Josiah Kagin

6 Benefits of Couples Retreat

Posted on February 8, 2015February 8, 2015 by josiahkagin

In just a few weeks Grace Baptist Church will host its second annual Couples Retreat. This year we are privileged to have Pastor Chuck and Linda Phelps from Indianapolis, Indiana. As I think about the benefits of a Couples Retreat, some thoughts come to mind.

It gives time to focus on your spouse.
With our fast paced culture, what does not get planned does not get done. If we are not careful, building our marriages can become a last priority.
It gives God an opportunity to speak to you.
Sometimes it takes a change of pace, surroundings and a different voice for us to hear what God is trying to say to us. You can be sure if you set aside time to hear from God, He will speak to you through His word. Remember, God’s Word has the answers for having a vibrant, successful marriage.
It will encourage teamwork.
As you and your spouse hear from God’s Word lessons geared toward your relationship, God will work in both of your hearts at the same time. He will show areas that need work. It is out of these times there comes a renewed desire to work on your marriage together.
It is an opportunity to be encouraged by other couples.
It is always a blessing to see and hear how God is working in the lives of others. It encourages us to keep at it. Perhaps you will get a tip or idea from another couple that will inspire you in your marriage.
It will say that you are interested in deepening your relationship.
What we take time for indicates our interests. Setting aside time to focus on your marriage will speak volumes to your spouse.
It will help you follow God’s plan.
God’s plan for every marriage is for it to be a lifetime love relationship. The statistics tell us that about half of marriages end in divorce. A strong marriage in the future depends on the decisions made in the present. Take advantage of present opportunities to strength the most your wonderful, awesome earthly relationship.

The Fear of God

Posted on May 19, 2014 by josiahkagin

Even a brief overview of our country’s history and its leaders reveals many men who had a fear of God. It guided them. How we ought to pray that the fear of God would once again grip the leaders of our nation. Perhaps the fear of God must first grip the believers and churches of our nation before it will grip our nation and her leaders. However, I recently received a “Good Set of Rules” that guided President James A. Garfield from a young man.

Make few promises.
Always speak the truth.
Never speak evil of anyone.
Keep good company or none.
Never play games of chance.
Drink no intoxicating drinks.
Remember food character is above everything else.
Keep your own secrets, if you have any.
Never borrow if you can possibly help it.
Do not marry until you are able to support a wife—or your husband to be can support you.
Keep yourself honest if you would be happy.
When you speak to a person, look him in the eyes.

It is no wonder that God blessed our nation when those who led it were guided by Biblical principles. While our nation is running from God as fast as possible, let the followers of Jesus Christ not forget to fear God and be guided by Biblical principles.

Followers of Christ, Fishers of Men

Posted on May 12, 2014May 12, 2014 by josiahkagin

The American way is one of convenience and ease or at least that is what we expect. This is readily apparent with people start complaining when they wait more than 90 seconds in a McDonald’s drive-thru for a Big Mac. Americans want it now and they want it to be easy. Yet, when it comes to winning souls to Jesus Christ there are no convenience plans—no shortcuts. Being a soul winner means taking up your cross and being willing following Christ. (Luke 14:27) As Jesus was choosing His disciples, he called to Peter and his brother Andrew, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” While I believe that soul winning training is vital and important for every believer, nothing can replace the training one will get from daily following Jesus—being His disciple. There are no shortcuts around it. If you want to win souls, start following of Jesus. Fall in love with Jesus!

Follow Him in His Mission

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Christ entire purpose in coming to earth was to see lost and sinful men repent and turn to Him for salvation. He prioritized this mission. All through His ministry He was laser focused on His mission.

Follow Him in His Sacrifice

1 Corinthians 5:7 “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us…” Are you willing to sacrifice? Jesus gave his life for us. He endured all the pain of death so that we could enjoy the power of new life in Him. If our Lord sacrificed his life, could we not sacrifice our time, talents, comfort and preferences to be fishers of men? Lets not fool ourselves, if we preach the same message that Christ preached while here on earth, it will require sacrifice. Philippians 1:29 “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake…”

Follow Him in His Love

Have you stopped to think of all that Jesus has done for you, all that love He has poured out on your life? He died in your place. He moment by moment intercedes for you. He guides you through the Spirit. He does not give up when you refuse to hear Him. He loves you! How much we ought to love others as He has love us. John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:14 “For the love of Christ constraineth us…” Paul followed Jesus in His love for the lost. Does Christ love constrain you to be a faithful witness?

