Why?
This past Sundays sermon was great. If you will recall during the service Pastor Steve made a reference to a pencil and how the eraser was for correcting our mistakes. As I wrote this on my bulletin, I ask myself this question. “Why is the eraser so small?” This average pencil is 7 1/2 inches long which includes the eraser. The eraser makes up a very small part of the overall length, with only ¼ inch usable. What is the pencil manufactures trying to tell us? After spending some time with my question this is my conclusion.
I’m to learn from my mistakes and not repeat them. This is a biblical principle that we need to apply to our lives. The pencil is a picture of my relationship with Jesus, when I ask Him to forgive me of my sins, He does; He writes FORGIVEN, and erases my sins but there’s more! Remember the story in the book of John about the women that committed adultery, Jesus forgave her and then said these words; “Go and sin no more.” Read all about this in John 8:1-11. Jesus’ part is to forgive us; our part is to sin more.
So the question to you and me is, are we learning from our mistakes?
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Doormat Devotion
"Well, what do you believe about...?" That's how many so-called "spiritual discussions" begin. But you'll never get the right answer by asking the wrong question. Too many of us are devoted to an organization or our "Christian service" rather than devotion to Christ as Lord.
Doctrinal belief is important for sure, but it must never replace our devotion to Christ or before long we'll be devoted to a cause instead of to Christ Himself. Carlton made a powerful statement last Sunday as he taught when he said, "Many people believe the Bible is true, they just don't know what's in it!" Wow! What a powerful statement. So that says to me, that many people believe in something they know nothing about, therefore they believe in nothing because their lives never match up to the "Bible" they believe in.
Oswald Chambers said, "...people are offended by Jesus Christ who only want Him as Friend. When Jesus is Lord of our lives our relationship is based on who we are to Him, not what we do for Him. Our Lord's primary obedience was to the the will of His Father, not to the needs of the people - the saving of the people was the natural outcome of His obedience to the Father. If I love Jesus personally and passionately, I can serve humanity even though people treat me like a doormat."
A doormat doesn't mind getting dirty and being scrubbed on. It never forgets its purpose - to be used to clean the soles of feet preparing to enter the house. I'll be a doormat for Christ! Will you? What greater life could we live than touching the "souls" of others God is preparing to enter into His "House" and Kingdom.
The right question is always, "To you, who is Jesus?" All else will rise or fall on the answer to that question.
Later,
Pastor Steve
Doctrinal belief is important for sure, but it must never replace our devotion to Christ or before long we'll be devoted to a cause instead of to Christ Himself. Carlton made a powerful statement last Sunday as he taught when he said, "Many people believe the Bible is true, they just don't know what's in it!" Wow! What a powerful statement. So that says to me, that many people believe in something they know nothing about, therefore they believe in nothing because their lives never match up to the "Bible" they believe in.
Oswald Chambers said, "...people are offended by Jesus Christ who only want Him as Friend. When Jesus is Lord of our lives our relationship is based on who we are to Him, not what we do for Him. Our Lord's primary obedience was to the the will of His Father, not to the needs of the people - the saving of the people was the natural outcome of His obedience to the Father. If I love Jesus personally and passionately, I can serve humanity even though people treat me like a doormat."
A doormat doesn't mind getting dirty and being scrubbed on. It never forgets its purpose - to be used to clean the soles of feet preparing to enter the house. I'll be a doormat for Christ! Will you? What greater life could we live than touching the "souls" of others God is preparing to enter into His "House" and Kingdom.
The right question is always, "To you, who is Jesus?" All else will rise or fall on the answer to that question.
Later,
Pastor Steve
Monday, June 16, 2008
Two Signs of a Growing Church
When Marylin and I attended the Purpose Driven Network Conference at Saddleback a few weeks ago, one of the key points made about a growing church was this: "There are two signs of a growing church: The singing gets better and the the people hang around longer. If you have a church where everyone leaves as soon as it's over, you don't have church, you have a concert." I believe every church may have both. It depends on the heart of the worshiper or attender.
People go to church for many reasons. Some are worshippers and can't wait to get there, be with their friends, and be a part of the singing and message. They are the family called "church" and are likely to serve, hang around, and visit after the service. Some go because it is the thing to do and maybe if we do it, "church" will bring some magic into my life and things will be better. They generally scoot out when the final prayer is said.
But there is one more group; the seeker. They are searching for meaning to life and find it in a relationship with Jesus Christ, the True Seeker. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. Luke 19:10 (NLT) Ten people came to that crossroad this weekend and said yes to becoming a follower of Christ. What an awesome God we serve!
So, it doesn't matter why people attend. What matters is God's word is powerful and when people hear it, and then do it, it is life changing to be sure. So let's be the family Paul commends in his letter to the Romans:
Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13 (NLT)
So this coming weekend, wherever you may worship, be a part of a GROWING CHURCH - Sing it loud and stay awhile! You might just find what you're seeking for.
Pastor Steve
People go to church for many reasons. Some are worshippers and can't wait to get there, be with their friends, and be a part of the singing and message. They are the family called "church" and are likely to serve, hang around, and visit after the service. Some go because it is the thing to do and maybe if we do it, "church" will bring some magic into my life and things will be better. They generally scoot out when the final prayer is said.
