Surrender vs. A New Years Resolution

Why is it that resolutions never seem to last? Several synonyms for the word resolution might be a clue; decree, oath, and decision.

-Have you ever made a declaration that you were going to do something, and never got around too it?

-Have you ever made an oath that turned out to be a lie?

-Have you ever made a decision, then turned right around and changed your mind?

While many preachers will preach in the next two weeks that we must make a New Year's Resolution for God, a resolution by itself won't get the job done. God does not want to hear our resolution, He want us to SURRENDER all we are, to all HE IS!

Surrender means hands in the air, and white flags waving!

"Then he said to them all, "If anyone desire to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23

Should Men of God Take A Stand?

"So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30

Persecution free lifestyles are being offered at most every church these days. We don't want to offend anyone so the only thing we take a stand on is that Jesus is the only way for Salvation. When I say anything I'm referring to standards of holiness and things that replace Jesus as being the centerpoint. Sometimes we worry too much about pleasing people in trying to reach them, that we miss the most important part; pleasing God! I'm not referring to methods of ministry, but everyday opportunities to separate ourselves from the world. As far as I can tell, according to the scriptures, it is the GOOD NEWS and the GOODNESS of GOD that leads people to repentance. Also, consistent holy lifestyles seem to help people make up their minds about God and the Christian WAY. Jesus got pretty personal with people and even raised the standards when talking about living Holy lives. Growing churches are those led by men who promote holy living and passionate evangelism! Let's be found serving (not playing games) when He returns!

every man's challenge

Wow! December has been busy. I can't think of anything to write so I thought I would share a book. This is another great accountability partner to add to your library. Do you have it already?

First Christmas Message of the Year

The following are pieces taken out of my Sunday morning message. If you would like a full version let me know. Excuse the typos.

Title: Christmas Is Up To You
Text: Luke 2:8-20

Well, its Christmas time again. Here we are at the brink of another Holiday season. By the way, for many that is all it will be, a holiday season. A break from work. A two week vacation from school! As a matter of fact, many American citizens will not even recognize the birth of Jesus this Christmas (celebration of Christ).

My greatest concern is the attempt by Satan to distract, distort, confuse, and redirect the attention of Americans from the Historical American Judeo-Christmas celebration of Old (which has everything to do with Jesus), to a commercialized, fictionized, intolerant position against Jesus, social celebration.

If I am a Christian, how should I celebrate Christmas?

Answer: If you are a Christian, you should have already come to the conclusion that the Bible is God’s Word. It is all true, originated by God, and exists as a standard by which we live and make proper decisions. Therefore, in order to know how one should celebrate Christmas we have to ask the question:

What does the Bible say about Christmas?

1. The Bible does not use the word Christmas anywhere.

2. The Bible does not give us a date to celebrate the birth of Christ. If it did, the time would be much earlier than December. A call for registration would not be made during the winter months when traveling was very difficult.

Luke 2:1-3 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Most scholars agree that Jesus was born in the fall. Many settle on the month of September.

3. While the Bible doesn’t tell us when to celebrate Christmas, and the origin of December 25th may not be relative to the birth of Christ, this date has been set aside and should be used as a time to remember and enjoy the birth of our Lord Jesus.

4. The Bible does tell us how the birth of Christ was celebrated by those in that day.

I. The Angels

a. When Jesus was born the angels celebrated by praising God!

Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

b. Imagine the sound of a multitude of heavenly host saying in unison, “Glory
to God in the highest.”

c. The word multitude represents thousands and probably a number the
human mind cannot even fathom.

Application: According to the angels of Heaven, Christmas is a time of praise. As the people of God we ought to celebrate Christmas by praising God for the One called Immanuel (meaning: God with us.)


II. The Shepherds

a. The shepherds took time to go to Bethlehem.

Luke 2:15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."

· In our fast pace society we barely have time to go shopping much less time to go to Bethlehem.

· I’m not talking about getting on a plane and flying to Israel. That would be neat, but not realistic! I’m talking about sitting down as a family and reading the story of Christmas. Observing the details and remembering how our King (Jesus) was introduced to our world.

· Children need to hear the true story of Christmas. They need their parents to take them to Bethlehem so that when they are grown, such a place will exist in their hearts. America is sneaking farther away from the true meaning of Christmas each year that passes.

· Will our great, great grandkids really know what Christmas is about? Take the time to go to that manger in Bethlehem where the Savior of the world was born.

b. The shepherds took time to tell others about the birth of Christ.

Luke 2:17-18 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

Conclusion: How is Christmas up to you?

1. It is up to you how you celebrate it.

2. It is up to you whether or not the true meaning of Christmas will be passed on to generations to come.

Time Machine

There is a Christian movie called Time Machine. Go to Blockbuster and rent it. It is a great movie about why America is where it is today!

Make sure its the one about America today.

Overcoming A Plateau in Your Church

I read an article recently and thought I would share some of the high points.

Bible Text: Acts 6:1-4

1. Churches plateau because the pastor, or leader plateaus.

note: There can be other factors but the pastor must stay focused and on mission with God.

2. The pastor or leader must lead the church to grow.

3. Evaluate where you are.
- How is your walk with God?
- Do you have any goals you are trying to accomplish?

4. Set some goals.
- Sunday School or Bible Fellowship goals
- number of souls saved
- invitations distributed

5. Get some things in your life that will motivate you.
- listen to messages
- listen to uplifting music
- do some physical work that will give your mind the freedom to think.
- read good books that will motivate you (testimonies, stories, biographies)

6. Fellowship with men who motivate you rather than make you feel comfortable.

Prayer Request

Don and Dimp Gilliam's daughter, Holly, was driving home (Virginia) from here after the holidays and they were at Memphis when she started rubbing her head and looked at her husband and said, I love you and take care of the girls and started having seizures.She has been air flighted to Knoxville and is in a comma not doing very well. Don and Dimp and the girls attented Independence MBC in Pleasant Plains for years and was the music director. He is now up around Russellville somewhere. Please put her on the prayer chain.

