Big Churches or small churches?

Bigger is not always better. In our effort to build God's kingdom (the church) we have made many mistakes. The worst mistake of all is taking place now. Growing churches using a flawed model will lead to flawed churches. God's model always works so why change? We do not need bigger churches. We need smaller churches.........many, many more smaller churches. More on this subject in the days to come.......the Lord willing.


S.O.A.P.

3-10-2015      Romans 10:1-4

S.       1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

O.      Israel’s efforts to be righteous, based on their interpretation of God’s law, has fallen short and so God replaced his first law with Grace.

A.      I will walk in God’s Grace and not dishonor the sacrifice made for me on Calvary. I will obey God’s word and submit to the Holy Spirit in whatever way he will lead.

    P.       Father; teach me the path of righteousness, the words, thoughts and deeds of holiness.                        Amen. 

Sin is not a secret!

Do I own this "stuff" or does it own me? Cleaning out the garage should be rewarded with some kind of national honor! How do I manage to haul off three truck-loads of, I don't need this any more, and still have more than the garage can hold? I still park two cars in this garage so I only use the three walls for storage. One wall gets Christmas decorations, another is for kitchen overflow and the last is a catch all for yard and garden stuff. Listen to me complaining when I should be praying; Lord teach me to get along with less, Amen. Lord, deliver me from the need to horde and if greed is my base desire, clean my spiritual garage, Amen.

S.O.A.P.

1-13-2015      Romans 3:19-27

S.       19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

O.      Old Testament law reveals sin but Jesus reveals righteousness. All are under sin and only faith in Jesus will justify.

A.      The knowledge of sin is resident in my soul and every soul. Man doesn’t need a law to reveal sin to him. The Holy Spirit is our spokesman, speaking directly to our heart. We can resist, explain away, ignore, close our mind and in a thousand ways block our knowledge of sin but nothing will change the fact that we do know what sin really is. If we don’t accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour we will receive the results of our sin. Listen to the voice of God, admit, confess and convert.

P.       Father; speak again to me and any who rea this prayer about the dangers of sin and its results. I seek to be clean in your eyes and I long for the words, “well done”. Amen.  

Awake, Sleeping Church!

I am hungry for REVIVAL. God, please wake up your church!

11-24-2014    Mark 10:35-45

S.       35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

O.      Jesus reveals how to be “great” in the kingdom of heaven; be servant of all, like Jesus was a servant.

A.      I want to serve my fellow man. I will pray, teach, preach, council and share the word of God to as many as I can.

P.       Father; I surrender my will, my life and my service to you. Teach me how, when and where to serve! Amen.