May 20, 2010
Thanks a ton Lou!!
September 29, 2009
This month has been an amazing month. We have had several restorations, 4 new members and 2 baptisms. Each Lord's Day we've had some sort of resposne. God has blessed us in so many ways this month! Please be sure to encourage our new members as much as possible.
Also, today was an especially exciting day as Ronnie and Marvin broke ground for the new septic tank. This is the first step towards our new fellowship hall. This was very exciting to watch. Within the week, I will add a page to the site to show the progress of the new fellowship hall. Be sure to encourage those who have an interest in this project to check our site out.
I'm just excitied talking about all the wonderful ways the Lord has been working with us at Skullbone. I hope you are just as excited. Keep up the good work!
September 8, 2009
Over the last several weeks, we have had several visitors, some of whom have expressed an interest in making Pleasant View their church home. Although this hasn’t come to fruition, we need to keep encouraging those who are visiting with us in the form of cards, calls and even visitation, but especially if you see them out in the community. We want to make sure our visitors feel welcome and appreciated, and most of all, loved.
Due to the increase in visitors and the increase in attendance all together, we have had to add a couple of classes. I would like to thank everyone who has been responsible for either inviting, encouraging or bringing visitors. We have a fantastic education program developing. Please encourage those who aren’t regularly in attendance for Sunday School or Wednesday Evening Bible study to check out our new programs of study.
Finally, we have had a steady increase of young people in attendance, which is exactly what we need. We need to build for the future of the church in our youth. We need to teach and retain these young people so that the church at Skullbone will have as bright of a future down the road ad it does right now.
Keep up the good work!!
August 12, 2009
March 5, 2009
Change
Each year arond this time we move our clocks up and lose an hour of sleep. However, this is a change we cannot avoid. This time of year also brings about the changing of look of nature. Again, this change cannot be avoided. In life there are certain changes that cannot be avoided or altered. Sometimes our lives are like that. We must accept certain changes in our life in order to grow and adapt spiritually. Over the course of the last 20-30 years, the learning styles of children have changed drastically. As they grow to be adults, this style of learning will be consistent.
We, as the church, must embrace this change and adapt our teaching to it. That's not to say we are to change the message for the message should never change. We are to change, however, the way we present the message in order to catch and hold people's attention. Paul said he became all things to all men so that he might save some. Paul was constantly changing his method and style of teaching as his audience changed.
Change is not always bad. Likewise, change is not always good. However, any change that lies within the parameters of Scripture and helps to save some is certainly a good thing. We have to start embracing such changes rather than resisting them. Remember, Jesus taught more against tradition than for it.
January 26, 2009
A Recipe for Peace
In Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, he tells them how to live at peace. He gives in Philippians 4:4-7 a recipe for peace. The ingredients are easily found, and the instructions are simple.
A lot of rejoicing (4:4)
A bunch of gentleness (4:5)
No worries (4:6)
Any requests – found in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (4:6)
Yield: The peace of God which will surpass all understanding will guard your heart and mind through Jesus (4:7)
Enjoy and pass along.
January 16, 2009
Communication
Well, as you can tell, I haven't updated the site since last year. Again, allow me to apologize for this. I will do my best to keep it updated on a weekly basis in the least. The topic of this post, as you can see, is communication. One of the downfalls of many churches has been a lack of communication. The lack of communication has also been the downfall to many marriages. So, I feel that this is a topic which desparately needs addressing on a regular basis.
Through the avenue of technology, I am hoping to start communicating to you all better. I will start sending an email when I have an update on any sick, when I get news of a death, and when I get good news as well. Hopefully this will speed up the lines of communication as well as ensure accuracy of the message.
In addition, I would like for you to communicate with me as well. Let me know what's going on in your life, good and bad so we can be praying for you. Also, if you have any news that needs to be passed on to the entire congregation or anyone that needs to be added to the prayer list, just shoot me an email. It will typically take less time than talking, and if it's in print then, as I said earlier, I will be sure to get it right.
I will try to post "A Word from Adam" on Mondays or Tuesdays. It may be nothing more than a humorous story I received in an email. But the point of these is to brighten your day.
