Passing on this article from Christianity today - click here for the original article
http://www.christianitytoday.com/outreach/articles/nostrangeplaceforthegospel.html
No Strange Place for the Gospel
We must be willing to share the Good News to anyone anywhere. by Diane R. Kinney
Thud-thud-thud. The rhythmic sound bounced off the empty Army barracks in the misty, predawn Kansas morning. The men and women of the 49th Ordnance company were out for a morning run.
"Listen up, people," rang out the sergeant's baritone voice. Whenever he started a cadence in that way, we knew that we would be having some fun.
The sergeant started us singing the "Amen" chorus from the movie "Lilies of the Field."
(I put the you-tube below in case you haven't heard it)
We hesitated for a second, as we had the battalion chaplain running with us this morning. We did not want to seem disrespectful. We were a well-disciplined team, however, so we sang the cadence.
As we finished, from the back of the formation came a voice: "Keep on singing!" It was the chaplain. So we sang another round. Then he told us to sing a little softer. We did. He told us to continue singing. To a quiet background of "Amen, amen, amen … " the chaplain began to preach. For the next three miles he told of Jesus. I remember thinking that it was a strange place for the gospel.
But as I have come to a greater understanding of Jesus' ministry, I now realize that there is no strange place for the gospel. The Good News of Jesus Christ does not belong just inside the four walls of a church.
The chaplain knew that the gospel needs to be brought to where the people are.
Jesus did the same thing. He brought the Good News of salvation to the people, to the marketplace, to the world. He preached on a boat, on a mountaintop, in fields and houses, hilltops and synagogues. Everywhere that Jesus went, he proclaimed the kingdom of heaven.
With those examples, I have learned to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people. I have spoken about the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ to a biker outside a strip club. I have told people about God's love on a merry-go-round, in a grocery store, on airplanes; in Minneapolis, in Amsterdam, in Jerusalem, in New York City. Wherever the people are, I tell them that God loves them. Evangelism is a lifestyle and the gospel has no boundaries.
Diane R. Kinney is staff artist for Decision magazine, and a co-leader for a street-witnessing ministry. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and attends Bethany Missionary Church (nondenominational), in Bloomington.
© 2002 Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. This article first appeared in Decision magazine.
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Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Praise report from last night
Hello soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus,
Just a quick update - if you live in Homer, or go to the corps, but are missing out on Wednesday night meal and bible study, you are really missing out on a great time of fellowship and time focusing on the things of God.
We are currently going through a book by Mark Cahill "one thing you can't do in heaven".
Of the praise reports and highlights we had a corps member return from hip surgery, with a walker, a little slower than usual, but didn't want to miss out on the food, fellowship, and time in the word.
We also had one corps member admit that he finally realizes that the only time we loose when sharing our faith is when we say nothing - otherwise it's a win, win, win situation (we either plant a seed, see someone saved, or are rejected for the cause of Christ - 1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.)
My 10 year old daughter realized that when we share the gospel and are mistreated we are in the company of the prophets of God!
Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
Another corps member began to realize that it's not that we "got" to witness, but that we "get" to witness.
As I will be out next week we had a young man offer to lead in my absence (his first time stepping out in faith to "lead" a study) -God is really moving in his life.
All in all a great night, we ended sharing prayer for one another around the table and talking about opportunities to share our faith.
If you live in the Homer area - or are a church member missing out - make time to come by for a meal and study.
God is good all the time.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just a quick update - if you live in Homer, or go to the corps, but are missing out on Wednesday night meal and bible study, you are really missing out on a great time of fellowship and time focusing on the things of God.
We are currently going through a book by Mark Cahill "one thing you can't do in heaven".
Of the praise reports and highlights we had a corps member return from hip surgery, with a walker, a little slower than usual, but didn't want to miss out on the food, fellowship, and time in the word.
We also had one corps member admit that he finally realizes that the only time we loose when sharing our faith is when we say nothing - otherwise it's a win, win, win situation (we either plant a seed, see someone saved, or are rejected for the cause of Christ - 1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.)
My 10 year old daughter realized that when we share the gospel and are mistreated we are in the company of the prophets of God!
Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
Another corps member began to realize that it's not that we "got" to witness, but that we "get" to witness.
As I will be out next week we had a young man offer to lead in my absence (his first time stepping out in faith to "lead" a study) -God is really moving in his life.
All in all a great night, we ended sharing prayer for one another around the table and talking about opportunities to share our faith.
If you live in the Homer area - or are a church member missing out - make time to come by for a meal and study.
God is good all the time.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Poorly placed trust?
The story is told that a national magazine assigned a photographer to take pictures of a forest fire. They told him a small plane would be waiting at the airport to fly him over the fire.
The photographer arrived at the airstrip just an hour before sundown. Sure enough, a small Cessna airplane stood waiting.
He jumped in with his equipment and shouted, "Let's go!" The pilot, a tense-looking man, turned the plane into the wind, and soon they were in the air, though flying erratically.
"Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make several low-level passes."
"Why?" asked the nervous pilot.
"Because I'm going to take pictures!" yelled the photographer. "I'm a photographer, and photographers take pictures."
The pilot replied, "You mean you're not the flight instructor?"
—Source unknown; submitted by Brett Kays to churchlaughs.com
Make sure you trust in no one else than Jesus for your Salvation. Jesus alone saves.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sharing your faith - online and off
Hello soldiers and fellow followers of Jesus,
I just wanted to brag on a young adult who is really striving to share his faith on a new level. He is currently doing some on-line witnessing. Towards the end of our talk he expressed he hoped the conversation of spiritual things wouldn't hurt the friendship, and we agreed (after some honest thought) that a true friend would risk anything to keep another friend out of hell. We also said that although we should try not to be offensive, we must be true to what we believe, and the gospel.
Why don't you risk sharing your faith today, speak to those around you about sin, hell, judgment, heaven, Christ, and salvation. One scenario is you share your faith and then leave it at you are always open to talk if they have questions, until then they are in your prayers, and stay friends. Another scenario is somehow they quit being your friend, but you have told them about the things of eternity and they may someday escape hell and find heaven through Jesus (trust me, they will be your friends there!) One other option is to keep your "surface" level friendship and keep the gospel to yourself - not only will you be disobeying your Lord's command to share the gospel - but your friend may spend eternity in hell (trust me, they will not be your friend if they end up there because you never spoke to them about how Jesus can save them for eternity).
Praise be to God! Soldiers and salvationists are getting motivated to share their faith with their actions and a matching message with their mouth. How are you doing? What friend do you know that you still haven't told about Jesus! Why not talk to them today - online or off.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I just wanted to brag on a young adult who is really striving to share his faith on a new level. He is currently doing some on-line witnessing. Towards the end of our talk he expressed he hoped the conversation of spiritual things wouldn't hurt the friendship, and we agreed (after some honest thought) that a true friend would risk anything to keep another friend out of hell. We also said that although we should try not to be offensive, we must be true to what we believe, and the gospel.
Why don't you risk sharing your faith today, speak to those around you about sin, hell, judgment, heaven, Christ, and salvation. One scenario is you share your faith and then leave it at you are always open to talk if they have questions, until then they are in your prayers, and stay friends. Another scenario is somehow they quit being your friend, but you have told them about the things of eternity and they may someday escape hell and find heaven through Jesus (trust me, they will be your friends there!) One other option is to keep your "surface" level friendship and keep the gospel to yourself - not only will you be disobeying your Lord's command to share the gospel - but your friend may spend eternity in hell (trust me, they will not be your friend if they end up there because you never spoke to them about how Jesus can save them for eternity).
Praise be to God! Soldiers and salvationists are getting motivated to share their faith with their actions and a matching message with their mouth. How are you doing? What friend do you know that you still haven't told about Jesus! Why not talk to them today - online or off.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Proclaim Freedom - You can be free!
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For a sermon notes "fill in page" and manuscript - see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For a sermon notes "fill in page" and manuscript - see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Have a blessed Sunday - A Freedom thought from Scripture and Song Book
Do you believe there is freedom in Christ both for eternity and for your daily life! If so the proclaim liberty to all people - tell them about Jesus Christ.
Here are some freedom thoughts from scripture and song book.
Psalm 146 1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them — the LORD, who remains faithful forever. 7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, 8 the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 10 The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD.
Here is how Charles Wesley agreed with the psalmist...
O for a thousand tongues to sing (song 988)
1. O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise;
The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace!
2. My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad The honors of thy name.
3. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears; 'Tis life and health and peace.
4. He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood avails for me.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Here are some freedom thoughts from scripture and song book.
Psalm 146 1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them — the LORD, who remains faithful forever. 7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, 8 the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 10 The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD.
Here is how Charles Wesley agreed with the psalmist...
O for a thousand tongues to sing (song 988)
1. O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise;
The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace!
2. My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad The honors of thy name.
3. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears; 'Tis life and health and peace.
4. He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood avails for me.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
A week of thoughts on giving
The 6th thing I said I’d do in my articles of war, along with anyone else who has committed to be a Salvation Army Soldier pledged… I will be a faithful steward of my time and gifts, my money and possessions; my body, my mind and my spirit, knowing that I am accountable before God.
I just gave a message on giving and Michelle and I have been led to give more. So on the topic of tithing and giving I re-read The following writing by Keith Drury, taken from a blog from 2006 entitled "What Evangelicals Believe About Tithing" - let me know what you think...?
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I’ve been closely watching the laity the last few decades and I think I am ready to describe what evangelicals believe about tithing. Read it and see how much you agree.
To evangelicals… 5. “Whoever thanks the most gets the most giving in the future.”
Pastors will hate to hear this but it is the truth—the more you thank people the more they’ll give in the future. Parachurch organizations know this. They have to know it—or their money’d dry up. Parachurch organizations study giving patterns and know what encourages people to give. They never scold people to give. They never take gifts for granted. They even hire people to do fund raising. (When’s the last time you heard of a local church hiring a fund raiser?) Local churches take your giving for granted. They act like you owe your tithe to the church and you’re robbing God if you don’t “pay your bills.” Yet even the tiniest parachurch organizations hire fund raisers while giant mega churches still don’t have them. Why is this? They know you’ve got to go about getting money professionally, and not assume people will just give “because it’s right.” Fund raising folk know human nature. They know you’ve got to thank people to get money later. So, let’s say you did send off a $500 check for your nephew’s kayak trip. BAM!—you get a personally signed note thanking you by return mail—five days later, from the President of the ministry, and he includes your tax deductible receipt with a scribbled note on the bottom saying, “Thanks for this—Kevin will be a delight!” Then two days later you’ll get a fancy little wedding-announcement-quality card from Kevin thanking you for your generosity. Then a month later the President of Kayak ministries will send you a really cool CD with last year’s “Kayak Choir” singing hymns. You love the CD and start to play it every Sunday morning before attending church. And of course the following January you’ll your year end statement from the Kayak ministry’s President—this time he’ll write with a bright blue marker on your letter, “Thanks once again for your generosity—I just sent an email this week to Kevin.” This is the sort of gratitude a parachurch organization does routinely. But what of your local church? Let’s say you gave several thousand dollars there last year? I know what happens in most churches. In January you’ll get a computer-generated statement detailing your giving along with a photocopied letter from the pastor “to the congregation.” At the most you’ll get a quarterly statement. Right? No wonder parachurch organizations are getting such a chunk of tithes—they understand people better. Gratitude breeds greater giving. Sure, I know…evangelicals ought to give without being thanked, and they do. But in the future I bet they’ll increasingly be giving where the gratitude comes back the most—and I suspect the local church is going to have to face this fact about people sooner or later.
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
To evangelicals… 5. “Whoever thanks the most gets the most giving in the future.”
