It Can Happen

The Corinthian Church is one of the most interesting fellowships we read about in God's Word. If we take the letter at face value it would be easy to miss the unique aspects of the church - where it was started, the type of culture that surrounded it, and the diversity of its members. One should read the book of Acts to get a solid background of Paul's work in the area. I would also encourage you to read some of the history into the culture. If we don't, it would be very easy to miss the clear warnings that Paul brings out in this letter.

When we take the time to understand 1 Corinthians we find in the first few verses that this church body was blessed with every spiritual gift and had grown greatly in their knowledge of the things of God. The reason for Paul's letter was simple: deal with the disunity, immaturity, and immorality within the fellowship. My question is this: What went wrong? How does a church that is able to operate fully under the gifting of the Holy Spirit get into such bad shape? There are several factors that play into the difficulties within the church. However, I want us to look at some of the warning signs with the understanding that it can happen to any church.

1) We must always be mindful of who we are (1-7)
Paul was addressing the Church at Corinth - "ecclesia" - those who were called out of a pagan society and gathered together in fellowship. Regardless of their background (religion, culture, or economic class) these people had accepted the Gospel message. They had been saved out of a perverse culture and God had blessed them by allowing them to function in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and in all knowledge.
*Warning: It doesn't matter how gifted your church body (or how knowledgeable) we can all fail to live up to our potential. How many churches have failed regardless of the giftedness of the people? When we take our eyes off of what matters and become concerned with petty things - disunity awaits us all. Gifts are not a mark of spirituality but a mark of grace. We should never forget that!

2) We must always be attentive to God's Word (10)
There is a great warning issued by Paul concerning disunity in the fellowship. Some within the church were divided over leadership. Some claimed Paul...some Apollos...some Peter...and some Christ. Jesus had been divided into different groups. Paul's teaching here was that all of us are united in Christ regardless of our leaders. It's not about the servants, it's all about the Savior. We would do well to listen to these examples. God can use anyone to bring truth into our lives. Some people are brought into the body to plant, some will water, but it is always God who gives the increase. Whenever a church body begins to exalt a leader over God, you can be sure the problems will follow.

3)We must always be faithful to God's will (7-9)
Paul was trying to help the Corinthian church understand that the message that was brought to them was the same message they should follow in - Jesus Christ crucified for the sins of the world. The continuation of what God was doing in them was not determined by the leadership of an individual but by the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It was His work in them that would strengthen them daily, remind them of their calling into the fellowship, and supply all of their needs. Far too often we can become distracted by our own desires (what we want to see happen) but Paul reminds us to look to a faithful God who will never forsake what He started.

If you read on you will find that there were many other things at work to destroy the church body. Rather than go into each individual thing allow me to summarize:
Disunity will kill the fellowship of a church
Carnality will kill the effectiveness of a church
Immorality will kill the testimony of the church

If we, as believers, cannot live in unity our fellowship will be destroyed. If we do not operate in the Spirit of God we will allow carnality (has to do with the flesh) to kill our effectiveness - it doesn't matter how "gifted" we are. And if we do not deal with immorality within the church it will kill our testimony in the community. We must be willing to ask the hard questions. Is there anything we need to deal with? Churches cannot expect every problem to work themselves out. If there is gossip and back-biting then it must be stamped out. If there is adultery, fornication, lewdness, drunkenness, etc. - it must be dealt with. If the leadership of the church has become focused on anything other than doing the will of God they must be corrected. Too many churches have failed in what they do simply because they have yet to believe that God is able to equip or supply.

It can happen! As much as I love PBC I'm always reminded to pray for the unity of the body. As much as I have seen God do in and through this church I'm always reminded to pray that we be led by the Spirit of God. And as much as I believe in the testimony of every believer (their relationship with Christ) I am reminded that sin cannot be allowed to run rampant within the church. These are valuable lessons for everyone within the body of Christ.

Sure...it can happen. But it doesn't have to happen in your church. May God give wisdom, insight, and strength to every congregation to do what is right. May we continue to follow in His leadership. May the church of Almighty God continue to be a city on a hill that shines light into the dark valley below.

To God be the glory!

Setting the World on Fire

John the Baptist told us that Jesus would baptize us with the Holy Spirit & fire. I love that reality.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a powerful thing. He is the guarantee that we have eternal life. He is the one who seals us as God's children and guides us into all truth. However, when you think of fire...

Think about what California goes through every year. Wildfires that go on for days. Blazing a path of destruction that is hard to stop. In fact, those fires are even hard to slow down. They burn to hot - there is too much fuel to the flame - and they normally have to wait for them to burn out.

Read the words to Britt Nicole's new song:

Set My World on Fire - Britt Nicole

"I wanna set the world on fire
Until it`s burning bright for You
It`s everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?

I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to

Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
There`s nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do

I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father`s hands

My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love
Lord, use me

I wanna set the world on fire
I wanna set the world on fire, yeah
I`m gonna set the world on fire
Set the world on fire"

When you and I are set on fire by God we CAN set our world on fire. The difference between the fires you set when contrasted to the wildfires in California is that yours shouldn't be destructive! The fire you burn with is for life and transformation. Your is a fire that should burn hot and be hard to stop. Your fire should be hard to slow down and you should never burn out.

