Random Thoughts

I am on my way to a missions meeting in Columbia and that is going to consume most of my schedule today. I want to just give some random thoughts this morning. First, God is faithful. We never find in scripture where God let someone down. There is never an instance where God did not help those in need. Why then do we feel like God won't show up when its us in need. If God did it for those in scripture, then He is faithful to do it for us. Second, why are we so consumed with ourselves. Scripture tells us time and time again to think of others first and be there for them. We spend so much time focused on us and very little on the needs of others. There are so many around the world that need the gospel. So many that need a meal or clothes. Have you thought about someone else today? Lets get refocused and put others first. This is the mind of Christ and it must become our mind as well. I believe that if we will focus on the needs of others then ours will be met as well, and we will be less likely to stress over our issues. Have a great day and God bless.

In Pursuit of Happiness

The other year, Shea and I went to see a movie of this same title. The movie is about a man and his son losing everything and in the end getting more in return. As I recall the movie and its story, which is true by the way, I am reminded of Job. Job is the oldest book in the Bible. It even predates Genesis which was written by Moses. Job, the Bible says, was a perfect man. He trusted in God for everything and often prayed for his home and family. Unexpectantly one day, his world begins to fall apart and he loses everything. Everything but his faith in God. Although he could not always see or feel God, he would not give up on God being there. Job was in pursuit. He knew that true happiness was not found in what you possess, but who possesses you. He knew that in the end the only thing that mattered was his relationship with God, and that is what he pursued. What are you pursuing for happiness today? What is it that you believe will truely make you happy? If it is anything other than God, then you are pursuing the wrong things. God bless

Like a Fire

Jeremiah 20:9 says, "His Word is in my heart like a fire..." I wonder, is this how you feel about His Word today? Does it burn within you? Jeremiah found himself in a trying time and almost quit the ministry, but could not because the Word was alive in Him. Remember that we live by faith and that faith is fed by the Word. We can not live by feelings or emotions. We can not live by what we can see. We live by what we believe. There are times when I can not see God in the situation, but it does not mean that He is not there. There are times when I can not feel Him, but again, it does not mean that He is not there. I pray that His Word will be a fire in me. I want it to be a passion in my soul. I want to hunger for it and go after God through it. I want to be able to hear His voice through it and be able to speak it into the lives of others. If we are not careful we can get away from His Word and not know that we have. We must discipline ourselves to daily take the bread that He has for us. Pray that His Word will be a fire in you today. God bless.

Campmeeting!!

As I sit at my desk to write this morning, I stand in awe of God. He is so wonderful to us. We here at Friendship have just come out of our first campmeeting. Campmeetings were created by those who were hungry for a move of God and had a desire to come together and see Him move. They were evangelistic in message and had a focus on the lost being saved. Going all the way back to the first campmeetings in Kentucky in the 1800's, God was faithful to show up and meet with His children. In 2009, God has not changed. Where ever there are people hungry for Him and desiring to see the lost commit their lives to Christ, He will be there. It was no different here with us this weekend. With 6 or 7 (testimonies still coming in) getting their hearts right with God during our campmeeting, I can definitly say "God was with us." Last night after church, one of our men was able to go home and lead his wife in the sinners prayer!!!! The fire is burning no doubt, but we must do what is neccesary to keep it alive. Passionatly pray, fast, and read your Bibles. Pursue God and hold fast to your faith. God bless

What is God Saying to You Today?

I want to ask you an important question today. What is God saying to you? What are you hearing from God? The Bible says in John 10, that we as sheep hear His voice. Are you hearing God today. Many times He will speak to us through His Word. Sometimes it will come through a song or someone close to us. However, there are also times when He will speak to you in you spirit. Can you hear Him today? If not, then why? Perhaps there is something in the way that needs to be moved. You see, we as Christians, must hear Him. We recieve our instruction from Him. We recieve encouragment from Him. We also receive correction from Him. If you have gone a long time without hearing Him, search your heart today and ask Him to open your ears again to His voice. God bless

Great Kickoff

We had an awesome service last night to kick off our first campmeeting here at Friendship. Bishop Doyle and Sylvia Roberts came in from the Columbia area and preached a powerful Word from the Lord. Faith-travelers Drama team came in and blew us away with their ability to worship God through mime and interpretive movements. I am so looking forward to the rest of this weekend. I found out this morning that we had 1 young person accept Christ last night and that makes this whole weekend worth it! This has been a dream of mine for so long. I have wanted to create opportunities for the community and other churches to come together and worship. This is the launching pad, I pray, for that dream. We at Friendship, are not in competition with any church body. Rather, we want to have fellowship with, and help other congregations. We believe that God has called us to have unity with His people. Last night was the first part in that dream becoming reality. For all who are coming this morning and again tonight, get ready to go somewhere with God. God bless

Confidence in Troubled Times

David writes Psalms 3 while fleeing for his life. His beloved son Absalom has decided to steal the kingdom from his father, and as a result David's life is in trouble (2 Samuel 15-18). David writes in Psalms 3:2, "Many say about me, there is no help for him in God." We all face troubled times. We are all going to have times of despair. Why is it that when we do face these times, those around us want to say it is our fault? An example of this is Job. We know, because we have the privilege to look from the outside of the story, that Job did nothing wrong to deserve his trouble. In fact, the Bible says about Job that he was perfect. Wow!!! Do you mean that I, a Christian, am supposed to face troubled times? Yes!!!! I Peter 1:6-7 speaks of our faith standing trial. David has done nothing wrong, yet his own son has decided to steal the kingdom from him. The result was that those around David began to look for reasons why the trouble came on him. They began to say that God would not help him because he must have sinned in some way. Not true!! David responds to those detractors by declaring in Psalms 3:3, But You, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts me up. I cry aloud to the LORD, and He answers me from His holy mountain." David did not let the words of others or their opinions distract him from what he knew to be true. Understand that sometimes trouble comes. It does not always mean that you have failed God in some way. When trouble comes, 1) search your heart before God, 2) if everything is right in you, then have faith in God and wait it out. The trouble will be for your good. Just hold on and believe. God bless