HEIRLOOM SEEDS

Have you ever wondered why there are so many religions?  Why are there several varieties even within denominations?  How do beliefs change from one generation to the next?  Every denomination believes their doctrine is “the truth” and all can “prove it” by tracing their history to the “Original.” So what happened?

Last Spring, I decided to plant a garden.  I prepared the soil and picked out the strongest, healthiest looking plants from the garden supply nursery.  After planting, I tended them with loving care; pulling weeds, daily watering and periodic fertilizing.  In August, my diligence began to pay dividends; I harvested a bumper crop of delicious, beautiful tomatoes.  What I did not know until later, is that this is the first and only crop that these plants will produce because they were grown from HYBRID seeds.  If I save the seeds and plant this spring, I may or may not get delicious, beautiful tomatoes.  If they do grow, they will have a different taste and appearance because I do not have access to the original “parent” plants.  A master gardener has this advice, “You shouldn’t save seeds from HYBRID VEGETABLES because they won’t produce “true” in the next generation.”

Then there are HEIRLOOM SEEDS.  Heirloom seeds are carefully tended and protected.  According to one source, “a true heirloom is a cultivar that has been nurtured, selected and handed down from one family member to another from one generation to another.”  Another important fact regarding Heirloom seeds; they adapt to the soil, climate and conditions they are grown in, making them MORE resistant to pests, diseases and weather extremes. Heirloom seeds contain pure genetic material from the original parent plants and produce the same uncorrupted fruit generation after generation.

If we examine the Christian church history, we find the teachings of the Apostles contained in the Bible, then we come to the Apostolic Fathers who were taught by the Apostles and attempted to carry on the original traditions and teaching.  In the next generation we find the ante-Nicene Fathers and the post-Nicene Fathers.  By this time there were so many teachings, opinions and writings that these men grew more “interested in methods of defending the gospel and less interested in transmitting the gospel in a true and pure form.” (author of quote unknown)  And here we find the BIRTH OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.  The teachings of Jesus and the Apostles became a HYBRID SEED!  RELIGION is always birthed from HYBRID SEED.  Remember, replanting a hybrid seed will produce different fruit every season.  They may still be called tomatoes, they may look, smell and taste like tomatoes but they will never have the purity of the original plant.

1 Peter 1:23 Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever.  

Take a look at your life, your theology; are you of HEIRLOOM SEEDS or have you become a HYBRID, producing beautiful fruit for this season and then passing on an uncertain harvest to the next.  The only true test is to measure your seed against that of the parent, which is the WORD OF GOD. It is only the HEIRLOOM SEEDS that will be resistant to the pests, diseases and storms of life.  Extreme measures must be taken to rid yourself of all the HYBRID seed. First, all the thriving Hybrid plants must be pulled up by the roots.  Then we must allow the “Fire of the Holy Spirit” to consume the plants, roots, little cuttings and buried seeds.  Then we must cultivate the soil, allow the Heirloom seeds to take root through study of the Word and water the seedlings with prayer.  Soon the HEIRLOOM SEEDS will grow to beautiful healthy plants, producing fruit and seeds to pass on to the next generation and the next and the next…

IF YOU ASK THEM, THEY WILL COME; THEN WHAT?

She slipped into the church a little late and sat 3 rows from the back.  She might have gone unnoticed and even slipped out a little early saying nothing to anyone, if it hadn’t been a Wednesday evening and the congregation was dismissed to go to their Life Group classes.  Walking down the aisle, I noticed the bewildered look on her face as most people walked past and down the stairs.  I stopped, introduced myself and said, “Why don’t you come with me.  I will show you the way and sit with you.”  She smiled grateful for a friendly face and together we walked to the Adult Life Group.  

For conversation’s sake, I asked what brought her to our church; had someone invited her; did she know someone that attended the church?  She said softly, “My Jesus-level was real low.”  I replied that I was very happy she had decided to join us this night.  The lesson was about spiritual growth and seemed directed at mature, committed Christians.  I listened to the teacher, all the while praying that something was getting through to her and at least would bring her “Jesus-level” up to a readable measure.  After the teacher finished his lesson, some comments were made and she raised her hand; “Thank you, this really spoke to me tonight,” she said.

After the class, I told her again how happy we were that she had come and invited her back for Sunday worship.  She said, “I want to come back and I will, but tomorrow I am going into Rehab for a few weeks.”  I hugged her, told her to take the time to get better and when she got out of Rehab, we would be here to love her and her children.  I have her name, phone number and address and I intend to follow up and help her raise her “Jesus-level” to the top.

We are encouraged to invite our friends and neighbors to come with us to church.  So we invite, they come and then what?  What do we have to offer; what are we serving up when they come?  Most cities have “Heinz 57” or “Baskin Robbins 31 flavors” when it comes to church variety.  There are architecturally-beautiful buildings, multi-program mega churches, rock-star music complete with flashing lights, pastors preaching in robes, suits  or jeans, rumpled shirts and tennis shoes; but what happens when our “Jesus-level” is low?

I recently read an article about a church in Oklahoma that is offering a Sunday evening service of Beer & Hymns.  Sure, they check your Id and there is a 3-beer limit.  And after all, you are singing hymns that hopefully mention Jesus.  Perhaps after you have consumed your 3 beers you might even be ready to listen to a salvation sermon and pray the “Sinner’s Prayer,” but what about the emptiness in your soul?  What about your Jesus-level?

Jesus asks the woman at the well for a drink of water, how different the story would have been if His next comment had been, “Come on down to the synagogue with me.  We can have a beer together and sing a few songs.”  It wouldn’t have satisfied her thirst or upped her Jesus-level; she needed the Living Water that Jesus offered.  What hope would the young lady at our Bible Study carried with her to Rehab, if we had shook her hand, offered her a beer and sang a few hymns?  She needed some Living Water.

When we invite our friends and the come, they are not looking for programs; they can find that at the local community center.  They are not looking for professional music or flashing lights; they can find a concert to attend every weekend of the year.  They are not looking for a cold drink and friendly faces, where “everyone knows your name,” chances are they know a better bar that serves better beer.  They are not even looking for an eloquent, hip speaker sporting the latest clothing trends and spiky hair.  NO, they are hungry for something that satisfies the longing deep inside.  Life probably hasn’t worked out so well, they want things to change and just maybe you will provide some answers. 