Pastors will hate to hear this but it is the truth—the more you thank people the more they’ll give in the future. Parachurch organizations know this. They have to know it—or their money’d dry up. Parachurch organizations study giving patterns and know what encourages people to give. They never scold people to give. They never take gifts for granted. They even hire people to do fund raising. (When’s the last time you heard of a local church hiring a fund raiser?) Local churches take your giving for granted. They act like you owe your tithe to the church and you’re robbing God if you don’t “pay your bills.” Yet even the tiniest parachurch organizations hire fund raisers while giant mega churches still don’t have them. Why is this? They know you’ve got to go about getting money professionally, and not assume people will just give “because it’s right.” Fund raising folk know human nature. They know you’ve got to thank people to get money later. So, let’s say you did send off a $500 check for your nephew’s kayak trip. BAM!—you get a personally signed note thanking you by return mail—five days later, from the President of the ministry, and he includes your tax deductible receipt with a scribbled note on the bottom saying, “Thanks for this—Kevin will be a delight!” Then two days later you’ll get a fancy little wedding-announcement-quality card from Kevin thanking you for your generosity. Then a month later the President of Kayak ministries will send you a really cool CD with last year’s “Kayak Choir” singing hymns. You love the CD and start to play it every Sunday morning before attending church. And of course the following January you’ll your year end statement from the Kayak ministry’s President—this time he’ll write with a bright blue marker on your letter, “Thanks once again for your generosity—I just sent an email this week to Kevin.” This is the sort of gratitude a parachurch organization does routinely. But what of your local church? Let’s say you gave several thousand dollars there last year? I know what happens in most churches. In January you’ll get a computer-generated statement detailing your giving along with a photocopied letter from the pastor “to the congregation.” At the most you’ll get a quarterly statement. Right? No wonder parachurch organizations are getting such a chunk of tithes—they understand people better. Gratitude breeds greater giving. Sure, I know…evangelicals ought to give without being thanked, and they do. But in the future I bet they’ll increasingly be giving where the gratitude comes back the most—and I suspect the local church is going to have to face this fact about people sooner or later.
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
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Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
A week of thoughts on giving
When speaking about living in a way as to give as much to others in the name of Jesus as possible, William Booth said… “Live simply that others may simply live”
I just gave a message on giving and Michelle and I have been led to give more. So on the topic of tithing and giving I re-read The following writing by Keith Drury, taken from a blog from 2006 entitled "What Evangelicals Believe About Tithing" - let me know what you think...?
----------------
I’ve been closely watching the laity the last few decades and I think I am ready to describe what evangelicals believe about tithing. Read it and see how much you agree.
To evangelicals… 4. “Giving to a cause is more satisfying than giving to a church”
Evangelicals hate giving to “overhead.” They love a good cause. This is why it is easier to get people to give to evangelize Kayakers along the Atlantic coast than get them to ante up for the electric bill at your church. Or, their pastor’s salary. Evangelicals treat such “overhead expenses” like they were “government bureaucracy.” They resent giving to overhead. This is why the Gideons have had such fabulous success in fund-raising—they can honestly say, “All our overhead expenses are covered and every cent you give goes directly to Bibles.” They cover their own overhead expenses and evangelicals love this. It fits with their view of government. This is why they’d rather be inspired to buy basketballs for the youth group than pay the heating bill for the youth center where those basketballs are used. They’d rather contribute to the youth trip to Haiti than give toward the youth pastor’s salary so that the youth want to go to Haiti. Evangelicals know these “overhead” expenses need paid, but they hope someone else will pay them. Over the last decades evangelical churches have started catering to this cause orientation. Perhaps we had to. Now local churches now give a short commercials selling their cause before the offerings, sometimes accompanied by a fancy video. The notion of giving as an obligation to God has largely vanished. Most local churches are joining the parachurch organizations in “selling a cause” though we must admit that few can do it as good as even the worst parachurch organizations!
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
To evangelicals… 4. “Giving to a cause is more satisfying than giving to a church”
Evangelicals hate giving to “overhead.” They love a good cause. This is why it is easier to get people to give to evangelize Kayakers along the Atlantic coast than get them to ante up for the electric bill at your church. Or, their pastor’s salary. Evangelicals treat such “overhead expenses” like they were “government bureaucracy.” They resent giving to overhead. This is why the Gideons have had such fabulous success in fund-raising—they can honestly say, “All our overhead expenses are covered and every cent you give goes directly to Bibles.” They cover their own overhead expenses and evangelicals love this. It fits with their view of government. This is why they’d rather be inspired to buy basketballs for the youth group than pay the heating bill for the youth center where those basketballs are used. They’d rather contribute to the youth trip to Haiti than give toward the youth pastor’s salary so that the youth want to go to Haiti. Evangelicals know these “overhead” expenses need paid, but they hope someone else will pay them. Over the last decades evangelical churches have started catering to this cause orientation. Perhaps we had to. Now local churches now give a short commercials selling their cause before the offerings, sometimes accompanied by a fancy video. The notion of giving as an obligation to God has largely vanished. Most local churches are joining the parachurch organizations in “selling a cause” though we must admit that few can do it as good as even the worst parachurch organizations!
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
---------------------
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A week of thoughts on giving
In talking about giving of your time, Richard Slater wrote in the Salvation Army Song Book these words… And dost thou ask a gift from me the gift of passing time? My hours I’ll give, not grudgingly, I feel by right they’re thine.
I just gave a message on giving and Michelle and I have been led to give more. So on the topic of tithing and giving I re-read The following writing by Keith Drury, taken from a blog from 2006 entitled "What Evangelicals Believe About Tithing" - let me know what you think...?
----------------
I’ve been closely watching the laity the last few decades and I think I am ready to describe what evangelicals believe about tithing. Read it and see how much you agree.
To evangelicals… 3. “The tithe should go to the church—but the church is bigger than the local church.”
Evangelicals are a generous people. They’ve blessed a thousand parachurch organizations and mission ministries. Many evangelicals count their giving to these organizations as part of their “tithe.” Pastors say, “You ought to give your tithe to your local church and your offerings (above the tithe) to these worthy causes. But evangelicals don’t buy it. They consider as their “tithe” their total charitable giving spread around “the church.” I think they do this because they’ve been told to believe this. This is what the preachers told them, though not directly. Evangelical preachers say, “the church” is not the visible collection of people before their eyes, but a world-wide invisible gathering of born again believers. They preach that whenever there are believers gathered there the church exists. The evangelical laity adopted this doctrine and have simply applied it to their tithing. Thus, they believe “the church” exists whenever “two or three gather together in His name.” So if two or three Christians found a 503(c)(3) corporation for a “kayak ministry” evangelicals are quite comfortable giving $500 of their tithe toward their nephew’s kayak trek down the Atlantic coast. After all, (in evangelical ecclesiology) the three Christians who formed this adventure camp are “the church” every bit as much as the gathered local church. In fact, many who read this column won’t see anything whatsoever wrong with this view of the church—which only goes to show how far evangelical ecclesiology has wandered off from orthodoxy.
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
To evangelicals… 3. “The tithe should go to the church—but the church is bigger than the local church.”
Evangelicals are a generous people. They’ve blessed a thousand parachurch organizations and mission ministries. Many evangelicals count their giving to these organizations as part of their “tithe.” Pastors say, “You ought to give your tithe to your local church and your offerings (above the tithe) to these worthy causes. But evangelicals don’t buy it. They consider as their “tithe” their total charitable giving spread around “the church.” I think they do this because they’ve been told to believe this. This is what the preachers told them, though not directly. Evangelical preachers say, “the church” is not the visible collection of people before their eyes, but a world-wide invisible gathering of born again believers. They preach that whenever there are believers gathered there the church exists. The evangelical laity adopted this doctrine and have simply applied it to their tithing. Thus, they believe “the church” exists whenever “two or three gather together in His name.” So if two or three Christians found a 503(c)(3) corporation for a “kayak ministry” evangelicals are quite comfortable giving $500 of their tithe toward their nephew’s kayak trek down the Atlantic coast. After all, (in evangelical ecclesiology) the three Christians who formed this adventure camp are “the church” every bit as much as the gathered local church. In fact, many who read this column won’t see anything whatsoever wrong with this view of the church—which only goes to show how far evangelical ecclesiology has wandered off from orthodoxy.
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
----------------
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
A week of thoughts on Giving
There is a verse in The Salvation Army Song Book that says… Search your heart and then your pocket; In them both your sure to find Ammunition for the fight we are waging for the right oh there’s power when the purse and heart are both combined.
I just gave a message on giving and Michelle and I have been led to give more. So on the topic of tithing and giving I re-read The following writing by Keith Drury, taken from a blog from 2006 entitled "What Evangelicals Believe About Tithing" - let me know what you think...?
I just gave a message on giving and Michelle and I have been led to give more. So on the topic of tithing and giving I re-read The following writing by Keith Drury, taken from a blog from 2006 entitled "What Evangelicals Believe About Tithing" - let me know what you think...?
----------------
I’ve been closely watching the laity the last few decades and I think I am ready to describe what evangelicals believe about tithing. Read it and see how much you agree.
To evangelicals… 1. “Tithe means giving not tenth.”
A term has little meaning in itself—it means whatever we decide it means. When we decide “gay” no longer means happy but homosexual then it means homosexual. When we use “worship” to describe music then worship will mean music. Such a thing has happened to “tithe.” While its root meaning may be mathematical, evangelicals now use the term to mea giving, not a tenth. This is why churches now invite members to commit to a “2% tithe, 5% tithe or 10% tithe—the best you can do.” Tithe no longer means tenth. It means “my charitable giving.” And, of course this may also explain why evangelicals give just 2.3 percent of their income on average last year.
To evangelicals… 2. “Tithing is not required by the Bible but it’s a good idea.”
In spite of all the preaching from Malachi and being reminded their “righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees” evangelicals refuse to be convinced the Bible requires tithing. They think it is a good idea. They admire “people who can pull it off.” They’ll even accept it as a goal -- “when we can afford it” but evangelicals are not convinced tithing is a Bible command. To evangelicals the tithing command is like the Sabbath command. They consider Sunday-not-Saturday as the Sabbath and they figure they’ve “kept the Sabbath” if they set aside a portion of the day for rest and worship (about 23%?). Evangelicals accept preaching on tithing “because it is a good plan for financing the church” but not because it is commanded in the New Testament. In tithing the laity follow Chuck Swindoll’s tack—it is a great idea but not supported by the Bible’s command.
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
To evangelicals… 1. “Tithe means giving not tenth.”
A term has little meaning in itself—it means whatever we decide it means. When we decide “gay” no longer means happy but homosexual then it means homosexual. When we use “worship” to describe music then worship will mean music. Such a thing has happened to “tithe.” While its root meaning may be mathematical, evangelicals now use the term to mea giving, not a tenth. This is why churches now invite members to commit to a “2% tithe, 5% tithe or 10% tithe—the best you can do.” Tithe no longer means tenth. It means “my charitable giving.” And, of course this may also explain why evangelicals give just 2.3 percent of their income on average last year.
To evangelicals… 2. “Tithing is not required by the Bible but it’s a good idea.”
In spite of all the preaching from Malachi and being reminded their “righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees” evangelicals refuse to be convinced the Bible requires tithing. They think it is a good idea. They admire “people who can pull it off.” They’ll even accept it as a goal -- “when we can afford it” but evangelicals are not convinced tithing is a Bible command. To evangelicals the tithing command is like the Sabbath command. They consider Sunday-not-Saturday as the Sabbath and they figure they’ve “kept the Sabbath” if they set aside a portion of the day for rest and worship (about 23%?). Evangelicals accept preaching on tithing “because it is a good plan for financing the church” but not because it is commanded in the New Testament. In tithing the laity follow Chuck Swindoll’s tack—it is a great idea but not supported by the Bible’s command.
