If you look up the word ENDURANCE in the dictionary you would get something similar to the following....
ENDURANCE 1: permanence, duration the endurance of the play's importance
By Mandy, Children's Ministry
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Endurance
Monday, January 26, 2009
"great and awesome" -Nehemiah 4:14
“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome…” Nehemiah 4:14
Isn’t this a powerful statement! You can almost feel the zeal and authority with which it is being stated. Now we all know from what we have heard and read in our Bibles that God is, as the text says “great and awesome”, but do you know that for yourself? When you personally think about God, do the words great and awesome come to mind? If they don’t, I assure it is not because God has ceased to be great and awesome.
Author Henry Blackaby says “Right now God is working all around you. One of the greatest tragedies among God’s people is that even though they long to experience Him they do not know how to recognize him at work in their midst”
If this has been the case for you, I encourage you to take some time well spent, to pray for God to reveal to you where he is working so that YOU may be able to say, with all sincerity of heart, “Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome”.
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
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
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Reflection
I would like to take this opportunity to ask each of you to just reflect back over the past three weeks. Thus far we have studied Nehemiah's Call, Nehemiah's Preparation and this past week we discussed Nehemiah's Plan. We have looked at how that so far, all three of these important steps in Nehemiah's life should be equally as important in our life. Which one of these three do you struggle with the most and which one do you feel is your easiest to fulfill. I ask each of you to spend some time, upon reading this challenge, in surrendering your greatest struggle to God and allow Him to do in your life that which He did for Nehemiah. I also want to challenge you to enter Worship this Sunday with your heart prepared and your min focused and see if that doesn't make a huge difference in the way that God will reveal Himself to you. I am so excited about what God has done but even more excited about what I believe God is going to do. Love you guys tremendously...
Bruce
Bruce
Judges 6
The Midianites were terrorists who oppressed God’s people for seven years. When the Israelites planted crops, these bad guys would rise up in numbers like locusts to destroy and plunder. They left the ground completely barren. They would swarm in on camels, cover the land, and leave the Jews with nothing…no sheep, no ox, no donkey, no nothing. It was a miserable time, and the Israelites cried out to God for relief.
Our story opens with a guy named Gideon hiding out in the winepress. Fearing the Midianites, he chose to thrash what little wheat he had in an enclosed area, well-hidden from the enemy. This activity would be the modern-day equivalent of cooking breakfast in the hall closet. Not very efficient, but this guy was scared. And that’s where the angel of the Lord found him.
Here we will pause for a public service announcement brought to you by God’s angels. It’s important that you have a proper visual. The creature that appeared before Gideon was not a naked, doe-eyed, chubby baby with wings and a cloth diaper. Angels in the Bible generally appear as powerful men who render humans trembling with fear. Precious Moments angel figurines are cute and look great in your curio cabinet, but they are not Biblically accurate. Now back to our regular programming…
The Israelites had cried out to God for relief, and God heard their cries. It was time for deliverance. The angel appeared in Gideon’s winepress to give him the news. The first thing out of the angel’s mouth was (get this), “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.”
Well that was a shocker, and Gideon no doubt looked around the room anxiously for someone else. Surely the angel wasn’t speaking to him! He was the youngest son from the weakest family in Mannasseh. Basically, Gideon was a coward from an insignificant family. How in the world could he be the one to deliver Israel?
The angel and Gideon went back and forth for a few verses. Gideon had to work out some doubt issues. In summary, Gideon started a discussion about his unremarkable family tree and lack of qualifications. Then he got some supplies for a meal. The angel did the cooking. An altar was built, an idol torn down, and a bunch of stuff went on about a fleece and dew and lapping water…but in the end, God’s word proved true. Gideon became a mighty warrior, the Midianites were defeated, and Gideon served as judge over Israel for 40 years.
God saw Gideon in the winepress, not as a coward with a poor pedigree, but for who Gideon could become with God’s help. God was able to use Gideon because, despite his initial doubts, Gideon chose to trust God. Gideon was an ordinary man. But he became a great warrior who brought peace and prosperity to the nation of Israel because he accepted and followed God’s calling.
What is God calling you? Are you a valiant warrior hiding out in the winepress? Stop questioning God and asking for signs. Grab a sword, believe God, and get to work.
Our story opens with a guy named Gideon hiding out in the winepress. Fearing the Midianites, he chose to thrash what little wheat he had in an enclosed area, well-hidden from the enemy. This activity would be the modern-day equivalent of cooking breakfast in the hall closet. Not very efficient, but this guy was scared. And that’s where the angel of the Lord found him.
Here we will pause for a public service announcement brought to you by God’s angels. It’s important that you have a proper visual. The creature that appeared before Gideon was not a naked, doe-eyed, chubby baby with wings and a cloth diaper. Angels in the Bible generally appear as powerful men who render humans trembling with fear. Precious Moments angel figurines are cute and look great in your curio cabinet, but they are not Biblically accurate. Now back to our regular programming…
The Israelites had cried out to God for relief, and God heard their cries. It was time for deliverance. The angel appeared in Gideon’s winepress to give him the news. The first thing out of the angel’s mouth was (get this), “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.”
