July 7th, 2010 by Shane Reichart
This is a question that people need to ask themselves. Most who don’t go to church could identify several reasons they don’t, but can those who go provide a sound argument for attending? Have they reflected long enough to determine their motives? As with any spiritual discipline, motive is more important than action.
It seems that most Westerners who identify themselves as “Christian” operate with the assumption that attending a church service holds intrinsic value. They believe that the act of sitting among a congregation within earshot of a sermon is a discipline that will be rewarded in heaven. They’ll sit through a service unhappy about being there. They’ll watch the clock in boredom hoping the service gets out in time to beat the rush at their favorite restaurant. Their only interaction is with the attendance sheet. “Check. I was here.” You know someone like this. This may be you.
For these people, the sacrifice of going to church is a good deed – it’s what you should do. It’s right above exercising, flossing and putting shopping carts back in the corral. Think about it – how many Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Attendance, Church, Motive, Worship
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June 30th, 2010 by Marsha Dawson
Have you ever imagined what can happen – imagine what will happen! — when the Church unites, it’s “unstoppable.”
Last weekend 11 area churches joined together – united to worship God, to grow in faith in Him, to share the love of Christ with the community, to bring hope to those in our community — because of God’s love for us! Because when the Church unites, it’s “unstoppable.”
I have been asked, ”Was CORE successful?” and “What impact has it had?” So, I pondered, “How do we measure success?”…that over 450 people participated? That we completed 38 projects? That MANY people were served in multiple ways?
At 5:30 last night, our door bell rang and Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: CORE Weekend, Relationships, Serving, Success
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June 11th, 2010 by Hacker
Today, June 11. My beloved is crushed, broken, torn, bruised, and exsanguine. Oh God, help him!
Yesterday, June 10. My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy… His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold. His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend (Song of Solomon 5:10-16).
Jeff and I were married after dating only six weeks in 1979. We were so happy. But our lives lacked one thing until February 1980. Brother Roy Pritts, pastor of Willis Chapel Church of God, and his wife Florence sat at our kitchen table praying with Jeff and me and our first new baby. At age 22, Jeff was surrendering his life to Jesus Christ and I was recommitting myself to the Lord. Under the leadership of Pastor Pritts and with support from other members of Willis Chapel, we began to build a Christian family.
Slowly we became increasingly aware of the need of Jesus and His Word in our lives. Pastor Pritts passed away and we missed him. But Pastor Hiram and Lena Wofford came to shepherd us. We thought our life together with Christ was perfect. We had three small children and were buying our home. At age 28, Jeff was a very respected combine mechanic in great demand at Casey Implement Co.
But on June 11, 1986, our lives changed Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Blood, Close Call
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May 19th, 2010 by Sherry Stokes
Luke 10:38 says, “As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him”.
As I began reading this familiar passage of scripture, the account of Jesus visiting Mary and Martha, I was amazed by the words of this verse and had to rest here awhile. What struck me was the phrase “opened her home to Him”. Other translations say “welcomed Him in”. I’ve heard many lessons on Mary sitting and Martha serving, but this day it occurred to me that we can neither sit nor serve until we welcome Jesus in!
Now, for those who have never opened their hearts to Christ, receiving Him as Savior is the first step. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9
I prayed then, what about those of us who have made that decision? What does this mean for me and for all believers? What lesson can we learn from these precious words? The answer didn’t come right away, in fact, most of that day while I went about my work, I prayed. I knew there was an application I did not want to miss.
Later that afternoon I found myself remembering the years I cleaned houses for people. I was kinda laughing to myself how Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Home, Secrets, Sin, Skeletons
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May 3rd, 2010 by Sherry Stokes
All day yesterday and still today I have had this man, Mephibosheth, on my mind. He popped into my thoughts yesterday during service as we were singing Carried To the Table. How could he not? He was a crippled boy, hiding out from the king. Living far away from his homeland, seperated from the king. Probably living in fear, fear of death. See, Mephibosheth was the grandson of Saul and son of Jonathon. Because of this position he would have been in line for the throne, but now God had placed David in that position. In those days it was quite normal for the new ruler to kill all those from the previous king’s family – anyone who would threaten his dynasty.
So how then, did this man go from a place of hiding, in fear for his life to being seated at the king’s table? Simple. The king called for him. King David sent his servants to go get him. It’s quite amazing, really. Saul had made himself an enemy of David. Mephibosheth was in line to be king. But instead of revenge, the king showed mercy. See, David had made a covenant with Mephibosheths father, Jonathon, and he was about to honor that covenant.