So that’s what I think evangelicals think about tithing. At least most of them. Or, at least the average evangelical. Or at least the future evangelical. Don’t believe me? Then here’s my dare—do the math: Take the total income from your local church then multiply that figure by ten. Next divide that result by the number of Christian wage earners in your church. Go ahead and do it—even roughly. What’d you get? Is that final figure the average salary of your people. Is it? Or have you discovered what most pastors discover when they do this—if every Christian (even every member) wage earner in their church tithed a full 10% to the local church it would double the church’s income? For many churches it would triple the income. (For my church—five times!) I’m afraid there are few other issues where the laity and the pastor differ more. Most pastors say: 1) A tithe = 10%; 2) The Bible requires it; 3) It should go to the local church; 4) it is an obligation; and 5) it should be given without concern for being thanked. Those five views are just about opposite of the average evangelical’s view above. Which views are right? So what do you think?
---------------------
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Your worship, your wallet, & whatever
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For a sermon notes "fill in page" and manuscript - see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For a sermon notes "fill in page" and manuscript - see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Have a blessed Sunday - Entire Sanctification
Hello Soldiers, fellow followers of Jesus, and friends of the Army.
For what ever reason you may miss time at the corps today (or your local church) here is something to consider.
I invite you to meditate on these words written by Charles Wesley in 1742
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 says... May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
Entire Sanctification isn't too difficult to explain is it? I was meeting with one of our young people going through soldiership classes this week and described it this way... entire sanctification is the place where you have set apart everything you have and are to Jesus, so that if He asks you to give away your IPOD, you give it away. If He asks you to change your profession, move, give away all your money, change what you watch on TV (or throw it out), witness to the scary guy on the corner, whatever - you have predetermined that whatever God asks for, you have already set it aside for Him to have.
Is there any part of your life (possession, pass-time, or personality) you haven't surrendered to God? With God's help you can give Him what He asks for today. Once you do He will bless in ways you can't possibly imagine.
Live life fully-surrendered, completely abandoned to the leading of Christ's Holy Spirit today.
Lord show me anything I am holding on to today that I haven't fully trusted into your hands, that I may willingly surrender back to you. I accept that everything I have and my very life are a gift from you today. Thank you for it. May an overwhelming motive of love drive every decision I make. Your will be done.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For what ever reason you may miss time at the corps today (or your local church) here is something to consider.
I invite you to meditate on these words written by Charles Wesley in 1742
Oh, for a heart to praise my God,
A heart from sin set free!
A heart that always feels thy blood,
So freely spilt for me!
Thy tender heart is still the same,
And melts at human woe;
Jesus, for thee distressed I am -
I want thy love to know.
Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart;
Come quickly from above;
Write thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new, best name of love!
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 says... May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
Entire Sanctification isn't too difficult to explain is it? I was meeting with one of our young people going through soldiership classes this week and described it this way... entire sanctification is the place where you have set apart everything you have and are to Jesus, so that if He asks you to give away your IPOD, you give it away. If He asks you to change your profession, move, give away all your money, change what you watch on TV (or throw it out), witness to the scary guy on the corner, whatever - you have predetermined that whatever God asks for, you have already set it aside for Him to have.
Is there any part of your life (possession, pass-time, or personality) you haven't surrendered to God? With God's help you can give Him what He asks for today. Once you do He will bless in ways you can't possibly imagine.
Live life fully-surrendered, completely abandoned to the leading of Christ's Holy Spirit today.
Lord show me anything I am holding on to today that I haven't fully trusted into your hands, that I may willingly surrender back to you. I accept that everything I have and my very life are a gift from you today. Thank you for it. May an overwhelming motive of love drive every decision I make. Your will be done.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Captain's meditation on Nehemiah 13:23-24
Here is a thought from my last sermon...
Listen to the setting in Nehemiah’s day.
Nehemiah 13:23-24 Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah.
Here we read Jewish men were making poor choices as it related to women and it was affecting their speech. These men, for the sake of women, were no longer raising their kids by God’s standards, and more than that the children could no longer speak the language of Judah, and now only spoke the language of Ashdod.
Now this isn’t about being bilingual, or speaking another language. The problem was that the lifestyle these children were being raised in was affecting their purity of speech. I don’t mean simply that they were foul mouthed, although a foul mouth is a vile offense to God too, but to make the spiritual application here – the children could no longer speak the language of sound doctrine about God.
The children were raised as many children have been today, where young people no longer call Bible things by Bible names, instead we have corrupted them with cultural relativisms. Instead of calling things sins, they call things alternative lifestyles. Instead of saying Lord and Savior we now mention higher powers, instead of heaven and hell there may be at best a here-after, and instead of moral absolutes of right and wrong we have trained them to speak the “so-called” language of tolerance and political correctness.
Lord help me raise my kids to know that there is only one way to heaven, may I teach them the Deity of Jesus Christ, and words like sin, hell, judgment, holiness, and so on. Enable me to train my children in God's Word and sound doctrine.
What language are your kids learning from you?........
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Listen to the setting in Nehemiah’s day.
Nehemiah 13:23-24 Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah.
Here we read Jewish men were making poor choices as it related to women and it was affecting their speech. These men, for the sake of women, were no longer raising their kids by God’s standards, and more than that the children could no longer speak the language of Judah, and now only spoke the language of Ashdod.
Now this isn’t about being bilingual, or speaking another language. The problem was that the lifestyle these children were being raised in was affecting their purity of speech. I don’t mean simply that they were foul mouthed, although a foul mouth is a vile offense to God too, but to make the spiritual application here – the children could no longer speak the language of sound doctrine about God.
The children were raised as many children have been today, where young people no longer call Bible things by Bible names, instead we have corrupted them with cultural relativisms. Instead of calling things sins, they call things alternative lifestyles. Instead of saying Lord and Savior we now mention higher powers, instead of heaven and hell there may be at best a here-after, and instead of moral absolutes of right and wrong we have trained them to speak the “so-called” language of tolerance and political correctness.
Lord help me raise my kids to know that there is only one way to heaven, may I teach them the Deity of Jesus Christ, and words like sin, hell, judgment, holiness, and so on. Enable me to train my children in God's Word and sound doctrine.
What language are your kids learning from you?........
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Good advice on giving even during hard economic times
Studying and thinking about giving, serving, and finances I was reminded of these profound concepts written by Willaim Booth and John Wesley, that might just still apply today. Maybe it's still worth mentioning to rich and poor alike.
"I give one rule for every head of every home, whether rich or poor, and that is - keep your expenditure a little below your income and cut your coat according to your cloth." — William Booth
"Earn all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can" - John Wesley
"Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as you can." - John Wesley
Live holy, preach Jesus!
"I give one rule for every head of every home, whether rich or poor, and that is - keep your expenditure a little below your income and cut your coat according to your cloth." — William Booth
"Earn all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can" - John Wesley
"Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as you can." - John Wesley
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
A question, "Have you no tears for Revival?" By Leonard Ravenhill
Note the high praise to the Salvationists of his time - I pray all who call themselves "salvationists" still have tears today.
This is the divine edict. This is more than preaching with zeal. This is more than scholarly exposition. This is more than delivering sermons of exegetical exactitude and homiletical perfection. Such a man, whether preacher or pew dweller, is appalled at the shrinking authority of the Church in the present drama of cruelty in the world. And he cringes with sorrow that men turn a deaf ear to the Gospel and willingly risk eternal hell in the process.
Under this complex burden, his heart is crushed to tears. The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church, grieved at the blindness of the Church, grieved at the corruption in the Church, grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church, grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil. He is embarrassed that the Church folks no longer cry in their despair before a devil-ridden, sin-mad society, "Why could we not cast him out?" (Matt. 17:19).
Many of us have no heart-sickness for the former glory of the Church because we have never known what true revival is. We stagnate in the status quo and sleep easy at night while our generation moves swiftly to the eternal night of hell. Shame, shame on us! Jesus whipped some money changers out of the temple; but before He whipped them, He wept over them. He knew how near their judgment was The Apostle Paul sent a tear-stained letter to the Philippian saints, writing: "I have told you often and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ" (Phil. 3:18). Notice that he does not say they are enemies of Christ; they are, rather, the enemies of the cross of Christ. They deny or diminish the redemptive values of the cross. There are many like this today.
The church of Rome does not stand as an enemy of Christ; it traces heavily on His holy name. Yet it denies the cross by saying that the Blessed Virgin is co-redemptive. If this is so, why was she not also crucified? The Mormons use the name of Christ, yet they are astray on the atonement. Have we tears for them? Shall we face them without a blush when they accuse us of inertia at the Judgment Seat saying that they were our neighbors and an offense to us, but not a burden because they were lost? The Salvationists can scarcely read their flaming evangelical history without tears. Has the glory of the evangelical revival under Wesley ever gripped the hearts of the Methodists of today? Have they read of the fire-baptized men in Wesley's team? Men like John Nelson, Thomas Walsh, and a host of others whose names are written in the Book of Life; men persecuted and kicked in the streets when they held street meetings? Yet as their blood flowed from their wounds, their tears flowed from their eyes.
Have the Holiness people set a guard at the door of the beauty parlors lest any sister should enter to get her hair curled, while a block away there is a string of prostitutes trying to sell their sin-wracked bodies with none to tell them of eternal love?
Do the Pentecostals look back with shame as they remember when they dwelt across the theological tracks, but with the glory of the Lord in their midst? When they had a normal church life, which meant nights of prayers, followed by signs and wonders, and diverse miracles, and genuine gifts of the Holy Ghost? When they were not clock watchers, and their meetings lasted for hours, saturated with holy power?
Have we no tears for these memories, or shame that our children know nothing of such power? Other denominations had their Glory Days of revival. Think of the mighty visitations to the Presbyterians in Korea. Remember the earth-shaking revival in Shantung. Are those days gone forever? Have we no tears for revival?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
----------
Have We No Tears for Revival? "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." (Ps. 126:5).This is the divine edict. This is more than preaching with zeal. This is more than scholarly exposition. This is more than delivering sermons of exegetical exactitude and homiletical perfection. Such a man, whether preacher or pew dweller, is appalled at the shrinking authority of the Church in the present drama of cruelty in the world. And he cringes with sorrow that men turn a deaf ear to the Gospel and willingly risk eternal hell in the process.
Under this complex burden, his heart is crushed to tears. The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church, grieved at the blindness of the Church, grieved at the corruption in the Church, grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church, grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil. He is embarrassed that the Church folks no longer cry in their despair before a devil-ridden, sin-mad society, "Why could we not cast him out?" (Matt. 17:19).
Many of us have no heart-sickness for the former glory of the Church because we have never known what true revival is. We stagnate in the status quo and sleep easy at night while our generation moves swiftly to the eternal night of hell. Shame, shame on us! Jesus whipped some money changers out of the temple; but before He whipped them, He wept over them. He knew how near their judgment was The Apostle Paul sent a tear-stained letter to the Philippian saints, writing: "I have told you often and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ" (Phil. 3:18). Notice that he does not say they are enemies of Christ; they are, rather, the enemies of the cross of Christ. They deny or diminish the redemptive values of the cross. There are many like this today.
The church of Rome does not stand as an enemy of Christ; it traces heavily on His holy name. Yet it denies the cross by saying that the Blessed Virgin is co-redemptive. If this is so, why was she not also crucified? The Mormons use the name of Christ, yet they are astray on the atonement. Have we tears for them? Shall we face them without a blush when they accuse us of inertia at the Judgment Seat saying that they were our neighbors and an offense to us, but not a burden because they were lost? The Salvationists can scarcely read their flaming evangelical history without tears. Has the glory of the evangelical revival under Wesley ever gripped the hearts of the Methodists of today? Have they read of the fire-baptized men in Wesley's team? Men like John Nelson, Thomas Walsh, and a host of others whose names are written in the Book of Life; men persecuted and kicked in the streets when they held street meetings? Yet as their blood flowed from their wounds, their tears flowed from their eyes.
