Becoming the Gospel May 10, 2011 "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27) The Greek word translated "conversation" emphasizes "citizenship," with all of its attendant loyalties and expectations for appropriate behavior. The structure of the introductory word "only" indicates that it is an adjective, not an adverb. Thus, the opening phrase could be rendered, "Your only citizenship must be lived out so that it becomes the gospel." The New Testament employs three different Greek terms that are translated "conversation." Anastrepho is best understood as "dwelling" or "remaining" in a certain place: "Put off concerning the former conversation," we are commanded in Ephesians 4:22. Tropos stresses the manner of life, perhaps implying the reputation one gains by the lifestyle: "Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example (Jude 1:7). Politeuo, the term used by Paul in our text, conveys citizenship: "For our conversation is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20, politeuma). The emphasis of our text is on our lifestyle and testimony as "ambassadors" in a foreign land (2 Corinthians 5:20). As such, we are to live in a manner that "becometh" the gospel--"that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (Ephesians 4:1) We are to stand fast in a unity of one spirit with one mind. Paul closed his letter to the Philippians with this: "Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved" (Philippians 4:1). HMM III

Possessing a Deep Concern for Lost Souls

3 Mar

We know but little of true Christianity, if we do not feel a deep concern about the souls of unconverted people. A lazy indifference about the spiritual state of others, may doubtless save us much trouble. To care nothing whether our neighbors are going to heaven or hell, is no doubt the way of the world. But a person of this spirit is very unlike David, who said, “rivers of waters run down my eyes, because men keep not your law” [Psalm 119:136]. He is very unlike Paul, who said, “I have great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart for my brethren” [Rom. 9:2]. Above all, he is very unlike Christ. If Christ felt tenderly about wicked people, the disciples of Christ ought to feel likewise.

~ J.C. Ryle

The second time......

As most of you know, JC heads out for his 2nd mission trip to Vietnam today. Let's keep him in our prayers. Here's a link to his new blog. Please follow along on this God sized adventure with JC. Some words of encouragement would be much appreciated! Let's "travel" with him this time! To God be the glory......

Going Back With God - Again!

In Christ,
Sandy

The State of Our Soul on Sunday

28 Jan

Let us never forget that our feelings about Sundays are sure tests of the state of our souls. The person who can find no pleasure in giving God one day in the week, is manifestly unfit for heaven. Heaven itself is nothing but an eternal Sabbath. If we cannot enjoy a few hours in God’s service once a week in this world, it is plain that we could not enjoy an eternity in His service in the world to come. Happy are those who walk in the steps of her of whom we read today! They shall find Christ and a blessing while they live, and Christ and glory when they die.

~ J.C. Ryle

Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke volume 2 , [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1998], 120. {Luke 13:10-17}

J.C. Ryle Quotes

The Righteous Word January 13, 2011 "Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful." (Psalm 119:137-138) The writer of the book of Hebrews called God's Word "the word of righteousness" (Hebrews 5:13). Nehemiah declared that God had "performed thy words; for thou art righteous" (Nehemiah 9:8). Those two concepts merge in the beauty of the Word. "For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth" (Psalm 33:4). The written Word is righteous; the Cause of the Word is righteous. That theme pervades this stanza of Psalm 119. Several synonyms describe this characteristic of the Scriptures. The Lord is righteous and therefore His judgments are upright. "Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way" (Psalm 25:8). God's Word is very pure (Psalm 119:140), like refined gold. "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times" (Psalm 12:6). Because the righteous acts of the Lord have everlasting consequences, the "law is the truth" (Psalm 119:142)--"the righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting" (v. 144). Since the psalmist dedicated his heart and life to the clarity of God's Word, righteous jealousy consumed him on behalf of God because the enemies of the Lord forgot His Word (v. 139). Furthermore, even though he felt "small and despised" (v. 141) and trouble and anguish surrounded him, he still delighted in understanding God's righteous commandments (v. 143). May the Lord God strengthen our resolve this day to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22). HMM III

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A Couple of Quotes...

I got these from Challies.com and I thought others might like to ponder them.