We have been on a good roll for quite some time, let's keep up the good, hard work.
Thanks to everyone for all you do!
Adam
November 6, 2008
The Power of Prayer
It has been a while since my last post. After the good news we have constantly been getting from Julie and Rebecca Jones, one can only reflect on the power of prayer. There have been thousands of prayers said for this mother and her daughter. We are so thankful to God for listening to our prayers and answering them. To come from the brink of death to on her way to recovery is remarkable. This can only be attributed to God Almighty.
We still have some who are very sick or inflicted in some way. Most of them, now, are family of our members. We must not stop praying. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”
Don’t forget to pray for our nation, as well. Like him or not, Mr. Obama is our next president. He will need all the prayers he can get. Our troops need our prayers as well. So many of us have family members who serve our country so honorably. Continue to remember them as well.
Finally, remember each other in your prayers. We need to pray for one another in order that we all may be strengthened. Imagine how much good God can do in our lives if we only dedicate ourselves to him in prayer.
“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear.
What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.”
September 30, 2008
T.V. Preachers
A televangelist had asked for anyone who needed special prayers to come forward. Bubba gets in line, and when it's his turn, the preacher asks, "Bubba, what do you need me to pray over you about?"
Bubba said, "My hearing." So the preacher stuck one finger in Bubba's right ear and placed the other hand on top of Bubba's head and prayed and prayed and prayed. After a few minutes the preacher then asked, "Bubba, how's your hearing now?"
Bubba replied, "I don't know...it's not till Thursday."
September 25, 2008
Meeting at Locust
Thanks to all of those who turned out in support of the meeting at Locust. They had a very good number for a Wednesday night of a meeting. Our numbers could have been better, but thanks again to all of those who did come.
September 17, 2008
Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd – That’s relationship!
I shall not want – That’s supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures – That’s rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters – That’s refreshment!
He restoreth my soul – That’s healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness – That’s guidance!
For His name’s sake – That’s purpose!
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death – That’s testing!
I will fear no evil – That’s protection!
For Thou art with me – That’s faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me – That’s discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies – That’s hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil – That’s consecration!
My cup runneth over – That’s abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life – That’s a blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord – That’s security!
Forever – That’s Eternity!
That which is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but who we have in our lives!
re to edit.
September 11, 2008
Marriage Secrets
Written by Kids
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10
HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8
WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8
On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10
WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE TURNING SOUR?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-- Craig, age 9
WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7
The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- - Curt, age 7
The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
-- Howard, age 8
IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9
HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8
And the #1 Favorite is........
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
-- Ricky, age 10
August 28
Bible Bowl
It's that time of year once again. Bible Bowl will beginning shortly. The meeting for Bible Bowl is tonight. As everyone knows, Bible Bowl is a competition among churches over a book of the bible the youth groups have been studying. The competition is quite the motivating factor for kids to study the Bible.
The success of each youth group depends on one factor - how much studying at home does each child do? God commanded in-home Bible study of the Israelites (Deut. 6:4-9). I doubt God has changed concerning this matter. Nevertheless, studying the Bible at home is of ultimate importance. for the children, it's the only possible way for them to be successful in Bible Bowl. But more importantly, it's the only way for them to be successful in life.
Encourage the children of our congregation who will be participating in Bible Bowl to study at home. Encourage the parents to study with them. Encourage any visitors they bring. And remember, if kids get discrouaged at an early age, it is unlikely they will pursue that which made them discouraged when they are older.
One obvious way we can encourage them is verbal encouragement when we see them on Sundays and Wednesdays. Another way is to go to the Bible Bowl with them. Be there to root them on. This will encourage the children as well as the parents.
Let's all do our part in encouraging our youth as they diligently study their Bible.
August 27, 2008
Car Insurance
One of the most frustrating bills we have to pay is car insurance. Just think about it...each month or every 3 to 6 months, we pay in a big chunck of change for seemingly nothing in return. The legal system makes you have car insurance, even if it's a piece of junk you'd like to push off a bridge anyway. If you take out a loan to buy a car, they make you get full coverage. For teenagers it's even more frustrating because of the rates. And for most companies, they don't give you a break until you're 25. For guys, insurance is higher. If you get the color red, the price goes up. If you have a foreign made vehicle, the price goes up. If it's a 4 wheel drive, it goes up. Anything on your record? You guessed it, the price goes up.
