Ever hear of something called “jogging in a jug”? “Jogging in a Jug” is a concoction of 4 parts grape juice, 4 parts apple juice, and 1 part apple cider vinegar. Yum, yum! It’s a folk remedy for high cholesterol; a kind of “Drano” for your arteries. Supposedly, two ounces a day of this stuff and your insides will be as slick and clean as a whistle. Now, I don’t know if it works. It’s never been scientifically proven to do anything except cause you to make an awful face when you drink it. But wouldn’t it be great if it did? Just the name sounds appealing: “Jogging in a jug.” Wouldn’t it be great if you could gain all the benefits of jogging without actually having to exercise! If you could lower your cholesterol and improve your health without having to strap on your Nikes and “just do it”. If instead, you could “just drink it”? No getting up before dawn to drive to the gym; no hours of pain on the StairMaster. Just a shot glass of vinegar and it’s “please pass the jelly doughnuts!”
Take another example. It used to be that if you ate junk food, you got fat. Now, we have Olestra, a fat substitute, so we can eat greasy potato chips and ice cream to our heart’s content without raising our cholesterol. Over the years, we’ve developed a multitude of artificial sweeteners – cyclamates, saccharin, aspartame – so we can drink all the sodas we want without rotting our teeth and expanding our middles. And if you do happen to eat something with actual fat or calories, you don’t need to go to the gym to lose weight. All that sweating and huffing and puffing is so 80’s. Now, you just make an appointment with your friendly local liposuctionist, and for a couple of thousand dollars, he’ll suck that fat right out.
In short, what we’re constantly trying to do is repeal the law of sowing and reaping, sever the connection between action and consequence. Not just with eating and drinking, but in every area of life. It’s a universal human urge: people to want to enjoy the benefits without paying the price. Take money. Why is the lottery so popular? It’s an opportunity to become wealthy without labor. There are other ways to acquire wealth, but they’re not nearly as appealing, because they all involve work. That’s whey we love game shows like “Who wants to be a millionaire?” Just answer a dozen trivia questions, and you’re rich. No years of medical school, no years of working late at the office, no years of sacrificing and saving and investing. Just ten minutes sitting across from Regis and – boom! – instant wealth. Now I’m not knocking game shows or saying that Regis is evil [although he does sort of resemble the devil in those dark, monochrome suits]. But we should ask ourselves why these shows are so popular. It’s the appeal of having wealth without having to earn it. It’s the appeal of breaking that link between work and reward [John Houseman commercial: “At Smith Barney, we make money the old-fashioned way. We earn it.” They don’t run that commercial anymore. Why? People don’t want to invest for the long term. They don’t want to “earn” a good return on their money. They want to take a flyer on some “dot-com” stock that’s going to quadruple their money in two weeks.]
Now, while you may be able to acquire wealth without labor, or reverse the consequences of overeating, there’s at least one area of life where the law of sowing and reaping always applies. And that’s in our spiritual life. Our character, our relationship with God, our relationships with one another, these are ruled by the law of sowing and reaping. It’s part of the moral fabric of the universe. This law can’t be overturned by drinking vinegar; it can’t be repealed by a winning lottery ticket. It holds fast. And so the way of wisdom is not to war against it, but to understand it and live by it and benefit from it. Ignoring the law of sowing and reaping only leads to sorrow and regret. What we need to do is respond to it in a way that’s spiritually healthy and pleasing to God.
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:7-9 (NIV)
What’s Paul’s first point? “Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked.” Some people today are mocking God. Not explicitly – they’re not glaring up at the sky, laughing at God, taunting Him, daring Him to strike them down. But they are mocking Him implicitly, by the way they’re living; by disregarding His claims on their life. Ignoring God, ignoring His law, ignoring His Son Jesus Christ. Living however they please, with no thought or concern about God. They think they’re beating the system. They think they’re “getting away with it.” They think that as long as they’re clever enough to cover their tracks, as long as they can avoid discovery and exposure, as long as no one finds out, then they can do whatever they want.
But what Paul is telling us here is that they’re not getting away with it. It’s corroding their soul. It’s destroying their integrity. It’s eroding the foundation of their relationships, and placing a barrier between them and God. And sooner or later, it is going to come out. Sooner or later, they will reap what they’ve been sowing.
[World Magazine, June 12 1999]. “When Harvard Divinity School dean Ronald F. Thiemann, a Lutheran theologian, suddenly stepped down from his post , he said it was for "personal and professional reasons." Last month, the Boston Globe filled in the blanks. It said he had been forced to resign after technicians at the school told Harvard officials they had found thousands of pornographic images on his university-owned home computer. Mr. Thiemann had summoned the workers to install a larger hard disk and to transfer the contents of the old disk to it.”
Did Mr. Thiemann expect to be exposed? Certainly not. But in the sovereignty of God, it did come to light. And the result was a stained career and reputation.
But – What if you don’t get caught? Sometimes the coverup works, doesn’t it? What if you’re never exposed? What then? Well, at the very least, hidden sin weakens our relationship with God. When Christians try to conceal their sin, it distances them from their Lord. It erects a barrier to prayer; it destroys fellowship with Christ. And at worst, concealed sin shows that there was never really a relationship with God to begin with. You see, people who think they’re “getting away with it” may be able to con everyone around them, every day of their lives, until the day of their death. But they can’t con God. There will be a judgment, and all of their deeds, good and bad, will be exposed.
“The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.” – 1 Timothy 5:24-25 (NIV)
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)
Everything we sow eventually bears fruit. It’s the law of sowing and reaping. If what we’re sowing is bad, then the harvest will be bad, whether our deeds come to fruition in this life or whether they are exposed at God’s judgment seat on the last day.
“As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.” – Job 4:8 (NIV)
“He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.” – Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)
“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love . . .” –Hosea 10:12 (NIV)
“Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” – James 3:18 (NIV)
[CONTINUED TOMORROW...]
