Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Are you looking to be fulfilled or to fulfill God's plan for your life

Crickets chirped as we sang. A few campers gathered and then faces appeared at the openings of tents, campers, and RVs listening. And coming closer.

"You've got to wise up. You've got to think twice." we sang in harmony as the crowd grew.

"I know a man, maybe you know him too...you never can tell it might even be you. He knelt at the altar and that was the end..He's saved and that's all that matters to him," we girls sang in trio.

Crickets kept chirping as feet softly tromped on gravel past the lighted edges of our night time concert.

My teenage youth group did this every night for five nights, every summer for four years in the mountain campgrounds of North Carolina.

It was when my faith in Jesus Christ traveled from my heart to my hands, feet, and mouth.

I learned first hand that there are people who are going to die and go to hell because they do not know Jesus. There are people who do not know who Jesus is! I realized that I have a responsibility to tell others.

Mark 16:15-16
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

I hear people who say they don't want to go to this or that church because they are "not being fed." Give me a break! As Jesus' servants we must move from being babies drinking milk to feeding others.

John 21:15
[ Jesus Restores Peter ] So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs."

I've heard some people to say they aren't called to do anything. I don't see how that is Biblical. That is taking your talent and hiding it in the ground! You may do something different from me but it will be something. You aren't called to sit on your fanny! (Unless you are to pray!) Ask God where He wants you and do it!

In the March Missions Mosaic, Becky Wyatt talks about her Missions Fest experiences . She said her first missions trip wasn't the best.

"'I do believe it was in part because my heart was not in the right place." Becky says in retrospect - she was looking to be fullfilled instead of fulfilling God's plan."

Wow!

1 Samuel 16:7
"...For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

It is in fulfilling God's plan that we find fulfillment! Should you go to MissionsFest and FamilyFest this year (call 205-991-4097.)

Don't forget your missions opportunity at home and volunteer in your church Vacation Bible School.

Each year, several tow headed kids with dirty feet and split up fingernails ask me to pray with them at VBS. It is a privalege that scares me to death and honors me beyond all hope of honor. To get to pray with children!

To watch their faces as the Holy Spirit illuminates their heart. To fear that "I've done something wrong" and then to realize that I was just a bystander as God wove the threads of eternity through the soul of another Child of God.

How will you go on mission this month? This summer? This year? You and I are both under orders from the Commander of God's army! Will we be found faithful?

Lord, guide us to be on mission for You. Let us seek you and to fulfill your purpose for our lives. Let us be unselfish and unafraid as we depend on You for guidance. Forgive us for fearing the future. Forgive us for fearing Your will. Forgive us and help us be strong. Send your Holy Spirit on me and Your children reading this blog anew as we seek to follow You daily! In Jesus name. Amen!

Monday, February 27, 2006

Woman's Missionary Union (WMU): Faithful Servants who are being doubly hurt

I am a member of the Woman's Missionary Union of First Baptist Church of Camilla. In fact, I am currently the Assistant WMU director and Girls in Action Director. I have been Acteens Director and Mission Friends director. My Mom was WMU Director for many years. I grew up in the church and benefited from these organizations greatly.

We use the prayer calendar at every meeting and take praying for missions very seriously. When we are struggling to meet missions goals, we cry and get out our checkbook. We pray, blog, e-mail, and meet about missions. We cry when missionaries tell us they are working with children who only eat every three days. We secretly share stories from our missionaries to the Tuareg and do not post the stories on the Internet so Muslim extremists will not kill or harm our missionaries.

WMU ladies are not perfect. They are the salt of the earth. They are hard working. They are prayer warriors. They are in love with Jesus Christ.

Our church WMU is growing and we have an online missions group of which I am the blogmaster. We do many things. We always have submitted to our pastor even when he asked us to "lay off" the missions goals. We read our prayer calendars, missions prayer requests, and more.

I nor WMU is perfect. However, the Woman's Missionary Union remains the strongest giver to the Southern Baptist Missions programs that is out there.

I am concerned at the SBC Executive Board in recommending that the SBC consider taking control of the Woman's Missionary Union.

Jesus Christ chose to reveal himself to women first after He rose from the dead. The men didn't believe the women, either! We are "joint heirs" with Christ.

Jesus has said the first will be last and the last will be first. Men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church. They are to put their wives ahead of them in sacrificial love. My husband does.

So too are leaders to lead. We are to be servants to one another. Those in leadership are to serve and love those they serve. They are not to Lord over them and hurt them. We all strive to be like Jesus!

We must remain firmly planted in God's word in how we act. We must also remember that we are being watched. I read on a blog tonight (that I will not link to) that any woman who would be in the SBC is ignorant and second rate.

Thus, I am doubly wounded. I am wounded because I am hurt by the SBC's insinuation about the WMU I love. I am equally hurt because of the disdain that is now on WMU women because of SBC actions. It is the women of SBC who lose. We are to be protected! We are to be cherished!

I can only find the AP article and nothing on the SBC or WMU websites.

We must learn to cooperate, agree, love one another, and spend time reaching others for Christ.

Where is this lack of cooperation and communication coming from? Can our leaders not model the behavior they preach from their pulpits?

