tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19422175869746329242024-03-08T03:35:41.972-05:00Pastor's BlogRoy Mack, Pastor of Pinecrest Baptist Church in McDonough, GAPinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-78259878965731861692012-04-13T10:25:00.002-04:002012-04-13T10:29:03.897-04:00Running a Marathon or Walking 30 Yards?Recently I was speaking with William Bloodworth, the camp director at Camp Anderson; William said something that has stuck with me. We were discussing that there are many good kids that come to camp and yet they have never been truly born-again. William said, “it takes 500 miles of steps to get a man lost, but then it is only a few steps for them to get saved.” Meaning, the greatest difficulty we have is to convince people that they are lost but if they finally get there (lost) it only takes a little to see them saved. Jesus said, only sick people need a physician. Until a person knows that he is sick, he does not seek medical help. Until we know our soul is sick we do not seek a Savior. <br /><br />I want to share a recent testimony of one of our members, Laura Harms, that speaks to this point. Laura recently ran a marathon, which you can only imagine, is a tremendous feat but also a great strain on the body both physically and mentally. Laura is also a church member who recently came to saving faith in Christ. When a church member realizes they are lost and need to be saved, for many that is a difficult thing to admit that they need to do. <br /><br />My closing illustration in my Easter message was comparing those who fly stand by vs. those who have a confirmed ticket. One is confident that they have a seat on the plane the other is nervous not knowing for sure they have a seat. When a person is uncertain of their salvation they are always nervous because they do not know for sure they have a seat and headed to Heaven. Laura shared with me a beautiful insight and testimony on this and I felt led to share it with you all, with her permission in hopes that it will help others. I love Laura and her husband Daniel, and trust that her words will be a blessing to you.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Happy Easter Pastor Mack,<br /><br />I just felt compelled to communicate a few of my thoughts after this morning's sermon:<br /><br />During lunch today I spoke to my family about the comparison of running a marathon and walking 30 yards to the front of the church. After a grueling description of my marathon experience, I explained that taking the step into the aisle on February 5th and walking the 30 or so yards to the front was the harder of the journeys. I think I believed that running a marathon would give me more self worth or an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, but as I told my family the reward I felt during the invitation this morning was without a doubt a 1000 times greater than the way I felt when I crossed the finish line during my marathon.<br /><br />I've come to realize how much joy I continue to feel after being saved. It's like you said during the sermon, that feeling just doesn't stop. God spoke to me for many months about turning my life over to him. I heard it loud and clear, but continued to make excuse after excuse. I can't describe the feeling I have now knowing that I have a seat on the plane instead of flying stand by. I know that only a few short months ago, I was the one flying stand by.<br /><br />I am so grateful to you and April. You are truly a great blessing to my life and I hope you had a wonderful Easter.<br /><br /><br />Laura Harms<br /><br /><br /></span>Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-30604969261502971852012-01-22T12:31:00.004-05:002012-01-22T12:45:43.035-05:00Why Do We Run?<span style="font-style:italic;">At our church we recently started a new ministry called The Kingdom Runners. The following is a devotion brought by one of our members, David Strickland, before one of our recent runs. It personifies the Mission of the Kingdom Runners Ministry:</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">When I was asked to do a devotion for our running team I asked myself, “Why do we run?”</span><br />Exercise, Fitness/Health, Fun/Competition, Balanced Life/Stress Relief. Some of us are like chickens, we run to get to the other side of the road.<br />The first Marathon was run to announce a victory. Pheidippides, a Greek messenger, ran the 26 miles, 385 yards from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated. It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the assembly and exclaimed “We have won” before collapsing and dying.<br />At the start of the Olympics a flame is lit to announce the opening of the ceremonies. In modern times a torch is carried throughout the world to bring the nations together.<br />Why do we run and whose torch do we carry?<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">John 1:14 </span> For us the light of the world came when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">John 1:4-5</span> In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.<br />Like John the Baptist we are sent to bear witness to the light.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1 Thessalonians 5:5. </span> We are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.<br />Knowing that we are all sons of light, God has tasked us to be the light of men and shine like the sun.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">John 8:12. </span> “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”<br />How many people see the light of Jesus in you? Do you walk in Jesus’ light? Do you carry His torch?<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Galatians 5:25. </span> Since we live in the Spirit, let us also walk with the Spirit.<br />Jesus told us to shine our light.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Matthew 5:14-16. </span> You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.<br />God wants us to carry the torch of the Lord. He wants us to deliver others from the darkness. Like Pheidippides he wants us to go that extra mile.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ephesians 5:8-10.</span> For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.<br />What pleases the Lord?<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Philippians 2:14-16.</span> Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that you may boast on the day of Christ that you did not run or labor for nothing.<br />God asks us to be untiring in our efforts to share the Word of Life and he will restore us when we are in need.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Isaiah 40:31.</span> But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.<br />An opportunity has been given to us to do His will and minister to others. As Kingdom Runners we can touch more people than we may think. We are being noticed. People have been impressed with our church running team. We have opportunities to share our light.<br />Many of you may be like me and are uncomfortable with sharing the gift of eternity our Father in heaven gave us.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Proverbs 3:5-6.</span> Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Philippians 4:13.</span> I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.<br />Again many of you may feel like me and be too timid or unsure of the words to say in an investment opportunity. <br />I pray and reflect on the following verses.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Philippians 1:20. </span> I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Psalm 143:10.</span> Teach me to do your will, for you are my God, may your good spirit lead me on level ground.<br />As in running, sharing the gospel takes preparation. One cannot just show up and run a marathon, training and planning are required. We must prepare to share the gospel.<br />Some preparation steps.<br />1. Pray First<br />2. Study God’s word<br />3. Be committed<br />4. Devote yourself<br />5. Walk in the Light<br />Paul tells us in <span style="font-weight:bold;">1 Corinthians 9:24-27</span>. In a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize. Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last. We need to do it to get the crown that will last forever. We need not run like a man running aimlessly. We need to beat our bodies in shape and make them slaves so that after we have preached the gospel to others we will not be disqualified for the prize.<br />Pastor Mack told us last Sunday to live in the moment with our eye on the prize.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Philippians 3:14.</span> I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">James 1:12.</span> Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.<br />As you prepare to run a race, you must continue to train and be committed. You must also continue to train and be committed to be a successful disciple.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1 Peter 5:8.</span> Be self-controlled and alert.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1 Thessalonians 5:17.</span> Pray Continually.<br />Have Faith. God will be with you.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Hebrews 11:1.</span> Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.<br />We need to be faithful to run his race so that we can get the prize.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Revelation 2:10b.</span> Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Hebrews 12:1.</span> Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.<br />Whose torch do you carry?<br />For what prize do you run?<br />Devote yourself in all you do to Jesus Christ.<br />As a footnote, when I was preparing and practicing for the devotion the Lord directed me to following verse.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Luke 17:10</span>. When you have done everything you were told to do, say “We are ordinary servants, we have only done our duty.”Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-15551727605841360642011-12-05T07:53:00.002-05:002011-12-05T08:17:23.718-05:00In My TribeI have just finished reading a recent article in Sports Illustrated by Terry McDonell about Sports in America entitled, “In My Tribe.” The article captures how sports help define who we are as a society. It is a recollection of many favorite sports memories from some of the senior editors of Sports Illustrated. There is no doubt, for the sports fan you can merely mention a name, a place, a date, an announcement and you have a defining moment in sports and perhaps even in your own outlook as a person; ie: Jordon, Magic Johnson and HIV, The Dream Team, Michael Phelps in Beijing, Thrilla in Manila, No Mas, George Bush at Yankee Stadium throwing the opening pitch out a few days after 9-11, Cal Ripken 2,130 games, McGwire and Sosa, baseball and steroids, Superbowl champion Saints after Katrina, Cal and the Stanford band, The Wide World of Sports spanning the globe… the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. All of these things conjure up images in the mind of sports fans and give context to our lives. <br /><br />Some of the lessons in sports that were quoted: “I don’t care who you are, you hear those boos.”