When we invite them and they come, we must offer HOPE!!!  HOPE that there is “something more.”  HOPE that they can be free of sin’s chains.  HOPE that the weight of the load they carry can be lightened.  HOPE that their “Jesus-level” can be filled to overflowing.  When you invite them and they come, then what?

TRADING THE GLORY ON THE MOUNTAIN FOR A GOLDEN CALF-PART 1

Exodus 32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”

We enter the journey thru the wilderness at the point where Moses has gone up the mountain at the command of the Lord to receive Divine Instruction to deliver to the Children of Israel.  It seemed that Moses had been gone for a length of time and their faith began to wane.  It had been just a short time before that they had witnessed the miracle of deliverance from Egypt.  God had parted the Red Sea, drowned the enemy, given them a Pillar of Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night to lead them, gave them sweet water at Marah, and rained Manna from Heaven to feed them.  What had brought them from victory to doubt in such a short time?  

Why would they so willingly trade the Glory on the Mountain for a Golden Calf?

The first clue may be the last line of verse 1, “for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”  Mistake #1, the Children of Israel forgot WHO brought them out of Egypt; they had put their faith in the MAN, God had anointed to lead them instead of the GOD who had delivered them.  

What led them to put their faith in Moses rather than God?  To find the answer, we will backtrack to Exodus 20.  Through Moses, God had commanded all the Children of Israel, to wash their clothes and consecrate themselves to prepare for the presence of the Lord.  They drew near the mountain as Moses ascended to commune with God but fear consumed them and we read this...

  Exodus 20:18-19 Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. ¹⁹ Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”  

FEAR consumed them and they willingly traded the GLORY ON THE MOUNTAIN!

What were they afraid of? What had occurred in their minds and heart from Exodus 24:7, “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient” to Exodus 32:1, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us.”  

Surely it wasn’t fear of the God who had delivered them, the God who had made provision in their time of need, the God who had fought for them and destroyed their enemy; what were they afraid of?  

Perhaps, it was a fear of the Holiness of God and not measuring up to His standard.  Maybe it was the fear of a loss of their own will that would result from total commitment?  Or, could it have been a “fear of the unknown?”  

Whatever personal fears consumed the Children of Israel, it brought them to Exodus 32 and pleading with Aaron to give them a GOLDEN CALF instead of the GLORY ON THE MOUNTAIN.

The story continues in "TRADING THE GLORY ON THE MOUNTAIN FOR A GOLDEN CALF-PART 2"

HOW DO YOU PLAY CHURCH?

I was raised in a “Technology Deficient” era.  There were no computers, video games and “gasp” no internet.  Our mothers got their gossip the old fashioned way; they talked to neighbors over the back fence, on the front porch or used the black, “dial-up:” phone.  There was no “Children’s Programming” on television, cartoons were a Saturday morning treat and the NBC Peacock actually meant something; yep, the program would be in “Living Color.”  In addition to this pitiful lack in my childhood, my parents chose to NOT have a television at all.  That’s right, how did my mother raise 6 kids without Sesame Street, Mickey Mouse or Dora?  We played together!!!

PRETEND, was always a favorite.   We played “House,” of course I was the Mom and Mike was the Dad.  We played “Hospital,” “Library,” “Grocery Store” and “Church.”  Understand that anytime a child plays “Pretend,” they are simply emulating what they have seen or what they have experienced.  We were raised in a “boisterous” Pentecostal Church and that is exactly how we “played” church.  It was boisterous and happening; full of the Power of God.  Our congregation consisted of sisters, a brother, Catholic neighbors, Methodist “babysitting” kids, no-denomination cousins and whoever else happened to be visiting our home at the time.  I can just imagine the parents trying to figure out what these kids were doing when they tried to recreate all the fun they had with the Hawks kids.

How did we play church?  We “played” exactly what we experienced in “Real” church.  The chairs were set in congregation formation, there was a “pulpit” up front, and we had “hymn” books and Bibles, a song leader, prayer requests, testimonies and powerful sermons.  We clapped our hands during the singing, raised our hands during worship, anointed people and prayed for the sick.  There was no choreographed dancing, but we danced in the Spirit, we prayed for each other until we received the Holy Ghost and baptized one another in the swimming pool.  It may have been “pretend” to many but I am convinced it was precious to God and He was teaching us some valuable truths through it all.

Fast forwarding to 2013, I wonder how do our children and grandchildren play “Church.”  First we have to assume they are taken or at least sent to a church service.  The Barna Group reports that 1/3 of the adults polled had no attachment to church whatsoever so, how will their children “play church?”  Secondly, we must assume that the television and video games are quiet long enough to allow the minds of our children to work on their own.  Stats show that children are involved in some type of media for about 4 hours every day and 70% of children have a form of media in their bedrooms.  Our third assumption must be that the church service they attend has something to offer that captures the hearts and mind of our children.  Most of the time they are segregated into age-appropriate programs, so that parents don’t have to deal with them in the adult service.  How do you think we learned to “play church?”  We sang the hymns, worshipped with the adults, listened to the sermon and prayed at the altar.  Oh there were times when we and our frustrated parents paid a visit to the nursery for some necessary correction and I am sure other times Dad and Mom arrived home feeling they had been in a wrestling match instead of enjoying the presence of God.  It would have been easier to just stay home but they had some training to do and we needed to learn how to “play church.”

Back to my question, “How do our children play church?”  When you go back over your last church experience, “How do you play church?”  Are the songs just rhymes to a modern beat, a few announcements, offering (never forget the offering), a soothing sermon on how awesome your life should be, an altar invitation and hurry to the coffee shop in the lobby where you greet a few people and grab designer concoction for the ride home.  Where is the passion, the power, the life changing experience?  When was the last time you rejoiced with the old Brother as he gave his often repeated testimony of God’s saving grace?  When was the last time a need was brought before the entire congregation and together, you touched the Throne of God?  When was the last time you lingered with someone at an altar until they were done repenting and the power of the Holy Ghost consumed the group?  When was the last time our children came home so impacted by what they had witnessed that they felt compelled to reenact it over and over by “playing church?”  When is the last time you felt a desire to just stop your routine and “play church?”  How do you play church?