Matthew 23 says
1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe,^[a]that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’

This should strike great fear in the hearts of many for Jesus was talking about the people who were to kill Him in just a few days times. We must be careful against whom we fight!

I do know this -- there are many of us SBC'ers at the grassroots who love Christ with all of our hearts. He has spared cities for far less people. I believe that He will begin to deal with those who err.

I am a nothing in the SBC realm of things but I can and will go directly to the top. God is the master over every board member and every pastor and every decision maker. Beware getting in trouble with Him. It is with fear and trembling that we should approach every such issue that can cause division! Beware to him who causes such division!

If I am wrong, God will deal with me and I will change. Those who fight against God will be broken, myself included!

Watch what happens at the top levels of the SBC as the people of God begin to pray for justice IF they are in err.

Dear Lord, I am sorry for my fleshliness. I am sorry that I am hurt and in pain over this matter. I pray that You will guide the WMU and the SBC to act in Christlike manner. I pray that we will shed the distraction and focus on the purpose and calling of Jesus Christ. May we search the Scripture and hold true to the Bible above the doctrine of men. We must either believe the Bible in whole or not at all. Bring us back to you in Holy Submission. May men and women treat one another with the dignity, respect, and service that you require in your word. Forgive us for selfishness. I am sorry for my failures today and desire to please myself. Have mercy on me as I fail. Have mercy on our leaders when they make mistakes. Guide and bless us and let your will be done in this matter, whatever it is. In Jesus name. Amen.

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Persecution of Christianity: From Outside the Church

Reading about Christians in history, the worst persecution came from:

Outside of the church
When "the world" persecutes people because they are Christians those who are in the church are there because they are passionate. Those who are there for any other reason than authenticity fade into the woodwork and hide. This is why I believe there is such growth in the church persecuted from the outside.
Inside the church
In times of relative non persecution in society and worship freedom the church can become a place for people to gain money, power, prestige, and an outward stamp of morality. During this time we see religious leaders arise similar to those in Jesus' time. These religious leaders have a position but not necessarily a relationship with God. They have the outward markings of clergy but the inner person of selfishness and ego. Doctrine of man becomes escalated over the very Word of God. Caveats and "explanations" are added by those with many degrees who discount the "simple" who have only just read their Bible. During this time Christians can have great confusion because they are being persecuted by fellow "Christians." They are ostracized, removed, slandered, maligned, and in some cases killed by others who profess Jesus name.

I feel compelled to study and compile my thoughts on these two. First of all:

Persecution from outside the church

China is definitely experiencing persecution from the government. Amazingly, a NAMB missionary told me two weeks a go that it is estimated that 20,000 Chinese come to Jesus Christ daily. (Sadly 30,000 die daily!)

Twenty percent of the world today is Chinese. The Chinese view evangelical Christianity as a cult that undermines their power. They capture, torture, and force believers to recant or die. Their "reeducation" camps are a hotbed of abuse and agony for Christians some of whom are forced to take their small babies with them as they suffer in cold cells with no warmth. It breaks my heart to hear what is happening there. Many people in the US do not care.

In fact, Google recently agreed to filter "objectionable" material on behalf of the Chinese government. This "objectionable" material includes of course, the most threatening religion to the realm, evangelical Christianity. I believe that Google has abandoned American beliefs and has adopted a "Southpark" view of things:


Sometimes what's right isn't as important as what's profitable.: Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park, Prehistoric Ice Man, 1999

All that being said, China has "most favored nation" status with the US and we continue to say nothing about this travesty of death and blood of the martyrs in China because obviously we don't care to stick our tender necks out. We'd rather have $6 microwaves at WalMart than to anger the Chinese. Shame on us! Twenty percent of the world and we aren't crying out!

Here are some observations from History when such persecution occurs:

Christians are often called to die and suffer for faith in Christ.

Physical Death. The Roman emperors were afraid of the growing number of Christians and hated their refusal to bow down to pagan Gods and declared that following Christ was a crime punishable by death. Paul was beheaded, Peter was crucified upside down. Christians were burned in oil, burned on crosses, thrown to the beasts, killed for entertainment by gladiators, and used as torches to light the Roman highway. Some were even used as "party torches" to illuminate the Roman gardens.

Suffering for faith. Christians in Nigeria are suffering now as violence has erupted between Christians and Muslims sparked by the cartoons run in Danish newspapers defaming the Muslim prophet, Muhammad. Fox news reports that Christians are instigating it with their headline Nigerian Christians mob Muslims, blame for World's problems. As the article goes on, one see that it is pretty much tit for tat -- nonetheless someone at FOX did a sensational headline which in my opinion is misleading and one sided.

Jesus says:

John 15:19
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Do not expect the world to love you or even like you. We must, however, love the world for which our Savior gave His precious life. For at one time, we too were part of that lost and dying world.

Christians are wrongly accused of many terrible things

In Rome, one early Christian said,

"If the rivers flood, or if there is drought or famine or plague, the pagans cry: 'Throw the Christians to the lions!'"

Nero blamed the Christians for burning Rome. Later emperors blamed Christians for the fall of Rome.