- Mickey Mantle, “Sports makes winners and conversely sports makes losers” - Unknown. “There is no feeling in life like the one you get after giving everything you have, doing all you can do, and still coming up short.” -Thomas Lake. In 1980 the underdog Florida State beat highly favored Nebraska. Nebraska fans applauded Florida State and Coach Bobby Bowden remarked, “The classiest thing I have ever experienced.” “Sometimes those moments that you spend hoping and believing and waiting for something good to happen are the best moments of your life.” -Joe Posnanski. “It is a part of my life, without those memories, part of me would be dead.” -Michael Bamberger. “The recollection and power of another era was a reminder that our sports, as a part of and a companion to history, are a way to give context to our lives and to our collective past, present and future.” -Kostya Kennedy. Writer, Gary Smith, talks about a picture from the 1957 Cotton Bowl of the TCU locker room; “The older you get, the more you realize that this is what sports are most about: the moments before… when a person takes a flashlight to his soul and inspects himself for will and courage and spirit… Who am I? And, is that going to be enough?” TCU 28-Syracuse 27. <br /><br />As I read the article, I was both inspired and convicted. Sports is a major context for our lives and I would not be the first nor last preacher to point that out. The Apostle Paul used sports as a context on a few occasions. He admonished Timothy in 2 Timothy 2 to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. He then tells him there is going to be some difficult assignments and Paul then gives three illustrations to give context to how difficult it will be; a soldier, a farmer and an athlete. An athlete must train hard, prepare himself for the struggle to be a champion, he has to play within the rules to be rewarded. Something that seems to be forgotten in many places today in sports. <br /><br />I am inspired to think about turning on that search light and remembering how that on a game day your preparation, practice and skills all met up with the single most important ingredient, the desire to win. Sports provides the perfect context of that most familiar feeling that all athletes share who know what it means to have spent themselves totally on a field, a court, or a track somewhere. Sports also provides the perfect context to know the thrill of victory; that achieved goal, that long awaited win, but also that bitter defeat that brings agony to the spent and drained body, mind and yes, even your soul. <br /><br />I am convicted in the thought that my God is worth more to me than any sport or any sports achievement. Yet it is so easy to recall and converse about Who was the greatest athlete you ever saw? Or what was the greatest sports moment? Who had the greatest comeback? What is the greatest rivalry? Which team had the most heart? Yet when that is dropped into a spiritual context we as a people, God’s people grow eerily silent. So what was your greatest spiritual moment? When was the last time if ever, you finish serving the Lord in some fashion and you were totally spent physically, emotionally and mentally because you were all in and sold out? When did you leave it all in the church after a worship service? When was the last time you were totally engaged in a spiritual matter? When, if ever, have you been so involved and fanatic that you actually cheered others on as a good team- mate or shall I say, good church member? When was the last time you gave enough to really feel spent? Are we spiritually really in the race, taking the field, or on the court? Is our adrenaline pumping and are we hopping up and down and chest bumping in anticipation of our part in this great assignment of winning the world to Christ? How do we feel when there is a loss or a low day in the church? What are we consumed with talking about? Is it Christ our King or whoever is our team? What is your dream spiritually? <br /><br />Those sports quotes that I aforementioned, do they give context to spiritual matters in my life, in yours? Have we recognized what Christ has really called us to do and turned on his searchlight and wondered, do I have enough in me to do it? With Christ all things are possible. He is our strength. But don’t be fooled there is going to be some sweating and heavy lifting involved! What is that you are hoping for, believing in and waiting on, that looking back one day will be one of the greatest things you will have experienced spiritually? Waiting on the Lord is where He renews our strength. Again, you are going to need strength to win the prize He is calling you to win. If you feel like a loser, please understand that in spiritual matters, it is the last that shall be first and the first that shall be last. That is not a pass on playing hard, doing your best and giving your all. Rather it is about where you put Jesus in the line up. Please pardon the sports context. It means that when you get out of the way, put Him first, He plays through you. <br /><br />Then, lest I forget to say, most all sports fans can think of those hero’s of the big game who transcended reasonable courage and hit the game winning home run in the World Series on a broken leg, pitched the final game on a broken ankle. The one who went back into the finals match with a separated shoulder, or who played the best game of his life after his father had just died. But isn’t that just it? They had an audience of millions and usually a salary of millions and it was the big game. But think of the Christians that do it week in and week out, who are hurt, physically, emotionally and there is no noticeable audience to applaud them, they just do what they do for the audience of One, Jesus. And perhaps that great cloud of heavenly witnesses. These are the hero’s of the faith. They just keep putting their helmets of salvation on, buttoning their chin straps, putting their mouth pieces in and with hearts for Jesus keep pressing toward the prize of the high calling of God. <br /><br />Oh, and of course, I don’t care who you are there is going to be times you will be booed and you will hear it. It may even sound like “crucify Him”! So make up your mind right now if that is going to make you head to the dugout and sack the bats, or, if you are going to do what you should do and play through it. Play on Player, Play on!<br /><br />The Church is my Tribe!Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-87966858805988432352011-10-11T18:34:00.004-04:002011-10-12T05:29:33.247-04:00Pastor Appreciation MonthI am not sure who first came up with the idea of Pastor Appreciation, or started it, though I am suspicious that it was the greeting card industry; or perhaps a very overlooked, overworked, under-appreciated pastor somewhere. <br /><br />I thought I would give a few of my thoughts on the subject and perhaps I can speak for many pastors, to many church members everywhere. The office of pastor is one that, in our modern day, has in many places lost its place of respect. Often times, sadly, it is because of the conduct of a few men who have fallen morally, abused the office of Pastor or who truly were wolves in sheep’s clothing. More often than not, however, it is the result of a fallen, sinful world that men who hold this office are suddenly looked down upon and not up to. It is more of a sign of the times than anything else. Ingratitude is one of the marks of how men and women will be before the Lord’s return, or as the Scripture says “in the last days.” (See II Timothy 3:2) Sadly, this is not typical just in the world outside of church, but typical of the attitude and actions inside the church. <br /><br />What most all pastors know, and most church members do not know, is this: Every pastor knows what it is to be hated by someone or often times, many people in the church. They know the sting of idle gossip, the pain or words spoken in anger, to have their families maligned, their motives questioned, and their ministry criticized. Here is the sad reality of the life of most pastors according to recent surveys: <br /><br />- 1,500 Pastors leave the ministry permanently each month in America. <br />- 80% of Pastors and 85% of their wives feel discouraged in their roles. <br />- 70% of Pastors do not have a close friend, confidant, or mentor. <br />- Over 50% of Pastors are so discouraged they would leave the ministry if they could but have no other way of making a living. <br />- Over 50% of Pastors wives feel that their husbands entering ministry was the most destructive thing to ever happen to their families. <br />-71% of Pastors stated they were burned out, and they battle depression beyond fatigue on weekly basis and even daily. <br />-1 out of every 10 ministers will actually retire as a minister. <br /><br />The church has neglected to understand the greatest tool of a healthy church is having a pastor with a healthy soul. <br /><br />Discouragement and disillusionment are epidemic among everyone I know in ministry at some time in their lives. There is cynicism and critical spirits that have been developed in many great pastors’ families, because of the ingratitude they are faced with in their ministry. All pastors know that there is a honeymoon period in their church. But should not a proper marriage between pastor and congregation grow in love, appreciation and gratitude through the years, and not diminish? <br /><br />Being a pastor is the only job that I know that most people have a skewed view of the pastor’s job assignment. There can be an enormous amount of tension between a pastor and church when there exists a differing view of what it means to be a pastor. Why would we have a differing view – do we not read from the same Bible? The problems occur when different factors shape our thinking of our view of the pastor’s role. The same factors that influence our world-view on everything else, shape our view of what a pastor is and does. We are shaped by personal experience, culture, traditions, upbringing, personal preferences, personal expectations, and countless other factors. <br /><br />Now realizing that we are shaped in our mental view of a pastor by all these factors, should we not make it our objective to discover the biblical portrait of a pastor? When we find that biblical portrait of a pastor, should we not also begin to allow the Scriptures to shape our thinking and adjust our opinions, lest Satan gain a stronghold in our life where we have disappointment with our pastor? The thing that causes the most carnage in church work is this issue of church members being disappointed in their expectations of their pastor.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />The Pastor is not a Professional</span><br /><br />E.M. Bounds said, “The preacher is not a professional man; his ministry is not a profession; it is a divine institution, a divine devotion.”<br /><br />The aims of a pastor’s ministry are eternal and spiritual; they are not shared by any of the professions. The world sets the agenda for the professional man; God sets the agenda for the spiritual man. Any profession can become spiritual, but God’s calling cannot become professional. The pastor that does not understand this is set for destruction. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />The Pastor is called by God not hired by man<br />II Corinthians 10:13</span><br /><br />I am serving in my church because God called me here and placed me here. I am not here to fill the gap until someone else better can be found. I am here because my God has assigned me this place, to exercise my office as pastor. I am to lead and feed as a shepherd, the sheep are to follow.