2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (NKJV) Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
It’s always good to be reminded of the sufficiency of Jesus in our lives. Consider and think on the simple paragraph penned many years ago by John Spencer:
“All the good things that can be reckoned up here below have only a finite and limited goodness. Some can clothe but cannot feed; others can nourish but cannot secure; others adorn but cannot advance; all do serve but none do satisfy. They are like a beggar’s coat made up of many pieces, not all enough either to be beautiful or defend.
BUT Christ is full and sufficient for all His people: righteousness to cover all their sins, plenty enough to supply all their wants, grace enough to subdue all their lusts, wisdom enough to vanquish all their enemies, virtue enough to cure all their diseases, fullness enough to save them to the utmost. He is bread, wine, milk, living waters, to feed them; He is a garment of righteousness to cover and adorn them; a Physician to heal them; a Counselor to advise them; a Captain to defend them; a Prince to rule; a Prophet to teach; a Priest to make atonement for them; a Husband to protect; a Father to provide; a Brother to relieve; a Foundation to support; a Root to quicken; a Head to guide; a Treasure to enrich; a Sun to enlighten; and a Fountain to cleanse; so that as the one ocean hath more waters than all the rivers in the world, and one sun more light than all the luminaries in heaven, so one Christ is more to a poor soul than if it had all the world a thousand times over.”
Yes and Amen! A great way to start the week!
Trusting Him,
Pastor Ed
Response
Just wanted to say "thank you" for the message yesterday! It was a blessing to be reminded that we need to trust the Lord and wake up in the morning with the right attitude. The last many months have been difficult for us as a family and particularly for me. Apart from some tough situations we are going through as a family (maybe just me passing it on to my family); some very dear friends have been going through very painful times. I have known that the Lord is breaking me but somehow submitting to Him willingly without questioning Him has been very difficult for me...always imagining the worst! Knowing that what I was doing was 'not right' made it like a vicious cycle pushing me deeper in despair. After the first service yesterday, was disappointed that no one committed their life to the Lord but, after reaching home realized that the Lord had done a miracle in me! The cloud of depression just seemed to have left me. I was able to wake up this morning with anticipation for what the Lord has in store for me for the day ahead!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Why Does Church Get Tough?
Matthew 18:15 (NKJV) "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother."
It’s never fun to be engaged in any type of interpersonal difficulties. They can be exhausting, hard, and sometimes even defeating. When it happens in church family relationships it really hurts, doesn’t it? It’s true, tough times come, and tough times come in the church, among us as believers. The popular question is always ‘why’? I mean, if we’re believers and we all love Jesus and all love His Word and just want to grow in His grace…why?
Here are a couple of reasons to consider and pray through:
#1 – Tough times come because WE’RE HUMAN.
Humans aren’t perfect. Humans make mistakes. Sometimes, those imperfections can cause great pain.
#2 – Tough times come because WOLVES COME TO CHURCH.
It’s not always believers that are the cause of pain. Sometimes it’s a wolf that enters in looking like a sheep but inside is ravenous (Matthew 7:15-16). False believers love to lurk around believers, wanting to take advantage of them. It’s sad, but true.
#3 – Tough times come because SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS REAL.
What makes the church different from some everyday social club is that we’re engaged in true worship of God. People’s lives are being changed eternally. Families are being rescued. Sobriety is reigning! As Jesus builds His church, the devil is trying to tear it down.
There are more reasons but the truth is our church, any church, is filled with redeemed sinners. Whenever two or three imperfect people are gathered together you can expect problems to arise. That’s why God has given us the best problem solving advice ever in His Word, specifically through Matthew’s gospel - chapter eighteen.
Oh, that God would be our strength, in the good times, and in the tough! Remember, He prevails and we prevail in Him!
In Love,
Pastor Ed
Response
Thank you, Ed, for telling people the truth this past Sunday. If people do not understand that when Jesus said, "trouble," He meant trouble; then they are baffled at the circumstances of life. I know as a matter of absolute fact and personal experience that Satan DOES oppose every Christian and that if you do take a step with God, Satan is right there to oppress you in every way he can. (Although you're right that Satan is nothing if not predictable; he oppresses us in the same old ways he has always oppressed every one of God's people.) Churches that de-emphasize Satan to the point that their people don't understand that Satan actually exists and that he really, really hates us, are doing their people a huge disservice.
