Free Will!

This month on Sunday nights Brother Tim Campbell is presenting a series of messages on Free Will Baptist-Who we are and What we believe. Some people do not think it is important to know what a church's doctrine is or why they believe what they believe. I believe this is a plan on the part of Satan to secure shallow Christians so that when challenges come to their faith they fail the test. Our faith goes beyond a conversation about our beliefs and when we come to temptations and trials in our life it is important that we have solid, never changing truths that have been proven to carry us through. There are absolute truths because we serve an absolute God. When people face the end of their life or the loss of a loved one it is important to know that their salvation is sure because of the absolute truths in the Word of God. Do you know what you believe? Do you know why you believe it? Do you know what doctrine your church teaches? You may be Free Will Baptist and don't even know it! Why not come and find out?

Full House Sunday

This Sunday is Full House Sunday at our church. We have not attempted anything like this since I have been Pastor. We have been working to reach and praying for those that are our friends, relatives, co-workers, and classmates who do not go to church to come to ours on October 18. If you are reading this and you do not go to church anywhere please take this my personal invitation to be my guest. This is not a campaign about numbers it is about leading people to Christ. Daily I am amazed at the number of people I come in contact with that are not living for the Lord! Do you know someone who needs to come to Christ? Invite them to be here at 9:45 am for Bible studies and 10:45 for Worship! Better yet-lead them to Christ and bring them with you.

Revival

September 25-27 our church is holding services with Brother Terry Forrest. I struggled with what to call this meeting. A revival or Bible conference, maybe a spiritual renewal conference or church growth weekend? Maybe is should be called ALL of these! We started praying for God to do something in us and then through us! Have you ever been a part of something that is so amazing that you knew only God could do it? We need God to speak but we also need to be ready to listen and obey. Will you join with us to pray for these services? Will you join us for these services? Do you want to see God move in your life? Do you want to see God move in our church? Take the challenge! Come see what God can do-----if you let Him!

Shall A Man Rob God?

The last couple of weeks have been like a roller coaster! I enjoyed spending some time with my children and son-in-law, Jacob. I was privileged to attend the National Association of Free Will Baptist and hear Lynsey sing before thousands and her Lord. I am sure her grandfathers, one in attendance and one in Heaven, and grandmothers, one in attendance and one there in spirit, were proud of her. Lynsey is a godly woman who continues to us her talents for her Lord. I was also privileged for the first time to play ball with both of my sons at the National FWB softball tournament. Yes, they are better than their father ever though about. The Arkansas State meeting of FWB was also a blessing. It is always good to meet new friends and see old friends. All of that was the top of the hill and then came the drop to the bottom. In the last three weeks someone has either broken in the church or attempted to break in to steal items. They were successful twice. We are not sure who it is but all of the authorities have been notified. The question that came to my mind immediately was, "Who would have enough guts to break into a church and steal from God?" The thought 0f it brings fear to my heart. But yet I wonder how many Christians do this every week when we do not serve and give the way that we should to God. I hope that the authorities catch those that have stolen from the church, God knows who they are, and they will answer for what they have done but we must remember that we are accountable to God also. "Shall a man rob God? Yes you have robbed Me...." Malachi 3:8

The Battle

The longer I am in the ministry the more I realize the battle that the church and God's people are in. Satan is constantly on the attack. If he does not think that he can defeat you in your spiritual life he will attack your marriage. If he feels like you marriage is strong he will attack your family or finances. Maybe if all of those things are strongholds with God Satan will come after you in your thought life. The point is-he is coming! In your church the same principle applies. If he cannot attack you spiritually maybe he attacks your finances. If not your finances maybe your numbers, if not your numbers then your doctrine. The point again-he is coming! So....how can we defeat him? We have to be "found in Christ". Satan will then have to battle his way through Christ to get to me. That sounds simple but is hard to do. We want to be connected with Christ-close enough to grab Him when we are in trouble- but we need to be found in Him. This means that every decision is based on my relationship with Christ and nothing else. What I value is based on that relationship! Where I work is based on that relationship! What I wear, listen to, and watch! The list can and should go on and on! Are you in a battle? Are you tired on losing? Are you "found in Christ"? I was just thinking.