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />The Pastor has a mission not a job <br />Matthew 28:19</span><br /><br />Our mission is to win the world to Christ. Our vision is to be beyond the four walls of the church and to the ends of the earth. We are to make disciples and to equip the saints. That is an enormous job considering that in most churches today, at least 65% of the membership could not be found or tracked with the latest GPS and satellite equipment on any given Sunday. When they periodically return, they ask “why isn’t our church growing, pastor”?<br /><br />The average church member today is more like a cat than a sheep. And have you ever tried to herd cats? In our modern day, throw away, disposable world, relationships are treated the same way. People leave the church over any myriad of excuses that usually end up in someway as the Pastor’s fault. <br /><br />Because of modern technology like cell phones and social media, today’s pastor is more on call than ever before; expected to be accessible at all hours, and available to be everywhere at once, to be all things to all people at all time. They are to recognize everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries, make the birth of every baby born, attend every out-patient surgery, give half of all his weekends to performing weddings and the other half to helping those who don’t want to be married any more. Then, in his spare time give himself to prayer and the Word of God to bring to his people on Sunday. No wonder there are so many warmed-over sermons in so many churches. <br /><br />No pastor walking worthy of his office and most high calling is doing what he is doing for recognition, praise and honor, or for money. A God-called pastor who surrendered to the will of God in his life, and was called by the church to be its pastor, knows full well what Jesus had to say. “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:14 Jesus was despised and rejected among men and who are we (as pastors) to think it will be any different in our ministry, if we are truly doing His will? I think the real problem lies in this fact, our churches are so worldly in actions and attitudes that more often than any of us would like to think, it is not the world outside the church pastors are struggling with, but the world inside the church that is causing the pain. <br /><br />The truth of the matter is simply this, if you have a God-called pastor in the pulpit of your church, as a church member, you need to thank God for him daily in prayer, and thank him personally as often as you can. His family needs your love and support. Give honor to whom honor is due. Don’t worry about doing too much for him and his family, because it should be done as unto the Lord. However, perhaps a church should be concerned when there is not a spirit to do anything or what is worse, how little can we do for the pastor and it be acceptable. <br /><br />Thousands of church members each week in America get up from the spiritual table that was set before them. They dined on the prepared Word of God from their pastor. They wipe their mouths, walk out of church with a full soul and never thanked the pastor for the meal. <br /><br />Appreciate God’s Man this month and thank the Lord for him.Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-65249156444775903262011-09-29T08:54:00.002-04:002011-09-29T08:56:53.545-04:00NOW is the Time...invest, invite, involveAs we enter into our 35th Annual Mission’s Conference, I want to direct your attention to something that the entire population of the earth has in common… TIME. Planet Earth is home to over 6 billion people, 16,000 different people groups, speaking thousands of different languages, and yet with one thing in common, we are all bound by time. The earth makes its revolution in 24 hours, sunrise to sunset, each passing day is one day closer to the end of our time on this earth. Each person who is born is born with their days numbered. The Psalmist prayed, <span style="font-style:italic;">“teach us to number our days.”</span> <br /><br />Our theme this year centers around what we find in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome chapter 13:11-12, <span style="font-style:italic;">“And that, knowing the TIME, that now it is high TIME to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”</span><br /><br />Paul, in Romans 13:8, says, <span style="font-style:italic;">“owe no man anything, but to love one another.”</span> He would say in this same letter to the church at Rome (1:14) <span style="font-style:italic;">“I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.”</span> Is this a contradiction in scripture? Hardly, it is rather the thought that we are to make sure we do not owe anyone the Gospel we possess. In other words, we are not to save the Gospel or hoard it but to give it to the world as a debt we owe them. The “Greeks” would represent the educated, advanced, modern and refined peoples of the world and the Barbarians those who are perhaps not even civilized. Paul said owe no man (people group) anything. <br /><br />Since God’s first covenant with Abraham, He has been declaring His heart for the nations. From the Old Testament prophets to the New Testament Apostles, God has been showing His global nature and commanding His people to be a “blessing to the nations.” <br /><br />Into this reality we are called to declare God’s goodness, His glory, and His salvation. Psalm 96:1:3 <span style="font-style:italic;">“O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name: shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.”</span> <br /><br />This is reality - “only one life to live and it soon past, only what is done for Christ will last.” With that understood, what are you going to let God do with you? Truly, there is an unlimited amount of things that you can commit your life to and in God’s design He leaves those choices up to you. He has however given us His command – The Great Commission. <br /><br />The Great Commission is recorded in all four of the Gospel records and in the book of Acts. In all of these verses we learn that all power is given to us for this great assignment, and that He goes with us wherever we go. We are to make disciples of all people, baptizing them and we are to teach them to obey everything He has told us in His Word. We are given a blue print of how to do it, beginning in our Jerusalem and ending at the uttermost parts of the world. <br /><br />There are hundreds of passages that show God’s global focus. He desires some from every nation, kindred and tribe to be a part of His bride, the Church. Some people, perhaps you, will discover that God desires to send you to reach our Jerusalem or maybe He desires for you to go beyond our Jerusalem, to the uttermost. The meter is running; what are you going to do? NOW IS THE TIME!<br /><br />Time, the one single thing that we have in common, is coming to a close. How much time do we have left? That is uncertain but this I know, it is less today than yesterday. We have scores of ways to tell time, yet no one seems to know how late it is. As followers of Jesus Christ we are to know the time and NOW IS THE TIME! The night is far spent and the day is at hand! Let’s pray and believe for great things in this year’s conference.<br /><br />Pastor RoyPinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-2872201505261352132011-05-20T23:12:00.005-04:002011-05-20T23:56:34.337-04:00I Hope He Is Right, But I Don't Think He Is...I write this on the eve of the wide-spread prediction of the return of our Lord on May 21st, 2011 propagated by Harold Camping, founder of Family Radio. I am thankful in part that at least people are talking about the Lord returning and there are reports of many who are seeking answers and contemplating their fate, if it should be true. On the other hand, I am saddened that many will stereotype all believers together and a mockery will be made of our faith. <br /><br />As I thought of all the attention that has been given to this, I felt compelled as a minister and student of the Word of God to make a few statements of Biblical clarity for anyone seeking truth: <br />First, the Bible tells us, Jesus is coming back! He said He would. <span style="font-style:italic;">“Let not your heart be troubled: ye 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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">John 14:1-3 </span><br /><br />The Bible tells us… How He is coming. <span style="font-style:italic;">"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">I Thessalonians 4:16-17</span> This event is called the rapture of the believers or rapture of the church, though the word “rapture” is not found in the Bible. “Rapture” has a dual meaning. It is a reference of Jesus returning to the earth’s atmosphere and calling His people up to Himself, meaning to “seize us up.” “Rapture” is also the emotion of both Jesus and His true followers at that moment, “pure joy and intense pleasure.” <br /><br />The Bible tells us… He is not coming for everyone, but those who know and love Him. Jesus in <span style="font-weight:bold;">Matthew 24:40-41</span> describes in part to His disciples what that event will be like. <span style="font-style:italic;">“Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”</span> The idea is that one is a true follower and the other is not. Therefore, one is taken the other is left behind. There will not be time for a non-believer to change his mind when the Lord returns. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Matthew 24:27</span> <span style="font-style:italic;">“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”</span> <br /><br />The Bible tells us… What kind of day He will return on. <span style="font-style:italic;">“But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Matthew 24:37-39</span> In other words, it will be an ordinary day, a day that people are doing the things they always do, eating, drinking and going through their normal routines. People will be going to weddings, and other social engagements, life will just be going on. Just like in the day when it started to rain and God’s judgment came as Noah warned it would. <br /><br />As Christians, we are to watch and be ready for His return.<br />The Bible tells us… No man can know for sure or set a date when He is coming. <span style="font-style:italic;">“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come”</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Matthew 24:42</span> <span style="font-style:italic;">“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Matthew 25:13</span>. Jesus also said when asked moments before His ascension back to Heaven about when He would set up His Kingdom (return to earth) He answers them, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Acts 1:7</span> <span style="font-style:italic;">“…It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” </span>I think that the Bible makes it very clear it is not for us know the date of His return, Jesus Himself does not know it, only God the Father knows it. I think it rather arrogant of anyone to set a date when they believe Jesus is coming again and proclaim it for certain. <br /><br />The Bible tells us… what the world will be like when the time of His return is near. His disciples asked Him in <span style="font-weight:bold;">Matthew 24:3</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"</span> That is the question of the ages, “what is the sign of His coming and when will the end of the world come? Jesus does not set a date because He does not know the date, He only gives them the signs of what the world will be like just before He does come. “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers (different and various locations) places.” Certainly all of that sounds like our news headlines on any given day. What do you think? Are you ready whenever Jesus comes is the greatest question? I don’t think it will be May 21, 2011 but it is well with me, and all that are mine, if He is. <br /><br />This I know; The Bible is true, God’s promises are certain and all things are under His control. This is His universe and all that it contains is His. It was created for His good pleasure and it consists by His Word. Peter tell us about those who will in the last days mock the promise of Jesus coming again. Listen to his response; <span style="font-weight:bold;">II Peter 4:3-10a</span> <span style="font-style:italic;">“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: (God created everything by His Word) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (Days of Noah) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;”</span><br /> <br />Are you ready if it were to be today? Do you know Him as Saviour? If you have doubts and questions click on our website www.pinecrestbaptist.com click the tab “Directions to Heaven” on the homepage. Then your heart does not have to be troubled at the thought of His coming. I would love to hear about your decision, should you accept Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. <br /><br />I am watching and praying! How about you?