People will stereotype and disdain everything about you. Today, Seesholtz in the Online Journal claims the "Christian Right has gone over the edge." He calls Christian leaders "dour, sour, and humorless." He accuses Christians of being "nonsensical" and "believers in fairy tales" and equates Christian beliefs taught to a four year old akin to the "bogeyman under the bed." He says that "no one is being hurt" when gays and lesbians marry although we know that that will bring an increasing judgement against our country. He says the only thing in the media is TV evangelists saying "God needs your money." (I can't say I don't disagree there -- more later.) This author goes on to quote the Christian humor hotline which he goes onto insinuate that Christian leaders obviously don't read.

I'm not defending all Christian "leaders" for we know that throughout history there have been many Christian leaders guilty of being false prophets and untrue to the Word of God. There are many in our world today. But to lump all Christians together as being of the same mind is like saying children all over the world are alike -- they're called children, aren't they! Christians SHOULD act like it and SHOULD have the same beliefs. We know this not to be true and therefore Jesus said, "By your fruits you shall know them."

Jesus' message to the church persecuted from the outside

Matthew 16:18
"...I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."

Mark 13:13, Matthew 10:22
And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Revelation 2:10, 11
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

Revelation 22:12
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

Mark 10:29-31
29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife^[a] or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

1 Peter 5:6-11 (New King James Version)

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because^[a] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may^[b] the God of all grace, who called us^[c] to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

My Thoughts On Persecution from the World

So, get over it. Don't marvel at the persecution. Don't be amazed that you're left out. Don't be surprised when you are misunderstood and made fun of. Serve others. When they are sick, take them food. When they are lonely visit them.

People on top of the hills love to roll rocks down on "weak Christians" but when they are in the ditch and no one else is there, they will usually take our hands as we offer them love, care, support, and prayers. A weak person fights their enemies, a strong one ministers to them.

Winston Churchill once said: "Never, never, never, never give up." My father has drilled it into my head.

We must remember that and work until Jesus comes. There is no retirement in God's kingdom. The old song says "We will work till Jesus comes" not "We will work until we're tired." Tired has nothing to do with it!

A note to all Southern Baptists

The Southern Baptist Convention has posted nomination forms for trustees at SBC Recommendation forms. - http://www.sbc.net/forms/recommendationform.asp
This is a long and difficult form, however, pray and consider who God would have you nominate for one of the Boards of the IMB. I know who I want to nominate. Do you?

Someone told me I was wasting my time because it was "pretty much a closed shop." But, I can pray and we'll see. God's the shop owner and reserves the right to intervene!

Lord, today calm the storms in Nigeria and help the Christians there remember You word. Lord, be with the Christians in China and help the Christians in the US not forget our brethren there. Let us be willing to exert our influence to secure liberty for our brethren in chains and peril of death. Lord, help us stand against persecution with love, security, kindness, and patience. Let us pray for those who hurt us and spitefully use us. Help us to be kind to others. Thank you for your goodness! Be with the nominations process for the Southern Baptist Convention and help us to become participators as you instruct us to. Let us work diligently! I love you, Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

If the Apostle Paul was a blogger!

If Paul was a blogger, perhaps this is the way that he'd blog 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12.

"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting because:

Your faith grows exceedingly
and the love of every one of you abounds towards each other...
for your patience and faith in all your persecutions that you endure is:

manifest evidence of the righteous judgement of God that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.

Since it is a righteous thing with God to:

repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and
to give you who are troubled, rest with us

when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on:

those who do not know God and

on those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

These (those who don't know God and do not obey His gospel) shall be punished with:

everlasting destruction:

from the presence of the Lord and

from the glory of His power when He [Jesus] comes in that day to:

be glorified in His saints and

to be admired among all those who believe

because our testimony among you was believed.

Therefore we also pray always for you that:

God would count you worthy of His calling
and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness
and the work of faith with power

that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified:

in you and
in Him

According to the:

grace of our God
and of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Boy, talk about a run on sentence! However, there is a reason for everything in Scripture. It all goes together -- salvation, judgment, faith, trials, suffering, blessing, justice, grace, power, God, Jesus, love. God has a plan. He has a purpose. We must tell others for they will be condemned because they do not know Him and for not obeying Him.

We must measure ourselves, our doctrine, our words, our deeds, and our religions by the Holy Word of God. The greatest errors of organized churches have been committed when the word of man has been elevated above the Word of God.

This is not about how we choose to "do church." This is not about how we choose to worship. This is about WHO we follow in church and WHO we worship.

Not HOW! WHO! The Who is the Word the Word is the answer. The answer to all questions is Jesus Christ.

Lord, make our churches doctrinally sound and aligned with God's Word. Let us follow You and never escalate the word of man above the Holy Scripture. Let us not escalate tradition above our zeal to be true to God's word. Lord, please help the IMB and NAMB and the entire Southern Baptist Convention and all churches who call themselves Christian to enter a phase of reexamination and realignment with God's Word that we may become Your perfect bride for Your Son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Guidelines for Evangelism: Slow down, build relationships!

