Facing Our Giants
February 24, 2008
(1 Samuel 17)
- God does not consider outward appearance when choosing His Champions.
- Giants invade every inch of our lives until we are driven from the field of battle
- The anointing of God enables us to see beyond the externals and illuminates defiance of God for what it is
- When Confronting Giants expect Criticism
- The purpose of the battle is that all the world may know that there is a God in _____________
Sometimes Life is Messy
February 24, 2008
The American heritage dictionary defines messy as: Disorderly and dirty; unpleasantly difficult to settle or resolve. These situations test us because they are usually unexpected and either strain or drain our resources. Wednesday I was returning from Donalsonville when I learned that the septic system had utterly failed at a rental property. The plumber said there was no hope for a fee of $85.00. He casually told my renters that a new tank could be purchased for only $5000.00.
This is the part where I would normally run in circles and scream. This would’ve probably made me feel better but it does nothing to alleviate the problem. Knowing the options were limited I asked the Lord’s blessings as I embarked on a journey to build a new septic tank. What I discovered was worse than expected. It would not be appropriate to speak of the horrendous things I beheld. All hope seemed to have forsaken those lands.
Thursday morning began with a power rooter and a dining tent to shield us from the heavy rain as we dug a new tank. It rained heavily all day. The ground was full of roots that grew vertically. The Bible says, “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Satan offered a thousand reasons to complain. We chose not to and God blessed. We were able experience joy. Amen!!!
Thirsting After God
February 17, 2008
(Psalm 42)
- Thirst is simply a reminder that something is missing
- Often we must dig deep to get to get to the fountain of life
- There is a reason water is everywhere but there is not a drop to drink
Put Your Stamp on Camp
February 17, 2008
Last summer God began to move in peoples hearts as it relates to Camp Mt. Pleasant in Bonifay. We had two options: Do major repair work on the camp or abandon it altogether. We chose the latter. Approximately $40,000.00 has been spent on a roof for the dining hall, and pool renovation since mid-summer. We will be putting a new fence around the pool February 26th.
Why should we do all this work now? First, it is obvious that God is in this. We saw the number of campers grow from around 30 to over 200 in Georgia during the 1990’s. It is not that we must have a camp, but that camp is a way we can honor God by investing ourselves in His work. It is staggering to know how many accept Christ or make major decisions at camp. I personally accepted the call to preach at camp. Secondly, we will not get another chance to build a camp if we drop the ball today. Due to inflation it is unlikely we could build a comparable facility from scratch at today’s prices. Thirdly, if we were renting a camp it would cost between $200 and $300 dollars per camper, eliminating the opportunity for many to attend. Finally, it gives us a chance to fellowship with other believers, giving us a greater sense of unity and purpose. Today we have the privilege of sowing seeds that will produce a bountiful harvest tomorrow.
VALENTINE’S MEAL
February 16, 2008
WNAC
February 15, 2008
Senior Saints Feb
February 15, 2008
Passing Through the Wilderness
February 10, 2008
- You will never see enough to keep from having to make a decision between satisfaction with Jesus and satisfaction with things.
- We please God to the degree that He pleases us
- There will never be enough examples to keep us from being unfaithful if we do not truly desire God for Who He is.
- We all have impurities that only manifest themselves when the heat is turned up.
Let Us Burn Something Together
February 10, 2008
Monday morning several members of the congregation gathered at the church to rake some leaves. During this time we removed an excessive amount of debris from the rooftop of the church facilities. We noticed that an oak tree was leaning heavily in the direction of the future social hall, so we cut it down, cut it up, and burned it. As we burned the debris, the back yard of the parsonage caught fire because it was very dry.
There is a spiritual lesson in this. All of the debris we removed would have done us great harm in the future. The leaves would eventually rot the roof while the tree would have fallen on the new building and we would pay a heavy price. How great is the price we pay when we refuse to allow God to remove the debris from our lives that will do us harm and burn it. We are continually striving to do something for God while refusing to yield to our own spiritual death (the removing of the debris that destroys the soul).
When we offer our lives a living sacrifice to God that is when the church grows. “See how great a forest a little fire kindles” (James 3:5). God moves when we pile the debris of our lives and allow Him to burn it, not when we implement a new program. The world is like a dry yard that only needs a little fire and a little wind. We start the fire and the Holy Spirit sends the wind. How long since you last told Jesus let us burn something together?