Great, great worship service this morning. KP's response to the message, the praise and worship during the message, the moving of the Holy Spirit was AWESOME! Next week, part II of the Bema will be a great service as well. Be sure to come and bring someone with you. I am anxious to see what God is going to do next Sunday!
Tonight's service and farewell for the Brumfields was great. Thanks to everyone who came and participated. Please keep Ken and Karen and the boys in your prayers.
Everyone have a wonderful week. Please keep the Church of God General Assembly this week in your prayers. Decisions will be made the will affect KP. Please pray for God's leading and His direction.
Blessing!
-Pastor
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Overcoming Hindrances to our Growth
by David Wilkerson
In Ephesians 4:31, Paul lists things we must remove from our lives if we are to grow in the grace of Christ: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice."
We dare not skip over these issues on Paul's list. The apostle says we absolutely must face these things if we are to grow in grace. If you ignore the heart issues Paul mentions here, you will grieve the Holy Spirit. Your growth will be stunted, and you'll end up a spiritual zombie.
The first three items on Paul's list—bitterness, wrath and anger—are self-explanatory. Bitterness is a refusal to let go of an old wound or forgive a past wrong. Wrath is a stronghold of resentment coupled with a hope to gain revenge. Anger is exasperation—either a quick explosive outburst or a slow burn of indignation toward someone. Evil speaking are words that tear down—it is the opposite of edifying someone or speaking words of edification; evil speaking is malicious, hurtful.
Clamor is a sudden outburst over nothing—an unnecessary hubbub, a loud noise made for no purpose. We cause a clamor when we make a big issue out of something insignificant, or cause a scene rather than trying to help or heal.
The final item on Paul's list is malice. Malice is the desire to see someone else suffer. For many Christians malice means hoping God will punish someone who wounded them. It's a devilish spirit, and it's usually hidden deep within the heart.
When Paul says "Put away all these evils from you," he's not talking about a quick fix. He's describing a process—a matter of growth that takes time. At times, we may fail at ridding ourselves of these evils. But if we will quickly repent, and commit to making things right with the person, over time these issues will fade away.
In Ephesians 4:31, Paul lists things we must remove from our lives if we are to grow in the grace of Christ: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice."
We dare not skip over these issues on Paul's list. The apostle says we absolutely must face these things if we are to grow in grace. If you ignore the heart issues Paul mentions here, you will grieve the Holy Spirit. Your growth will be stunted, and you'll end up a spiritual zombie.
The first three items on Paul's list—bitterness, wrath and anger—are self-explanatory. Bitterness is a refusal to let go of an old wound or forgive a past wrong. Wrath is a stronghold of resentment coupled with a hope to gain revenge. Anger is exasperation—either a quick explosive outburst or a slow burn of indignation toward someone. Evil speaking are words that tear down—it is the opposite of edifying someone or speaking words of edification; evil speaking is malicious, hurtful.
Clamor is a sudden outburst over nothing—an unnecessary hubbub, a loud noise made for no purpose. We cause a clamor when we make a big issue out of something insignificant, or cause a scene rather than trying to help or heal.
The final item on Paul's list is malice. Malice is the desire to see someone else suffer. For many Christians malice means hoping God will punish someone who wounded them. It's a devilish spirit, and it's usually hidden deep within the heart.
When Paul says "Put away all these evils from you," he's not talking about a quick fix. He's describing a process—a matter of growth that takes time. At times, we may fail at ridding ourselves of these evils. But if we will quickly repent, and commit to making things right with the person, over time these issues will fade away.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Stay Awake!
Okay, the day is over. For the first time today, I got a chance to look at my computer and catch up on some e-mails. Adam Johnson and I went to visit baby Warren today. We got a chance to see him and pray with him and his mom and dad, Tonya and Charles. Little Warren is hanging in there. Please continue to lift him up in your prayers. He's not out of the woods yet. We need intercessors to keep interceding.
Also, please remember Brother Clyde Green. He had a stint put in today. He needs our prayers. Clyde is the brother of Lola Barker and Hazel Dye.
Today, I meditated on a portion of scripture from I Thessalonians 5 that says "We are sons of the light and sons of the day; we are not of the night nor of the darkness. Therefore, we do not sleep as others do, but be sober and alert..." I know I may not have quoted it perfect. But this scripture warns to not let the world rock us into a sleepy or apathetic state. Most of do that at night. We get sleepy and doze off. But the Apostle Paul reminds us we are not of the night, but sons of the light and day. During the day, we are awake, alert, and active. Most of us are busy at work or doing something. We don't sit down long enough and even if we do its in a lighted room. Its not conducive to sleeping.
If you read I Thessalonians 5, you know that Paul is warning Christians that Jesus is coming like a thief in the night. Be ready. Be watchful. Be alert. Amen! Amen! Amen!
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
-Pastor
Also, please remember Brother Clyde Green. He had a stint put in today. He needs our prayers. Clyde is the brother of Lola Barker and Hazel Dye.