So Mephibosheth was brought back to Jerusalem and he bowed down to the king. In his crippled state he came humbly, and what was the king’s response? Was there anger and threats? No, no there was not. The first word David spoke was his name. Mephibosheth. I love that! So personal, so intimate. The king looks at Mephibosheth and Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: King, Mephibosheth, restoration
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April 30th, 2010 by Shane Reichart
We’re working through brokenness; God deserves it from us. In a big step of faith and leadership, one of our worship leaders confessed to our congregation that God needs to break his calloused heart so he can truly love people. He then went on to ask people to approach him more often and force interaction — to hold him accountable! This challenged me to ask myself what God must break to mold me into Christ-likeness.
God needs to radically break me of my pride. I understand how much God loves me, but in some ways that awareness has become a problem. Isn’t that how Satan works? He takes something good God created and twists it. Satan twisted me into thinking that somehow I’m earning God’s love.
I take pride in leading others to Christ instead of in the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives.
I take pride in teaching truth instead of in God’s provision of The Truth.
I take pride in serving instead of in The Servant, Jesus.
I take pride in my talents instead of in the Master who entrusts them.
I take pride in what I give instead of in The Giver of All Things.
I take pride in how “Christian” I am instead of in Christ.
God loves me because He is Love, not because I’m valuable here in His earthly kingdom. I’ll never earn His love. God loves me while I am still a sinner. (Romans 5:8) Why do I Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Brokenness, Love, Pride, Worth
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February 11th, 2010 by Shane Reichart
Hey Pastors!
I love the idea of giving to others as a church body, but always thought it should be done anonymously. When is it okay to give in-person versus doing it anonymously?
Sincerely,
Gavin A. Way
Dear Gavin,
There is a misunderstanding about what Jesus meant when he says in Matthew 6:3,4: “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.” Some think this passage means no one should know about your giving. Let’s look at the context in chapter 6.
In verse 1, Jesus says not to do acts of righteousness…to be seen by men, then in verse 2, not to announce it to be honored by men. In the following paragraph about prayer, he says not to have Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Anonymity, Benevolence, Giving, Reward in Heaven
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January 15th, 2010 by Donald Drake
Love. Love is a word that seems to be a central theme to our Christian faith. We say the word frequently; we see it in scripture; it is indeed a very important part and should be the central theme to our Christian living. But what does it REALLY mean?
The Hebrew word for “love” is taken from “e hav” which means “I will give.” A good example of its use comes from John 3:16 - ”For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son…” Paul also talks about love when he says, ” Brethren, love one another even as Christ loved the church and gave himself to her.” So love is a giving of ourselves. It is the giving of our time, resources, even our very lives. “No greater love that a man has that he lay down his life…”
I see “giving” as the central theme to pastor Scott’s message this last weekend. Everyone received $20 to bless someone who does not know Christ in a meaningful way. However, I believe that the most central theme in this sermon is not the giving of money Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Giving, Love, Sacrifice, Time
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December 26th, 2009 by Shanan
God has called us to adopt a little one in need of a forever family. We started down the path He set into motion for us. We have fallen in love with this unborn child and have been praying for baby and mom daily. We have looked forward to giving this little one a home that is filled with love and the joy and stability of a Christian family that understands this little life is precious and so full of potential.
Then two days before Christmas we learn the birth mom has changed her mind and chosen to keep the baby. We were heartbroken and devastated to learn our precious child will not be coming home to live with us after all. Today the thought hit me Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: adoption, Disappointment, Emotions, faith, hope, loss, Love, Patience, Perspective, Struggles
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December 23rd, 2009 by Sherry Stokes
Every year at Christmas my daughter, who is nine this year, gives each member of our family a present. She either makes us a home-made craft, or just scrounges through the house to find that perfect gift! This past Saturday was “shopping” day. That evening Katy called me up to her room once the wrapping was finished. With obvious delight, she opened her closet door, and there on the shelf was a whole row of small wrapped packages, complete with bows! Katy picked one small gift off the shelf and told me, “This one’s for Cory. It’s my compass, so he can find directions. Cory needs to come home, mommy.”
I stood there speechless. Cory is my son, my prodigal son. Running from God, running from us, running from himself. After a long silence, I was finally able to say Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Direction, Gift, Heart, Lost, Prodigal, Salvation
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