“He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters sead on the ground. Night and day, weather he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.’” Mark 4:26-27
Once long ago or even recently someone said something to you or showed you the love of Christ by example and changed your life. They planted a seed in you that has grown into an interest, desire for more, or a Christian life.
Many times as Christians we get overwhelmed by the task of evangelism or reaching out with the love of Christ. We forget the scriptural mandate on our lives to go making disciples. We get overwhelmed because we expect to see success instead; we often never know if our words, actions, and prayers have made a difference.
It is inherently human to want to see success we are invigorated by it, supercharged by the proof of progress. I love to paint; fences, walls, it doesn’t matter because painting goes fast and shows progress.
But too often when it comes to evangelism and fulfilling the great commission we forget that the success is up to God. We are merely ‘Seed Spreaders’. Jesus parable reminds us that we can never stop reaching out, never stop touching lives, never stop looking for opportunities to spread the seed of the Gospel. It is up to God to determine if the seed will grow he simply wants us to keep casting it.
Have you been a ‘Seed Spreader’ this week? How can you keep focused on reaching out with the love of Christ?
God help us always be aware of the opportunities that you give us to minister to others and spread the seed of the gospel in someone’s life.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
A Broken Spirit is God’s Fertile Field
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
God has blessed me with an incredible wife, she listens to God, she is wise, she cares for people and for my family, and she has an amazing understanding of Scripture. Yesterday as she was giving the children’s sermon I was struck by her illustration of a box of crayons, I was intrigued especially by the broken crayon.
How often do people come into our church that are broken and in need of God’s spiritual healing?
Brokenness can come in different forms. Some times we are broken down by the world that we live in and the problems that we face in daily life. Other times we are broken down by our spiritual state, the things we have refused to hand over to God, and God uses our brokenness as a sharp snap back to his loving Grace.
In either case God can use our brokenness to grow an abundant spiritual blessing in our lives. It is when we are destitute, and in our most desperate state that we finally learn to hand everything over to God and allow him to have his way with our lives. In that condition we are a fertile field for God’s work and blessing. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. God’s power works best in our weakness, and brokenness.
Are you in need of brokenness? If you are stuck in a rut in life or stuck in a rut spiritually, you need to experience brokenness. Pray for brokenness. Pray that God will help you find a place where you have no choice but to put all of your trust in him.
Are you broken? If you are currently at the end of your rope and don’t know which way is up then you have to just let go and allow God to have his way with you. It is time to rely on his power for healing. Pray for God to show you his power and lift you out of your despair.
Have you been broken recently? If you know the wonder of being lifted lovingly out of your brokenness by God’s power, then you have a responsibility to share your experience. Reach out to the broken around you and help them find God’s powerful hand reaching down to lift them up. Pray for God to use you and keep you strong on the mountain top that comes from being lifted out of brokenness.
God has blessed me with an incredible wife, she listens to God, she is wise, she cares for people and for my family, and she has an amazing understanding of Scripture. Yesterday as she was giving the children’s sermon I was struck by her illustration of a box of crayons, I was intrigued especially by the broken crayon.
How often do people come into our church that are broken and in need of God’s spiritual healing?
Brokenness can come in different forms. Some times we are broken down by the world that we live in and the problems that we face in daily life. Other times we are broken down by our spiritual state, the things we have refused to hand over to God, and God uses our brokenness as a sharp snap back to his loving Grace.
In either case God can use our brokenness to grow an abundant spiritual blessing in our lives. It is when we are destitute, and in our most desperate state that we finally learn to hand everything over to God and allow him to have his way with our lives. In that condition we are a fertile field for God’s work and blessing. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. God’s power works best in our weakness, and brokenness.
Are you in need of brokenness? If you are stuck in a rut in life or stuck in a rut spiritually, you need to experience brokenness. Pray for brokenness. Pray that God will help you find a place where you have no choice but to put all of your trust in him.
Are you broken? If you are currently at the end of your rope and don’t know which way is up then you have to just let go and allow God to have his way with you. It is time to rely on his power for healing. Pray for God to show you his power and lift you out of your despair.
Have you been broken recently? If you know the wonder of being lifted lovingly out of your brokenness by God’s power, then you have a responsibility to share your experience. Reach out to the broken around you and help them find God’s powerful hand reaching down to lift them up. Pray for God to use you and keep you strong on the mountain top that comes from being lifted out of brokenness.
Slow Fade: Watch out for the little things.
Originally Posted: July 29, 2008
“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4
I was working in my office today and listening to an album by Casting Crowns, a Christian group with great talent and a powerful message.
One of their songs is called Slow Fade. The words of the chorus are.
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade
I was reminded of a verse that we covered recently in our study of the book of James on Sunday Nights James 1:4. As Christians we want to be mature, ‘not lacking anything.’ Because the little things we may lack can hurt us more than we know.
Many of us are doing great as a whole. But there are parts of our lives that we constantly struggle with, remnants of our old life before Jesus Christ that we have just left incomplete. But, if we want spiritual maturity, if we want to fulfill the true purpose that God has for us, then we must hand over all aspects of our lives.
It is a slow fade from black and white to grey. When we allow sin, or even a lazy attitude spiritually, to have control over small pieces of our lives, even the secret parts, then we run the risk of fading slowly away from God. Eventually we wind up a crumbled broken mess. Are you slipping away from God in some small and secret way? Is that affecting the way that you live, your relationships with others, or you ability to stand for Christ in your life?