However, there is one benefit of car insurance that we tend to overlook. It's there when you need it! If you get rear-ended and the other car drives away (which happened to Bethany and I), the insurance company takes care of you. If you have to go to the doctor because of related injuries (Bethany had to go to the chiropractor), the insurance company pays for it. The benefits outweigh the costs when the benefits are needed.
Some people treat God as if he were an insurance company - there when you need him. God is here all the time. He wants us to use him. He doesn't want us to wait until we are in a life-or-death situation to call on him for help. Some people go to God when bad things happen and forget him when good things come their way. God will help in time of trouble, but he should also be praised and thanked for the blessings we receive as well.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:4-7)
August 26, 2008
Sermon Illustrations: Be Careful
A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his sermon one Sunday. Four worms were placed into four separate jars.
The first worm was placed into a jar filled with alcohol.
The second worm was placed into a jar filled with cigarette smoke.
The third worm was placed into a jar filled with chocolate syrup.
The fourth worm was placed into a jar filled with good, clean soil.
At the conclusion of the lesson, the minister pointed out the worms and noticed the following results:
The worm in the alcohol - dead.
The worm in the smoke - dead.
The worm in the chocolate - dead.
The worm in the soil - still alive and well.
He then asked the congregation what they learned from this demonstration. One little old lady in the back stood up and said, "If you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won't have worms."
We always need to be careful of what conclusions people might draw from the illustrations we use.
August 25, 2008
$20
A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a twenty-dollar bill. In the room of 200 people, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you. But first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the $20 bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.
"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.
He then said, "My friends, we have all learned a valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are droped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happend or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who do love you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by who we are and whose we are."
"You are my friends if you do whatever I command you." - John 15:14
August 21, 2008
Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven
Kenny Chesney has a new song on the radio called, "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven (But Nobody Wants to Go Right Now." I have mixed emotions regarding this song. On the one hand, we should want to go to heaven right now. We should have a mentality of being ready to go any minute. However, our natural fear of death causes us to not to "want to go right now."
There's a big difference in wanting to go and being ready to go. We should be ready, but we should want to stay here to try and take as many people with us as possible. I'm not saying either way you feel about the song is right or wrong, it's a personal mentality each individual has.
But as we look to the word of God, we see where Paul was ready, but he also knew his purpose on Earth was to try to get as many other people ready to go as well. He says in Philippians 1:21-26 ,"for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flexh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very muc hbetter; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with yhou all for your progress and joy in th efaith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again" (NASB).
Paul wanted to be with Christ, but he knew it would be better for the sake of the church for him to remain on Earth and fulfill his mission. We need to be working to get as many people ready as we can, but at the same time, we need to be ready to go ourselves. Because if we are, we can say the words of Paul he wrote to Timothy as our own, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up fo rme the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7, 8)
August 20, 2008
Positivity
Have you ever thought how much the mind set one has affects his/her attitude. The attitude drawn from the mind set affects relationships. This holds true within the church as well. Our attitutdes often are derived by the mindset we have towards people, events, or even ourselves. Just the same, these attitudes can make or break our relationships, even our relationship with our God.
Paul tells the church at Philippi, "make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves." Paul is telling the church here to have a positive attitude toward one another. If we can have a positive attitude toward one another, our relationships with each other will be much more fulfilling. Thus, our relationship with God will be more complete. Then and only then can our relationships with those outside the church start to have a positive impact.
Remember this phrase: Push To Be Positive!
www.p2bp.org
August 19, 2008
A Mind to Work
In order for a company, a family, or a church to be sucessful, all the members of each institution must pull together and do common act - work. Without work, things go undone, or some people are left with a heavier load than they should bear. We cannot expect a minority of the people to do a majority of the work.