But there is one more group; the seeker. They are searching for meaning to life and find it in a relationship with Jesus Christ, the True Seeker. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. Luke 19:10 (NLT) Ten people came to that crossroad this weekend and said yes to becoming a follower of Christ. What an awesome God we serve!
So, it doesn't matter why people attend. What matters is God's word is powerful and when people hear it, and then do it, it is life changing to be sure. So let's be the family Paul commends in his letter to the Romans:
Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13 (NLT)
So this coming weekend, wherever you may worship, be a part of a GROWING CHURCH - Sing it loud and stay awhile! You might just find what you're seeking for.
Pastor Steve
Friday, June 6, 2008
DEAL OR NO DEAL?
I was in business with two of my cousins for years in the farm machinery business. One of them, Larry used to say to our potential sales leads,
He got more people to listen that way as he prepared them for the GREAT news of what he wanted to "help" them with. Oh, they knew he was trying to sell them something, but just the fact that there was a "deal" involved made it worth the listen.
This weekend, "...have I got a deal for you!" And it's a deal for anyone else you might bring with you as well. As a matter of fact - you get to choose! DEAL OR NO DEAL? But we do that everyday don't we? When we choose to either reject or follow God's will he has placed in us or to stubbornly go about our own way which is in essence saying to God - "NO DEAL! I'll take my chances on something better coming along." How many times I've watched that show and said, "Take the deal dummy! Take the deal!" But alas, how many walked away with only an "if only I'd taken the deal" summation.
Don't do life without God. He has a deal for you and a plan to help you grow as you get to know Him better. When he offers - "Take the deal..." well, okay...I'll stop short of "dummy" although to turn down what God offers and take the worlds offer instead? Maybe dummy would be an appropriate name for all of us when we choose our way over God's way.
See you this weekend! Have I got a deal for you!
Pastor Steve
"Boy! Have I got a deal for you!"
He got more people to listen that way as he prepared them for the GREAT news of what he wanted to "help" them with. Oh, they knew he was trying to sell them something, but just the fact that there was a "deal" involved made it worth the listen.
This weekend, "...have I got a deal for you!" And it's a deal for anyone else you might bring with you as well. As a matter of fact - you get to choose! DEAL OR NO DEAL? But we do that everyday don't we? When we choose to either reject or follow God's will he has placed in us or to stubbornly go about our own way which is in essence saying to God - "NO DEAL! I'll take my chances on something better coming along." How many times I've watched that show and said, "Take the deal dummy! Take the deal!" But alas, how many walked away with only an "if only I'd taken the deal" summation.
Don't do life without God. He has a deal for you and a plan to help you grow as you get to know Him better. When he offers - "Take the deal..." well, okay...I'll stop short of "dummy" although to turn down what God offers and take the worlds offer instead? Maybe dummy would be an appropriate name for all of us when we choose our way over God's way.
See you this weekend! Have I got a deal for you!
Pastor Steve
Monday, June 2, 2008
Getting Rid of the Dead Heads
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!I'm not talking about people; but what God taught me this morning as I was taking a break from study. I went out into the yard to stretch my legs and noticed my Million Bells Petunia was full of dead heads. If you're an avid flower and gardening fan, you that means blooms that are dead! And until you remove them, the new flowers can't grow in place of the old ones. The plant loses it's beauty and showiness, which is why I bought it in the first place - to give me and those who see it pleasure!
So I set about the task for the next few minutes, removing the dead heads so that my plant would fill out with new showy growth. Then it happened; God hit me with one of His zingers: "That's what I have to do in your life Steve - you were purchased with the blood of my Son and you give me great pleasure. I have to remove the dead stuff that's keeping you from being all I know you can be in relationship with Me." Busted!
When God is pruning us and cleansing us each day, removing the deadness from our lives, it is for His purpose and glory. Our
"showiness" is never for ourselves but to honor God in everything we do and say. Let me revisit a portion of the teaching from yesterday and give you five purposes that each of us need in order to keep the dead heads out. You need a...
Purpose to live for
People to live with
Principles to live by
Profession to live out
Power to live on
As we live our lives according to God's plan for us, He will be the "gardener" Jesus talks about in John 15 when He said,
"I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. John 15:1 (NLT)
Pastor Steve
PS The responses were great from the weekend! Here are the numbers:
4-Committed their lives to Christ
8-First time guest
3-Second time guest
7-Signed up to become ushers
24-Signed up for daytime women's Life Group
34-Signed up for Life Groups
12-Went through CLASS 101
And the thing that really excited me...
136 names that you're not only praying that they will come to Christ by the end of 2008, but are committed to being a part of the process of introducing them to Christ as well! I can hardly wait for the harvest to start coming in! We will be praying for you and them!
Don't forget to be building on those relationships you have with others and are praying for. Why not invite someone this weekend as we talk about "Deal or No Deal" - I'm not getting a fair deal...or am I? We will be teaching about the love of God and how He treats us as a loving Father. Even when it seems we're getting a raw deal in life, if we really inspect the situation, it might not be such a bad deal after all!
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