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday Wrap Up
Someone named Anonymous responded to Friday's blog. He or she wrote, "Sorry, but this didn't come from the President of Australia last week. These statements are from an article originally written in 2002 by Air Force veteran Barry Loudermilk, titled "This is America. Like It Or Leave It." You can view the original article here: http://web.archive.org/web/20020213210735/http://vietnow"
I appreciate this correction. However, it does make me feel a little better that the speech came from an American leader.
Great services today! We had at least one lady, Cathy, received Christ as her Lord and Savior today. God did some wonderful things in our altars today. It was great to be in the house of God today.
Please keep Brian in your prayers. He is doing better and resting in the hospital tonight. Also, remember Chris McBeath and his family in your prayers. They are in Kentucky attending the funeral of his grandmother this week. And finally continue to remember our missionary, Arlene Miller, in your prayers.
Have a great week!
-Pastor Randy
I appreciate this correction. However, it does make me feel a little better that the speech came from an American leader.
Great services today! We had at least one lady, Cathy, received Christ as her Lord and Savior today. God did some wonderful things in our altars today. It was great to be in the house of God today.
Please keep Brian in your prayers. He is doing better and resting in the hospital tonight. Also, remember Chris McBeath and his family in your prayers. They are in Kentucky attending the funeral of his grandmother this week. And finally continue to remember our missionary, Arlene Miller, in your prayers.
Have a great week!
-Pastor Randy
Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday Coundown...Kudos to the President of Australia
This week the President of Australia issued the statement below. I know that in America we take great pride in our religous tolerance and we welcome all religions to America exercising their freedom to worship their god. But when you look at Islam and what happens to nations who let them come in and get a foothold in that nation's communities, businesses, and government...it's more than frightening, it threatens the very fabric and core of those nations and often brings an end to their freedoms and human rights.I encourage you to open your eyes. Look at around the globe. Look at nations in southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle east, and even in Europe right now. You don't think it can happen here? It can and it is. Give the Australian President credit. He's trying to do what he can to stop it now before its too late. The Australian President understands Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people." [NASU] Islam is a false religion. Allah is a false god, an idol, which is a sin against the one and only true God.Righteousness only comes through confession in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
May God give America this kind of leadership!
-Pastor
__________________________
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks..
Separately, Rudd angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:
'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. '
'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'
'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'
'Most Australians believe in God.. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'
'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'
'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'
'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Seeds of Apostasy
A very good word. Have a great day!
- Pastor
THE SEEDS of APOSTASY
-by Paul Holdren.
John Wesley recounted that within every revival were the seeds
of apostasy. By this he meant that with revival came righteousness,
with righteousness came favor, with favor came prosperity, and with
prosperity came the temptation to self-reliance. The temptation of
self-reliance is the first step away from God. It is sad that people
are willing to serve the illusion of prosperity by means of self-reliance.
As Americans we can definitely see how this insight fits our country.
Our land was birthed with the ideal that a nation should have the
freedom to worship the true and living God according to one’s
conscience. The Almighty had blessed our nation with righteousness.
With righteousness came national favor, with favor came prosperity,
and now we, as a nation, bear the burdens of decline resulting from
our own self-reliance. As American Christians we can see how the
Spirit of the Lord could speak of a church that sees itself as
“increased of goods and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:17).
When idolatry’s seed of self-reliance yields its crop of perversion,
poverty, and struggle—many who claim to be worshippers of
Almighty God will turn to other gods. These gods are the gods
which originate in the satanically manipulated carnal heart. These
gods are conceived in the human imagination and constructed by
human hands. These gods of imagery are bombarding Americans
now, seducing us in a downward spiral of the media’s ongoing
promotion of abomination against God.
Our present “it’s the economy” or “it’s health care” politicians have
replaced Jeremiah’s prosperity prophets, giving us a false sense of
security by proclaiming blessing and peace upon the land. Our
“soft-sell” preachers are proclaiming health and wealth, while the
glory is preparing to depart from our places of worship. “Change
that makes a difference” will not come by the hands of men.
“Change that will make a difference” will only come when we cast
our idols down at the foot of the cross.
Where are the believers like Ezekiel today? Where are the watchmen
on the wall of a nation’s destiny—crying out that the enemy is
coming, that the glory is lifting, and that God is turning His back?
Political correctness tells us not to speak in such a manner.
Religious convenience tells us not to prophecy such, for the people
have ears that need to be tickled (II Tim 4:3). As passionate believers,
we cannot help but speak a word of warning. As passionate oracles
of the truth, we must speak the promise of restoration grace in
order that many may be given the opportunity to cast down their
idols and return to the God of our fathers.
- Pastor
THE SEEDS of APOSTASY
-by Paul Holdren.
John Wesley recounted that within every revival were the seeds
of apostasy. By this he meant that with revival came righteousness,
with righteousness came favor, with favor came prosperity, and with
prosperity came the temptation to self-reliance. The temptation of
self-reliance is the first step away from God. It is sad that people
are willing to serve the illusion of prosperity by means of self-reliance.
As Americans we can definitely see how this insight fits our country.
Our land was birthed with the ideal that a nation should have the
freedom to worship the true and living God according to one’s
conscience. The Almighty had blessed our nation with righteousness.
With righteousness came national favor, with favor came prosperity,
and now we, as a nation, bear the burdens of decline resulting from
our own self-reliance. As American Christians we can see how the
Spirit of the Lord could speak of a church that sees itself as
“increased of goods and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:17).
When idolatry’s seed of self-reliance yields its crop of perversion,
poverty, and struggle—many who claim to be worshippers of
Almighty God will turn to other gods. These gods are the gods
which originate in the satanically manipulated carnal heart. These
gods are conceived in the human imagination and constructed by
human hands. These gods of imagery are bombarding Americans
now, seducing us in a downward spiral of the media’s ongoing
promotion of abomination against God.
