Tonight concluded our Missions Conference.  It started this past Sunday morning with Bro. JC House and went through tonight.  This was his first time to preach at our church.  God certainly used his messages to speak to hearts (especially my own).  Every message was very practical, pointed, and plain.  I’d like to share a few points that I managed to write down throughout the messages that I heard.  I pray that they will be a blessing to you as they were to me.

1. Nothing in your spiritual life will change every aspect of your life forever than Biblical giving.
2. Don’t tithe = cursed.  Tithe = not cursed.
3. 90% blessed will go farther than 100% cursed.
4. We need to have the proper perspective of ownership.  Everything belongs to God, we are simply stewards of it.
5. Your treasure does not follow your heart; your heart follows your treasure.
6. The Christian’s economy is only hooked to this world’s economy if he wants it to be.
7. 5 loaves and 2 fishes are not limited resources to God.

These are only a few of the things that were mentioned during the preaching at our Missions Conference.  I am praying for God to do great things at our church by His people giving to Faith Promise Missions.

Jude 22, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.”

This past Sunday (April 22) we had Bro. Ed Oster and his family in our morning services.  They are missionaries in Argentina.  Our church has supported them since 2005.  We saw a DVD about their new church near Adrogue.  God is certainly doing great things there.  I was encouraged to know that our church is making a difference (MAD) in Argentina by giving to Faith Promise Missions.  As our annual Missions Conference approaches, I pray that our church will continue to be making a difference across the United States and around the world by giving to Faith Promise Missions.

Our church’s theme for this year is “Making a Difference” from Jude 22, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.”

Today I ventured to Wal-Mart with my two oldest sons, Joshua (age eight) and Jacob (age six).  We came after finishing door knocking.  We had several things to get and were in the electronics section.  An associate from the store was helping me.  My boys were standing beside me as I asked them to.  The Wal-Mart associate turned to me and said, “Your boys are very well behaved.  I bet you have them in Sunday School.”  She went on to tell me that she sees so many children who do not know how to act or behave simply run wild everyday through the store. I thanked her very much for her kind words.  I replied, “Yes they are in Sunday School every week.  I am also their Preacher at church…so that helps.”

She could tell a difference in how my boys were acting.  At that moment I was so thankful for a church that made a difference in my life since I was their age.  I realize that attending church cannot be the only factor.  Parents must be involved in the lives of their children.  I am very thankful for a godly mother for my children.  I am also thankful to be the Pastor of our church and see Sunday School (and other church services) making a difference in the lives of my children.

Some today do not feel the need to come to Sunday School.  Some say it is “too early” and others make the statement that “Sunday School really isn’t for me.”  I beg to differ with that!  I whole-hearted encourage everyone to attend Sunday School (if you do not already).  Those additional 60 minutes could just in fact make a difference in your life.

Pastor

Today was a very special day.  Our church celebrated its 66th anniversary and I celebrated my 3rd anniversary as Pastor.  The former pastor and his wife, Bro. and Mrs. Smith, were able to be a part of the services today.  They sang this morning and Bro. Smith sang during the afternoon.  We enjoyed a wonderful lunch following the morning service and then we had an afternoon service.

It seems like only yesterday that it was my first Sunday as Pastor.  I have been able to be a part of a great church.  Souls have been saved and baptized, families have been added to the church, Christians have grown in their walk with the Lord, and we have been able to take on new missionaries for monthly support.  I am excited about the future of Fundamental Baptist Church.  I believe that the Lord is going to do great things!  I am truly humbled to pastor such a great church.  All the praise and glory goes to the Lord.

Jude 1:22, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.”

Our theme for 2012 is “Making a Difference.”  I believe the Lord has challenged us to be MAD (Making A Difference).

Monday I headed to Oklahoma City for the National Home Missions and Church Planters Conference at the campus of Heartland Baptist Bible College.  Last year the church voted to allow me to spend some Missions money to help some church planters at this conference.  This conference has always been a highlight for my family and I to attend.  Due to previous commitments, I went by myself this year.  I truly missed my family, but am very thankful for the opportunity to attend the conference.

It was awesome to see pastors from around North America give and partner together with church planters.  I am very thankful for such a loving and missions-minded church family that would give so that I could go and distribute the funds to some church planters.  I believe with my whole heart that God allowed our church to be MAD in Oklahoma.  Below are the names of the churches and their locations that our church helped.