You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself.
—C.H. Spurgeon

Christ went more willingly to the cross than we do to the throne of grace.
—Thomas Watson

Continue December 4, 2010   "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them." (2 Timothy 3:14)   This encouraging exhortation by the apostle Paul is in the midst of a most discouraging prophetic warning of things to come. "In the last days," he said, "perilous times shall come" (v. 1). We may very well be entering those very times, and, in any case, we do well to be alert for the signs of those times. The doleful description that follows seems to be a very accurate picture of the beliefs and practices of modern secular humanists, including those religionists who have "a form of godliness," but deny "the power thereof" (v. 5 ).   Moreover, there is little prospect that the situation will get better, for "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived," and "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (vv. 13, 12). Should we, therefore, tremble and flee, or perhaps compromise, or even surrender to such powerful and persuasive deceivers?   No, we should continue! Just keep on believing and obeying God’s Word. Even in the dark last days, the "Holy Scriptures" are still able to make a man "wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (v. 15). Since they are all "given by inspiration of God," they are still just as powerful and just as profitable for every need, "that the man of God may be perfect" (that is, ready for whatever comes) and fully equipped "unto all good works" (vv. 16-17).   Paul himself set an inspiring example of "patient continuance in well doing" (Romans 2:7) under conditions of great trial. Awaiting execution in a Roman dungeon even as he wrote, he still requested his books and parchments (2 Timothy 4:13), that he might continue to study and prepare himself. May God enable us also to continue, to remain, to abide, and to stand in His truth in these last days. HMM

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"Serve, preach, teach, and tell the world about Jesus until they put you in a box or until Jesus comes. And all will be well. Start what you cannot finish, and trust that Christ will finish what He has started."

 Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."—Ecclesiastes 9:10.

HATSOEVER thy hand findeth to do," refers to works that are possible. There are many things which our heart findeth to do which we never shall do. It is well it is in our heart; but if we would be eminently useful, we must not be content with forming schemes in our heart, and talking of them; we must practically carry out "whatsoever our hand findeth to do." One good deed is more worth than a thousand brilliant theories. Let us not wait for large opportunities, or for a different kind of work, but do just the things we "find to do" day by day. We have no other time in which to live. The past is gone; the future has not arrived; we never shall have any time but time present. Then do not wait until your experience has ripened into maturity before you attempt to serve God. Endeavour now to bring forth fruit. Serve God now, but be careful as to the way in which you perform what you find to do—"do it with thy might." Do it promptly; do not fritter away your life in thinking of what you intend to do to-morrow as if that could recompense for the idleness of to-day. No man ever served God by doing things to-morrow. If we honour Christ and are blessed, it is by the things which we do to-day. Whatever you do for Christ throw your whole soul into it. Do not give Christ a little slurred labour, done as a matter of course now and then; but when you do serve Him, do it with heart, and soul, and strength. But where is the might of a Christian? It is not in himself, for he is perfect weakness. His might lieth in the Lord of Hosts. Then let us seek His help; let us proceed with prayer and faith, and when we have done what our "hand findeth to do," let us wait upon the Lord for His blessing. What we do thus will be well done, and will not fail in its effect.

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Jesus is NOT looking for fans…He’s looking for followers.
Followers who understand that…

There is no forgiveness without repentance.
There is no salvation without surrender.
There is no life without death.
There is no believing without following.

Twenty times in the New Testament, Jesus Christ issued a compelling and challenging invitation: “Follow Me.” Jesus is not interested in mere fans. He doesn't want enthusiastic admirers. He wants completely committed followers.
What Grace Baptist Church needs is not more members, no, we need the members who are there to be forever faithful followers. Grace is a place where followers are encouraged to become all Jesus wants them to be without fear of ridicule if you don't quiet measure up. Grace is a place where you can come in as you are and leave changed because of the love and forgiveness of Jesus.

Someone said the greatest fear they had is[I'm afraid I won't live life to the fullest}.My friends if you don't know Jesus as your savior you are truly in danger of not { living life to the fullest}. Jesus said in John 10: 10 I came to give life and give life to the fullest."My translation". May we examine our lives and decide am I living or just existing. I pray the family of God will decide we want to be a true followers and not just a Sunday morning Christian.

NOT a Christian Nation, are you kidding me

JUST THINK OF IT

America's Founding Fathers understood that all government is based on either a theistic or anti-theistic foundation. Adepts of history like George Washington understood that countries whose systems of government embrace national anti-theistic views ultimately come to ruin. Strong religious convictions therefore played a role in the development of the United States, which was established on Christian principles and open to all people of good will. In 1892 this was argued before the Supreme Court of the United States. After exhaustive deliberation, the Court said, "Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. [It is] impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian." Obama says what? Not a Christian Nation.

