If He Can There, I Can Here!

Posted on by josiahkagin

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Most of us quake in fear when we think of personally spreading the Gospel in the Muslim world. Preaching the Gospel in most areas of the Middle East legitimately requires that a man would be willing to lay down his life for Jesus Christ.  These are precisely the reasons why the autobiography of Edgar Feghaly, Forward in the Face of Fear, will grip your attention. As I read it, I was encouraged by the testimony of a man who chose to walk by faith and not by sight. I was inspired by the countless examples of how God had preserved the life of His servant. Here are five reasons why this book would be a great encouragement to you.

  1. It is Current—We hear the great missionary stories of the past. They are inspiring but, in our minds they are often relegated as possible in the past, not in the present. Chapter after chapter is filled powerful accounts of God doing the impossible during the lifetime of my generation and last. As a young man, that just encourages me!
  2. It is Relevant—With all the focus on the turmoil in the Middle East, this book will be one you don’t want to put down. While reading of the power of God, you will also learn enlightening history describing the beginning of conflict in that region. You will gain a greater understanding of the unrest we see there today. Beyond that, you will see that the unrest has not stopped the Gospel from advancing or Christ’s church being built.
  3. It is Simple—When I hear of the ways God used great men of the past, sometimes I am tempted to think that God used them because they were special. While that is not true, it is easy to slip into that thinking. Edgar Feghaly is just a man who simply decided to follow Jesus early in life and practiced simple faith in God’s extraordinary power. “Although I knew at a young age that God had called me to serve Him, the night I walked the aisle at the Baptist church to surrender to His will I had no idea what a life of service would involve. I just knew I wanted to tell everyone I met about the One who had changed my heart and my family. And soon, God blessed me with opportunities to do just that.”
  4. It is Challenging—You will be challenged by Mr. Feghaly’s sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Multiple times his obedience to the Spirit kept him from danger or enabled him to win a soul to Christ. You will be challenged by his contentment to serve God without complaint. After all, there are easier places to preach Christ than Lebanon!
    “I am ever grateful to the Lord who called me to minister and enabled me to serve Him in Lebanon. He truly provided spiritually, emotionally, and physically for my family’s every need.”
  5. It is Applicable—In America we have many excuses for not telling everyone we meet about the One that has changed our hearts. When you read of the circumstances in which Mr. Feghaly preached the Gospel, every excuse will pale in comparison. We have not been touched by unending war on our home soil. We have not faced persecution or even extreme opposition of our faith. Yet in the midst of a hostile, war-torn region, the Gospel went forward. I found myself thinking, “If he can do it there, I can do it here!”

Forward in the Face of Fear will be release on April 11, 2016. You can purchase your print or digital copy at Striving Together Publications.

Why Vision Sunday

Posted on by josiahkagin

 

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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

Posted on by josiahkagin

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.

Let’s Seek God for Revival

Posted on by josiahkagin

Untitled designIf my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. —2 Chronicles 7:14

Nothing warms the heart of a parent more than to have their son or daughter come to them and talk openly; to come on their own and make a wrong right. So it is with God. When I read 2 Chronicles 7:14 I hear the heart of our Heavenly Father being poured out. I hear the earnest desire to bless and help. I also see what stands in the way of His blessing. Let’s think about it.

We live in a country that is running from God. From the highest office in the land to the lowest citizen, we see the marks and mindset of  lives lived in rejection of the one true God. However, believers cannot point all the fingers out at the people and leaders of our nation. The church is running from God. The evidences of this fact are seen in the instability of believers, the lack of unity, the forsaking of basic Christian doctrines and duties, the acceptance of many worldly philosophies and ideals, the casual approach to a daily relationship with Jesus and the fear to stand for His name. Many scoff at the desire and prayer revival. They say it is not possible, we are in the last days. I believe that there has never been a day in which we need to see the God of Heaven to revive His people. I believe He longs to do just that but we must humble ourselves and seek His face. This means we must turn from seeking many other things and seek Him.

Would you take sometime to pray, humble yourself and seek God’s face? Would you pause and give God your attention? Would you ask Him to revive your heart, to give you a fresh awareness of who He is and what He desires to in your life? Would you let God have control of your life? If you will God has promised in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.“

Are You Vocal?

Posted on by josiahkagin

Untitled designIt is easy to be vocal against policies with which we disagree especially those that are morally wrong. Being vocal and exercising the right of free speech is one of the great benefits of being an American. However, on this Presidents Day, we should be vocal in another way—vocal in prayer. As people of the cross, we can get distracted by news stories, rulings and the silence about ISIS persecutions. Let’s be reminded of a Bible truth.

Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water:He turneth it whithersoever he will.

God holds our President’s heart in his hand and is perfectly able to direct it. As believers we ought to lift up our President in prayer today because the God of the Bible is ultimately in control. After all, this is what God commands us to do for all those that are in authority over us.

1 Timothy 2:1-2  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Take a moment and pray for our President Barack Obama today.

Focus

Posted on by josiahkagin

IMG_0032There is no end of talk about the characteristics of the millennial generation. As a millennial myself, a characteristic that I am burdened about is the willingness to criticize the older generation. Sure, every generation, including the millennials, has its blind spots and failures. You would be hard pressed to find a preacher in his 60’s who would not readily admit theirs. My question is this. What should the focus of millennials be as we are taking the mantle of ministry? It seems that many of my generation are so focused on the issues of the past, valid and invalid, that they have forgotten the present mission. Many would rather sit behind a keyboard and criticize than knock on doors and preach the Good News. God did not commission us to be critiques but to be couriers. I believe we need to refocus and set our priorities right.

  1. Focus on Continuing
    Paul commanded Timothy to continue not critique in the things he had learned. Let’s not be so in love with “new” that we ditch what is good old, real Christian practice. I hear so many criticize the last generation’s standards as legalistic throwing them out the window not realizing they have just ripped out key protections of purity wisely put in place.  Check your heart when you find yourself zealous to disregard that which you have been taught. Be careful to follow the wise advice of the Apostle Paul to continue in the things you have been taught.
  2. Focus on the Commission
    In these last days, we must use the strength of our youth to preach Jesus boldly, publicly and constantly. The devil would love to sidetrack us with the wrong doing of a preacher, a vendetta against standards or a desire to be accepted. Bottom line, Jesus has called us to follow Him so that we could be fishers of men. We need a laser focus on the great commission influencing others to follow suit and turn our worlds upside down. Have you stopped to think that the time taken to write that criticizing blog may have been better used planning an outreach campaign or just getting some tracts and going soul winning. Let’s be busy for Jesus and for souls!
  3. Focus on the Christlikeness 
    This is the ultimate goal of every believer. Jesus has clearly revealed Himself in the Word and commands us follow His example. Let us be passionate about following His commands to hate sin, to be holy, to love not the world, to preach the Gospel everywhere, to walk as children of the light and to prove all things. It saddens me to hear millenials criticize the older generation’s practices as legalistic and unbiblical while many of them simply had a desire to follow Jesus and obey his commands—to be Christlike. We must personally focus on following and becoming like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.