Follow Him in His Compassion

Over and over we see Christ throughout His ministry stop and show compassion on the lost. He did not judge them, he cared for them. He fed them, healed them, took time with them and forgave them. It is easy for believers to look on the needs of the lost and be cynical and judgmental when our Lord would have us to show compassion. Matthew 9:36 “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

What happens to you when you see the lost? Do you focus on the marks of a life without Jesus? The emptiness of their souls? The bondage of their sin? Ask Christ to fill your heart with His compassion for their souls. All throughout our neighborhoods and cities are lost people who just like the impotent man in John 5:7 say, “…I have no man…” No man who will care about their soul enough to show them the way to have peace in life and hope beyond the grave. God help us to be followers of Christ and fishers of men.

Working Together

Posted on March 29, 2014 by josiahkagin

This morning I was blessed to see so many of our people come together and work so hard to get our facility ready for Friend Day. It is awesome how much was accomplished! How wonderful it is to work together for one common, eternal purpose.

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; —Philippians 1:27

The faith of the Gospel is that common, eternal purpose. Whether we are cleaning carpets, painting walls, changing fixtures or dusting we do it for the furthering of the Gospel. I am excited about what God will do on Friend Day! Lets continue to strive together not only in our work but in prayer, hospitality and reaching out to our community with the glorious message of the Gospel.

Four Points

Posted on March 21, 2014 by josiahkagin

Do you long for God to move in your life, in your church and in our nation? I believe that God is still in the business of hearing and answering prayer for revival. Some may scoff at the notion of revival, yet time and time again throughout history God has a revived His people as the cried out to Him in contrition. God is looking for believers to be desperate for His reviving presence. As you pray for revival here are some helpful points to personally consider.

You must put away any unconfessed sin. Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One
That inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, With him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” The heart of our Lord is to revive. We must do our part and He will do His.
You must put away any doubtful habit. There is plenty that dazzles and distracts. Some we see as outright sin and we avoid it. However, some habits are like weights that hold us back from all that God desires to do in and through our lives. What is your weight? Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” No earthly habit is worth the substitution of God’s reviving presence.
You must obey the Holy Spirit promptly. John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:” The role of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to guide into the truths that we are to be living. We cannot please God if we choose not to listen and respond.
You must confess Christ publicly. Psalm 51:13 “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” The revived believer will have no problem speaking out for Christ. It will be the desire of his heart.

Revival is still possible and God’s Word gives us guidance in how to experience it. May God cause my generation to have a passion to see God move. Remember, with God all things are possible.

In this post I expanded on Robert Evans’ Four Points concerning revival.

The Good Wife

Posted on March 16, 2014 by josiahkagin

This year at Couples Retreat we were delighted to have Pastor Jeff Hargraves from Chapmanville, West Virginia with us. One of the resources given was Biblical descriptions of the good husband and wife. These verses will help you to be the wife that God wants you to be. (Men, check out The Good Husband)

Leaves Mom and Dad and cleaves to her husband—Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)
Guards against the natural desire to supplant her husband—Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. (Genesis 3:16)
Productive in the home—Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vineby the sides of thine house:thy children like olive plantsround about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. (Psalms 128:3,4)
Builds her home with wisdom—Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. (Proverbs 14:1)
Sees herself as precious and valuable—Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord. (Proverbs 18:22)
Excellent because she fears God—Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants ‘ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:10-31)
Respects God and her husband—The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour:but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. (Proverbs 11:3,7,9,11,12)
Submits to her husband through love—Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (Ephesians 5:22-24)
Subject to her husband according to God—Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. (Colossians 3:18-19)
Dresses modestly—In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
Loves her husband and teaches others the same—The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:3-5)
Lives as an example for her husband—Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (1 Peter 3:1-7)