lions and lionesses, of adders and darting snakes, the envoys carry their riches on donkeys' backs, their treasures on the humps of camels, to that unprofitable nation, 7 to Egypt, whose help is utterly useless. Therefore I call her Rahab the Do-Nothing. 8 Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness. 9 These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the LORD's instruction. 10 They say to the seers, "See no more visions!" and to the prophets, "Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. 11 Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!" 12 Therefore, this is what the Holy One of Israel says: "Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended on deceit, 13 this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. 14 It will break in pieces like pottery, shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces not a fragment will be found for taking coals from a hearth or scooping water out of a cistern." 15 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. 16 You said, 'No, we will flee on horses.' Therefore you will flee! You said, 'We will ride off on swift horses.' Therefore your pursuers will be swift! 17 A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill." 18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! 19 O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." 22 Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!" 23 He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. 24 The oxen and donkeys that work the soil will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel. 25 In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. 26 The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Isaiah 30 Woe to the Obstinate Nation
1 "Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; 2 who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh's protection, to Egypt's shade for refuge. 3 But Pharaoh's protection will be to your shame, Egypt's shade will bring you disgrace. 4 Though they have officials in Zoan and their envoys have arrived in Hanes, 5 everyone will be put to shame because of a people useless to them, who bring neither help nor advantage, but only shame and disgrace." 6 An oracle concerning the animals of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lions and lionesses, of adders and darting snakes, the envoys carry their riches on donkeys' backs, their treasures on the humps of camels, to that unprofitable nation, 7 to Egypt, whose help is utterly useless. Therefore I call her Rahab the Do-Nothing. 8 Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness. 9 These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the LORD's instruction. 10 They say to the seers, "See no more visions!" and to the prophets, "Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. 11 Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!" 12 Therefore, this is what the Holy One of Israel says: "Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended on deceit, 13 this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. 14 It will break in pieces like pottery, shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces not a fragment will be found for taking coals from a hearth or scooping water out of a cistern." 15 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. 16 You said, 'No, we will flee on horses.' Therefore you will flee! You said, 'We will ride off on swift horses.' Therefore your pursuers will be swift! 17 A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill." 18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! 19 O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." 22 Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!" 23 He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. 24 The oxen and donkeys that work the soil will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel. 25 In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. 26 The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Looking inward with Joy - a series in Philippians
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For a simple notes outline this week see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For a simple notes outline this week see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Off to camp
Hello Soldiers, Friends, and fellow followers of Jesus,
Today I am leaving to take 5 kids to our camp in Palmer / Wasilla area. Please pray for the two camps that are happening Salvation Army Youth (S.A.Y. Camp) and Teen Camp. I've heard there will be a great turn out this year.
I will be leading some of the teen courses.
Please pray first and foremost that God is glorified in all we do, ask for a blessing that we will all have a great week, that young people will come to know Jesus, and for safe travel and camp times for all those coming from across the state.
Since I'll be away, I have set the blog to automatically post some scriptures I have looked at recently. I'll highlight some that I have meditated on, but will leave you to your own to meditate on the scripture itself. Lord willing I will write more upon a safe return, hoping to bring news of a God glorifying week.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Today I am leaving to take 5 kids to our camp in Palmer / Wasilla area. Please pray for the two camps that are happening Salvation Army Youth (S.A.Y. Camp) and Teen Camp. I've heard there will be a great turn out this year.
I will be leading some of the teen courses.
Please pray first and foremost that God is glorified in all we do, ask for a blessing that we will all have a great week, that young people will come to know Jesus, and for safe travel and camp times for all those coming from across the state.
Since I'll be away, I have set the blog to automatically post some scriptures I have looked at recently. I'll highlight some that I have meditated on, but will leave you to your own to meditate on the scripture itself. Lord willing I will write more upon a safe return, hoping to bring news of a God glorifying week.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Have a Blessed Sunday - take up thy cross and follow
Consider these words by Alfred Ackly (1887-1960)
From our Songbook #978
I walked one day along a country road
1. I walked one day along a country road,
And there a stranger journeyed too;
Bent low beneath the burden of his load;
It was a cross, a cross I knew.
