Saturday, April 30, 2011

Legacy


Praise the Lord! That whole passage about a man's quiver being full and being blessed with children hit me today. We were just snapping pictures one after another within a crowd of people doing the same after Mel's college graduation. I looked at the awesome picture taken on my fancy phone, and it was good...very good. Teresa and I have been blessed beyond measure with four great kids. I suddenly realized the best part of any ministry I do or have done for God's kingdom is going to be so much greater through their continued faithfulness. Each one of them serves the Lord faithfully no matter what their occupation is. That is incredible! --- I know why after God made the man and the woman, He said about creation "it is very good." He saw the potential in them. In this picture I see a tremendous legacy of which I am not worthy. Not in the picture is their loving mother who has been a great influence on them. Taking the picture was me, just a so-so dad. I am thankful for God's amazing grace. Thank you for this special day God. Thank you for parents that cared for me, and passed that on. Thank you for the people around me that helped shape me. Thank you for always being there. ---I'm not writing me off, but I do hope more of us will be intentional in leaving a godly legacy behind. To be continued...

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Judges 2:1-9 Devotion

The angel of the LORD came and spoke to Israel prior to Joshua's death. He placed a judgment on them. He first reminded them that God will keep the promises He made to their ancestors. He reminded them that their part in the covenant was to not make covenants with the people living in the land. They were to destroy the altars of the false gods these people worshiped. However, they disobeyed God and there would be consequences. Although the land would still be their land, God would no longer drive the people out before them. In essence, God was giving them what they wanted. Apparently they wanted to work for it, God was going to let them work for it. He let them know that these people still living in the land would be a thorn in their side, and their gods would be a constant temptation to them.---This is why God calls us to be holy, separate from the world. If we keep these "gods" nearby (even though we don't believe in them)they will be a constant temptation. Do you ever have times you seem to be under constant temptation? Maybe there is an idol lying around the house, or people in "your land" you need to stay clear of. ---Biblical truth.
See Romans 1 to see how God will let us go as far away as we want from Him.
See 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 about the "thorn" in the flesh.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Catch of Breath

It was great to see so many of our folks serve faithfully this weekend at our Annual Community Easter Event and our Resurrection Sunday service. It is always great to see the church working together. We've been in prayer for 40 Days and visited the land several times over that period. There was a bunch of stuff going on. Just remember, it all starts with prayer, continues in prayer, and will be a great success through persevering prayer. ---that sermon on the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus re-engaging in prayer continues to resonate in me. ---I don't know your status right now, but I hope you will stop and catch your breath; and re-engage in prayer. God has a purpose for you, and you need to persevere through prayer to get there.---We praise the LORD for the many that received Christ on Sunday, but we continually pray that people will be Saved on Sunday; and the rest of the week. Pray hard.

I'd love to list the names of all that worked so hard, but I would miss someone. I am humbled to work with so many that lay it all on the line for their LORD.

Friday, April 22, 2011

The World's World View

The world's world view has maintained poverty, war, injustice, addictions, etc. So, why would we want to bring the wisdom of the world into the church? It has caused a divisive world, and it brings divisiveness into the church. It's time the church gets back to the basics. We gotta get back to our roots and that is the power of the cross. Yes, it is foolishness to the world; but it is power to those who believe. The church needs to be helping, loving, making right and praying. ---1 Cor. 1

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Great Start

Great start! We had a little mix up on how to fill out pledge forms and what not, but I thought it worthy to get the corrected word on today's pledge to pay off the Land. We had $102,000 in pledges and $21,198 in monies given today. I had a few folks try to give after the count, and I'm sure we'll get pledges and more next week. There's time to get in, we've got some work left to do. But today, we just praise the Lord, and invite you to continue to pray. You are an awesome group of people. Let's go!
* For those that don't know what this is about. Living Truth Church is working off its debt. We are trying to pay off our 35 acres in 18 months. We owe about $185,000; and that took a big hit today. LTC has ministering to this community for over 10 years now. We can't wait to build our own Ministry Outpost on this land God provided at a really, really good price. Go to livingtruthchurch.com if you would like to help out. (see the Attender page)
To date we've already had over $10,000 given by non-members. Thank you.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Caution:Busyness stunts growth

Caution: busyness will stunt your spiritual growth quicker than anything.---That thought came to me during my Quiet Time this morning. As I was in prayer, I thought about someone who had been growing spiritually by leaps and bounds; but sadly they seemed to have slowed down lately. (This could be anyone. We're all susceptible.)Then, I thought about all the different things that had kept them busy, even away from church (not necessarily bad things, just stuff). The Tempter's goal is to stunt your growth and make a mockery of God. He doesn't have to get you to do horrible sins for that. Often, he will just get you busy in the "rat-race" of life. Beware. So what do I do? Stop, kneel and pray. Slow down, and listen to the voice of God.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Unceasing Prayer