In Nehemiah chapter 4, he is telling the story of the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem. They had many forces working against them, in particular all the different people or groups of people who wanted to destroy them. However, they looked to God in verse 4 and 5. But notice the attitude of the people that Nehemiah describes in verse 6, "So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work."
These people set their mind at working for God, and they accomplished their goal faster than they could have dreamed of. Jesus and Paul refer to work and/or labor often in their teachings. One of the main reasons is because work was despised by the first century aristocratic Roman. Work was viewed as a slave's job. Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." How can we expect to enjoy the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23) if we are not willing to work?
If you truly want to know how much the Bible says on work, go to www.biblegateway.com and search the word "work." You will be astounded.
It is my prayer that we all can honestly sing the song, "I Want to Be a Worker for the Lord."
August 18, 2008
Laughter
Laughter is truly the best medicine. Bethany and I both had an eventful Monday. On her way to school, she called and told me she almost hit a llama. That's right, a llama. Apparently, one had gotten out between Skullbone and Trezevant. As she approached it, the llama started running at her car. Luckily, the llama stopped before anything could happen.
I had to take my brother to the eye doctor on Monday to get his glasses fixed. As we were talking to the receptionist, a lady walks up to sign her mother in for her appointment. As I notice the woman, I see that it is Cherry Jones. This name may not be familiar to you, but she is an actress. She has been in movies such as "The Village" and "Ocean's 12." In "Ocean's 12," she was Linus Caldwell's (Matt Damon) mother.
Needless to say, it was quite the day. But as we apply a humurous day to the Bible, I think God gives us certain stories to make us laugh. One of my personal favorites is the story of Elisha, some aggravating young 'ens, and a bear found in 2 Kings 2:23-25. Elisha is getting made fun of by some pestering kids. He cursed them by the authority of God, and two female bears came out and killed 42 of these kids. How many times have we wanted to be able to get some kids for just being rotten. This story is so random, and Elisha's reaction is so quick that it makes this story an amusing one.
As you look at the surrounding texts, the story doesn't really fit as part of the overall scene. This is a good indication that God intended for this to be a humorous story. There are other instances in the Bible we can find amusing. God intended for us to laugh. It is scientifically proven that the more you laugh the healthier you will be. Remember, it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile.
August 14, 2008
Let me first apologize for not updating this in over a month. Things have been hectic, and we have all been very busy with VBS and the Gospel Meeting. Starting Monday, August 18, a new thought for the day will be posted. Some articles will be lengthy, others just a statement to get you thinking. But starting Monday, keep checking back on the website for new articles.
July 9, 2008
Church Discipline
When we think of church discipline, we tend to think of the dreaded word, "disfellowship." However, church discipline is so much more than that. In fact, the Bible urges us to use that practice as a last ditch effort. It is to be put into practice only after other disciplinary measures are taken.
The first step to church discipline is the most important. If we can master the first step, then we will never have to worry about the last. The first step is self-discipline. If we can learn to discipline our lives to be more spiritually focused, we will never have to worry about receiving church discipline or practicing church discipline. Remember the words of Peter:
"But for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge slef-control, to self-control perserverance, to perserverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Pet. 1:5-8)
July 3, 2008
Trusting in God
There are times in our lives when it seems nothing can go right. We may be affected by illness, death or stress. We must not let these things bog our spiritual lives down. Although we may think everything is working against us, we must remember that God is ultimately in charge. He has a plan for our lives if we will only let him work.
One of the most encouraging scriptures is Romans 8:28
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, and to those who are called according to his purpose."
We know that loving God includes submitting to his will by obeying his commandments (John 14:15; 15:14). As long as we're faithful, God will fulfill his promise to us and bless us for our faithfulness.
June 26, 2008
Live in Peace
One of the hardest things to do is to try and live at peace with all men. From time to time, we run into people who make us angry, sad or frustrated. Even though these people have these effects on us, we must do our absolute best to try and keep peace with them. You've heard it said that Christ never promised being a Christian would be easy; well, this is one of the things he's talking about.
Hebrews 12:14 says, "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." Paul said, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peacably with all men" (Rom. 12:18). If we can't live at peace with someone, perhaps it would be best to cut our ties with that person. Our inability to keep peace with that person will effect our relationships with others.