Take up thy cross and follow me,
I hear the blessed Saviour call;
How can I make a lesser sacrifice
When Jesus gave his all?
2. I cried: Lord Jesus! and he spoke my name;
I saw his hands all bruised and torn;
I stooped to kiss away the marks of shame,
The shame for me that he had borne.
3. O let me bear thy cross dear Lord, I cried,
And lo, a cross for me appeared;
The one, forgotten, I had cast aside,
The one so long that I had feared.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
From our Songbook #978
I walked one day along a country road
1. I walked one day along a country road,
And there a stranger journeyed too;
Bent low beneath the burden of his load;
It was a cross, a cross I knew.
Take up thy cross and follow me,
I hear the blessed Saviour call;
How can I make a lesser sacrifice
When Jesus gave his all?
2. I cried: Lord Jesus! and he spoke my name;
I saw his hands all bruised and torn;
I stooped to kiss away the marks of shame,
The shame for me that he had borne.
3. O let me bear thy cross dear Lord, I cried,
And lo, a cross for me appeared;
The one, forgotten, I had cast aside,
The one so long that I had feared.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Know the law and you could win $20,000 Free!
Watch this first - Check out this 6 minute video that explains the whole thing...
Make sure to sign up (it's free)- it takes about 5 minutes to watch the 3 steps before the "sign up page".
In case the "learn the law" video is slow on their website - you can view this you-tube version.
Friday, July 10, 2009
No strange place for the gospel (article from christianitytoday.com)
Passing on this article from Christianity today - click here for the original article
http://www.christianitytoday.com/outreach/articles/nostrangeplaceforthegospel.html
No Strange Place for the Gospel
We must be willing to share the Good News to anyone anywhere. by Diane R. Kinney
Thud-thud-thud. The rhythmic sound bounced off the empty Army barracks in the misty, predawn Kansas morning. The men and women of the 49th Ordnance company were out for a morning run.
"Listen up, people," rang out the sergeant's baritone voice. Whenever he started a cadence in that way, we knew that we would be having some fun.
The sergeant started us singing the "Amen" chorus from the movie "Lilies of the Field."
(I put the you-tube below in case you haven't heard it)
We hesitated for a second, as we had the battalion chaplain running with us this morning. We did not want to seem disrespectful. We were a well-disciplined team, however, so we sang the cadence.
As we finished, from the back of the formation came a voice: "Keep on singing!" It was the chaplain. So we sang another round. Then he told us to sing a little softer. We did. He told us to continue singing. To a quiet background of "Amen, amen, amen … " the chaplain began to preach. For the next three miles he told of Jesus. I remember thinking that it was a strange place for the gospel.
But as I have come to a greater understanding of Jesus' ministry, I now realize that there is no strange place for the gospel. The Good News of Jesus Christ does not belong just inside the four walls of a church.
The chaplain knew that the gospel needs to be brought to where the people are.
Jesus did the same thing. He brought the Good News of salvation to the people, to the marketplace, to the world. He preached on a boat, on a mountaintop, in fields and houses, hilltops and synagogues. Everywhere that Jesus went, he proclaimed the kingdom of heaven.
With those examples, I have learned to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people. I have spoken about the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ to a biker outside a strip club. I have told people about God's love on a merry-go-round, in a grocery store, on airplanes; in Minneapolis, in Amsterdam, in Jerusalem, in New York City. Wherever the people are, I tell them that God loves them. Evangelism is a lifestyle and the gospel has no boundaries.
Diane R. Kinney is staff artist for Decision magazine, and a co-leader for a street-witnessing ministry. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and attends Bethany Missionary Church (nondenominational), in Bloomington.
© 2002 Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. This article first appeared in Decision magazine.
-------------
Live holy, preach Jesus!
http://www.christianitytoday.com/outreach/articles/nostrangeplaceforthegospel.html
No Strange Place for the Gospel
We must be willing to share the Good News to anyone anywhere. by Diane R. Kinney
Thud-thud-thud. The rhythmic sound bounced off the empty Army barracks in the misty, predawn Kansas morning. The men and women of the 49th Ordnance company were out for a morning run.