• Moses Lake Baptist Church in Moses Lake, WA.  Pastor Dennis Fountain.
• Berean Baptist Church in Burleson, TX.  Pastor Jason Pugh.
• Liberty Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA.  Pastor Burton Gates.
• A new church plant in New York City, NY.  Pastor Mike Newburger.
• North Central Baptist Church in Roy, UT.  Pastor Jason Harris.
• Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Sallisaw, OK.  Pastor David Harris.
• Landmark Baptist Church in Springfield, MO.  Pastor Matt Dedmon.
• Liberty Baptist Church in Boston, MA.  Pastor Adam Riveiro.
• Crescent Baptist Church in New Orleans, LA.  Pastor Brent Givens.
• Liberty Baptist Church in Indianola, IA.  Pastor Tommy Adams.
• Lighthouse Baptist Church in Newport, AR.  Pastor Raymond Beckles.

There were 104 church planters at the conference this year.  God moved through the preaching as well as the needs that were met.  I am so very thankful that our church was MAD in OKC this year!  Please click on the above links to see some of the websites.  I believe that it will be a blessing to you!

Colossians 3:23, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” 

With a new year, many people make resolutions.  They set certain goals that they want to accomplish.  Sometimes, these resolutions do not last.  As Christians, we should make a resolution in 2012 as well.  We do not need a huge list of things we want to accomplish, but rather we could put one thing on the list and that would be sufficient: “To please the Lord in  everything I do.”  Pleasing everyone is impossible.  The Bible says that we should not do things to please people.  Setting the goal of pleasing God is much more attainable.  Work, school, church, etc. should be done with the end result of God being pleased.  It is important that God’s children set out to please HIM.  It is natural for a child to want to please his or her parent.  That is a good goal to have.  Christian, realize you are a child of God.  You should desire to please Him more than anyone else in your life.  Begin today and purpose in your heart to please God with everything you do in 2012.

Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

For the Christian, Christmas is a wonderful time of year! Beginning the first Sunday of December, I will be preaching a mini-series about Celebrating the Saviour. This is the real reason for the season. I want to encourage you to be at every service this month. Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year and we will be having all regular services that day. I know many spend time with family. I want to challenge you to bring your family and friends Christmas Day and spend the day in the House of the Lord. We will receive a Christmas offering on Christmas Day during the AM service. That offering enables us to give our missionary families a special gift each year. Don’t miss being in church as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday!

1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
While this verse in Thessalonians is easy to read, it is often more difficult to put into practice. When things are going well, being thankful is easy. It is when the trials and challenges of life come, thankfulness is more difficult. Paul admonished the Thessalonians to give thanks in everything. There is always something that we can be thankful for. Although at times it may be more challenging to find, there is always something in which we can be thankful. Despite what happens in your life, you can be thankful for the fact that Jesus saved your soul! That alone should give any Christian a reason to SHOUT!!! Christians should be thankful everyday of the year. As you celebrate Thanksgiving with your family and friends, remember to be thankful in everything.

Psalms 85:6, “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?”

Tonight marked the end of our revival with Evangelist Bill Abbott.  This was our third year with Bro. Abbott and his family.  I believe that this one was the best thus far.  Personally, God spoke to my heart in each service and I am very thankful for it.  We had visitors almost every night and the altars were full.  It is my prayer for our church family that we keep the messages we heard fresh on our hearts.

Is revival in our nation still possible?  For a nation that was founded upon God’s Word and His principles; is revival within reach?  Yes it is because God has not changed.  He did not forsake America, America forsook Him.  I want to encourage each Christian to ask God to use you each day to impact those in your life.  If every Christian purposed to live for God on a daily basis, revival would happen.

Revive us again;

Fill each heart with Thy love;

May each soul be rekindled

With fire from above.

May that be the prayer of every Christian…REVIVE US AGAIN!!!

I came across this yesterday while doing some research about prayer.  I was reminded of just how powerful prayer truly is.  I felt compelled to share it.  I hope and pray that it will be a blessing to you as well.

The Scope of Prayer

Through prayer there is no problem that can’t be solved,

No sickness that can’t be healed,

No burden that can’t be lifted,

No storm that can’t be weathered,

No devastation that can’t be relieved,

No sorrow that can’t be erased,

No poverty cycle that can’t be broken,

No sinner that can’t be saved,

No perishing that can’t be rescued,

No fallen that can’t be lifted,

No hurt that can’t be removed,

No broken relationship that can’t be mended,

No difference that can’t be resolved,

No hindrance that can’t be shaken,

No limitation that can’t be overcome,

No mourning that can’t be comforted,

No ashes that can’t become beauty,

No heaviness that can’t be covered with the garment of praise,

No thirst that can’t be quenched,

No hunger that can’t be filled,

No dry ground that can’t be flooded,

No desert that can’t blossom,

No congregation that can’t be revived,

No preacher that can’t be anointed,

No church pews that can’t be filled,

No church leadership team that can’t become ‘one,’

No community that can’t be Christianized and

No nation that can’t be transformed.