More Love To Thee

Posted on by josiahkagin

Love-Jesus.png

The daily focus of our lives ought to be our love relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. There are many things the world calls us to love. Jesus asks that we would Continue in the identical love that He demonstrated to us. That love was sacrificial.

To love Christ more is the deepest need, the constant cry of my soul … out in the woods, and on my bed, and out driving, when I am happy and busy, and when I am sad and idle, the whisper keeps going up for more love, more love, more love!
—Elizabeth Prentiss

 

This was the heart cry of Elizabeth Prentiss, the wife of a Presbyterian minister. She lived from 1818-1878. Though strong in spirit, she was weak in body. It was a very rare day that she was not in physical pain. Yet, she was known for her bright personality and sense of humor. The key to the joy she possessed was her relationship with Jesus Christ. She found that as she love Him and others sacrificially, Jesus gave her His joy. May this be our prayer today and everyday going forward.

More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee;
this is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to Thee …

Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;
now Thee alone I seek—give what is best;
this all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to Thee …

Let sorrow do its work, send grief and pain;
sweet are Thy messengers, sweet their refrain,
when they can sing with me, more love, O Christ, to Thee …

Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise;
this be the parting cry my heart shall raise;
this still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to Thee.

 

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

Posted on by josiahkagin

 

Car-Oil-Change.png

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

Posted on by josiahkagin

Man Walking-Path

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

Posted on by josiahkagin

 

Rock-climbing

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.

As He Did Afortime

Posted on by josiahkagin

BibleIn the wake of the ruling that has been passed down from the highest court in our land, I want to point attention to a biblical character that gives an excellent pattern for Bible believing Christians. Daniel was unashamedly a follower of the one true God. He openly loved Him and sought His guidance daily. Daniel was so open, that those who worked closely with him knew his habits of prayer. When the new law was handed down from the king saying that the citizen could only pray to the king and no other god, Daniel’s co-workers knew that he would continue to pray to the God of Heaven.

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Before we look at today’s ruling from the Supreme Court and bunker down, lets remember what Daniel did. He continued walking with God and seeking Him daily as he did aforetime. What do Bible believing Christ followers need to do today?

  1. Seek God
    Don’t react publicly until you have sought God privately. Take time to pray today. Pray for God’s grace to stand and shine for Him. Pray for other believers to remain steadfast. Pray for our leaders to come to trust and follow Jesus. Pray for a revival of the fear of God in our country. You cannot go wrong in seeking the Supreme Ruler of All first.
  2. Share Jesus
    Continue to witness for Christ. If you have not been an open witness, seek God’s forgiveness and begin right away. Jesus needs you to stand and shine for Him in the midst of spiritual darkness. Don’t allow fear and cultural trends to mute your witness for Jesus. He is the answer to all the chaos!
  3. Show Christ’s Love
    As you witness, remember to speak the truth in love. Christ always showed compassion to those that were against Him. Let the love of Christ be most evident in your voice and eyes as you proclaim Jesus Christ. Remember, there is not a single person alive on planet earth that is beyond the reach of His love. Let Jesus love them through you.

Weekday Worship

Posted on by josiahkagin

  

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 

We know about Sunday worship, but what about weekday worship?

Worship means to ascribe worth to. The idea is that you show someone or something that they are of value to you. Everyday we ascribe worth to many things and people in our lives. You may ascribe worth to your wife by taking time to listen to her share her heart or to your job and employer by being excellent in all that you do. Many ascribe worth to public opinion and to the philosophies of this world by allowing them to sway their thought and action . However, above everything else in our lives, the God of Heaven must receive our worship!

If you had a friend to whom you were only worth something once a week, how healthy do you think that relationship would be? Yet, many times the only time we deliberately worship God is when we assemble for church on Sunday morning. Truthfully, our Heavenly Father deserves so much more than that!

Let’s pause for a moment and ponder the question, how can I ascribe worth to my God everyday of the week?

  1. Conversation—When someone is special to you, you talk to them. You might call several times a day, text, Facebook or FaceTime them. You crave communication with them. God has told us that we are to pray without ceasing. We are to be in constant, open communication with our Heavenly Father. Remember, conversation is two-way. We must talk to God in prayer and listen to Him through His Word. Test yourself today. How much of the day are you conversing with God? You worship God when you talk to Him and when you hear Him talk to you.
  2. Adoration—Is there anyone or anything on earth that deserves our adoration like our God? The resounding answer is “No!” He alone is worthy to be praised! He personally sacrificed he beloved Son so that we could have a relationship with Him. Do you tell Him how much you love Him? Do you revel in who He is to you? When we adore Him we worship Him.
  3. Declaration—Nobody illustrates this like grandmothers. I have rarely met one that did not have a picture of her grandchildren and a speech ready for anyone that asks. They love to talk about their grandchildren. Do you love to talk about your God? Are you just waiting for the opportunity to declare all His wondrous works? When we talk about Him we worship Him.
  4. Prioritization—Time is precious and what gets prioritized gets done. If a person were to look at your “To do” list, would they be able to see that God is worth a lot to you. I am not just talking about church attendance. I am talking about God being worth so much to you that your daily priorities are all centered around pleasing Him. When we prioritize God and His will for our daily lives we worship Him.

Will you take the time to evaluate your weekday worship of God? While worship has been trivialized in many minds and places to forty minutes of praise and worship music once a week, will you choose to worship the God of your salvation in spirit and in truth. Show Him His worth!