Act 21:9
And the same man had four daughters...
If my shooting percentage in basketball was as good as my percentage of having girls I could have been a star!
Four girls! Praise the Lord. Steph and I are very excited to have such a wonderful family and pray that the Lord will use each of these precious little vessels for His honor and glory.
Friday, July 27, 2007
This is a day of good tidings! - Let's not hold our peace
On Wednesday night, Pastor Bob Brado returned from his family camping trip for an evening to testify of God's work that he was privileged to be a part of for two weeks in the Ukraine with another hero of mine - Missionary Mike Ireland (http://ukrainebible.com/index.htm).
Pastor Brado spent some time showing slides of the family camp he preached there, many of the souls that God has redeemed to Himself in that country and pics of the Ireland family with greetings from them to our church family.
He then preached a message from 2 Kings 7 asking the question - Why sit we here until we die? and then answering with another phrase - We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace. (http://www.myfbbc.info/sermons/2007/ - not there yet as of 7/27)
It was a powerful challenge to live for eternity and not for time, to recognize that we have the greatest message in the history of the world - the Gospel and yet we are often guilty of sitting on the spoil of it for ourselves rather than sharing it with others. It is clear that there is no way that we can exhaust such a treasure and there is something wrong with us if we can sit around and watch others die in misery and sin when we have the words of eternal life.
Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
I am grateful for the way a short-term mission trip can encourage the missionary on the field, have an impact on souls in that country, glorify the name of Jesus Christ and fan the flames of zeal for the ones who go so they can bring that back and ignite fires back here. It was a great night, a great blessing and a great challenge. I long for the day that my family reaches the Philippines and my heart often feels as though it is there already. Until then though, the need, the message, the Saviour and the importance are just as great here. May God be glorified through hearing the body of Christ here in Rochester tell of the wondrous riches of His grace. May we use our feet for proclaim that our GOD REIGNETH rather than sitting around until we die.
Pastor Brado spent some time showing slides of the family camp he preached there, many of the souls that God has redeemed to Himself in that country and pics of the Ireland family with greetings from them to our church family.
He then preached a message from 2 Kings 7 asking the question - Why sit we here until we die? and then answering with another phrase - We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace. (http://www.myfbbc.info/sermons/2007/ - not there yet as of 7/27)
It was a powerful challenge to live for eternity and not for time, to recognize that we have the greatest message in the history of the world - the Gospel and yet we are often guilty of sitting on the spoil of it for ourselves rather than sharing it with others. It is clear that there is no way that we can exhaust such a treasure and there is something wrong with us if we can sit around and watch others die in misery and sin when we have the words of eternal life.
Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
I am grateful for the way a short-term mission trip can encourage the missionary on the field, have an impact on souls in that country, glorify the name of Jesus Christ and fan the flames of zeal for the ones who go so they can bring that back and ignite fires back here. It was a great night, a great blessing and a great challenge. I long for the day that my family reaches the Philippines and my heart often feels as though it is there already. Until then though, the need, the message, the Saviour and the importance are just as great here. May God be glorified through hearing the body of Christ here in Rochester tell of the wondrous riches of His grace. May we use our feet for proclaim that our GOD REIGNETH rather than sitting around until we die.
Friday, July 20, 2007
11 Years
Remembering, or reflection as we often call it is the opportunity to go back to times and experiences of the past which teach lessons, revive emotions and hopefully refocus an individual on important committments and priorities in his/her life.
Today is the 11 year anniversary of my marriage to my wonderful wife Stephanie. The memories are many and the emotions and experiences shared are vast. The transformation that God has made in our lives is clearly the highlight of the past 11 years and as we sat in a coffee shop last night and looked forward to the mission field God has called us to we realized that God has made so many things come together in amazing ways that oft times we took them for granted because of their frequency. We started to write down some things about deputation and the field that we just dont have answers for and our excitement grew as we know that these are some of the areas where once again we know our God will make the insurmountable seem easy.
