Month: March 2016

This picture brings great joy to my heart as I watch this project coming together and to an expected end.  Lord willing, we want to use this expanded brick patio as a gathering place for our neighbors, church family, visitors, and anyone who comes along.  We really desire for it to be a gospel gathering place.  As I have watched the crew do some of the prep work, the measuring, the compacting, and careful placement of the brick, I have been reminded of Christ building His Church (Matthew 16:18), one brick at a time.

This project began with an idea, a picture and a pergola. From there, a neighbor helped lay out the design, dig up the dirt and secure the bricks.  Then I spread the chat/block dust.  Finally, it came time to lay the brick pavers.  I was way over my head when this project began, but when I saw that stack of 7,000 brick, I knew I was in extreme deep water.  Oh, I could have laid out the bricks, but what a mess it would have turned out to be!  I needed someone who really knew what they were doing.  So, the men in this picture are professionals . . . unlike me!

Another project took place yesterday. Our church  was downtown enjoying the privilege of feeding the homeless.  Many are involved in this ministry. It takes cooks, servers, singers, preachers and sharers.  How blessed to minister to these people, but there is only One Who can do the best work, the work of regeneration.  That work occurred yesterday morning before we even arrived at the Melting Pot.  While standing in line to purchase food to be cooked for this ministry, our Melting Pot leader noticed the clerk was wearing a bracelet inscribed with the name “Jesus,” and inquired about it.  This began an engaging conversation about the gospel. The clerk said she had received the bracelet as a gift from her mother, but that she, herself, was not a believer. He asked, “Do you have time for me to share with you how you can know Christ as your personal Savior?  The  clerk replied, “I am going on break after I ring up your items.  Yes, I will meet you outside.”  David took his groceries to the van and then joined this dear lady at an outside table.  There, the Holy Spirit convicted her of “sin, righteousness, and judgment” (John 16:8), and she put her faith and trust in Christ alone as her Lord and Savior!  Praise the Lord!

You see, many people did what they could do to serve yesterday at the Melting Pot before, during and after.   I did what I could do along with others on my backyard project.  But when it came down to laying the brick, only one could do that.  When it comes down to lost souls being added to the Church (Matthew 16:18), only One, the Lord Jesus Christ, can do that.  We as followers of Christ are to be involved in many ways in spreading and sharing the gospel, but only One can “lay the brick one brick at a time” (1 Peter 2:4-10).  He’s the Foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11), the Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22), the Savior of men (1 John 4:14), and the Sustainer of the Church (Colossians 1:15-18).  His work is awesome and God glorifying! And one day He will bring this project to an end (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  In the meantime, we just keep on being engaged in gospel work while the Master Bricklayer continues to “seek and to save” (Luke 19:10), one brick at a time!

If you have never surrendered to the work of Christ for you, please listen to this gospel presentation:  Five Questions Video

“Since my wife passed away, I’ve been thinking about Heaven a whole lot more.”  These were the words of a dear preacher and man of God who recently, after 63 years of marriage, said, “I’ll see you later” to his dear wife who was promoted to Glory.  He then followed up that statement with, “When I was young, in my 20’s, I thought I knew everything including all about Heaven.  I realize now that I don’t know that much about it, but I sure do think about Heaven a lot now.”

Do you think a lot about Heaven?  Let the following passages sink into your soul for a bit:

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”  Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:1-5)

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass. And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.  (Revelation 21:21-25)

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.  (John 14:1-6)

But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

This dear preacher and follower of Christ has a greater longer for Heaven as the years here drift away, as loved ones move on, and as he meditates on the promises of Glory, his eternal home.  For him, each day is getting better in spite of his frail physical condition.  For him, his view is eternal.  For him, he does know a lot about heaven because the Lord is drawing his heart closer to Home.

Matthew Henry said, “Those who have the New Jerusalem in their eye must have the ways that lead to it in their heart.”

Lastly, hear the words of Charles Spurgeon who wrote, “Why, if this Book said no more than ‘they shall be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory’ (John 17:24), we should know enough of Heaven to make our hearts dance for joy.  To be with Jesus where He is, to behold His glory, this is bliss pressed down and running over, more than our bosoms can hold.”

Have you been thinking a lot about Heaven?  As you do, watch the following: Thinkin’ About Home

“I am witch.  I have studied many Celtic gods and goddesses, and in a dream one of the goddesses spoke to me.  I have been following her ever since.  I also believe in reincarnation.”

“So, since you believe in reincarnation, what were you before?”

“I don’t know.”

“So, what will you be after what you are now?”

“I don’t know.”

Another conversation went like this:

“So, who is Jesus to you?”

“Oh, I don’t believe in Jesus.  I’m an atheist.  I used to be a Southern Baptist, but after hearing all the different teachings about God, I figured what I had been taught was false.”