<br /><br />“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-85957415975782798532011-05-02T17:12:00.003-04:002011-05-02T17:51:46.448-04:00It is PersonalToday the headlines read “Osama Bin Laden is Dead.” The news of his death set off celebrations in the streets of Washington D.C., Times Square and Ground Zero. I am thankful for the work of our military men and women, the Navy Seals, our intelligence agencies and everyone else who had a part in accomplishing this great task. Hopefully the world will be a little safer today as a result of this man’s death. The irony is that within 24 hours of the time Bin Laden was killed, 66 years ago in 1945 the headlines read, “Adolf Hitler is Dead.” This news spawned the same kind of celebratory reaction that Bin Laden’s death did here in America. Hitler was responsible directly and indirectly for millions of lives lost in his short reign as leader of the Nazi party in Germany. <br /><br />I have a simple point to make today. It is hard for me to say it but it needs to be said. My God loved Osama Bin Laden. He loved him so much that He sent His Son to die for him and pay for his sins in His own body. Mr. Bin Laden, as well as Adolf Hitler is in hell today and not because they were terrorists, murderers, a Muslim or a Nazi. They are in hell today because they did not receive what would have been a gift of salvation for them. <span style="font-style:italic;">“The wages of sin is death (eternal death separated from God in hell) but the gift of God is salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.”</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Romans 6:10</span>. The thing that many people miss in this simple truth is that many morally good people are heading to the same hell that Osama Bin Laden and Hitler are suffering in today because they also have not received the gift of salvation. It is personal; if it is not a personal salvation we have received then we have not truly received His (Jesus) salvation. Salvation is not a birthright, it is a second birthright. Jesus said, <span style="font-style:italic;">“Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “Ye must be born again.”</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">John 3:3,7</span><br /><br />We have to come to the place where we understand that in our flesh is no good thing and in our hearts we are capable of conceiving unbelievable wicked things. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Proverbs 23:7</span> tells us, <span style="font-style:italic;">“For as he (a man) thinketh in his heart so is he.”</span> Jesus tells us in His Sermon On the Mount, that when we are angry without cause, or desire to murder someone in our hearts or when we consider adultery in our hearts we have done the acts. With that being the case; how many murderers, thieves, rapists, terrorists, and racists have you passed by today? They by appearance may be what we would call good and moral people but we all have a sin problem.<br /><br />This week thousands of people died around the world; several hundred here in the Southeast where we live, as a result of the tornadoes that tore through our area. The question was not whether or not they were sinners, they/we all are. The question is not how bad was their sin? All sin is an offence to a Holy God. The question is not, was God getting even with the people who died this week, however they died? God got even with all of us on the cross, when He put our sin on Jesus and allowed Him to suffer and die in our place. The question to consider personally and individually is, have you repented of your sins and received His gift of salvation by putting saving faith and trust in Him? If not, you stand in danger of the same judgment of hell that Osama Bin Laden and Adolf Hitler are suffering in today. Ask Jesus to save you (personally) before it is eternally too late. Think On These Things. <br /><br />Pastor RoyPinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-50157579118363385762011-04-06T13:49:00.001-04:002011-04-06T13:51:41.884-04:00Cancer in the Body of Christ<span style="font-weight: bold;">As I celebrate 12 years of ministry at Pinecrest Baptist Church, here are some thoughts for my co-laborers in the ministry.</span><br /><br />I want to express concern on a particular subject that I have watched through the years harm the body of Christ (The Church). I am not the first to write on this subject nor will I be the last. The church growth movement that has swept across our nation and rooted its way into the very fabric of church life has proved to be a cancer. Years of not treating this cancer and letting it grow has destroyed the soul of many churches leaving them with a lot of attendees and few followers of Jesus Christ. The rub for many of us in the ministry is: Often when people take my position they are instantly criticized for being archaic, out of touch, or what is worse, not interested in reaching people. What pastor does not want his church to grow? We all are for church growth but by what means and at what costs? So let me clarify; I am for the church growing, I am for reaching as many people as we can reach, I am for nice buildings with good signage, clean restrooms and first class nurseries. I am for foyer coffee shops and greeters in the parking lot. I am for sharp materials to give to people, and I am for representing the Kingdom of Christ with excellence. I am for billboards, banners, bands, and big days at church. However, I am concerned that the thinking, “size” trumps everything and being Cool or “Kewl” is the goal, is nothing less than the lust of the flesh. This is evidence of church growth cancer.<br /><br />I am not going to be guilty of saying that all large churches are in someway cancerous either. The early church grew like crazy in the book of Acts, it fact it grew beyond number. Today mega churches, in many cases, have grown to their size by systematically, consistently, with purpose and planning teaching the Word of God to their people. They have purposed to disciple people and teach them how to reproduce fruit. Many of them have persevered through tough economic times, survived church splits, overcome seemingly impossible circumstances. They have grown because they stayed true to the infallible, timeless Word of God and its principles of growing people not, just attracting crowds. And God added to their number.<br /><br />Many of these churches are/were led by a pastor who exemplified what it means to be a pastor. A man who came and stayed with his people that God gave him for many years. He himself was not on a constant look for the next bigger church. (God many times does move His pastors to different churches but more often it seems churches move pastors) A man who humbly, reverently, fed his sheep, prayed over and watched for their souls, administered the ordinances, cared for the sick and dying, loved the unlovable, listened patiently to the simple, put the rod on those that needed correcting, felt hated at times by those he called brother and sister, endured loneliness in the “out of season” of life, wept with the broken hearted, celebrated the great days of their lives, married the couples, kissed and blessed the lambs and stood over hundreds of graves and once again gave them hope and promise of Heaven, and here it is… God added to the church.<br /><br />Should we be concerned about the “shock and awe” advertising and promotion that is now prevalent in our church culture in America? Should we be concerned and heartbroken over the idea that Jesus is not enough of an attraction at our churches? Should it not bother us that there is more talk about the cool band or amazing worship leader, the laser light show and hip preacher that seems more rock star than pastor?<br />Should it not bother the people of God that many times these hip pastors are better at telling stories and showing movie clips than simply preaching the life changing Gospel of Jesus?<br /><br />I know, usually the only people who say things like that are the ones who don’t have a very good band, have a lame worship leader, meet in an old outdated church building with poor lighting and/or they are not a very hip pastor themselves. I am not throwing stones here, I am asking us to examine the core of the body of Christ and see if there could be this “lust of size” that is driving us to a “bigger is better” or being “cool is king,” mind set. One thing is for sure, if being bigger is better every church that practices this will one day suffer from it because there will always be a church bigger and one better eventually. Everything that is new and hip today potentially can become old and lame. We have confused what is eternally timeless for what is temporarily relevant. That which is timeless will always be relevant. That which is real cannot be fake and that which is fake cannot be real. Truth will always be truth and truth will always need to be proclaimed and truth will always be relevant. I know that argument most of the time is “how” a church or Pastor delivers that truth. “How” is not my argument, rather it is “why” are you delivering the truth? Is it for self-glory, or to have the biggest therefore the best church in town? Or is it a response of obedience to a call that God has put you where He wants you and He desires you to pastor your flock in His stead until your assignment is changed? Every pastor complains about sheep going church hopping, what about shepherds who hop from place to place about every 18 months or so looking for better sheep to pastor? Many pastors have this cancer in them personally as well.<br /><br />Authentic Christianity will always persevere. It will always produce fruit. It may look dormant at times but that is just because “patience is working its perfect work.” It may not look hip, or be the biggest in town; but that does not mean God is not doing a deep, lasting work in the lives of people and in their pastor.<br /><br />May we all look deep inside of ourselves and ask the Spirit of God who prays for us with “groanings which cannot be uttered,” to search us out. Perhaps we may need to allow the Word of God that is “sharper than any two-edged sword…” that cuts down into the marrow of the bone to give us a spiritual bone marrow transplant. Spiritual surgery by the Great Physician may be our only hope to remove this deep-rooted cancer, which is the “lust of the flesh” should the Spirit and the Word find it there. Let us strive to follow Jesus and find our success only in what pleases Him.