Year: 2013

Death is a greater deliverer

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Thomas Brooks was an English Puritan preacher and author in the 1600s. Though he’s best known for his many books and theological treatises, we have several of his sermons in print, some of which are funeral sermons. In one funeral sermon, Brooks reminds his listeners that for the believer, death not only ceases to be our conqueror; death actually becomes God’s meek helper. He wrote: “Death is another Moses: it delivers believers out of bondage, and from making bricks in Egypt.” He continued: Remember this—death does that in a moment, which no graces, no duties, nor any ordinances could do for a man all his lifetime! Death frees a [person] from those diseases, corruptions, temptations … that no duties, nor graces, nor ordinances could do …. Every prayer then [when we die] shall have its answer; all hungering and thirsting shall be filled and satisfied; every sigh, groan, and tear that has fallen from the saints’ eyes shall then be recompensed. That is not death but life, which joins the dying man to Christ! I …

Dear Pastor: A Letter from a Humble Church Member

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Dear Pastor, I don’t think I need to apologize for anything but here it is… I sincerely apologize for anything, or apparently the many things I have said and/or done to offend you and/or made you feel defensive towards me and my efforts to do what I have felt was serving the Lord with all the blessings He had provided. I truly respect your spiritual leadership. I feel that we are all purposefully imperfectly made with strengths and weaknesses. I definitely have a need for a spiritual leader. I am thankful that He has put you in my life. I have pride issues but I think you do too I realize that I have to fight the battle of pride and perhaps that is also why God has put you in my life. On the other hand, perhaps in this pride I felt you had been blessed for me to be put here to help YOU make our church even more successful than you have already made it. Pastor, I have often been successful and consider …

Never give up

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What can I say to you today that will spark a fire in you? What can I actually bring today that will motivate you, get you out of that rut, shake you out that funky place, get you off your couch or get some adrenaline pumping. For some, it’s a seeming setback. For others, it’s boredom. Sadly still, it could be the ending of a dream, a dying relationship, a frustrating job, a long-awaited success or promotion that doesn’t seem to come. Whatever the case today, I want you to get up and try again. never, never, never, never give up – Winston Churchill you will need some determination to get you where you want to go… lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees – Writer of Hebrews (12:12) you will need some courage to keep you where you are going … I don’t have 22 reasons to tell you not to give up. I only have one. You owe it to yourself. You deserve a second chance. There is so much in you, …

listening: a greater service than speaking.

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Christians, especially ministers, so often think they must always contribute something when they are in the company of others, that this is the one service they have to render. They forget that listening can be a greater service than speaking. Many people are looking for an ear that will listen. They do not find it among Christians, because these Christians are talking where they should be listening. But he who can no longer listen to his brother will soon be no longer listening to God either; he will be doing nothing but prattle in the presence of God too. This is the beginning of the death of the spiritual life, and in the end there is nothing left but spiritual chatter. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together (New York: Harper & Row, 1954), pages 97-8.

Pitching to Jesus—and Refusing to Take His Signals

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I’ve imagined this scene in my head: I’m playing baseball with Jesus. The stands are full of fans, but out there on the field it’s just him and me. I’m the pitcher. Jesus is the catcher, behind home plate. He settles into his crouch, ready to play, and I look for his signals—simple commands. What pitch will he want me to throw? I wait in anticipation, but also with one eye on the crowd. What will they think of me? He signals a fastball. I think for a moment and shake my head—no, not a fastball. Next he signals a slider. This time I look toward my teammates in the dugout for guidance. Then I glance up at the fans. No, I’m not comfortable with that one either. He gives me yet a third signal. No, not today, thank you! Then I imagine Jesus silently and slowly withdrawing his signaling hand back into his mitt. There’s a deep disappointment in his eyes. He’s decided to let me throw whatever I want. So I do—and then …

Momentum

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Momentum is “force or speed of movement, the impetus gained by a moving object.” It is often described by taking into account the force that can stop it. On the other hand it is very difficult to explain the exact formula that brings momentum in a person’s life. But when a person gets momentum, nothing in the world can stop them. Now, this does not mean there will be no opposition, nor does it mean one will not come under attack from various forces. But when your career, business, ministry, church gets momentum – wherever and however it might have started – nothing will be able to stop you. Unless you stop yourself! The bible say, “from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it (NIV). Let’s un-pack that verse: 1. From the days of John until now – a non-stop momentum 2. The kingdom has been forcefully advancing – kingdom momentum 3. Forceful (violent) men lay hold of – a go getter momentum Nothing throughout the centuries have been …

Fallin

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There you go again… you did it. You promised God that it will never happen again. But there you go again… dealing, sniffing, lusting, gossiping. You told yourself it was all over. But there you go again… angry, grumpy envious, sensual. You have fallen. Well, it is not okay, but it’s okay. “Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.” So get up! Commit again… Try again… Quote: Chinese Proverb Video: Trip, born William Lee Barefield III

Discover the Seven-fold activity of God in Psalm 23

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God is perfect and everything he does is perfect. Take a fresh look a this timeless psalm again today… It’s the seven-fold perfection of God in our imperfect lives. he satisfies our hunger… There is a promised reward for all those who hunger after God and His righteousness – They shall be filled. he leads us by the still waters; There is a promised reward for those who would allow God to take them to still waters – They shall find rest he restores us when we have fallen away There is a promised reward for those who repent and turn from their wicked ways – They shall be restored. he guides us in the way of righteousness There is a promised reward for those who would look to God and His word for what they want to do – They shall find guidance. he abides `with us’ even through death There is a promised reward for who do not fear when life is hard, dangerous and even tragic – They will never be alone in …