It’s never fun to be engaged in any type of interpersonal difficulties. They can be exhausting, hard, and sometimes even defeating. When it happens in church family relationships it really hurts, doesn’t it? It’s true, tough times come, and tough times come in the church, among us as believers. The popular question is always ‘why’? I mean, if we’re believers and we all love Jesus and all love His Word and just want to grow in His grace…why?
Here are a couple of reasons to consider and pray through:
#1 – Tough times come because WE’RE HUMAN.
Humans aren’t perfect. Humans make mistakes. Sometimes, those imperfections can cause great pain.
#2 – Tough times come because WOLVES COME TO CHURCH.
It’s not always believers that are the cause of pain. Sometimes it’s a wolf that enters in looking like a sheep but inside is ravenous (Matthew 7:15-16). False believers love to lurk around believers, wanting to take advantage of them. It’s sad, but true.
#3 – Tough times come because SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS REAL.
What makes the church different from some everyday social club is that we’re engaged in true worship of God. People’s lives are being changed eternally. Families are being rescued. Sobriety is reigning! As Jesus builds His church, the devil is trying to tear it down.
There are more reasons but the truth is our church, any church, is filled with redeemed sinners. Whenever two or three imperfect people are gathered together you can expect problems to arise. That’s why God has given us the best problem solving advice ever in His Word, specifically through Matthew’s gospel - chapter eighteen.
Oh, that God would be our strength, in the good times, and in the tough! Remember, He prevails and we prevail in Him!
In Love,
Pastor Ed
Response
Thank you, Ed, for telling people the truth this past Sunday. If people do not understand that when Jesus said, "trouble," He meant trouble; then they are baffled at the circumstances of life. I know as a matter of absolute fact and personal experience that Satan DOES oppose every Christian and that if you do take a step with God, Satan is right there to oppress you in every way he can. (Although you're right that Satan is nothing if not predictable; he oppresses us in the same old ways he has always oppressed every one of God's people.) Churches that de-emphasize Satan to the point that their people don't understand that Satan actually exists and that he really, really hates us, are doing their people a huge disservice.
Monday, June 21, 2010
The Church is For Me, Right?
Philippians 2:3-5 (NLT) Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
The church is not here for us. We ARE the church and we are here for the world.
I’m not sure when exactly the attitude changed, probably very early on in the church’s history, but it did. A believer somewhere at some time in history began to think that the church was for there to please him and to meet every single whim of his family and their ‘ministry’ needs. It caught on and became very popular as it’s still with us today. It was wrong then, and this consumer, bless-me, take care of my needs, mentality is still wrong.
Whoa, whoa there Pastor Ed... sounds a little heavy for a Monday morning! It’s not meant that way my friend, please hear me out:
I read a story recently of a man who came to his pastor after service and said, “Pastor, I have only one thing to tell you. My answer is yes. Now, what’s the question.” The pastor looked at him a little confused, tapped him on the shoulder and said “God bless you son.” Then the pastor greeted the next person in line.
The following Sunday the same guy came up in line again and repeated the same words, “Pastor, my answer is yes. Now what’s the question?” This time the pastor took it in and decided to take the young man out to lunch where again, the young man said, “Pastor, my answer is yes. Now what’s the question?” Finally overcome with curiosity, the pastor asked, “Can you please tell me what you mean by that?”
The young man smiled and, with great passion said, “Pastor, I was hooked on everything bad, about to lose my family, sliding down a slippery slope toward certain destruction. Then Jesus intervened.” Tears began to well up in his eyes, “Because of what Jesus did for me, my answer to you is yes. You are my pastor, and I’ll do whatever you need. If you want me to rock babies, I’ll rock babies. If you want me to usher, I’ll usher. If you want me to mow the lawn, I’ll be there at 6 am every Saturday morning. My answer to you will always be yes. Now, what’s the question?”
Loving Jesus,
Pastor Ed
Response
I have been a listener of your radio ministry for about a year or so. I work as an outside sales rep, so I have time everyday to listen to your program on KRKS. I had been to Calvary Aurora once since listening to your show, but was drawn to go on the morning of the May 18th. The Holy Spirit's message that day seemed to be specifically directed towards me. I believe that you were finishing up a series on God's will for your life. Then you read from Ephesians 5:18. It was like a light came on. I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit. So there I was sitting in the last row, my head pointed to the floor to cover the embarrassment of the stitches above my eye. When my eyes welled up with tears, tears of pain and frustration, tears of joy and deliverance. I knew that God was speaking to me.