Today, I meditated on a portion of scripture from I Thessalonians 5 that says "We are sons of the light and sons of the day; we are not of the night nor of the darkness. Therefore, we do not sleep as others do, but be sober and alert..." I know I may not have quoted it perfect. But this scripture warns to not let the world rock us into a sleepy or apathetic state. Most of do that at night. We get sleepy and doze off. But the Apostle Paul reminds us we are not of the night, but sons of the light and day. During the day, we are awake, alert, and active. Most of us are busy at work or doing something. We don't sit down long enough and even if we do its in a lighted room. Its not conducive to sleeping.
If you read I Thessalonians 5, you know that Paul is warning Christians that Jesus is coming like a thief in the night. Be ready. Be watchful. Be alert. Amen! Amen! Amen!
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
-Pastor
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Sunday Wrap Up
Thanks to everyone at KP for the wonderful Pastor's Appreciation Day. Annette, Gabe, and I are very blessed to be called of God to serve and to minister to you. We look forward to many more years to come as the Lord's coming tarries.
Thanks to everyone today who remembered my 50th birthday. Ken's song was amazing. I don't know who blew up all of those balloons, but may God bless your heart and your lungs too. And special thanks to all of the Debbie Jett, the children, and all the ministry leaders for taking us around the world. That was fun!
I really enjoyed Pastor Tim Minks ministry today. Tim is an anointed preacher of the Gospel. Tim and Sheryl are being used of God to raise up a powerful witness of the gospel there in Terre Haute. Please join with me and remember them in your prayers.
Wow, the KP worship band sounded great this morning. God has put together some talented and anointed musicians at KP but also Gerry, Wes, and Alan have done great job in improving our sound. They are not done yet. We hope to be adding some decorative sound boards which will improve the quality of the sound even more.
Go out and let your light shine for Christ this week. Remember, we are sons and children of the light, not of darkness. If Jesus raptures His church this week, it should take us by surpise. We are watching, expecting, and praying!
I love you!
-Pastor
Thanks to everyone today who remembered my 50th birthday. Ken's song was amazing. I don't know who blew up all of those balloons, but may God bless your heart and your lungs too. And special thanks to all of the Debbie Jett, the children, and all the ministry leaders for taking us around the world. That was fun!
I really enjoyed Pastor Tim Minks ministry today. Tim is an anointed preacher of the Gospel. Tim and Sheryl are being used of God to raise up a powerful witness of the gospel there in Terre Haute. Please join with me and remember them in your prayers.
Wow, the KP worship band sounded great this morning. God has put together some talented and anointed musicians at KP but also Gerry, Wes, and Alan have done great job in improving our sound. They are not done yet. We hope to be adding some decorative sound boards which will improve the quality of the sound even more.
Go out and let your light shine for Christ this week. Remember, we are sons and children of the light, not of darkness. If Jesus raptures His church this week, it should take us by surpise. We are watching, expecting, and praying!
I love you!
-Pastor
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Countdown to Sunday
Numbers 2:31 "So the total of all the troops on Dan's side of the camp is 157,600. These three tribes will be last, marching under their banners whenever the Israelites travel." NLT
"They shall go hindmost with their standards." KJV
The camp of Dan brought up the rear when the armies of Israel were on the march. The Danites occupied the last place. They followed the same fiery cloudy pillar, they ate of the same manna, drank of the same spiritual rock, and journeyed to the same inheritance.
Someone must be last. Someone must do the cleanup. Someone in honour and esteem, must do menial work for Jesus, and why should that not be you and I? Whether its in a poor village, among an ignorant, poor, or diseased; or in a back street, among degraded sinners, God calls us as His followers to work on, and "go hindmost with my standard."[KJV]
The Danites position in the march was a very valuable one. Stragglers had to be picked up upon the march, and lost property has to be gathered from the field. Fiery, zealous soldiers may preach fresh and powerful truth and win more souls to Christ; but the quiet and the more conservative believers remind the church of her ancient faith, and restoring the weak and the backslidden. Every position in the army has its effective and important duties, and the slowly moving ones are a great blessing to the whole.
The rear guard is a place of danger. There are enemies behind us as well as before us. Attacks may come from any place. We read that Amalek fell upon Israel, and slew some of the back (hindmost)of the march. The experienced Christian will find much work for his weapons in aiding those poor doubting, desponding, wavering, souls, who are lacking in faith, knowledge, and joy. These must not be neglected, and therefore be it the business of veteran believers to bear their standards among those in the "hindmost."
"My soul, do thou tenderly watch to help the hindmost this day."
Have a great weekend!
-Pastor
"They shall go hindmost with their standards." KJV
The camp of Dan brought up the rear when the armies of Israel were on the march. The Danites occupied the last place. They followed the same fiery cloudy pillar, they ate of the same manna, drank of the same spiritual rock, and journeyed to the same inheritance.
Someone must be last. Someone must do the cleanup. Someone in honour and esteem, must do menial work for Jesus, and why should that not be you and I? Whether its in a poor village, among an ignorant, poor, or diseased; or in a back street, among degraded sinners, God calls us as His followers to work on, and "go hindmost with my standard."[KJV]
The Danites position in the march was a very valuable one. Stragglers had to be picked up upon the march, and lost property has to be gathered from the field. Fiery, zealous soldiers may preach fresh and powerful truth and win more souls to Christ; but the quiet and the more conservative believers remind the church of her ancient faith, and restoring the weak and the backslidden. Every position in the army has its effective and important duties, and the slowly moving ones are a great blessing to the whole.