It makes a difference!

I talk with many people who wonder if their life really matters so I stopped and asked myself the question, "Does my life matter?" I am married to one of the most patient and godly women that I know. We have been married for over 25 years. We enjoy spending time with one another and look forward to the day we can share more time together. I believe that my life matters to her. If not, she probably would not stay married to me. I have three children. All of them know Christ as their Savior and are trying to live for the Lord. We had a great time together when they were growing up and now love spending time together when they are home. I believe, if for nothing other reason that I am helping pay for their college education, that my life matters to them. I Pastor a church and have served here for nearly 20 years. If for no other reason than my tenure, my life matter to the congregation. Then the thought came to me what if I had never married Debbie, never had children and never been called into the ministry, would my life matter? Yes it would! It matters to God! It mattered enough to God to send Jesus to die on a cross for me! Your life matters! Never doubt for one minute the love of the Lord and your worth to Him! I was just thinking!

Amazed!

AMAZED!

God has once again amazed me! He takes the ending of one life and brings life to many! He takes the pressures and struggles that this life places on individuals and families and uses it to draw them closer to Him. What Satan intended for evil God used for good! We often question the hurt and hurdles that comes into our lives without remembering God is in control. He is never "caught off guard" by anything that Satan hurls at us. He does not sleep-He does not slumber. The reason for hurt and heartache in this life is the curse of sin! It is upon us all, even children and godly saints. That curse has been broken by the blood of Jesus Christ. Sin may have its temporary affect on me but it does not have an eternal affect on me. Sin may have a physical affect on me but I do not have to let it have a spiritual affect on me. God wants the best for my life. He is in control. I just need to trust Him. When I do- I will be amazed once again! I was just thinking.

Real Life

I wish that we lived in a perfect world! I guess that would be Heaven! But until that day we live in a real world. We face difficulties at work, at home and in our personal lives. In February I will be speaking on some of the issues that we face in the "real world". Stress at work, struggling marriages, family relationships, and personal battles are some of the situations most of us struggle with. In February, our church will begin in the Celebrate Discovery program and the more I learn about this program the more I realize that it is for people in the church as much as those outside of the church. We have attempted in our pious mentality to sweep "real life" issues underneath the rug in our churches. My wife, Debbie, is the operational director of the Florence Crittenton Home (an emergency shelter) for children 6-17 years old. With the help of a great staff, they are able to help many children who are victims of the issues that the church has "swept under the rug". Our church has been awakened to the need-it is great! I pray that through the next several weeks God will change us so that no children in our families will face what some of the children in the Home are facing today! God's plan is the best! The principles in His Word are tried and true! Perhaps the best part of His plan is His grace! It does not matter where you are or what you have been through-God can and will help! I was just thinking..... and praying!

RE: 2009

The end of 2008 was busy! The New Year always brings me to a time of reflection. It was in January of 1990 that the Lord directed us to come to North Little Rock-that was a year of change for all of us. Many people have asked me how it is that I have stayed at one church for nearly 20 years. I believe it has been because of the goodness of God, the patience of our church family, and commitment. There have been a few times that another ministry has called and asked me to consider coming to serve with them. When that occurs I always ask myself two basic questions: (1) Where does the Lord want me? (2) If I want people to be committed to the Lord and His (this) church why should it be any different for me? I have learned a few things after 25 short years in the ministry-no church is perfect! I was taught that if you see something that needs to be done-no matter where you are-home, church or work- do it! Don't wait for someone else to start the Bible study or encouragement group! Do it yourself! If you see the need it because God has opened your eyes and heart to the need! A wise man told me "The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence, but you still have to cut the grass!" I hope in 2009 that we all dig in and begin to work! See a need! Get involved! I was just thinking.