When you asked for those to stand up and make a proclamation for Jesus Christ at the end of the service, my knees stiffened and head rose up. I stood to proclaim him in front of others so he would proclaim me in front of the Father. I became a believer! Like I said in the beginning of my letter, I had always believed in Jesus, but my actions would say otherwise. I can proudly say that due to Jesus' Spirit and His love for me that I have not had a drink in four weeks and I am working on reconciling my sins with the Lord. I always hear you say on your radio show that the world wants us to be a recovering addict, but in Jesus you are recovered. I couldn't agree with you more.
I would like to thank you for your radio ministry and for your testimony. If it were not for your devotion to the Lord and proclaiming His Word, people like myself would never be saved. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The church is not here for us. We ARE the church and we are here for the world.
I’m not sure when exactly the attitude changed, probably very early on in the church’s history, but it did. A believer somewhere at some time in history began to think that the church was for there to please him and to meet every single whim of his family and their ‘ministry’ needs. It caught on and became very popular as it’s still with us today. It was wrong then, and this consumer, bless-me, take care of my needs, mentality is still wrong.
Whoa, whoa there Pastor Ed... sounds a little heavy for a Monday morning! It’s not meant that way my friend, please hear me out:
I read a story recently of a man who came to his pastor after service and said, “Pastor, I have only one thing to tell you. My answer is yes. Now, what’s the question.” The pastor looked at him a little confused, tapped him on the shoulder and said “God bless you son.” Then the pastor greeted the next person in line.
The following Sunday the same guy came up in line again and repeated the same words, “Pastor, my answer is yes. Now what’s the question?” This time the pastor took it in and decided to take the young man out to lunch where again, the young man said, “Pastor, my answer is yes. Now what’s the question?” Finally overcome with curiosity, the pastor asked, “Can you please tell me what you mean by that?”
The young man smiled and, with great passion said, “Pastor, I was hooked on everything bad, about to lose my family, sliding down a slippery slope toward certain destruction. Then Jesus intervened.” Tears began to well up in his eyes, “Because of what Jesus did for me, my answer to you is yes. You are my pastor, and I’ll do whatever you need. If you want me to rock babies, I’ll rock babies. If you want me to usher, I’ll usher. If you want me to mow the lawn, I’ll be there at 6 am every Saturday morning. My answer to you will always be yes. Now, what’s the question?”
Loving Jesus,
Pastor Ed
Response
I have been a listener of your radio ministry for about a year or so. I work as an outside sales rep, so I have time everyday to listen to your program on KRKS. I had been to Calvary Aurora once since listening to your show, but was drawn to go on the morning of the May 18th. The Holy Spirit's message that day seemed to be specifically directed towards me. I believe that you were finishing up a series on God's will for your life. Then you read from Ephesians 5:18. It was like a light came on. I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit. So there I was sitting in the last row, my head pointed to the floor to cover the embarrassment of the stitches above my eye. When my eyes welled up with tears, tears of pain and frustration, tears of joy and deliverance. I knew that God was speaking to me.
When you asked for those to stand up and make a proclamation for Jesus Christ at the end of the service, my knees stiffened and head rose up. I stood to proclaim him in front of others so he would proclaim me in front of the Father. I became a believer! Like I said in the beginning of my letter, I had always believed in Jesus, but my actions would say otherwise. I can proudly say that due to Jesus' Spirit and His love for me that I have not had a drink in four weeks and I am working on reconciling my sins with the Lord. I always hear you say on your radio show that the world wants us to be a recovering addict, but in Jesus you are recovered. I couldn't agree with you more.
I would like to thank you for your radio ministry and for your testimony. If it were not for your devotion to the Lord and proclaiming His Word, people like myself would never be saved. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Friday, June 18, 2010
What Do I See?
Luke 9:23 (NKJV) Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."
This true story is so powerful. My prayer is that it speaks directly to your heart and stirs you up in love and good works. I pray it opens eyes and moves to action!
