I have not done an in depth research of my family tree but I do believe that your family tree is important. I know of a few generations of my predecessors but not extensively. I think I'm maybe a little bit scared of what I might find!
We have a spiritual family tree that goes all the way back to the cross. It is filled with interesting characters, unbelievable miracles, and even martyrs for the faith. The Bible records for us the beginning of our family tree which is Jesus. Now that is an exciting family tree!
I am preparing a sermon from 2 Corinthians 2:17-3:3 that is a reminder that we should invest our lives in people. The apostle Paul states that our greatest letter of recommendation is the changed lives of people around us. People can look good on paper and very poor in person. Resumes are written to tell how wonderful a person is, and mostly to get a job. Resumes can be misleading but changed lives are indelible. This begs the question as to what are the people around you like? Are they gossipers? Distorters of the truth? Rumor participants? People who hurt the church? Complainers? If so, then check yourself and your influence. Are the people around you committed to the Word of God? Church builders? Servants in the church? Builders of people? Disciples of Christ? If this is the case, praise the Lord for your letters of recommendation!
I pray you will be a builder of the Kingdom of God. change the hearts around you to reflect the heart of Christ. We must always remember that expectations do not yield results, obedience does!
From the Heart,
Pastor BR
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Monday, March 20, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
God is Moving
What an interesting title, "God is Moving." This phrase can be read in many different ways such as suggesting that God is relocating. It could be understood as God is changing His mind. Neither of these are what I want to talk about but the fact that His presence is "moving" among us. As in chapter two of Acts, God moved as a mighty rushing wind. The Holy Spirit came once and for all to reside in the hearts of His followers. God moved in to stay.
God's presence is so real when we are lifting up our voices together in praise and centering on the preaching of God's Word. God is moving in and through His people. When God moves His followers have a choice. They can run away from His presence. They can stand by and watch. But the best response is to join in obedience and respond to His call. Joining Him in His work is the greatest call on our lives.
I want to encourage you to join God in what He is doing. Our world desperately needs His powerful presence in the lives of His followers. Now is not the time to be absent. Now is the time to be fully engaged in the Great Commission with the heart of the Great Commandment.
I encourage you to be faithful to your church in every way and bring the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Nothing else in this life is greater than following Jesus fully.
From the Heart,
Pastor BR
God's presence is so real when we are lifting up our voices together in praise and centering on the preaching of God's Word. God is moving in and through His people. When God moves His followers have a choice. They can run away from His presence. They can stand by and watch. But the best response is to join in obedience and respond to His call. Joining Him in His work is the greatest call on our lives.
I want to encourage you to join God in what He is doing. Our world desperately needs His powerful presence in the lives of His followers. Now is not the time to be absent. Now is the time to be fully engaged in the Great Commission with the heart of the Great Commandment.
I encourage you to be faithful to your church in every way and bring the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Nothing else in this life is greater than following Jesus fully.
From the Heart,
Pastor BR
Friday, January 27, 2017
Amazing Times
We live in an amazing time for Christianity! We are on the edge of the Great Commission being fulfilled in our generation. Right now in the United States we celebrate a government that is tolerant to our Christian values and views. Many laws that have stood in the way of biblical morality may be changed very soon. The doors are opening wide for the church to stand tall and impact our nation and the world for the cause of Christ!
Rhetoric will not do the job. Active obedience of going into the world and sharing the gospel is required. The church is the only institution that God has given His Word and the command to be His hands and feet as well as voice. We now have no excuse for not getting the job done! International change begins with individual change. Church as usual will not get the job done. Preaching and teaching "heart warming" sermons will not work. There is a call to preach the truth of the whole gospel. Sin must be dealt with, people must be loved, and the fellowship must be strengthened.
These are exciting days as we see the hand of God moving and stirring among His people. The great news is that every true believer can be used to live out the truth. You are valuable and equally important to God. Never doubt how God may use you.
This is also a call to prayer. The church must be on it's knees before it goes into the world. Nothing is done without first bathing it in prayer. We are strongest when we begin each day on our knees.
May we see much more of God's work being done because His followers are faithful!