<br /> <br /><br />Pastor Roy MackPinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-78563546376718225052011-03-28T15:06:00.002-04:002011-03-30T15:15:33.554-04:00Disciple Me on Sunday<div style="text-align: left; line-height: 150%; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(80, 80, 80); font-size: 14px;">The following few paragraphs below are from a blog recently written by a man by the name of Bill Hornsby. Bill went home to be with the Lord this past week after losing his fight with cancer. He was a great leader and thinker in the areas of church networking, church planting, and discipleship. After reading his blog, I wanted to share it with all of you because I thought it was timely for our church. He makes a strong case as to why we need Small Groups and Discipleship Classes. It is entitled “<em>Disciple Me On Sunday.</em>” It is a very compelling argument he makes. It is also very insightful and enlightening. Enjoy:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong><em>“Disciple Me on Sunday”</em></strong></span><br /><br />Can I be successfully discipled by attending Sunday services regularly? So much attention is given to having a great Sunday service that you would hope that the event could reach the lost and disciple the believer. Of course, much attention should be given to preaching and reading of the Word on Sundays as well as any other times Christians gather together. But Sunday alone could never “make disciples” in the real biblical sense. Act 5:42…”And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Daily in the temple and house to house was the key to New Testament discipleship.<br /><br />For the sake of comparison I calculated how many hours a year the average Christian sits under the teaching of his/her pastor. This will shock you.<br />15.6 hours per year!<br /><br />Where do I get these numbers? Simple: There are 52 Sundays in the year – the average message is ½ hour (30 minutes) – and the average church has only 60% of its congregation in attendance on any given Sunday. If you multiply 30 minutes by 52 Sundays you get 26 hours, then take the 26 hours by an average of 60% attendance (some will never miss & some will come occasionally) you have that average of 15.6 hours per year…. That’s if the average member of your church attends 31 services in the year. Amazing.<br /><br />This does not take into consideration the power of the worship experience and the presence of the Holy Spirit…it is purely crunching the numbers….just over a half of a day per year.<br /><br />Consider these stats from the Nielson Company – Per year the average American watches 1800 hours of TV, spend 360 hours on the internet, 36 hours watching video on the internet and 36 hours watching video on their cell phones. Wonder why we might be losing the war in the spiritual? This makes for a great case for small groups, mid-week teaching services and anything else you can do to make disciples of church members.<br /><br />Billy Hornsby<br /><br /></div>Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-37696558463695049272010-10-14T15:07:00.007-04:002010-10-14T17:04:39.005-04:00"One Accord" Countywide RevivalThe opposite of “revival” is something like apathy, lethargy, or<br />lukewarmness towards the things of God. When the people of God do<br />not view the things of God as “essential” as the air they breath and the<br />water they drink but rather they view the things of God as “optional”<br />the church is in trouble. When we know the commands of our Lord<br />and in our hearts and lives we can take it or leave it, we are in trouble.<br />2 Peter 1:13 “Yea, I think it meet (right), as long as I am in this tabernacle<br />(body) to stir you up by putting you in remembrance.” <span style="font-weight: bold;">We need a stirring</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">in our churches to be reminded that the things of God are essential in</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">our lives and in our community.</span> We cannot impact our community our<br />culture or our world until the church remembers the pit that we were once<br />in, the judgment we were pardoned from, the horror of our sin and its wages,<br />which is death that we have escaped by His great sacrifice. A poor memory<br />and revival cannot go hand in hand. May we come together as churches<br />and be reminded that the things of God are essential to our lives and the<br />lives of those around us. May we be reminded of all that we have been<br />given in the unspeakable gift of God which is salvation through Jesus Christ<br />our Lord. Then never forget with that great gift comes great responsibility.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prayer For One Accord Revival October 17th</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gateway Event Center McDonough GA</span><br /></div><p>Our Heavenly Father I come to you on behalf of my church and the churches<br />in our area. We thank you for all that you have done for us, all that you have<br />allowed us to see and be a part of. I think you that you have stirred in the<br />hearts of so many pastors that there is a need for something more. You have<br />stirred us and led us to come together and pray for our community and its<br />precious people that you love. Give you unity the kind that is the sign of true<br />discipleship, the kind that testifies to the world that we have been with you,<br />the way we love one another. Bind Satan from our midst and may all his<br />plans come to nothing.<br /></p><p><br />We desire to see you work and to sense your presence in our midst once<br />again. I ask you to turn your great search light on in our souls. Search us<br />out and help us to be willing to readily confess those things that you point<br />out that are displeasing to you in our lives and in our churches. We desire<br />to be right with you and we want clean hands and clean hearts to hear from<br />heaven and to carry out your work. Come set our hearts on fire and burn up<br />the chaff of our lives, purify us and get us useable again for your honor and<br />for your glory. Lord Jesus, I love you and I look forward to walking with<br />you in this special time for our community. Fill us with your Spirit and may<br /> you be pleased with our lives. Supply through your people all that we will<br />need to see this vision through. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of<br />such a great endeavor for you.<br /></p><p><br />Pastor Roy Mack</p>Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-37169182078682925502010-10-04T01:13:00.002-04:002010-10-04T01:14:30.820-04:00Where is your fish?Dear Church Family,<br /><br />Growing up as I did in the rural south provided many opportunities as a boy to fish. I must say that I took full advantage of those opportunities. I liked fishing in all kinds of different places from ponds, swamps, rivers, streams, and lakes and even on those most memorable occasions, the Gulf of Mexico. I have caught fish on cane poles, fly rods, rod & reels, in nets, on trout lines, bobbing jugs, yo-yo lines, and everything short of dynamite which I always thought would have been a lot of fun. When I would return from fishing, either by myself, with my dad or perhaps a friend, I can remember my mom saying, “Are we having fish tonight?” or “Where’s your fish?” I remember many times holding up a stringer full of fish. It was always thrilling for a young boy to share the joy of having caught so many fish.<br /><br />It is amazing how many times in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels, we read about something to do with fish. Jesus called His first disciples from their place of work, fishermen mending their nets along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. He told them to follow Him and He would make them fishers of men. He used a fishing boat for a pulpit, later He used that same boat for a draught of fishes so big it almost sunk the little fishing vessel and the men beckoned for their partners to come help them get the fish to shore. Another time, Peter was a little short on his taxes and Jesus told him where to go fishing. Inside the fish’s mouth was a gold coin, enough to pay their taxes (Peter’s and Jesus’). On a hillside, on two different occasions, Jesus took the small loaves, and you guessed it, a few throw-back sized fish and multiplied them to feed thousands. The early church even used the sign of the fish to identify themselves during the time of persecution. After the resurrection Peter became discouraged and announced, <span style="font-style: italic;">“I go a fishing.”</span> It was a statement that signaled he was returning to his previous life. As they fished all night the Bible sums up the results <span style="font-style: italic;">“they caught nothing.”</span> Then Jesus appeared, walking along the shores of Galilee where it all first began. He called out to them and encouraged them to cast their nets on the other side and once again they drew up a great draught of fishes. Peter later repented and confessed His love for the Lord and received his life’s instructions from our Lord. The Lord gave Peter a choice when He asked, <span style="font-style: italic;">“Peter do you love me more than these?” </span><br /><br />There is a lifetime of lessons wrapped up in all of these stories. These lessons contained simple, yet profound truths that spoke to the hearts of His disciples and should speak to our hearts as well. These lessons reveal to us His plan for our lives and His plan to reach the world with the Gospel. Fish and fishing is what these men knew best. Jesus spoke into their lives using terms and phrases they could relate to. Today, He is still calling out for those who hear His voice to follow Him. And in following Him, to become <span style="font-style: italic;">“fishers of men.”</span> The Pinecrest Baptist Church has tried to be faithful to that call as a body of believers for more than 47 years. Over the years we have drawn the net and have seen multitudes come to saving faith in Christ locally and around the world. As we begin our 34th Annual Missions Conference take a moment and imagine the great net that is cast over this planet of souls; a network of workers that our Lord has commissioned for His glory. Missions is about hearing those who are calling out to us to help them with the labor of hauling the catch in. There are those in our community who are crying out for the Gospel and must be gathered in. There are those around the world who have never once heard a clear presentation of the Gospel of Christ and must be gathered in. This is a personal matter. What part are you going to have in fishing for men? In this year’s conference, we once again seek your involvement in bringing this catch of souls to Christ. We have invited some wonderful missionary families who are fishing in treacherous and dangerous waters. They need our help and support. We are going to share some opportunities where we can cast our nets into the waters here locally. We are going to also share some opportunities and special projects where we can cast our nets around the world. We look ahead to that day in Heaven when we stand before our God and give an account of our days of fishing. May we not say, <span style="font-style: italic;">“we have fished all night and have caught nothing,”</span> but rather hold up our spiritual stringer and present our Lord with a great catch of souls for His glory. This year’s theme is communicated with one pointed question – <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Where is your fish? </span>Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-73946000108566084422010-01-14T22:55:00.000-05:002010-03-28T23:02:20.134-04:00Is God Really Good All the Time?