Two young Moravians heard of an island in the West Indies where an atheist British owner had 2,000 to 3,000 slaves. And the owner had said, "No preacher, no clergyman, will ever stay on this island. If he's ship wrecked we'll keep him in a separate house until he has to leave, but he's never going to talk to any of us about God; I'm through with all that nonsense." Three thousand slaves were doomed to live and die without hearing of Christ.
Two young Germans in their 20s from the Moravians sect heard about their plight. They sold themselves to the British planter for the standard price for a male slave and used the money they received to purchase passage to the West Indies. The miserly atheist planter would not even transport them. The Moravian community from Herrenhut came to see the two lads off, who would never return again, having freely sold themselves into a lifetime of slavery. As a member of the slave community, they would witness as Christians to the love of God.
Family members were emotional, weeping. Was their extreme sacrifice wise? Was it necessary? As the ship slipped away with the tide and the gap widened. The housings had been cast off and were curled up on the pier. The young men saw the widening gap. They linked arms, raised their hands and shouted across the spreading gap "May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering."
This became the call of Moravian Missions.
WOW!
In Love,
Pastor Ed
Response
The baptism was one of the most inspiring things I have ever seen... they just kept coming and coming and coming... wow! Tears were flowing as I was totally overwhelmed with joy... it was amazing! It truly was a priceless experience and a wonderful gathering. Praise God - Praise God!! Thank you, Pastor Ed, for allowing God to use you and for following Him and for guiding us and for your faithfulness in carrying out what He places in your heart. We are so blessed to have you as our pastor. THANK YOU - from the bottom of my heart!
This true story is so powerful. My prayer is that it speaks directly to your heart and stirs you up in love and good works. I pray it opens eyes and moves to action!
Two young Moravians heard of an island in the West Indies where an atheist British owner had 2,000 to 3,000 slaves. And the owner had said, "No preacher, no clergyman, will ever stay on this island. If he's ship wrecked we'll keep him in a separate house until he has to leave, but he's never going to talk to any of us about God; I'm through with all that nonsense." Three thousand slaves were doomed to live and die without hearing of Christ.
Two young Germans in their 20s from the Moravians sect heard about their plight. They sold themselves to the British planter for the standard price for a male slave and used the money they received to purchase passage to the West Indies. The miserly atheist planter would not even transport them. The Moravian community from Herrenhut came to see the two lads off, who would never return again, having freely sold themselves into a lifetime of slavery. As a member of the slave community, they would witness as Christians to the love of God.
Family members were emotional, weeping. Was their extreme sacrifice wise? Was it necessary? As the ship slipped away with the tide and the gap widened. The housings had been cast off and were curled up on the pier. The young men saw the widening gap. They linked arms, raised their hands and shouted across the spreading gap "May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering."
This became the call of Moravian Missions.
WOW!
In Love,
Pastor Ed
Response
The baptism was one of the most inspiring things I have ever seen... they just kept coming and coming and coming... wow! Tears were flowing as I was totally overwhelmed with joy... it was amazing! It truly was a priceless experience and a wonderful gathering. Praise God - Praise God!! Thank you, Pastor Ed, for allowing God to use you and for following Him and for guiding us and for your faithfulness in carrying out what He places in your heart. We are so blessed to have you as our pastor. THANK YOU - from the bottom of my heart!
Monday, June 14, 2010
More Than You Can Handle
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
“God will never give you more than you can handle.”
I’m sure you have hard that 1,000 times. But it’s not true. The truth is God will often give us and allow in our lives more than we can handle in our own strength. God often brings us to the end of ourselves with situations and circumstances that seem to be so incredibly overwhelming. I am ministering to a few people right now that are overwhelmed by the circumstances in their lives. Things that they don’t want. Things that they didn’t ask for. Tough stuff.
I think of many Bible examples of people God brought to a place where they couldn’t handle it. The children Israel trapped, but God may the way of escape through the Red Sea. Gideon’s army reduced to incredibly small proportions so that God would bring victory. The children of Israel again at the walls of Jericho, but God brought them down when they couldn’t. The Father of the prodigal son, unable to convince either of his sons of the truth, waited until God did what he himself couldn’t! The list is larger than this my friends.
Being in a place that you can’t handle brings brokenness into your life. We learn humility, trust, and contriteness there. We surrender in rest and abiding love in Jesus there. It’s true: there isn’t a temptation you’re going through, that isn’t common to others, and that isn’t without a way of escape. You’re not stuck and hopeless and without help.