Pro 5:18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Andy's blog yesterday spoke of marriage in heaven. We may not understand fully comprehend how all that will work out but I know that heaven will be greater than anything I can imagine and so we will look forward to the eternal, unseen things God has in store. And until that homecoming, as God has been so gracious to have blessed me with my wife, I will rejoice in this beautiful covenant of marriage and pray for it to ever mature into a more pure picture of the relationship of Jesus Christ and the church for the glory of Father God.
Today is the 11 year anniversary of my marriage to my wonderful wife Stephanie. The memories are many and the emotions and experiences shared are vast. The transformation that God has made in our lives is clearly the highlight of the past 11 years and as we sat in a coffee shop last night and looked forward to the mission field God has called us to we realized that God has made so many things come together in amazing ways that oft times we took them for granted because of their frequency. We started to write down some things about deputation and the field that we just dont have answers for and our excitement grew as we know that these are some of the areas where once again we know our God will make the insurmountable seem easy.
Pro 5:18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Andy's blog yesterday spoke of marriage in heaven. We may not understand fully comprehend how all that will work out but I know that heaven will be greater than anything I can imagine and so we will look forward to the eternal, unseen things God has in store. And until that homecoming, as God has been so gracious to have blessed me with my wife, I will rejoice in this beautiful covenant of marriage and pray for it to ever mature into a more pure picture of the relationship of Jesus Christ and the church for the glory of Father God.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
This is the day which the Lord hath made
...we will rejoice and be glad in it.
For the first time in a few years now we are about to have a significant shakeup at my job. This will cost many their job, many people that I have trained, coached, worked with, shared ups and downs with and witnessed to. There will be a significant restructuring that will at best (in my narrow view of things) see me in my current position under new leadership and at worst (depending on how we look at it), without a job.
It is something that has seemed iminent for the last few weeks and is now coming to fruition. Such change and uncertainty, as expected, will make many uneasy.
In my weakness, I have felt the same. I don't anticipate being laid off but in reflecting on the lives of the individuals that likely will be impacted I can certainly empathize with their emotions and concerns. How great it is to know that our God is in control. I only desire that all these individuals had the same faith and hope in these trying times. Perhaps this situation will be a step toward looking unto Jesus! Pray that I will be sensitive to the opportunities and considerate of their emotions. I have been comfortable here for years now, enjoying flexible schedules, rarely being without overtime and of course having the blessing of being directed to our field of ministry in the Philippines through the three business trips. I have the challenges as most Christians do of an atmosphere that is oft times wicked and those who would mock God but overall, I have certainly been blessed with stability during the past 4 years of Bible Institute and birth of our children and given mant opportunities to witness.
Yesterday I allowed this situation to weigh on me pretty heavily. Most of these individuals are lost, many are married, many with small kids, many that I have worked with for years and years and to think of the radical changes has bothered me. Then I went to church last night and had a wonderful time of worship, a time of reflection on the love of God and a sweet time of prayer with my wonderful bride of 11 years! I went home with all the refreshment I could handle - praise the Lord!
Whatever may come of this I praise the Lord that it is a day which the Lord hath made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. God is worthy of praise and adoration today and I dare not rob Him of that because of my own selfish desires. I pray that today I will be a light for Jesus Christ, a comforter, an encouragement, a witness, a friend and a man that trusts in His great God to take care of everything as He sees fit, for His honour and glory.
Would you be so kind as to pray with me for this situation - the jobs, the families and especially the souls of these individuals. It would be greatly appreciated.
For the first time in a few years now we are about to have a significant shakeup at my job. This will cost many their job, many people that I have trained, coached, worked with, shared ups and downs with and witnessed to. There will be a significant restructuring that will at best (in my narrow view of things) see me in my current position under new leadership and at worst (depending on how we look at it), without a job.
It is something that has seemed iminent for the last few weeks and is now coming to fruition. Such change and uncertainty, as expected, will make many uneasy.
In my weakness, I have felt the same. I don't anticipate being laid off but in reflecting on the lives of the individuals that likely will be impacted I can certainly empathize with their emotions and concerns. How great it is to know that our God is in control. I only desire that all these individuals had the same faith and hope in these trying times. Perhaps this situation will be a step toward looking unto Jesus! Pray that I will be sensitive to the opportunities and considerate of their emotions. I have been comfortable here for years now, enjoying flexible schedules, rarely being without overtime and of course having the blessing of being directed to our field of ministry in the Philippines through the three business trips. I have the challenges as most Christians do of an atmosphere that is oft times wicked and those who would mock God but overall, I have certainly been blessed with stability during the past 4 years of Bible Institute and birth of our children and given mant opportunities to witness.