These are two portions of conversations with a girl and a guy at a local college campus as many of us from our church engaged the students in gospel conversations while a visiting evangelistic team played their instruments and sang.  The music caused some to stop and that enabled us to speak with them, and for some, God gave us the opportunity to share Christ with them. Others were not interested in any way, some even showing disgust or mocking us in some fashion.  Truth is, we do not deserve any respect from anyone.

We are living in a pagan, post-modern world.  These souls do not need us shouting at them, calling them names, shaking our heads at them and being angry.  They need genuine followers of Christ who are willing to get out of their comfortable holy huddles and intentionally seek to build relationships with them.  They need someone to genuinely care for them, to listen to them, and then to share the gospel like Jesus did (John 4).  One student said to us, “Thank you for speaking in respecful tones.  Most religious people come on campus and shout at us.  We do not listen to them.  Sometimes we just shout back.  You know, you can draw more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

In route to meet everyone for our campus outreach, I heard the song, “People Need the Lord.”  As I listened, the words resonated in my heart knowing what the day held for us.  Indeed, people need the Lord, and they need us to tell them about our eternal, living Savior.

Everyday they pass me by,

I can see it in their eyes.

Empty people filled with care,

Headed who knows where?

On they go through private pain,

Living fear to fear.

Laughter hides their silent cries,

Only Jesus hears.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord.

At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord.

When will we realize people need the Lord?

So, are you engaging the culture, the community, the campus for Christ or are you staying comfortable in your holy huddle?

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”  (John 4:39-42)

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.  (Matthew 28:1-8)

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.  (Romans 8:11)

Rejoice as you listen to:  Nothing Ever Can, Nothing Ever Will

Lyrics:

1) Every power on earth and in heaven

Is a shadow in His light,

No authority, law or government

Challenges His sovereign might.

 

His reign and rule have no boundary,

All that is, His hands have wrought.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord our God.

 

2) We are well aware we were orphans once,

Bent and broken in our shame,

Then He sought us out and adopted us,

Now we bear His royal name.

 

Every sin or crime we have ever done

Is no match for Jesus’ blood.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord, our God.

 

3) We are rescued out of darkest night,

Freed from Satan’s evil hold

And the kingdom of our Savior’s light

Is our soul’s eternal home.

 

Though the enemy tries to steal and kill

What the death of Christ has bought

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord, our God.

 

Bridge

Our God is victorious,

He always wins! He always wins!

In love He reigns over us,

He always wins! He always wins!

 

4)  We, the Church, declare: Jesus Christ is King,

For He conquered death once for all.

We will live in light of His victory

Following His gospel call.

 

And when the story ends we know Jesus wins,

For His power cannot be stopped.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord, our God.

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will

Overcome the Lord, our God.

(Ross King)

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.  (Romans 5:6-11)

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Phillip P. Bliss

1

“Man of Sorrows,” what a name

For the Son of God who came

Ruined sinners to reclaim!

  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

2

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,

In my place condemned He stood;

Sealed my pardon with His blood;

  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

3

Guilty, vile, and helpless, we,

Spotless Lamb of God was He;

Full atonement—can it be?

  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

4

Lifted up was He to die,

“It is finished!” was His cry;

Now in heaven exalted high;

  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

This week, I’ve been reading through the Gospels and following Christ as He made His way to the cruel cross and victoriously out of the tomb.  Yesterday, a statement from the following passage rang a chord in my heart.

And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him,  and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’  And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.”  And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it JUST AS HE HAD TOLD THEM, and they prepared the Passover. (Mark 14:12-16)

Note the words in all CAPS. It’s always that way with Christ . . . just as He had told them.

When raising your children, there are many times after giving them loving instruction, exhortation or warning, you may have said, “See, I told you.”  With Jesus, it was always true.  Everything He ever said came to pass.

For example:

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)

Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” (Matthew 26:34)

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:5-6)

Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” (John 21:18)

You can believe the lies of the devil and/or your own erroneous thoughts, or you can believe the Truth that stands yesterday, today and forever. You can trust Jesus; His words fail not!  He is the Living Word!  He told you so.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  (John 1:1, 14)

Some 30 years ago I heard Pastor Jack Hudson preach a message in Knoxville, TN, entitled, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming!”  Obviously, the message was about the Friday painful, sin-bearing crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the anticipation and awesome confirmational, promise-producing Sunday resurrection. As Pastor Hudson spoke, he appeared to be completely under the control of the Holy Spirit as his preaching was filled with picturesque eloquence.  I still remember how he described different “Fridays” of trial and sufferings of which my wife and I indeed experienced in the years to come. One of which was the stillbirth of our daughter. But, oh how marvelous as Pastor Hudson practically applied the “Sunday” of promise and life to the “Fridays” of death and difficulties.

Now move forward to late last night.  I’m driving home from our deacon’s meeting on our country roads.  The radio is on and a preacher’s voice I did not recognize said the following:

To get through the worst days of your life, you are going to have to do three things.

