Planning time . . .

Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.

(John 4:35-36)

What are we waiting for? No sooner than we blink, Christ will return! We plan our retirement. We plan our vacations. We even try to plan our children's futures. But do we plan to do God's work?

Failing to plan is planning to fail! God invites us to participate in His plan of reconciliation. Why do we refuse to work alongside the King of the universe? Are we ashamed?

Time is short. Include God in your planning . . . today and in the future. Matter of fact, just join God and let Him do the driving!

No Room for Egos

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

(James 3:17)

There is no room for egos when it comes to God's work. As He grants us wisdom to carry out His will, the work is done in harmony with one another with peaceful cooperation and cohesiveness. It's one for all and all for His glory! It is the entire Body working hand-in-hand to accomplish the will of God, not to bring any one person any claim to fame.

At least that is how James lays it out . . . . he would go on to say:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

(James 1:27)

You see, religion is simply a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects.(dictionary.com) A relationship with Jesus Christ involves much more than that. It is a lifestyle and a one-on-one intimate connection with the Creator of this world and the Lover of one's soul! Christ becomes the center of a true believer's life and his entire existence should revolve around pleasing the Lord!

Does this describe our lives today? Does it decribe our church? Well, we all have some work to do . . .Beginning with me!!!! Let's stop criticizing the world and begin to clean up our own heart's desires first. (1 Peter 4:17) May the Holy Spirit reign within us and shine throughout our lives. The world needs more of Jesus and less of me.

Their story . . . our story . . . is HIS-tory!

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

(Traditional Irish Blessing)

As you ponder this olde Irish blessing it is my prayer that you come to understand and respect the traditions of other people groups and their culture along with their faith in our God. It is not against the bible to embrace one's culture. Since the beginnings of man, God has allowed man to live out his faith in his world view. In fact, He encourages us to be a bit different yet still one faith since back in Genesis when He seperated man and caused us to scatter.

So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.

(Genesis 11:8)

Tradition and God can and do go hand in hand. The problem comes when the tradition overtakes the truths of the Bible and we become focused on "us" and not God. Many ethnic groups from every corner of the earth boast of proud histories: noble African kings and queens, courageous Spanish explorers, proud Irish immigrant farmers, and the list goes on . . . Many tell the stories of how God guided them through, fought for their freedom, and held them together through many situations of struggle.

Their story . . . our story . . . is HIS-tory!

Embrace your culture, but do not allow it to overshadow God's role> God is above all culture. He has allowed us to be so diverse to bring Him glory in such a beautiful way! Their is beauty and unity in the diversity of His people. Enjoy it . . . embrace it . . . live it out all to His glory! (Revelation 7:9-10)

Truth or Popularity?

. . .let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands before you healthy. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.”

(Acts 4:10-12)

Peter and John did not worry about the politics of the day. All the leaders of the Hebrews were coming to arrest them . . . the priests, the Sadducees, the captain of the temple . . . yet they contiued to declare the truths about Jesus Christ! Now, present before the entire Sanhedrin, Peter spoke boldly and directly to them! There was no hint of political correctness at all.

Truth or popularity . . . what do we seek in life? In times when public figures seek the popular vote and water down genuine faith, what will we do? Do we crumble and fold or become even bolder in our stand for the savior?

There is no other option. There is no other choice. There is one answer. There is one TRUTH.

It is JESUS! Say it . . . LIVE it!

Not Awesome, Just Me!

As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

(Romans 3 :10-12)

I am reminded daily that no matter what my family and friends might say about me it is what God knows about me. . .I am not awesome, just me! I am a sinner and I do not need anyone to remind me of that. I mess up often enough to know it for myself. Whether it is at home, at work, or just in my heart, I blow it daily! Not seeking God enough, not paying enough attention to my bride, blowing it with the kids, being selfish . . .

Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt;Fightings within, and fears without,O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

(Lyrics:Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871)

Over the years I want to believe I am better than I was yesterday. However, the more I want to believe it, the more I realize it has nothing to do with me. Any change in me is because of God. Left alone to myself, I am worthless . . . just a nobody!

So with God's guidance, I do my best to live by these words . . . .

I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody,about somebody, who can save anybody.

(The Williams Brothers)

God is awesome, I am just me!

A Personal Plea . . . .Putting God to the Test?

Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

(Malachi 3:8-10)

How many of you would purposely take from God? How many would put Him to the test? On July 8, 1741 in Enfield, Connecticut, Jonathan Edwards once said, preached a sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" in which he painted a vivid picture of one's fate without the grace of God. If not for God, there goes me!

How many of us go through life taking God for granted? How many of us live a selfish life . . . caring for our own needs and the needs of our families, yet ignoring the outcry of the needs of those right next to us? While God provides, He also calls every believer to participate in His work.

Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

(1 Corinthians 9:7-12)

Not only is it a blessing to participate in mission work, it is a responsibility. Paul lays it out in his words above. Those in ministry deserve to make a living! However, we cannot study, teach, spend time with those in need, give to the needs of those we serve, nor prepare properly if we have to spend the majority of our time earning our keep for both ministry and family needs. When called by God, life becomes both sacrificial and rewarding. It is a 24/7 challenge to suport both a family and a ministry.

This is where every believer comes in . . . every believer participates . . . every believer benefits! It is not the church's job to support missionaries . . . it is your responsibility and my responsibility! The burden of fundraising and the personal feelings of rejection cause many to throw in the towel and resign from ministry. This is a black eye for the church for all the world to see. It is embarrassing!

So will you answer the call of God to be a part of His work? May I challenge you to take God at His dare? Try Him! (Malachi 3:10) Will you commit to support the work God has given to us, so we too may be able to commit to serve rather than found begging for bread? We pledge a lifetime to the Lord and His people. Will you in turn pledge a lifetime of support? Please do not quit!

I dare you to trust God as you give! No one can out-give God!!!!Please give today . . . www.tsnministries.org. God bless you!

Not a makeover, but a takeover!

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

(Ezekiel 36:26-27)

God is not after a re-do or a re-take. He does not in the remodeling business. He is not asking us to accomodate His desires for us.

God is asking for a chance to give each of us brand new life. God wants to replace the old ways we do things . . . how we think . . . how we love . . . how we breathe!

Not a makeover, but a takeover!

God seeks a spirit that wants His will. He desires total transformation. It is not about band-aids and ointments, but internal resetting of the bones and heartbeat. It is not an instant Christian-in-a-cup . The process is often long, grinding and painful. But take it from a hard-headed, but eventually I got it now disciple . . . it is worth it!

Stop fighting the call of God upon your life. Allow Him free course and experience God to the fullest!

Family Ties

Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

(Matthew 10:37)

These are hard words to swallow . . . for those who do not understand what a personal relationship with the Lord really involves. Jesus gives us a hint in the previous verse. At times, those of our own household cannot understand our relationship with Christ. This can be the biggest struggle for a believer.

Jesus is not telling us to hate our families! He is simply saying that we love the Lord so much and are dedicated to His will, that our love for our famiy is diminished. God becomes our priority. Many will not understand this and assume we do not care for our families anymore!

Ever experienced this reaction? I have heard it many times and it breaks my heart. I love my family. I just hope and pray that they will come to love the Lord and see the difference!

At times I feel so isolated and alone. It comes with the territory. Rejection from family hurts, but the intimacy with Christ is so much sweeter. Taking a stand for Christ can strain family ties indeed! I thank God for a bride who knows the Lord as I do and understands the call into serving the King. Being one together with our Lord forms an unbreakble three-chord strand! (Ecclesiastes 4:8-12)

Is family tying you down . . . seek the Lord today!

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

(Matthew 24:35)

Nothing lasts forever . . . well not as we know it. God's word will never pass away. As for man, well we are made for eternity as well. The difference is that God is eternal, with no beginning or end. Man had a beginning, when God decided that He wanted to create a living, breathing being with a soul . . . made in His likeness. (Genesis 1:26-27) Our soul will also live on in eternity with a new eternal body to house that soul, but where will we be living then? Heaven or hell is a choice made while we yet live!

God's promises are true. It may not seem too relevant to some in this day with all the illness, wars, bitterness, and disasters. But it's all part of the process. Time is winding down! For some who have already passed away, it is too late. However, for you and me and our young ones following behind us, there is a chance!

God is calling out to all who will listen. Repent and be saved. Accept God at His Word. Do not delay! Listen carefully today and follow His direction.(Hebrews 3:15) Will today be the day you decide to become a child of God?

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen,no ear has heard,no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."

(1 Corinthians 2:9)

Have you ever just considered for a moment to allow God full control of your life? Imagine the possibilities! Mr. Moody, (Dwight Lyman Moody) did just that and God did a magnificent work in his life. Consider the following:

Some day you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of East Northfield, is dead. Don't you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now; I shall have gone up higher, that is all, out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal- a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint; a body fashioned like unto His glorious body.

I was born of the flesh in 1837. I was born of the Spirit in 1856. That which is born of the flesh may die. That which is born of the Spirit will live forever.

Henry Varley, a very intimate friend of Mr. Moody in the earlier days of his work, loved to tell how how he once said to him: "It remains to be seen what God will do with a man who gives himself up wholly unto Him." When Mr. Henry Varley said that Mr. Moody said to himself: "Well I will be that man."

Mr. Moody was not concerned with titles, degrees or positions of autority. He simply desired to be used of God. I want to be that man too! How about you? (Romans 12:1-2)

Have your way Lord!