Get before the Lord today and ask Him to allow you to burn hot with the power and energy of the Holy Spirit. Then go out and set the world on fire!

Who's @ Work?

"A servant of a human master works for his master. God, however, works through His servants." - Henry Blackaby

This is one of the most difficult concepts to grasp. Rather than looking at what we can do for God, we should only see what God can do through us.

Who can preach a message? Who can share the Gospel? Who can make a difference in the world? It's not what we do...It's what He does! What do we learn from Zech. 4:6? It's not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord! That sounds familiar doesn't it? Eph. 3:20 "according to the power at work in us." If there is a principle that God is trying to teach us through is Word is that it's not about us!

What we do doesn't make the difference but what He does through us. Please understand that God is not looking for your ability but availability. He's looking for someone whom He can pour Himself into...someone who will carry His work in their life out into the world. The world doesn't need better preachers, better thinkers, better workers, or a better message. What the world needs is believers who will place themselves in the hands of the Potter and ask Him to mold them into the vessel that He wants them to be.

Here's what I am discovering: I cannot be the parent I "need" to be but I can allow God to parent through me. I cannot be the husband I "need" to be but I can allow God to love my wife through me. I cannot be the pastor I "need" to be but I can allow God to feed and lead through me. If I could lose this "need" mentality and recognize that it's not about what I do then maybe (just maybe) I can allow God to move in and do it.

I wish that I could tell you that I have mastered this approach. I wish that I could say that in every area of life I have allowed God to equip me but the fact is that I'm still learning. Sometimes this experiment goes bad. It's not God's fault...it's mine. Thank God for grace!

Maybe we can learn to do this together. D.L. Moody heard a phrase that changed his life: "The world has yet to see what God can accomplish in a life that is completely surrendered to Him." D.L. took this challenge and sought to give himself completely to the will of His master. He looked to God to complete His work through Him rather than with Him. The result? D.L. Moody has become one of the most recognized evangelists the world had ever seen.

Almighty God,
Too often when I look at my life all I see is me. I see my failures, my attempts to be who You want me to be gone wrong. I ask that You equip me in every area. I ask that You accomplish through me what You desire. Help me to set aside my agenda for yours. Help me to empty myself so that You may fill me - in every area, every place, every time.
In Jesus' Name
Amen

Pressing On by Pressing In

Ever wake up in the morning and you know that you're just not "feeling it"?

Sometimes it has nothing to do with the day before. In fact, yesterday could have been one of the most awesome days ever...but today {UGH!}.

I'm realizing more and more that everyday is an adventure. Unless I am willing to press on in spite of my feelings I won't accomplish a thing. I was thinking about this very thing and I had the thought of some of the world's greatest explorers. Do you think that those who conquered Mt. Everest woke up each day ready to tackle the mountain? What about those who have discovered new places - don't you think they woke up with discouragement from time to time? What made the difference? They were willing to press on.

Folks, some days you have to pull up your boot straps and push ahead. The good news for those of us who walk in faith is that we don't have to walk alone. Maybe...just maybe - what we really need to do is get before God and let him know how we feel. Maybe we need to press in before we press on.

A quiet time with the Lord can be the difference between seizing the day or being seized by the day. Rather than being ruled by our emotions we need to consider being ruled by the truth of God's Word. If you wake up and head off to face the world through your feelings you will fail. However, if you take the time and allow God's truth to permeate your soul you will be able to tackle whatever comes your way.

Press in to the throne of God's mercy. It is there we are able to find grace to help us in our time of need. Too often we think of this verse only when it comes to our need for forgiveness. But I want you to understand that God wants to make a difference in every part of your life! He cares for you and desires to walk with you every day.

Press in through prayer & press in through worship. Realize that your agenda may need to be altered by God's agenda. But we have to take the time to pursue His agenda. Take the time to get into His presence. Confess your feelings about the day while at the same time claiming the promises of His Word. Regardless of your feeling He is still able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you could ask or think according to the work of the Holy Spirit in you (Eph. 3:20). Don't sell yourself short AND don't sell God short either.

Press in so that you may press on! The mountain is waiting.

The Missionary's Master & Teacher

"You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am...I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master..." John 13:13, 16)

*Sept. 22 Devotion from 'My Utmost for His Highest' - Oswald Chambers

"To have a master and teacher is not the same thing as being mastered and taught. Having a master and teacher means that there is someone who knows me better than I know myself, who is closer than a friend, and who understands the remotest depths of my heart and is able to satisfy them fully. It means having someone who has made me secure in the knowledge that he has met and solved all the doubts, uncertainties, and problems in my mind...

"Our Lord never takes measure to make me do what He wants. Sometimes I wish God would master and control me to make me do what He wants, but He will not. And at other times I wish He would leave me alone, and He does not.

"'You call Me Teacher and Lord...' - but is He? Teacher, Master, and Lord have little place in our vocabulary. We prefer the words Savior, Sanctifier, and Healer. The only word that truly describes the experience of being mastered is love, and we know little about love as God reveals it in His Word. The way we use the word obey is proof of this. In the Bible, obedience is based on a relationship between equals; for example, that of a son with his father...If we are consciously aware that we are being mastered, that idea itself is proof that we have no master. If that is our attitude toward Jesus, we are far away from having the relationship He wants with us. He wants us in a relationship where He is so easily our Master and Teacher that we have no conscious awareness of it - a relationship where all we know is the we are His to obey."