Mark 16:15-16

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Notice that those who do not believe will be condemned. If people who do not know about Christ aren't held accountable, the easiest way to help them get to heaven would be to do nothing and tell no one. Because if we told no one-- no one would know and everyone would go to heaven!

Such beliefs are fallacy! We have an imperative from our Lord Jesus Christ to go and preach the gospel to every creature! It is a matter of eternal importance!

We learned about this tonight at the Tucker Association WMU missions meeting. The speaker, Faith Shiver, spoke of her missionary trip to Thailand and discussed the guidelines from the IMB given to her. We can use this too!

1) Expect to do a lot of planting and leave the harvest to God.
We want Instant Christians! We want to start, finish, and take credit. We can't do God's job or the work of the Holy Spirit, we just need to be faithful.

2) Relationships are key.

3) Be fluid.
This is more than being flexible. A rubber band is flexible and it can be snapped!

4) Slow down.
In American society we feel like we have to DO something! Slow down and build relationships. We can't even drive 55 much less slow down and talk to a friend. Do you take time to look people in the eye or are you too busy?

5) See time spent with people as ministry time.
Sitting on the porch and drinking lemonade, eating lunch with someone, having a good laugh. These are things that build relationships. In America we feel like "hanging out" is doing nothing! How wrong we are!

6) Be a servant. - Only in serving can we lead!

7) Pray without ceasing.
Every work for God's kingdom is built upon prayer! Jesus said his father's house is a house of prayer. He could have said music, fellowship, fun, laughter, preaching -- He said PRAYER! How much do we PRAY in the house of prayer!

Perhaps the reason people aren't streaming to the front is that we emphasize the importance of music and preaching in the absence of PRAYER. An unpraying preacher is powerless. An unpraying church is impotent! Pray!

In Conclusion
We are workers building God's kingdom not OUR kingdom! Some people are proud of their position and some are proud of their humility. Some are proud of their strength and some are proud of their prayers! We must glory in Jesus Christ and nothing else. Everything else is rubbish!

Lord, make us all Christians convicted that we are missionaries. Let us relax and enjoy the people both Christians and non Christians who are put in our path. Let us love others as you love them. Let us serve them with no expectation of repayment or recognition. Forgive us as we take pride in Your work and Your answers to prayer for which we can take no credit. WE are nothing-- help us show the world that YOU are everything. You are light in the darkness and hope for the heartless. You can do anything and we can do the impossible with our faith properly placed in you and in accordance with Your will. Please be with those in the Phillipines who are struggling with mudslides and difficulty. Be with our IMB as they work to become more like You. In Jesus name. Amen.

Sunday, February 19, 2006

A look around the corner: Pray for the IMB

Today, as we look around the corner of Southern Baptist Missions, it is more important than ever to increase our giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Annie Armstrong Easter Offerings. (Don't forget State Missions and World Hunger.) There are several reasons I think this.

1. Jerry Rankin says we have more people that want to go than we have money.
Recently, Jerry Rankin, sat down with some of the editors of Christian newspapers and answered some very frank questions about what is happening at the IMB. I was encouraged by many things he said and wanted to pull out a few points for our prayers and focus today. He also discussed the IMB controversy.

RANKIN -- ... You know we've had visionary goals -- a few years ago we were projecting 8,000, 10,000, you know, missionaries. Certainly, we have the potential of that in our candidate pool. We could open up the short-term flow and send a thousand a year of just ISC, journeymen, masters. I mean the interest and commitment is just phenomenal and I think we just have to accept the reality it's unlikely that the financial support is going to multiply at a rate to enable us to do that. I think just with growth comes challenges that these kinds of distractions and so forth. And you know, for three years now we've kinda plateaued. We haven't kept the momentum of growth.

2. We need a grassroots prayer effort of prayer for SBC missions efforts - local, state, national, and worldwide.

Not a program. Not a gimmick. Passionate people prostrated in prayer.

We need to pray about this! We have the workers for the harvest but not the money! Call my faith childlike, but we must pray for the financial support to send everyone willing and fit to serve!

To me this confirms what Jesus says about the end times:

11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 24:11-13

3. Our love for Christ is reflected in our giving.

Some are close to the Lord and willing to go serve Him. Many are having their love grow cold -- where does this first show? Church attendance and how we spend our money!

My church hasn't made the Lottie Moon goal yet -- there are many of us torn up about it. We spent three times the goal on fixing our roof last year. We've bought a sound system and lighting system. These things are important.

However, we should do these things AND do the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. I am so greatly grieved. I've challenged the other members of the WMU to give financially to these offerings year round. My husband and I give our 10% to the general fund of the church but any offerings we are giving to the NAMB and IMB through the missions offerings.

The mission of the church is missions!

4. We must not make excuses.

Those who are making as an excuse not to give because of the controversy are not giving for the right reasons. Throughout church history there has always been the controversy of the moment. Persecution either comes from without or within! China is persecuted -- they are just trying to survive. We are permitted to worship so we are embroiled in controversy from within. Expect it. Pray about it. Get over it, get off the pocketbook, and give!

Kin Hubbard says,

"When a fellow says, 'It isn't the money but the principle of the thing" - it's the money."

After reading the article on cellphone recycling to make money for missions, I'm going to propose that for our church. Get creative! No excuses! Go forward!