Our present “it’s the economy” or “it’s health care” politicians have
replaced Jeremiah’s prosperity prophets, giving us a false sense of
security by proclaiming blessing and peace upon the land. Our
“soft-sell” preachers are proclaiming health and wealth, while the
glory is preparing to depart from our places of worship. “Change
that makes a difference” will not come by the hands of men.
“Change that will make a difference” will only come when we cast
our idols down at the foot of the cross.
Where are the believers like Ezekiel today? Where are the watchmen
on the wall of a nation’s destiny—crying out that the enemy is
coming, that the glory is lifting, and that God is turning His back?
Political correctness tells us not to speak in such a manner.
Religious convenience tells us not to prophecy such, for the people
have ears that need to be tickled (II Tim 4:3). As passionate believers,
we cannot help but speak a word of warning. As passionate oracles
of the truth, we must speak the promise of restoration grace in
order that many may be given the opportunity to cast down their
idols and return to the God of our fathers.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Money, Barrels, and Bob Evans
Today was Sonya Money's last staff meeting with us and this is her last official week as Treasurer of KP. What a wonderful job she has done. We will miss her and Amos too. They are KP giants in my estimation. Even before they moved back from Florida, I heard so much about them from the KP congregation members...nothing but good things of course. And I have to say, it is all true. Amos and Sonya have worked untiringly at the church. They love KP and I know its very hard for them to leave. This coming Sunday evening we will take some time after service and honor them. I think it would be very appropriate if you would like to express your love and appreciation with a card and/or a gift inside. Of course, if you cannot afford it, don't worry about it. Hugs, pats on the back, and kind words will do just fine.
Well, we our getting our barrels out now. If you can help us to place a barrel somewhere where there is public traffic, please come by and pick one up. We have about ten left and we need to get them all out this week. If not, you can at least bring your old shoes to the church and help us fill barrels. We have about two weeks to try to get a semi-truck full of old shoes. It could mean as much as $25,000 for missions.
Wow, we had a great men's cell this morning at Bob Evans. This morning they sat a big group of store managers by us as we went through our lesson and prayed. I love when they do that. About every week, we have someone sitting near us that is listening and watching, including waitresses. It gives our cell an opportunity to shine the light of Christ both in word and in our actions.
Hey, have a great Wednesday!
-Pastor
Well, we our getting our barrels out now. If you can help us to place a barrel somewhere where there is public traffic, please come by and pick one up. We have about ten left and we need to get them all out this week. If not, you can at least bring your old shoes to the church and help us fill barrels. We have about two weeks to try to get a semi-truck full of old shoes. It could mean as much as $25,000 for missions.
Wow, we had a great men's cell this morning at Bob Evans. This morning they sat a big group of store managers by us as we went through our lesson and prayed. I love when they do that. About every week, we have someone sitting near us that is listening and watching, including waitresses. It gives our cell an opportunity to shine the light of Christ both in word and in our actions.
Hey, have a great Wednesday!
-Pastor
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Sunday Wrap Up
Man, it feels great to get a little rest. It was a wonderful weekend, but a busy one. The worship service last night was wonderful. Six months ago, I first talk to Natalie about putting together a Saturday evening praise & worship service. We had wanted to do it this summer and had scheduled Ed Cloninger and his Middletown church worship band to come and lead it. But we had to cancel, due to the Tommie Zito ministries coming in that particular week. The original plan was to provide a service that would include not only KP people but also worship leaders from churches in the area. We just don't want this to be a Kings Point thing, but a service where the body of Christ can gather and have some quality time in praise, worship, prayer, and prophetic ministry.
This morning's service was awesome. Sister Lola, Mike, and Ken, all did an awesome job giving us an inspiring view of Kings Point over the last thirty years. We are all blessed to be a part of a body of Christ that has been used of God to shine the light of Christ brightly throughout the tri-state area and beyond. I think we have a tendency as fallen beings to look at God's church through gray colored glasses. We often see the faults and not the fruit. We see the problems and not the potential. But one day Jesus is coming back after a His church. It will be spotless, pure, and undefiled church. Not because its perfect and without problems, but because the precious blood of Jesus has cleansed His church and made it pure and holy.
On a final note, the breakfast and dinner today was great! Thanks to Gerry and Wilma for providing a delicious breakfast...biscuits and gravy, eggs, sausage, and fried apples. If you missed it...you missed a free breakfast that was better than Cracker Barrel's. Thanks to everyone who brought food to the dinner and pitched in and helped prepare and clean-up. A great team effort!
It's time to take a nap. Everyone have a great week!
-Pastor
This morning's service was awesome. Sister Lola, Mike, and Ken, all did an awesome job giving us an inspiring view of Kings Point over the last thirty years. We are all blessed to be a part of a body of Christ that has been used of God to shine the light of Christ brightly throughout the tri-state area and beyond. I think we have a tendency as fallen beings to look at God's church through gray colored glasses. We often see the faults and not the fruit. We see the problems and not the potential. But one day Jesus is coming back after a His church. It will be spotless, pure, and undefiled church. Not because its perfect and without problems, but because the precious blood of Jesus has cleansed His church and made it pure and holy.
On a final note, the breakfast and dinner today was great! Thanks to Gerry and Wilma for providing a delicious breakfast...biscuits and gravy, eggs, sausage, and fried apples. If you missed it...you missed a free breakfast that was better than Cracker Barrel's. Thanks to everyone who brought food to the dinner and pitched in and helped prepare and clean-up. A great team effort!
It's time to take a nap. Everyone have a great week!
-Pastor
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday Countdown...
