Filed under: Heaven Hell Soul Winning
Filed under: Fredericksburg Virginia Washing DC New Jersey Mission T
Twenty of us will leave on July 5th for a life changing mission trip. The trip will take us to three different locations. We will spend a couple of days in Fredericksburg Virginia, New Jersey, and Washington DC. We are praying for God to open up doors, give us divine appointments, and even send people from all over the world to receive the gospel and a copy of the Gospel of John (www.pocketpower.org). Since people visit Washington this time of the year we decided to ask God to connect us with some future Billy Grahams of other countries on the globe! Please pray that everyone going and everyone we connect with will experience life change!!!!
Filed under: Swimming
Margarita’s mother is visiting from Mexico, so while they went shopping I took the kids swimming at the community pool in Searcy. Some friends from church showed up and the party got bigger and better. Neta, Natalie, Tyler, Colby, Daniel, Anna, and me had a blast (does this word still exist?)! Tyler even got dunked about 30 times and still wanted more! My kids are 2 and 3 but act like sea creatures. They love the water! I hope they grow up to love Jesus as much as they do playing in the pool!
Filed under: Bible Study
Our new young men’s Bible study kicked off tonight. Tyrel, Michael, Tommy, James, and myself dove into the book of Jonah. The purpose of our Bible study is to build up our younger men, train leaders, strengthen our families, and turn the excitement up in our church ministry! I had fun tonight!!!
Filed under: Universal Church
The funnest thing happened today. Someone identified me as holding “the universal church position”! The problem is, I DO NOT BELIEVE IN A UNIVERSAL CHURCH.
I believe a church is a visible body of saved, baptized believers, covenanted together to carry out the Great Commission and observe the commands of Christ. In order for a church to exist there must be saved, baptized believers, meeting together!
I believe the best way to start churches is by local churches sending out missionaries/church planters to carry out the Great Commision on their God chosen field.
It is funny when men give you a nametag for disagreeing with a word, idea, or philosophy that is not found in Scripture. The best way to do ministry is by less manmade rules, and more of God’s Word and His Spirit!
Filed under: Uncategorized
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit shall come upon you…” Acts 1:8a
My heart is heavy about the need for God’s men to allow the Spirit to lead. All ministry should be directed and empowered by the Spirit of God. Reaching people is best accomplished as led by the Spirit of God. If God called us by His Spirit, placed us by His Spirit, can He not connect us to those who He is drawing to Himself?
I love programs and different strategies for reaching people, but nothing can replace the powerful working of the Spirit of God! Sometimes the job of pastor and church planter becomes very busy, but not necessarily led by the Spirit. We spend a lot of time thinking about how to reach people, but little time in prayer FOR people. God, help us to seek your face for we need you to give us divine appointments!
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are Sons of God” Romans 8:14
Filed under: Joseph Bible Study
Joseph had his name written down!
Recently I posted a note asking prayer for Joseph’s salvation. Joseph just graduated highschool this past May. He finally told me that he trusted Christ two weeks ago. We then had a little party along with the angels!!! Please pray for him to be baptized soon.
New Bible Studies…
We have 16 ladies, and 5 men beginning new bibles studies this week. Please pray that God will use these worship opportunities to change lives and build strong leaders. We pray that these laid back Bible studies will attract the unchurched too!
Filed under: Acts Principle Church Planting Sending Churches
I recently preached a message at our church that challenges the mentality and philosophy of ’mission work’ in the ABA. For the first time ever I heard this same challenge during our 2007 annual meeting at the World Evangelism Conference. I believe his name was Tim Thompson (not sure about the first name). I’m not good at repeating word for word so I will use my own terminology. This brother led his church to “untie” their missionary in India so that he could work as the Spirit of God led.
The issue is whether or not a ‘sponsoring church’ is to hold a position of authority over a new group of saved, baptized, believers. He said a missionary cannot be led by the Spirit of God if he is authorized to stay in one location by the sending church (among other demands). If the ‘sponsoring church’ is the head of the newly planted church, how can Jesus be the head too?
I recently taught the following responsibilites/instructions of a sending church. The purpose of this message was to prepare our church to be a sending church in 2008…
1. Pray for God to connect us with His man.
2. Make all necessary questions previous to the commissioning service in order that you will have confidence in his decisions (dependence upon God) on the field.
3. Send the church planter/missionary to the location (chosen by God) with the resources necessary to accomplish God’s plan.
4. Participate and be involved as much as possible to help and encourage the church planter/missionary.
5. Advise when necessary but never take an authoritative position over the church planter who is to be led by the Spirit of God.
6. If there is such a disagreement or problem between the sending church and church planter/missionary both can chose at any point to separate as led by the Spirit of God.
7. Enjoy together what God is doing through the ministry of the newly planted church.
This method allows the church planter and new members the freedom to follow the leadership of Jesus (the head of every body) rather than another body of fallen sinful men who’s only worth is in their salvation through Jesus Christ. Most of the time decisions made by ‘sponsoring churches’ that override the decision of a church planter/missionary are based on tradition rather than an understanding of the field, prayer, and the leadership of the Spirit of God. The “Acts Principle” will produce more results and fewer problems between the sending church and the church planter/missionary. We must take our hands off in order for God to get the glory!
Filed under: Shadow of Death ABA President's Address
Bro. Neal Clark gave his president’s address on Psalm 23. I wish he would have gotten lower to the ground in preaching mode (those of you that know him are laughing), but he had too many alliterated points to get away from his notes. I really like what he had to say about the “shadow of death”. A shadow cannot hurt you!
These are not exact quotes:
The shadow of a snake cannot bite you.
The shadow of a lion cannot growl at you.
The shadow of an arrow cannot strike you.
The shadow of a bullet cannot penetrate you.
The shadow of death cannot kill you.
Let me add, as long as we are walking with the Shepherd, we have nothing to fear, especially a shadow! Sometimes in the dark a shadow looks real, but when the light comes on the shadow disappears. Shine Jesus shine!
Filed under: Life Religion Jesus Love Hope Forgivness
Jesus has been misunderstood by the promotion of religion. Jesus isn’t looking for religious followers, but people who desire to experience LIFE with the LIFE GIVER! I’m not sure who will read this, but my reason for posting this entry is to offer hope to anyone struggling with answers about life. If that is you, the following truths should encourage you.
1. God loves you no matter what has happened in your life. He is not to blame, but He does have a way out!
2. As Creator, God has prepared a wonderful place for you to spend eternity. He doesn’t desire suffering for anyone, but paradise for everyone!
3. God sent His one of kind Son (Jesus) to become the bridge for you to enter into Heaven. Jesus paid your sin debt when He died on the cross. Because He rose from the grave (seen by hundreds) you can live forever with Him! This new life can begin here and now.
4. God simply asks that you call on Him, based on what Jesus did for you, and He will answer your call.
“God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were sinners Jesus died for us.” Romans 5:8
“Whoever calls on the name of the Lord (Jesus), will be saved (made new and given a home in heaven).” Romans 10:13
It is evident that all of humanity has a problem called sin. We have missed God’s mark or standard of holiness. For this reason we need His plan of redemption. The following prayer is one that recognizes Jesus as the only answer for this great problem we have.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I’m a sinner who needs your forgiveness. I believe you died on the cross for my sin and rose from the grave so that I could be redeemed for eternity. I trust you to save me, because I cannot save myself. Thank you Jesus for your love, understanding, grace, and mercy. In Jesus name, Amen.
Please write for more information about God’s changing power!
