Category Archives: Church

by | August 7, 2016 · 6:30 am

My God Is Faithful

I am going to church this morning.

I’m not going as one who wants to show off…as one who wants to be seen…as one who deserves any kind of blessing, healing, or anointing…as one who deserves anything at all.

I’m not going because it’s expected of me, even though it is – I’m the pastor, you know.

I’m not going to prove anything to anyone, especially God, because He knows my heart; He knows me better than I know myself.

I am going to church this morning because my God is faithful, despite my unfaithfulness.

I am going to church this morning because my God deserved to be praised by me in front of others, because I love Him, and I’m not ashamed.

I am going to church this morning. Are you?

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by | July 27, 2016 · 10:36 am

I Am a Soldier. This Is My Creed.

Soldier’s Creed

Hearing a soldier in the United States Military recite his particular “Solder’s Creed,” whether it be with the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Coast Guard, is something quite stirring.

Probably inspired by the military creeds of this world, an unknown author penned the following for soldiers in God’s Army, the Church: those bought with the blood of Christ, wearing the whole armor of God, and marching onward toward victory with the Sword of the Spirit in their hands.

The sooner we come to the realization that we are most certainly engaged in a spiritual war, the better. May we all be willing to stand unashamed…”and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).

The Christian Soldier’s Creed

I am a soldier in the Army of my God.

The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer.

The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer, and the Word are my weapons of warfare.

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this Army, and I am enlisted for eternity.

I will either retire at the Rapture, or die in this Army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.

I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.

If my God needs me, I am there.

If He needs me in the Sunday school to teach the children, work with the youth, help adults, or just sit and learn, I’ll be there.

He can use me because I am there!

I am a soldier.

I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.

I am a soldier.

No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.

I am a soldier.

I am not a wimp.

I am in place saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom!

No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.

I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.

I am committed.

I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.

I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.

I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead.

I will win.

My God has, and will continue, to supply all my needs.

I am more than a conqueror.

I will always triumph.

I can do all things through Christ.

Devils cannot defeat me.

People cannot disillusion me.

Weather cannot weary me.

Sickness cannot stop me.

Battles cannot beat me.

Money cannot buy me.

Governments cannot silence me, and hell cannot handle me.

I am a soldier.

Even death cannot destroy me, for when my Commander calls me from this battlefield He will promote me to Captain and then allow me to rule with Him.

I am a soldier in the Army and I’m marching, claiming victory.

I will not give up.

I will not turn around.

I am a solder marching, heaven bound.

(Author Unknown)

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. – 2 Timothy 2:3

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by | July 17, 2016 · 7:53 am

I Worship Me

I Am That Important

I could stay at home and get some more sleep… because, you know, it’s that important.

I could stay at home and watch some TV… because, you know, it’s that important.

I could sleep a little later, then make a special breakfast… because, you know, it’s that important.

I stay at home, wake up later, make a light breakfast, then take a morning jog when there’s no rush… because, you know, it’s that important.

Or, I could just ignore the needs of my fellow believers; I could assume I’m never missed and my absence makes no difference; and I could just brush aside any biblical commands while I hold God hostage to my demands… because, you know, I am that important.

I am… kinda has a nice ring to it, you think?

Yeah, who needs to go to church on Sunday morning, anyway? Especially when I AM the one I worship the rest of the week.

“For men shall be lovers of their own selves…”  – 2 Timothy 3:2

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by | June 25, 2016 · 1:02 pm

Where Will You Praise Him?

“Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.” – Psalm 111:1

Are you imitating the words of King David in Psalm 111:1?

You can’t do it in front of a television while watching your favorite preacher.

You can’t do it at the ball field watching your favorite child.

You can’t do it sitting in your boat waiting for a bite.

You can’t do it while doing laundry.

You can’t do it reading a devotional while drinking your morning coffee.

You can’t do it while listening to the radio as you make pancakes.

You can’t do it in a hotel room while on vacation.

You can’t do it taking a morning run.

You can’t do it out in the forest while waiting for a 10-point buck to walk by.

You can’t do it in your bed on your only day off.

So, how does one imitate the words of David in Psalm 111:1?

Simple. You go to church.

Hope to see you there!

church glad to go

 

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Are You Glad?

church glad to go

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by | April 24, 2016 · 7:06 am
by | April 23, 2016 · 4:33 pm

Preparing My Heart for a Sermon

No Selah

If you expected to see another “Selah” post this morning, I apologize. I really did want to have the next one finished for this morning, but I was unable to do it. However, I did preach on the subject of the next verse, and so I know it is a good one.

So, next week’s study through the “selah’s” of Psalms will be on Psalm 9:16. Look it up and see what you come up with, and then we can compare notes. Hint: there’s a very unique word which will play a big part.