THE C S O D SYNDROME

In the 21st century, there is more medical knowledge, identified diseases, cures and treatments than at any time in history.  Even then, a condition will suddenly materialize that baffles the best minds in the medical world.  Every test comes back negative, yet the symptoms persist and we have what has become known as a “SYNDROME.”  According to the dictionary a “syndrome” is a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, psychological disorder, or other abnormal condition; a concurrence of symptoms.  I have noticed lately, such a malady beginning to infect the Church.  In talking with other Pastors and Christians, it is not just a localized problem but is so widespread; it could almost be called an epidemic.  There is no reason for the church to be suffering, the tests are coming back negative, we still meet regularly, still believe in God, still preach out of the Bible but collectively, the symptoms indicate a condition I am calling C S O D SYNDROME!  COMPLACENCY, SUPPRESSION, OPPRESSION, & DEPRESSION!!!

To understand this condition better, we will take a journey way back in time to the land of Egypt.  Every Sunday School child has heard the story of Joseph, how his jealous brothers sold him into slavery and how God elevated him to second in command in Egypt.  We know the story of Pharaoh’s dream, Joseph’s interpretation of the 7 years of plenty and 7 lean years that would come upon the land.  Joseph was given the command to set up a plan for the 7 lean years, so that there would be plenty of food in Egypt.  The famine spread to Canaan where Joseph’s father and brothers still lived and they decided to journey to Egypt to buy food, not knowing that their brother, Joseph was not only alive but the overseer of all the “storehouse” of Egypt.  Eventually, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and moved their families and his father to Goshen in Egypt.  That is when the “Syndrome” began.

The Bible records that Jacob lived in the land of Goshen for 17 years, yet Pharaoh’s dream contained only 7 Lean Years.  For at least 10 years there was no need to stay in a foreign country but it seems that Jacob, his sons and their families had settled in; they become comfortable with their situation and began to prosper.  Realizing that his life was coming to an end, Jacob did not want to be buried in a strange land and made his sons promise to take him back to Canaan to be buried with his people.  Joseph approached the Pharaoh for permission to make the journey and he promised to come back.  WHY???  There is no record that Pharaoh had made a return part of the condition for allowing Joseph to leave; that was voluntary on Joseph’s part.  Perhaps it was because he had position or a wife in Egypt, but why did his brothers also return?  Genesis 50 records that they left their little ones, flocks and herds in the land of Goshen. Joseph’s family returned because they had left their most precious possessions in a foreign country; they had become satisfied and COMPLACENT.

Fast forward a few years, Joseph dies and Exodus 1:8-10, tells us, Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. ⁹ And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; ¹⁰ come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.”  The Bible does not tell us that the Egyptians ever “conquered” the Israelites during this time.  In fact, the Egyptians were frightened that the Israelites were becoming so mighty that they would be conquered.  Because of their complacency, the Israelites allowed the enemy to move in and take over; SUPPRESSION began.  Once the enemy gained an advantage, SUPPRESSION quickly moved to OPPRESSION and the Israelites found themselves in bondage without a fight or even a skirmish.

Exodus 1:11-14 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. ¹² But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. ¹³ So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. ¹⁴ And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage—in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor.

Here we begin to see evidence of the last symptom of our syndrome, DEPRESSION.  Depression is a state of feeling sad, dejection; a loss of hope.  In their depressed state, the Israelites could not see what the Egyptians had noticed; they were multiplying and becoming a mighty nation.  The bible tells us that “the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew.”  The Children of Israel had a full blown case of  C S O D SNYDROME.  They had become COMPLACENT which allowed the enemy to SUPPRESS AND OPPRESS them, leading to such a deep DEPRESSION, they had forgotten that they were the Chosen People of Jehovah.

Satan has no right to SUPPRESS AND OPPRESS the Church AND he cannot unless in a state of COMPLACENCY, we allow him to set up camp in our midst.  We have become SATISFIED,  TOLERANT and ACCEPTING; content to live in a foreign land because we are prosperous.  It is time for the Church to arise; to realize she IS the Bride of Christ.  We are His Chosen People; People of the Name; purchased with His precious blood.  We have no reason to become DEPRESSED for “Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world.”  We have a Deliverer who is greater than Moses and He has equipped us to fight and conquer the enemy.  Daniel 11 reminds us, “but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” 

REFUSE to become a victim of C S O D!!!!  Romans 8:37, Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

IT'S NOT THE MENU; IT'S THE HUNGER

Have you ever searched the pantry, looked in the refrigerator, and rummaged through the kitchen cabinets before concluding you had “nothing to eat?”  REALLY????  NOTHING?????  What about a can of soup, a box of cereal, toast and jelly or scrambled eggs?  Yes, there was plenty of food but nothing that appealed to you at the moment.  The problem wasn’t with the selection of food; the problem was you were not hungry enough.

A few years ago, Steve and I decided to stop at a highly recommended restaurant on our way to Knoxville, TN.  The interior of the restaurant was beautifully decorated and offered a cool, serene atmosphere away from the glare of a Tennessee summer sun.  We were seated and handed leather-bound menus.  I read through the menu several times searching for something among the large selection of soups, sandwiches, salads, and entrees to order, but nothing appealed to me.  I’m sure everything would have been prepared to perfection and served in an appetizing, inviting presentation, but not one thing on the menu made my “mouth water.”  When the waitress came to our table, we apologized, told her we had changed our mind and left the restaurant. It wasn’t the menu, it was our hunger!

Having been in ministry for several years, I have witnessed this phenomenon and even experienced it myself many times.  You may attend a church that offers a variety of music, classes, ministry opportunities, worship services, accomplished speakers, preaching, teaching, and Bible study on the menu. Perhaps you sample them all and leave filled service after service until one day……….  One Sunday or one Wednesday, you enter the sanctuary and peruse the menu.  The music is not the right genre and just doesn’t soothe your soul.  The pastor drones on teaching the same old lesson with a few new stories and as for prayer time; “Come on, get what you need from God and let’s go home.”  Finally, the dismissal prayer is prayed and you leave, unsatisfied.  You just aren’t “being fed.”   Hmmmmm!!!  Are you sure?  There was a full menu offered, an appetizer of worship, singing praise and giving glory to God, an entrée of well-prepared “meat” of the Word and even a lovely dessert of God’s presence around the altar.  Nothing to eat?  Not being fed?  It’s Not The Menu; It’s The Hunger!

Before you apologize and leave the “restaurant” because there is “nothing to eat,” check your hunger and thirst.  Have you been stuffing yourself with so much “junk food” that there is no room to feast on the Word?  Has your thirst been slaked by “flavored water” from the world’s wells until there is no longer a thirst for the Presence of God?  Perhaps it is time to empty yourself of all the unhealthy food you’ve been ingesting and become HUNGRY once again.  IT’S NOT THE MENU, IT’S THE HUNGER!

