Worry and Faith

Living worry-free requires faith. The more faith we have the less we will worry.

The theology of faith is a huge topic. To some, God gives the 'gift' of faith. Those who are given faith as a spiritual gift are able to trust in God beyond the measure of faith by most Christians. But for most of us, faith comes in small steps. Challenges to take a spiritual step, either by God's leading in our heart or through His Word, are opportunities for us to increase our faith. As we willfully and courageously accept God-led challenges, our faith increases. For example: Tithing. To most people, they cannot afford to tithe. Yet for those who have accepted this challenge from God, they soon realize that they cannot afford NOT to tithe.

Tithing is a great solution to financial worry!

Advances vs. Setbacks

Life is a series of advances and setbacks. As one person said, 'It seems as if I'm always taking one step forward and two steps backward.' I often feel that way. But in reality, I am moving forward. Most often God uses what we think are setbacks as our greatest advances.We can 'plant' and 'water' but 'God gives the increase.'

One of the benefits of being involved in God's work, is the confidence that He is in control of the results. We live in a results oriented society. We measure, analyze, critique everything. But ultimately, only God knows why things turn out the way they do. When my focus in on my idea of how things should be, I get discouraged.

I really believe a key to living a ROCK SOLID life is Living His Work...not our work..His Work. If we faithfully Live a life of service for the Lord, in the end, we are promised His reward.

Let's keep our hand to plow and Live His Work!

Minus 3 and counting

I've lost three pounds this week:)

I know it's not much, but after three months of watching the scales creep up over ten pounds (ouch!), it is a start. One of my goals before Spring is to lose 10lbs. This week I really got serious about it, and seems to be paying off.

This past week I've also been able to go for a few long walks. Walking is great for weight control, but walking does so much more for you. It gives me time to think, meditate, listen to God, as well as listen to some audible books. I don't get very excited about walking on cold days, but I'm resolved to walk at least a couple of times a week regardless of the weather.

Live Worry Free

Really excited about the message in the morning; Live Worry Free. A ROCK SOLID life requires us to Live His Word, Live Wired, and Live Worry Free. Living Worry Free is only possible by genuinely trusting Jesus, who is the ROCK. Trusting in anything other than Him is setting yourself up for disappointment and even eventual disaster. It's only through Him that we 'can do all things.' I think every believer sincerely wants to trust in Him, yet unfortunately many ultimately trust in wealth. Jesus said:

'No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.' Matthew 6:24

I'm praying tomorrow God can work in our hearts that we gain real trust in Him and Him Alone.

How worry and giving relate

It has been my experience that the more I give the less I worry. I'm not sure I can explain it. I just know that when I give, my faith, joy, thankfulness all seem to increase. At the same time worry decreases. I wonder if that is what God meant when he said:

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom..." Luke 6:38

"... remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35

I really believe the key to a worry free life is generous giving.

Pray for VBC

The evaluation teams exit interview went very well this morning. We feel that it is very promising that VBC will gain all the privileges of accreditation this April, But there is a lot of work the administration and staff will have to do in the next few weeks. With God's help it will be done. Please pray for the college. This next month is critical. Again, thanks to the TRACS team for all their hard work this week.

Winding down...

Looking forward to getting back home tomorrow. We'll have a final meeting with the TRACS evaluation team in the morning from 10:00 - 12:00. I'll grab some lunch and head home. It has been a great week. I've missed being home, and it has been a busy few days, but sometimes a change in scenery and routine can be refreshing.

Memories

I had a great time tonight at Colonial Baptist Church in Stafford Virgina. This is the church Gi and I were saved in back in 1982. Also the place were we were discipled and sent out from. I'm really glad that it still has the same precious spirit it had when we were here 15 years ago. Different faces, same love for the lord. I always enjoy the opportunities to visit, because this church has had such an impact in my life.