How's the relationship?

Irony

"Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel." Matthew 23:24

Does anyone else see the irony in this? I have to wonder if Jesus said this in the same tone that I would. I mean...the sheer madness of these efforts. Making sure that we take care of the "little" things but missing the big picture. But friends, that is what religion does to us.

I wanted to post the definition of irony but it's too wordy. Most of us understand what it means. However, to better educate us all let's look at situational irony - the disparity of intention and result: when the result of an action is contrary to the desired or expected effect. For the religious leaders of Jesus' day, the desired or expected effect of straining out a gnat was to keep them holy and yet they swallowed a camel. They put so much effort into the little things that they missed the big stuff. Jesus said it best (as He always does) when he said that they were careful to tithe everything but neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith.

To be quite honest with you - I have had it with religion! I'm sick of what it does to people. Religion is destroying churches, homes, families, and communities of faith. It seems as though every week I am involved in a conversation with someone who is dealing with junk in their church because of religion. Let me just go ahead and put this out there: If religion takes precedence over relationship then we have moved into idolatry! That's right...you can make an idol out of your faith. If you don't believe me just look at what the Pharisees and Sadducees did to Jesus.

If I can be a champion of something in my life, I want to be the champion of freedom in Christ. I want to champion the need for a relationship with Jesus rather than religion.

I was sharing the Gospel with a young lady yesterday and was struck by her understanding of religion but her lack of understanding when it came to relationship. The sad part - she learned about religion from the church she grew up in but never saw the affect of relationship. She heard about how she should dress, act, talk, what music was appropriate, etc. But as far as I could tell none of these people ever impressed upon her the need for saving faith in Jesus. I'm sure the message was in there somewhere. However, she never heard it.

When will we stop expecting lost people to look and act like us? We have created too many barriers to faith. Since when did Jesus ever expect us to clean up the fish before we caught them?

I'm sorry if I'm rambling. This topic gets to me in a big way. Maybe I'm rebelling but it's going to be a righteous rebellion! Anyone with me? I'm ready for some reality.

FYI from the IMB

IMB leader Jerry Rankin announces retirement
By Michael Logan

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP)--International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin announced today (Sept. 16) he will retire July 31, 2010, ending a 17-year tenure marked by sweeping organizational changes and a steady personal calling.

"Everything I have done has been driven by an unequivocal sense of a call to missions, to make my life count and to make the greatest impact possible on reaching a lost world for Jesus Christ," Rankin said.

Rankin told IMB trustees during his report at their Sept. 15-16 meeting in Jacksonville, Fla., that his presidency should not be judged for the accomplishments of the organization under his leadership but for how the organization is poised for the future.

"For the second time in my tenure we are implementing a radical paradigm shift in organization and strategy," Rankin said. "This is not because of past failure and ineffectiveness but a vision of the changes needed to ensure relevance and effectiveness in the future."

Such sentiments are consistent to Rankin's approach in leading the 163-year-old organization. Early in his administration Rankin began placing a greater emphasis on the work remaining in world evangelization than what had been accomplished.

"It's not ... our size or annual statistical report that should drive us," Rankin said. "We need to be driven by a vision to bring all peoples to a saving faith in Christ and what it takes to get there."

Yet there has always been a need to track progress. When Rankin took over leadership of the IMB in 1993, the Southern Baptist mission organization saw nearly 4,000 missionaries help start more than 2,000 churches in 142 countries. Last year more than 5,500 IMB missionaries helped plant nearly 27,000 churches and engage 101 new people groups for a total of 1,190 engaged people groups.

The move from tracking countries to focusing on people groups reveals another area where Rankin worked to change the IMB. Country counts faded during the past 10 years as the organization shifted to finding the best ways to engage new people groups and population centers.

"I think moving us to a people group focus helped us learn to innovate," he said. "But probably the most radical innovation of all has been the process of moving us to a mobilization perspective."

Such a shift has not been easy. He has pursued it almost his entire tenure.

"To mobilize and involve churches and Southern Baptists rather than our doing missions on behalf of Southern Baptists is an innovation that we have been pursuing for the past 12 years. The whole mobilization perspective is where we are going. That's the hope of the future of missions," Rankin said.

Rankin has not always been so confident of the future. He was surprised and overwhelmed when a 15-member trustee search committee asked him to become the IMB's next leader in 1993.

"I felt so inadequate to the task. And I certainly didn't come with a vision of 'Here's my agenda. Here's how we are going to reach the whole world.' But it was one of, 'OK, Lord, I'm Your servant. I'm available. What do You want to do through the IMB?'"

Rankin and his wife, the former Bobbye Simmons, were appointed missionaries to Indonesia in June 1970. They studied language in Bandung, Indonesia, and he served as a general evangelist in two other Indonesian locations.

Rankin also consulted in evangelism and church growth in India, served as associate to the area director for South and Southeast Asia, and then as administrator for mission work in India. He became area director for Southern Asia and the Pacific where he oversaw the work of 480 missionaries in 15 countries.

"I never anticipated that I would move beyond a niche where God had called us to serve as missionaries in Indonesia," Rankin said.

"It made no sense for a field missionary who had been overseas for 23 years," Rankin told the trustees, "to be selected over others who were far more qualified and at a peak of controversy regarding control of leadership roles among Southern Baptist Convention entities.