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

WHY GO TO CHURCH?

Have you ever heard someone make the statements, “Organized religion isn’t for me” or “I don’t have to go to church to be saved?”  We have all probably heard or uttered those phrases at one time in our life.  Well, I have to agree with the first statement.  I would trade organized religion for a relationship with Jesus Christ any day.  Some would say they are not mutually exclusive so why can’t you enjoy both.  I have experienced both and in myself and others, I have observed the more focused you are on organized religion the more distant your relationship with Jesus grows.  The reverse is also true, the closer your relationship with God the less impact organized religion has on your life.  As to the second statement, let me tell you my story.

It had been one of those weeks.  Everything I had read, heard or thought about reminded me of my faults, failures, shortcomings and inadequacies.  Facebook was full of ministry success posts and it seemed that if I stretched the truth, twisted a few details and overlooked all the “restarts,” I might be able to manufacture one small success to share.  I was missing my grandbabies, my kids were all too busy, my siblings had their wonderful lives and even my mom never asked about me.  Years ago, Steve and I had answered the call of God on our lives with visions of hundreds being saved and in general accomplishing “great things.”  Others would treat the call lightly but not us; we were determined to work, commit, let nothing stand in our way of following after God’s will…yet now I had arrived in 2013 and I was tired with no visible fruit in my basket.

Onto the second statement; I didn’t need to go to church this morning to be saved.   I was just as saved when I rolled out of bed this morning as when I stepped into the sanctuary a couple of hours later.  Being discouraged does not equal a loss of salvation but my pity party was overshadowing my ability to encourage myself.    I needed to go to church because God had orchestrated a service, as an expression of His love, just for me.   

Now I have to admit, I couldn’t bear to go to Sunday School and hear the scheduled lesson taught on “Bearing Fruit through Serving,” as I stated previously, I was serving to the point of exhaustion and my basket was empty.  As the worship service began, I recognized God’s handiwork in the selection of music; “How Can I Keep From Praising Your Name” and “Living He Loved Me; Dying He Saved Me.” Healing tears began to flow, washing away the pain; the sermon was directed at me and the time around the altar completed the process but the sweet surprise God had planned for me happened during the offering.  NOTHING exciting happens during offering. Oh Yeah?  We are talking God here and if He chooses to show His love during the offering, who is going to stop Him!!!  During the offering, a sweet lady behind me, leaned forward and said, “I just want to let you know what a blessing you are to me and how happy I am you are here.  It is so encouraging to talk with you; I love your worship and commitment to God.”  

 No, I didn’t need to go to church this morning for salvation, I needed to go to church to love and be loved.   I needed to be reminded of what a great God I serve, who will orchestrate an opportunity to shower His love on me. I needed to enter the sanctuary, filled with Brothers and Sisters, lifting their voices in worship and be assured there is a whole family of God; I am not alone. “I don’t have to go to church to be saved” but it sure makes the journey a whole lot easier and immensely more pleasurable.

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT THE CHURCH?

REPOST FROM JULY 2011, ORIGINALLY POSTED APRIL 2010

Originally posted in April, 2010, I felt led to post it again.  It is so easy to take our eyes off Jesus and become so discouraged that we fail to see the good in anything including the church.  It was at such a moment that the Holy Spirit convicted me and I began to think about what a blessing The Church has been throughout my life.

Recently, Steve was talking with a man who wanted to change his life.  He confessed that his attempt to change on his own wasn’t working; he could be good for a short time and then his desires would overwhelm his efforts.  Steve, of course, began to tell him that being filled with the Holy Spirit was his answer.  It is only through the Holy Spirit that we have the power to overcome our sinful nature.  As the conversation continued, the reasons for his resistance began to spill out; he had been failed by the Church.  It wasn’t really “The Church” but people who claimed to be members of “The Church.”  He had been betrayed by people who talked “Christianese” but didn’t carry it through to the action phase.  BEEN THERE!!!

I have yet to find an individual who has NOT been disappointed by a church member or a church member who has NOT disappointed someone.  I have been let down by pastors, SS teachers, Christian “friends,” choir members and the list goes on.  Sometimes as I sit quietly on a Sunday afternoon, I realize that I am the one who disappointed that member who needed encouragement, a friend or someone just to care.  Yes, The Church is full of imperfect people; people who get angry, act hateful, betray trust, are insensitive and even sin; people just like you and me.

If you talk to enough disgruntled people or read enough religious news you will begin to get the picture that The Church is just a “Club for Hypocrites.”  Is there anything good about The Church?  This is an excerpt from a devotional by Christopher J. Harris called The Church Has My Vote.  I’ve seen church members that take their faith serious and walk that out in their daily lives. I’ve seen Pastors have such an encounter with God that they live what they preach. I’ve seen choir members that were the same righteous people in public and in private. I’ve seen more preachers that were committed to their wives than I have seen the opposite. I’ve seen more Deacons support their Pastor’s than the opposite. I’ve seen church members that love people so much that they’ve given money, time, and their talents just to help someone that they’ve only met a few minutes ago. I’ve seen people cry together and laugh together. I’ve seen men connect with other men when otherwise there were walls of mistrust. I’ve seen women get restored when they’d decided they would never trust again……….That’s the other reason why I’m sold out to the church. It doesn’t belong to any one person. It is God’s!

I was introduced to the church at 10 months old and 53 years later, I still love The Church.  It was a place where I learned to love God’s Word.  Beginning with wonderful Sunday School teachers who lovingly taught me not just Bible stories but the awesome truths they contained.  I had pastors that cared about their congregations and sacrificed personal opportunities to follow the call of God and preach salvation to lovable and unlovable sinners.  It was surrounded by The Church that I gave my heart to God and received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit at 9 years old.  It was The Church that encouraged an awkward teenager to sing, teach and learn to play the piano, and then use her talents for God.  Church has always been a place of safety, where I could feel an arm around me as I poured my heart out to God.  There are so many good things about The Church but the best thing about The Church is that I have been accepted as a member.  Now it’s up to me.  My behavior and attitude will determine if seeking people can find something good about The Church.  Will they find welcoming arms or an exclusive club with a closed membership?  Will they find the truth of God’s Word or an ear-tickling, back-slapping homily that leaves them unchanged?  Will they find the power of the Holy Ghost or dead religion?  God, help me to be a part of what’s good about The Church.