Living in peace with all is a difficult thing to do. However, it is necessary if we ever expect to bring the lost to Christ. Remember the words of Paul:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:4-7)
June 25, 2008
Cell Phones and Bibles
I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bibles like our cell phones?
What if we...
Carried it around in our purses or pockets?
Flipped through it several times a day?
Turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
Used it to received messages from the text?
Treated it like we couldn't live without it?
Gave it to kids as gifts?
Used it when we traveled?
Used it in case of emergency?
Unlike our cell phones, your Bible will never be disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill. And the best part...no dropped calls.
(received in an email...author unknown)
June 24, 2008
Make Room for God
Surround yourself with the right people, and you can fulfill the dreams God gives you. Put yourself in relationships with people who are not only likeminded, but who are also seeking to honor God in their own lives. Here is a thought to consider today: if your friends don't point you toward God's goal for you, then their not very good friends. You want to be around dream-builders, not dream crashers. When you prune the relationships around you, you're not cutting things out of your life, you're making room for growth so you can reach your God-given potential! When you make room for God's best, you can walk away from the lesser things in your life.
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
June 23, 2008
Today or Tomorrow
I received an email today which included the following:
There was an 84 year old woman who just married for the fourth time. When asked what her current husband does for a living, she replied, "He's a funeral director." This amused the interviewer, so he proceeded to ask about her past three husbands. She said the first one was a banker whom she married in her 20's. The second was a Ring Master for a circus whom she married in her 40's. The third was a preacher whom she married in her 60's.
The interviewer then asked why she chose such men with varying occupations. She replied, "That's easy. One for the money...two for the show...three to get ready...and four to go."
As amusing as this little story (in all likelihood untrue) it also shows how some people wait too late. This lady had waited to "get ready" until she was in her 60's. Too many of us, especially those of us who are younger, tend to think we have plenty of time left to "get ready." James reminds us of how precious life is; he reminds us of the uncertainty of life when he says that our lives our like vapors, here one minute and then vanish away (4:14).
However, as long as we have today, we have the opportunity for salvation. Paul encourages us by saying "Today is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor. 6:2). While we have today, we never know about tomorrow. Make each day count, live each day for Christ, and tomorrow will take care of itself.
June 18, 2008
Vacation
Well, Bethany and I got home safely from our vacation. We enjoyed a day at the ball park on Friday of last week. We saw the Cardinals get beat 20-2, but it was a fun game, none the less. We spent Sunday with my dad for Father's Day. On Monday, we left for Waynesboro. We visitied with Bethany's mom from Monday until today.
I would like to thank Steve Matheny and Walter Hazlewood for fillling the pulpit for me this past Sunday. It's great to know we have capable men in our congregation to fill in any capacity needed. God has blessed us with men with a variety of talents.
Starting Monday, the devotionals will be posted once again. Thanks for being patient with me this week. Be sure and tell your friends and family about our site.
June 12, 2008
Create in Me a Clean Heart
We all know David was a man after God's own heart, even though David had some major downfalls. One of his most well-known sins was his affair with Bathsheba and him having her husband killed in battle. We also know of Nathan's talk with David. Nathan told David about a rich man who took a poor man's one and only sheep. The sheep was like a daughter to the poor man, and yet the rich man wanted the poor man's sheep for food, simply because he was in a position to take it. When David heard this, he was furious. He told Nathan that the rich man would repay much more than he took. Nathan's response was simple, but quite profound he said, "You are the man!"
Nathan's story and response to David's reaction pricked David's heart in a very meaningful way. In conjunction with his repentance, David wrote one of the most beautiful Psalms we have. He penned the words of Psalm 51. In this Psalm, David begs for God's forgiveness as well as help from God to be a better person and for a "clean heart." Read what David wrote in Psalm 51:10-12.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God. and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." (ESV)
It is easy to see that David was truly sorry for what he had done. He realized his actions were of his own selfish ambitions, and not at all in harmony with what God would have wanted him to do. He knew he could not be in a right relationship with God if he did not ask God to forgive him.