"I had not even attended a Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting until the year prior to my election.

"I reluctantly accepted the role [as president], not out of any desire for status or reputation and certainly not for a denominational administration role, but only to make the greatest impact on reaching a lost world that my life could make. The motivation for accepting this was only that same missionary call that carried us to Indonesia."

Rankin said he sees that same sense of call uniting the organization's leadership teams as well as in the emerging young leaders within the IMB's staff and missionary force. He said the same spirit of unity rests within the current body of trustees.

"Never in my experience have we had a board of trustees so unified, supportive and sensitive to the spiritual nature of our task," he said in his report.

Rankin said this common vision is vital as the organization moves into the next phase of its history.

"We have always been a missionary-sending agency with unlimited capacity to send and support the missionaries being called out of our Southern Baptist churches. That is no longer the case as appointments are being restricted and strategies must be changed to more effectively deploy and utilize limited numbers of personnel.

"The next president must deal with economic realities that will not permit us to presume upon unlimited financial resources as we have in the past. Southern Baptists are at a point of crisis in deciding whether to continue a bureaucratic legacy, supporting a comprehensive plethora of ministries and programs, or focus resources on fulfilling the Great Commission."

Rankin added that the IMB stands on the verge of unprecedented opportunities to complete the task of engaging every nation, people and language with the Gospel.

"We need a leader who can identify with the next generation, one who has credibility to mobilize Southern Baptists, creative vision to implement new strategies and faith to provide the spiritual leadership that will keep us aligned with the mission of a sovereign God."
--30--
Michael Logan is a writer for the International Mission Board.

Pray with Lifted Hands

1 Timothy 2:8, "Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray--not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God." - Message

Last week I shared with you about our missionaries in East Asia. This morning I have found out that they ARE traveling to Thailand for medical reasons. It seems that they want the wife to be checked out by doctors there to see if she needs surgery to fix the complications from the appendectomy.

I must admit that this has been hard for me as their pastor. How can I comfort them? How do I assure them that we are thinking of them often? What must their hearts, minds, and faith be going through?

That is when I am reminded of 1 Timothy 2:8. We can shake our hands at the enemy or we can lift our hands to God in prayer. This couple told me that they felt the prayers of God's people. They have seen God at work in the midst of this difficulty. Rather than being upset at the enemy I will be comforted in the healing power of God, His constant presence in their lives, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in each of them.

Take some time today to pray. However, don't just bow your head in reverence - lift your hands up to God. I can't explain it but there is power when we pray according to Scripture. Get alone if you must, turn your face to heaven, lift up your hands, and go boldly to the throne of grace. God will grant mercy to this couple in their time of need.

You can be sure that we will spend a lot of time in prayer tonight for this couple in our prayer meeting. I'm curious to see how God will use this time of trial in them. Remember this: When our faith is being tested (how we view it) that God is actually purifying our faith. It must go through the fire. Fire separates the impurities from the precious metal. I'm excited to see the brilliance of their faith when they come out on the other side.

Thank you all.

PBC - Making a Difference

This past Sunday we celebrated Homecoming at PBC. For those who may not be familiar with a Homecoming service...it's a service that celebrates the anniversary of a church's beginnings and what God has accomplished through the church. It's also an invitation for those who have moved on to come back home and celebrate with us.

Pioneer Baptist Church began in 1990 as a small bible study group in Max Meadows. When the church was constituted in 1995 the membership was 39 and they dedicated the newly constructed sanctuary. A lot has changed in 19 years.

I became the pastor of PBC in 2001. 8 years ago, I had no idea that we would see the growth nor the impact of this church body. I'm often asked what has made the difference...what are we doing at PBC? Trying to figure all of that out is difficult because it's not just one thing.

I shared a quote this past Sunday that I would love to share with you. I think this was an advertisement for some type of clothing but it fit: "Pioneers are people who just aren't content leaving well enough alone. They're a little more adventurous and a lot more interesting." How does that fit us?

We haven't been content to leave the lost without the Gospel.
We haven't been content to leave the hungry without a meal.
We haven't been content to leave the naked out in the cold.
We have made a deliberate choice to love God and love others. Through this commitment we intentionally share the Gospel with those around us. We intentionally share food and clothing, we give to those in need, and offer love to all who enter the doors of our church building.

We also haven't been content to just "do" church. We worship intentionally. It's our desire to touch the heart of God. In doing so we know that God's presence will be among us. We do what we can do to ensure harmony within the fellowship and protect unity at all cost. Are we perfect? No! We mess up. People get off track. However, we offer forgiveness without allowing a root of bitterness to take hold.

We are also a little more adventurous. The picture above is from a mission trip earlier this year to Alaska. Alaska is just one of the many places that we have attempted to partner with God in what He is doing in the world. Acts 1:8 commands us to go into Jerusalem (hometown), Judea (our region/state), Samaria (surrounding areas/nation), and to the uttermost parts of the world (for us that has meant Ukraine, Africa, and East Asia where we have 2 missionaries on the ground). We have decided that it's worth the risk to take the Gospel to those in need or to give a helping hand.