Missionary Challenge

I got to spend a few moments this morning with missionary Jonathan Matthews. He's the kind of missionary that inspires me to do more to help missionaries. He is doing a great job in Brazil. What I really like about him, is his pioneering spirit to do whatever it takes to accomplish the missionary task. He's willing to risk the norm and go all out to reach people. No doubt we need more missionaries like him. I really feel that sometimes we try more to Americanize the world, more so than to evangelize the world. I'm praying our church can partner with him financially in the near future. Pray for him this week as he is in a missions conference in Fredericksburg.

Living Messages

One thing I love about teaching and preaching is how God prepares me before the message.

I'm speaking this Sunday on worry. The title of the message is Live Worry-free. In meeting with the TRACS evaluation team this week there has been a lot of worrying. But, I don't think all worry is bad. Worrying to the point that we fail to trust in God is wrong. God is bigger than any problem we have.

God created us with emotions so that we would react and move to action. I'm convinced that problems that are bigger than we are, are just opportunities for God to show us just how big He is.

Sure has been great this week to be reminded to trust God with tasks that are bigger than we feel we can accomplish.

I feel Grilled...

Just spent an 1 1/2 hours being interrogated about the College business. I've got to say it was intense. Hat's off to the team from TRACS. They are a bunch of great guys doing an outstanding job evaluating the credibility of the VBC program. There are several more hours of meetings this week. Please continue to pray for the team and VBC Staff. I'm really looking forward to the positive improvements that will result from this evaluation.

Source of Courage

Daniel was a man of backbone and courage. He had a ROCK SOLID life. In a foreign land he stood his ground. What gave him this courage? I'm convinced one reason was his prayer life. Remember, he is the one who was thrown in the lions den for praying. In Daniel Chapter nine he prayed to have understanding about Jeremiah's 70 weeks. When the Angel Gabriel showed up as an answer to Daniel's prayer, Gabriel said the moment you began your prayer God gave the commandment for Gabriel to go to Daniel. I wonder how many times God had a host of angels ready to come to our help, but they did not get the command because we failed to pray.

Let's pray without ceasing!

In Fredericksburg this week

This is a big week for Virginia Baptist College. A team from the TRACS accreditation board is here looking over the college. This visit is the result of many years of prayer and hard work. VBC does not feel that it needs a stamp of approval, but it does want to be credible. More importantly, there are definite benefits for students who do work in an accredited college. So pray for the team this week and for the college staff. I'll be in Fredericksburg most of the week to work with the team and do all I can to assist. Also, I'm looking forward to spending extra time with Mickey Creed, Eugene Nichols, and Don Forrester. These two men have been a great influence to me.

Strong Foundations for Newlyweds

Gi and I are planning a six week small group study for newly married, soon-to-be married couples. We are praying for 4-6 couples. We want the time to be very casual and interactive so any more than that and it may turn into more of a lecture time. If we have more interest we might consider two groups. The topics we will cover are: having realistic expectations, developing good communication skills, instruction on how to fight fairly, and perspectives on sex, in-laws, and marriage mentors. If you are interested or know someone that may be, let me know. We will kick off the group February 12, 7:00-8:30.

Good Sunday

I felt we had a really good Sunday today. The attendance was up from what it has been for several weeks. A really good spirit in the services. In preaching one of the greatest challenges is preaching familiar topics in a new and fresh way. We tried some new things today and felt God worked in peoples lives. But, it means so much when people come really wanting to worship. Thanks to several people who helped with props for the service. We added a home gym for the exercise theme. For the Live Wired message we added a notebook PC, router, cell phone. I think it really helps getting the message across when you have real objects to use. Jesus used objects when he taught. He used a coin, a fish, even a live child. Che' Hensley spoke in the evening service. Did a great job. It was so encouraging hearing both His and Dawn's testimonies of answered prayer.

Live Wired

Really looking forward to church tomorrow. Live Wired is the title of the second message in our series ROCK SOLID. A ROCK SOLID life requires strong communication with God. We freak out when we hit a dead spot with our cell phones. We think the world has come to an end if our Internet or cable goes out. Yes, we do depend on our phone, Internet, cable, but we need communication with God more than we need these other connections. Imagine how much more we would really accomplish if spent as much time in communication with God as we do on our cell, the Internet, or watching TV.

