Be filled with the Spirit

Paul states in his letter to the church at Ephesus "And don not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit," Wine and strong drink can tell lies to a man, and make them feel that they are more than they really are, and can lead to many fights and much destruction. Yet when we lay down our lives and choose to live for Christ, He fills us with His Spirit. It is a Spirit that knows what we truly are, but gives us strength and clarity about this world, and the spiritual battles that we fight. A great starting point is to cover one self with the Word of God. We urge all that come to Friday night Fuel to read through God's Word with us over the next year, and sit under the teachers that are there to learn more of God's Word. To come together and pray for each other and spend time worshiping God in song. We hope to see you all there starting Friday January 1st. May God bless you in the new year.

Re-Fuel On January 1st

Be ready to be set on fire for the Lord. God wants us to come together and fellowship. God wants us to be studiers of His word. God wants us to pray and to worship. Now is your chance to come together with fellow believers and read through God's Word in 2010. There will be six teachers rotating on Friday nights giving an overview of the weekly readings, and we need you to be there.

What good do we have away from the LORD?

Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good besides You."

This is what David wrote in the 16th Psalm, and it is what I am reminded of when I read through the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah was given a ministry which was one "To pluck up and to break down, To destroy and to overthrow, To build and to plant." He was given a ministry of speaking the Word of God to a people who had chose not to listen. A people who spoke "peace" when it was not the will of the LORD. Even in today's society, if a teacher is teaching prosperity and peace, even for those who are not following the one true God, test him against the Word. We do not serve a God who takes everyone no matter their sin, we serve a God who takes everyone because of His sacrifice. You must confess your sin, accept Christ paid the penalty for it, and was raised from the dead and is now seated on the right hand of the Father interceding for you at this very minute.

There will come a time in the near future where God's wrath is going to be poured out, but not until the church is removed first. Are you going to be taken with the church, or are you going to feel the wrath of God?

Slippery ground

Psalm 26 starts off talking about slippery ground, and then finishes in verse 12 talking about his foot stands in an even place. Last week I got to go rock climbing for the first time. Two things came to mind, the beautiful creation God has made, and how hard it can be to climb when it seems there is no even place. Our foundation is in our Rock, Christ Jesus. How often are you securing your footing by being in His Word or in Prayer?
In His Service

Hard times

We're looking at the book of Job for two weeks at Fuel. Reading through it, and allowing myself to remember trials and tests I've been through, I've been an emotional mess this week. It was almost impossible to make it through the teaching last night. I thought back on a time when I stepped down from a place in the ministry, my wife lost her job, and I really didn't know what the future would bring. Today, God has brought me through all that, and my life is better for it. My relationship with my wife, our study of God's word, and the growth of our family is because of God's faithfulness. I also remember a great book I had read not to long before this all took place. It was "The Strategy of Satan" by Warren Wiersbe. This book is not a casual read, but for anyone with a heart for the ministry, it is a guide book on how to recognize and defend yourself against the enemy. We are all in a battle, allow God to cover you with His Spirit.


In His Service

Overwhelmed

Since being sick, going back to work full time, studying for Fuel, and taking part in a new ministry on Sunday's, I have felt overwhelmed. The funny thing about feeling that way is that I start thinking I don't have enough time for everything, and I stop doing some of the important things because the easy ones are quicker. Well, this morning I was woke by my wife to let me k ow that our trash cans were floating down the street. Our yard was under water, and it was just inches from covering the bottom of the car doors. As I looked and saw how the rain was overwhelming everything in it's path, I remembered God is in control. That rain washed a lot of things away, and one of those things was my feeling of not having control over the situations in my life. Why? Because I don't have control, but I know who does.
"but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18


In His Service

The cost of sin

Three days ago I began to feel that itchy scratchy feeling in the back of my throat and I remember that this too is a result of this fallen world. My wife has been wonderful and taken on an even larger part of the workload at home and with the baby. The problem is that makes me feel guilty, along with having to work the next five days straight. Why have I taken the time to tell everyone about my complaints? To let you know that Christ is strong even in our weakness. Our time hear on this earth is but a passing vapor and our time not feeling good is even less. Please take time today to pray for those who are hurting without Christ, that they may find Him and accept Him as Their personal Savior.