Today's Prayer

Lord, we are praying fervently for more workers for the harvest and money to send them. You own the cattle on a thousand hills but have set forth stewardship as a measure of the state of our heart. Our hearts are lacking faith. We are spending more on earthly pleasure than we are spending on your kingdom. Forgive us for being stingy with what is already yours. Help us seek Your will in this. May we be found faithful. In Jesus name. Amen.

Friday, February 17, 2006

Take the lowest place: Men in history who did so!

7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: 8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.
Luke 14:7-9

I am stunned as I read Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History by Richard M. Hannula about how many of the greatest Christians in history shunned their ascension to power. They chose the lowest place although God chose to escalate them to positions of influence in Christian history.

Ambrose
Bishop of Milan 339-397

Ambrose, originally Roman governor of Milan, chastised the religioso of Milan for their arguments over who was to be the new bishop. He was so convicting that they unanimously elected Ambrose their bishop.

"Ambrose, with arms upraised, tried in vain to stop them, 'Brethren, I cannot be your bishop," he cried. 'I am untrained for the ministry. I have not even yet been baptized."

The people insisted. Ambrose hid in his house and wrote the Roman Emperor asking him to command the church to elect someone else. Finally, realizing this was God's will, Ambrose was baptized and then ordained as bishop eight days later.

He went on to model himself after the advice Jesus gave to the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22 ). He sold his lands and riches and gave it all to the poor. He confronted even the Emperor Theodosius himself who said Ambrose was the only man who 'ever told him the truth.' The emperor died in Ambrose' arms.

Pope Gregory I
540-604

This hook nosed, bald monk named Gregory was responsible for caring of the poorest in Rome. When he heard of the "Anglos" and saw them in the slave market -- he set off for England to win them to Christ. The Romans, learning of his departure, stood along the road that Pope Benedict took to church and yelled "You have destroyed Rome, you have sent Gregory away!" The Pope promptly sent his fastest horsemen after Gregory. When Pope Benedict died from plague in 589, the church and people unanimously elected Gregory to be the next pope.

Gregory refused. He wrote to the Emperor asking Him not to accept his election. Gregory planned to run away. The people came and got him and forcibly carried him to St. Peter's Church and he was consecrated on September 3, 590. Gregory wrote to a friend:

"I am heartsick for I have lost the deep joy of my quiet, and while I seem to have outwardly rise, I am inwardly fallen down."

Later, after he realized it was God's will he said he "recovered a more cheerful frame of mind." Gregory took the title, "servant of the servants of God."

Anslem
1033-1109

When Anselm became convicted to become a monk as a teenage boy, he was under the tutelage of a brilliant Monk named Lanfranc in the Abbey of Bec in Normandy. When he considered where to serve he considered staying at Bec:

"No, at Bec I would be condemned to insignificance because of the outstanding ability of Lanfranc. I shall go somewhere I can both display my knowledge and be of service to others."

Anslem soon became convicted of his sinful pride and he wrote:

"Why would a monk desire to receive more honor and glory than others? Far from it. Set aside your rebelliousness and become a monk where you will be lowest of all."

Anslem stayed at Bec. In 1093 he went to Canterbury to start a monastery and school. When he arrived, the people hailed him as Archbishop of Canterbury and Anselm ran away. The king didn't want him to be Archbishop because Anslem rebuked King William Rufus about his abuse of the church, including allowing people to buy their way into the clergy. Later, the King decided to appoint Anslem as Bishop of Canterbury. Although he eventually served, Anslem said:

"I am old and unfit for the work. How can I bear the responsibility of the English Church? I am a monk, do not entangle me in what I have never loved and am unfit for."

Moses
One of the greatest leaders in the Bible except Jesus was Moses. Moses argued with God because he felt too old, to inadequate, uncharismatic, and unwilling to change careers (again).

10 Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
11 So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”
13 But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”
Exodus 10-13

Moses, like these other men, acquiesced to the very will of God and became one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known.

Jesus Christ

The greatest servant in history. The One who could have had it all: money, power, wealth. Yet he chose the life of a carpenter, Teacher, and death of a criminal. Such love I cannot fathom. Such love has won my very soul.

Acts 3:13
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.

In Summary

Church history is rife with people who assumed the position of clergy for power and gain. Even now in this country there are preachers who seem more eager to win others to their political way of thinking than to introduce them to Jesus Christ. There are preachers more eager to preach the merits of their latest book than of the saving power of the blood of Christ. There are those who like to tickle the ears of their members with promises of success and wealth and healing as a result of faith in Jesus Christ. Some pastors no longer read Scripture so they can spend more time sharing their own words. Some pastors keep coming up with better and better titles in order to escalate their position of superiority.

This is not about becoming famous, or rich, or powerful. That is not why we follow Christ.

Following Christ is the greatest joy of my entire life. The happiest experience. The most glowing days are those when I am immersed in His presence. He is otherworldly! He is majestic! He is mighty!

I shall not follow Him because he is Santa Clause! I shall follow Him because He is my Saviour and King! He deserves it! I deserve nothing. I will seek His heart and not His hand.