GIVE ME JESUS AND STARBUCKS AND......

When I was in college, I had to take a 300 level management class. One of the few things I remember from this class is the importance of a mission statement to an organization. It defines who you are as an organization, your philosophy, your goals and your targeted market. By having a written definition of your organization, management is able to narrow its focus to those things that will fulfill the organization’s goals and ultimate success. Many organizations have failed not because of bad ideas or personnel but because in neglecting to define goals their focus became too broad. I worked for an investor who became wealthy by purchasing distressed rental properties at a low price. This worked for him for several years until he decided to branch out into the hospitality industry. His focus changed and the new ventures became a drain on his proven companies. He eventually divested himself of the losing properties and regained his focus after learning a painful lesson.

Having been raised in dynamic churches, I have had wonderful examples in all areas of ministry. God has placed beautiful, dedicated pastor’s wives, Sunday school teachers, worship leaders, counselors, prayer warriors and people with other callings in my life. I have learned valuable lessons from each and many I have tried to emulate in the callings that God placed in my heart. As a young person, I found myself longing to be used in a specific ministry because the people involved seemed to be so happy, so loved and so blessed. Other times I have gotten involved in certain ministries only to find myself discouraged and frustrated. After many years of “spinning my wheels,” I finally realized that God would lead me into the perfect ministry He had planned for my talents and personality. Once I developed a “Mission Statement” based on God’s plan for me, I found joy in serving and spiritual fulfillment. I was able to pray for others to be used in their call without longing or jealousy at their success.

A few years ago, a man came to start a church in the town in which we were living. He came full of zeal, with a plan and a time frame. To his dismay, his plan included a Starbucks and our town didn’t have a Starbucks. Then he found out it also didn’t have a specific donut or ice cream shop. He continued for a few years but was never able to focus his vision on a strategy that would fit the field he had chosen for his labor. After a time of frustration, he left to fulfill another dream as a manager of a Starbucks. It doesn’t matter whether you work at Starbucks, a Fortune 500 company or are in full-time ministry, let the call of God not your place of employment define your ministry.

If God has placed a burden on your heart ask God to show you where to start. If it is sharing the gospel with hungry hearts, don’t get hung up on the brand of coffee you want to serve, the style of music you envision playing or the fact that you don’t have the personnel for multiple programs. If God wants you to write, don’t worry about who will publish your book, God will open that door. If you have a desire to speak, find a volunteer opportunity that will get you few pats on the back and little applause. In due season, God will reward your efforts and provide the stage. If you will keep your focus on developing a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, all these “things” will fall into place. Remember, you and Jesus are a majority and He can accomplish His will through you without a Starbucks, a magnificent building or flashing lights. Just give me Jesus!

THE PEOPLE GOD WANTS!!!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Rebecca Manley Pippert tells the story of Bill from Portland Oregon. Bill was a brilliant, eccentric student at the Oregon College who moved to his own drumbeat and refused political correctness or societal expectations. There was a well-dressed, middle-class church across the street from the college. They felt a burden to reach out to the students and welcome them into their service. It just so happens about that time, Bill found the Lord. One Sunday, Bill decided to worship at the church across the street. He walked into church wearing blue jeans, a t-shirt and of course no shoes. The church was quit crowded and Bill, finding no seat, simply walked down the aisle to the front pew and squatted down on the floor. Suddenly, an elderly man began walking down the aisle toward the boy. What was he going to say to the brash college student? He would probably “straighten out” this young man, such disrespect simply could not be allowed in the House of God. The congregation held its collective breath. When the elderly man reached Bill, he simply lowered himself to sit beside Bill on the carpet. He and Bill worshiped together on the carpet that Sunday morning. There was not a dry eye in the congregation.

How many “Bills” have walked through our church doors, felt the chill of the condescending stares and walked out, never to return. How many “Bills” have we passed on the street and looked the other way because they didn’t fit our soul-winning vision. Matt Maddix, a popular soul-winning evangelist, has coined the phrase, “If you reach for the people nobody wants, God will give you the people everybody wants.” TRUE!!! Another speaker has said, “If you reach for the people nobody wants, God will MAKE them the people everybody wants.” TRUE!!! As I thought about these phrases, I thought about all the people I come in contact every day. Some are wealthy, educated, poor, illiterate, intellectual, mentally-challenged, athletic, handicapped, well-dressed, and others are homeless. They are all the people that make up my world. The people Jesus died for! The people God wants!!!

The Bible tells us that Jesus came to “seek and save those who are lost.” When Jesus came, he didn’t check out the demographics, take a poll or target a specific socio-economic group. Who did Jesus “hang” with? A rich, young ruler consulted with Jesus, there was a little widow who had a simple “mite” to put in the offering, a prostitute washed his feet, and he debated with the priests in the temple. His immediate circle consisted of fishermen, wealthy tax-collectors, a wild, wilderness-loving cousin; he had a humble young girl for a mother and the village carpenter for a father. Jesus reached out to the demon-possessed, the epileptics, paralytics and lepers, children, military commanders, the religious elite and sinners. There was no one too great or too unimportant for Jesus to reach for, can we say the same?

We are commanded to go into ALL the world; we don’t have the right to be selective. Take a look around the world in which you live, is there a “Bill” you passed over because he wasn’t in the place you were looking. Maybe he didn’t fit your vision of the ideal “Christian.” Perhaps his ideas didn’t fit your religious philosophy. “Bill” is one of the people God wants!!! I am praying that God removes all prejudice, preconceived ideas and clears my vision to see all the people that are hungry to experience what I have; all the people God wants.

DEVOURING OUR OWN IS CANNIBALISM

The television ads are becoming nastier, attacking individual characters, full of false accusations and edited sound bites. The Liberals are frantically digging for “dirt” on the Conservatives and the Republicans are accusing the Democrats of destroying the country. Every “stump” speech, interview, or past action is swiftly analyzed to use in the next attack ad. We are in the middle of an intense political season. As the days tick down to November 2 the rhetoric is ramped up. This is to be expected in a free country that regards Freedom of Speech as guaranteed by our Constitution to be one of our most important freedoms.

