Prayer: Getting Things Done

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Everyone has a To-Do list. For some of us, it is kept on a smart device or on sticky notes, while for others it is kept in the head. No matter where you house your list, you are very mindful of all the things you must get done. Let me ask you a question. Do you consider a prayer meeting as an opportunity to get things done? What is prayer all about to you?

Many times when we talk about prayer meetings we think of something that is mechanical and merely a religious routine. We pray because we are expected to and if we don’t we will feel bad. Yet, a prayer meeting is, in reality, an opportunity for believers to come to God with things that need to get done. Prayer meetings can be quite productive. Many people view them as passive. They should be viewed and conducted as anything but passive. John 14:13–14 says, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” Notice in the verse that we are told to ask so that things may be done. Prayer meetings are about getting things done—specifically getting God’s will done on earth.

At our church we are looking forward to three weeks of Cottage Prayer Meetings in preparation for Easter and Revival. As you prepare for Easter, take time to call for and participate in prayer meetings so that God’s will can get done in our churches and cities.

Why I Still Believe in Door-to-Door

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There are few methods of evangelism that I enjoy more than door-to-door evangelism! I love getting out, meeting new people, taking time to hear their story and then offering them hope in Jesus Christ. I have had people stop me in the local store remembering me stopping by their door and have an opportunity to continue the conversation. While there are some who would not use this method, I want to share with you some reasons that I still believe that door-to-door evangelism is a method we should employ in our churches today.

  1. Biblical Method—This ought to be the basis of any method that we employ in our church ministries. Throughout the book of Acts we find that the early church and its leaders were active in teaching the Gospel by two methods. They taught it publicly and from house to house. Acts 5:42 “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:20 “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,” I believe that this Biblical method is time honored and very practicable today!
  2. Measurable Method—We have been commissioned by Jesus to preach the Gospel. Acts 1:8 tells us that we are to be His witnesses in our own cities and throughout the whole world. We can witness on street corners, at parades and other public events, but none of those are measurable. They do not allow us to know that we have touched the whole city with the message of the Gospel. I believe in using all kinds of methods, but nothing allows us to measure progress like door-to-door.

    At Grace Baptist Church we measure our progress with a map system. We have a book of maps in a three ring binder. Members check out a map that with a highlighted street. They take the Outreach Cards that are in use at that time and go out in teams of two knocking on the doors. They turn in the map once they have completed it. The street is then marked as accomplish on our large progress map which is displayed off our lobby.

  3. Personal Method—Businesses covet word of mouth advertising. Personal endorsements of a product or business are extremely powerful. I believe this is one of the reasons that God told us to go and verbally share Christ (Matthew 28:19-20). He created us and knows that we respond to the witness or testimonials of others.
  4. Involving Method—Ephesians 4:12 tells us that every believer is a minister. Acts 1:8 tells us that we are all witnesses. I believe that every Christian should be actively involved in sharing Jesus Christ in their community. I believe the church should organize, equip and encourage believers to be obedient to the Great Commission. Door-to-door soulwinning provides opportunity for everyone to be involved.

    Recently I shared an outreach vision with our church call Target 45429. It is our goal to knock each door in this area three times before moving on to other parts of our city. There is a large opportunity for many to be involved. Furthermore, there are some who legitimately cannot get out there on the sidewalks for health reasons. I shared with them that we need people to come meet at church while soulwinning is in progress and pray that God will empower those out knocking doors. We also need babysitters so that younger families can be involved. These are additional and important ways for believers to be involved.

  5. Proven Method—I can think of people right now in our church that have be reached in that past several years by door-to-door. I was recently on a ministry trip with our teens and my wife had the opportunity to lead  lady to Jesus at the door. She has been attending her church and has even brought a guest. Maybe you can think of a story of someone in your church reached through door-to-door.

Don’t give up on this awesome method! Get a map of your city, divide it up and determine to knock on every door in your city. You will be amazed how God will bless your desire and faithfulness in the harvest.

Time for an Oil Change—What Every Guy Needs to Know

 

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My dad is a mechanic for a ministry and taught us early on how to do basic maintenance on cars. I can remember being in his shop as a young boy and learning how to change oil and service vehicles. It is interesting to me, as I think back on those days, that no matter how new or how good the vehicle was, it still needed care. The oil still needed to be changed and the fluids still needed to be topped off.