"Listen up, people," rang out the sergeant's baritone voice. Whenever he started a cadence in that way, we knew that we would be having some fun.
The sergeant started us singing the "Amen" chorus from the movie "Lilies of the Field."
(I put the you-tube below in case you haven't heard it)
We hesitated for a second, as we had the battalion chaplain running with us this morning. We did not want to seem disrespectful. We were a well-disciplined team, however, so we sang the cadence.
As we finished, from the back of the formation came a voice: "Keep on singing!" It was the chaplain. So we sang another round. Then he told us to sing a little softer. We did. He told us to continue singing. To a quiet background of "Amen, amen, amen … " the chaplain began to preach. For the next three miles he told of Jesus. I remember thinking that it was a strange place for the gospel.
But as I have come to a greater understanding of Jesus' ministry, I now realize that there is no strange place for the gospel. The Good News of Jesus Christ does not belong just inside the four walls of a church.
The chaplain knew that the gospel needs to be brought to where the people are.
Jesus did the same thing. He brought the Good News of salvation to the people, to the marketplace, to the world. He preached on a boat, on a mountaintop, in fields and houses, hilltops and synagogues. Everywhere that Jesus went, he proclaimed the kingdom of heaven.
With those examples, I have learned to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people. I have spoken about the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ to a biker outside a strip club. I have told people about God's love on a merry-go-round, in a grocery store, on airplanes; in Minneapolis, in Amsterdam, in Jerusalem, in New York City. Wherever the people are, I tell them that God loves them. Evangelism is a lifestyle and the gospel has no boundaries.
Diane R. Kinney is staff artist for Decision magazine, and a co-leader for a street-witnessing ministry. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and attends Bethany Missionary Church (nondenominational), in Bloomington.
© 2002 Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. This article first appeared in Decision magazine.
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Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Praise report from last night
Hello soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus,
Just a quick update - if you live in Homer, or go to the corps, but are missing out on Wednesday night meal and bible study, you are really missing out on a great time of fellowship and time focusing on the things of God.
We are currently going through a book by Mark Cahill "one thing you can't do in heaven".
Of the praise reports and highlights we had a corps member return from hip surgery, with a walker, a little slower than usual, but didn't want to miss out on the food, fellowship, and time in the word.
We also had one corps member admit that he finally realizes that the only time we loose when sharing our faith is when we say nothing - otherwise it's a win, win, win situation (we either plant a seed, see someone saved, or are rejected for the cause of Christ - 1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.)
My 10 year old daughter realized that when we share the gospel and are mistreated we are in the company of the prophets of God!
Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
Another corps member began to realize that it's not that we "got" to witness, but that we "get" to witness.
As I will be out next week we had a young man offer to lead in my absence (his first time stepping out in faith to "lead" a study) -God is really moving in his life.
All in all a great night, we ended sharing prayer for one another around the table and talking about opportunities to share our faith.
If you live in the Homer area - or are a church member missing out - make time to come by for a meal and study.
God is good all the time.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just a quick update - if you live in Homer, or go to the corps, but are missing out on Wednesday night meal and bible study, you are really missing out on a great time of fellowship and time focusing on the things of God.
We are currently going through a book by Mark Cahill "one thing you can't do in heaven".
Of the praise reports and highlights we had a corps member return from hip surgery, with a walker, a little slower than usual, but didn't want to miss out on the food, fellowship, and time in the word.
We also had one corps member admit that he finally realizes that the only time we loose when sharing our faith is when we say nothing - otherwise it's a win, win, win situation (we either plant a seed, see someone saved, or are rejected for the cause of Christ - 1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.)
My 10 year old daughter realized that when we share the gospel and are mistreated we are in the company of the prophets of God!
Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
Another corps member began to realize that it's not that we "got" to witness, but that we "get" to witness.
