I am in awe and tremble in humility at the work that our Lord chooses to do through faithful servants, though imperfect and only knowing a thimbles worth of God's glory! And amazingly even that tiny understanding will not only transform the life of one who seeks Him, but will transform the lives of so many others through that finite creature. I stand amazed...rather I lay prostrate before my Savior saying can it be? Can it be? Can it be that you died for me? Can it be that you wish to work in me? Can it be that you chose to work through me? Will you ask the same question? His answer is a thunderous yes! His answer is a fatherly affirmation to His children. Yes, I choose you!
Allow me... Allow our church, I pray, to shine your light through us into this darkened room of life. Please take the time to read the link below and allow God to use this servant's life to lead you and all of us to seek Him with all our hearts, and to make Him known, and to spur us all on to show people in the dark the light of God's grace and mercy. We see God's will worked out through the life of this dear servant of God. His will for people of all tribes, all languages, every people group, every nation...may it be with us too. One finite, imperfect man's life tranformed and passionate to glorify God. We see the evidence of its impact on so many people, even today. Yes, today, because his life challenges me. Let it challenge you today!
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1531_George_Muellers_Strategy_for_Showing_God/
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
On Mission
Our Lord's last words before his ascension was for us to make disciples and that we are to "BE" witnesses here in our community and to the ends of the earth. I am thankful for a church "On Mission" to declare God's glory wherever we go. Our youth and adults (100+) are in Orlando conducting backyard bible clubs, and ministering to those who must hear the gospel of Christ. Much of what they do will not be reported except for the highlights, and it is rare that the ministry they conduct will ever be caught on video.
Go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25882560#25882560
The TODAY Show caught our youth and adults ministering, and giving God the glory!
Our church is beginning its mission giving emphasis beginning August 1 through October. The gifts of our money will go directly to foreign missions, home missions, the baptist children's home, and multi-ministry missions. Let us be ready and willing to go and to give!
Let your light shine through us!
I praise the Lord for allowing us the privilege of being witnessing by going and by giving! I thank God for those who were able to Go! And how the Lord is working through them to bring Him glory.
Go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25882560#25882560
The TODAY Show caught our youth and adults ministering, and giving God the glory!
Our church is beginning its mission giving emphasis beginning August 1 through October. The gifts of our money will go directly to foreign missions, home missions, the baptist children's home, and multi-ministry missions. Let us be ready and willing to go and to give!
Let your light shine through us!
I praise the Lord for allowing us the privilege of being witnessing by going and by giving! I thank God for those who were able to Go! And how the Lord is working through them to bring Him glory.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Renewing Your Mind
I thank God for Madison Street Baptist Church, our pastoral staff and our Pastor, Bro. Chad Everson. I thank God that they emphatically preach the Word of God to us and deliver the truths of the Word of God through every area of our Church. From our Sunday School lessons that teach us of the sovereignty of God, to our children's ministry summer reading program where the kids are studying heroes of the Christian faith. One such ministry at Madison Street that is a great blessing to me is the Renewing Your Mind book fellowship. Every other month, Bro. Chad and Bro. Jarrod highlight one book that we will read and study as a Church, in addition to our other Bible Studies/Sunday School materials.
If you are like most of us, your reading materials each day are probably limited to the newspaper, browsing a magazine or the TV Guide. If you are doing really well, it includes a quick perusal of the Word of God from whatever the My Utmost for His Highest lesson was from the day, right? (let's don't hurt ourselves patting ourselves on the back). Then some of us who really want to dig deep in the things of God will do things like reading the latest Power of a Praying... or Purpose Driven..., or even better yet - put our sacrifice on display by mortifying our flesh with a 30 minute a day commitment to a Beth Moore study. Now before anyone gets defensive (already felt it welling up didn't you?), notice I said "patting ourselves on the back" right? We have all been here!
Not that there is anything necessarily wrong with a Beth Moore study or a Power of a Praying -you name it book, but there is something wrong with the pride we take in our effort. Through the books we have been reading in the Renewing Your Mind fellowships, I have realized a different type of growth in my spiritual walk; a different kind of hunger for the Word of God. You see, I used to think that as long as I read my due chapter in whatever book of the Bible I was going through, did some time in a good study book and keep my leisure reading to Christian mystery novels, I was in good shape. I could accomplish all that and still have time for Survivor on the tube! But this challenge of reading deep doctrinal truths from the likes of John Bunyan and now evaluating my Spiritual health with D. Whitney, I am realizing how shallow some of what I call the "quick application" books really are - the secret to my spiritual growth and health is not found in a chapter a day of how-to's or even in a weeks of study on how someone else experienced God. My Spiritual health must be evaluated and diagnosed in light of the Word of God and how passionately I desire it - not books or studies - but how much to I desire Him and His Word. We get so caught up in feeling good about ourselves for finishing the latest study but when was the last time we read the Word of God and it deeply changed our perspective, the way we viewed our lives and who we are? Whitney states "many professing Christians bump along from Sunday to Sunday, year to year, with no recollection of changes in beliefs or practices as a result of new discoveries in the Word....they carry a Bible to church, but they couldn't tell you the last time their daily life was altered by it. They may even be daily Bible readers, and they have heard one or more sermons per week for years. Yet with all their exposure to the Bible, generally its inspired words leave no more imprint upon their minds than spoken words do upon the air. It could never be said of them that they deliberately govern their lives by God's Word." Don't let it be said of me!