Have the Holiness people set a guard at the door of the beauty parlors lest any sister should enter to get her hair curled, while a block away there is a string of prostitutes trying to sell their sin-wracked bodies with none to tell them of eternal love?
Do the Pentecostals look back with shame as they remember when they dwelt across the theological tracks, but with the glory of the Lord in their midst? When they had a normal church life, which meant nights of prayers, followed by signs and wonders, and diverse miracles, and genuine gifts of the Holy Ghost? When they were not clock watchers, and their meetings lasted for hours, saturated with holy power?
Have we no tears for these memories, or shame that our children know nothing of such power? Other denominations had their Glory Days of revival. Think of the mighty visitations to the Presbyterians in Korea. Remember the earth-shaking revival in Shantung. Are those days gone forever? Have we no tears for revival?
----------
Let these words sink in, and ask yourself when the last time was you cried for someone you knew was lost - and then let your tears drive you to action - tears alone accomplish nothing unless accompanied by prayer and proclamation.Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Simple advice on praying... by A.W. Tozer
A.W. Tozer :
"Praying Till We PRAY" Dr. Moody Stuart, a great praying man of a past generation, once drew up a set of rules to guide him in his prayers. Among these rules is this one: "Pray till you pray."
The difference between praying till you quit and praying till you pray is illustrated by the American evangelist John Wesley Lee. He often likened a season of prayer to a church service, and insisted that many of us close the meeting before the service is over. He confessed that once he arose too soon from a prayer session and started down the street to take care of some pressing business. He had only gone a short distance when an inner voice reproached him. "Son," the voice seemed to say, "did you not pronounce the benediction before the meeting was ended?" He understood, and at once hurried back to the place of prayer where he tarried till the burden lifted and the blessing came down.
The habit of breaking off our prayers before we have truly prayed is as common as it is unfortunate. Often the last ten minutes may mean more to us than the first half hour, because we must spend a long time getting into the proper mood to pray effectively. We may need to struggle with our thoughts to draw them in from where they have been scattered through the multitude of distractions that result from the task of living in a disordered world.
Here, as elsewhere in spiritual matters, we must be sure to distinguish the ideal from the real. Ideally we should be living moment-by-moment in a state of such perfect union with God that no special preparation is necessary. But actually there are few who can honestly say that this is their experience.
Candor will compel most of us to admit that we often experience a struggle before we can escape from the emotional alienation and sense of unreality that sometimes settle over us as a sort of prevailing mood. Whatever a dreamy idealism may say, we are forced to deal with things down on the level of practical reality. If when we come to prayer our hearts feel dull and unspiritual, we should not try to argue ourselves out of it. Rather, we should admit it frankly and pray our way through.
Some Christians smile at the thought of "praying through," but something of the same idea is found in the writings of practically every great praying saint from Daniel to the present day.
We cannot afford to stop praying till we have actually prayed.
--Live holy, preach Jesus!
"Praying Till We PRAY" Dr. Moody Stuart, a great praying man of a past generation, once drew up a set of rules to guide him in his prayers. Among these rules is this one: "Pray till you pray."
The difference between praying till you quit and praying till you pray is illustrated by the American evangelist John Wesley Lee. He often likened a season of prayer to a church service, and insisted that many of us close the meeting before the service is over. He confessed that once he arose too soon from a prayer session and started down the street to take care of some pressing business. He had only gone a short distance when an inner voice reproached him. "Son," the voice seemed to say, "did you not pronounce the benediction before the meeting was ended?" He understood, and at once hurried back to the place of prayer where he tarried till the burden lifted and the blessing came down.
The habit of breaking off our prayers before we have truly prayed is as common as it is unfortunate. Often the last ten minutes may mean more to us than the first half hour, because we must spend a long time getting into the proper mood to pray effectively. We may need to struggle with our thoughts to draw them in from where they have been scattered through the multitude of distractions that result from the task of living in a disordered world.
Here, as elsewhere in spiritual matters, we must be sure to distinguish the ideal from the real. Ideally we should be living moment-by-moment in a state of such perfect union with God that no special preparation is necessary. But actually there are few who can honestly say that this is their experience.
Candor will compel most of us to admit that we often experience a struggle before we can escape from the emotional alienation and sense of unreality that sometimes settle over us as a sort of prevailing mood. Whatever a dreamy idealism may say, we are forced to deal with things down on the level of practical reality. If when we come to prayer our hearts feel dull and unspiritual, we should not try to argue ourselves out of it. Rather, we should admit it frankly and pray our way through.
Some Christians smile at the thought of "praying through," but something of the same idea is found in the writings of practically every great praying saint from Daniel to the present day.
We cannot afford to stop praying till we have actually prayed.
--Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Good & Bad examples of fatherhood
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For a sermon notes "fill in page" and manuscript - see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For a sermon notes "fill in page" and manuscript - see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Have a blessed Sunday
Consider these words from The Salvation Army Song book #809
Make the world with music ring - Charles Coller (1863-1935)
1. Make the world with music ring, While with heart and voice we sing
Praises to our God and King, Hallelujah!
Tell with no uncertain sound, To the nations all around,
Of the Saviour we have found, Hallelujah!
Chorus: Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We shall conquer through the blood Give the glory all to God;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We shall conquer through the blood, Hallelujah!
2. Through the blood we shall prevail, Though both earth and Hell assail,
God in man can never fail, Hallelujah!
Keep your weapons sharp and bright, Buckle on the armor tight,
Fighting is our great delight, Hallelujah!
3. Everlasting arms are round, Walls of fire the saints surround,
Enemies we shall confound, Hallelujah!
Forward with the sword and shield,Victory waits us on the field,
Stand your ground and never yield, Hallelujah!
4. Sing your songs, ye saints of light, Soon we shall escape from night,
Up to glory wing our flight, Hallelujah!
Face to face we then shall see Him who died upon the tree,
Crowned with glory we shall be, Hallelujah!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Make the world with music ring - Charles Coller (1863-1935)
1. Make the world with music ring, While with heart and voice we sing
Praises to our God and King, Hallelujah!
Tell with no uncertain sound, To the nations all around,
Of the Saviour we have found, Hallelujah!
Chorus: Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We shall conquer through the blood Give the glory all to God;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We shall conquer through the blood, Hallelujah!
2. Through the blood we shall prevail, Though both earth and Hell assail,
God in man can never fail, Hallelujah!
Keep your weapons sharp and bright, Buckle on the armor tight,
Fighting is our great delight, Hallelujah!
3. Everlasting arms are round, Walls of fire the saints surround,
Enemies we shall confound, Hallelujah!
Forward with the sword and shield,Victory waits us on the field,
Stand your ground and never yield, Hallelujah!
4. Sing your songs, ye saints of light, Soon we shall escape from night,
Up to glory wing our flight, Hallelujah!
Face to face we then shall see Him who died upon the tree,
Crowned with glory we shall be, Hallelujah!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Words by Congressman Forbes & Resolution 397
You can also check out the text of proposed resolution 397 Affirming the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation's founding ...
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hr111-397
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Captains Mark and Michelle are home filled with praise.
Hello Soldiers, fellow followers of Jesus, friends and family,
Just a quick update. We arrived safely home from our marathon of a trip at about 11:45 pm last night, but through all the long trip God was faithful to protect and bless.
We praise God for safe travels, for the opportunity to see corps members from our first Corps (still faithfully serving the Lord), fellow officers from other divisions, Territorial and National leaders (who were genuine and Spirit filled with vision and a Word from God), as well as an auditorium filled with waving flags, brass band, songsters, and voices lifted up in songs of praise and celebration to our Savior. We praise God for new Jr. and Sr. Soldiers as well as accepted candidates for training school (those accepted to enter our Salvation Army Seminary).
We also praise God that we have such a high calling to serve our Lord Jesus Christ in this corner of His mission field called Homer Alaska. Even this morning being available for multiple people in crisis, despair, and hurting - God has called us to simply be available to share His Name, offer prayer, and pass on His resources to touch them in His Name in their time of need.
We are glad to be home and want to say thank you to our Soldiery, Staff, and Friends, who are more than competent to do His work (and also cover our commitments) in our absence. I'm glad that God's work will get done with our without me, ... but I'm so very grateful He allows me a part to play.
Tell someone about Jesus today, their eternity is at stake.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just a quick update. We arrived safely home from our marathon of a trip at about 11:45 pm last night, but through all the long trip God was faithful to protect and bless.
We praise God for safe travels, for the opportunity to see corps members from our first Corps (still faithfully serving the Lord), fellow officers from other divisions, Territorial and National leaders (who were genuine and Spirit filled with vision and a Word from God), as well as an auditorium filled with waving flags, brass band, songsters, and voices lifted up in songs of praise and celebration to our Savior. We praise God for new Jr. and Sr. Soldiers as well as accepted candidates for training school (those accepted to enter our Salvation Army Seminary).
We also praise God that we have such a high calling to serve our Lord Jesus Christ in this corner of His mission field called Homer Alaska. Even this morning being available for multiple people in crisis, despair, and hurting - God has called us to simply be available to share His Name, offer prayer, and pass on His resources to touch them in His Name in their time of need.
We are glad to be home and want to say thank you to our Soldiery, Staff, and Friends, who are more than competent to do His work (and also cover our commitments) in our absence. I'm glad that God's work will get done with our without me, ... but I'm so very grateful He allows me a part to play.
Tell someone about Jesus today, their eternity is at stake.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Captains are leaving for the meeting in Washington.
Hello Soldiers, corps members, and friends of The Salvation Army of Homer,
Just a quick reminder that the Captains will be out of town for the united officer meeting in Washington (Tuesday through Thursday night). The originally schedule was to meet the General, but his health has prevented his coming, please keep him in your prayers. We will now be hearing from our National Commander, and we trust that they will be speaking the Word of God.
If you are reading this - Please take a moment right now, and keep these next few days in prayer for travel, meetings, families left behind, for spiritual refreshment, and for opportunities to witness both coming and going.
FYI - I won't blog for several days, but plan (Lord permitting) to start up again on Saturday.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just a quick reminder that the Captains will be out of town for the united officer meeting in Washington (Tuesday through Thursday night). The originally schedule was to meet the General, but his health has prevented his coming, please keep him in your prayers. We will now be hearing from our National Commander, and we trust that they will be speaking the Word of God.
If you are reading this - Please take a moment right now, and keep these next few days in prayer for travel, meetings, families left behind, for spiritual refreshment, and for opportunities to witness both coming and going.
FYI - I won't blog for several days, but plan (Lord permitting) to start up again on Saturday.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, June 15, 2009
A praise for a great Sunday
Sorry to report - no audio sermon today due to technical difficulties.
But praise God - He is not deterred by microphones and recorders!
Despite a lower than normal church attendance, God provided the increase at the holiness table.
We had soldiers moved again (young and old) to seek prayer for greater boldness in their evangelism, a first time visitor at the altar seeking prayer, and young people wanting to stay and talk about how they were recently invited to engage in sinful activity - report how they were given strength to not give into temptation - and their resolve to do better next time to stand with greater boldness to not only decline sin for themselves, but speak out against it in the future.
May God honor every seekers desire to better proclaim Him, be a light bearer, and a seed planter for the cause of Christ.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
But praise God - He is not deterred by microphones and recorders!
Despite a lower than normal church attendance, God provided the increase at the holiness table.
We had soldiers moved again (young and old) to seek prayer for greater boldness in their evangelism, a first time visitor at the altar seeking prayer, and young people wanting to stay and talk about how they were recently invited to engage in sinful activity - report how they were given strength to not give into temptation - and their resolve to do better next time to stand with greater boldness to not only decline sin for themselves, but speak out against it in the future.
May God honor every seekers desire to better proclaim Him, be a light bearer, and a seed planter for the cause of Christ.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
This is the Lord's day, don't be so busy you miss it.