As I will be out next week we had a young man offer to lead in my absence (his first time stepping out in faith to "lead" a study) -God is really moving in his life.
All in all a great night, we ended sharing prayer for one another around the table and talking about opportunities to share our faith.
If you live in the Homer area - or are a church member missing out - make time to come by for a meal and study.
God is good all the time.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Poorly placed trust?
The story is told that a national magazine assigned a photographer to take pictures of a forest fire. They told him a small plane would be waiting at the airport to fly him over the fire.
The photographer arrived at the airstrip just an hour before sundown. Sure enough, a small Cessna airplane stood waiting.
He jumped in with his equipment and shouted, "Let's go!" The pilot, a tense-looking man, turned the plane into the wind, and soon they were in the air, though flying erratically.
"Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make several low-level passes."
"Why?" asked the nervous pilot.
"Because I'm going to take pictures!" yelled the photographer. "I'm a photographer, and photographers take pictures."
The pilot replied, "You mean you're not the flight instructor?"
—Source unknown; submitted by Brett Kays to churchlaughs.com
Make sure you trust in no one else than Jesus for your Salvation. Jesus alone saves.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sharing your faith - online and off
Hello soldiers and fellow followers of Jesus,
I just wanted to brag on a young adult who is really striving to share his faith on a new level. He is currently doing some on-line witnessing. Towards the end of our talk he expressed he hoped the conversation of spiritual things wouldn't hurt the friendship, and we agreed (after some honest thought) that a true friend would risk anything to keep another friend out of hell. We also said that although we should try not to be offensive, we must be true to what we believe, and the gospel.
Why don't you risk sharing your faith today, speak to those around you about sin, hell, judgment, heaven, Christ, and salvation. One scenario is you share your faith and then leave it at you are always open to talk if they have questions, until then they are in your prayers, and stay friends. Another scenario is somehow they quit being your friend, but you have told them about the things of eternity and they may someday escape hell and find heaven through Jesus (trust me, they will be your friends there!) One other option is to keep your "surface" level friendship and keep the gospel to yourself - not only will you be disobeying your Lord's command to share the gospel - but your friend may spend eternity in hell (trust me, they will not be your friend if they end up there because you never spoke to them about how Jesus can save them for eternity).
Praise be to God! Soldiers and salvationists are getting motivated to share their faith with their actions and a matching message with their mouth. How are you doing? What friend do you know that you still haven't told about Jesus! Why not talk to them today - online or off.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I just wanted to brag on a young adult who is really striving to share his faith on a new level. He is currently doing some on-line witnessing. Towards the end of our talk he expressed he hoped the conversation of spiritual things wouldn't hurt the friendship, and we agreed (after some honest thought) that a true friend would risk anything to keep another friend out of hell. We also said that although we should try not to be offensive, we must be true to what we believe, and the gospel.
Why don't you risk sharing your faith today, speak to those around you about sin, hell, judgment, heaven, Christ, and salvation. One scenario is you share your faith and then leave it at you are always open to talk if they have questions, until then they are in your prayers, and stay friends. Another scenario is somehow they quit being your friend, but you have told them about the things of eternity and they may someday escape hell and find heaven through Jesus (trust me, they will be your friends there!) One other option is to keep your "surface" level friendship and keep the gospel to yourself - not only will you be disobeying your Lord's command to share the gospel - but your friend may spend eternity in hell (trust me, they will not be your friend if they end up there because you never spoke to them about how Jesus can save them for eternity).
Praise be to God! Soldiers and salvationists are getting motivated to share their faith with their actions and a matching message with their mouth. How are you doing? What friend do you know that you still haven't told about Jesus! Why not talk to them today - online or off.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Proclaim Freedom - You can be free!
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For a sermon notes "fill in page" and manuscript - see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For a sermon notes "fill in page" and manuscript - see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Have a blessed Sunday - A Freedom thought from Scripture and Song Book
Do you believe there is freedom in Christ both for eternity and for your daily life! If so the proclaim liberty to all people - tell them about Jesus Christ.
Here are some freedom thoughts from scripture and song book.