<div><div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:Times;font-size:medium;" > <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >An awful earthquake in Haiti has left thousands dead and thousands more displaced. People are wandering the streets in shock, others are wailing uncontrollably as the reality and magnitude of their personal losses have set in to their souls. The wounded lie sprawled in the streets, desperate children cry for their parents, and frantic parents search for any shred of hope that their children are alive and safe. The age-old question is the same after every disaster, “if God is really good, why this?” It was the same after 9-11, same story with hurricane Katrina in the gulf coast, ditto for the tsunami in Indonesia when more than 250,000 people, including children, were swept to their deaths by the giant waves of water. Is God angry? Is God getting even with us for our sin? Do we deserve this kind of treatment from God? Is God punishing the sinful behavior of a nation like Haiti by sending an earthquake and allowing buildings to fall and bury people alive, killing thousands of innocent people.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >These kinds of questions are thousands of years old. Jesus was asked to explain two horrible disasters - one caused by human cruelty, and the other caused by natural disaster. Luke 13:1-5 </span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:78%;" ><b>1</b></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifice<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:78%;" ><b>2</b></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:78%;" ><b>3</b></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:78%;" ><b>4</b></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:78%;" ><b>5</b></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >You can hear in the passage this age-old question, “did God punish these people because they were sinners or worse sinners than anyone else”? Jesus did not confirm that God was punishing people for their sins. Instead, Jesus used this tragedy to remind people there is a fate worse than death.</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Jesus is then confronted with the question again concerning the blind man in John chapter 9:2-3</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:78%;" ><b>2</b></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:78%;" ><b>3</b></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >The religious leaders in Jesus day taught that sickness, disease, and particularly things like blindness were caused by the sins of the parents or due to the sin of the one who was suffering. It certainly made for a very self-righteous and judgmental religion. So how did Jesus respond to this question? Jesus took the opportunity to set the record straight concerning “is God good all the time”? His answer, neither this man nor his parent’s sin caused this man’s condition. Jesus is simply saying there is no correlation between someone’s sin and their suffering. He certainly could have said, “Yes.” We know that we all are sinners and all of us have fallen short of the glory of God, or His standard of good which is perfection. See Romans 3:23. Jesus could have said this is just and fair judgment on this man for his sins. Just as he could have said all of those who died when the tower fell had it coming as well. But Jesus said nothing of the sort. What is more, he healed the man of his blindness and revealed the power and love of God.</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >What can we learn from all this? Here are a few thoughts:</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><b>We don’t really ever get what we deserve</b>. God is not keeping a ledger in Heaven and waiting for our evil deeds to out weigh our good deeds. God got even with us all at the cross where He poured out His wrath and anger for all sin upon His Son Jesus. He (Jesus) bore the sin of the world and died under the judgment of God. If we got what we deserved we would all be dead.</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><b>It rains on the just and the unjust.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>See Matthew 5:45. To the saints, as well as the sinners, there are equal amounts of sunshine and rain. I challenge you to watch the weather channel and find a forecast or weather report that separates the two. Can you imagine the weather person saying, “High winds and rain will be hitting all of those who are adulterers, covetous and thieves living in the southeast. Lighting and hail is forecasted for murders and whoremongers residing in the upper mid-west? And sunshine mixed with a 5mph trade winds for all of those who were in church this past Sunday living in the West.” You and I my friend do not control our own world by our own actions. That is simply superstitious like carrying a rabbit’s foot in your pocket.</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >In simple observation you can look around you and know that good things do happen to good people, but also, bad things happen to good people. Just as well as bad things happen to bad people. And then the hardest one of all, good things happening to bad people.</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><b>There is little justice in this life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>Again,<b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>look around you. There is little justice in this life and much of life is lived with more questions of “why” than answers. We will not have all the answers until the Judgment Day. On that day we will understand, but until that day, I doubt we ever will. Those of us who live by faith are called to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not to trust our own beliefs or understanding about a matter. See Proverbs 3:5-6. One day, when this journey is over, we will understand the heart of God and His decisions. Until that time, we are to know that He is not only a just God but also a good God and we are not to fear because he is our refuge and strength even if the sky falls and the earth is removed and the mountains are carried into the midst of the sea. See Psalms 46:1-2</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><b>Disasters that bring human suffering also bring opportunity to demonstrate that God is good.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>When we respond to crisis and disasters in places like Haiti, it is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate God’s powerful message of love and for Him to manifest His presence, not only in the hearts of those who we reach out to, but also to those who are doing the reaching. When we give of our gifts of generosity, medical treatment, physically aiding a family or community, when we feed the hungry, comfort the feeble and clothe the naked; God’s love is demonstrated, healing begins and those who do the giving are also reminded that God is good! All the time!</span></p> </span> </div></div>Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-34301856588556213272009-12-30T23:15:00.001-05:002010-03-28T23:16:32.129-04:00Ghost of Christmas PastMost of you are aware of Dickens's classic story, 'The Christmas Carol', Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three ghosts, one of them is the Ghost of Christmas Past. Oddly enough, I was recently visited by the ghost of Christmas past as well. I am not sure what exactly caused this ghost to visit me. Maybe it was because I drove back to my boyhood home and the community where I grew up, Shady Grove, located on top of Horse Shoe Mountain. This is a place where cows are still to be found in what could be a yard, houses are built in groves of trees and are referred to as home-places of certain families. In these parts you see more Game Wardens than Policemen. There is a smell in the air of wood burning fires from fireplaces. The winter landscape is mostly open fields and groves of trees that are barren this time of the year, except for the mistletoe that grows in their tops. Most people there drive pickups and have gun racks. Tail-gating and horn blowing better be for true emergencies or it is almost certain there will be altercation for such rude city behavior. To the contrary, everyone waves when you drive by. Maybe it was seeing the church that I attended as a boy and remembering the endless games played in its yard and hiding and being sought in its many hiding places. Maybe it was just thinking about all of the people I loved in that place. Seeing these familiar sights smelling familiar smells and seeing some familiar people may have caused the Ghost from Christmas Past to visit me.<br /><br />Or it could have been sitting in my parent's home where childhood memories pour forth in my mind that the Ghost of Christmas Past began to haunt me. My memories of home as a child were the place where Dad's chair was located, a throne of sorts that no lowly surfs were allowed to sit. Mom's kitchen was decorated with the standard dècor of the late 60's early 70's with a large fork and spoon on the wall next to the Ten Commandments located over the statuary of the praying hands and the plaque of the Prayer of Serenity. An avocado colored fridge and matching sink were in our stylish kitchen as we were, of course, a modern family. Important pictures and letters were kept in Prince Albert cigar boxes. The smell of country cooking was always lingering in the house from the last meal. A slop bucket was kept for dogs, or hogs, whatever was appropriate at the time. These thoughts may have conjured up the Ghost of Christmas Past for me.<br /><br />Maybe it was rather the thoughts of Christmases past that brought forth its ghosts. Thoughts like a real Christmas tree that was always cut from the family farm. After several cedars were cut and brought into the yard for my mother to inspect. The only one that was acceptable was one with no bird's nest, cob webs, not too tall, too short, not funny shaped or with a large hole. Finally, after much searching, our perfect tree was put in the living room and decorated with lights (multi colored of course), and then that silver icicle stuff was thrown all over it. Christmas time was a sweet time and most of the gifts given were in the realm of necessity. A crock-pot for Mom, Aqua Velva and Vitalis for Dad. Underwear, tube socks, a shirt and new blue jeans or corduroy pants, maybe a leisure suit for my brother and I. Then of course the real stuff, a new basketball or football, perhaps even a walkie-talkie, or a new GI Joe with a kung fu grip or something for hunting like a night-light or a hunting dog leash. Then the best gift of all one year... The Jr. Trooper 410 single shot shotgun, for with that gift I was officially in the club, the man club. I have been a card carrying member of the man club ever since that faithful day. I am not sure still what a metro-sexual is, but I am certain that he never received such a gift as the Jr. Trooper 410 single shot shotgun, or he would be nothing of the sort. The ghost of Christmas past was catching up to me then an event sent me over the edge.