Imagine that. A nation whose laws and institutions are based on the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. Why, such a place would surely become the leader in education, invention, and the arts. Such a place would probably become a haven of religious liberty for more types and religions of people than has ever existed anywhere or at any time on earth. Instead of religious persecution and intolerance, such a place would offer hope and opportunity to the huddled masses of the earth. May we rally the army of God to awaken out of our slumber before it is eternally too late.

Multitudes in Hell October 25, 2010 "The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword." (Ezekiel 32:21) The subject of hell is largely ignored today, even by evangelical teachers and pastors. This is a tragic mistake because multitudes are there already, and multitudes living today will soon be there. It is good to preach the love of God, but God also commands us: "Others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire" (Jude 23). The Lord, through Ezekiel, has given us a graphic picture of those in earlier ages who are now in Hades, awaiting the final judgment. The great Pharaoh of Egypt, along with his countrymen, had practiced the Egyptian religion with all its complex concepts and rituals, but religion, in itself, will not keep one from hell. When Pharaoh died and had "gone down" to "hell" (actually, this word in the Old Testament is sheol, equivalent to the Greek Hades a great pit deep in the core of the earth), he found many there already from the centuries before him. Some specifically named (Ezekiel 32:22-30) are Asshur, Elam, Meshech, Tubal, and Zidon, each with their multitudes. Esau, Jacob's brother, was also there (same as Edom). These, significantly, come from all three original branches of Noah's family. All had come from a godly ancestor, but that did not save them. "When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but . . . worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator" (Romans 1:21, 25). All of these individuals whose final end is explained in Scripture verifies the warning of Christ: "Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat" (Matthew 7:13). Only those who worship the true Creator, receiving Christ as personal Savior from sin, will be saved. HMM

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"Grow up into Him in all things."—Ephesians 4:15.

ANY Christians remain stunted and dwarfed in spiritual things, so as to present the same appearance year after year. No up-springing of advanced and refined feeling is manifest in them. They exist but do not "grow up into Him in all things." But should we rest content with being in the "green blade," when we might advance to "the ear," and eventually ripen into the "full corn in the ear?" Should we be satisfied to believe in Christ, and to say, "I am safe," without wishing to know in our own experience more of the fulness which is to be found in Him. It should not be so; we should, as good traders in heaven's market, covet to be enriched in the knowledge of Jesus. It is all very well to keep other men's vineyards, but we must not neglect our own spiritual growth and ripening. Why should it always be winter time in our hearts? We must have our seed time, it is true, but O for a spring time—yea, a summer season, which shall give promise of an early harvest. If we would ripen in grace, we must live near to Jesus—in His presence—ripened by the sunshine of His smiles. We must hold sweet communion with Him. We must leave the distant view of His face and come near, as John did, and pillow our head on His breast; then shall we find ourselves advancing in holiness, in love, in faith, in hope—yea, in every precious gift. As the sun rises first on mountain-tops and gilds them with his light, and presents one of the most charming sights to the eye of the traveller; so is it one of the most delightful contemplations in the world to mark the glow of the Spirit's light on the head of some saint, who has risen up in spiritual stature, like Saul, above his fellows, till, like a mighty Alp, snow-capped, he reflects first among the chosen, the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and bears the sheen of His effulgence high aloft for all to see, and seeing it, to glorify His Father which is in heaven.

C.H. Spurgeon

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Hot or Cold?

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:15-22
KJV

The Truth Hurts...

We fail in our duty to study God’s Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or a lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy. —R.C. Sproul

The Church in the World?

I don't want to start this post out with, I feel, I think, I' am . No today is a day that the lord has made[ I will ] rejoice and be glad in it. Which causes me to remember the great things God has done for us. With that in mind I looked back at the opportunity God gave the Grace Baptist Church family over the sorghum festival week-end. The privilege to go on main street,to sing songs of Zion,preach the Gospel, witness to the lost, and encourage the saved. No doubt the Church was able to reach more lost folk last Sunday than in the entire 2010 year. The Church has been criticized for going into the world,yet that is what Jesus told his Church to do in Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye[the Church ] into all the world. The Church is to go into the world but not the world go into the Church. We are not to be conformed to the world but be transformed by the message of Jesus Christ. What a blessing to see lives transformed by the message , not turning over a new leaf,or just change my ways. No the message of Jesus is New Life in Christ,the old is dead the new is living. Wow Living a new Life a opportunity to start over again with the wisdom of God to lead us, the power of Christ to sustain us ,and the presence of the Holy Spirit to help us. With that we can truly say[ I can do all things through Christ who gives us strength] Philippians 4:13. The Church is a beautiful thing, and a blessing to the World when it operates in the way Jesus intended.