I have observed on several occasions that most people fiercely defend the issue of Freedom of Speech as long as the speech agrees with their philosophy. How quickly the tide turns, however, when the speech becomes controversial, even if it is declaring a truth. This week we have witnessed two regulars on a popular talk show, marching off the stage in anger because a guest dared to express his personal opinion on an issue. That incident was permissible to most viewers because it was one political viewpoint against another. But what happens when a group turns against its own? If we began to devour our own, whatever the reason, we are practicing CANNIBALISM!
Yesterday, Juan Williams, Senior News Analyst for NPR and commentator on Fox News was fired for making a statement regarding Muslims. Juan is known as a moderately liberal commentator and had worked for NPR, known for their liberal philosophies, for 10 years. NPR accused Mr. Williams of making a bigoted statement regarding a reaction he experienced personally. So much for Freedom of Speech; at NPR, censorship appears to reign supreme. As a country we must be careful to allow speech that does not agree with us in order to preserve our own freedom to be controversial at times. Contrary speech allows us to examine our own philosophies, possibly learn something new and solidify the truth in our own minds. If this is true of a nation, how much more important it is in the Church of God.

As a church are we guilty of devouring our own because they speak, worship or look just a little different than what we have established as “religiously correct?” Just as the United States has a constitution that must stand as the final authority on issues, the church has the Word of God that contains eternal truth. Does that mean we destroy those who may have a differing viewpoint or have not yet attained our superior understanding of the Bible?

The early church narrowly escaped “spiritual cannibalism” due to the strength and wisdom of one of their leaders. In Acts 11, Peter was taken to task for going to Cornelius’ home and eating with him. The problem; Cornelius was an uncircumcised gentile. Peter’s reply was so perfect, “So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” 

By Acts 15, we find that the Circumcised Believers had formed a Council. The issue: “Unless you were circumcised, you could not be saved!” Again, Peter was called on to settle the dispute. Peter pointed out that God had accepted the uncircumcised by giving them the Holy Spirit, making no distinction between the circumcised and uncircumcised because of their faith. Peter went on to ask, “Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?” Or in my vernacular, “Why are you trying to cannibalize these new Christians who look and act a little different from you?”

Peter’s last statement settled the issue, “No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are. Let’s not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”

As “mature” Christians, let us embrace those who enter our church circle whether they speak the same language, wear the same clothes, have the same understanding or appear to be completely foreign in speech, dress and interpretation. Listen carefully, you may learn something or realize you are the one in error.

 Maybe their speech or dress is a mask for other experiences of rejection and they were hoping that just maybe that “Love of God” you speak of was a reality. Perhaps they hadn’t heard that there was another way to live and that God’s word held a promise of freedom from the sins of their past. Just maybe a hug and a gentle leading into truth is what they need instead of being met at the door with sharpened knives and a hot fire.

We must always be careful to speak the truth but it must be enveloped with the love of God. Let us not be guilty of Spiritual Cannibalism.

THE GREATEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD

Have you ever wondered how “the other half” lives, wished your home, car or other possession was like a friend’s or desired any life but your own? We have all allowed our minds to explore the world of, “What if?” I have discovered in the last few months that the best life is the one I am living because as I submit to God, it is the one He created just for me. I have also found that the best church is the one God has placed me in and the greatest people in the world are those in my sphere of influence.

God has placed Steve and me in Saginaw, MI. It may not be the “armpit” of the nation, but it is far from the most desirable city in the Michigan, let alone the United States. Jobs are disappearing, homes stand vacant, awaiting foreclosure, and at least once a week the news reports another shooting victim. Poverty and hopelessness is on the rise, yet I see a beautiful city of great opportunity full of people with a great need for the revelation of Jesus Christ. He has called us to pastor a small church. Let me define small; 3 people beside Steve and I. Small; yes, but, he has placed the 3 Greatest People In the World in our congregation.
These are the people we have shed tears for, prayed over, rejoiced with, shared our heart and together celebrated each victory. Watching the spiritual growth in each one over the past year has been one of our greatest joys. God has used them at a moment of discouragement to call or email a testimony of encouragement. God has caused His love for them to be transplanted into our hearts; they have become part of our family.

As you travel down the darkened streets and peer into the warm light of a neighbor’s window, don’t forget that behind the light are trials and challenges that you cannot even imagine. The best home in the world is the cheery little house down the road that you call home. The church across town may have a great choir and thousands of members, but the best church in the world is the church where the pastor feeds you the Word of God and you can experience the Presence of God every week. Since time began and in the entire universe, God chose to place you in this place, on this date, with these people to live with, love and influence for Him. Remember, you are surrounded by the Greatest People in the World.

TOMORROW IT WILL BE YESTERDAY'S PROBLEM

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS

BUT I KNOW WHO HOLDS THE FUTURE

AND HIS LIGHT WILL GUIDE THE WAY

For the past several years, Steve and I have felt the call of God on our lives for ministry. We have pastored, assisted in various ministries and attempted to build two churches. Ministry can be the most wonderfully, frustrating challenge you will ever face and starting a work with just 2 faithful people has to be number one on the list. For the last 5 years we have had successes and less than successes. Just when it seemed a breakthrough was on the horizon, our faith would once again be tested. In the last 6 months, we seemed to be gaining ground; we were rejoicing over one baptism and excited to see the spiritual growth taking place. God decided about a month ago that it was time for another test. Three of our most faithful members felt God leading them in another direction. A church of a hundred may not feel the loss of 3 people too deeply, while a church of 50 may feel the sting, but when you have 10 parishioners, it can be devastating.

I thank God for a spiritually strong husband. While I was crying and asking God why and where do we go from here, Steve was praying that God would restore what we had lost 10 fold. My first remark was, “You do realize that will be 30 people?” His answer, “Praise God.” I decided right then and there that I am not going to be left out of this blessing that God is about to pour out on Redemption Ministries. I made up my mind to agree with Steve and let God show His greatness. In the last 3 weeks we have had 5 new visitors, only 25 to go. God has been speaking new ideas and a new vision into our heart. I still have fleeting thoughts of yesterday but I am now able to pray God’s blessing on those who left and look with excitement every day to what God is doing and will do tomorrow. God will build an Apostolic Church in Saginaw, Michigan.

Several years ago, I sang with the Jr. High School Girls’ Chorus. I was introduced to a whole new genre of music. This little Pentecostal girl used to hearing southern gospel had never heard of Broadway show tunes and knew very little about a group called The Beatles. To this day I can still remember the songs and their words. One of the songs was Yesterday by Paul McCartney. The song begins, “Yesterday, all my troubles seem so far away, now it looks as though there here to stay. Oh I believe in yesterday.” I find most of the Beatles lyrics to be anti-biblical, yet if I allow it, I find myself applying the song to my situation.