After the studies in Daniel on Sunday mornings, the Great Words of the Faith and Doctrine we are being taught in services and reading doctrinally sound books as we are in Renewing Your Mind, I AM CHANGING - my perspective, my actions, my motives - everything has been impacted by the Word of God. How can we so blindly walk through our daily lives making decision after decision based on how we feel or what we think and then, when some crisis hits - then look in the back of our minds for that Scripture we memorized that day when we were on fire for God! God forgive our unfaithfulness! Let us passionately crave your Word and let us diligently train our appetites to feast on Your Truths! You see, I am realizing what Piper states is true "loving the truth [Word of God] is a matter of perishing or being saved. Indifference to truth is a mark of spiritual death." While we can train our appetites, if there is no deep down desire for the Word apart from a selfish "what can I get from it?" attitude, then we may not have what we think we have. I am fearful that so many who passively and casually peruse the Word of God as a notch of pride in accomplishing their daily quiet time, will find that 2 Thessalonians 2:10 "those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved" is indeed truth. The Bible shows throughout Psalm that a true believer does not just admire God's Word or revel in the knowledge and application they can gain from it for their benefit, but the true believer is one who LOVES it...
So, are you indifferent? When was the last time the Word of God changed who you are, what you believe or how you viewed a situation - or is that, in your mind a sign of immaturity that someone could change your perspective? When was the last time you read the Word, not because you were looking for the answer to some problem you were having or a quick fix to an emotional hurt, but because you truly wanted to know God more through His Word? When have we passionately wanted to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18) so much so that we turned off the TV, put down our Utmost books and picked up the Word of God and meditated on Scripture? Just asking....
If you are like most of us, your reading materials each day are probably limited to the newspaper, browsing a magazine or the TV Guide. If you are doing really well, it includes a quick perusal of the Word of God from whatever the My Utmost for His Highest lesson was from the day, right? (let's don't hurt ourselves patting ourselves on the back). Then some of us who really want to dig deep in the things of God will do things like reading the latest Power of a Praying... or Purpose Driven..., or even better yet - put our sacrifice on display by mortifying our flesh with a 30 minute a day commitment to a Beth Moore study. Now before anyone gets defensive (already felt it welling up didn't you?), notice I said "patting ourselves on the back" right? We have all been here!
Not that there is anything necessarily wrong with a Beth Moore study or a Power of a Praying -you name it book, but there is something wrong with the pride we take in our effort. Through the books we have been reading in the Renewing Your Mind fellowships, I have realized a different type of growth in my spiritual walk; a different kind of hunger for the Word of God. You see, I used to think that as long as I read my due chapter in whatever book of the Bible I was going through, did some time in a good study book and keep my leisure reading to Christian mystery novels, I was in good shape. I could accomplish all that and still have time for Survivor on the tube! But this challenge of reading deep doctrinal truths from the likes of John Bunyan and now evaluating my Spiritual health with D. Whitney, I am realizing how shallow some of what I call the "quick application" books really are - the secret to my spiritual growth and health is not found in a chapter a day of how-to's or even in a weeks of study on how someone else experienced God. My Spiritual health must be evaluated and diagnosed in light of the Word of God and how passionately I desire it - not books or studies - but how much to I desire Him and His Word. We get so caught up in feeling good about ourselves for finishing the latest study but when was the last time we read the Word of God and it deeply changed our perspective, the way we viewed our lives and who we are? Whitney states "many professing Christians bump along from Sunday to Sunday, year to year, with no recollection of changes in beliefs or practices as a result of new discoveries in the Word....they carry a Bible to church, but they couldn't tell you the last time their daily life was altered by it. They may even be daily Bible readers, and they have heard one or more sermons per week for years. Yet with all their exposure to the Bible, generally its inspired words leave no more imprint upon their minds than spoken words do upon the air. It could never be said of them that they deliberately govern their lives by God's Word." Don't let it be said of me!