I arrived back safely from Michigan about an hour ago. For you that heard, my mom is doing fine. She is home from the hospital. They still don't know if it was an heart attack or what. But she is resting and doing fine. Thanks everyone for your prayers.
The pastors encounter was good. We had to leave early to make it back to Indy for little Faith's surgery (Tim was riding with me). Tim just e-mailed us and said she come through surgery well. A pastor's encounter is much different the kind of encounters we do. Pastor's encounters are done mainly around a round table of pastors. Pastors are encouraged to open up after the sessions with other pastors. The cross session is really about the only session other than the vision session where there is ministry around the altar. Pastor's encounters are done in a little over a day. [I like our encounters much better!]
Please come out and join us this weekend as we celebrate thirty years of ministry together at Kings Point. I am looking forward to our praise and worship service Saturday night. I'm ready to get into the presence of the Lord and just rest after a long week of running. Then, Sunday ought to be a great time. Breakfast and dinner under the tent. And the worship service will be unique but I believe everything we do will bring glory to God.
Well, I've been fighting a cold and can barely hold my head up. See ya Sunday!
-Pastor
The pastors encounter was good. We had to leave early to make it back to Indy for little Faith's surgery (Tim was riding with me). Tim just e-mailed us and said she come through surgery well. A pastor's encounter is much different the kind of encounters we do. Pastor's encounters are done mainly around a round table of pastors. Pastors are encouraged to open up after the sessions with other pastors. The cross session is really about the only session other than the vision session where there is ministry around the altar. Pastor's encounters are done in a little over a day. [I like our encounters much better!]
Please come out and join us this weekend as we celebrate thirty years of ministry together at Kings Point. I am looking forward to our praise and worship service Saturday night. I'm ready to get into the presence of the Lord and just rest after a long week of running. Then, Sunday ought to be a great time. Breakfast and dinner under the tent. And the worship service will be unique but I believe everything we do will bring glory to God.
Well, I've been fighting a cold and can barely hold my head up. See ya Sunday!
-Pastor
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Encountering God
I am in an encounter for pastors today in Michigan. I am really looking forward to this time with God over the next day and a half. This morning as I was prayer walking, I could already feel the presence of God stirring up a hunger in me to worship Him today. I always feel a little guilt when I am away from the church and my family. But the Lord helped me with that this morning telling me that this is my time with Him as a worshipper. His Spirit reminded me that I need to trust Him with all of that back home...so thats what I will do while I am here.
Love you all!
-Pastor
Love you all!
-Pastor
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Are You Among the 7000?
by David Wilkerson
We know that all through the Bible, the number seven is equated
with God's eternal purpose. Therefore, I believe the number of 7000
that God quoted to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:18 simply denoted everyone
who made up his remnant. The people he sets aside for himself
could number 70 or 7 million. What matters is that they are wholly
given to him.
So, what are the characteristics of the remnant? Here are three
defining marks:
1. An unchangeable commitment to cling to the Lord. Every remnant
believer has made a single-minded choice to swim against the tide
of evil. At some point, you have to make a commitment, declaring,
"I don't care what others say or do. I am the Lord's. And I won't give
in to the wicked spirit of this age."
2. A willingness to identify with the poor. While society's trend is
to associate with the rich and successful, you align yourself with
the suffering class. Obadiah was a godly man serving in Jezebel's
house. He was determined to fear God and no one else and he
proved that his heart was right and was with the poor by taking
care of 100 ragged, suffering prophets (1 Kings 18:4).
3. A reliance on hope. The 7000 in Elijah's time endured because
of their hope in a coming day of deliverance. Likewise today, the
church's blessed hope is the soon return of Jesus. With one trumpet
blast, all wickedness will end. Our Lord will do away with all killing
of babies, all blatant perversions, all ethnic genocide.
Do these three marks characterize you as a part of God's holy
remnant? If so, God boasts of you, "This one has given his heart
to me. He's focused on me. And he is wholly mine!"
We are to evangelize, minister and work while it is still day. We are
also to live in the hope that King Jesus is coming. And he's bringing
a new world with him, where he'll rule from his eternal throne.
We know that all through the Bible, the number seven is equated
with God's eternal purpose. Therefore, I believe the number of 7000
that God quoted to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:18 simply denoted everyone
who made up his remnant. The people he sets aside for himself
could number 70 or 7 million. What matters is that they are wholly
given to him.
So, what are the characteristics of the remnant? Here are three
defining marks:
1. An unchangeable commitment to cling to the Lord. Every remnant
believer has made a single-minded choice to swim against the tide
of evil. At some point, you have to make a commitment, declaring,
"I don't care what others say or do. I am the Lord's. And I won't give
in to the wicked spirit of this age."
2. A willingness to identify with the poor. While society's trend is
to associate with the rich and successful, you align yourself with
the suffering class. Obadiah was a godly man serving in Jezebel's
house. He was determined to fear God and no one else and he
proved that his heart was right and was with the poor by taking
care of 100 ragged, suffering prophets (1 Kings 18:4).
3. A reliance on hope. The 7000 in Elijah's time endured because
of their hope in a coming day of deliverance. Likewise today, the
church's blessed hope is the soon return of Jesus. With one trumpet
blast, all wickedness will end. Our Lord will do away with all killing
of babies, all blatant perversions, all ethnic genocide.
Do these three marks characterize you as a part of God's holy
remnant? If so, God boasts of you, "This one has given his heart
to me. He's focused on me. And he is wholly mine!"
We are to evangelize, minister and work while it is still day. We are
also to live in the hope that King Jesus is coming. And he's bringing
a new world with him, where he'll rule from his eternal throne.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunday Wrap Up
What a fun day today was as well as the entire weekend. The Children's Encounter was great. I got to pray with kids today in the Vision session. Children had a powerful encounter with Jesus Christ as many of them were filled with the Holy Spirit today and sent out to do ministry. Debbie Jett and her team did a wonderful job! I know they are all super tired, but I think each one would tell you it was worth it.