We are a lot more interesting. This isn't an arrogant statement. I have found that if you set something on fire people will come to watch it burn. Our church body has been set on fire by the work of the Holy Spirit and that tweaks people's curiosity. That's why they ask: "What's going on at your church?". When you have a pioneering spirit (trailblazer attitude) you cannot help but stand out in the world.

How has God used that this year?

Averaged 186 in attendance this year (26 more than last year). We also had a record attendance on Resurrection Sunday of 275.
During our annual Park Day event we fed over 800 people, intentionally shared the Gospel with 122 and leading 18 of them to faith in Christ.
We have witnessed 73 people (35 in Max Meadows, 38 in Ukraine) come to saving faith in Jesus. Baptized 23 people and adding 16 members to the body already this year. All of these numbers are up from last year and for that we give glory and honor to God.

In all these things we understand that it is God at work through us. Are we making a difference? I believe so! However, we also understand that we must remain committed to the vision that God has given us. We must continue to view ministry as meeting people's needs with love. And we must continue to make our relationship with God and others the focus of what we do as a church.

The greatest testimony of what God is doing in a church is that of changed lives. In our service this Sunday we heard the testimonies of those who have been impacted by the ministry of PBC. A long standing member who has been encouraged to embrace the relationship rather than the religion. A member who has learned the value of sharing Christ and been equipped to do that in his daily life. Some former members who came back to testify to the power of God displayed in their life while they were members of PBC. And a testimony of God's salvation coming into a life that was hurting.

To God be the glory! Great things He has done.

Never Forget - Never Surrender

Today we remember the horrible attacks of September 11, 2001 AD.

On this day eight years ago, our nation awoke to a clear and bright day. None of us knew that just a few hours later that America would face the most horrific attack we had ever encountered on our soil.

Thousands of American lives were lost that day and the repercussions are still felt today. A nation that remembers the pain of the past will be better equipped to face the dangers of tomorrow. We must never forget AND we must never surrender.

To those families that are still suffering from the loss we extend our prayers of comfort to you. To those brave men and women who served others on 9/11 and to those who serve us today on the battlefield we give thanks to God Almighty for your sacrifice, courage, and willingness to defend the freedoms of America.

Almighty God,
We lift up those who are hurting today. For too many Americans the pain of 9/11 is still all too real. We ask that you give them the comfort and peace they need.
Father, we also pray for those who are defending the freedoms of this nation. We ask for their safety and the ability to win the fight against terrorism.
We also pray for our nation because we know that it is all too easy for us to lose our resolve. We understand through Your Word that the nation of Israel often forgot how Your hand had saved them. May we as Americans never forget how you have protected and preserved this great nation. Your providence was with us during the early days of America and Your protection has seen us through countless wars and battles. May You guide our nation so that America will continue to be a bright beacon of hope and freedom. May you grant unto our leaders the wisdom and resolve to understand that America is still one nation under God.
May we never forget Lord, and may we never surrender.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

I ask that you take some time today and pray for the unity of America. Pray for her leaders and her citizens. A nation that allows the Lord to be their God is a blessed nation according the His Word. May the Christians of this nation never forget that and may we never surrender our resolve to lift up America in this time of need.

May God bless each of you, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Spiritual Leadership

{If you want to hear more about the missionaries we are praying for you can scroll to the bottom of this blog}

I woke up this morning with a lot of things on my mind. Thinking about our missionaries overseas, and thinking about some different things in regards to the church that I'm fortunate enough to pastor. I paused to pick up "Spiritual Leadership" by Henry Blackaby. I have been working my way through this book for some time. Some of the church people may think that I need to go through this process a little faster! Anyway, let me share with you how God used this today.

I opened the book to the chapter titled "The Leader's Goal." I read through the first page with great ease and headed to the 2nd page that had this heading: "Unworthy Goals" and "Bottom Line Mentality". I didn't have to read any further before God began to speak to my heart.

As a church body - what is our bottom line?

Is our bottom line going to be the budget?
Is our bottom line going to be the building?
Is our bottom line going to be the attendance?
Is our bottom line going to be the influence we have in a certain denomination?

WHAT IS OUR BOTTOM LINE?

Our bottom line is: RELATIONSHIPS

All decisions should be based on a relationship with God and others. All ministry should be based upon a relationship with God and others. All financial matters should be based upon a relationship with God and others. Our bottom line isn't how much we can put in a CD or Savings Account but by how much we have invested in people! Our bottom line isn't going to be determined by how many messengers we can send to a convention but how many missionaries we can put on the field! Our bottom line isn't about the numbers we have to show but how many people were saved! And for me (as a pastor) this is an exciting bottom line.

This is in direct opposition to how many churches think. In my sermon "Dangers of Religion" I said that it's easy for us to focus on the organization instead of focusing on intimacy with God. We can become focused on programs rather than the process of becoming more like Jesus. The point is that we can have the wrong bottom line.

I just finished up a conversation with one of our church attenders (not members yet). It's nothing unusual for me to sit and have conversations like this on a weekly basis. Lunch with one person, a visit from another, a chat with one on the phone, a chat through email or facebook with another. If I have the wrong bottom line it would be easy to see these things as distraction in my day. However, I have found that as a pastor I have one goal to pursue - one item to focus on - and it's the people that God has allowed me to minister to and with. And I am finding out more and more that God is pleased when I allow myself to be open to share with others, spend time with others, love others, care for others, and minister to others.