ThanksTeresa

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Have you ever wanted to give up? I think everyone has been there at some point. I met a lady at the hospital today that had that look in her eyes. After talking with her I thought about all the people that believe God is behind life's difficult circumstances. I don't have a detailed explanation as to why bad things happen to good people, but I do know that God is not the initiator for most of what He is blamed for.

If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time remember the following.

1. Sin's Curse Will Run Its Course- Death, pain, sickness, and sorrow all came as a result of man's disobedience to God. If you must have someone to blame, his name is Adam. Genesis chapter (3) three unfolds the beginning of hard times. These hard times will come until this age we are living in comes to an end.

2. God Choses Not To Heal- If God healed all sickness, took away all the sorrowful times, and made pain disappear, Heaven and the presence of God wouldn't be as glorious and longed for. Contrary to what most TV preachers claim, God in most cases allows sin to run its course. Statistics say that most people find a relationship with Jesus as a result of difficult circumstances. We might not always agree with God, but He has a way of turning hard times into life changing blessings.

3. God Promises To Be Near- In my mind the greatest comfort during difficult circumstances is knowing that God is holding me all the way. If you are child of God He promises never to leave you or forsake you. Embrace that promise and peace will rest in your heart during life's most trying times.

The Family

The kids are growing fast so we took a picture to remember what they looked like Thanksgiving 2006!

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a great THANKSGIVING! Drive careful and make sure you have a good time with your families.

Prayer Request

Please say a special prayer for Phillis Piereson. She is sick and unable to attend our thanksgiving service this evening.

Don't Forget Your Wheaties Today!

"...man shall not live by bread alone; but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." Deuteronomy 8:3

If you have a Bible that's falling apart, you'll have a life that's not!

Justin Did You Forget?

I thought since Tennesee is your team you needed a little reminder about what happened last week.

A Growing Church

There are lots of ideas about how to build a church. Some are good while others are just ideas. There is no doubt that many aspects and ministries are required to maintain a growing church, but I believe in short there are three important factors that cannot be missed.

1.) Visit the church family – If the people in the church are encouraged and excited they will bring friends and family to church! When we visit church members at home, it means we went out of our way thinking about them.

2.) Follow-up on the prospects – We must get a “friendly foot” in the door as soon as possible. Not everyone who attends a worship service is going to join the church (nor should they), but many will if they know they are going to be cared for.

3.) Take time to meet new people – If we are not meeting new people regularly we are abbreviating our growth opportunities. We must exhaust every effort to reach new people for Christ!

Statistics say that most people come to church because a friend invited them. If we organize a good balance between all of the above, something must happen as God blesses our obedience to His commands!

Daniel Driving Mommy & Anna

Our van broke down so Daniel had to drive everyone to the store!

Thankfulness

"in everything give thanks"

The above phrase taken from I Thessalonians 5:18 seems to be impossible if not understood. Does everything really mean everything? Absolutely! However, that verse does not say, "give thanks FOR everything." Its says "IN everything." It is not possible to give thanks for the horrifiic hard times that come and go. God doesn't command us to be thankful for unexpected events that couldn't have been initiated in Heaven. God simply wants us to be thankful for who He is as we walk through life and its struggles. In everything give thanks to God for His constant presence!

Urgent Prayer Need

Please pray for Lauren Crook (age 18). Recent test showed that her cancer has returned. She is young and courageous, but needs our fervent prayer. God is in control and we have a responsibility to go before His throne of grace on her behalf. I have known her family for a long time and they are very special people.

Revival

Since we are about to hold revival services beginning Sunday I thought I would share a few thoughts about the subject. What is revival? Why is it necesary? How do we experience it?

Revival is the restoration or waking up of a sleeping soul. Revival assumes that there is some form of sleeping or sickness. Spiritual sickness requires a doctor, and His name is Doctor Jesus! Just like anything else that is good begins with Jesus, revival is no different.

The Ingredients For Revival 2 Chronicles 7:14

1. Humility - to be brought down or in subjection to Almighty God.

2. Prayer - real open communication with God.

3. Yearing - a condition and sense of need for God.

4. Repentance - to turn from sin and self and turn to Jesus.

Billy Sunday was asked, "Why do you keep having revivals when it doesn't last?" He responded, "Why do you keep taking baths?"

Revival should be a daily renewal to prepare us for service to God. All four of the ingrediences above cause God to releasee His power in our lives.

The Incentive For Revival

1. Forgiveness - to be pardoned, set free, or released.

2. Healing - to be cured or restored.

We need the forgiveness and healing of God. We can't live life without these two constant occurances. The kingdom of God is not going to advance by our churches becoming filled with men and women, but by men and women becoming filled by God.

Don't forget God loves you!

Pastor Billy

Jesus Is All I Have To Offer

Sometimes in life we try everything but God. This is understandable when we are not living a life of trust in the Creator. Someone said, "If I had a 1000 lives to live all over again, I would give them all to Jesus." When life throws a curve ball remember curve balls have turned into homeruns. The only hope of getting through life and being able to look back with joy, is by having a relationship with Jesus Christ. God's arms are wide open ready for anyone who will, to call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. The reason we need a Savior is because our sin keeps us from being able to see life from the right perspective. The reason we need a Savior is because the consequence of our sin is eternal separation from God. Inviting Jesus into your life secures your home in Heaven. God has never sent anyone to Hell, but He can't stop the decision of one who rejects His Son Jesus. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one of a kind Son that whoever believes in Him will not persih but have everlasting life." John 3:16