Psalm 146 1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them — the LORD, who remains faithful forever. 7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, 8 the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 10 The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD.
Here is how Charles Wesley agreed with the psalmist...
O for a thousand tongues to sing (song 988)
1. O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise;
The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace!
2. My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad The honors of thy name.
3. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears; 'Tis life and health and peace.
4. He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood avails for me.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Here are some freedom thoughts from scripture and song book.
Psalm 146 1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them — the LORD, who remains faithful forever. 7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, 8 the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 10 The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD.
Here is how Charles Wesley agreed with the psalmist...
O for a thousand tongues to sing (song 988)
1. O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise;
The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace!
2. My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad The honors of thy name.
3. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears; 'Tis life and health and peace.
4. He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood avails for me.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
A week of thoughts on giving
The 6th thing I said I’d do in my articles of war, along with anyone else who has committed to be a Salvation Army Soldier pledged… I will be a faithful steward of my time and gifts, my money and possessions; my body, my mind and my spirit, knowing that I am accountable before God.
I just gave a message on giving and Michelle and I have been led to give more. So on the topic of tithing and giving I re-read The following writing by Keith Drury, taken from a blog from 2006 entitled "What Evangelicals Believe About Tithing" - let me know what you think...?
----------------
I’ve been closely watching the laity the last few decades and I think I am ready to describe what evangelicals believe about tithing. Read it and see how much you agree.
To evangelicals… 5. “Whoever thanks the most gets the most giving in the future.”
Pastors will hate to hear this but it is the truth—the more you thank people the more they’ll give in the future. Parachurch organizations know this. They have to know it—or their money’d dry up. Parachurch organizations study giving patterns and know what encourages people to give. They never scold people to give. They never take gifts for granted. They even hire people to do fund raising. (When’s the last time you heard of a local church hiring a fund raiser?) Local churches take your giving for granted. They act like you owe your tithe to the church and you’re robbing God if you don’t “pay your bills.” Yet even the tiniest parachurch organizations hire fund raisers while giant mega churches still don’t have them. Why is this? They know you’ve got to go about getting money professionally, and not assume people will just give “because it’s right.” Fund raising folk know human nature. They know you’ve got to thank people to get money later. So, let’s say you did send off a $500 check for your nephew’s kayak trip. BAM!—you get a personally signed note thanking you by return mail—five days later, from the President of the ministry, and he includes your tax deductible receipt with a scribbled note on the bottom saying, “Thanks for this—Kevin will be a delight!” Then two days later you’ll get a fancy little wedding-announcement-quality card from Kevin thanking you for your generosity. Then a month later the President of Kayak ministries will send you a really cool CD with last year’s “Kayak Choir” singing hymns. You love the CD and start to play it every Sunday morning before attending church. And of course the following January you’ll your year end statement from the Kayak ministry’s President—this time he’ll write with a bright blue marker on your letter, “Thanks once again for your generosity—I just sent an email this week to Kevin.” This is the sort of gratitude a parachurch organization does routinely. But what of your local church? Let’s say you gave several thousand dollars there last year? I know what happens in most churches. In January you’ll get a computer-generated statement detailing your giving along with a photocopied letter from the pastor “to the congregation.” At the most you’ll get a quarterly statement. Right? No wonder parachurch organizations are getting such a chunk of tithes—they understand people better. Gratitude breeds greater giving. Sure, I know…evangelicals ought to give without being thanked, and they do. But in the future I bet they’ll increasingly be giving where the gratitude comes back the most—and I suspect the local church is going to have to face this fact about people sooner or later.
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
To evangelicals… 5. “Whoever thanks the most gets the most giving in the future.”