The rear guard is a place of danger. There are enemies behind us as well as before us. Attacks may come from any place. We read that Amalek fell upon Israel, and slew some of the back (hindmost)of the march. The experienced Christian will find much work for his weapons in aiding those poor doubting, desponding, wavering, souls, who are lacking in faith, knowledge, and joy. These must not be neglected, and therefore be it the business of veteran believers to bear their standards among those in the "hindmost."
"My soul, do thou tenderly watch to help the hindmost this day."
Have a great weekend!
-Pastor
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Helping Pastors
I got back today from our Pastoral Covenant Group Facilitators training retreat. There are over one thousand Church of God all over the country that are members of a pastoral covenant group. PCGs are probably the greatest thing the Church of God has done in years. Eight years ago before pastoral covenant groups were started, statistics showed that Church of God pastors were in trouble. The majority of pastors were stressed, and very negative toward the denomination and ministry in general. Pastors admitted to be stuggling in many areas of their personal lives. Many of our pastors at that time were leaving their churches for jobs outside of the ministry. Overall, the picture did not look good.
Recently, pastors were polled in those same areas and the results were much more positive. The difference, many of the pastors reported that being involved in a pastoral covenant group where they could be involved in open and transparent relationships with other pastors was changing the lives of pastors. Pastors are reporting to be much healthier in body and in spirit as well.
I will be starting my third different pastoral covenant group this fall. I believe that my investment in pastors is well worth my time and plays a great part in building the kingdom of God. I will be targeting Church of God pastors in our area that are not presently in pcgs. Please pray for me and other pastors. I am not ashamed to ask you to do that. I need your prayers and covet them everyday. Even the Apostle Paul said in I Thessalonians 5:25, "Brethern, pray for us."
Have a great day!
-Pastor
Recently, pastors were polled in those same areas and the results were much more positive. The difference, many of the pastors reported that being involved in a pastoral covenant group where they could be involved in open and transparent relationships with other pastors was changing the lives of pastors. Pastors are reporting to be much healthier in body and in spirit as well.
I will be starting my third different pastoral covenant group this fall. I believe that my investment in pastors is well worth my time and plays a great part in building the kingdom of God. I will be targeting Church of God pastors in our area that are not presently in pcgs. Please pray for me and other pastors. I am not ashamed to ask you to do that. I need your prayers and covet them everyday. Even the Apostle Paul said in I Thessalonians 5:25, "Brethern, pray for us."
Have a great day!
-Pastor
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Praying in Tongues (or in the Spirit)
Good morning everyone! Its going to be a hot week. I hope everyone stays cool. Sunday morning I preached a message that God's Spirit especially gave me for "such a time as this." The message that is now posted on our sermons page was "The Power of Speaking in Tongues." In the message, I simply talk about the importance of praying in tongues (or in the Spirit), especially in these trying days for believers. Why is tongues so important? The bible says speaking in tongues edifies (builds up) the believer before God. He speaks to God and his soul or spirit man is edified or built up.
This is not happening for the most part in Christianity in America for two reasons. First of all, most Christians in our churches today have never heard good, consistent, biblical teaching regarding the subject of tongues. Many of America's churches don't believe in the practice of tongues and so their pastors never teach or preach on the subject. Many of our spiritual leaders have bought into the false teaching that it was for those times (New Testament days) and not for modern times. Thats too bad, because the church body suffers for our ignorance of God's Word. Secondly, many churches (Pentecostal and Charasmatic churches) do believe it and some preach and teach on it, but unfortunately some believers have a poor prayer life and are too busy to pray in English or in the spirit. So they also suffer because they do not pray in tongues.
The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14, that 'I pray in tongues more than you all'or basically more than everyone in the Corinthian church put together. Paul was not proud or was he bragging but just stating a fact. He found it necessary for him as a individual believer to pray daily in tongues. If Paul did, how much more should we?
Have a wonderful week!
-Pastor
This is not happening for the most part in Christianity in America for two reasons. First of all, most Christians in our churches today have never heard good, consistent, biblical teaching regarding the subject of tongues. Many of America's churches don't believe in the practice of tongues and so their pastors never teach or preach on the subject. Many of our spiritual leaders have bought into the false teaching that it was for those times (New Testament days) and not for modern times. Thats too bad, because the church body suffers for our ignorance of God's Word. Secondly, many churches (Pentecostal and Charasmatic churches) do believe it and some preach and teach on it, but unfortunately some believers have a poor prayer life and are too busy to pray in English or in the spirit. So they also suffer because they do not pray in tongues.
The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14, that 'I pray in tongues more than you all'or basically more than everyone in the Corinthian church put together. Paul was not proud or was he bragging but just stating a fact. He found it necessary for him as a individual believer to pray daily in tongues. If Paul did, how much more should we?
Have a wonderful week!
-Pastor
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