I am content to be a wife, mother, teacher, singer, and writer because that is what God has called me to do. And if for some reason I can encourage and strengthen other Christians along the way -- then let God have the glory. And should His hand choose to bless me then that is His will and His business! He can deliver me -- but if not -- I shall still follow Him!

(The men mentioned are great men in Christian history. Like all men (and women) they were not perfect. Some theology was flawed. Some mistakes injudgment were made. They, however sincerely followed Christ as best we know. They sound like me!)

Prayer Request

I pray for God to bring a great servant leader of men to my home church, First Baptist of Camilla, Georgia. We are currently searching and praying for a pastor. Our church is growing and we've baptized more since our pastor left us last November than we did in the prior year. Our church is a wonderful place and working hard and pulling together. We need someone to work along side us! I am praying for God to send us a godly man with a godly family. Please pray for us. If you know of someone who should put in their resume at our church, just have them e-mail me and I'll pass it along.

Dear Lord, please guide us to be servants. Let us choose the lowest place. Let us not seek to exalt ourselves but only to exalt Jesus Christ who has saved us and redeemed us. Thank you for great examples in your word and in church history that show us the humility of great servants of God. Let me be such a person as I submit myself to your perfect will. Please bless First Baptist Church of Camilla, Georgia and send us a man who is in your perfect will. Send us a man and a family who are servants of God who will love us even though we fail so very often. Let us love them and may we cleave together in Christian service for many years to come! I love you my Jesus and thank you for the many blessings of today. In Jesus name. Amen.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

The Word of God must be our guide! IMB Reconciliation possible?

Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History by Richard M. Hannula has opened my eyes to many things.

Throughout church history there have been false teachers and false doctrines that have invaded the church and threatened its very existence. Let's look at two of the earliest:

Polycarp
69-155 AD - He was the bishop of Smyrna. You see the Romans would have been fine with Christianity except for one thing...

Christians said the ONLY way to heaven was through Jesus Christ. If Christians had just said it was fine to worship however you wanted to and that "all religions are worshiping the same God in just different ways" they would have been left alone. But they didn't.

Source of Persecution: This was an external, politically correct persecution.
Reason: Christians said the only way to get to heaven was through Jesus Christ.
Price: Death, persecution
How it Relates to Today: We are told to just practice our religion and leave others alone. We are told not to evangelize and accused of Westernizing as we evangelize. We are told to leave other religions alone and that "they are all just different ways to get to heaven."
What the Bible Says:

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Athanasius
296-373 AD
Athanasius was the chief spokesperson for the truth of Christ against people who were in the church led by Arius. Arius and his followers believed "The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not equal in glory. Jesus Christ is not God as the Father is." (p 31-32)

The creed of Nicea was created by the church to explain what Christians believed about God including the one in three personhood of God. Arius and his followers would not sign and left the church. But after leaving, they missed the fine clothing and riches of churchood and went to the Emperor Constatine for reinstatement. Constantine reinstated them and when Athanasius, bishop of the church, refused, Constantine banished him and reinstated them anyway. The Arians led many people astray with the doctrine that Jesus Christ was just a great man but not God!

Source of Persecution: Leaders within the church, the emperor
Reason: Those signing the creed of Nicea stated the Jesus was God along with God the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Price: Banishment, loss of favor with the emperor
How it Relates to Today: There are many religions - Mormonism, Jehovah's witnesses, cults, and even Islam that say Jesus was a great man but not God himself.
What the Bible says:

2 Peter 2:1
[ Destructive Doctrines ] But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

What can we learn from this?

False doctrine is not a new thing. The way the church has dealt with it is by standing firm against it while holding onto God's word. There is always trouble and tribulation when we hold fast to God's word. There always has been and always will be for we are related to Jesus Christ BY BLOOD! We can expect troubles in this world for this world rejected Him.

All of this said, we must watch for false doctrine in all of our churches. It is there and the enemy would love to taint the message! I am rejoicing that the IMB Executive Board is considering reconciliation and private dealings with fellow trustee Wade Burleson.

I pray that they will reconcile and that they will reexamine their policies in light of God's word. We must never add one jot or tittle to God's word.

I have stayed away from this topic because I know so very little. I am encouraged by my fellow Georgia Southern Baptists that have written very forthright and brave articles in the Christian Index: Rick Garret from Hazelhurst and Nate Goodwin from Lavonia. They have stated it well.

When I read on SBC Outpost about this potential reconciliation, I literally cried. You see, I'm a nobody as far as the SBC is concerned.

I have been as upset about the IMB Board and Wade Burleson as anything in a long time. I've been in agony and praying since it happened! To see that they may be moving and seeking God is a relief. I am a Southern Baptist not because Southern Baptists are perfect but I believe that SBC is as close to the Bible as anything out there. That is what is important to me. If we start deviating in our theology then we're in trouble.

Are we ever going to be perfect? NO! Will we ever be immune to false doctrine -- NEVER! I will continue to pray, will you?