Preparing

Tomorrow morning (Sunday) I am going to be preaching a sermon on a very difficult subject – Hell. I know that some of you may have a different take on the place Jesus mentioned far more than heaven, but it’s something that needs to be preached.

Today I’ve been listening to some old sermons by some great preachers of the past. One was an audio version of Charles Spurgeon preaching a sermon called “Heaven and Hell.” Another was a 1985 recording of a sermon entitled “Hell Has No Exits,” by Leonard Ravenhill. In addition to my own notes, I wanted to hear what others had said, and the way they said it.

And, oh, how my heart was not only stirred, but greatly burdened!

My father used to tell me when I was young, “Son, never get behind the pulpit unless your mad, sad, or glad.” In other words, get up to preach with the appropriate emotion for the subject at hand – don’t be dull, drab, or apathetic. After hearing the above sermons, in addition to my recent study on Hell, my heart is breaking…not just for the lost, but for the rest of us who have forgotten what those without Jesus will one day face.

Just a Glimpse

Folks, if we could only catch a glimpse of Hell – forget Heaven! If we could just see for a second that horrible place! If we could only for a second comprehend the terror of our friends and loved ones that moment before they are “cast” into eternity.

Everything Heaven is, Hell will be the opposite (I’ll save that for a future post). Just ponder that for a moment! Everything you look forward to in Heaven, the opposite will be what the lost will endure.

Leonard Ravenhill said in his sermon that much of us think what’s wrong with America is that so many people don’t believe in hell anymore. He said [quoting loosely], “I’ve got news for you! YOU don’t believe in Hell! If you did, you’d live differently, preach differently, pray differently, and worship differently!”

Pray for Me

So, would you take a moment and pray for me? Pray that God would speak through me in the morning. Pray that His power would fill me. Pray that my heart and my mouth might be prepared in such a way that those who hear the sermon will respond appropriately to the Spirit’s leading.

Most importantly, pray for that soul who might be present in the morning; that soul who is lost. Pray that he/she/they might feel the same convicting power which flooded over those when Jonathan Edwards preached. May they cry out before the sermon is over, “What must I do to be saved??”

God bless. Y’all go to church somewhere on the Lord’s Day, you hear?

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by | April 20, 2016 · 11:01 pm

Letter to an Average Disgruntled Church Member

Dear Disgruntled:

I noticed that coming to church has become something of a dying habit for you (well, to call it a habit might be stretching it a bit; habits do require some sort of consistency). Yes, from what I’ve heard, you’ve become disheartened and disillusioned with the whole church “thing.”

Is that true? If it is, my heart breaks for you. Believe me, there’s not a single heartbreak or disappointment I haven’t already endured. However, there is something you can do to help turn things around.

What you need to do is develop a Christ-like love for your brothers and sisters, then even the worst of disappointments will have a hard time turning your heart cold. “Because He first loved me…” is something you may find yourself repeating over and over, but loving others – because He first loved you – will turn those tears of disappointment into healing streams of grace.

Then, if you’ll just keep your worship more vertically oriented and less horizontally irritated, there’ll be a lot less things to complain about.

God be with you,

An average Pastor without a jet 

 

 

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by | April 17, 2016 · 7:53 am

9 Excuses You Don’t Have to Miss Church

It’s not too early… You would have already been at work.

You’re not too tired… You’d find a way to make it to something else.

You have enough time… You waste more than enough time watching reality TV.

It’s not boring… Try someplace else if they can’t get excited about Jesus. And, you know, it might not be the preacher, or the worship; it might be your heart.

They don’t want your money… If in doubt, just go where the pastor drives a used car (which are most).

You can dress decently… No, you’re not going to Wal-Mart, but you never complain about wearing clean clothes a party.

The seats are not that uncomfortable… Good grief, you sat in bleachers for 3 hours at a ball game – and sweat the whole time!

The people are not a bunch of hypocrites… To be honest, there are just as many or more at a ball game or the office. For that matter, are there skeletons in your closet? Do you wear makeup? Ever feel like you have to wear a mask? Then what are you complaining about?

It’s NOT optional as a Christian… “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:25 NLT

 

 

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by | March 21, 2016 · 6:00 am

Rock’n and Blog’n

Honored

It was such an honor to take part in the Third Periodic Blogger Convention held in Chattanooga, TN!

Actually, what really happened was that once again I got to meet up with fellow Christian bloggers and spend some time getting to know each other in the non-digital world. It was a total blast to talk face-to-face with these guys!

Wally Fry (Truth in Palmyra) and his family left Arkansas and drove into Chattanooga Saturday night. He and I met for coffee before church on Sunday morning, then later attended church together. To my surprise, James Neff (Men of One Accord) and his wife also showed up for church! James visited a couple of times before, but this was the first time he and Wally had met.