From the Heart,
Pastor BR
Rhetoric will not do the job. Active obedience of going into the world and sharing the gospel is required. The church is the only institution that God has given His Word and the command to be His hands and feet as well as voice. We now have no excuse for not getting the job done! International change begins with individual change. Church as usual will not get the job done. Preaching and teaching "heart warming" sermons will not work. There is a call to preach the truth of the whole gospel. Sin must be dealt with, people must be loved, and the fellowship must be strengthened.
These are exciting days as we see the hand of God moving and stirring among His people. The great news is that every true believer can be used to live out the truth. You are valuable and equally important to God. Never doubt how God may use you.
This is also a call to prayer. The church must be on it's knees before it goes into the world. Nothing is done without first bathing it in prayer. We are strongest when we begin each day on our knees.
May we see much more of God's work being done because His followers are faithful!
From the Heart,
Pastor BR
Monday, December 12, 2016
Christmas 2016
Christmas is full of miracles... at least in the scriptures. Luke records some of the most amazing things around the birth of Christ. I encourage you to read the Christmas story beginning with the first chapter in Luke. Often we read the Christmas story beginning in Luke chapter 2 and miss some amazing things.
The angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that he and Elizabeth were going to have a baby named John, even though they were senior adults! This miracle was a forerunner to the message Mary and Joseph received. Amazingly, Zechariah and Elizabeth were related to Mary and Joseph. Zechariah received this announcement while he was serving his one and only time in the temple offering incense. God's timing is perfect. God used Elizabeth to comfort and encourage Mary, as well as confirm the miraculous message given.
Just as God prepared Zechariah and Elizabeth, as well as Mary and Joseph, for the coming of Jesus; God prepares your heart to receive the Christ child. Have you truly embraced the miracle God wants to do in you? Have you received His most precious gift through His Son?
This Christmas can truly be a miracle for you!
From the Heart,
Pastor BR
The angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that he and Elizabeth were going to have a baby named John, even though they were senior adults! This miracle was a forerunner to the message Mary and Joseph received. Amazingly, Zechariah and Elizabeth were related to Mary and Joseph. Zechariah received this announcement while he was serving his one and only time in the temple offering incense. God's timing is perfect. God used Elizabeth to comfort and encourage Mary, as well as confirm the miraculous message given.
Just as God prepared Zechariah and Elizabeth, as well as Mary and Joseph, for the coming of Jesus; God prepares your heart to receive the Christ child. Have you truly embraced the miracle God wants to do in you? Have you received His most precious gift through His Son?
This Christmas can truly be a miracle for you!
From the Heart,
Pastor BR
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Temporary
"Temporary Stewards" is a phrase that has been impressed on my mind the last couple of months. There are very deep and important teachings from the scriptures concerning being a steward of all God has blessed us with. While we know we are not "owners" of His gifts to us, we might consider ourselves "permanent" holders. With this idea we tend to use God's blessings more for our benefit than His purpose. Consider your use of time and money for example.
Our view of time leans towards our interests and what we desire to accomplish for ourselves. We use time to our advantage. We script our time to bring us the most personal satisfaction. When asked to give some of our time for serving the needs in the church, we can be very selective and even protective. "My" time or "time for myself" climbs the priority ladder. It is almost as if when we are asked to spend time serving that it is an infringement upon "our time."
Consider the use of money. So many Christians do not honor the Lord in their giving. Using "my money" for "my interests" reflects our spending patterns. The very God who has blessed us with all we have has required that we give ten percent, or a tithe, to the church. So many Christians struggle with this command. Others try to control their money and the church by designating their tithe. In truth, when a tithe is designated it ceases to be a tithe and is really a gift. A gift for a specific purpose or interest. The tithe is to be brought into the storehouse for the ministry needs of the church. Designated giving should be above the tithe. The first ten percent is to be given to the church with no strings or manipulation. God reminds us that those who do not tithe are thieves. They are stealing from God and the church.
