Thanksgiving

In a couple of days our country celebrates Thanksgiving Day. Unfortunately in America we are thankful to have a day off but how much further does the attitude of thankfulness extend. I am encouraging you to set aside some time after everyone is around the table for the big turkey dinner that each is given an opportunity to express something to be thankful for this past year. I realize for some this has not been the best of years but a thankful heart will be able to find something to be thankful for regardless of the type of year that they had. I am thankful that most of my family will be able to be with us on that day. I am thankful for a great wife who prepares a great dinner for all of us. I am thankful that God has been and will be my provider. I am thankful that I will be able to be with my grandchildren. I am very thankful that God loves me and has saved me and I am on my way to heaven. I am thankful for a good church that has a passion to seek after God. I am thankful for all the good things happening within the families of our church family. I am thankful for my health and the ability to run. There was a time I could not run or hardly stand for 15 minutes. I am thankful for the warm day that we hare having today. I am thankful for the privilege to coming to our Heavenly Father in pray and knowing that He has heard the cry of heart. I have much to be thankful for and so do you if you will think about what life would be without having a relationship with God. I encourage you again to set some time aside on Thanksgiving to speak forth somethings that you are thankful for.

Blessings be on your family gatherings.
Pastor John

Blessing of a church family

I am blessed to have a church family that loves me and supports me as their pastor. Today I am just going to briefly state some blessings of being closely attached to a church family. I am aware that some people have been hurt by a church in the past and may not see the church as a family or see how a church family can be a blessing. The blessings of a church family are many but I am going to share the ones that I think are the most important. First, I have a place where I can worship God together with others who have a passion for God. Second, the blessings of knowing that others have and are willing to pray for me. Third, the blessings of encouragement that is received by being part of loving, caring family who has my best interest in mind. Fourth, the blessing of serving others and seeing people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Fifth, the blessing of compassion, of giving, of meeting the needs of others and of seeing resources going to help advance the kingdom of God. There are many other blessings but it all begin with our relationship with Jesus Christ who connects us all together into one big family. I encourage you to come and be a part of a church family. No church is perfect but if we are willing to do life and church life after the pattern of Jesus Christ we will begin to see many blessings in being a part of a church family.

Pastor John

Call to Prayer

Throughout the history of Israel and of the church there were times the leaders called God's people together for the express of prayer and seeking the face of God due to times that they were living and the great need that surrounded them. The prophet Joel called for one of those times. Joel 1:13-14 "Put on sackcloth, O priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar. come, spend the night in sackcloth, you who minister before my God' for the grain offerings and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God. Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord." The time of Joel was one of the low times for the people of Israel and the blessing of God seemed to be distant. Righteous and holy practices of the people were rare and there was not a lot of hope for the judgment of the Lord was near. The concept of sackcloth was one of humility and a sign of brokenness before the Lord. Today the church is not having the impact upon the community due to many factors but one of them is the lack of the blessing and favor of God. There are many hurting people all around us, the needs abound but there are far too few miracles. I believe God has called us to be a light to our community. I believe God has called us to set people free and give them hope. I know this cannot happen in my own strength and power. One time Jesus said this does not happen except through prayer. The call for a sacred assembly, a call to prayer to see a greater move of God among us is necessary. On Friday November 12 I encourage you to set time aside to seek the face of God. We will be gathering at Bethel A/G @ 7:00 p.m. to pray and seek God to know His will and to walk in His power. Lord we need you, may that be our heart's cry this week.

Pastor John

A Move of God

On Sunday, October 31, we experienced something fresh and exciting from the Lord. When the world celebrates Halloween which highlights the work of darkness God choose to visit us in a special way. Evangelist Mike Livengood shared with us and then allowed God to do a special work in many many hearts. Some people were touched in a great way just by standing and waiting in the presence of God. God's grace was clearly upon us and hearts were being turned to the Master's desires for their lives. Mike shared five principles that characterize a move of God. First, a hunger of God is in the midst of the church. This is seen in the variety of expressions of prayer. If we want to see God move among us on a continual basis then we need to foster a greater hunger for God. Second, the pursuit of holiness that focuses on our desire to please the Lord. Legalism, a list of do's and don't's will not accomplish this but will happen from the inside out. In the Old Testament God would call the people to purify themselves before His day of visitation. May we not only hunger for God but may we also desire to please Him with our actions and words. Third, the manifest presence of God shows up. God is omnipresent meaning that God is everywhere all the time at the same time but there are times like the burning bush experience with Moses that His presence, His manifest presence makes a place holy and set apart. This can be cultivated by making sure God is welcomed.
Fourth, the character of humility is upon our hearts. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. II Chronicles 7:14 "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Humility is the realization that I cannot do certain things in life but that there is a God in heaven who is great and mighty who can do what I cannot do. Fifth, the focus is on the harvest. If the move of God becomes internalized then we have missed the purpose of why God is moving in our midst. God loves the world and desires all people to come to a saving understanding through His Son, Jesus Christ. When not if God touches us we are to share what God is doing with other people. As we hunger and thirst for a move of God in our church and community I encourage you to keep these timeless truths in mind and be willing and open for God to do what He wants to do within us. I desire to walk in the presence of God all the days of my life. I also desire that this church walks in the presence of God until Jesus comes.
May God grant you an opportunity for you to love and to serve Him this week.

Pastor John