Well that was a shocker, and Gideon no doubt looked around the room anxiously for someone else. Surely the angel wasn’t speaking to him! He was the youngest son from the weakest family in Mannasseh. Basically, Gideon was a coward from an insignificant family. How in the world could he be the one to deliver Israel?
The angel and Gideon went back and forth for a few verses. Gideon had to work out some doubt issues. In summary, Gideon started a discussion about his unremarkable family tree and lack of qualifications. Then he got some supplies for a meal. The angel did the cooking. An altar was built, an idol torn down, and a bunch of stuff went on about a fleece and dew and lapping water…but in the end, God’s word proved true. Gideon became a mighty warrior, the Midianites were defeated, and Gideon served as judge over Israel for 40 years.
God saw Gideon in the winepress, not as a coward with a poor pedigree, but for who Gideon could become with God’s help. God was able to use Gideon because, despite his initial doubts, Gideon chose to trust God. Gideon was an ordinary man. But he became a great warrior who brought peace and prosperity to the nation of Israel because he accepted and followed God’s calling.
What is God calling you? Are you a valiant warrior hiding out in the winepress? Stop questioning God and asking for signs. Grab a sword, believe God, and get to work.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Elected Leaders Rebuild
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
This morning, along with many Americans, I watched history being made. Barack Obama, the first African American elected president, took the oath of office as the 44th president on Capitol Hill. I couldn’t help but to think about how Obama’s leadership of America is similar to Nehemiah’s leadership of the City of Jerusalem.
President Obama stated in his speech…"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility—a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task”.
Now go back and imagine how Nehemiah must have felt when he took leadership of the rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, much like we are rebuilding and restructuring the “walls” of America. Not a lot has changed since Biblical times. As Christian Americans, we have often forget about God in our daily lives. We have been “culturized” by money, materialistic pleasures, and the media. But God has not forgotten about us!!! We need to call upon God to be in control and be the center of the work that needs to be done. He would be honored for us to call upon Him to reveal HIS plan to us….and let HIS light shine within us as we rebuild.
As President Obama stated, we can have a list of things we “can” do....but what will make a difference is what we “will” do.
Mandy, GBF Children's Pastor
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
This morning, along with many Americans, I watched history being made. Barack Obama, the first African American elected president, took the oath of office as the 44th president on Capitol Hill. I couldn’t help but to think about how Obama’s leadership of America is similar to Nehemiah’s leadership of the City of Jerusalem.
President Obama stated in his speech…"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility—a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task”.
Now go back and imagine how Nehemiah must have felt when he took leadership of the rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, much like we are rebuilding and restructuring the “walls” of America. Not a lot has changed since Biblical times. As Christian Americans, we have often forget about God in our daily lives. We have been “culturized” by money, materialistic pleasures, and the media. But God has not forgotten about us!!! We need to call upon God to be in control and be the center of the work that needs to be done. He would be honored for us to call upon Him to reveal HIS plan to us….and let HIS light shine within us as we rebuild.
As President Obama stated, we can have a list of things we “can” do....but what will make a difference is what we “will” do.
Mandy, GBF Children's Pastor
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Sword and the Trowel, To Shape and Protect
Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. -Nehemiah 4:17-18
From these two verses alone we can see that the work Nehemiah’s people were called to, that of rebuilding a city, was subject to much opposition, opposition so strong that it required workers to hold a tool, possibly a trowel with one hand, and their weapon with the other.
Can you imagine what this must have been like? I hope you can, because we face a similar situation today. Obviously we don’t have to carry a sword, or even a trowel for that matter. But in a sense, we are faced with the same task of shaping and protecting not unlike Nehemiah. Think about our relationship with Christ, we know that we are being “conformed” (Rom.8:29), or shaped, in the image of Christ. And we are instructed by Jesus, “be on your guard” (Luke 12:15) or protect ourselves against sin. So while we may have no need for a sword with an edge that cuts flesh, we have a great need for the “sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17).
The application of this verse doesn’t stop there. Think about shaping and protecting in the areas of your close friendships, your marriage, if you’re a parent, you should shape and protect your children; the list goes on and on.
Nehemiah’s team was committed to the work of rebuilding the walls. It meant a great deal to them, and because it meant so much to them they were willing to shape, and at the same time protect. This wasn’t a feel good weekend project, this was a major priority for them, and these people were genuinely committed!
Now for the good stuff; what are you genuinely committed to today? What really means something to you? Maybe a good measuring tool for those questions is to observe what things you are committed to shaping and protecting? Have you put your material stuff before your God, your job before your family, or your pride before your willingness to serve? Take some time to pray and ask God to reveal to you what your top priority to shape and protect should be.
Roy, GBF Youth Pastor
From these two verses alone we can see that the work Nehemiah’s people were called to, that of rebuilding a city, was subject to much opposition, opposition so strong that it required workers to hold a tool, possibly a trowel with one hand, and their weapon with the other.