A third important area that we are temporary stewards of is the church. We serve the Lord through the church for a limited time in eternity. We are given just a short time in the life of the church to serve her needs and ministries. The church outlasts our lives. We will hand the church off to the next generation of stewards. We do not own the church but the church owns us! We are temporary caretakers of the Bride of Christ. We are to usher her into the future with grace and honor. But too often we see the church as serving us. The church becomes an opportunity for us to display our wants and desires.
In all things we are temporary stewards. It was all here before we arrived and it will remain after we are gone. We temporarily let the church and God's blessings flow through our hands and hearts. We are blessed to be able to touch and see what God is doing throughout all eternity.
Are you a good temporary steward?
From the Heart,
Pastor BR
Our view of time leans towards our interests and what we desire to accomplish for ourselves. We use time to our advantage. We script our time to bring us the most personal satisfaction. When asked to give some of our time for serving the needs in the church, we can be very selective and even protective. "My" time or "time for myself" climbs the priority ladder. It is almost as if when we are asked to spend time serving that it is an infringement upon "our time."
Consider the use of money. So many Christians do not honor the Lord in their giving. Using "my money" for "my interests" reflects our spending patterns. The very God who has blessed us with all we have has required that we give ten percent, or a tithe, to the church. So many Christians struggle with this command. Others try to control their money and the church by designating their tithe. In truth, when a tithe is designated it ceases to be a tithe and is really a gift. A gift for a specific purpose or interest. The tithe is to be brought into the storehouse for the ministry needs of the church. Designated giving should be above the tithe. The first ten percent is to be given to the church with no strings or manipulation. God reminds us that those who do not tithe are thieves. They are stealing from God and the church.
A third important area that we are temporary stewards of is the church. We serve the Lord through the church for a limited time in eternity. We are given just a short time in the life of the church to serve her needs and ministries. The church outlasts our lives. We will hand the church off to the next generation of stewards. We do not own the church but the church owns us! We are temporary caretakers of the Bride of Christ. We are to usher her into the future with grace and honor. But too often we see the church as serving us. The church becomes an opportunity for us to display our wants and desires.
In all things we are temporary stewards. It was all here before we arrived and it will remain after we are gone. We temporarily let the church and God's blessings flow through our hands and hearts. We are blessed to be able to touch and see what God is doing throughout all eternity.
Are you a good temporary steward?
From the Heart,
Pastor BR
Monday, October 24, 2016
Thankful
It has been a while since I last posted on this blog. My intentions were to be more frequent but life and ministry has been so busy. Glad I am back to posting.
God has been doing so much in my life! Over the past couple of years I have fought many spiritual battles in the ministry. I don't remember being attacked so much by the enemy. Yet, God has proven to be so faithful. Whenever God raises up His vision and purpose upon His people, the enemy tunes up his game. Never doubt that our enemy is the devil, but he uses people. When the enemy has come against me I have had the faithful believers standing with me and holding up my arms! I don't want to "over spiritualize" my journey but I do want encourage believers as they pray for their leaders.
I am excited about the future God has for the church. The vision is way beyond what we can do on our own but not too big for God. God wants His will to be done through His people. We are not here to build our own kingdoms. Our work and service is to bring God all the glory, not ourselves. Whenever a leader stands on truth and vision, he can be the target for so much. I am reminded of Nehemiah. Nehemiah faced so much opposition but never wavered from what God had called him to do. When the wall was halfway completed, the opposition grew stronger but Nehemiah remained faithful. When critics come, I ask myself a question, "What are they doing to build the kingdom of God?" Are their words only "against" and not for what God is doing? "Count the costs" is the cry of scripture. Nehemiah got to see the wall completed in record time. We may or may not see the vision for the church completed but we are still to remain faithful.
I am so thankful that God has given me a new freedom in my preaching. I thank God that He is confirming His vision as He provides for all our needs to accomplish His will and vision. Great days are ahead as we faithfully serve Him.
We have so much to be thankful for! I pray God's blessings on you as you make an eternal impact on the world for the Kingdom!
From The Heart
Pastor BR
God has been doing so much in my life! Over the past couple of years I have fought many spiritual battles in the ministry. I don't remember being attacked so much by the enemy. Yet, God has proven to be so faithful. Whenever God raises up His vision and purpose upon His people, the enemy tunes up his game. Never doubt that our enemy is the devil, but he uses people. When the enemy has come against me I have had the faithful believers standing with me and holding up my arms! I don't want to "over spiritualize" my journey but I do want encourage believers as they pray for their leaders.