A blessed Sunday to you all, especially those of you having to miss worship at your Corps (or church) due to work or other obligations (whatever those might be).
Here is a scripture thought for you today from Exodus 5 (feel free to look it up right now). Under God's direction Moses tells Pharaoh to let His people go so they can worship Him.
Pharaoh's response was to tell the slave drivers to no longer supply straw for making bricks, make them collect their own supplies, but to keep the quota the same. Pharaoh's thought was to make the work harder for the men so they would keep working and pay no attention to the "so-called lies" that they would ever be free from slavery, and free to worship God.
There are many reasons you may have missed a time of worship today, or maybe you were at the Corps (or church) and were so busy "doing ministry", or distracted with other things, that you never really encountered God yourself. A great tool of the devil is to increase the work so there is no time for God. Don't fall into the trap!
Take time this day to worship your God, read His word for yourself, spend some time in prayer, seek His face and a new touch of His Spirit. God Himself wants you to take time to worship Him today. Who knows, you might just find that today is the day He will free you from something you're enslaved to.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Here is a scripture thought for you today from Exodus 5 (feel free to look it up right now). Under God's direction Moses tells Pharaoh to let His people go so they can worship Him.
Pharaoh's response was to tell the slave drivers to no longer supply straw for making bricks, make them collect their own supplies, but to keep the quota the same. Pharaoh's thought was to make the work harder for the men so they would keep working and pay no attention to the "so-called lies" that they would ever be free from slavery, and free to worship God.
There are many reasons you may have missed a time of worship today, or maybe you were at the Corps (or church) and were so busy "doing ministry", or distracted with other things, that you never really encountered God yourself. A great tool of the devil is to increase the work so there is no time for God. Don't fall into the trap!
Take time this day to worship your God, read His word for yourself, spend some time in prayer, seek His face and a new touch of His Spirit. God Himself wants you to take time to worship Him today. Who knows, you might just find that today is the day He will free you from something you're enslaved to.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Praise, prayer, and video info...
Hello soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus Christ,
3 quick updates ...
1. Some asked about how to get the video we watched on Wednesday night - "How great is our God" by Louie Giglio. His video can be purchased at this website for $10.00
http://268store.com/store/product/222/How-Great-Is-Our-God/
2. Praise and prayer... I just wanted to say how much I appreciate one of our young people ( a Jr. Soldier and Sr. Soldier in training) who has regularly been witnessing to her school mates and friend, and even taking some heat for her faith - Praise God! Wednesday night she gave up "soft-ball league" commitments in order to bring a Buddhist friend to church. He has been asking questions about Christianity for a while so keep him in your prayers. We had some time to talk after the movie, and even had some time while driving him home after. Seeds of the faith were planted, may God help them take root and allow this young mans spiritual search to end by finding Jesus as the only way to be saved for eternity.
3. Praise and prayer... Reminder that another soldier was sought out at the grocery store and asked by a non-believer for prayer - the soldier took some time with them and then said the church would be praying - keep this seeker in your prayer that the faithful witness and words of a soldier of Jesus would take root and this lost soul would come to put their faith in Jesus for their eternal salvation from hell to heaven.
God bless all of your effort to faithfully bring up the gospel with everyone you meet in all your daily encounters.
God bless The Salvation Army around the world, and our faithful followers of Jesus everywhere.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
3 quick updates ...
1. Some asked about how to get the video we watched on Wednesday night - "How great is our God" by Louie Giglio. His video can be purchased at this website for $10.00
http://268store.com/store/product/222/How-Great-Is-Our-God/
2. Praise and prayer... I just wanted to say how much I appreciate one of our young people ( a Jr. Soldier and Sr. Soldier in training) who has regularly been witnessing to her school mates and friend, and even taking some heat for her faith - Praise God! Wednesday night she gave up "soft-ball league" commitments in order to bring a Buddhist friend to church. He has been asking questions about Christianity for a while so keep him in your prayers. We had some time to talk after the movie, and even had some time while driving him home after. Seeds of the faith were planted, may God help them take root and allow this young mans spiritual search to end by finding Jesus as the only way to be saved for eternity.
3. Praise and prayer... Reminder that another soldier was sought out at the grocery store and asked by a non-believer for prayer - the soldier took some time with them and then said the church would be praying - keep this seeker in your prayer that the faithful witness and words of a soldier of Jesus would take root and this lost soul would come to put their faith in Jesus for their eternal salvation from hell to heaven.
God bless all of your effort to faithfully bring up the gospel with everyone you meet in all your daily encounters.
God bless The Salvation Army around the world, and our faithful followers of Jesus everywhere.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
May your heart break and your mouth open.
One tear will often do more to unlock the hardest heart than a bushel full of arguments. — Frederick Booth-Tucker
Let your heart be broken by the thought of those around you spending eternity suffering in Hell, remind yourself that you can play a part in them escaping that fate and finding an abundant life now and eternity in paradise forever.
Catherine Booth in "Aggressive Christianity" said... Men are preoccupied, and it is for us to go and force it upon their attention. Remember, you can do it. There is some one soul that you have more influence with than any other person on earth--some soul or souls. Are you doing all you can for their salvation? Your relatives, friends, and acquaintances are to be rescued. ... ... ... There they are, to be looked at, and talked with, and questioned--people rescued from the depths of sin, degradation, and woe--saved from the worst forms of crime and infamy; and, if He can do that, He can have your genteel friends, if only you will go to them desperately and determinedly. Take them lovingly by the button-hole, and say, `My dear friend, I never spoke to you closely, carefully, and prayerfully about your soul.' Let them see the tears in your eyes; or, if you cannot weep, let them hear the tears in your voice, and let them realize that you feel their danger, and are in distress for them. God will give His Holy Spirit, and they will be saved.
Tell someone you know or meet today that Jesus died and rose again to save a sinner LIKE YOU ARE, tell them they can be saved from sin, sinning, and hell LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN (if that indeed is true) and then invite them to experience that truth for themselves today.
For all who will confess (admit) and repent (turn from their sin to God) from their sins (their failing to live up to the perfect standard of God) and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior (trust in Jesus alone to save you, and give Him alone the right to reign supreme in your life) He will save you from sin and hell, for abundant holy living now and heaven forever.
May our hearts break and open our mouths to share the gospel.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Let your heart be broken by the thought of those around you spending eternity suffering in Hell, remind yourself that you can play a part in them escaping that fate and finding an abundant life now and eternity in paradise forever.
Catherine Booth in "Aggressive Christianity" said... Men are preoccupied, and it is for us to go and force it upon their attention. Remember, you can do it. There is some one soul that you have more influence with than any other person on earth--some soul or souls. Are you doing all you can for their salvation? Your relatives, friends, and acquaintances are to be rescued. ... ... ... There they are, to be looked at, and talked with, and questioned--people rescued from the depths of sin, degradation, and woe--saved from the worst forms of crime and infamy; and, if He can do that, He can have your genteel friends, if only you will go to them desperately and determinedly. Take them lovingly by the button-hole, and say, `My dear friend, I never spoke to you closely, carefully, and prayerfully about your soul.' Let them see the tears in your eyes; or, if you cannot weep, let them hear the tears in your voice, and let them realize that you feel their danger, and are in distress for them. God will give His Holy Spirit, and they will be saved.
Tell someone you know or meet today that Jesus died and rose again to save a sinner LIKE YOU ARE, tell them they can be saved from sin, sinning, and hell LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN (if that indeed is true) and then invite them to experience that truth for themselves today.
For all who will confess (admit) and repent (turn from their sin to God) from their sins (their failing to live up to the perfect standard of God) and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior (trust in Jesus alone to save you, and give Him alone the right to reign supreme in your life) He will save you from sin and hell, for abundant holy living now and heaven forever.
May our hearts break and open our mouths to share the gospel.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Captains meditation on Numbers 14
Read again Numbers 14 - what an amazing piece of scripture. I was just meditating on the fact again that "the tongue has the power of life and death". What we profess and claim (in Jesus Name) greatly impacts what we receive.
Just some points again as I read through Numbers 14...
1. The people grumbled against God's leaders saying if only we had died in Egypt or the desert, we should choose a leader and return. - How often do we forget all we have been delivered from and we are willing to go back to old ways as opposed to claiming new ground for God.
2. The profession of men who trust God enough to say, "If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."
3. The Lord's anger at lack of faith, disbelief, and testing God, by refusal to obey Him and take Him at His Word - to do that is to treat God with contempt.
4. The example of godly men standing in the gap for others.
5. God notices men who follow Him with a "different spirit and follows him wholeheartedly".
6. The Israelites were not willing to go when God said "go", but where willing (in their presumption) to attack the enemy after God had spoken "don't".
For prayerful meditation...
Just some points again as I read through Numbers 14...
1. The people grumbled against God's leaders saying if only we had died in Egypt or the desert, we should choose a leader and return. - How often do we forget all we have been delivered from and we are willing to go back to old ways as opposed to claiming new ground for God.
2. The profession of men who trust God enough to say, "If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."
3. The Lord's anger at lack of faith, disbelief, and testing God, by refusal to obey Him and take Him at His Word - to do that is to treat God with contempt.
4. The example of godly men standing in the gap for others.
5. God notices men who follow Him with a "different spirit and follows him wholeheartedly".
6. The Israelites were not willing to go when God said "go", but where willing (in their presumption) to attack the enemy after God had spoken "don't".
For prayerful meditation...
- Lord keep my mouth and heart from grumbling against You and your leaders.
- Help me never desire anything that you have delivered me from before.
- Grant me the continual desire to claim to ground your Word says I can surely have.
- Help me daily profess, "If the Lord is please with me, he will lead me into the land and promises He has prepared for me.
- May I never fear any enemy when You are for me.
- Help me to walk by faith and simply take you at your Word.
- Continue to develop me into a man that consistently stands in the gap for others and who has a different spirit that will follow you wholeheartedly.
- May I always go when you say go, but never run into a battle either in presumption (not first seeking your will) or worse - running into a fight when you have said "be still".
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
I believe we shall win - By faith do we live like it's true?
Song 820 in The Salvation Army songbook gives us this truth...
1. We're a band that shall conquer the foe,
If we fight in the strength of the King;
With the sword of the Spirit, we know,
We sinners to Jesus shall bring.
Chorus:
1. We're a band that shall conquer the foe,
If we fight in the strength of the King;
With the sword of the Spirit, we know,
We sinners to Jesus shall bring.
Chorus:
I believe we shall win,
If we fight in the strength of the King.
I believe we shall win,
If we fight in the strength of the King.
2. We have conquered in times that are past,
And scattered the foe from the field;
So we'll fight for the King to the last,
And the sword of the Spirit we'll wield.
3. Our foe may be mighty and brave,
And the fighting be hard and severe;
But the King is the mighty to save,
And in conflict he always is near.
4. In the name of the King we will fight,
With our banners unfurled to the breeze;
We will battle for God and the right,
And the kingdom of Satan we'll seize.
5. Ever true to the Army and God,
We will fight in the name of the King;
We shall win with the fire and the blood,
And the world to his feet we shall bring.
If we fight in the strength of the King.
I believe we shall win,
If we fight in the strength of the King.
2. We have conquered in times that are past,
And scattered the foe from the field;
So we'll fight for the King to the last,
And the sword of the Spirit we'll wield.
3. Our foe may be mighty and brave,
And the fighting be hard and severe;
But the King is the mighty to save,
And in conflict he always is near.
4. In the name of the King we will fight,
With our banners unfurled to the breeze;
We will battle for God and the right,
And the kingdom of Satan we'll seize.
5. Ever true to the Army and God,
We will fight in the name of the King;
We shall win with the fire and the blood,
And the world to his feet we shall bring.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Balaam 3 - under the umbrella of holiness
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Salvation Army Songbook # 458
Prayerfully consider these words penned by William Dunn Longstaff (1822-94)
1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in him always, and feed on his word;
Make friends of God's children; help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.