I'm Encouraged

Just thought I'd put this out there. I've been really encouraged this week. Several members have come to me and shared how God is working in their heart. They are really getting focused in their ministry, asking the right questions, and seeking God's direction. I really believe God is beginning to have His way in our church.

I'm thinking in the near future we are going to see His blessing us with a great harvest.

A Few Ideas

I met with Christina and Beth yesterday to brainstorm this next series. I had the idea of using Ephesians 4,5 as a text and instead of dealing with the different kinds of relationships, focus rather on qualities that make a strong relationship: Personal change, Telling the Truth, Saying the Right words, Controlling Anger, Forgiveness. So far, the series title ideas are Rescuing Frankenstein Relationships and True Blue.

I'd sure appreciate any ideas :)

We'll make a final decision on Monday to give us enough time to do the art work and promote.

Relationship Series

I want to do a relationship series in February. Any ideas? Last year we did a series titled Everybody Loves... I thought it went real well. I thought about using the same title, just pick a few different topics. But I'd rather have another series title and focus on the same topics: Friendship, Work, Marriage, and Family.

Anyway, just thought I'd put it out there and get some feedback.

Live His Word

Launched the new message series Sunday: ROCK SOLID. I had a set a barbells in my hand much of the service. Not sure but I may have pulled a muscle in my upper back. Guess I really need to work out more if I'm going to be physically ROCK SOLID.

Paul said that compared to physical exercise spiritual exercise yields far greater benefits:

"For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." 1 Timothy 4:8

The benefits of spiritual exercises prepare us for life's challenges: financial crisis, job and career issues, family turmoil, relationship heartache, etc....

The first spiritual exercise is to Live His Word. Jesus compared the wise and foolish by comparing a house built on rock and a house built on sand. When life's challenges came the house built on rock stood. It was ROCK SOLID! The house built on sand was destroyed. The wise person in this story was he who heard and lived His Word.

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:" Matthew 7:24

The only way we can truly live a ROCK SOLID is to Live His Word.

A Win

The greatest joy in my Christian life is personally having part in someone coming to Christ, then seeing them grow into a faithful disciple. The Bible says there is joy in the 'presence' of the angels in heaven when someone comes to Christ. Randy Alcorn says the believers who are already in heaven are those who are rejoicing before the angels. Interesting to think that even after we die we will rejoice when people accept Christ.

In pastoring, my greatest joy is seeing a member of our church have a part in bringing someone to Christ. I really feel my main function as a pastor is teaching people how to effectively witness and disciple people. This year I plan to really work at helping everyone in our church succeed in their effort to make disciples.

This year a win for me is when someone in our church wins someone who wins someone else.

Happy 67th Birthday

Just got home from spending a couple days with my mom. I always enjoy the Shenandoah Valley. We celebrated her 67th birthday. She is such a blessing. I thank the Lord for such a wonderful and godly mother. Got to go out for dinner, spend a couple hours shopping in the local Christian Bookstore. Mom really enjoys reading now that she is retired. She may be retired, but she stays very active in her church. I was really looking forward to going with her to their mid week prayer service. She has such a loving and caring church family. The pastor asked if I'd bring the message. When I'm away from our church I'd rather be on the listening side of the message...preachers need preaching too...but I really felt the Lord's leading and thought we had a great service.

Rock Solid

I'm starting a four week message series this coming Sunday. I really want to focus on building a Rock Solid life. I believe spiritual strength is the key to a Rock Solid life. But, building strength does not just happen. It take discipline and work. In this series I'll focus on major disciplines/exercises that will build spiritual strength.

Ambassadors for Christ

Our first service of the new year, I felt lead to talk about focus. It is so easy for us to get distracted. In fact I'm convinced that one of satan's greatest tools is distraction. We easily lose sight of why we are here. More and more I realize that when I stand at the Bema seat, I'll answer to Christ for how well I served as His ambassador. I want in 2008 to hone my skills at being the best ambassador I can be. I want my life to represent my Lord in the most honorable way possible. I want God to use me to bring others to Him. One of my goals in 2008 is to work more at staying on course, not allowing distractions to affect my work as His Ambassador.