After the studies in Daniel on Sunday mornings, the Great Words of the Faith and Doctrine we are being taught in services and reading doctrinally sound books as we are in Renewing Your Mind, I AM CHANGING - my perspective, my actions, my motives - everything has been impacted by the Word of God. How can we so blindly walk through our daily lives making decision after decision based on how we feel or what we think and then, when some crisis hits - then look in the back of our minds for that Scripture we memorized that day when we were on fire for God! God forgive our unfaithfulness! Let us passionately crave your Word and let us diligently train our appetites to feast on Your Truths! You see, I am realizing what Piper states is true "loving the truth [Word of God] is a matter of perishing or being saved. Indifference to truth is a mark of spiritual death." While we can train our appetites, if there is no deep down desire for the Word apart from a selfish "what can I get from it?" attitude, then we may not have what we think we have. I am fearful that so many who passively and casually peruse the Word of God as a notch of pride in accomplishing their daily quiet time, will find that 2 Thessalonians 2:10 "those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved" is indeed truth. The Bible shows throughout Psalm that a true believer does not just admire God's Word or revel in the knowledge and application they can gain from it for their benefit, but the true believer is one who LOVES it...
So, are you indifferent? When was the last time the Word of God changed who you are, what you believe or how you viewed a situation - or is that, in your mind a sign of immaturity that someone could change your perspective? When was the last time you read the Word, not because you were looking for the answer to some problem you were having or a quick fix to an emotional hurt, but because you truly wanted to know God more through His Word? When have we passionately wanted to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18) so much so that we turned off the TV, put down our Utmost books and picked up the Word of God and meditated on Scripture? Just asking....
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
MINISTRY
Merriam Webster defines ministry as "a person or thing through which something is accomplished". In the church there are a lot of areas in which we can minister. What's amazing about ministry is that it is God's goals that get accomplished through ordinary people. Why does God need us to accomplish His goals? Obviously He doesn't. Rather He chooses to use us. That in itself is nothing short of amazing.
In my time at Madison Street, I have witnessed many ministries. It's always been through Godly men and women that we've seen success. God is not through with doing amazing things in His church. We have a wonderful staff that stand on the Word of God and provide wisdom and guidance that allow us to serve God.
My question to you is one that hopefully doesn't sting. Are you serving God and accomplishing something within the church? If not, it's never too late. If however you are involved in a ministry, do it with gladness knowing that God has chosen you to accomplish His goals.
In my time at Madison Street, I have witnessed many ministries. It's always been through Godly men and women that we've seen success. God is not through with doing amazing things in His church. We have a wonderful staff that stand on the Word of God and provide wisdom and guidance that allow us to serve God.
My question to you is one that hopefully doesn't sting. Are you serving God and accomplishing something within the church? If not, it's never too late. If however you are involved in a ministry, do it with gladness knowing that God has chosen you to accomplish His goals.
Monday, July 14, 2008
TEN
Ten that's right 10 people were baptized last night at our local church MSBC (Madison Street Baptist) in Starke, FL! What a blessing it was to see this group of people follow through in obedience with Believer's Baptism.
I think that we often overlook such things or get used to it and don't think much about it when someone gets baptized. But the amazing thing about all of this is that God chooses to move where and when He wants to. He just so happened to move over the past few weeks in 10 people's hearts. Hearts that have been changed forever.
God has used his men here in various ways. Some of the group were saved at youth camp, some were saved at VBS, and others were saved by the revealing of God's Word through solid preaching.
Yes people, God is still at work and choosing to use the Ministers at MSBC.
Stay tuned for more.
I think that we often overlook such things or get used to it and don't think much about it when someone gets baptized. But the amazing thing about all of this is that God chooses to move where and when He wants to. He just so happened to move over the past few weeks in 10 people's hearts. Hearts that have been changed forever.
God has used his men here in various ways. Some of the group were saved at youth camp, some were saved at VBS, and others were saved by the revealing of God's Word through solid preaching.
Yes people, God is still at work and choosing to use the Ministers at MSBC.
Stay tuned for more.
INTRO
For anyone who is just stopping by, this blog is intended to show the positive things that God has done in His church.
I am a member of Madison Street Baptist Church and have been there for 10 years now. I love my church as does my family. I can't imagine going anywhere else.
My intentions with this blog is not solely focused on the church that I attend but also to focus on other things that God does throughout the world. Although I will admit that the majority of my posts will be based upon my local church.
My pastor's name is Chad Everson and I for one am grateful in how he has lead our church over the past few years. Our church has grown much deeper than ever before because of the vision that God has given him. I've personally witnessed many lives changed for the better through his ministry. Yes, MSBC truly is a great place to minister and worship because of the leadership of the whole staff there. Thank you guys.
I am a member of Madison Street Baptist Church and have been there for 10 years now. I love my church as does my family. I can't imagine going anywhere else.
My intentions with this blog is not solely focused on the church that I attend but also to focus on other things that God does throughout the world. Although I will admit that the majority of my posts will be based upon my local church.
My pastor's name is Chad Everson and I for one am grateful in how he has lead our church over the past few years. Our church has grown much deeper than ever before because of the vision that God has given him. I've personally witnessed many lives changed for the better through his ministry. Yes, MSBC truly is a great place to minister and worship because of the leadership of the whole staff there. Thank you guys.
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