What's your bottom line?

***Note on missionary family we have been praying for***
The family was still at home this morning. A US Doctor had actually spoken with them and encouraged them to watch and wait. Thus far there has been no change and the wife is doing as well as can be expected. They are looking for a good antibiotic that will be safe for the baby. Other than that, they know that God is caring for them in this process. Thanks for praying & keep it up.

If You Can Read This Please PRAY!

This past weekend we found that some missionary friends were going through some serious health issues. Due to their place of ministry I will withhold names and location but the people of PBC know of whom I am speaking.

The wife had to have an emergency appendectomy this past weekend. Today I have found out that she has some type of infection. Not sure if this is due to the surgery or if the appendix had actually ruptured and wasn't treated properly.

The couple is searching for a way to get good medical treatment. I don't have any particulars as to where they plan on going. More than likely will have to fly out of country. Please pray that God will enable them to find the medical care they need. Please pray for their funds during this process as I am sure that it will push them to their limits.

One other note: The wife is pregnant so we ask that you pray for the unborn child as well during all of this.

The God we serve is faithful to bring healing to this lady. He is Jehovah-Rophe.

As soon as I find out more, I will do my best to update everyone on her status. Until them keep this family in your prayers.

Pray - Pray - Pray!

Thanks.

Things that I'm Thinking About (a.k.a. Random Thoughts)

So many things to think about...so little time to investigate them all.

> I guess Obama is going to go ahead and make his address to school children? He said that this would be the most transparent administration that our country has ever seen. Why then do we have to look so hard, ask so many questions, and wait until someone leaks info before we know what's going on? Why don't parents know what this man is getting ready to tell their children? Why didn't I receive some information about this? The statement from the White House is that this is not intended to be political. LOL. Everything this man does is political!

> Preached this past Sunday on "The Dangers of Religion." I think for the most part that the people in our church "get it." However, I wonder what goes on inside of us that makes it so easy to fall into a religious mindset? You would think that the rebel inside of us would fight it. We didn't seem to mind rebelling when we were lost. Why not now? Why do we accept religion over relationship? Could it be...maybe we don't understand who we are in Christ. Therefore, we find comfort in the practice of religion. I don't know! But what I find interesting are the people who love to hear things that rattle their cage. They like to know that there is more to faith than just going through the motions.

> Men's Conference coming up this Saturday. I'm looking forward to this. I jokingly call it the "Manly Conference." Why? Well, one reason is because we want to celebrate being a man of God, a leader in the home, a mentor to a son, a protector for a daugther, and a lover to a wife. We don't do this by softening them up - no I hope to see them flex their faith muscles. I hope to see a group of barbarians ready to run out of the building to conquer!

> Football season is here! Can I really add anything to that?

> I was walking through a Christian bookstore the other day and became increasingly frustrated. I was frustrated with all the different books. Don't get me wrong - I love to read. What was frustrating was how many books are unnecessary. If we would simply pick up our Bibles and read what is inside, ask the Spirit for understanding, and seek to go deeper in what we read then we wouldn't need a book on how to live the Christian life. Too often we are getting somebody else's opinion on God's Word instead of getting it straight from the Author Himself. Can God not teach me how to evangelize, pray, be a disciple, etc.? Look at what the early church was able to accomplish WITHOUT A BIBLE and we complain about not understanding what God is saying. WAKE UP CHRISTIANS - God has given you the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth, to convict you when you are wrong, and to remind you of the words that Jesus spoke. There isn't a book being published today that can do any of those things!

> Let's hit this religion thing again. I'm getting ready to mess with somebody!
Why do we have a problem with tatttoos but don't say a word about earings (unless it's on a man) or makeup?
Why do we complain about long hair on a man but say little about short hair on a woman?
Why are preachers so ready to pounce on "Rock" music but don't have much to say about "Country"?
Why do the same people who argue about new translations of the Bible use commentaries in their study of the Word?
Why are some churches so bothered by "Casual Sunday" but embarce "Old Timey Sunday"? I mean is there a difference in wearing jeans and a shirt instead of bibs and a bonnet?
Why do we complain about people drinking a beer with their meal saying they are a stumbling block but never question eating pork chops in public?
How can we say that we promote family life in the church when we have them at the building at least 3 times a week (and complain when they don't show up)? I'm not saying it's wrong to have services but I do think it's a question worth asking.

> O.K. I'm done for now. However, before I go let me say one more thing. I know that I have posted some controversial things today. The purpose isn't to change your mind...but I would like to change your thinking. It's o.k. to have an original thought every now and then. The problem with the religious mindset is that we can't seem to break away from the things that have been delivered to us through dogma. "Well, the preacher said..." Folks, just because the preacher said it don't make it true. Look it up for yourself. And as far as the things that I posted to stir your mind, here's some scripture to look over:
"Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to dispute over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let no him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks...So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way." Romans 14:1-6, 12-13

God's Plan of Restoration

In Genesis 1:1 we read that God created...however, if we keep reading the rest of the Bible we understand that something went terribly wrong in His creation. Sin entered the human race and man was lost. In the words of John Phillips, "The book of Genesis begins with creation and ends with death. It begins with the glory of God and ends with a coffin in Egypt. Something went terribly wrong."