Yesterday I allowed this situation to weigh on me pretty heavily. Most of these individuals are lost, many are married, many with small kids, many that I have worked with for years and years and to think of the radical changes has bothered me. Then I went to church last night and had a wonderful time of worship, a time of reflection on the love of God and a sweet time of prayer with my wonderful bride of 11 years! I went home with all the refreshment I could handle - praise the Lord!
Whatever may come of this I praise the Lord that it is a day which the Lord hath made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. God is worthy of praise and adoration today and I dare not rob Him of that because of my own selfish desires. I pray that today I will be a light for Jesus Christ, a comforter, an encouragement, a witness, a friend and a man that trusts in His great God to take care of everything as He sees fit, for His honour and glory.
Would you be so kind as to pray with me for this situation - the jobs, the families and especially the souls of these individuals. It would be greatly appreciated.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Pride, Invincibility and the Eagle
Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. Job 21:3
What do I mean by this? Only that my prophetical implication in the following verses may be a stretch (if so, mock on) but the principle I am confident applies whether the following verse perhaps could be speaking of the U.S. or not.
Oba 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Oba 1:4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.
Another Fourth of July passes. Fireworks, cotton candy, hot dogs and snowcones. Inflatables, kids adorned in red, white and blue and the most emphasized and important part of the day - the tribute to our military, past and present. It is a day steeped in patriotism, community, family and history.
The Spirit of America festival is one of the few celebrations anymore that I expect makes mention or gives thanks to God for his blessings and protection of this country. I am grateful that we still have the freedom to still do this legally.
In most festivities though surrounding our national "pride" it is all about the U.S. being glorified rather than glorifying the God that sets up or tears down a nation.
Job 12:23 He (GOD) increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.
Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Pro 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Around the country people had heartwarming patriotic feelings pass through them when the bombs were bursting in air as the Star Spangled Banner was played. I love the US and only now am beginning to realize just how few if any countries have ever been so free, powerful and wealthy as ours has been. Tears have flowed as people have shared the accounts of those who have sacrificed their own lives for the freedoms I enjoy. I have utmost respect and support for our troops and pray for them. I was taught great respect for the flag and our country by my veteran grandfather as a boy. Yet my allegiance must be to the LAMB of God more than the Flag of our country. My Bible says that I am a stranger and a pilgrim here - and this world, much less this country is not my home.
As the nation is founded on God, fears God, serves God and glorifies God is it a country to be put on some kind of pedestal. Egypt was better to Joseph and Jacob than it was by the time of the Exodus.
And so America used to be associated with One nation under God, In God we trust, prayer meetings at government assemblies, prayer in schools, 10 commandments as the foundation for our legal system, state constitutions (http://hindsey.blogspot.com/2007/07/50-states.html) all established in gratitude to God for His protection and establishment, against murder of children etc, etc.
"But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own." -- Abraham Lincoln
This is what Obadiah is talking about. It is our pride that gets lifted up to the point where we feel we are invincible.
Here they are again
Oba 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Oba 1:4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.
Whose habitation is high...
Skyrises certainly abound, habitations are high. Perhaps it is of note that the WTC were what was brought down in the 9/11 attacks - the most noted skyscrapers in the country.
V4 ...Though thou
Exalt thyself as the Eagle - National Bird of the US
Set thy nest among the stars - This the first generation of human history that has a nest among the stars. The US is a big part of the international space station - literally a nest among the stars.
Thence will I bring thee down
Does this speak of the United States in some prophetical way, maybe not but it certainly would not be above our God.
Why - we have forgotten God, we think we have done it ourself and that we will keep it by our strength and determination. We celebrate and are entertained by wicked abominations. The country has gone far from Christianity and what remnants exist in many cases is as Rev 3 describes to a tee- Laodicean in nature.