Notice what David said at the beginning of verse 10. He said, "Create in me a clean heart, O God." When we ask God to forgive us, do we ask Him to clean our hearts, too? Remember what Christ said, "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witnes, slander. These are what defile a person" (Matthew 15:18, 19). The point Christ makes is that sin has its root in the heart.
David knew sin starts in the heart. He realized that was where his lust for and adultery with Bathsheba started. And David knew if he wanted to be in a right relationship with God, not only did he need his sins forgiven, he needed his heart cleaned as well.
May we all ask God to clean our hearts when we sin.
June 11, 2008
Wind
Have you ever thought about the fact that you can't see wind? You know it's there, you see the effects of wind, how the trees sway, the dust rolls and even the sound it makes at times. But the fact remains, you cannot see what is making that tree sway or that dust roll. You can't see what is making that roaring sound, but you know it's wind all the same. Even though you can't see wind, you know it's there. Sometimes the wind gets violent and scares us to storm shelters. However, we realize that sort of wind is only temporary and will not last long.
The same is true with God. We can't see God, but we know he's here. We see the beauty of his creation all around us. When our prayers are answered, we realize it is God at work. When a baby is born, we know it was God who gave that child life. Unlike the wind, we must realize God is eternal. The life he promises is eternal. And if we endure till the end, we can enjoy eternal life with him.
Paul speaks of these things in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 when he says:
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Let us strive to see the effects of God on a daily basis and for these things to be a reminder to us as to the eternal nature of God and the eternal life he has promised. I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day!
June 9, 2008
Mondays
As a preacher, Mondays are mentally exhuasting. After teaching Sunday School and preaching two sermons, the mind is completely drained. This is why Mondays are so bad for preachers. Many preachers I know personally sleep in more on Mondays than any other day. We take it as a day to recuperate.
On Mondays, I can't do anything right. If I have to go somewhere, usually I'll forget something I needed or I'll miss a turn or even take the wrong turn. I feel like my head is not on straight on Mondays.
Sometimes you, as a Christian, may feel drained, as well. Perhaps from a long week of work or having to put up with the kids, or even a long weekend in which you didn't get to relax.
One thing we all need to work on is not having "Spiritual Mondays." A "Spiritual Monday" is a day in which you are spiritually drained. Perhaps you can't do anything right; you keep falling into temptation.
When this is the case, we need to take a step back and look to God for guidance. A "Spiritual Monday" can occur at any time. People can "drain" our morals just by their example. Others can take the wind out of our sails by things they say or do. Our walk with God does not end when we walk out of the church building. It actually begins. You should be refueled and ready to go spiritually on Monday. And if you don't "fill-up" you're bound to run into Spiritual Monday.
Philippians 4:4-6
June 6, 2008
Thanksgiving
Over the course of the last few months, we have had several additions on our prayer list. Many of these additions have come through their situation successfully. Just to name a few of these are Hayden Wingo, David Roberson, Bobby Brooks, Rachel Arrington, Faye Lowery, Tommie Isenberg, and many more.
These individuals have received very good treatment from their respective doctors and nurses. However, one fact remains true, every single person on our "Prayer List" has received just that, prayers. Some of these people have recovered better than the doctors expected. All of this can be attributed to the power of prayer.
For this reason, and for many others, we should be extremely grateful to our God. He has blessed us in so many ways and has given us so many things. The one aspect of our Christian walk of which we should be especially thankful is the avenue of prayer. While we should thank God for this avenue, we should also thank Him for answering our prayers, even if the answer we recieve isn't the one we wanted.
The Psalmist said it beautifully in Psalm 95 when he penned these words:
"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hils are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land." (Psalm 95:1-5, NKJV)
Psalm 100, a Psalm of Thanksgiving reads:
"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to him and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations." (Psalm 100:1-5)
These Psalms should remind us of just how thankful we should be to God. But more importantly, they remind us of the majesty and power of God as our creator. When praying, we should pray for the things we need and want in life. We should also be very thankful to God who blesses us in so many ways!
Thanks be to God at this time for the recovery of those of our number who have been sick and have come to such good recoveries!!