Are You a Threat to Satan?

 Read 1 Peter 1:6-7

On two separate occasions, the Bible records that Satan petitioned the Lord to test a believer (Job 1:6-12; Luke 22:31-34). In both cases, God agreed. The Devil did his best to break the faith of first Job and later Peter, but he failed both times.
Do you suppose that Christ and Satan have ever discussed you? I think most people are too humble to assume such a conversation has happened. So let me ask the question a different way: Is your life making an impact worth talking about? I had to ask this of myself—am I serving God sufficiently to make Satan feel threatened?
Preachers and missionaries aren’t the only people who make the Enemy nervous. Any believer who is determined to obey the Lord is a threat to the Devil, particularly when sharing the gospel. God calls on you to witness to certain people because you have just the right knowledge, story, or temperament to reach them. Fearing that the unbeliever might choose salvation because of your testimony, Satan gives you plenty of opportunities to fail. He hopes you’ll be too discouraged to continue serving the Lord. The Enemy would like nothing better than to thwart God’s plan for believers’ lives by undermining their faith. That being the case, we might all be surprised how often our names pass between Jesus and Satan!
Although you may think you aren’t important, God knows your true value. Friend, as a Spirit-filled believer, you have amazing potential to serve the kingdom. Satan sees that, and he will try to make you stumble. If you fall, lean on the Lord as you get to your feet and carry on.

Dr. Charles Stanley

The Comfortable Church September 22, 2010 "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." (Revelation 3:17) This is the heart of Christ’s rebuke of the church at Laodicea, the "lukewarm" church (v. 16) of the last days. This is an evangelical church for its candlestick is still in place (note Revelation 1:20; 2:5), but it has become a neutral church, "neither cold nor hot" (3:15). The reason for its tepid witness is because it has become "rich, and increased with goods," comfortable in a culture which tends to equate material prosperity with success and God’s favor. It may have acquired large and beautiful facilities, developed special programs of many kinds, featured a variety of musicians and other artists, and even gained a measure of political power. Yet, Christ calls it poor and blind and naked! Not all large churches become like this, of course, but it is always a real danger. The desire for large congregations can easily lead to compromising biblical standards of doctrine and practice. "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion," the prophet warned (Amos 6:1). Note that the Lord began His letter to the Laodicean church by identifying Himself as "the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" (Revelation 3:14). This strongly suggests that a major reason for the development of such complacency in a large church (or a small church, for that matter) is neglect of these three doctrines--the sufficiency of Christ, the inerrant authority of God’s Word, and the special creation of all things by God. The letter to this church ends with the sad picture of Christ standing at its door, seeking admission (v. 20). "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (v. 22). HMM

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Encouragement.......

May we always find ourselves ready to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ.

"Encourage him."—Deuteronomy 1:38.

OD employs His people to encourage one another. He did not say to an angel, "Gabriel, my servant Joshua is about to lead my people into Canaan—go, encourage him." God never works needless miracles; if His purposes can be accomplished by ordinary means, He will not use miraculous agency. Gabriel would not have been half so well fitted for the work as Moses. A brother's sympathy is more precious than an angel's embassy. The angel, swift of wing, had better known the Master's bidding than the people's temper. An angel had never experienced the hardness of the road, nor seen the fiery serpents, nor had he led the stiff-necked multitude in the wilderness as Moses had done. We should be glad that God usually works for man by man. It forms a bond of brotherhood, and being mutually dependent on one another, we are fused more completely into one family. Brethren, take the text as God's message to you. Labour to help others, and especially strive to encourage them. Talk cheerily to the young and anxious enquirer, lovingly try to remove stumblingblocks out of his way. When you find a spark of grace in the heart, kneel down and blow it into a flame. Leave the young believer to discover the roughness of the road by degrees, but tell him of the strength which dwells in God, of the sureness of the promise, and of the charms of communion with Christ. Aim to comfort the sorrowful, and to animate the desponding. Speak a word in season to him that is weary, and encourage those who are fearful to go on their way with gladness. God encourages you by His promises; Christ encourages you as He points to the heaven He has won for you, and the spirit encourages you as He works in you to will and to do of His own will and pleasure. Imitate divine wisdom, and encourage others, according to the word of this evening.

