Rediscovery

As we conclude our God of the City series this Sunday, I hope that you have been motivated to rediscover your place on the wall. Rebuilding the walls doesn't just happen. Generally speaking- we can pray about it...but it's sort of one of those things that doesn't require a lot of prayer...God says do it! The tough thing is finding out WHAT God wants us to do. Now that requires a great deal of prayer.

One thing I remember from reading Experiencing God years ago, is that the author says that if you want to get excited about God, then be where He is. The whole point of this concept is that yes, God is everywhere, but we all know that there are a host of dead congregations out there that aren't doing a whole lot to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I don't know about you, but I want to be someplace where God is working, people are excited, the spirit of God is flowing, the Word of God is being preached, lived and shared. I want to live in that same sort of community. How do we get a community like that? The church begins living it outside of the walls of our building on Sunday morning.

Rediscovering gets the attention off you and onto a lost world..a lost country, a lost state, a lost community. If you are facing loneliness, depression, jealousy, anger, a complaining spirit, critical attitude or anything less that excitement for what God is doing in your life, then take a look around your community and get involved in something bigger than yourself. I promise when you get focused on someone else, you'll feel better!

Check out these verses today: Romans 12:10, Hebrews 13:1, Eph. 4:2, 5:21

Have a great day!
Bruce

Get Your Game Face On

Are you ready for the big game Sunday? I can guarantee you the players are doing everything they can to ready themselves for this chance of a lifetime. They are eating right, resting, working out, running, lifting weights, stretching, getting their gear ready, watching the opposing teams videos...they are preparing for the fight of their lives on the football field. They have a goal. Win the Superbowl...nothing less is acceptable. They are going to everything in their power to protect the bowl, throw the pass, score the touchdown.

They are going to be on time for the game....no one will be late...they will have eaten breakfast, they'll have their gear on, there will be excitement and anticipation in the locker room, stands and on the field.

Wow! Can you imagine if we protected our families with such energy, dedication and eagerness? Can you imagine if we put on the armor of God, read His Word, prepare for the battle, identify the enemy, anticipate the game plays, study the enemy, focus on the goal, practice for the big day by making good habits part of everyday life? How different would things be?

It's easy to get excited about a big football game, but what about your own family? Ready to take on the big one? Ready to fight with everything you've got? Ready to get suited up for the fight? I hope so.

I can't wait to see you Sunday. Read Nehemiah 4:14 to get your heart and mind focused on what God has for us!

Bruce

Get Your Fight On!

Next week's sermon in our series on Nehemiah is going to be all about the family fighting. Far less common than topics you might find covered on Oprah or Jerry Springer (is he still around?) - is the kind of family fighting that is covered in God's Word. In Nehemiah 4, Israel had begun building the wall when they came against some pretty strong talkers. You know that kind....the loud obnoxious name callers. Nehemiah gave God's people a couple of things to do. One of them being...fight for your family.

In a world where people get fired up by a lot of causes that aren't worth too much eternally, how about getting fired up about fighting for your family. Their spiritual health, their daily walk, their morals and convictions, their testimony....all things worth getting fired up about. How do you fight for your family? The best thing you can do is identify where the enemy attacks your family and then make a plan of action. For our family, Satan loves to attack on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. I don't find this coincidental. So instead of a free for all with Satan throwing all the punches, we have a plan of action for Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. Clothes get ironed and laid out for church, the kids get baths early and our night time activities are usually low-key, we get up in time to not yell on Sunday mornings, we tag team with getting the kids ready. Do we always succeed? No way! But we are much more successful now, because we have a plan. We aren't flying by the seat of our Sunday best pants! I know this is a rather comical struggle for some of you, but the truth is that if you identify how the enemy works, and get a plan in place to fight him, with God's help...you can fight for your family....and win!

Praying for you in the fight this week,
Bruce

What's In Your Wallet?

Ok...I know this title is a little goofy, but I can't thing of any other way to get your mind thinking on the things that others cannot see from looking at you...your money, your talents, your time, your thoughts. So maybe we should just say "What's in your ________________?

In Dr. Frank Page's book, The Nehemiah Factor, he says " Every talent is needed in the divine economy. Every talent is precious in the sight of God". Do you understand what he is saying? No matter who you are, what you've done, where you work, how your kids turned out, if you're married or single, young or old....you have been divinely designed with talents that are priceless in the divine economy. It doesn't matter if you think you aren't good enough, God says "I created and formed every detail of everything you are comprised of. I don't make mistakes." Do you realize that unless the church begins using their gifts for God...we will need a spiritual bailout because of our laziness, pride, greed or false humility?

What's holding you back from allowing God to use you fully. So many things are pulling our time these days. Why not give God a try. Give Him those special hidden gifts and talents and start using them around your home, church and town. Let's watch and see what a huge different God can make in our community, when we are doing out part to boost the divine economy.