In Philippians 3:14, it’s the Apostle Paul not Paul McCartney who writes so eloquently of where our yesterdays belong, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Yesterday can teach us valuable lessons and hold wonderful memories of God’s blessings but they are not the complete picture of God’s plan. The High Calling of God in Christ Jesus promises a prize if we will just press on. It may look like trouble is “here to stay” but if we keep our eye on the prize, tomorrow, the trouble will be yesterday’s problem.

FOOLISH AND WEAK THINGS

I Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.

If you have never pastored, attended or been involved in a “starter” or home mission church, you have missed one of life’s greatest experiences. You have missed the excitement over one new visitor, the joy over one sinner bowing a knee, the anticipation over what God is going to do every Sunday morning and the discouragement Sunday afternoon because only your family was in attendance. You learn how to pick yourself up off your knees on Monday morning, how to encourage yourself, grab hold of hope and hear the voice of God. You discover the value of every individual, how to love the unlovable and allow God to send conviction and be the judge. You learn that you are nothing without God and it really IS GOD who gives the increase. Finally, God shows in little ways every day that He is faithful.

Steve and I have pastored such a church for five years. It started in our home with our family, and then God blessed us with a beautiful building. We have had as many as 30 and as few as 2 in attendance. When we began, we made up our mind to be faithful regardless of how things appeared. We promised God to sing, worship and preach no matter how many showed up. It has been hard to preach to 2 people and 30 voices blend so much better than 3; although I believe that God enjoys the 3 more than the 30 because we are worshiping Him despite the circumstances.

Sunday, July 20, 2008 was one of the occasions that make all the prayer, fasting, witnessing, and inviting worth all the effort. We had our first baptism in almost 3 years. Chris was working through many issues when he first stepped through the door of Redemption Ministries on Mother’s Day, 2008. He wasn’t sure he wanted to be at the service but as he has testified since, it was better than being lonely and just maybe we would have some available cute girls. Much to his surprise, he was the only one in attendance that did not have the last name, Niswonger. We have nurtured Chris and watched his spiritual growth with such delight. He progressed from “I’ve never been to a church like this” to raising his hands in worship to the Lord. A few weeks after his first visit, we watched Chris walk slowly up to the front and kneel at an altar of repentance. A couple of weeks after repenting, he suddenly announced one Sunday, during fellowship, “Pastor, I think I need to be baptized.”

At Redemption Ministries we are not blessed with a beautiful baptismal tank with faucets to fill it and a heater to keep the temperature just right, but we do have a blow-up swimming pool. So on July 20th in front of several of Chris’ friends and family, he was buried in the precious Name of Jesus. He had a look of joy on his face when he came out of the water and we all rejoiced as we sang, “It’s Because I’m forgiven.”

The beautiful thing about new converts is the excitement and freedom they feel once they have turned their life over to Jesus Christ. Last week, Chris came with a friend. Lori also is struggling with many issues, but Chris has experienced something that he knows is the answer to every problem in Lori’s life. Please help us pray for these hungry hearts. We trust this is just the beginning of a Holy Ghost outpouring in Saginaw.

FOR ONLY ONE

It is the Sunday after Easter and the death and resurrection of Jesus is still fresh in my mind. I am still rejoicing over the empty tomb and the words, “He is not here, He is risen.” A thrill courses through my being when I hear or quote John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. That whosever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:17 says further “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 8:12 speaks again of the whole world “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” The Bible tells us that sin entered into the world by one man and because of one man’s sin Jesus died for all. I John 2:2 And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. There are many scriptures that tell of God’s love for the whole world, but I am so thankful that the whole world is made up of individual people.

God loves individual people. Today in his message Steven reminded us about the value of ONE soul to the Lord. The Gospel of Mark gives us the account of the demon possessed man at Gadarene. Jesus was preaching to the multitudes on one side of the sea. He left, got into a boat, went across the sea, cast the demons out of ONE man and returned back to the multitudes. He gave a parable of the Good Shepherd who would leave the ninety and nine to go seek after the ONE lost sheep. Many times Jesus was moved with compassion for ONE person out of the crowd of people surrounding Him. I am reminded of this song by Ray Boltz:

For only one, He would have suffered and given up His life
For only one He’d have born the shame and made the sacrifice
For God so loved the whole world, He gave His only Son
But I believe He’d have done the same for only one.

There are false teachings declaring that because Jesus died once for all and since we can do nothing to earn our salvation, all mankind is saved. Repentance, faith, and surrendering our life to Him do not enter into this teaching and cheapens His sacrifice on Calvary. Jesus died for the whole world; however, salvation is not corporate but available through obedience on an individual basis. He truly is a personal savior who desires a personal relationship; ONE on ONE.

MOMENTS OF TRUTH

The headline of this Sunday’s newspaper read “HAPPY EASTER,” complete with flowers and a colored egg. Finally, on the back page, the resurrection was mentioned. Actually, it was a full page ad purchased by Hobby Lobby. The stores were full of Easter bunnies, stuffed animals, baskets, candy, tulips, crocuses and Easter lilies. It is very difficult to find the true celebration of Easter displayed publicly unless you entered a religious book store. Even there you found commercialization and secularization of the most important day in history. How do you allow your kids to have fun and still get the message into their hearts? Be creative!!!

Mackenzie is 3 ½ and every event in her life is exciting and celebrated. She loves parties and all the trappings that go with them, especially decorating the cake. What better way to teach her about the resurrection than throw a RESURRECTION PARTY.

My very creative daughter-in-law Holly, Mackenzie’s mother baked what else, a Resurrection Cake. Phil had emailed me the pictures of the cake, of course I had to call and exclaim in wonder over the great idea and creativity that was put into this important teaching moment. Mackenzie was so thrilled with the party but did she get the message? Her excited little voice on the phone told the story. “Gramma, Gramma,” she exclaimed, “We’re having a party; we made a cake.” Her next statement let us know, SHE GOT IT!!! There was no mention of chocolate frosting for the barren ground, that a donut was rolled away or teddy grahams were visiting, guarding and proclaiming, “He is risen.” Mackenzie loudly announced, “THE TOMB IS EMPTY!!! “ When I asked why it was empty, she declared, “JESUS IS ALIVE!!!”

Oh that we would feel the excitement and joy of that first Easter. That we would forget about a new dress, white shoes, chocolate bunnies, and jelly beans to declare HALLELUJAH, JESUS IS ALIVE.