This morning's service at Kings Point was just an awesome time in the presence of God. The word from the Lord was "brokenness." It was a beautiful sight to see people getting out of their seat spontaneously and kneeling before the cross.
I think we all enjoyed Garry Myers testimony and his sharing about what God has called him to do. Thank you so much for giving in the offering. Wycliff Bible translators maybe the most effective ministry organization in the world for getting God's Word into countries in their own native language. Please remember Garry in your prayers as he goes to Chad, Africa.
Tonight's praise and worship was again a powerful time. I appreciate Brother Ron preaching tonight. His message on putting first Christ was what our body needed to hear. Our meeting with the parents of our teens was ground-breaking. I truly believe God has great things in store for our youth ministry.
If you are helping us with the shoe fundraiser. Please come to the church and get your flyers and posters to give out to your business, churches, etc. You can get them in the kitchen. Barrells will be available on Tuesday n the Grubb wing hallway. Please pick up yours this week.
Thanks! Have a great week!
-Pastor
This morning's service at Kings Point was just an awesome time in the presence of God. The word from the Lord was "brokenness." It was a beautiful sight to see people getting out of their seat spontaneously and kneeling before the cross.
I think we all enjoyed Garry Myers testimony and his sharing about what God has called him to do. Thank you so much for giving in the offering. Wycliff Bible translators maybe the most effective ministry organization in the world for getting God's Word into countries in their own native language. Please remember Garry in your prayers as he goes to Chad, Africa.
Tonight's praise and worship was again a powerful time. I appreciate Brother Ron preaching tonight. His message on putting first Christ was what our body needed to hear. Our meeting with the parents of our teens was ground-breaking. I truly believe God has great things in store for our youth ministry.
If you are helping us with the shoe fundraiser. Please come to the church and get your flyers and posters to give out to your business, churches, etc. You can get them in the kitchen. Barrells will be available on Tuesday n the Grubb wing hallway. Please pick up yours this week.
Thanks! Have a great week!
-Pastor
Friday, September 11, 2009
Friday Countdown...
Its kind of late, but we'll get it in anyway.
Please remember our children's encounter this weekend in prayer. I know we have lots of encounters, but it is vital that you and I hold this one up in our prayers. Kids today battle things most of us never experienced as children. The world today is a much different place than it was when we were their age. They desperately need times when they can experience the presence of God. They need to know that God is real. That He speaks to us and we can speak to him...even as children. These experiences serve as "spiritual points of reference" for kids. When they become teens or even adults, they will look back and remember a God that is real...a God that is personal...a God that hasn't changed and is still there for them at their present time of need.
I feel for Christians today who never take the time to experience the presence of God. They go from Sunday church service to church service, week after week, year after year, and sing songs and hear sermons without experiencing the life-changing presence of Almighty God. Its so easy to become "hearers only" without experiencing God. The one-hundred twenty in the upper room went out and became doers because they experienced the baptism and fire of the Holy Ghost in a personal experience. Do you really think they would have left and changed the world if they would have just sang a few songs and heard a nice sermon and went home? I don't think so. They were hungry for the presence of God. They were willing to stay until they experienced it. Oh yes, they were hearers. But they were hungry, desperate for a divine visitation from God. God will not disappoint that kind of expectation.
Again, I ask that you pray for our children's encounters, the workers and the kids that they experience the fire and baptism of God's Spirit.
-Pastor
Please remember our children's encounter this weekend in prayer. I know we have lots of encounters, but it is vital that you and I hold this one up in our prayers. Kids today battle things most of us never experienced as children. The world today is a much different place than it was when we were their age. They desperately need times when they can experience the presence of God. They need to know that God is real. That He speaks to us and we can speak to him...even as children. These experiences serve as "spiritual points of reference" for kids. When they become teens or even adults, they will look back and remember a God that is real...a God that is personal...a God that hasn't changed and is still there for them at their present time of need.
I feel for Christians today who never take the time to experience the presence of God. They go from Sunday church service to church service, week after week, year after year, and sing songs and hear sermons without experiencing the life-changing presence of Almighty God. Its so easy to become "hearers only" without experiencing God. The one-hundred twenty in the upper room went out and became doers because they experienced the baptism and fire of the Holy Ghost in a personal experience. Do you really think they would have left and changed the world if they would have just sang a few songs and heard a nice sermon and went home? I don't think so. They were hungry for the presence of God. They were willing to stay until they experienced it. Oh yes, they were hearers. But they were hungry, desperate for a divine visitation from God. God will not disappoint that kind of expectation.
Again, I ask that you pray for our children's encounters, the workers and the kids that they experience the fire and baptism of God's Spirit.
-Pastor
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Message that's Not Being Heard
Great article by Lee Grady. A must read for the body of Christ! Have a great day!
-Pastor
THE LOST MESSAGE of CONSECRATION
-by Lee Grady.
From reading some old books I've discovered a missing spiritual
dimension. The Lord is inviting us to reclaim it.
A few months ago I went on a special diet. I put aside all newly
published books and limited my reading to a small collection of
Christian classics, mostly devotional works by Andrew Murray,
Watchman Nee, E.M. Bounds, Charles Spurgeon, A.B. Simpson
and Corrie Ten Boom. I knew God had a message for me in those
musty pages.
I had noticed a similar theme in all these books, but it took me a
while to crack the code. These writers from the 19th and 20th
centuries wrote from a spiritual depth that I rarely see in the
church today, and I wanted to know their secret. I slowly began
to figure things out while reading A.B. Simpson's book, A Larger
Christian Life, which he wrote in 1890 when the Holiness
Movement was at its zenith in the United States.
