A Jesus Encounter

Too often, when we come to know Christ, we delegate Him to just a certain aspect of our life.  He becomes the center of our “religious or spiritual” life.  We fail to involve or incorporate Him into other aspects of our life.  God is interested in every aspect of our lives.   He cares about your family life, your work life; who you date and marry.  He cares about your heartache and hardships too, and desires not only to be with you through them, but to grow you through the process of healing to be more like Him.  Yet too often, we seem to think that God is about that one area of our life.  God doesn’t really know about factory work, or politics, or nursing, or administration.  It’s as if we say, “God you’re good at what you do, but this is what I do.”  Peter had a conversation very much like that with the Lord.  Today we’re going to learn from that event as well as the subsequent events in their relationship together.  Peter makes an interesting study because in so many ways, I see myself in him.

Verse of the Week:  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.     _{Hebrews 4:15}                                    

Post Revival Thoughts

We are grateful for the messages brought by Brother Danny Fudge, Missionary to Omaha, Nebraska.  The messages from God's Word were boldly proclaimed and in time, we will see if they bring about the fruit of real revival.  What is the fruit of revival?  Restoration and a reinvigorated commitment to the Lord resulting in real life change and transformation.  The fruit is also seen by lost people coming to Christ as a result of the impact upon the church.  That is because true revival is transformational to individuals, families, churches and communities.  Real revival endures.   Bible precedents reveal that the generation that experiences genuine revival sees the impact and effect of revival throughout their life time.  In other words, real revival isn’t transitory but lasting; reaching, influencing and  impacting generations.  So what took place at LBC?  We've yet to see the lasting impact but this we do know.  We enjoyed the fellowship of God’s Spirit as well as that of His people.  We heard the Word of God boldly proclaimed, and witnessed people responding to the Spirit.  Praise God for His immeasurable goodness!

From My Heart to Yours

God has, in Christ, provided not only for our forgiveness and redemption; but also for all essential to fulfill our purpose for the Kingdom Work.  God wants to be glorified in us.  As we abide in Him and in His Word, He makes us to be fruitful so that we become a living testimony to His love and grace.  Paul prays that the church at Ephesus might come to know more fully God’s grace, love, strength and knowledge. In essence, he prays that they might come to a fullness of God that will empower and enable them to do even beyond all that they can imagine.  Could it be that we have a myopic view for what God can do here at LBC and in the Anderson area?  God’s desire is that He might receive honor and glory in us and through us as we obediently and submissively trust and follow Him.  God has provided all that is needed.  We must be willing to trust Him and obediently follow His leading.

From My Heart to Yours

We can not live a Christian life in our strength, but only in the strength of Christ who is the Vine.  All necessary for life and fruitfulness is provided through Him.  There are times that I make the attempt to do the work of God in my strength and find myself discouraged and dissuaded rather quickly.  Despondency and despair attack many believers who strive to do God’s work and fulfill God’s purpose in their own wisdom, ability and power.  Paul reminds us that it is Christ who strengthens us; that the life we now live as Christians we are to live by the faith of Christ and in the power of Christ.  Revival is a work of God and if we are to realize it, then we must position ourselves to receive it and wait upon God to deliver it in His time and for His glory and purpose.  Love, joy and peace are to epitomize the attitude and life of the believer, but sin that is not confessed, or self dependency rather than God dependency will rob us of them.  

From My Heart to Yours

Too many are living under the influence of the flesh rather than the influence of the Spirit.  But what does that mean?  We’ve been talking about the need for Revival; praying that God will graciously send it down to us.  Yet too often we look for Revival without meeting the conditions.  Those conditions are spelled out for us in the Word of God.  We use that phrase quite often, but our actions often reveal an unwillingness to heed.  We hear what God is saying, but are we really listening.  Jesus told the religious leaders of His day that they were reading but not heeding the Word of God.  Daily reading and memorization are commendable, but useless unless we take their teaching to heart and make the life application.  The Bible is God’s Holy Word, and we need to be listening to what it is saying to the intent of putting it into action in our lives.  Until we are ready to do that, revival won't be realized. 

From My Heart to Yours... Sept. 25, 2011

It’s about priorities.  In a day when each of us is so busy, we are tempted often to think that busyness is unique to this generation.  And I’m sure that with all that we today can fill our day with, it would seem that this is true.  Yet the Patriarchs had twenty-four hours, just as we do today.  It’s not a matter of needing more time; it’s a matter of management and priority.  Jesus is calling the lost to be saved, and the saved to follow Him into the fields.  Even during the time of His earthly ministry, Jesus sought those who would faithfully follow Him into the Father’s work; to go into the field of the world with the message of God’s love for all mankind.  Then as now, there were many who gave reasons as to why they could not follow at that time.  There were those that desired to follow, but the priorities in their lives were obstacles to their immediate obedience.  The offer to follow and serve is still presented to those who will hear and heed it.  We pray for Revival, but revival, if God chooses to send it, causes us to reflect and reprioritize our life and seek His will above our will.   It calls us to submissive obedience by deferring our will to His.

September 18th 2011

From My Heart to Yours:  It isn’t hard to find hurting people in a world that is struggling on several levels.  Recent disasters and economic upheavals have people seeking for answers and peace.  Jesus came at a such a time.  The prophet Isaiah stated that the people that walked in darkness, in the shadow of death would see the light of the promised Messiah.  Today, people are looking for that light.  Jesus is the one who offers not only forgiveness, but love, peace and joy.  The world is crying out for answers, and Jesus is that answer.  We as a church need to be engaged in the work of the Great Commission.  We need to understand and realize all that we have in Christ, and then to be ready to share it with a world desperate to hear.  Our prayers for Revival are offered to place us in the position to receive it so that we can in turn, share it with those around us.  In a time of uncertainty, they need to hear of the unfailing, unchanging and loving God that seeks to save.  In a world that seems to be running from God, it is time that we stand in the gap and point them to Christ.  God is calling out, inviting us to look to Him; to come to Him and find peace, joy and rest.  Won’t you join Him to get the message out to a world desperate for Him?