Can you imagine what this must have been like? I hope you can, because we face a similar situation today. Obviously we don’t have to carry a sword, or even a trowel for that matter. But in a sense, we are faced with the same task of shaping and protecting not unlike Nehemiah. Think about our relationship with Christ, we know that we are being “conformed” (Rom.8:29), or shaped, in the image of Christ. And we are instructed by Jesus, “be on your guard” (Luke 12:15) or protect ourselves against sin. So while we may have no need for a sword with an edge that cuts flesh, we have a great need for the “sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17).
The application of this verse doesn’t stop there. Think about shaping and protecting in the areas of your close friendships, your marriage, if you’re a parent, you should shape and protect your children; the list goes on and on.
Nehemiah’s team was committed to the work of rebuilding the walls. It meant a great deal to them, and because it meant so much to them they were willing to shape, and at the same time protect. This wasn’t a feel good weekend project, this was a major priority for them, and these people were genuinely committed!
Now for the good stuff; what are you genuinely committed to today? What really means something to you? Maybe a good measuring tool for those questions is to observe what things you are committed to shaping and protecting? Have you put your material stuff before your God, your job before your family, or your pride before your willingness to serve? Take some time to pray and ask God to reveal to you what your top priority to shape and protect should be.
Roy, GBF Youth Pastor
Sunday, January 18, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, January 16, 2009
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!
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!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Of Crowns and Costumes
John 4:35
I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
I wore a crown to dinner tonight. Not a real fancy one, just a paper Burger King crown, a remnant from Clara’s weekend with grandparents. As I placed it on my head, I wondered if this regal accessory might entitle me to some sort of special treatment…change the way the family looked at me…or somehow change the way I viewed myself. Plus, it looked smashing with my grey sweats.
As you can imagine, nothing much happened. I did get a few questioning glances from Jonathan. Clara gave me the thumbs up. Helen ignored it. Dorothy disappeared, quietly slipping into an upstairs closet to pray for me. All I have to show for the experiment is a permanent hair indention that runs the circumference of my head at about 30* latitude.
Wearing the crown didn’t make me a queen. But it did get me thinking.
We live in a world that loves to dress up. You know what I’m talking about. Guys that have never seen a horse wear cowboy boots; good boys get piercings and tattoos; guys in the mailroom wear suits; guys in the boardroom wear t-shirts and sneakers. And 40-year-old housewives dress like 21-year-old pop stars.
But we know that dressing the part doesn’t necessarily mean someone is living the part. It just means they like to play dress up.
Jesus said, “The fields are ripe with harvest.” And harvests don’t reap themselves. God is calling laborers to work the fields. There is a LOT of work to be done…in our town and in our world. And God’s people are required to do far more than just dress the part.
You see, many of us are dressed as God’s laborers. So many go to the laborer meetings, memorize the laborer manual, contribute to the collection, and even talk the laborer talk. But sadly, many get distracted and never actually make it to the harvest fields. Others get there, only to stand in the fields with clean hands, wearing a perfectly-pressed laborer costume…surveying the crops, criticizing the harvesters, or just waiting for the after-party.
God is calling us to something serious. It is time to work in the fields. This is no costume party. This is the real thing. And if we are going to respond to His call, we must do more than just dress the part. We need to get our hands dirty.
I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
I wore a crown to dinner tonight. Not a real fancy one, just a paper Burger King crown, a remnant from Clara’s weekend with grandparents. As I placed it on my head, I wondered if this regal accessory might entitle me to some sort of special treatment…change the way the family looked at me…or somehow change the way I viewed myself. Plus, it looked smashing with my grey sweats.
As you can imagine, nothing much happened. I did get a few questioning glances from Jonathan. Clara gave me the thumbs up. Helen ignored it. Dorothy disappeared, quietly slipping into an upstairs closet to pray for me. All I have to show for the experiment is a permanent hair indention that runs the circumference of my head at about 30* latitude.
Wearing the crown didn’t make me a queen. But it did get me thinking.
We live in a world that loves to dress up. You know what I’m talking about. Guys that have never seen a horse wear cowboy boots; good boys get piercings and tattoos; guys in the mailroom wear suits; guys in the boardroom wear t-shirts and sneakers. And 40-year-old housewives dress like 21-year-old pop stars.
But we know that dressing the part doesn’t necessarily mean someone is living the part. It just means they like to play dress up.
Jesus said, “The fields are ripe with harvest.” And harvests don’t reap themselves. God is calling laborers to work the fields. There is a LOT of work to be done…in our town and in our world. And God’s people are required to do far more than just dress the part.
You see, many of us are dressed as God’s laborers. So many go to the laborer meetings, memorize the laborer manual, contribute to the collection, and even talk the laborer talk. But sadly, many get distracted and never actually make it to the harvest fields. Others get there, only to stand in the fields with clean hands, wearing a perfectly-pressed laborer costume…surveying the crops, criticizing the harvesters, or just waiting for the after-party.
God is calling us to something serious. It is time to work in the fields. This is no costume party. This is the real thing. And if we are going to respond to His call, we must do more than just dress the part. We need to get our hands dirty.
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