<br /><br />As I think of it, maybe I do know what summoned the Ghost of Christmas Past for a visit. There we were in my parents home this Christmas and out came the home videos. Not from my childhood but from my children's childhood. My mother made hundreds of hours of video of our girls when they were wee bits. There they stood in footy pajamas singing Christmas songs and talking about Christmas presents on the family TV. The TV that had previously showed things like ball games or reruns of Bonanza, Gunsmoke, or Hawaii Five O. There, instead, were my girls complete with hair-bows, big eyes and sweet little faces. And in one video April and I had been gone and upon the announcement of our arrival they jumped for joy in their footed pajamas and yelled 'yeah!' Running to the door to greet us as if we had been away for 6 months. That just did it. The old Ghost of Christmas Past was now fully haunting my life. Where had we been that night? Probably trying to make some people happy that we wouldnít even remember their names now. Perhaps it was on business that could have waited for another time. But in our absence we had missed a sweet concert of little girls in footed pajamas singing and dancing with all their might. There is something about watching home movies and seeing years of highlights of birthday parties and Christmases past, blow by in digital speed to make a man realize how much life just gets by so quickly.<br /><br />I am a little melancholy over this visit from the Ghost of Christmas past, but I have determined to wake up and ask 'Is it Christmas Day Yet'? And if so, I am calling for the exorcist of the Ghost of Christmas Past. Today is a new day, it is a day that we are alive, and alive to love tenderly, talk softly, and care deeply and to make new memories, memories worthy of our best time to the ones we love the most. To speak the words our family and friends need to desperately hear. And finally a note of memory from my Grandfather, by way of my uncle who was leaving our house carrying someone a meal who was without family and in desperate medical need on Christmas. He said Dad always said, 'Do as much as you can for as many as you can, for as long as you can.' Now that is the Spirit of Christmas past, present and future. Go tell it on the Mountain!Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-61924922260595164272009-05-26T16:13:00.000-04:002009-12-30T16:29:00.887-05:00A Monster or a Turtle?A group from our church was recently in Scotland and mentioned to me that they drove out to the famous Loch Ness. Most of us are only familiar with this body of water in the Highlands area of Scotland due to the world famous folklore of what is called the Loch Ness Monster. The famous pictures and videos that most all of us have seen showing a prehistoric looking creature emerging from the fog covered waters and disappearing into its murky depths have captured thousands of imaginations.<br /><br />As I was reminded of the Loch Ness Monster story it reminded me of another story from my youth. I grew up in the recently made famous, Conway, Arkansas, now famous for the new American Idol winner, Kris Allen. When I was a youth this now bustling town was pretty slow paced and lacked in the excitement category, unless you count eating at the Dandy Dog or playing putt putt at Frank’s Drive-In “exciting.” I recall a couple of people that I know who were fishing on Lake Conway, which is very similar to Loch Ness in that there is water in both locations. As the men were fishing one of them caught a very large snapping turtle and due to the lack of better things to do in those days their imagination got the best of them and an idea was hatched. I am not going to say who these men were to protect the guilty and I hesitate to say they were my relatives. But here goes -that same morning they had a calf to die on the farm and had put its body in the back of their truck to dispose of the carcass after they finished fishing. One said to the other, “I am going to skin the hide off that calf and take some of this fishing line and sow it on this big snapping turtle.” Before I go any further let me say that no turtles were harmed in this little scheme, just one was highly irritated from it. So the men meticulously sowed the calf hide on the turtle and released him back into the water.<br /><br />The turtle went back to doing what turtles do. He crawled up on half sunken logs and sunned himself. He swam by other fishermen in their boats. He popped his head up occasionally to breath and to see his surroundings from the murky waters of Lake Conway. With just a little imagination you can picture what this poor creature must have looked like to unsuspecting fishermen. These folks began to see this strange creature crawling up on logs and witnessing this strange image swimming past their boats. It appeared to be turtle like but with a long tail. It was unlike anything anyone had ever seen and it quite frankly began to scare and trouble many of the local fishermen. As the fishermen would come back to the local watering holes and bait shops there began to be quite a story surrounding what was now called “The Lake Conway Monster.” Some had seen it but at a distance, others had heard about it and reported it to yet others with warning of the strange creature right out of the book of Revelation. It had hair like a woman, a long stinger like a scorpion and swam like a fish. It quite possibly could turn over a medium boat and eat a small child.<br />Now truly it was only a snapping turtle with a calf’s hide sown on him; a hide that would quickly rot off the turtle and life would be back to normal for the turtle but not before human imagination went running wild. I suppose there can be a lesson or two learned from this:<br /><br /><b>What you think you see is not always what you see.</b> Things are not always what they appear to be. It is easy to see some thing, some person or to see some event and to have preexisting fears in your own life run wild with imagination.<br /><br /><b>To say a thing is a thing does not make a thing a thing.</b> I know that is a very deep statement but stay with me. In my story you can say that you saw The Lake Conway Monster and you can tell others that you saw it. But it still would be just a snapping turtle with a calf’s hide sown on it. No matter how many times you say it, it will always and only be a turtle.<br /><br /><b>Be careful what you tell for fact because the next person who tells it will make it fiction.</b> What was only a large snapping turtle could be a monster by the second helping of gossip. Things told twice are seldom things told accurate.<br /><br />And finally <b>there are truly two sides to every story</b>. What was a horrible troubling sight in the eyes of several people was simply a funny joke to others. The Spiritual principle here is simple. When Satan fills us with fears, wicked imaginations, and hearsay gossip, he is the one that is laughing. Be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little ears what you hear and certainly be careful little tongues what you say. Satan would love to divide friendships, families, ministries and churches over what appears to be monsters, but are truly only turtles being turtles. Give it some thought.Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-23410205169599770172009-01-29T23:16:00.001-05:002010-03-28T23:19:37.613-04:00I Pledge Allegiance<p>Our nation watched this past week as we inaugurated our 44<sup>th</sup><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>President. The changing of power in a democracy is a wonder for much of the world to watch. No tanks surrounded the White House and soldiers were not deployed to the streets of our capitol because one power was not going to be threatened by the other. Two men, one incoming and one outgoing, enjoyed coffee that morning before the swearing in of a new president. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> </p> <p>I was with a group of people this week who work in many places in the world. I heard a woman from Somali give her testimony and story of how she came to Christ. She has lived here in the US for many years. All of her family lives in Somali and she has not seen them for years. They are unable to leave and she is unable to return. I am a little over 40 years old and all of my lifetime that place has been a living hell. We can be glad to be a part of such a great democracy that has given us peace. We pledge allegiance to the flag of our great nation and we hold the principles of freedom dear.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> </p> <p>As Christians we have another allegiance, an allegiance that is not in conflict with our nationality, because this allegiance is not pledged to a country, or a state, or a people. This kingdom does not have elections, and there is no transfer of power, for in this kingdom – The Kingdom of God, we have but one King and His kingdom is eternal. Jesus calls us to this kingdom and when we walk in that kingdom we represent His character on the earth and that is the way we bless others.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> </p> <p>Now that our new president is in office the business of “politics as usual” will begin. The left and right are already swinging and most of the country is still unengaged in knowing anything about how government works. The average citizen does not know what it really means to be a contributor to their society. Too many Americans have become takers and beneficiaries of government and not contributors and participants in the freedoms our great nation provides. Too many are waiting on a check and not earning a check. Sadly, that is about the way many Christians go through life with one Christian group swinging at the other Christian group. Too many Christians are just content receiving the blessings and are not interested in being a blessing. The majority of all who name the name of Christ do not really understand what it means to be a part of His Kingdom. Jesus calls us to His Kingdom and goes to great lengths to describe it. Jesus, describing what His kingdom is like, used many pictures to help us understand. He said, It is like a sower who went forth to sow, it is like unto a mustard seed, it is like unto leaven, it is like unto a treasure hid in a field, it is like unto a pearl of great price, it is like unto a net cast into the sea, it is like unto a householder. There are some deep and great mysteries about this kingdom you and I are called to follow Jesus into.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> </p> <p>We need to look again at what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to walk in His Kingdom. That is the only way we can bless the world and touch the world for God. We will never find true peace and enjoy real freedom in any other government on this earth no matter who or what party is elected. Our prayer “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” I pledge allegiance to the Lamb.</p> <p> </p>Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-80053674705309619092008-10-01T23:19:00.001-04:002010-03-28T23:21:13.514-04:00Economy Crisis or Spiritual Crisis?<p>At the time of this writing I have done something today that I have not done since the 70’s – waited in line to buy gas. However, I think the price then was under a buck a gallon even in short supply and great demand. Today I had the privilege of paying $4.19 per gallon. Also the news that dominates the TV networks, newspapers and talk radio programs is the failure of some of our Nations largest financial institutions and the $700 billion dollar bail out our Government is proposing. The blame game has begun and no matter where you try to put it there is plenty left over to go around; everything from corporate greed, fraudulent lending practices, lack of personal fiscal responsibility on the behalf of the borrowers, to blaming the free market itself and deregulation. The politicians are on every news outlet pointing fingers at each other crying foul. Yet I have not heard one person describe what is at the root of all these things. We as a nation are in an economic crisis because we are in a spiritual crisis. The root of all of this is simply stated – sin.