Pastors will hate to hear this but it is the truth—the more you thank people the more they’ll give in the future. Parachurch organizations know this. They have to know it—or their money’d dry up. Parachurch organizations study giving patterns and know what encourages people to give. They never scold people to give. They never take gifts for granted. They even hire people to do fund raising. (When’s the last time you heard of a local church hiring a fund raiser?) Local churches take your giving for granted. They act like you owe your tithe to the church and you’re robbing God if you don’t “pay your bills.” Yet even the tiniest parachurch organizations hire fund raisers while giant mega churches still don’t have them. Why is this? They know you’ve got to go about getting money professionally, and not assume people will just give “because it’s right.” Fund raising folk know human nature. They know you’ve got to thank people to get money later. So, let’s say you did send off a $500 check for your nephew’s kayak trip. BAM!—you get a personally signed note thanking you by return mail—five days later, from the President of the ministry, and he includes your tax deductible receipt with a scribbled note on the bottom saying, “Thanks for this—Kevin will be a delight!” Then two days later you’ll get a fancy little wedding-announcement-quality card from Kevin thanking you for your generosity. Then a month later the President of Kayak ministries will send you a really cool CD with last year’s “Kayak Choir” singing hymns. You love the CD and start to play it every Sunday morning before attending church. And of course the following January you’ll your year end statement from the Kayak ministry’s President—this time he’ll write with a bright blue marker on your letter, “Thanks once again for your generosity—I just sent an email this week to Kevin.” This is the sort of gratitude a parachurch organization does routinely. But what of your local church? Let’s say you gave several thousand dollars there last year? I know what happens in most churches. In January you’ll get a computer-generated statement detailing your giving along with a photocopied letter from the pastor “to the congregation.” At the most you’ll get a quarterly statement. Right? No wonder parachurch organizations are getting such a chunk of tithes—they understand people better. Gratitude breeds greater giving. Sure, I know…evangelicals ought to give without being thanked, and they do. But in the future I bet they’ll increasingly be giving where the gratitude comes back the most—and I suspect the local church is going to have to face this fact about people sooner or later.
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
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Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
A week of thoughts on giving
When speaking about living in a way as to give as much to others in the name of Jesus as possible, William Booth said… “Live simply that others may simply live”
I just gave a message on giving and Michelle and I have been led to give more. So on the topic of tithing and giving I re-read The following writing by Keith Drury, taken from a blog from 2006 entitled "What Evangelicals Believe About Tithing" - let me know what you think...?
----------------
I’ve been closely watching the laity the last few decades and I think I am ready to describe what evangelicals believe about tithing. Read it and see how much you agree.
To evangelicals… 4. “Giving to a cause is more satisfying than giving to a church”
Evangelicals hate giving to “overhead.” They love a good cause. This is why it is easier to get people to give to evangelize Kayakers along the Atlantic coast than get them to ante up for the electric bill at your church. Or, their pastor’s salary. Evangelicals treat such “overhead expenses” like they were “government bureaucracy.” They resent giving to overhead. This is why the Gideons have had such fabulous success in fund-raising—they can honestly say, “All our overhead expenses are covered and every cent you give goes directly to Bibles.” They cover their own overhead expenses and evangelicals love this. It fits with their view of government. This is why they’d rather be inspired to buy basketballs for the youth group than pay the heating bill for the youth center where those basketballs are used. They’d rather contribute to the youth trip to Haiti than give toward the youth pastor’s salary so that the youth want to go to Haiti. Evangelicals know these “overhead” expenses need paid, but they hope someone else will pay them. Over the last decades evangelical churches have started catering to this cause orientation. Perhaps we had to. Now local churches now give a short commercials selling their cause before the offerings, sometimes accompanied by a fancy video. The notion of giving as an obligation to God has largely vanished. Most local churches are joining the parachurch organizations in “selling a cause” though we must admit that few can do it as good as even the worst parachurch organizations!