Simpson often preached about Abraham's offering of his son Isaac
on the altar at Mount Moriah, and he called Christians to the place
of self-sacrifice. Mount Moriah, Simpson wrote, "signifies the deeper
spiritual experience into which the fully consecrated person must
come. In this act of obedience, the sanctified self is laid on the
altar just as Isaac was."
I read similar comments about consecration, or full surrender, in
Watchman Nee's The Release of the Spirit, which was first
published in China in 1955. Nee taught us that the path to
spiritual fruitfulness—and to true, intimate knowledge of the
Lord —is the brokenness of the outward man. He explained that
God uses tests and trials in our lives to break our selfish nature
so that Christ's nature can flow through us.
Nee wrote: "No life manifests more beauty than the one who is
broken! Stubbornness and self-love have given way to beauty in
the one who is broken by God."
Perhaps the reason I find so much nourishment in these old words
is that I don't hear much today about the crucified life, suffering,
brokenness or surrender. We rarely talk of altars and we avoid
altar calls. We don't invite people to a deeper spiritual realm
because few even know about such a place; often even our leaders
are too busy using God to boost their egos or to amass personal
wealth.
Today's shallow, "evangelical lite" culture focuses on self, self and
more self. Christian books today are mostly about self-improvement,
not self- sacrifice. We teach people to claim their "best life now"—
and to claim it on their terms. Our message is one of self-
empowerment: God wants to make you happy, so just add a
little bit of God to your life (on your terms of course) and He will
bless you, prosper you and make all your dreams come true.
How strange that message seems when contrasted with the old
hymns Christians used to sing back in the days of holiness
revivals. This song written by Adelaide Pollard in 1907 seems
eerily foreign today:
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay;
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
The woman who penned those words was an itinerant Bible teacher
who was discouraged because she didn't have the funds to make
a missionary journey to Africa. She found great comfort when she
put all her plans and desires on the altar and freshly surrendered
to God's will for her life. The song that sprung from her anguish
blessed millions, but today it has lost its popularity because we
simply don't relate.
I believe we must reclaim the forgotten message of consecration.
It is not enough to know Christian doctrines or to paint a nice
Christian veneer on the surface of our lives. God wants our hearts.
We must embrace the cross daily. It is not enough to simply avoid
the sins that our Christian culture says are the "worst"; we must
also allow God's knife to slay the pride, the self-will, the self-
confidence and the self-glorification that our backslidden Christian
culture encourages.
I invite you to reclaim this lost message by praying a "dangerous
prayer" of consecration. Let God assume the throne of your life
while you abdicate. You can pray something like this:
"Lord, You are the potter and I am the clay. Forgive me for my
selfishness. I consecrate my life to You afresh today. I give You
permission to break me, mold me, bend me and make me
according to Your perfect will. This is all the work of Your grace.
I choose to embrace whatever circumstances You must send into
my life in order to rid me of pride and self-will. I choose to live
on Your altar. As I empty myself, I ask You to fill me with Your
Holy Spirit. Amen"
-Pastor
THE LOST MESSAGE of CONSECRATION
-by Lee Grady.
From reading some old books I've discovered a missing spiritual
dimension. The Lord is inviting us to reclaim it.
A few months ago I went on a special diet. I put aside all newly
published books and limited my reading to a small collection of
Christian classics, mostly devotional works by Andrew Murray,
Watchman Nee, E.M. Bounds, Charles Spurgeon, A.B. Simpson
and Corrie Ten Boom. I knew God had a message for me in those
musty pages.
I had noticed a similar theme in all these books, but it took me a
while to crack the code. These writers from the 19th and 20th
centuries wrote from a spiritual depth that I rarely see in the
church today, and I wanted to know their secret. I slowly began
to figure things out while reading A.B. Simpson's book, A Larger
Christian Life, which he wrote in 1890 when the Holiness
Movement was at its zenith in the United States.
Simpson often preached about Abraham's offering of his son Isaac
on the altar at Mount Moriah, and he called Christians to the place
of self-sacrifice. Mount Moriah, Simpson wrote, "signifies the deeper
spiritual experience into which the fully consecrated person must
come. In this act of obedience, the sanctified self is laid on the
altar just as Isaac was."
I read similar comments about consecration, or full surrender, in
Watchman Nee's The Release of the Spirit, which was first
published in China in 1955. Nee taught us that the path to
spiritual fruitfulness—and to true, intimate knowledge of the
Lord —is the brokenness of the outward man. He explained that
God uses tests and trials in our lives to break our selfish nature
so that Christ's nature can flow through us.
Nee wrote: "No life manifests more beauty than the one who is
broken! Stubbornness and self-love have given way to beauty in
the one who is broken by God."
Perhaps the reason I find so much nourishment in these old words
is that I don't hear much today about the crucified life, suffering,
brokenness or surrender. We rarely talk of altars and we avoid
altar calls. We don't invite people to a deeper spiritual realm
because few even know about such a place; often even our leaders
are too busy using God to boost their egos or to amass personal
wealth.
Today's shallow, "evangelical lite" culture focuses on self, self and
more self. Christian books today are mostly about self-improvement,
not self- sacrifice. We teach people to claim their "best life now"—
and to claim it on their terms. Our message is one of self-
empowerment: God wants to make you happy, so just add a
little bit of God to your life (on your terms of course) and He will
bless you, prosper you and make all your dreams come true.
How strange that message seems when contrasted with the old
hymns Christians used to sing back in the days of holiness
revivals. This song written by Adelaide Pollard in 1907 seems
eerily foreign today:
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay;
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
The woman who penned those words was an itinerant Bible teacher
who was discouraged because she didn't have the funds to make
a missionary journey to Africa. She found great comfort when she
put all her plans and desires on the altar and freshly surrendered
to God's will for her life. The song that sprung from her anguish
blessed millions, but today it has lost its popularity because we
simply don't relate.
I believe we must reclaim the forgotten message of consecration.