I was also honored that they would sacrifice their time to sit through my preaching. Believe me, it’s always humbling to have people you admire in the audience saying “Amen!”

After Church

When the morning service was over, we did what any typical church-goer might do down here in the South – we went to Cracker Barrel. There we shared plates of biscuits, downed plenty of coffee, and shared more stories than a serial Facebooker.

Wally Fry thought that we should get a picture together before all parted ways. Therefore, like proper husbands, we heeded  the suggestion of our wives and sat down in the rocking chairs out front. And you know, even that seemed too fortuitous to be coincidence (but that’s another story).

IMG_0378 IMG_0379 IMG_0386

Real People

What I hope all of you take away from this story is that behind that computer screen, writing those blogs, are real people. Each one is part of a larger community where genuine friendships can develop. And when you actually get to see these people in person, it’s totally awesome!

But here’s a thought that just came to mind. What do you think it will be like, after all those years of reading his letters…after all those years of communicating across vast distances…to see Jesus face-to-face? He’s real too, you know. Even more real than Wally, James, or myself.

You might oughta be making plans to meet Him for dinner.

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by | March 14, 2016 · 7:00 am

General Survey of Understanding and Belief

In the twentieth chapter of Acts, the Apostle Paul called for a meeting with the elders of the church at Ephesus. Knowing the dangers posed by “wolves” from the outside and perverse deceivers on the inside (vs 29-30), He warned them to pay close attention to the things he had taught them. After all, they were responsible for flocks purchased by God with his own blood (v28) – what a thought!

Paul said (v27), “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Well, folks, I’ve been pastoring this little flock for nearly 8 years, and I’m afraid I might have left something out. Therefore, I thought this little survey (conducted anonymously) might help me determine some areas where I need to do some “declaring.” I don’t want to be guilty of shunning any of God’s counsel.

Glance over the following survey. How would you answer? (The “U” is for “unsure”)

2o16 General Survey of Understanding and Belief

  1. Jesus became God
    1. When born of a virgin
    2. When filled with the Holy Ghost
    3. When resurrected from the dead
    4. None of the above
  2. How many books in the Bible
    1. 55
    2. 66
    3. 100
  3. There are errors in the Bible because it was written by men. T / F / U
  4. God is
    1. One God, but with three names
    2. Three Gods with one Name.
    3. One God in three Persons.
  5. Jeremiah fought the battle of
    1. Jericho
    2. Nineveh
    3. None of the above
  6. Because Jesus prayed to the Father, that made him less than the Father. T / F / U
  7. You have to be filled with the Holy Ghost to be saved. T / F / U
  8. Where does the Bible say, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”?
    1. Matthew 7:19
    2. Romans 12:1
    3. None of the above.
    4. Unsure
  9. Have you determined your own spiritual gifts? Y / N
  10. Do miracles still happen today? Y / N / U
  11. Christians and Muslims worship the same God, but by different names. T / F / U
  12. Jesus was the first “born again” Christian. T / F / U
  13. Adam and Eve were literal people. T / F / U
  14. Salvation can be lost because man has a free will. T / F / U
  15. We become angels when we die. T / F / U
  16. Everyone will eventually go to heaven, sooner or later. T / F / U
  17. Jesus didn’t physically rise from the dead; He was a spiritual being. T / F / U
  18. Those who have died are
    1. Asleep until the resurrection
    2. In heaven or hell right now
    3. No more – they ceased to exist
  19. The proper day to worship is the Sabbath, but it was changed to Sunday by the Catholic Church. T / F / U
  20. You must be baptized to be saved. T/ F/ U
  21. Abortion is OK until the baby can breathe on its own. T / F / U
  22. The only difference between the religions of the world is how we choose to worship God T / F / U
  23. It is a sin to drink or smoke. T / F / U
  24. The King James Version of the Bible is the only one given by God to the English-speaking world. T / F / U
  25. Modern translations of the Bible deny the Virgin birth and divinity of Christ. T / F / U
  26. God’s power on earth is limited when we don’t give Him permission to use us. T / F / U
  27. We should only pray to God the Father or Jesus, not the Holy Ghost. T / F / U
  28. I feel God is angry or disappointed with me most of the time. T / F / U
  29. It doesn’t matter how you live as long as you love God. T / F / U
  30. Preaching and teaching are pretty much the same thing. T / F / U
  31. There’s a difference between the God of the OT and the God of the NT. T / F / U
  32. I am sure of my salvation. T / F / U
  33. Things I’ve done in the past keep me from being used by God. T / F / U
  34. I feel confident I could show another person how to be saved. T / F / U
  35. People who answer surveys in Church are guaranteed a blessing. T

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