JESUS IS ALIVE!!!!

Why seek ye the living among the dead. He is not here, He is risen

HALLELUJAH, JESUS IS ALIVE!!!

RELEVANCE AT THE EXPENSE OF REVERENCE

Once again we are reminded of the spiritual condition of America’s churches. Network and cable news outlets have played clips of Obama’s pastor until we are able to not only identify Rev. Jeremiah Wright but quote him and describe his ethnic style of dress. Now You-Tube investigators are finding many more instances of shocking speech in the pulpit. The excuse is they are relating to the lives of the congregants; these ministers are preaching a “social gospel.” It appears it is more important to be RELEVANT than REVERENT.

Churches incorporate secular music into their worship services, spend hours on a spectacular multi-media presentation and a few minutes on a “relative” sermon. It is “hip” to use shocking language, gimmicks and games all to appeal and appear relevant to a dying world hurtling toward an eternity without God. There was a time when the Minister was one of the most respected men in the community, however, scandal and shady dealings have caused the ministry to become fodder for late night television.

As a child I attended a “non-relevant church.” Children were not ushered into state of the art nurseries, we learned to behave in church, worship God and listen to the sermon. The preaching didn’t stroke anyone’s ego; it wasn’t delivered with eloquent speech or in a dignified manner. I’m sure by today’s standards, the sermons were not “relevant” but they were powerful. Lives were transformed; sinners would either run to the altar or out the back door. No one left unchanged or commented, “What a lovely speech.” We clapped and raised our hands, tears flowed and noses ran, hair didn’t stay in neatly coifed up-dos, we called each other brother & sister, preachers sweated and hollered, legs went to sleep and knees got calloused from kneeling so long at the altar; yes, we actually had altars.

Entertainment? The entertainment was top of the line. There was nothing more glorious than the singing. I expected the trumpet to sound at any minute when Sis. Haggard played the piano and sang “God’s Going to Shake This World Again.” The Welchel boys tuning their guitars and singing “down home” harmony made you want to stomp your feet. There were songs like “I’ll Live On;”I was sure the real name was “Olive Vaughn,” in honor of Sis. Vaughn, “Won’t We Have A Time When We Get Over Yonder”, and “Heaven’s Jubilee” Then of course Bro. Johnson’s favorite, page number 400, “Hold the Fort” , when we would all wave a handkerchief or Kleenex as we sang the last line of the refrain. It was always exciting to march around the church in victory to the strains of “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Some danced, fell under the Power of God, spun around, jumped, and ran the aisles. Now, that’s entertainment!!!!!

People stood in the congregation to testify of the goodness of God in their everyday lives. Some spoke of powerful conversions and prayed they would “go the last mile of the way.” Who can forget Bro. Johnson’s rendition of “The Old Violin” delivered in a broken Swedish accent, testifying of the change God had made in his life. We knew what it felt like to feel the awesome presence of God when Sis. Frieda gave a message in tongues, then wait with a holy hush for another precious saint to proclaim the interpretation.

The church was a haven for everyone from the least to the greatest. A refuge to Sis. King who would parade into Sunday School with her brood following close behind. Her family was the only one that took up more room than ours. She had 15 kids, mom and dad had 6. Needless to say, Sis. King usually beat mom to win the prize on Mother’s Day for the “Mom with the most kids present.” A place of acceptance to the man who sat on the back row and would get so excited he would let out a Hallelujah that sounded like “Hot dawg.” It was a source of comfort to Bro. Clutter whose comb-over would flop in the wind. It was the place back in 1966 where I was baptized in the Name of Jesus and filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Tell all these people their church wasn’t relevant. There were no streaming backgrounds and flashing lights, we used hymnals. Starbucks coffee wasn’t offered but nothing could beat the fried chicken at church potlucks. Shocking words and illustrations didn’t flow from the pulpit, the minister stood with reverent awe as he delivered the words to the congregation he had received directly from God.

The sermons have become more polished, our music has progressed from the old hymns to modern praise & worship, solos and choir renditions are preselected and pre-practiced and we have trained greeters and ushers to welcome our guests as we reach out to meet the needs of our changing world. In the midst of all our sophistication let us not lose sight of the fact that God is a Holy God and all honor and glory belongs to Him. Let us not become Relevant at the expense of Reverence.

I welcome comments and memories of how church has been relevant to your life. email them to me at susan.niswonger@sbcglobal.net. I would like to include them in a later blog.

John 3:16

Today is March 16; 3rd month, 16th day or 3:16. In honor of today, I would like to revisit one of the most famous verses in the Bible.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

What a beautiful portrayal of God's plan for mankind. It gives us insight into the character of God; God is love. It also provides us with hope. A hope that assures us we don't have to continue living in a desperate situation. A hope that says there is something more beyond this life. No wonder it is the most quoted and best loved verse in the Bible. As Steven reminded us this morning, it is not the most important verse in the Bible, but only one of many important verses. John 3:16 must be included but others must not be excluded so that the entire picture of God's amazing plan can be discovered.

To gain a better understanding of God, start with John 3:16 and continue until all the pieces fit together and Jesus Christ is revealed. For God was in Christ, reconciling himself to the World, 2 Corinthians 5:19.

I DON'T NEED A RELEVANT CHURCH

Psalms 19:7-10 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

The new buzz word in church growth and evangelism seems to be “Relevant Churches.” We are constantly trying to come up with a new program or gimmick to reach and retain potential members. The more I pondered this concept the more I realized I don’t want something that is “relevant” to the life I have carved out for myself. I want to act and think differently. I need to believe that there is a much greater hope beyond this miserable existence. I want Truth! Instead of making the Gospel relevant to my life, make my life relevant to the Gospel.

I have heard preachers make statements like: Jesus came to earth so He could know what we feel and go through or so he could relate to His creation. There is only one reason Jesus came to earth. Man had sinned, man had to die, God became a man so he could take the place of sinful man. John 3:16 doesn't say God so loved the world that he came so He could be more relevant. It says that He gave His only begotten son so we would not have to die but could have eternal life. The gospel transforms us into God's image. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the Mind of Christ. We are to put off the old man and become a new creation in Christ Jesus.

I am convinced that a lost world doesn't want a church that is relevant; the next party or bar, latest thrill or movie relates to where they are in life. A lost world wants a church that tells them how they can be free from the chains of sin, experience joy unspeakable and lay down at night with a peace that passes all understanding.