It is not enough to know Christian doctrines or to paint a nice
Christian veneer on the surface of our lives. God wants our hearts.
We must embrace the cross daily. It is not enough to simply avoid
the sins that our Christian culture says are the "worst"; we must
also allow God's knife to slay the pride, the self-will, the self-
confidence and the self-glorification that our backslidden Christian
culture encourages.
I invite you to reclaim this lost message by praying a "dangerous
prayer" of consecration. Let God assume the throne of your life
while you abdicate. You can pray something like this:
"Lord, You are the potter and I am the clay. Forgive me for my
selfishness. I consecrate my life to You afresh today. I give You
permission to break me, mold me, bend me and make me
according to Your perfect will. This is all the work of Your grace.
I choose to embrace whatever circumstances You must send into
my life in order to rid me of pride and self-will. I choose to live
on Your altar. As I empty myself, I ask You to fill me with Your
Holy Spirit. Amen"
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Great Quotes...
“All I can say is I look for perpetual conflicts and struggles in this
life, and I hope for no other peace, only a cross, while on this side
of eternity.”
-George Whitefield
"God give me a deep humility, a well-guided zeal, a burning love
and a single eye, and then let men or devils do their worst."
-George Whitefield
"If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours
through us that really counts. God’s purpose is not simply to
make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that
He may squeeze the sweetness out of us."
- Oswald Chambers
"Nothing is more contrary to a heavenly hope than an earthly heart."
-William Gurnall
"Consecrate, then concentrate..."
- Dwight L. Moody
"At the day of judgment we shall all meet again."
-George Whitfield
"Dare, dare, my dear brethren in Christ, to follow the Captain of
your salvation, who was made perfect through sufferings."
-George Whitefield
"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God
has forgiven the inexcusable in you."
-C.S. Lewis
Have a wonderful day!
-Pastor
life, and I hope for no other peace, only a cross, while on this side
of eternity.”
-George Whitefield
"God give me a deep humility, a well-guided zeal, a burning love
and a single eye, and then let men or devils do their worst."
-George Whitefield
"If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours
through us that really counts. God’s purpose is not simply to
make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that
He may squeeze the sweetness out of us."
- Oswald Chambers
"Nothing is more contrary to a heavenly hope than an earthly heart."
-William Gurnall
"Consecrate, then concentrate..."
- Dwight L. Moody
"At the day of judgment we shall all meet again."
-George Whitfield
"Dare, dare, my dear brethren in Christ, to follow the Captain of
your salvation, who was made perfect through sufferings."
-George Whitefield
"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God
has forgiven the inexcusable in you."
-C.S. Lewis
Have a wonderful day!
-Pastor
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Blessed to Overflowing
Prov.3:9-10 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
What an awesome truth this is! And I can tell you by experience, God will keep his word. Since I was a boy, I have given God my firstfruits. In other words, I have given him ten per cent of my income and offerings on top of that. As I have done this, God has always blessed me "to overflowing." I have had people call it "luck." I have had people be jealous at how God has blessed us. I know of people that have been critical of me because of God's blessing and favor upon me. But it really isn't about what I have done or the abilities that I have that have brought about the wealth I have...its all all about God blessing a person when he gives first of everything to God.
Even in times of economic trouble, God is faithful and I have no doubt He will continue to be. I encourage you to give your firstfruits to God. Stop questioning His Word. Stop listening to others. Stop arguing whether you can do it. Just do it and watch God bless you "to overflowing" too.
Have a wonderful week!
-Pastor
What an awesome truth this is! And I can tell you by experience, God will keep his word. Since I was a boy, I have given God my firstfruits. In other words, I have given him ten per cent of my income and offerings on top of that. As I have done this, God has always blessed me "to overflowing." I have had people call it "luck." I have had people be jealous at how God has blessed us. I know of people that have been critical of me because of God's blessing and favor upon me. But it really isn't about what I have done or the abilities that I have that have brought about the wealth I have...its all all about God blessing a person when he gives first of everything to God.
Even in times of economic trouble, God is faithful and I have no doubt He will continue to be. I encourage you to give your firstfruits to God. Stop questioning His Word. Stop listening to others. Stop arguing whether you can do it. Just do it and watch God bless you "to overflowing" too.
Have a wonderful week!
-Pastor
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Sunday Wrap Up
Well, we made it to Indy safely tonight. What a great day today! Sometimes, I think the services are better on holiday weekends when the crowd is a little down. I had people come to me tonight telling me that this morning's service was the best they had ever been in at Kings Point and these folks have been going to church here ten plus years. There was a great liberty in the service this morning, both during praise & worship and during the preaching of God's Word. We had a lot of people that came weighed down with some heavy stuff going on in their lives. They left having traded their heaviness for the garment of praise.
Tonight was equally outstanding. A really good crowd for a Sunday PM holiday service. Wow, did Brother Orr preach a great message and we set forth an exciting new ministry that begins this Saturday. As I said tonight, if you know someone that needs help with getting food, please have them be at the church at 8:30 am this Saturday morning as "Open Arms" begins to feed the community as God provides. We also prayed and anointed the children's encounters workers who will minister during the encounter this weekend.
On September 20th, we will celebrate 30 years of preaching the gospel in Maineville at our our present Kings Point location. We will kick things off with a "Prophetic Praise & Worship" service at 6:00 pm and follow that with a bonfire fellowship afterwards. If you come to the service, plan on entering into praise and worship. If not, you will be bored. On Sunday morning, we plan to have some young men who grew up in the church that have been called to preach the gospel to share in a "tag team message." I think you will enjoy it. Following our service, we will have a pitch-in dinner under the tent in the back of the parking lot. We are planning on a few other surprises to celebrate thirty years of ministry at Kings Point! It ought to be a fun and exciting weekend.