There is no fear of God before their eyes - Rom 3:18
It is the pride of our heart that has decieved America into thinking that no one can bring us down to the ground. We seem to think we are invincible. It would take no effort on the part of God to raise up an enemy to destroy America and I think we all can envision of what religious background the enemy might represent.
I heard a recorded message recently (Ravi Z) that said that "the Judgment of God does not need to be interventionary, it can also be an unrestrained deterioration." In other words, God may just allow our present course to destroy us without needing to send an army, a missile, a tsunami or something supernatural. This country is doing a fine job of destroying itself.
Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD...
Unless God is the LORD of America again, how can he bless it?
Hab 3:2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
God hears intercessory prayer - think Abraham pleading for Sodom...
Pray that our country would turn back to God and that, until then, that God would in His wrath remember mercy and spare this country for the remnant that is left and more importantly for the name of JESUS CHRIST, on which it was founded.
What do I mean by this? Only that my prophetical implication in the following verses may be a stretch (if so, mock on) but the principle I am confident applies whether the following verse perhaps could be speaking of the U.S. or not.
Oba 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Oba 1:4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.
Another Fourth of July passes. Fireworks, cotton candy, hot dogs and snowcones. Inflatables, kids adorned in red, white and blue and the most emphasized and important part of the day - the tribute to our military, past and present. It is a day steeped in patriotism, community, family and history.
The Spirit of America festival is one of the few celebrations anymore that I expect makes mention or gives thanks to God for his blessings and protection of this country. I am grateful that we still have the freedom to still do this legally.
In most festivities though surrounding our national "pride" it is all about the U.S. being glorified rather than glorifying the God that sets up or tears down a nation.
Job 12:23 He (GOD) increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.
Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Pro 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Around the country people had heartwarming patriotic feelings pass through them when the bombs were bursting in air as the Star Spangled Banner was played. I love the US and only now am beginning to realize just how few if any countries have ever been so free, powerful and wealthy as ours has been. Tears have flowed as people have shared the accounts of those who have sacrificed their own lives for the freedoms I enjoy. I have utmost respect and support for our troops and pray for them. I was taught great respect for the flag and our country by my veteran grandfather as a boy. Yet my allegiance must be to the LAMB of God more than the Flag of our country. My Bible says that I am a stranger and a pilgrim here - and this world, much less this country is not my home.
As the nation is founded on God, fears God, serves God and glorifies God is it a country to be put on some kind of pedestal. Egypt was better to Joseph and Jacob than it was by the time of the Exodus.
And so America used to be associated with One nation under God, In God we trust, prayer meetings at government assemblies, prayer in schools, 10 commandments as the foundation for our legal system, state constitutions (http://hindsey.blogspot.com/2007/07/50-states.html) all established in gratitude to God for His protection and establishment, against murder of children etc, etc.
"But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own." -- Abraham Lincoln
This is what Obadiah is talking about. It is our pride that gets lifted up to the point where we feel we are invincible.
Here they are again
Oba 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Oba 1:4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.
Whose habitation is high...
Skyrises certainly abound, habitations are high. Perhaps it is of note that the WTC were what was brought down in the 9/11 attacks - the most noted skyscrapers in the country.
V4 ...Though thou
Exalt thyself as the Eagle - National Bird of the US
Set thy nest among the stars - This the first generation of human history that has a nest among the stars. The US is a big part of the international space station - literally a nest among the stars.
Thence will I bring thee down
Does this speak of the United States in some prophetical way, maybe not but it certainly would not be above our God.
Why - we have forgotten God, we think we have done it ourself and that we will keep it by our strength and determination. We celebrate and are entertained by wicked abominations. The country has gone far from Christianity and what remnants exist in many cases is as Rev 3 describes to a tee- Laodicean in nature.
There is no fear of God before their eyes - Rom 3:18
It is the pride of our heart that has decieved America into thinking that no one can bring us down to the ground. We seem to think we are invincible. It would take no effort on the part of God to raise up an enemy to destroy America and I think we all can envision of what religious background the enemy might represent.
I heard a recorded message recently (Ravi Z) that said that "the Judgment of God does not need to be interventionary, it can also be an unrestrained deterioration." In other words, God may just allow our present course to destroy us without needing to send an army, a missile, a tsunami or something supernatural. This country is doing a fine job of destroying itself.
Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD...
Unless God is the LORD of America again, how can he bless it?
Hab 3:2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
God hears intercessory prayer - think Abraham pleading for Sodom...
Pray that our country would turn back to God and that, until then, that God would in His wrath remember mercy and spare this country for the remnant that is left and more importantly for the name of JESUS CHRIST, on which it was founded.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Decrees from the King in every language
Est 1:19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
Est 1:20 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
Est 1:21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
Est 1:22 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.
The king (Ahaseurus) was over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia (wow). Naturally that included a vast array of peoples, cultures and languages. Here we had a situation in which the rebellion of one would likely cause a ripple effect that would lead to rebellion among all the people over time. A measure to deal with this rebellion was issued and the king saw it important that every language and people needed to get this decree in their tongue.
So it is today. A rebellion that began with one has rippled through all (sin), the effect is the damning of every human soul. Our King has gone to amazing lengths to offer the resolution that will save all those that Believe (yes, WHOSOEVER) in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ through godly sorrow, repentance and faith.
The decree is made, the letter is written (Bible), the solution for sin is available yet the message is still not published in every language and distributed to every man. King Ahaseurus did not deliver the letter to every individual himself, he provided the letter. He com,manded his subjects to publish it in the languages and to distribute it completely. He did not want a single person to not get this message.
Lets be messangers today with the letter we have in our language to those who don't have it and let us pray for what God would have us to do to help get the Letter in the rest of the unpublished languages because this is the desire and command of our King and HE IS WORTHY!
Est 1:20 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
Est 1:21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
Est 1:22 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.
The king (Ahaseurus) was over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia (wow). Naturally that included a vast array of peoples, cultures and languages. Here we had a situation in which the rebellion of one would likely cause a ripple effect that would lead to rebellion among all the people over time. A measure to deal with this rebellion was issued and the king saw it important that every language and people needed to get this decree in their tongue.
So it is today. A rebellion that began with one has rippled through all (sin), the effect is the damning of every human soul. Our King has gone to amazing lengths to offer the resolution that will save all those that Believe (yes, WHOSOEVER) in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ through godly sorrow, repentance and faith.
The decree is made, the letter is written (Bible), the solution for sin is available yet the message is still not published in every language and distributed to every man. King Ahaseurus did not deliver the letter to every individual himself, he provided the letter. He com,manded his subjects to publish it in the languages and to distribute it completely. He did not want a single person to not get this message.
Lets be messangers today with the letter we have in our language to those who don't have it and let us pray for what God would have us to do to help get the Letter in the rest of the unpublished languages because this is the desire and command of our King and HE IS WORTHY!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
"Fancy giving a preacher just 40 minutes"
This quote came from Keith Daniel in a message on the Holy Spirit. The message is more than twice that length. Bathed in prayer God can use a man in any time period but wouldnt it be better if God was given the freedom to have what time He desires as He directs the vessel He is using. Would to God that His children and worshippers that rely on Him for our everything would be thirsty for all that we can get from God?
Isnt it amazing how it is considered more exciting and valuable if a sporting event goes to overtime? They are temporal, they do not edify, challenge, give glory to God (general rule - pro/college sports) and are little more than fleshly entertainment. I am not saying that there is no room for them but what value should they be in comparison to the Word of God that we are to meditate in day and night that we may observe to do according to all that is written therein?
Let us not frown upon a man of God, filled with the Spirit of God, proclaiming the Word of God, for the glory of God who takes some extra time and care in this work of eternal value.
The greatest times with God are times of waiting upon Him and spending time in His presence which is why we read so much in scripture about being still, meditating and focusing on Him all the day long. Christ spent all night in prayer more than once, fasted and prayed forty days and lest we forget, the multitudes followed Him often for days on end without food. Perhaps some did that for the wrong motives but not all - some felt that this was clearly a worthwhile use of their time.
Should preachers apologize for proclaiming God's glory, eternal word, will and gospel because for some it is too long and inconvenient? Should they have to cut out vast portions of what God has shown them, much of which God may have given them for the express benefit of one or more of the people that will hear that message?