2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone;
By looking to Jesus, like him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct his likeness shall see.
3. Take time to be holy, let him be thy guide,
And run not before him whatever betide;
In joy or in sorrow still follow thy Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in his word.
4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul;
Each thought and each motive beneath his control;
Thus led by his Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in him always, and feed on his word;
Make friends of God's children; help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.
2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone;
By looking to Jesus, like him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct his likeness shall see.
3. Take time to be holy, let him be thy guide,
And run not before him whatever betide;
In joy or in sorrow still follow thy Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in his word.
4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul;
Each thought and each motive beneath his control;
Thus led by his Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Captain's meditation on 1 Thes. 2:2-5
1 Thessalonians 2:2-5 Paul writes... We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.
What should be our motivation to share the gospel even in the midst of strong opposition. You are speaking as a person approved of God and entrusted with His gospel, and He will test your heart.
Someone has said, "we fear man so much because we fear God so little".
A few months back I was talking with a man and turned the conversation to spiritual things. The man simply and plainly stated what he believed about "many ways to heaven" and "all the gods are really the same thing" and "it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you believe". Since time was short I simply replied plainly in return that I believed what the bible stated, that "Jesus is the only way to heaven to escape hell". Immediately he said (offended), "well I don't think it's our job to shove our religion on anybody else". My response was, "I completely agree - I don't ever want to shove my religion on anybody, but you'd have to admit" I said, "if I believed I knew the only way to escape hell and find heaven, and that I was supposed to love others, and it didn't cost me anything to share it with others, and I didn't do it, you'd think I was the biggest hypocrite in the world". To which he nodded in agreement and admitted, "you're probably right".
Have you noticed that when the topic of spiritual things comes up the world will state plainly, boldly, and to the point, without apology what they believe. Why is it that so many Christians don't state plainly, to the point, and without apology the TRUTH of our Lord's Gospel?
Paul said, "with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
Of course we don't try to be offense, but it is your God given mandate to preach the gospel to all creation. Don't be afraid someone might be "offended", be more afraid they would spend eternity in hell when you could have told them the truth, and with righteous fear be more concerned that God will test our hearts, and we must not be trying to please men, but God.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
What should be our motivation to share the gospel even in the midst of strong opposition. You are speaking as a person approved of God and entrusted with His gospel, and He will test your heart.
Someone has said, "we fear man so much because we fear God so little".
A few months back I was talking with a man and turned the conversation to spiritual things. The man simply and plainly stated what he believed about "many ways to heaven" and "all the gods are really the same thing" and "it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you believe". Since time was short I simply replied plainly in return that I believed what the bible stated, that "Jesus is the only way to heaven to escape hell". Immediately he said (offended), "well I don't think it's our job to shove our religion on anybody else". My response was, "I completely agree - I don't ever want to shove my religion on anybody, but you'd have to admit" I said, "if I believed I knew the only way to escape hell and find heaven, and that I was supposed to love others, and it didn't cost me anything to share it with others, and I didn't do it, you'd think I was the biggest hypocrite in the world". To which he nodded in agreement and admitted, "you're probably right".
Have you noticed that when the topic of spiritual things comes up the world will state plainly, boldly, and to the point, without apology what they believe. Why is it that so many Christians don't state plainly, to the point, and without apology the TRUTH of our Lord's Gospel?
Paul said, "with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
Of course we don't try to be offense, but it is your God given mandate to preach the gospel to all creation. Don't be afraid someone might be "offended", be more afraid they would spend eternity in hell when you could have told them the truth, and with righteous fear be more concerned that God will test our hearts, and we must not be trying to please men, but God.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Captain's meditation on Ephesians 1:3-4
Ephesians 1:3-4 says... Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Jesus not only saves from sin and hell, but from sinning as well.
We are chosen not only to escape hell and be acceptable to God (by faith in Jesus alone because of the work He did on the cross), but we are to be holy and blameless NOW.
Later in chapter 4 of Ephesians Paul says again to live a life worthy of the calling we have received and then again in chapter 4 (in between more basic rules for holy living while here on earth) we read verse 22-24 ... You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
We have been saved from the power of sin, that we can now say NO to every temptation, and we can daily, moment by moment, choose to please and glorify God.
So again today...
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Jesus not only saves from sin and hell, but from sinning as well.
We are chosen not only to escape hell and be acceptable to God (by faith in Jesus alone because of the work He did on the cross), but we are to be holy and blameless NOW.
Later in chapter 4 of Ephesians Paul says again to live a life worthy of the calling we have received and then again in chapter 4 (in between more basic rules for holy living while here on earth) we read verse 22-24 ... You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
We have been saved from the power of sin, that we can now say NO to every temptation, and we can daily, moment by moment, choose to please and glorify God.
So again today...
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Captain's meditation on John 3:19-21 - holiness and transparency
John 3:19-21 says... This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
When we as follower of Jesus begin to live lives of holiness, walking in the light of God, our lives must be one of transparency.
I'm not sure who asked the question first (John Wesley or someone else?) but the question is still relevant now, "Have you nothing you desire to keep secret".
As a follower of Jesus, we must live holy and transparent lives, free of hypocrisy, no double standard, nothing but integrity with our actions matching the life and teaching of Jesus and His Holy Word to us.
Have you nothing you desire to keep secret today? If you do have something, confess it, repent of it, and be free of it.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
When we as follower of Jesus begin to live lives of holiness, walking in the light of God, our lives must be one of transparency.
I'm not sure who asked the question first (John Wesley or someone else?) but the question is still relevant now, "Have you nothing you desire to keep secret".
As a follower of Jesus, we must live holy and transparent lives, free of hypocrisy, no double standard, nothing but integrity with our actions matching the life and teaching of Jesus and His Holy Word to us.
Have you nothing you desire to keep secret today? If you do have something, confess it, repent of it, and be free of it.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Make straight the way for the Lord
John the Baptist did no miracles. Elijah performed miracle after miracle. Daniel interpreted dreams for kings and he and his friends impacted an entire nation. Jeremiah and Isaiah were two of Israel's greatest prophetic voices. Jesus built his church through the twelve disciples. But Jesus made a profound declaration about this man who performed no miracles - He is the greatest among all the prophets.
"I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matt 11:11-12).
John 7:19-23 tells us... Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "
Jesus said among those born of women there was none greater than John the Baptist, WHY? Because he was the one who pointed and directed others directly to Jesus Himself and told others to make straight the way for the Lord.
How can you be declared great by God today - simply make straight the way for the Lord. Make it your goal to point others to Jesus in all you do. Make sure you tell others that Jesus came and is coming again, and to be ready.
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus today, if not confess (admit it) and repent of your sin (turn away from in and turn to Jesus), and put your faith in Jesus (simply trust in Him alone for your salvation from sin and hell). Once you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then live like it. Study and obey His word, and accept His Spirit, and live a life of holiness unto the Lord. Finally spend your time telling others about Jesus so that they too can be saved from hell for heaven, and from sinful living to abundant holy living.
You want to be great for Jesus today...
Live holy, preach Jesus!
"I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matt 11:11-12).
John 7:19-23 tells us... Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "
Jesus said among those born of women there was none greater than John the Baptist, WHY? Because he was the one who pointed and directed others directly to Jesus Himself and told others to make straight the way for the Lord.
How can you be declared great by God today - simply make straight the way for the Lord. Make it your goal to point others to Jesus in all you do. Make sure you tell others that Jesus came and is coming again, and to be ready.
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus today, if not confess (admit it) and repent of your sin (turn away from in and turn to Jesus), and put your faith in Jesus (simply trust in Him alone for your salvation from sin and hell). Once you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then live like it. Study and obey His word, and accept His Spirit, and live a life of holiness unto the Lord. Finally spend your time telling others about Jesus so that they too can be saved from hell for heaven, and from sinful living to abundant holy living.
You want to be great for Jesus today...
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Balaam 2 - From sorcery to situational ethic to Spirit filled
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
A blessed Sunday to you - pondering Psalm 40
Take the time to look up Psalm 40 today and read it through a few times slowly - and consider how worship naturally includes verbal declaration.
We discussed this just last week at church that over and over when you read of God doing something in, around, or through you, the appropriate response always includes a verbal declaration.
Here are just a few verses (read the whole psalm for yourself) and consider how many times the psalmist mentions that he must verbally respond to God.
Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God... 5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. ... 9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.... 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!"
Look again at how his worship causes him to verbally talk with God and pour out his heart.
The right response for all God has done for us includes lives of holiness and lips that forever give Him praise, and tell others of Him.
On this Sunday take some time to verbally give Him praise, not just to Him, but to others.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
We discussed this just last week at church that over and over when you read of God doing something in, around, or through you, the appropriate response always includes a verbal declaration.
Here are just a few verses (read the whole psalm for yourself) and consider how many times the psalmist mentions that he must verbally respond to God.
Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God... 5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. ... 9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.... 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!"
Look again at how his worship causes him to verbally talk with God and pour out his heart.
The right response for all God has done for us includes lives of holiness and lips that forever give Him praise, and tell others of Him.
On this Sunday take some time to verbally give Him praise, not just to Him, but to others.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
What is "the gospel" or the good news?
Jesus Christ died and rose again to make a way for you to come to God...
#1 ADMIT IT… You are a sinner
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)
Sin is our failing to perfectly live up to the perfect standard of God. If we all tried to throw a rock to the North-Pole, some of us would get closer than others, but we’d all fall short. No one gets into heaven by being good enough.
There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
#2 The Wages (or penalty) for your sin is death
Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (Hebrews 9:27) For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a)
All of us, 100% , will die someday. Everyone will someday die and stand before a holy God to be judged, and sentenced, to one of two places for eternity. Everyone failing to be perfect (according to God’s standard—not ours) will miss heaven and be sentenced to a place apart from Him to a prison (called hell) where we face a death sentence of dying forever.
#3 THE BAD NEWS is You can’t save yourself
...All our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6)
The bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)
The best we have to offer doesn’t earn us a place in heaven, we just aren’t good enough. Imagine someone telling a judge who sentenced you to prison, that although you broke the law, you did some good things too. A good judge would have to say that although you had done good works, that He as a good judge, must sentence people who broke the law. (We have all broken God’s moral law of the 10 commandments, many times, each offense deserving the death.)
#4 THE GOOD NEWS is God made a way to save you through Jesus Christ
God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (1 Peter 3:18)
Imagine you had cancer, but a new procedure will let you transplant your cancer cells for Jesus’ healthy ones. Jesus made a way to take your cancer cells and the death they bring (cells called sins) and deposited His right cells (His righteousness) on your behalf (when you accept Him). The transplant means He had to die for you to get a new (eternal) life spent in heaven.
If while sentenced to prison, having no way to “bail yourself out”, someone paid your fine, justice could be served and you could still go free. That’s what Jesus did at the cross, paid your fine so you could go free, but you must accept His gift, or choose punishment.
#5 How do you claim your free gift of salvation?
The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23)
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ... “anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. (Romans 10:9-11)
To believe (or to have faith - trusting alone in Jesus to save you) requires action. The step of faith (or trust) God requires is “repentance”. To repent means to turn from our sin and live for God. If while drowning in the ocean, the coast guard threw a lifeline, belief alone is not enough. To be saved you must act, reach out, and grab it. Repenting is giving up everything else to grab hold of God.
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14;6)
Are you ready to accept Jesus on His terms? If so repent and give Him control of your life. You can pray something like this - Dear God, please forgive my every sin (name them). I believe Jesus died and rose again to save me, thank you for the promise of heaven, I give you control of my life.
Please call us at 907-235-2609, or leave a comment here and we will rejoice with you.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
#1 ADMIT IT… You are a sinner
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)
Sin is our failing to perfectly live up to the perfect standard of God. If we all tried to throw a rock to the North-Pole, some of us would get closer than others, but we’d all fall short. No one gets into heaven by being good enough.