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Saved!

Thou Shalt Be Saved! September 15, 2010 "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31) This was Paul's answer to the trembling jailer's question: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (v. 30). To our modern sophisticated ears, such terms as being "saved" may sound strange and oldfashioned, but there is no more accurate term than this to describe the miracle that happens when a person becomes a real Christian and is "born again." Before being saved, he is under God's condemnation because of sin, destined for hell; but when he believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, he is "saved from wrath through him" (Romans 5:9). Not only is he saved from eternal wrath, he is saved to eternal life. Christ is "able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). This great salvation is not achieved by good works of any kind or number, "for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5). Although being saved is God's gift to man, its cost was infinite to Christ. "If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life" (Romans 5:10). The price of our salvation was the shed blood of Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and the greatest of all sins--the one for which there is no forgiveness--is that of rejecting Him. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). He is our great redeeming Savior, and only He can save! HMM

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Perseverance....

Romans 5

Faith Triumphs in Trouble

¹ "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have a peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

Brother Josh and Sister Tami Adkins know what tribulations are....trying to get the last piece of furniture or clothing out of your burning house while everything (literally) falls in around you. The firefighters drown out the flames, but in the process water log everything that was salvageable in your home. Pictures lost forever...some saved, but covered in soot. Is this why the Bible tells us, ¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-20) Just imagine if their heart was only in their possessions. They would be lost...but they're not.

They believe Jesus when He says, ¹ “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3) Josh said himself today, "I have a mansion in Heaven that would really make this one look bad." Amen Brother.

In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley

Today's devotion fits nicely with our sermon from this past Sunday.

Daily Devotional

There's still time!

Another Super Saturday will be held  the 28th at Southern Seminary in Louisville. I was so blessed to attend last week's session. I would love to go again - really! Make plans to attend - you'll be glad you did!

In Christ,
Sandy

Super Saturday

Today nine of our church leaders went down to Lexington for a Southern Baptist church training day called Super Saturday held at Immanuel Baptist Church. One thing that I have learned about the SBC is that they know how to put together a great training conference. (Now, whether or not you put it to use in your church is up to you.) The hardest part about going to these conferences is just praying and deciding what classes God would have you take. There were three different sessions throughout the day, with almost 30 different classes to choose from in each session. Everything from church finances, leadership, Sunday School, pastoral ministry all the way to how to witness to ghost hunters was offered. A continental breakfast was served as well as a full hot meal for lunch. There was even a Lifeway bookstore set up for students to peruse during breaks.

My wife Sandy and I took our first class together, which was Membership Matters, by Dr. Chuck Lawless. Dr. Lawless is the Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. The class was about assimilating new members into the church in order to retain them. This seems to be a problem at every church...someone get's saved, baptized and is on-fire for the Lord. Then in a few months they are nowhere to be found. This has to be one of the most disappointing occurrences for any church. Why do they leave?? That is what Dr. Lawless attempted to expound upon during his 2hr and 15min class. In a nutshell....they don't know what they are supposed to do as new Christians and church members. That is hard for us to understand, but they don't just learn the ropes by coming to worship service on Sunday mornings. They need to be 'plugged in' and told expectations as church members. We have to build a relationship with them, especially the senior pastor. They need to feel like they belong to the church and are an important part of the body, "for as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function" Romans 12:4. Most of this can be done through a new members class, and through the cooperation of the church members. Of course, Dr. Lawless covered this information in much more detail with clear and concise explanations. If you are interested, like I am, you can pick up his book "Membership Matters" from the bookstore.

I'm sure there are many other stories from other members we can share later, but for now I am just excited to put some of this great training to use at Grace Baptist Church. Lord, thank you for your grace and patience with me as I try to grow in You. Amen.

Now What? That's what I say when things don't go the way I planned or hoped. Life is like that many times, we plan or want a different result and CRASH it all falls down. Oh yes it happens to Pastors too. The best laid plans of men and mice sometimes fail, by the way I feel like the mouse today. Maybe that's you today ,well God's got good news his word says ,we are more than conquers through Christ Jesus who loved us and gave himself for us. So that says we are not losers even when we feel or someone insinuates we are. Good news God knows us better than we know ourselves ,and he tells us in I JOHN 4:4 greater is he{ Holy Spirit} that is in us than he that is in the world{ Devil} . I feel better now, and you should too if you know Jesus as your Savior.