I was blesssed to be challenged last night in mens prayer meeting. The messenger had great consideration for the time of night and those in the audience. That is considerate and appreciated but my prayer is that someday God will take those concerns away from us and meet with us in such a way that the prayer, worship and preaching would be offered up to God with no consideration of time and that hours could be consumed if God so wills it and it would be as but a moment in His presence. Would you pray with me for that kind of revival?
4+ hours - round of golf
Time in front of the TV for an average person per day?
Baseball, football, hockey or soccer game - 3 hrs?
Other hobbies - hours a week - photography, scrapbooking, biking, running, hiking, boating, swimming, reading, huinting, skiing, fellowshipping, eating (sort of repetitive I suppose).
The length of a message? Challenges given? Time to respond? Altar calls? Is not the purpose of preaching for God to speak through His Word and messenger to glorify His name and to accomplish things in peoples lives and hearts that mandate a response of some sort?
Here is a Bible example of a people in the midst of a revival who valued the importance of the Word of God and preaching.
Neh 8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
Neh 8:3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
Neh 8:4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood...
Neh 8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
Neh 8:18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God.
It is the progression of the modern day. We are so time sensitive in this culture. God is not in all our thoughts, I will be the first that admits to being guilty of this. Time will be made for what satisfies us most and what is most important to us. As pilgrims passing through this world, may we look to eternity, change our perspectives and priorities and not limit God's time in exchange for "our time."
May I recommend this message. It is a major challenge, you have been warned...
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=7207213143
Isnt it amazing how it is considered more exciting and valuable if a sporting event goes to overtime? They are temporal, they do not edify, challenge, give glory to God (general rule - pro/college sports) and are little more than fleshly entertainment. I am not saying that there is no room for them but what value should they be in comparison to the Word of God that we are to meditate in day and night that we may observe to do according to all that is written therein?
Let us not frown upon a man of God, filled with the Spirit of God, proclaiming the Word of God, for the glory of God who takes some extra time and care in this work of eternal value.
The greatest times with God are times of waiting upon Him and spending time in His presence which is why we read so much in scripture about being still, meditating and focusing on Him all the day long. Christ spent all night in prayer more than once, fasted and prayed forty days and lest we forget, the multitudes followed Him often for days on end without food. Perhaps some did that for the wrong motives but not all - some felt that this was clearly a worthwhile use of their time.
Should preachers apologize for proclaiming God's glory, eternal word, will and gospel because for some it is too long and inconvenient? Should they have to cut out vast portions of what God has shown them, much of which God may have given them for the express benefit of one or more of the people that will hear that message?
I was blesssed to be challenged last night in mens prayer meeting. The messenger had great consideration for the time of night and those in the audience. That is considerate and appreciated but my prayer is that someday God will take those concerns away from us and meet with us in such a way that the prayer, worship and preaching would be offered up to God with no consideration of time and that hours could be consumed if God so wills it and it would be as but a moment in His presence. Would you pray with me for that kind of revival?
4+ hours - round of golf
Time in front of the TV for an average person per day?
Baseball, football, hockey or soccer game - 3 hrs?
Other hobbies - hours a week - photography, scrapbooking, biking, running, hiking, boating, swimming, reading, huinting, skiing, fellowshipping, eating (sort of repetitive I suppose).
The length of a message? Challenges given? Time to respond? Altar calls? Is not the purpose of preaching for God to speak through His Word and messenger to glorify His name and to accomplish things in peoples lives and hearts that mandate a response of some sort?
Here is a Bible example of a people in the midst of a revival who valued the importance of the Word of God and preaching.
Neh 8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
Neh 8:3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
Neh 8:4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood...
Neh 8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
Neh 8:18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God.
It is the progression of the modern day. We are so time sensitive in this culture. God is not in all our thoughts, I will be the first that admits to being guilty of this. Time will be made for what satisfies us most and what is most important to us. As pilgrims passing through this world, may we look to eternity, change our perspectives and priorities and not limit God's time in exchange for "our time."
May I recommend this message. It is a major challenge, you have been warned...
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=7207213143
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