Check out Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Ephesians 4 for more on finding out your spiritual gift.

Modern Day Nehemiah Stories

Last night the PLT met for their regular meeting. We reviewed some of the great things that are happening around GBF, we talked about our God of the City series, future community events and more. It was exciting to hear and talk about the way God is leading us to minister and share Christ's love here in Gunter.

When I returned home, Gina had just finished up her quarterly board meeting with The Mission Board of Directors and began sharing with me how God is so obviously orchestrating some modern day Nehemiah events through some wonderful things that are happening there. Doors are opening because they are asking...not begging or pleading, but just asking. Just like Nehemiah presented his case to the king, God is preparing the hearts of people who would not normally be sensitive and its EXCITING!!!

How's God working in your own life? Have you heard there's a need in Gunter? Have you been burdened by the conditions here? Have you spent serious time in prayer and fasting, seeking God's direction about how He wants you to participate? Have you become heart-sick, like Nehemiah before the king? Have you presented your case to someone who can help you? It's a lot of work to follow this plan of Nehemiah's. It takes time, conscious effort and discipline.

I'd love to hear how you're putting these lessons into action. How's God leading you? Sharing it with others will provide some accountability for you and also will allow others to pray for you. It also spreads an excitement amongst God's people when we share that God is busy working right here in front of us and through us. You can leave a comment here on the blog or drop me a note if you'd like prayer about the way God is leading you. I'd be more than happy to join you in prayer for God's direction.

Hang on...this week is going to be good! God's got someplace special for you to work. We'll find out just how important your place is on the wall. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Perspective

As we've been studying Nehemiah, one thing we can be sure of is that he kept had a good perspective of his surroundings, God's call, even his enemies! Remember at first, he was ignorant to the conditions of the wall, but as soon as he knew what they were, he didn't bellyache. He went straight to God to find out what to do. He gained insight and perspective by going to the One who had all the answers. When he went before the King not only was he equipped to answer the king, but also to ask for the appropriate things he would need for the trip. Can you imagine if he had gone before the king and quoted off a list of unreasonable requests? Yet, he had the right perspective on the rebuilding process and new what God had told him to do. There are countless illustrations of his good perspective, but one last one is how he responded to the nay-sayers. Remember there is no record of him getting angry, cussing anybody out, or a flying fist hitting anyone! He kept focused on working God's plan. He didn't let the negativity of the enemy get to him.

WOW! What a concept! In my own life I struggle with this sometimes. Things are going along great and out of no where something very negative and discouraging comes along and then I have the choice; stay focused on the call of God...or....get bogged down in the pity, discouragement and negativity of the enemy. I'm going to be working hard to stay focused on the call. God wants to use US! His call is the loudest voice we should be hearing! All other voices should be background music in our lives.

Let's encourage each other this week to stay focused on the call God has on us and our city. Be prepared that soon or later there will be people who don't understand or appreciate it, so get your perspective grounded in what God wants you to do so you won't get sidetracked and waste needless energy on the enemy!

Praying for you...have an wonderful week!

How's Your Week Been?

Well, it's time to close out the work week. How's your week been? Have you viewed Gunter a little differently? I know I have. Driving around town, through Hidden Lakes, Maples Ranch, Main Street and Autry I see needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual - staring us straight in the eyes. It excited me to know that we are becoming more aware of how God can use us to meet these needs.

As we get ready to meet again on Sunday, will you please read over Nehemiah 1:5-2:16? Pray that your heart will be ready to receive what God has for you. As we saw last week, the enemy is ready to distract us in any way that he can. Let's all be on guard and ready to stand together. As Nehemiah stood before the king, we can also stand in confident humility knowing that God has called us to do something bigger than we could ever imagine doing without Him.

I'm praying for you and am looking forward to seeing you Sunday.

What Happens When God's People Pray?

Nehemiah 1

There are so many benefits from prayer. It's a habit God wants His people to develop. From Nehemiah we learn that prayer changes a person's life. The direction of Nehemiah's life changed from being a cup bearer to the king to a contractor for THE KING. What a promotion! We also see that prayer motivated Nehemiah into action. His sense of urgency took him from prayer, fasting and tearing his clothing to an attitude of confident humility. We see this demonstrated as Nehemiah stands before the king and with sorrow on his face responds confidently to the king. Prayer also changed Nehemiah's heart toward the city. In prayer he was consumed with the sin of Israel and his own sin involvement and called on God to remember the promises that had been made to Israel.

In our own lives, when we get serious about prayer we can expect things to happen. We might be surprised at the amount of change that happens to us personally when we begin praying for our city. Thankfully we can pray expectantly, knowing God will hear the sincere heart that cries out in repentance and claims the promises in His Word. So, what do you need to pray about, confess and/or claim as a promise from God. He's waiting...ready to share His plan with you. Begin today to seek His will, His call, His forgiveness, not just for you, but for our city.