1. Reach out to the presence of Jesus.
2. Remember the promises of Jesus.
3. Rely on the power of Jesus.

When you do those three things, it’s a game-changer.  Anything is possible now.

Wow!  Such simple truths, all based on the events of the cross and the empty tomb (Matthew 26-28). My heart was arrested as I pondered those three statements as I’m driving through the darkness.  Is the Lord preparing me for something?  What “Friday” is coming that will cause me to anticipate “Sunday”? What do those truths say to a world torn by sin, living in fear of the next bombing, and struggling to survive?  I believe this preacher settled it all when he said, “The answer is not a principle, but a Person.”

I did not hear the rest of the message, but what I did receive I believe was God-ordained. Jesus Christ is the only One Who can take your “Friday” and assure you of a coming “Sunday.”

Matthew 28:1-10

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

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Advance means to “move forward, typically in a purposeful way.”  This is a great descriptive term for the life of a follower of Jesus Christ.  The Apostle Paul put it this way under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).

One area of greatly needed advancement in believer’s lives today is in the blessed privilege of prayer.  R.A. Torrey said, “Oh, how easily most of us take our praying, how little heart we put into it, and how little it takes out of us, and how little it counts with God.”  The older I get in age and in the faith, I see the necessity of prayer, and not the kind of prayer mentioned by Torrey, but passionate, believing, faith-filled, scripture-saturated, God-sized (BIG-requests), transparent, honest, pleading, crying out, intentional, with all your heart prayer.

That’s one of the many reasons I love these prayer events called Prayer Advance because it helps you do exactly what it is called.  You are so challenged to move forward in a purposeful way in what should come before any decision, action, or plan in all of your daily walk with Christ in every area of your life.  You are taught how to pray; how to spend an hour in prayer; how to deal with issues of the heart that hinder prayer; how to pray corporately; how to bear other’s burdens in prayer; how to be engaged in that which Satan hates—-a believer living in Matthew 6:5-7 and Hebrews 4:14-16.

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Robert Murray M’Cheyne, a Scottish preacher passionate about prayer said, “I ought to spend the best hours of the day in communion with God.  It is my noblest and most fruitful employment, and it is not to be thrust into any corner.”

Before Christ advanced to the cross, He prayed (Matthew 26:36-46).  Before you advance, pray . . . really pray.

Yes, I confess.  I attended a . . . ladies event.  But, it was not just any event.  It was the annual Ladies Prayer Advance.  Now, I had no plans to attend, but was asked by the ladies from our church if I would drive the van.  Let me say up front before I move into the purpose of this blog post, what an honor to serve anyone who wants to advance in their spiritual growth with Christ!  I’ll be at the front of the line anytime to help accomplish that goal!  But, when it is a Prayer Advance, it’s a no brainer!

Prayer Advance (Men, Ladies, Couples or Teen) can be described in the following words:  prayer, freedom to worship, passionate prayer, convicting preaching & teaching, heart-filled worship, confessional prayer, practical preaching & teaching, praise-filled prayer, stirring music, request-filled prayer, challenging preaching & teaching, changed lives, corporate prayer, Christ-exalting music, believing prayer, get-to-the-heart preaching & teaching, lifting up holy hands worship, Sweet Hour of Prayer, giving God praise and glory worship, grace-enabled preaching & teaching, BIG prayers, and . . . a break for meals.  And what is discussed at meals?  You can’t help it . . . . you talk about what God has been up to in your heart and how awesome He is!!

For three days, you gather around preaching, prayer, praise, and fellowship.  This is not a retreat; this is an ADVANCE.  This is an intense, moving-forward meeting with God.  Lives are changed.  Sin is exposed, victory is claimed, and God is glorified!  Hearts are humbled, marriages are restored, homes are put back together, sins such as bitterness is exposed, confessed, forgiven and abandoned.

As is always the case, the Advance begins at 1:30 on Thursday with preaching and then a breakout session.  After the evening service comes the powerful group prayer meetings.  These small group prayer sessions have been known to last all night.  What an awesome time to kneel, get honest before God, and watch hearts be changed at the Throne of Grace.  I saw it happen at Men’s Prayer Advance in January, and heard about it happening this past Thursday night with the ladies.  I will tell you without reservation, the ladies I transported to Prayer Advance on Thursday were not the same ladies I saw on Friday morning!  On Friday morning I asked, “And how are you ladies this morning?” Immediately and in one chorus they said, “It’s a beautiful morning because our hearts are free!  Our consciences are clear!”  Oh, how awesome it is to watch the Holy Spirit convict and change, and then to see the countenances of souls set free from the bondage of sin!

My heart is full as I’ve watched God answer prayer and do some awesome works since Thursday.  Let me ask, are you advancing with Christ in prayer or retreating?  Get on your knees and “attend” your own personal Prayer Advance.  But do more than “attend,” get honest and fervent with God in Christ through the Holy Spirit.  You, too, can be set free!

Hebrews 4:14-16              Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Psalm 42:1, 8      As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. . . . The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life.