I am excited about the future God has for the church. The vision is way beyond what we can do on our own but not too big for God. God wants His will to be done through His people. We are not here to build our own kingdoms. Our work and service is to bring God all the glory, not ourselves. Whenever a leader stands on truth and vision, he can be the target for so much. I am reminded of Nehemiah. Nehemiah faced so much opposition but never wavered from what God had called him to do. When the wall was halfway completed, the opposition grew stronger but Nehemiah remained faithful. When critics come, I ask myself a question, "What are they doing to build the kingdom of God?" Are their words only "against" and not for what God is doing? "Count the costs" is the cry of scripture. Nehemiah got to see the wall completed in record time. We may or may not see the vision for the church completed but we are still to remain faithful.
I am so thankful that God has given me a new freedom in my preaching. I thank God that He is confirming His vision as He provides for all our needs to accomplish His will and vision. Great days are ahead as we faithfully serve Him.
We have so much to be thankful for! I pray God's blessings on you as you make an eternal impact on the world for the Kingdom!
From The Heart
Pastor BR
Monday, July 18, 2016
Almost Over
Summer 2016 is almost over, at least for the church calendar. Already this summer we have had Carpenter's For Christ, Vacation Bible School (VBS), middle school camp, high school mission trip, and this week helping another church with their VBS! We still have Children's Camp and End of Summer Revival.
While it has been very busy, God has been moving. Several children and youth saved this summer, many rededications, new church members, and a stronger fellowship. During all this, our world has seen evil run rampant. Last Sunday we recognized and encouraged all our public servants (Fire and Police) in all our services then fed them dinner. It was a time of showing our appreciation for all they do twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
The greatest movement in our church has been prayer! We have a growing prayer ministry that covers all services and events as well as all requests. It is an amazing thing to have people pouring out their hearts before God as you preach! And the preaching... we are traveling through the book of Acts as the church is born and grows. Growing pains for sure, even persecution! It is a very challenging series. I believe God shows us the pictures of the early church to encourage and correct the church of today. While no church is perfect, we can be better.
I'm looking forward to the fall when we will ramp up our efforts towards Vision implementation. God has given the Church an incredible look into the future. It is challenging and exciting, sometimes misunderstood, and often humbling. While some may think that growing big is the vision, they have totally missed it! Growing deeper is our call which leads us to reaching more for the cause of Christ and their salvation. To be a part of a church that seeks to fully follow Christ and then help others follow Him is what the Bible is all about. Surely the circumstances of this world shows us the importance of our mission.
I am looking forward to a deeper walk with Christ! How about you?
From the Heart,
Pastor BR
While it has been very busy, God has been moving. Several children and youth saved this summer, many rededications, new church members, and a stronger fellowship. During all this, our world has seen evil run rampant. Last Sunday we recognized and encouraged all our public servants (Fire and Police) in all our services then fed them dinner. It was a time of showing our appreciation for all they do twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
The greatest movement in our church has been prayer! We have a growing prayer ministry that covers all services and events as well as all requests. It is an amazing thing to have people pouring out their hearts before God as you preach! And the preaching... we are traveling through the book of Acts as the church is born and grows. Growing pains for sure, even persecution! It is a very challenging series. I believe God shows us the pictures of the early church to encourage and correct the church of today. While no church is perfect, we can be better.
I'm looking forward to the fall when we will ramp up our efforts towards Vision implementation. God has given the Church an incredible look into the future. It is challenging and exciting, sometimes misunderstood, and often humbling. While some may think that growing big is the vision, they have totally missed it! Growing deeper is our call which leads us to reaching more for the cause of Christ and their salvation. To be a part of a church that seeks to fully follow Christ and then help others follow Him is what the Bible is all about. Surely the circumstances of this world shows us the importance of our mission.
I am looking forward to a deeper walk with Christ! How about you?
From the Heart,
Pastor BR
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