Guys, you understand the importance of caring for your cars. Every 3,000 or three months you take it to the service shop and get the oil changed. You do this to make sure it lasts and does not leave you stranded when you would least expect it.

While you are very careful to give your car the needed maintenance, do you give your marriage the same careful maintenance? You are wondering how we just jumped from cars to marriage. It’s simple. We as guys can understand that no matter what year or how good a car is, it needs regular maintenance to make sure it lasts. So does your marriage. If we treated our cars like we treat our marriages, we would be stranded on the side of the road of life far more often than we would like to be known. Your marriage needs regular care, just like your car.

This year at Couples Retreat you can stop and give the needed maintenance to your marriage. No matter how long you have been married or how good your marriage may be, your marriage needs maintenance so that it will continue to last. Don’t wait till the check engine light comes on in your marriage at the most inconvenient time. Stop and give your most precious earthly relationship the maintenance it needs.

 

Continue in Truth

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During my message on Continue in the Truth, I read a statement by a young African pastor who was martyred for Jesus Christ. As we face adversity in these days for living our our faith in Jesus Christ, may we have the same commitment to continue in truth as this man did.

“I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His and I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. 
I don’t have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear. I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!”

Why Vision Sunday

 

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With each new year comes a fresh opportunity to make deliberate plans for spiritual growth. I think we can all agree that we have plenty of areas in which we need to become more like Jesus Christ. The simple thing to do would be to enter 2016 and continue to live in the moment and take the path of least resistance. In the moment it is so easy to be content with having taken the first step of receiving Christ but not actively living for Christ. It is easy to choose something good in place of taking time with Jesus. It is easy to choose to be entertained rather than engaging spiritually with our families. It is my prayer that 2016 would be radically different for each of us. On Vision Sunday I will be preaching and conveying the vision that God has given me for our church. I believe that it will be life-changing for you as you allow God to work freely in your life. You may ask, “Why do I need to attend every service on Vision Sunday?” Here is my three-fold answer.

  1. Recognition of Need—If you do not think you need to grow this year in your relationship with Jesus, then Vision Sunday will just be another Sunday exercise. Vision Sunday by design  will give us a fresh perspective on our own personal areas of need. Once those areas have been identified they can be met with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Just remember, when we come to God humbly expressing need, He promises us His grace. His grace is the strength and enablement we desperately need. James 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” What could be more exciting than anticipating God meeting your specific spiritual needs with His grace this year.
  2. Preparation for Growth—When preparing for a project you need the right tools. In construction I learned how important the right tool was to effectively accomplishing a task. Jesus has commanded us in 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” You and I need the right tools to see growth in our lives. On Vision Sunday during the evening service I will be making tools available that will help you take your relationship with Jesus to the next level.
  3. Anticipation of Opportunities—I believe that God has given some incredible opportunities for our church in the coming year. During the evening service of Vision Sunday we will dream together and I will share the vision about events and projects that we will anticipate and accomplish by faith. Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him…” I don’t want to just enter 2016 riding on the glorious past. I do not believe that would please God. I want us to by faith embrace the opportunities of 2016 and see our God do the impossible. Will you join me? Luke 17:5 “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Will you like the disciples ask God to increase your faith?

I look forward to an inspirational day together on Vision Sunday and the best part of it will be being together with God’s people.

Thoughts from our Project

Untitled design-4This past Monday, our church was able begin phase one of our Auditorium Enhancement project. For over a year we have been praying about and raising funds. It is so exciting to see a fresh, new look taking shape. I would like to praise the Lord in several specific ways in regards to this project.

  1. Jesus is the Motivation
    It may seem obvious, but I want to praise the Lord that Jesus is the reason and the motivation behind this project. Jesus is the reason we exist as a church, He is the one whom we serve and the one whom we desire to magnify in every venture we undertake.
  2. Believers with a Heart for God
    Praise the Lord for believers who have had a heart for God and a willingness to sacrifice, giving of their time and finances. I am thankful for those who have prayed. I am grateful for the spirit of unity that the Holy Spirit has given to God’s people.
  3. Wisdom from God
    Many have co-labored on this project to this point with a heart to be guided by God’s wisdom. Praise God for wisdom for each step of the way! God’s wisdom allows all of us to carry out His will and to exercise our gifts in a skillful manner.

May God continue to guide and use Grace Baptist Church to impact Kettering and our world for Jesus Christ.