Have a great weekend!
-Pastor
Tonight was equally outstanding. A really good crowd for a Sunday PM holiday service. Wow, did Brother Orr preach a great message and we set forth an exciting new ministry that begins this Saturday. As I said tonight, if you know someone that needs help with getting food, please have them be at the church at 8:30 am this Saturday morning as "Open Arms" begins to feed the community as God provides. We also prayed and anointed the children's encounters workers who will minister during the encounter this weekend.
On September 20th, we will celebrate 30 years of preaching the gospel in Maineville at our our present Kings Point location. We will kick things off with a "Prophetic Praise & Worship" service at 6:00 pm and follow that with a bonfire fellowship afterwards. If you come to the service, plan on entering into praise and worship. If not, you will be bored. On Sunday morning, we plan to have some young men who grew up in the church that have been called to preach the gospel to share in a "tag team message." I think you will enjoy it. Following our service, we will have a pitch-in dinner under the tent in the back of the parking lot. We are planning on a few other surprises to celebrate thirty years of ministry at Kings Point! It ought to be a fun and exciting weekend.
Have a great weekend!
-Pastor
Friday, September 4, 2009
Friday Countdown...
Hello everyone! I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. The weather looks to be great. I believe we are going to have some great worship services Sunday...come anticipating and be ready to worship and you will not be let down.
Our School of Discovery (or Leadership) begins Sunday, September 20th. You can start signing up this Sunday. The first trimester deals with church doctrine and family issues. I would encourage anyone that has been through encounters and post-encounters to take the course. There are three trimesters and it will challenge you. But you will better for it at the end of the course.
Children's encounter is next weekend. Debbie Jett and her staff have been working hard getting ready for this life-changing weekend. I would strongly encourage you to send your children to the encounter, especially here at the beginning of the school year. As a parent, anytime I can give my child an opportunity to have a personal encounter or experience with God, I am going to get them there.
In two weeks, we will have our annual homecoming weekend celebrating thirty years of ministry at our present Maineville location. This year we plan to set a tent in the back and have dinner on our grounds. We also plan to have a special Saturday evening prophetic worship service beginning at 6 p.m. It will be a little different than a normal Sunday morning or evening service, but if you love to worship and praise the Lord you will enjoy it.
Thanks to everyone who gave in the offering to our Chile church planters last weekend and o those who went to Wendy's for lunch. Around $600 will be given because of those efforts.
Please continue to remember Sister Arlene Miller. She would like for you to pray that she will be able to walk and use her arms again some day. She is still on the ventilator and still using a feeding tube.
See ya Sunday!
-Pastor
Our School of Discovery (or Leadership) begins Sunday, September 20th. You can start signing up this Sunday. The first trimester deals with church doctrine and family issues. I would encourage anyone that has been through encounters and post-encounters to take the course. There are three trimesters and it will challenge you. But you will better for it at the end of the course.
Children's encounter is next weekend. Debbie Jett and her staff have been working hard getting ready for this life-changing weekend. I would strongly encourage you to send your children to the encounter, especially here at the beginning of the school year. As a parent, anytime I can give my child an opportunity to have a personal encounter or experience with God, I am going to get them there.
In two weeks, we will have our annual homecoming weekend celebrating thirty years of ministry at our present Maineville location. This year we plan to set a tent in the back and have dinner on our grounds. We also plan to have a special Saturday evening prophetic worship service beginning at 6 p.m. It will be a little different than a normal Sunday morning or evening service, but if you love to worship and praise the Lord you will enjoy it.
Thanks to everyone who gave in the offering to our Chile church planters last weekend and o those who went to Wendy's for lunch. Around $600 will be given because of those efforts.
Please continue to remember Sister Arlene Miller. She would like for you to pray that she will be able to walk and use her arms again some day. She is still on the ventilator and still using a feeding tube.
See ya Sunday!
-Pastor
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Just some personal stuff...
Just some personal stuff today...its been a while.
Annette, Gabe, and yours truly cut and loaded firewood all weekend and Monday...about 7 cords in all. I ended up going to the Chiropractor and Gabe got a splinter in his eye and ended up going to the Optometrist. Annette who never does anything like that (carrying that kind of weight) ended up great...no back pain, no soreness, no splinters, nothing. Go figure. She's pretty amazing!
Friday night was fun at Gabe's first football game. The score was 41-0 at the end of the first quarter. Every time Gabe turned around he was kicking P.A.T.s, a field goal, or kickoffs. It was comical. Usually the kicker for a football team never gets winded unless he's talking too much on the sideline. But Gabe looked tired after the first quarter. Anyway, Coach Shafer took his varsity out and put in the JV beginning the second quarter. Thank God...the score could have been 160-0 and the kicker would have been too tired to carry and cut wood on Saturday. How devastating that would have been.
Well, I got to be running. I hope you have a great day and let Christ shine brightly today!
-Pastor
Annette, Gabe, and yours truly cut and loaded firewood all weekend and Monday...about 7 cords in all. I ended up going to the Chiropractor and Gabe got a splinter in his eye and ended up going to the Optometrist. Annette who never does anything like that (carrying that kind of weight) ended up great...no back pain, no soreness, no splinters, nothing. Go figure. She's pretty amazing!
Friday night was fun at Gabe's first football game. The score was 41-0 at the end of the first quarter. Every time Gabe turned around he was kicking P.A.T.s, a field goal, or kickoffs. It was comical. Usually the kicker for a football team never gets winded unless he's talking too much on the sideline. But Gabe looked tired after the first quarter. Anyway, Coach Shafer took his varsity out and put in the JV beginning the second quarter. Thank God...the score could have been 160-0 and the kicker would have been too tired to carry and cut wood on Saturday. How devastating that would have been.
Well, I got to be running. I hope you have a great day and let Christ shine brightly today!
-Pastor
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