The purpose of Christ's coming into the world was to restore man back into a relationship with God. However, if we take the time to understand restoration we find that God's definition and process are just a little different than ours.

"According to the dictionary, "to restore" means to "bring back to a former or original condition." When something is restored in the Scriptures, however, it is always increased, multiplied or improved so that its latter state is significantly better than its original state. For example, under the Law of Moses, if someone stole an ox or a sheep, it was not sufficient for him simply to restore the animal he had taken. He had to pay back five oxen or four sheep. When God restored Job after the terrible trials he endured, He gave him twice what he had lost and blessed him more in the latter days than in the beginning. Jesus told His disciples that anyone who gave up anything to follow Him would have it restored a hundredfold. God multiplies when He restores. And so, in His restoration work today, God is not simply restoring the church to the glory it displayed in NT times. He is seeking to restore it to a state more powerful, majestic, and glorious than anything the world has yet seen!" James Robison "The Holy Spirit and Restoration"

One of my favorite prayers in the Bible comes from David's prayer of confession to God. After confessing his sins and seeking God's cleansing power, David cries out, "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit." Psalm 51:12

In our eyes - we simply want what was lost. In God's eyes - He wants to go beyond what we were. What good does it do for us to return to where we were? Is it not better for us to go beyond the place where we fell so that we don't have to endure those things again? David goes on to say that after God restores him that "then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You." I think David understood God's restoration plan and process. It wasn't enough for David to move back into the place he had fallen...he sought a greater place of restoration.

Galatians 6:1 teaches the church that, "...if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." Our plan simply makes someone suitable for fellowship. God's plan is to bring them to a place of greater spirituality and usefulness for God's kingdom.

When I was in Chattanooga this past Spring, I was able to hear a man share a testimony about God's grace in his life. He was an evangelist and had walked away from his marriage and ministry. However, God was faithful to draw him back. This man shared from his brokenness about how God was restoring his marriage and ministry. The sad part was that there wasn't too many churches ready to help. There weren't too many believers willing to lend a hand. The pastor of the church we visited had allowed him to come in and speak during a Sunday morning service and 100's came to faith in Christ. Do you think that God wants to restore this man? I do.

Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a song several years ago titled, "Don't Let the Fire Die." This song was basically a prayer for someone who had stepped out of fellowship. In the song he says that he doesn't want God to give him back what he lost but that the fire would burn brighter, hotter, and longer than before. That is God's plan for restoration! He wants to do so much more than return us to our original state. He wants to move us into a deeper involvement in His kingdom, a more intimate relationship with Himself, and a greater usefulness for the Gospel.

If you are reading this today and have lost some of the spark that you once had...or maybe you have walked away from the fellowship of believers...you may have even fallen so far that you thing that God can't pick you up...I'm here to tell you that God wants to restore you. 1 John 1:9 says that, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Don't you want that? And I assure you that if you are hungry to go deeper with God that He will take you there! He will bless you to where you are not able to bear all of the good things that He can give. The only question is whether or not your want God to restore you.

May your prayer be as David's: "Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation..."

Can I Hear God?

John 18:37, "...Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

Henry Blackaby states in Experiencing God: "If we have trouble hearing God then we are in trouble at the heart of our faith." Jesus stated very clearly that His sheep hear His voice & know His voice. Does that bother you?

One of the greatest hindrances in our walk with God is whether or not we can hear Him when He speaks. God has several ways of speaking truth into our lives. He may use a fellow believer, a sermon from the preacher, a text from the Bible, the circumstances that you are enduring, or speaking to your own spirit. If that is the case...and if those who are of the truth hear Jesus' voice...and if God has the ability to speak...the only thing left to question is our reception.

Maybe the problem in our life is not that God isn't speaking but that we are not picking up on what He is saying. Maybe (just maybe) our reception isn't clear and we are dropping the signal. Think about it: If you have ever dropped a call while using a cell phone (and I know you have) the problem isn't that the other person isn't speaking - the problem is that you have ceased receiving the signal. I truly believe that God speaks to us more often than He doesn't. However, if we are not in a place of receiving what God is saying then we will miss out on what He is saying.

One of the greatest joys of our faith in Christ is knowing that we live in a personal relationship with God. We know that we walk with Him and talk with Him. It's a comfort to us to know that God will never leave us and never forsake us. Yet even with that knowledge so many of us struggle in this key area. We struggle in our ability to hear God. Do we struggle because we aren't listening? Do we struggle because we don't pay attention? Do we struggle because our lives are so full of noise that we have drowned God's voice from our ears?

I just saw a cartoon today where a guy was sitting in front of a computer with ear buds from an ipod stuck in his ears asking God why he can't hear Him. Does that sound familiar? When was the last time you jumped in the vehicle and turned off the radio or CD player and asked God to speak to you about a matter? When was the last time that you secluded yourself from everything and everybody just so you could hear God? The point that I'm trying to make is that we may have to remove ourselves from all the noise and all the distractions just so we can hear God speak to us!

Don't get me wrong. There are times of silence. There are times of having to seek God out in certain matters. There are times that God is longing for us to pray through things, read His Word, and separate ourselves unto Him. That is a normal part of the life of faith. But I have to wonder how many times that God has spoken to us and we have missed it. Maybe He didn't speak to us what we wanted to hear. Maybe God didn't answer us in the time frame that we gave Him. One thing is for certain when I read God's Word is that when we need God to give us direction, answers, etc. that He is able to give us all the things we need if we will be attentive to Him.