</p> <p> </p> <p>Two thousand years ago John The Baptist came on a similar scene. The politicians of his day were Caesar, Herod and Herod’s sons, and Pontius Pilate all of whom were wicked and cruel and corrupt men. The religious leaders of his day were for the most part corrupted too as our Lord Jesus would later reveal. No wonder John The Baptist came preaching “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand…” and don’t miss this part – “the ax is laid at the root of the trees…” John was not wasting his breath dealing with the rotten fruit of his time. The rotten fruit is evidence of a deeper (root) problem. He simply pointed out that the tree needed to change (repent means to have a change of mind and direction) and he was bringing the ax to lay it at the root of the problem. We as Christians need to pray more and complain less about the economy. We need to get involved in the process of bringing about a real change; one that comes from Heaven, not the empty political promises of our day. Our hope should never be found in a political party nor should it be found in the economy but rather we should look unto the Mountain from which our help comes. Our hope should be in Christ who is our strength, our supply, our provider, our salvation, He is our everything and when a person has Him they have all they need.</p> <p> </p> <p>To borrow from the overused political line of our day – The Wall Street crisis affects Main Street America. We understand that one crisis creates another. The rising cost of gas means rising food costs, higher airline tickets, higher costs beget higher costs. Natural disasters beget higher insurance premiums, higher taxes could be coming, etc. There is another spill- over I want to mention here - the effect on the church. Too many Christians allow economic crisis to change our giving patterns. The reason is simply put we have been giving to God out of our abundance or what we could call leftovers. Now many people do not have the leftovers anymore and they have never learned to give to the Lord from the “First fruits of all their increase as planned giving.” Many people in our society have gotten too much, too fast, too easy and have acted very irresponsibly with their gains. Now that they need to make adjustments to cut their losses, sadly, the first thing to go is their giving to the work of the Lord. The extra money (leftovers) they once had laying around in their checking accounts is now being used to pay for the rising costs of living. God’s work has never been put into their lives as a priority in their financial planning.</p> <p>Things are not bad in and of themselves but when the purchase of things is a replacement of our investments in God’s work we have misplaced priorities. And, misplaced priorities lead to greed and pride, and is that not what we pointed out is the root of our Nation’s problems? Allow the Spirit of God to lay the ax at the root of this problem in your heart and change your mind about your investments to the Lord. Christian families who say they have nothing to give to the Lord’s work still have cable or satellite TV’s, cell phones for every member of the family, the latest gadgets and latest fashions, they dine out more than they dine in and still go on several vacations a year. But if there is something that must be cut it will most often be their giving to the Lord’s work.</p> <p> </p> <p>Then there are those who really have been hit hard. They are behind in their bills, and they are struggling to make ends meet. They have more month than money for the month. My heart goes out to many of the people in our church family right now. I know personally what it is like to have to make adjustments in lifestyle to survive and make ends meet. But let me encourage both groups I have just mentioned. Keep the Lord and His work at the top of the priority list. He does not need our money but we surely need His blessing that comes from giving. And more than the blessing that is promised there is still a world that is lost without Him. I am reminded <b>that</b> is real poverty, no matter how much they have or do not have materially. And real wealth is only found in knowing Him no matter how much or how little we have materially. So do not let the economic crisis put you in a spiritual crisis. Keep looking to the One who is our everything!</p>Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1942217586974632924.post-27407584855098969322008-08-08T23:21:00.000-04:002010-03-28T23:22:30.006-04:00Let the Games Begin<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Summer Olympics 2008 are underway for what will be one of the largest sporting spectaculars of all time. The world’s best athletes are in Beijing, China and the world is tuned in through almost every imaginable media outlet. Beijing has proved to be a controversial sight to host the event at best. We already have witnessed an unprecedented number of protestors and demonstrations leading up to the start of the Olympics. The Olympic torch relay had to continually be rerouted and much of its journey had to be somewhat covert to avoid the protests. Olympic committees have tried to hush and silence many of the athletes and coaches who would like to take the opportunity to speak out against China and its political and Human Rights policies. Visas have been revoked, some athletes have already been threatened and a few sent packing. Most of the athletes just simply want the opportunity to compete against the World’s best competition in the events for which they have trained for so many years. Many of these Olympians have gold medal aspirations. Others are not so much gold medal hopeful, as they just are proud to represent their Nation in such a way that will make their homeland proud.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I am competitive in my very nature and I love to watch particularly the track and field competition. No offence to you synchronized swimming fans. I have a track and field background and I find the track and field competition inspiring. I was reading an article on an airplane as I was returning from a mission trip to Africa. The article was in the Hemispheres magazine on United Airlines by Maria Johnson entitled “Running Strong.” It was about the 1964 Gold Medalist Billy Mills a Native American who was an unheard of athlete on the world’s scene. He seemingly came from out of nowhere to win the 10,000 meter race. Something no American had done before or since. A retired insurance agent and now a motivational speaker he shared his story in the article and I want to share a couple of thoughts with you. He grew up immersed in poverty on a reservation in South Dakota. His mother died when he was 8 years old and his father died when he was 12. He experienced a great deal of discrimination in his youth which added to an already difficult life. Mills shared this part of his life in the article and I quote,</p> <blockquote> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Shortly after my mom died, my dad and I went fishing, but I was in another world. My dad hugged me and simply said, “Son, you have broken wings.” I started crying, and he said, “I’ll share something with you, and if you follow it, someday you’ll have the wings of an eagle. …Close your eyes and look inside your heart. What do you find?” Well, I was too young to understand, but he said, “I’ll tell you what you find: anger, because you lost your mom; hate because people have expressed hatred toward us; jealousy, because we don’t have anything of value; self pity. All of those emotions destroy you.” He said, “look down deeper, where the dreams lie. Find your dream, son. Pursue your dream. It’s the pursuit of a dream that heals you.</p> </blockquote> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Somewhere in that conversation he suggested that he try sports and running became his passion.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Later in the article Mills described the last turn in his Olympic event quote again:</p> <blockquote> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Coming off the curve, we were lapping a runner from Germany. He looked back and saw me coming and opened up the fourth lane for me. If he had stayed where he was, I don’t know if I could have done it. As I went by him, I thought we were going to bump, so I glanced back at him. At the center of his jersey was an EAGLE, the German insignia. It was so powerful. I went back to what my dad said- the wings of an eagle. With 30 yards to go, I’m lifting my knees, I’m doing the sprinting I’d been practicing. My thoughts were “I won, I won, I won, I won.” Then I broke the tape. It was an incredibly powerful feeling.</p> </blockquote> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I considered this past Olympian’s dad’s words that inspired him achieve the gold medal. Look in your heart. Do you have broken wings that come from broken dreams? Are you consumed with anger, hatred, bitter feelings, do you carry unforgiveness, self pity and other emotional baggage? These things will destroy us and keep us out of the race we are called to run. We need to look to the One who promises to bare us up on eagle’s wings. The One who gives power to the faint and increases their strength. The One who promises to those who wait on Him, “…shall renew their strength; they shall count up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 We have more than the hopes of gold medals at stake. We have the reputation of our God whose banner we carry and whose name we bare. There is a crown to receive for His glory. A great cloud of witnesses from our homeland is cheering us on and for us to make proud. Let’s join the race as the World’s attention and focus is drawn to one place, Beijing. Let’s focus our attention on THE RACE and His Kingdom we represent.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As Christians what should be our response to these Olympic Games? Here are some practical ways we can enter the competition for the glory of God:</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p> <ol><li> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Pray for the Christian athletes to have boldness to share their faith during these games.</p> </li><li> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Pray for those who are handing out tracts and other Gospel literature in and around these games.</p> </li><li> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Pray for the underground and persecuted Church in China during these games.</p> </li><li> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Let each athlete that stands on a platform receiving a medal be a reminder to pray for that people group that they represent.</p> </li></ol> <p style="margin-left: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Let’s not just be couch potatoes during these Olympic Games or pew potatoes; but let us run the race through prayer for the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is worthy of our best efforts. Let the Games Begin!</p>Pinecrest Baptisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023903464458678648noreply@blogger.com0