In His Service

Trust in the unseen

A few days ago I wrote about fear, and how we had not been given a Spirit of fear.  Well, today I was tested as I went with a group of students from my work to repel down a 90 foot face of a cliff above the Osage River.  To my amazement, as I walked to the cliff, and got clipped in I was not afraid of the height, I was not afraid of the chance of falling, but I was having problems trusting that this very small thing called a GriGri was supposed to hold all my weight, and keep me from moving down very quickly.  I stood on the edge, I stepped off the edge, I began to sit back, and I stood back up.  This took place three times as I told myself, this is not going to work, I can't hold my weight with my arms for 90 feet down.  Well, I didn't have to, that is what the GriGri is for.  When I finally just put my trust into it and leaned completely back, to my surprise, it did just what it was supposed to and held all my weight for me.  Now I am not going to act like it was something easy, and that I just bounded down the face, but it got easier as I went, and I can't wait until I get a chance to do it again.  It is difficult to trust Christ to be our Lord and King, but we will be blessed when we do so.  I know that if you are a Christian, you have trusted Him as your Savior, but go the next step, step off the ledge and trust Him with all your decisions, trust Him with all your finances, trust Him with all those things that you can not do yourself.  

In His Service

Fear itself

The famous quote is that fear itself is the only thing to fear. The fear of fear? What is the fear of fear? It is anxiety, worry, and other paralyzing feelings. It is what happens when we let the thought of things that this world might do to us take over. Not the things that are really happening, but those that could. Seems silly doesn't it. It is very serious though. We can deal with the things of this world, but we often seem helpless dealing with our thought life. Remember, if you are a Christian, you have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in you. Paul wrote to Timothy with these words; "For God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.". The cure? Remember Christ dwells in you, He has given you power over all attacks, act out your love for your neighbor and this will keep you from being idle and thinking fearful thoughts, and remember, spend time in the Word of God so that you can put off those sinful thoughts, and put on thoughts of God, and His will for your life.


In His Service

Marinate

The other day someone was nice enough to bless my family with a bag of frozen chicken breasts. So, I decided today to make some Italian dressing and marinate them before cooking. It is amazing to me how the chicken just sitting in the dressing will soak up the flavor. Then, when cooked, it will fully bring out the flavor.
Well, I guess my point is, what atmosphere are you marinating in. Who are you spending the majority of your time with? When God tests you, and the heat is turned up, what flavor is going to be brought out, that of love or anger?


In His Service

Running the race

Paul told Timothy he had fought the good fight, and finished the race. Well, I have been trainig for a 5k recently, and it is a 10 week training plan. Three weeks in, Ian was born and I took two weeks off. As I began running today, I started feeling pains in areas that I forgot could hurt. I take my running time as a time also to pray and meditate on God's promises. I began to think how hard it is sometimes to be disciplined in the things of the Lord. How sometimes when God gives us trials to chasten us or to strengthen us it can down right hurt. Yet when I look around at how God has blessed me now, and think about the place he is preparing for my eternity, I can't help but worship Him with praise. Please take time today to worship our Creator and Lord, fighting the good fight and winning the race.


In His Service

Four keys to becoming more Christ like

Tonight at Fuel the topic is from 1Samuel 11. From this we can see 4 keys on how to reflect the character of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The first key is prayer, we see this both in Christ's life, and also in the life of other leaders in the Bible. This passage talks about one of David's men who lifted up his spear to kill 300 men. We to have something we can lift up in this battle that we fight. We can lift up our voices in prayer. The power of prayer can be seen in every life of a believer, but not always to it's ultimate extent. Moses lifted up his hands in Exodus 17, and the children of Israel advanced. When his hands were lowered they would begin to be defeated. He had men around him willing to lift up their hands also in support of him. Are you lifting up your hands in prayer? Is there a brother or sister in Christ who could use your support in lifting up their hands?
The second point would be to know God's Word. It talks about Eleazar and how his hand fought so much that it got stuck to the sword. In our lives, God's Word is our sword. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, he used God's Word to rebuke him. When times get rough, or you are being tempted, have you spent enough time in god's Word to resist the temptation? Next we see David long for a drink, and his men risk their lives to bring him one. David knowing what they went through, and how precious the drink was, he decided he could not take it, but instead pours it out to the Lord. This is much like Mary's spikenard that she poured out on the feet of Jesus. The Lord appreciates when we give things in our lives that would give the world much joy, because our joy should rest in Him alone. This the third point would be to give of yourself.
The last often seems to be the hardest, as it is to a abide in the Lord, and endure whatever comes your way. Jesus talked about this in the 15th chapter of John when he said; "abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." And the second part to that point would be to endure. Paul wrote in his first letter to the church in Corinth that he endured and that they should imitate him.
I challenge you as I have been challenged, to imitate Christ!



In His Service

Time. . . Who has enough?

It's Friday and just hours before Fuel. I'm wondering where the week went, and what happened to all those plans I made. As most of you know, my second son was born 12 days ago. I've since started back working, tried to help my wife out, and keep time for myself to spend with Christ. The days pass quickly, but I look at it as I'm one day closer to being home.
Please remember that nothing is impossible with God. Take time this week to get into His Word, give thanks in prayer, and love your neighbor.


In His Service