We should allow God to have control over all aspects of our lives. Not only does our relationship with God need to be right, but the expression of that relationship in our lives needs to be right. Ultimately God will let nothing escape, everything is under his scrutiny. He will continue working with you until you have given every part of your life over to him.
It takes endurance to continue working on your life until you are ‘mature and complete.’ Let us not ignore the small and secret parts of our lives; that can, if left unattended, cause us to crumble.
“Be careful little eyes what you see…”
Check out Casting Crowns Music Video “Slow Fade” here.
Check back often to see more blogs.
“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4
I was working in my office today and listening to an album by Casting Crowns, a Christian group with great talent and a powerful message.
One of their songs is called Slow Fade. The words of the chorus are.
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade
I was reminded of a verse that we covered recently in our study of the book of James on Sunday Nights James 1:4. As Christians we want to be mature, ‘not lacking anything.’ Because the little things we may lack can hurt us more than we know.
Many of us are doing great as a whole. But there are parts of our lives that we constantly struggle with, remnants of our old life before Jesus Christ that we have just left incomplete. But, if we want spiritual maturity, if we want to fulfill the true purpose that God has for us, then we must hand over all aspects of our lives.
It is a slow fade from black and white to grey. When we allow sin, or even a lazy attitude spiritually, to have control over small pieces of our lives, even the secret parts, then we run the risk of fading slowly away from God. Eventually we wind up a crumbled broken mess. Are you slipping away from God in some small and secret way? Is that affecting the way that you live, your relationships with others, or you ability to stand for Christ in your life?
We should allow God to have control over all aspects of our lives. Not only does our relationship with God need to be right, but the expression of that relationship in our lives needs to be right. Ultimately God will let nothing escape, everything is under his scrutiny. He will continue working with you until you have given every part of your life over to him.
It takes endurance to continue working on your life until you are ‘mature and complete.’ Let us not ignore the small and secret parts of our lives; that can, if left unattended, cause us to crumble.
“Be careful little eyes what you see…”
Check out Casting Crowns Music Video “Slow Fade” here.
Check back often to see more blogs.
Summer: IT'S VACATION TIME,
Originally Posted July 24, 2008
Summer: IT'S VACATION TIME,
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15a, 17.
It’s summer and vacation time. Summer is in full swing and as we are approaching the mid-point for summer vacation, many people are taking their last opportunity to get away. It is great to get away from life for a while. Whether you are taking a long vacation, just getting away for the weekend, or even going to see a great movie, it’s one of the best things you can do to recharge your batteries and keep yourself at your best.
This year remember that even though vacation gives you the chance to take a break from much of life it is not a time to take a break from Jesus. Scripture reminds us that no matter what we are doing ‘whether in word or deed’ we are to do it in the ‘name of the Lord.’ As a Christian you are an example for Christ to everyone who looks at you, it is important to show them an accurate picture wherever you are.
Make your vacation a time to grow closer to God by spending time with God each day, recognizing the majesty of his creation, and being thankful for the blessings he has given you.
Summer: IT'S VACATION TIME,
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15a, 17.
It’s summer and vacation time. Summer is in full swing and as we are approaching the mid-point for summer vacation, many people are taking their last opportunity to get away. It is great to get away from life for a while. Whether you are taking a long vacation, just getting away for the weekend, or even going to see a great movie, it’s one of the best things you can do to recharge your batteries and keep yourself at your best.
This year remember that even though vacation gives you the chance to take a break from much of life it is not a time to take a break from Jesus. Scripture reminds us that no matter what we are doing ‘whether in word or deed’ we are to do it in the ‘name of the Lord.’ As a Christian you are an example for Christ to everyone who looks at you, it is important to show them an accurate picture wherever you are.
Make your vacation a time to grow closer to God by spending time with God each day, recognizing the majesty of his creation, and being thankful for the blessings he has given you.
Incredible news, The Building fund has been paid off,
Origianlly posted July 10, 2008
Incredible news, The Building fund has been paid off,
It is Great to see the way that God is moving in our church!!! A couple of years ago under the leadership of Pastor Jim Scott this church set out meet the needs of a growing church by building a new fellowship hall. By working together and faithfully trusting in God the fellowship hall and improvements on the original building became a reality. It is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity to tell you that your faithfulness and your united efforts have brought Happy Hill Baptist Church to another great milestone. We have paid the loan on the building in full. With our debt behind us we look forward to see what great things God has in store for this church and I trust that he has big plans for Happy Hill. I commend each of you for your faith in God and the roll that you played in proving that when we work together there is nothing God can’t do. We will be having a note burning ceremony as soon as the paper work comes in. Keep your eyes open for the date.
Incredible news, The Building fund has been paid off,
It is Great to see the way that God is moving in our church!!! A couple of years ago under the leadership of Pastor Jim Scott this church set out meet the needs of a growing church by building a new fellowship hall. By working together and faithfully trusting in God the fellowship hall and improvements on the original building became a reality. It is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity to tell you that your faithfulness and your united efforts have brought Happy Hill Baptist Church to another great milestone. We have paid the loan on the building in full. With our debt behind us we look forward to see what great things God has in store for this church and I trust that he has big plans for Happy Hill. I commend each of you for your faith in God and the roll that you played in proving that when we work together there is nothing God can’t do. We will be having a note burning ceremony as soon as the paper work comes in. Keep your eyes open for the date.
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