There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
#2 The Wages (or penalty) for your sin is death
Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (Hebrews 9:27) For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a)
All of us, 100% , will die someday. Everyone will someday die and stand before a holy God to be judged, and sentenced, to one of two places for eternity. Everyone failing to be perfect (according to God’s standard—not ours) will miss heaven and be sentenced to a place apart from Him to a prison (called hell) where we face a death sentence of dying forever.
#3 THE BAD NEWS is You can’t save yourself
...All our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6)
The bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)
The best we have to offer doesn’t earn us a place in heaven, we just aren’t good enough. Imagine someone telling a judge who sentenced you to prison, that although you broke the law, you did some good things too. A good judge would have to say that although you had done good works, that He as a good judge, must sentence people who broke the law. (We have all broken God’s moral law of the 10 commandments, many times, each offense deserving the death.)
#4 THE GOOD NEWS is God made a way to save you through Jesus Christ
God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (1 Peter 3:18)
Imagine you had cancer, but a new procedure will let you transplant your cancer cells for Jesus’ healthy ones. Jesus made a way to take your cancer cells and the death they bring (cells called sins) and deposited His right cells (His righteousness) on your behalf (when you accept Him). The transplant means He had to die for you to get a new (eternal) life spent in heaven.
If while sentenced to prison, having no way to “bail yourself out”, someone paid your fine, justice could be served and you could still go free. That’s what Jesus did at the cross, paid your fine so you could go free, but you must accept His gift, or choose punishment.
#5 How do you claim your free gift of salvation?
The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23)
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ... “anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. (Romans 10:9-11)
To believe (or to have faith - trusting alone in Jesus to save you) requires action. The step of faith (or trust) God requires is “repentance”. To repent means to turn from our sin and live for God. If while drowning in the ocean, the coast guard threw a lifeline, belief alone is not enough. To be saved you must act, reach out, and grab it. Repenting is giving up everything else to grab hold of God.
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14;6)
Are you ready to accept Jesus on His terms? If so repent and give Him control of your life. You can pray something like this - Dear God, please forgive my every sin (name them). I believe Jesus died and rose again to save me, thank you for the promise of heaven, I give you control of my life.
Please call us at 907-235-2609, or leave a comment here and we will rejoice with you.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Salvation Army purpose - straight and to the point
The great fact remains that, unless we are saving sinners, our very existence as an Army is not justified. — Catherine Bramwell-Booth
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A great FREE resource - Radio Worship
I said I'd pass this website on to a few of you, so here it is.
This web-site "Radio Worship Network" plays great Christian music of every genre from your computer - you just have to be on-line.
Give it a try and trade time wasted on "worldly" and the non-glorifying music for some good music and lyrics that will honor our Lord and help us stay "on mission".
http://radioworship.net/
General William Booth said, "Why should the devil have all the good music".
Live holy, preach Jesus!
This web-site "Radio Worship Network" plays great Christian music of every genre from your computer - you just have to be on-line.
Give it a try and trade time wasted on "worldly" and the non-glorifying music for some good music and lyrics that will honor our Lord and help us stay "on mission".
http://radioworship.net/
General William Booth said, "Why should the devil have all the good music".
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Just GO FISHING
Hello soldiers, friends, family, and fellow followers of Jesus,
Just taking a moment to praise God for a fantastic day yesterday. Our C.S.M. (Corps Sargent Major - or our held elder) took our Divisional commander (the head of the Salvation Army in Alaska, his son, and myself out for a day of fishing. It was just a glorious day. God provided fantastic weather, great fishing, a smooth ocean, and the beauty of His creation. It is such a privilege to spend time with fellow brothers in Christ, share scriptures and testimonies, and enjoy time in God's presence. Thank you Lord for your provision.
Needless to say, 8 halibut and countless cod later, we came in and broke bread together around the table with our 3 families.
I thank God for true friends and fellow workers in our Salvation Army mission to be fishers of men.
Please pray that we will take full advantage of our opportunities this week to be fishers of men.
Fishers of fish catch the living and they end up dead. Fishers of men catch those that are dying and they find eternal life.
Go do some fishing for souls today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just taking a moment to praise God for a fantastic day yesterday. Our C.S.M. (Corps Sargent Major - or our held elder) took our Divisional commander (the head of the Salvation Army in Alaska, his son, and myself out for a day of fishing. It was just a glorious day. God provided fantastic weather, great fishing, a smooth ocean, and the beauty of His creation. It is such a privilege to spend time with fellow brothers in Christ, share scriptures and testimonies, and enjoy time in God's presence. Thank you Lord for your provision.
Needless to say, 8 halibut and countless cod later, we came in and broke bread together around the table with our 3 families.
I thank God for true friends and fellow workers in our Salvation Army mission to be fishers of men.
Please pray that we will take full advantage of our opportunities this week to be fishers of men.
Fishers of fish catch the living and they end up dead. Fishers of men catch those that are dying and they find eternal life.
Go do some fishing for souls today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Humble yourself before the Lord
Today's message was by Major Doug Tollerud, the Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army of Alaska.
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
What a great time with God last Sunday!
Dear soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus,
I hope that you experience the moving of God's Holy Spirit like we did just last week. (I'm writing this before today - so I trust we will encounter Him again this morning.)
Last week after a fantastic time of studying holiness and the privilege of all believers to be set free from slavery to sin, to be love slaves to our Savior leading to righteousness - we then moved into the holiness meeting. During worship the Holy Spirit moved people to pray aloud proclamations of the goodness of Jesus, their repentance, and their gratitude for Jesus giving His life so that we can have a relationship with Him that saves us from sin and hell, for holiness and heaven.
We have had students graduate grade levels this week in public school and "finish well". Some of our young people will be entering High School next year, and others moving onto middle school and Jr. High. My Wednesday night declaration was that I expected that they would win every student in their school to Jesus before they graduated.
I have a 14 year old young lady going through soldiership class acknowledging that her heart breaks knowing some of her fellow school mates are headed for hell, and she had righteous anger over other "self-proclaimed" believers who "do nothing" to verbally share their faith.
God is moving here in Homer - praise God. We plan to do some street witnessing on Wednesday (a cruise ship is coming in, so we expect to share with visitors - and plant seeds that will spread out in a pentecostal fashion when they all return home).
We have divisional leaders joining us on this Sunday - pray with us that God will use their visit to allow us to mutually inspire one another and spur one another on to greater accomplishments for our King of Kings.
God bless your Sunday - take time to worship Him today.
As always if anyone reading this isn't 100% sure you would go to heaven if you died tonight - send me a comment or email - I'd love to share with you the truth about what Jesus did to save you from hell and sinful living - to a life of peace and power.
Live holy, preach Jesus.
I hope that you experience the moving of God's Holy Spirit like we did just last week. (I'm writing this before today - so I trust we will encounter Him again this morning.)
Last week after a fantastic time of studying holiness and the privilege of all believers to be set free from slavery to sin, to be love slaves to our Savior leading to righteousness - we then moved into the holiness meeting. During worship the Holy Spirit moved people to pray aloud proclamations of the goodness of Jesus, their repentance, and their gratitude for Jesus giving His life so that we can have a relationship with Him that saves us from sin and hell, for holiness and heaven.
We have had students graduate grade levels this week in public school and "finish well". Some of our young people will be entering High School next year, and others moving onto middle school and Jr. High. My Wednesday night declaration was that I expected that they would win every student in their school to Jesus before they graduated.
I have a 14 year old young lady going through soldiership class acknowledging that her heart breaks knowing some of her fellow school mates are headed for hell, and she had righteous anger over other "self-proclaimed" believers who "do nothing" to verbally share their faith.
God is moving here in Homer - praise God. We plan to do some street witnessing on Wednesday (a cruise ship is coming in, so we expect to share with visitors - and plant seeds that will spread out in a pentecostal fashion when they all return home).
We have divisional leaders joining us on this Sunday - pray with us that God will use their visit to allow us to mutually inspire one another and spur one another on to greater accomplishments for our King of Kings.
God bless your Sunday - take time to worship Him today.
As always if anyone reading this isn't 100% sure you would go to heaven if you died tonight - send me a comment or email - I'd love to share with you the truth about what Jesus did to save you from hell and sinful living - to a life of peace and power.
Live holy, preach Jesus.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Evangelism Quotes
One of England’s greatest preachers, W. E. Sangster, in Let Me Command, said, “The easiest way to embarrass a congregation of twentieth century Christians is to ask them two simple questions. ‘When is the last time you personally led another person to Jesus Christ?’ and ‘When is the last time you tried?’”
"Lord grant that the FIRE of my heart may melt the lead in my feet." - Unknown
Live holy, preach Jesus!
"Lord grant that the FIRE of my heart may melt the lead in my feet." - Unknown
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Evangelism Quotes
"Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you 'go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin." Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there." - William Booth
We can’t all witness the same way, but we can all witness some way.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
We can’t all witness the same way, but we can all witness some way.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
What if? An article by Kim Josephson
What if it's true? What if there really is a hell? (Matt 10:28) What if that place is a place of eternal torment? (Rev are not figurative but are literal flames (Luke 16:24) that actually burn and torture everyone in them? (Matt 13:41,42) What if the smoke of those torments goes up eternally? (Rev 14:10,11) What if it's a place of eternal darkness? (Matt 25:30) What if you fall forever and ever in a bottomless pit? (Rev 9:2) What if as you are totally cut off from God (Matt 7:23) you are totally cut off from every other human form? What if you are lost forever, burning in physical torment but also burning in lust that will never ever be satisfied? (Luke 16:24,25)
What if the day comes when the Son of God takes His place on a great white throne and sits in judgment on every individual that has ever lived? (Rev 20:11, Eccl 12:14) What if He separates the sheep from the goats? (Matt 25:32) His friends on the right and the hypocrites on the left? (Matt 25:33) What if He actually condemns all those on His left to the Hell fire prepared for the devil and the fallen angels who dared to defy God? (Matt 25:41) What if this place is a place where the only sound you hear is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth? (Matt 13:50) What if there is nothing that can stop the eternal roar of the screams? What if it really is everlasting fire? (Mark 9:45) What if that fact alone is the greatest torment of all?
What if it's true that your memory will be keener than at any time on this earth? (Luke 16:25) What if for time and eternity you remember every time the Holy Spirit begged you to repent (Rev 3:20) and you loathe yourself for rejecting Him?
What if in this place you realize that you were ashamed to say yes to God because you were afraid of what your friends would think? (Matt 10:33) What do you think you will think of those friends then? While you grieved away the Spirit of God (Gen 6:3) to appease your pride, how will you stop the hellish ringing in your ears that cries "You Fool - you fool - you fool." You won't be remembering the good times you had in sin. No sir, part of your hell will be remembering how you couldn't be bothered with Jesus, how you had no time for God on earth (Prov 1:24) - but now you have time. You have eternity and now when God won't hear - (Prov 1:26) all you do is pray - Oh God - Oh God - Oh God have mercy. But He doesn't hear and he won't have mercy? (Prov 1:28) Your every thought will be on how you rejected the mercy of God. (Rom 2:4-6) Your every remembrance will be of those who wept over your soul (Ps 126:6) - that mother who prayed for you (Prov 10:1) - that friend, that son, that daughter who begged you to repent and surrender to Christ but you would not! You'll remember every detour that God put up on your road to hell and how you kept on running through the road- blocks to your own destruction. You'll remember laughing with your friends at the things of God (Prov 14:9) and then you'll curse yourself and them because of what has happened to you.
You'll remember how you drank what you pleased - when you pleased but now you'll beg for just one drop of water to quench your burning tongue (Luke 16:24) but you'll never know a moments reprieve. Every blasphemous utterance that ever came out of your mouth will haunt you now - those jokes about seeing all your friends in hell and having a big party will make you loathe yourself and your friends for the sheer stupidity of it. (Prov 14:9) There will be no music - no rock and roll - no friends - no party - only weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.