When our children were younger we tried an experiment in our home. We would say their name and they would have to come to us and say, "Yes Mommy" or "Yes Daddy". This exercise was to enhance their ability to hear our voice in any situation. There were to be ready to hear us. When they responded properly we would take them in our arms and give them a hug. It was a great and rewarding exercise. However, as my children have gotten older I have noticed that their ears have become dull to my voice. I find myself repeating their names or having to walk in front of the TV. I have to get their attention. Does that sound like us? You would think that the longer we walk with the Lord the easier it would be for us to recognize when He is speaking. But the opposite is often true. Our ears have become dull to His voice. We have distractions that get in the way and far too often God has to do something to get our attention.

What do we need to do? I think we need to get back into the habit of hearing God and responding immediately to Him. We have to place ourselves in His Word because God uses it to speak to us and it gives us examples of how he speaks. We have to take time to communicate with God through prayer. Prayer is so vital in keeping open the lines of communication with God. And we need to start responding when God speaks. If we would come before Him and say "Yes Lord" we will find that God is willing to embrace us and speak to us even greater things.

May you hear God today. May you acknowledge His voice. May you enjoy the peace of knowing that God speaks.

"Ask Me"

One of the greatest hindrances to evangelism is the dreaded "how do I start?" question. Most of us have been in that situation. We know that we want to share, yet we don't know how to steer a conversation with someone.

Before I get started allow me to share some general rules:

#1 - Don't force your way in the door.

Most people don't want the door kicked in - it startles them. It's always best to look for the opportunities that God provides.

#2 - Listen before you speak.

It is always apparent to people when you are not listening to them. Who knows where some conversations may lead, but it's always best to allow people to share what is going on in their lives. A good evangelism presentation will be short-lived if the people don't think that you are genuine in what you are sharing.

#3 - Be sensitive to the Spirit of God.

God will always give us the timing. It will always be perfect.

In the past I have worn a button that I got through Living Waters ministry. It had two words: Ask Me. You would be amazed how many people will walk up to you and say, "Ask you what?" The door has been opened! I tried this on Facebook the other day and I only had to wait just a few moments before a friend of mine bit (in her words) hook, line, and sinker.

I don't think the best option is to walk up to someone and say "Jesus Loves You." It always comes out as awkward as it sounds. Talk to people, learn to ask questions, and be ready.

We have a young man in our congregation whom God has used greatly in the area of evangelism. His mission field is his workplace. Taking the time to speak to those around him, sharing his love for God and missions, and being ready to share the Good News have proved vital in the experiences that God has given him. In fact, just last week he was able to lead someone to Christ. His story is truly inspirational.

One of the greatest problems with evangelism in the church is that we are always waiting for the next person to do it. Last time I looked on our roll "Somebody Else" was not on the list. It requires each of us who know Christ to be ready, willing, and able to communicate the truth of the Gospel if we want to see people saved.

Folks, there are just too many tools available for the church of today for us to not be equipped. "Way of the Master", "Share Jesus Without Fear", "Faith", "Evangelism Explosion"...and some of them don't require a lot of memorization. And if none of those tools fit your personality then use the time tested method of sharing how Jesus saved you. It really is that easy.

A lady walked up to a pastor one Sunday and said, "I don't like your method of sharing the Gospel." The pastor replied, "Well I don't like your method of not sharing." What could be said of our method? I would much rather someone make a comment about "how" I share rather than saying something about how I don't.

Happy Sharing.

He Became Sin

2 Corinthians 5:21, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him"

In the devotional "My Utmost for His Highest" we read about "The Nature of Reconciliation."

"Sin is a fundamental relationship - it is not wrong doing, but wrong being - it is deliberate and determined independence from God. The Christian faith bases everything on the extreme, self-confident nature of sin. Other faiths deal with sins - the Bible alone deals with sin. The first things Jesus Christ confronted in people was the heredity of sin, and it is because we have ignored this in our presentation of the gospel that the message of the gospel has lost its sting and its explosive power.

"The revealed truth of the Bible is not that Jesus Christ took on Himself our fleshly sins, but that He took on Himself the heredity of sin that no man can even touch. God made His own Son 'to be sin' that He might make the sinner into a saint. It is revealed throughout the Bible that our Lord took on Himself the sin of the world through identification with us, not through sympathy for us. He deliberately took on His own shoulders, and endured in His own body, the complete, cumulative sin of the human race. 'He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us...' and by so doing He placed salvation for the entire human race solely on the basis of redemption. Jesus Christ reconciled the human race, putting it back to where God designed it to be. And now anyone can experience that reconciliation, being brought into oneness with God, on the basis of what our Lord has done on the cross.

"A man cannot redeem himself - redemption is the work of God, and is absolutely finished and complete. And its application to individual people is a matter of their own individual action or response to it. A distinction must always be made between the revealed truth of redemption and the actual conscious experience of salvation in a person's life." - Oswald Chambers

Meditate on this:

God did more than sympathize with us - He identified with us.

God did more than forgive for some sin - He removed the nature of sin.

God's Word says that I am made righteous - It's not achieved but received

**As I sang yesterday, "Feels like I'm born again..."