February 2019

Thinking About Dying

February 27, 2019 by Dale, posted in Uncategorized

Very, very thoughtful post. A must read.

Death. I’ve been thinking about it a good bit in the last week or so. It isn’t something most of us like to talk about or dwell on, but because we live, we have to face that fact that unless Christ comes first (and we’re all praying He will!), we will all die.

Ecclesiastes 9:5
For the living know that they shall die:

In recent days, I’ve heard about or witnessed the death of acquaintances. Their departures, like their lives, were totally different. Both were believers and had

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God Is Looking For A Man

February 20, 2019February 19, 2019 by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Father - Son, Men, Ministry, Pastoring, Uncategorized

Dad-Army

Recently while looking through a stack of papers that had collected on the bookshelf in the garage, I found something precious, challenging, and meaningful to my heart. Immediately I recognized the handwriting on the stenographer’s note paper as being my precious dad’s penmanship.

At the top of the page were the words, “Jer. 5:1,2 Search for a Man,” and in the right corner, he had penned my name. This was one of his many ways of encouraging his son, of being a mentor to me. The writing is below.

God is looking for:

A man who will not lose his individuality in a crowd.
A man of convictions who is willing to say “no” when all others are saying “yes.”
A man who is upright, pure, and generous.
A man that’s not a coward in any of his parts; no fear of man.
A man with balanced character, conviction, and consecration.
A man who wants substance rather than show.
A man who will be the conscience in his society in which he lives.
A man who delights in the privilege to glorify Jesus Christ.
A man who is dogmatic in his loyalty to the Bible, even if it costs him his friends.
A man who is determined to stand for Christ even if it becomes unpopular cause.
A man who denounces sin without apology in high or low.
A man who has a desire to fellowship with good men.
A man who displays compassion for lost souls.
A man dominated by the control of the Holy Spirit.
A man who knows how to discern between love that is based on truth or mere sentimentality.
A man who has a decisive desire to build a strong Christian home.
A man who walks in the will of God.

Thanks, Dad, that even after departing this earth sixteen years ago, your influence is still strong in my life! Thanks for being that kind of man. By God’s grace and for His glory, I want to be that man, too!

Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem,
    look and take note!
Search her squares to see
    if you can find a man,
one who does justice
    and seeks truth. (Jeremiah 5:1)

I Want To Be That Man

It’s Sunday!

February 19, 2019February 18, 2019 by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Church, Church Membership, Prayer, Uncategorized

BCBC

Have you ever really given some concentrated thought to all that happens in a local church on Sunday?

Sunday is a day of joy, tears, praise, mistakes, sin, confession, forgiveness, sadness, misunderstandings, questions, conviction, conversion, repentance, greeting, fellowship, preaching, truth, testimonies, introductions, singing, forgetfulness, encouragement, edification, communication, conversation, mishaps, announcements, listening, sharing, praying, burden bearing, heartaches, grace extended, mercy given, satanic attack, war with the flesh, victories, laughter, fears, disgruntlement, giving, decision-making, meeting strangers, discipleship, hypocrisy, rushing to get there on time, and so much more.

So, with that in mind, how should we respond?

Without a doubt, before any believer pulls into the parking lot, he/she must spend time with the Lord in prayer! If able, on your knees in humble, contrite, calling out, dependent prayer before you leave home.

The Church is the Body of Christ, the vehicle God is using today to accomplish His redemptive purposes in this world, and the target of Satan, the flesh and the world. The Church is not in a defeatist mode because we are on the winning side (Matthew 16:18), and God will do great things in and through His Body (Ephesians 1-6).. But, to be able to work through all the aforementioned things, to accomplish God’s purposes and plans for the local church, we must be in tune with the heart of God, not our heart!

You see, prayer is the declaration of your dependence upon God, your surrender to God, and your life before God.

Matthew 17 records the inability of the disciples to heal a young epileptic lad. The father brought his case to Jesus to which He replied, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me. Jesus rebuked the demon and the boy was completely healed. Jesus goes on to say that the disciples inability was tied to unbelief and a lack of prayer.

The whole goal of every local church Sunday gathering is to “bring people to Jesus; to help them move one step toward Jesus” for God’s glory! Therefore, to work through all the stuff of a Sunday and not be a faithless generation, we must pray, . . . believing God. He gives power to overcome our sin and weaknesses and gives power to energize our worship. He can move mountains!

So, next Sunday in the midst of “all the stuff of a Sunday,” be sure to pray before you arrive at church, pray as you walk into church, pray with others in the foyer before church, pray at your seat, pray along with those leading in worship, pray while the message is being delivered, pray during the invitation, pray with some folks around you at the close of the service, pray in your small groups, pray for your pastors and leaders, pray, pray, pray, and when you have finished praying, pray!

1 Timothy 2:1-4 – First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Ephesians 6:18 – Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Ephesians 3:14-22 – For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.