Dear Lord, I lift up the Southern Baptist Convention will all of my heart. Let us be a people with a heart after you. Let prayer and fasting begin at the top. I am thankful for my church and the SBC and what it has meant to me as a vessel of your blessing over the years. I pray that we will reconcile with one another and that the very top of our organization will model what we need to do at the "botttom" church level. Forgive us for where we fail you. Those who are proud, humble beginning with me. Those who are wrong, convict. Those who need encouragement, lift up. Let us pray and encourage one another. In Jesus name. Amen.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Your key to restoration: Pray for those who kicked you when you were down

Job 42:10
And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

I blogged about this several days a go and it struck me profoundly. You see, I have nursed a grudge for almost four years. I was hurt terribly. And it was a church member on a church committee.

Jesus' greatest persecution came from within the church. His greatest hurt was his friend. His greatest adversaries were religious leaders. What am I to expect? And yet, I held on.

Well, when I wrote about this last Friday, I was struck to the core. (Do not expect to delve out God's two edged sword of His word without knowing it cuts both ways.)

So, Saturday, as best I could, I forgave her. It was hard but I prayed something like this:

"God, I don't want to forgive but I want to be like you. Please help me forgive her -- I am willing, will you help me go all the way to complete forgiveness."

And then I forgot...but Jesus didn't.

Today, this person came up to me at church with tears in her eyes. She was crying and said -

"do you remember when I? .... and named the situation. I hurt you and I haven't asked your forgiveness. I am sorry, I was wrong."

I could look her in the eye (after picking myself up off the ground) and honestly say: "I have forgiven you." She had no way of knowing!

What a release! I walked lighter! I heard birds tweetering! I felt like I was floating as I walked to GA's! I saw my mother, one of the few who knows, and told her as I cried!

Wow! Are you stuck in a rut? Are you sick? Are you hurting? Is there someone you haven't forgiven? Isn't it time you restored your right relationship with God. I've waited four years too long! Learn from my mistake!

Luke 6:37
[ Do Not Judge ] “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Lord, help us forgive those as you have so graciously forgiven us. Let us not hold others to standards we ourselves cannot fulfill. Forgive us for our hard heartedness and stiff necks. We love you and want to forgive. Help us. Lord, please be with the Olympic missionaries and help them reach people for Jesus Christ! Lord, I love you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Monday, February 13, 2006

God's call does not give you God's inerrancy!

We must never confuse the calling of God with the inerrancy of God.

Many men and women with a distinct calling from God have also been fallible. Paul says:

1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

In 177 the great Christian Irenaeus studied gnosticism -- which taught, among other things, that "salvation can be attained by learning special, secret teachings." Iraneus said about them:

"As soon as a man has been won over to their way of salvation, he becomes so puffed up with conceit and self-importance that he struts about with the air of a rooster."

We do not have to go to theology school to follow Christ. We can simply read the New Testament and see it unfold as we pray and seek God with all of our heart.

Irenaeus taught, "All the truth we need is embodied in the Bible." Jesus says,

Mark 4:22
For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.

Do not feel that you have to be a know it all. In fact,

1 Corinthians 1:27
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

Isn't it wonderful that Christianity can be understood by a child? In fact, Jesus says:

Mark 10:15
Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

This is exciting for me because it means that I can be used by God! I know that I know nothing except the grace of Jesus Christ.

When someone is called but "runs over" everyone else -- is that Christlike? Although we feel a strong calling, we must never think we are perfect!

Pray for the Olympic SBC volunteers today!

Lord, help us remember that we are humans and are fallible. Forgive us when we hurt others as we seek to follow our calling. Our calling will never cause us to contradict Your word in how we treat our family and friends. Please be with our SBC volunteers, our missionaries, and pray for you to reach the Tuareg people through your divine hand. Thank you that you reveal your Word openly to children! I love you, Jesus. In Jesus name. Amen.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

I am a missionary! Are you?

Luke 10:2
Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

An unreached people group is a location where less than 20% of the people are churched. We've piously looked down our noses at the rest of the world too long!

Today I have learned that the county where I live is 11% churched (Mitchell County, GA.) I live amidst an unreached people group!
Do you?

We're gearing up for Vacation Bible School now and are one of the last daytime Bible Schools in our area. Each year God allows over 150+ children to come with less and less workers. Some say it is too difficult. It is too hard!

How dare we!

Here we are asking our IMB missionaries to do with so much less than we have. To risk their children, their future, their education, and their very lives. And we don't want to overexert ourselves?

Jesus tells us the laborers are FEW! He also tells us how to solve our shortage of labor problem -- PRAY!

Are you thinking about quitting something because it is too much of a strain? David said:

1 Chronicles 21:24
Then King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing.”

We are living sacrifices and are called to sacrifice! Sometimes the other workers flake out for a reason -- God is looking at us and asking us WHY are we doing it! If it is easy it costs me nothing.

What a great reward to work for God's kingdom. Rejoice when you're overtired, overworked, and overwrought for God's kingdom. I count it great joy to sacrifice for him.

Today, let's pray for our own churches mission organizations. Let us also pray today for a young ladie named Sarah Farley. She is an amazing NAMB missionary in Atlanta, GA. She has been in more than 10 countries working to spread the gospel of Christ and grew up as a Missionary Kid in east Asia. She has a special love for the Islamic people. I learned so much from her today and pray that I can help her and her other missionaries begin blogging for the Lord.