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
To evangelicals… 4. “Giving to a cause is more satisfying than giving to a church”
Evangelicals hate giving to “overhead.” They love a good cause. This is why it is easier to get people to give to evangelize Kayakers along the Atlantic coast than get them to ante up for the electric bill at your church. Or, their pastor’s salary. Evangelicals treat such “overhead expenses” like they were “government bureaucracy.” They resent giving to overhead. This is why the Gideons have had such fabulous success in fund-raising—they can honestly say, “All our overhead expenses are covered and every cent you give goes directly to Bibles.” They cover their own overhead expenses and evangelicals love this. It fits with their view of government. This is why they’d rather be inspired to buy basketballs for the youth group than pay the heating bill for the youth center where those basketballs are used. They’d rather contribute to the youth trip to Haiti than give toward the youth pastor’s salary so that the youth want to go to Haiti. Evangelicals know these “overhead” expenses need paid, but they hope someone else will pay them. Over the last decades evangelical churches have started catering to this cause orientation. Perhaps we had to. Now local churches now give a short commercials selling their cause before the offerings, sometimes accompanied by a fancy video. The notion of giving as an obligation to God has largely vanished. Most local churches are joining the parachurch organizations in “selling a cause” though we must admit that few can do it as good as even the worst parachurch organizations!
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
---------------------
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A week of thoughts on giving
In talking about giving of your time, Richard Slater wrote in the Salvation Army Song Book these words… And dost thou ask a gift from me the gift of passing time? My hours I’ll give, not grudgingly, I feel by right they’re thine.
I just gave a message on giving and Michelle and I have been led to give more. So on the topic of tithing and giving I re-read The following writing by Keith Drury, taken from a blog from 2006 entitled "What Evangelicals Believe About Tithing" - let me know what you think...?
----------------
I’ve been closely watching the laity the last few decades and I think I am ready to describe what evangelicals believe about tithing. Read it and see how much you agree.
To evangelicals… 3. “The tithe should go to the church—but the church is bigger than the local church.”
Evangelicals are a generous people. They’ve blessed a thousand parachurch organizations and mission ministries. Many evangelicals count their giving to these organizations as part of their “tithe.” Pastors say, “You ought to give your tithe to your local church and your offerings (above the tithe) to these worthy causes. But evangelicals don’t buy it. They consider as their “tithe” their total charitable giving spread around “the church.” I think they do this because they’ve been told to believe this. This is what the preachers told them, though not directly. Evangelical preachers say, “the church” is not the visible collection of people before their eyes, but a world-wide invisible gathering of born again believers. They preach that whenever there are believers gathered there the church exists. The evangelical laity adopted this doctrine and have simply applied it to their tithing. Thus, they believe “the church” exists whenever “two or three gather together in His name.” So if two or three Christians found a 503(c)(3) corporation for a “kayak ministry” evangelicals are quite comfortable giving $500 of their tithe toward their nephew’s kayak trek down the Atlantic coast. After all, (in evangelical ecclesiology) the three Christians who formed this adventure camp are “the church” every bit as much as the gathered local church. In fact, many who read this column won’t see anything whatsoever wrong with this view of the church—which only goes to show how far evangelical ecclesiology has wandered off from orthodoxy.
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
To evangelicals… 3. “The tithe should go to the church—but the church is bigger than the local church.”
Evangelicals are a generous people. They’ve blessed a thousand parachurch organizations and mission ministries. Many evangelicals count their giving to these organizations as part of their “tithe.” Pastors say, “You ought to give your tithe to your local church and your offerings (above the tithe) to these worthy causes. But evangelicals don’t buy it. They consider as their “tithe” their total charitable giving spread around “the church.” I think they do this because they’ve been told to believe this. This is what the preachers told them, though not directly. Evangelical preachers say, “the church” is not the visible collection of people before their eyes, but a world-wide invisible gathering of born again believers. They preach that whenever there are believers gathered there the church exists. The evangelical laity adopted this doctrine and have simply applied it to their tithing. Thus, they believe “the church” exists whenever “two or three gather together in His name.” So if two or three Christians found a 503(c)(3) corporation for a “kayak ministry” evangelicals are quite comfortable giving $500 of their tithe toward their nephew’s kayak trek down the Atlantic coast. After all, (in evangelical ecclesiology) the three Christians who formed this adventure camp are “the church” every bit as much as the gathered local church. In fact, many who read this column won’t see anything whatsoever wrong with this view of the church—which only goes to show how far evangelical ecclesiology has wandered off from orthodoxy.
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
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