What if it's true? What if now you are in a place that God has ordained for the refuse of His universe? (Matt 13:41) What if you're there and you thought you'd be in heaven? (Matt 7:21) What if you allowed some preacher to soft pedal God's truths (Jer 6:14) and somehow you didn't take care of your own salvation? (Phil 2:12) What if some denomination taught you that if you just went to church and took communion you'd be OK? (Luke 13:25-28) What if you bought into the humanistic lie that said "I'm OK and you're OK" when really neither one of us was OK (Ps 14:3) and what we both desperately needed was a Savior? (Rom 3:23) What if you simply didn't believe what Jesus said (Matt 7:21) and you actually thought that you could get to heaven by being "good" or just some other way than what He said? Do you think it will make the flames cooler?
What if its true? What if Jesus really meant it when He said "Not everyone who sayeth unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father"? (Matt 7:21) What if it's not a matter of a prayer that accepts "Jesus Christ as your personal savior" but it actually requires a bowing of your knee to Jesus Christ as your Lord? What if you really have to take up your cross and follow Him? (Luke 14:27) What if you have to repent of your sins (Luke 13:3) and follow Jesus (Mark 8:34) with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength? (Mark 12:30) What if you must be born again by the Spirit of God? (John 3:7) What if you actually have to abdicate the throne of your heart and give the kingship of your life to Jesus? (Luke 6:46) What if you couldn't be ashamed of Jesus and make heaven your eternal home? (Matt 10:33)
Well, the fact is that's the way it is. Many are deceived because in our generation preachers have twisted the scriptures to accommodate their denominational doctrines. Today preachers preach what people want to hear. (2 Tim 4:3) But that's not what Jesus did. He is the one who told us about an eternal fiery hell and He also told us how to avoid it. It would seem to me that nothing would be more important than missing such a place and taking as many as we can out of it too! In fact such truth should rally the church into action as never before. We should herald the truth unceasingly and pray for a mighty move of the Spirit to turn men's hearts from sin and to the Savior. But instead, I'm afraid these truths have been so long neglected and so watered down that many have been deceived and will be eternally damned because they believed not what Jesus actually said but what somebody said He said. (Jer 23:22)
Is Jesus Christ your Lord? Have you surrendered your life to Him? Do you consistently say no to your will when it conflicts with the Word of God? Are you saying yes to God and no to your lusts, not only with your mouth but with your actions? Have you turned from sin? Are you following Jesus? If not then in Jesus' name don't pretend to think you're saved. (1 Cor 6:9,10) If you are your own Lord - your own King - your own Boss, then Jesus is not your Lord nor your Savior and you will be damned. (Luke 6:46) Let no man deceive you. If you do not repent and surrender to Jesus you will split hell wide open. In Jesus' name repent and surrender now. Put down this letter and beg for the mercy of God this instant.
Now, you say you've made Jesus your Master - then act like it. (1 John 2:6) You know that everything I've written in this letter is the truth, so stop messing around and begin to do the job Christ gave us to do. Reach the unreached. Tell the untold. Don't send money to get the job done. Do your job!!! Warn the wicked of the wrath to come. (Matt 3:7) Jesus said go and tell every creature. (Mark 16:15) So you go and you tell. Simple isn't it - no excuses - Just do it!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
What if the day comes when the Son of God takes His place on a great white throne and sits in judgment on every individual that has ever lived? (Rev 20:11, Eccl 12:14) What if He separates the sheep from the goats? (Matt 25:32) His friends on the right and the hypocrites on the left? (Matt 25:33) What if He actually condemns all those on His left to the Hell fire prepared for the devil and the fallen angels who dared to defy God? (Matt 25:41) What if this place is a place where the only sound you hear is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth? (Matt 13:50) What if there is nothing that can stop the eternal roar of the screams? What if it really is everlasting fire? (Mark 9:45) What if that fact alone is the greatest torment of all?
What if it's true that your memory will be keener than at any time on this earth? (Luke 16:25) What if for time and eternity you remember every time the Holy Spirit begged you to repent (Rev 3:20) and you loathe yourself for rejecting Him?
What if in this place you realize that you were ashamed to say yes to God because you were afraid of what your friends would think? (Matt 10:33) What do you think you will think of those friends then? While you grieved away the Spirit of God (Gen 6:3) to appease your pride, how will you stop the hellish ringing in your ears that cries "You Fool - you fool - you fool." You won't be remembering the good times you had in sin. No sir, part of your hell will be remembering how you couldn't be bothered with Jesus, how you had no time for God on earth (Prov 1:24) - but now you have time. You have eternity and now when God won't hear - (Prov 1:26) all you do is pray - Oh God - Oh God - Oh God have mercy. But He doesn't hear and he won't have mercy? (Prov 1:28) Your every thought will be on how you rejected the mercy of God. (Rom 2:4-6) Your every remembrance will be of those who wept over your soul (Ps 126:6) - that mother who prayed for you (Prov 10:1) - that friend, that son, that daughter who begged you to repent and surrender to Christ but you would not! You'll remember every detour that God put up on your road to hell and how you kept on running through the road- blocks to your own destruction. You'll remember laughing with your friends at the things of God (Prov 14:9) and then you'll curse yourself and them because of what has happened to you.
You'll remember how you drank what you pleased - when you pleased but now you'll beg for just one drop of water to quench your burning tongue (Luke 16:24) but you'll never know a moments reprieve. Every blasphemous utterance that ever came out of your mouth will haunt you now - those jokes about seeing all your friends in hell and having a big party will make you loathe yourself and your friends for the sheer stupidity of it. (Prov 14:9) There will be no music - no rock and roll - no friends - no party - only weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.
What if it's true? What if now you are in a place that God has ordained for the refuse of His universe? (Matt 13:41) What if you're there and you thought you'd be in heaven? (Matt 7:21) What if you allowed some preacher to soft pedal God's truths (Jer 6:14) and somehow you didn't take care of your own salvation? (Phil 2:12) What if some denomination taught you that if you just went to church and took communion you'd be OK? (Luke 13:25-28) What if you bought into the humanistic lie that said "I'm OK and you're OK" when really neither one of us was OK (Ps 14:3) and what we both desperately needed was a Savior? (Rom 3:23) What if you simply didn't believe what Jesus said (Matt 7:21) and you actually thought that you could get to heaven by being "good" or just some other way than what He said? Do you think it will make the flames cooler?
What if its true? What if Jesus really meant it when He said "Not everyone who sayeth unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father"? (Matt 7:21) What if it's not a matter of a prayer that accepts "Jesus Christ as your personal savior" but it actually requires a bowing of your knee to Jesus Christ as your Lord? What if you really have to take up your cross and follow Him? (Luke 14:27) What if you have to repent of your sins (Luke 13:3) and follow Jesus (Mark 8:34) with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength? (Mark 12:30) What if you must be born again by the Spirit of God? (John 3:7) What if you actually have to abdicate the throne of your heart and give the kingship of your life to Jesus? (Luke 6:46) What if you couldn't be ashamed of Jesus and make heaven your eternal home? (Matt 10:33)
Well, the fact is that's the way it is. Many are deceived because in our generation preachers have twisted the scriptures to accommodate their denominational doctrines. Today preachers preach what people want to hear. (2 Tim 4:3) But that's not what Jesus did. He is the one who told us about an eternal fiery hell and He also told us how to avoid it. It would seem to me that nothing would be more important than missing such a place and taking as many as we can out of it too! In fact such truth should rally the church into action as never before. We should herald the truth unceasingly and pray for a mighty move of the Spirit to turn men's hearts from sin and to the Savior. But instead, I'm afraid these truths have been so long neglected and so watered down that many have been deceived and will be eternally damned because they believed not what Jesus actually said but what somebody said He said. (Jer 23:22)
Is Jesus Christ your Lord? Have you surrendered your life to Him? Do you consistently say no to your will when it conflicts with the Word of God? Are you saying yes to God and no to your lusts, not only with your mouth but with your actions? Have you turned from sin? Are you following Jesus? If not then in Jesus' name don't pretend to think you're saved. (1 Cor 6:9,10) If you are your own Lord - your own King - your own Boss, then Jesus is not your Lord nor your Savior and you will be damned. (Luke 6:46) Let no man deceive you. If you do not repent and surrender to Jesus you will split hell wide open. In Jesus' name repent and surrender now. Put down this letter and beg for the mercy of God this instant.
Now, you say you've made Jesus your Master - then act like it. (1 John 2:6) You know that everything I've written in this letter is the truth, so stop messing around and begin to do the job Christ gave us to do. Reach the unreached. Tell the untold. Don't send money to get the job done. Do your job!!! Warn the wicked of the wrath to come. (Matt 3:7) Jesus said go and tell every creature. (Mark 16:15) So you go and you tell. Simple isn't it - no excuses - Just do it!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Captain's meditation on Speaking UP verses
Proverbs 14:25 A truthful witness saves lives, ...
Leviticus 5:1 " 'If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible.
1 Thessalonians 2:2... with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes
Let's be honest, speak up, dare to tell His gospel, and don't be ashamed.
Without a relationship with Jesus people will be eternally separated from God in eternal torment. With a personal relationship with Jesus people will spend eternity with our Savior in His presence, which is Paradise.
What are you waiting for - SOLDIER UP - SHARE YOUR FAITH - SPREAD THE GOSPEL.
Live holy, Preach Jesus.
Leviticus 5:1 " 'If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible.
1 Thessalonians 2:2... with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes
Let's be honest, speak up, dare to tell His gospel, and don't be ashamed.
Without a relationship with Jesus people will be eternally separated from God in eternal torment. With a personal relationship with Jesus people will spend eternity with our Savior in His presence, which is Paradise.
What are you waiting for - SOLDIER UP - SHARE YOUR FAITH - SPREAD THE GOSPEL.
Live holy, Preach Jesus.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Balaam 1 - God can use anyone and anything
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
A day for prayer and rest
A blessed Sunday to you.
In between "doing ministry" and "doing ministry" Mark 1:35-36 tells us...Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"
Maybe you are tired from being busy about the Lord's work, or maybe you are just tired of everyone on the planet needing your attention, phone, cell phone, instant message, text, email, on, and on... everyone is looking for you.
Jesus knew that the only way to stay properly connected to The Father, and empowered by His Spirit, was to intentionally be alone with God in prayer.
The world can survive without you for a while, get yourself to a solitary place and spend some time in prayer today.
By the way, after you have allowed God to recharge you, remember that there is a world that needs you, go to tell them of the Savior. Recharge in private, then be spent doing the work of telling the world about Jesus.
Note: As always if you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus, who lived, sacrificially died in your place, and rose from the dead, then repent of your sins (confess and turn from them), have faith in Jesus alone (faith is simply placing your full trust solely in Him), and receive Him by faith today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
In between "doing ministry" and "doing ministry" Mark 1:35-36 tells us...Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"
Maybe you are tired from being busy about the Lord's work, or maybe you are just tired of everyone on the planet needing your attention, phone, cell phone, instant message, text, email, on, and on... everyone is looking for you.
Jesus knew that the only way to stay properly connected to The Father, and empowered by His Spirit, was to intentionally be alone with God in prayer.
The world can survive without you for a while, get yourself to a solitary place and spend some time in prayer today.
By the way, after you have allowed God to recharge you, remember that there is a world that needs you, go to tell them of the Savior. Recharge in private, then be spent doing the work of telling the world about Jesus.
Note: As always if you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus, who lived, sacrificially died in your place, and rose from the dead, then repent of your sins (confess and turn from them), have faith in Jesus alone (faith is simply placing your full trust solely in Him), and receive Him by faith today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
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