Dear Lord, please help us to be faithful. Let us run and not grow weary and walk and not faint. Let us hold true to your words that never fail us. Lord, please send more workers out into your harvest. I pray specifically for more leaders to work with our Girls in Action, Youth in Action, and Royal Ambassdors programs. I pray you will strengthen those who are working now and bless them. Lord, please help our missionaries that are working at the Olympics and let many come to know Jesus Christ at these games. Lord, bless Sarah Farley. Let the seeds of evangelism and missions support that were planted today in my church spring up in fertile ground. Forgive us when we have "pity parties" over little things when Christians around the world are dying to follow Jesus. The others are dying because they don't know Jesus. Help us reach our missions goals! We need you, Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.

Friday, February 10, 2006

No tear is wasted! Why do bad things happen?

My family and I have been unusually sick this winter. It's just been tough. I've heard some chatter in town about why my kids, husband, and I have had such struggles with sickness this winter. It really hurts my feelings!

When we have struggles, we don't want people telling us why we're so sick! We need compassion not condemnation!

The disciples were guilty of this too!

John 9:1-3

1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

Look at the man with the greatest struggles in the Bible -- Job. He "was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil." (Job 1:1) In fact, God Himself said "that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1:8)

Then Satan questioned the veracity of Job's worship of God Almighty.

9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” (Job 1:9-11)

In other words -- "Of course Job worships you, he just wants you to give him stuff!" Satan was acting like Job was worshipping God because he was Job's "Santa Clause."
I picture how little kids love Santa Clause without question and with utter trust. But what if a rattlesnake was under the tree - would they feel the same?

Notice, however, it is NOT God that does the harm to Job!

12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. (Job 1:12)

Satan is the one who causes the harm to Job! God did not say "I am going to kill his children and have is property stolen and take away his health all in one day -- HA HA!" God did not originate the evil - God just set the limits!

When we are God's child, God sets the limits on Satan's desire to harm us. For Satan wants no good for God's children:

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

There was no REASON. Here we have the best man in the world at the time and God allowed Satan to strike him. Not because God couldn't protect Job, but because God had a purpose even in allowing such terrible things (or else we'd not have the book of Job!)

The reason Job's three friends got it such trouble is because they rushed to judge him. THey spent their time basically saying that God is "Santa Clause" and the only reason all of these bad things happened to Job is because Job did something to deserve it. Eliphaz says in Job 5:17-18

17 “ Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects;
Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

18 For He bruises, but He binds up;
He wounds, but His hands make whole.

This is all well and good. The words of Job's three friends are full of wisdom. The problem is that they were misapplying it to Job and stood as his judge, not as his friend! They kept urging him to repent, accused him of being wicked and pursuing folly. So much for friendship!

Nevertheless, when Job spoke to God he repented -- not for the supposed "sins" that "caused" his troubles. Rather, he repented for questioning God in all of this Job says, "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:1

God does have plans to use even the suffering of His saints for good! Not one tear is wasted if you are a Christian!

God became very angry with Job's friends "for you have not spoken of Me what is right...and my servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him..." (Job 42:7-8 )

Notice that "the LORD restored Job’s losses^[a] when he prayed for his friends." (Job 42:10)

So as I am upset at my sick family, my sick self, and my wreck of a house. I will take time to pray for those who have hurt my feelings. No one likes to feel talked about.

When someone has a difficult time we are to comfort them, be kind to them and not pass judgement. For if we judge, we risk inciting the wrath of the Lord God Almighty against us for our wrongful accusations.

The "reasons" for a person's suffering are between that person and God and we are to be his messengers of love and comfort. The Holy Spirit's job is to convict -- not ours!
If you have cancer or have lost a loved one or are in pain -- it is between you and God. Pray for those who hurt your feelings -- who "kick you when you're down." They are human too and perhaps it scares them that it could be them one day. Be the example that they'll need when they walk the path you now trod. Yes its unfair.

But I know another one who suffered for no sin committed. He had great pain through no fault of His own. He did not deserve to die. He did not deserve the torment and pain! And yet, Jesus Christ chose to die! He died for you and I and forever bears the marks of pain even in his eternal, resurrected form. He will forever identify and remember the pain that allows him to totally identify with the depths of human agony. Not one of Jesus' tears was wasted. Not one drop of blood was for naught. The same promise holds for His brothers and sisters in God's kingdom!

Lord, forgive my anger and upsetness at those who are being unkind. I do not feel comforted only condemned. I ask for health for my extended family. I ask for your hand of blessing to return to our health if it your will. But if not, we shall yet praise you. You are worthy to be praised and we are but dust. The simple fact you created us and brought us into being is the greatest testimony of your love for us, except for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! He kept His wounds even after resurrected so that He would forever identify with our sufferings and fully represent the human race as the eternal sacrifice for our sins. Thank you, Lord that you have a purpose for even a pinprick and that even a pinprick cannot happen without being filtered through your divine permission. We reject the enemy and cling to Jesus Christ! May we love you for your love and not just seek your hand. I love you and praise you for your goodness and faithfulness to us! I love you, my Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.

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