Another form of prayer we don't necessarily think of as a form of prayer is Unceasing Pryaer. If prayer is so desperately needed throughout our day, why do we stop? Sometimes we're good at continued meditation and plain talk with the Lord throughout the day, but other days, not so good. Our days are often scattered, distracted, hapless and noisy. We feel stressed, hurried and breathless. Thoughts race through our minds: good ones and bad ones.---Unceasing prayer has a way of calming us in the storm of the daily rigors of life. It also helps us cut through the bologna. ---But like all prayer, we have to be intentional. Solid prayer lives don't just happen. Peaceful lives don't happen by accident either.
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be madde known to God.---Phil.4:6 Even on the really good days, it's pretty cool to be sending up some praises in prayer. I think God likes that. :)

Friday, April 8, 2011

It Truly is for the Kidz


Over 10 years ago God started a work that somehow got named Living Truth. This movement of people has seen good, bad, indifferent days for sure. We’ve not always got it right, but it isn’t because we haven’t tried. Over 1,000 people have placed their faith in Christ during this time. We’ve impacted different countries, different states, and hopefully have made a dent in this community. It’s taken this long to really see the fruits of Disciples Making Disciples to begin to take hold. We thank every person that has ever been a part of Living Truth. Some have moved away due to jobs and life stuff. Some have moved on because we weren’t the “right” church, and we’ve surely had some Paul and Barnabas experiences. It’s all good. We hope the best for all. Our mission is to share that Jesus Christ is relevant today, worthy to be worshiped and shared boldly with all people. That hasn’t changed. We are thankful for God’s great mercy and His goodness. He has allowed us to get in on what He’s got going on.
For those that don’t know, just over a year ago God gave us the opportunity to purchase 35 acres for our Ministry Outpost of Operations. It is a place for LTC to serve Christ in the community. God gave us a $1,000,000 discount from what the seller was asking the previous year. Sunday, April 17th, we will be coming together in worship on what we are calling In Good Faith Sunday. Our desire is to pay the remaining balance of the land off in eighteen months (approximately $187,000). As a church we’re in the midst of 40 Days of prayer seeking God to search out our hearts, purify and then tell us as individuals how much we should give. On April 17th we will bring our pledge cards of how much God has told us to give for eighteen months, and on that day we will bring as much of that gift as we can; hence the name In Good Faith Sunday.
It should be an exciting day, as we see God bring out the best in his kids. Pray hard.
Disciples Making Disciples really is for the kidz...the next generation. Thank you Jesus for the faithful saints that passed the Gospel on to us. Love ya Jesus.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Stick to What You Know

Most theological arguments are about stuff God hasn't completely answered yet. Many people have no room for God to be mysterious. Some people have the God of the Universe all figured out. Now, I do too. Just kidding. ---I stumbled across this little reminder in Deuteronomy...yeah, Deuteronomy of all places. You skimmed over. We all missed it. In the 29th Chapter, you're thinking you're almost out of Deuteronomy (and into the Promised Land)into speed reading mode. Well, the 29th verse goes like this: "The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions."nlt
I know God is speaking specifically to the children of Israel as they prepare to take the Land of promise, but I think we can gather some truth from the passage. ---Indeed, the Lord has secrets unknown to any man. We are not accountable for what we don't know, so quit worrying about it. However, there is much God has revealed to us...deal with that...obey Him. Do what you know. Many rebel against Christ, because they say they are worried about people in a far-forgotten land. What does God do with children, or people that have supposedly never heard the Gospel? Why do bad things happen to good people? (I could chime in on all of those, but not now.) There may not be complete understanding in this lifetime. Go with what you know. God has revealed much to us...to you. Follow that revelation. You are accountable, at least for what you know. {And stop speed-reading through Numbers and Deuteronomy!}

Prayer of Rest

All around us is chaos and confusion. We often live distracted, hurried, hapless lives with no break in sight. After creating the world God took a break, He rested. We have to be cautious that our prayers aren't always "praying hard" (as ummm...someone says a lot). We need to rest in the Lord while we're alive. Jesus said, "come to me, all you that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." Take a load off in prayer. How do we do that? Make a place and find the time to get quiet in the Lord. Relax. Empty yourself of solving the world's problems or controlling everything and everyone around you. Let go and let God.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Prayer of Adoration

Prayer is our natural response to God's love. Adoration should be a part of every prayer. Yet, as a special form, the prayer of adoration is one of worship, honor and blessing God. We ask for nothing. We seek nothing but to exalt His holy Name. We focus only on the goodness of God. In the prayer of adoration, we just love God for who He is. ---It seems like this should be effortless, but it requires us to deflect from the worship of self to the worship of God. Maybe that sounds harsh, but I think that's why it is so hard to focus at times in only the adoration of God. Thanksgiving and praise are both parts of adoration. See Psalm 35:18; 1 Chron.16:4-36