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NLT)
Remember, there are incredible situations that come our way that bring us to the end of ourselves. Why? So we might lean on, rest in, and trust our precious Savior Jesus who always comes to our rescue!
Trusting Him,
Pastor Ed
Response
Wow Pastor Ed, Thank you so much for sending that note out. I know in my life I need to be wholly submitted and wholly surrendered to Christ, but my biggest struggle has been "What does that look like?" or "How?" That note helped a lot in knowing what it really looks like to give it all up for Christ. Thank you again. God bless.
“God will never give you more than you can handle.”
I’m sure you have hard that 1,000 times. But it’s not true. The truth is God will often give us and allow in our lives more than we can handle in our own strength. God often brings us to the end of ourselves with situations and circumstances that seem to be so incredibly overwhelming. I am ministering to a few people right now that are overwhelmed by the circumstances in their lives. Things that they don’t want. Things that they didn’t ask for. Tough stuff.
I think of many Bible examples of people God brought to a place where they couldn’t handle it. The children Israel trapped, but God may the way of escape through the Red Sea. Gideon’s army reduced to incredibly small proportions so that God would bring victory. The children of Israel again at the walls of Jericho, but God brought them down when they couldn’t. The Father of the prodigal son, unable to convince either of his sons of the truth, waited until God did what he himself couldn’t! The list is larger than this my friends.
Being in a place that you can’t handle brings brokenness into your life. We learn humility, trust, and contriteness there. We surrender in rest and abiding love in Jesus there. It’s true: there isn’t a temptation you’re going through, that isn’t common to others, and that isn’t without a way of escape. You’re not stuck and hopeless and without help.
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NLT)
Remember, there are incredible situations that come our way that bring us to the end of ourselves. Why? So we might lean on, rest in, and trust our precious Savior Jesus who always comes to our rescue!
Trusting Him,
Pastor Ed
Response
Wow Pastor Ed, Thank you so much for sending that note out. I know in my life I need to be wholly submitted and wholly surrendered to Christ, but my biggest struggle has been "What does that look like?" or "How?" That note helped a lot in knowing what it really looks like to give it all up for Christ. Thank you again. God bless.
Friday, June 11, 2010
It Is Well With My Soul
Psalms 46:1 (NKJV) God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
One of my favorite hymns is "It Is Well With My Soul," written from the heart of God through Horatio Spafford. Here's the story behind that hymn as shared by Kenneth Osbeck in "Amazing Grace, 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories."
"Inner peace through an implicit trust in the love of God is the real evidence of a mature Christian faith. Only with this kind of confidence in his heavenly Father could Horatio Spafford experience such heart-rending tragedies as he did and yet be able to say, 'It is well with my soul'."
Spafford had known peaceful and happy days as a successful attorney in Chicago. He was the father of four daughters, an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and a loyal friend and supporter of D. L. Moody and other evangelical leaders of his day. Then, a series of calamities began, starting with the great Chicago fire of 1871, which wiped out the family's extensive real estate investments. When Mr. Moody and his music associate, Ira Sankey, left for Great Britain for an evangelistic campaign, Spafford decided to lift the spirits of his family by taking them on a vacation to Europe. He also planned to assist in the Moody-Sankey meetings there.
In November, 1873, Spafford was detained by urgent business, but he sent his wife and four daughters as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Harve, planning to join them soon. Halfway across the Atlantic, the ship was struck by an English vessel and sank in 12 minutes. All four of the Spafford daughters-Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie-were among the 226 who drowned. Mrs. Spafford was among the few who were miraculously saved. Horatio Spafford stood, hour after hour, on the deck of the ship carrying him to rejoin his sorrowing wife in Cardiff, Wales. When the ship passed the approximate place where his precious daughters had drowned, Spafford received sustaining comfort from God that enabled him to write, "When sorrows like sea billows roll, it is well with my soul." What a picture of our hope!
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll-Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well with my soul.Tho Satan should buffet, tho trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ hath regarded my helpless estate and shed His own blood for my soul.And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll: The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, "Even so"-it is well with my soul.
Chorus: It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
By Grace,
Pastor Ed
Response
Pastor Ed, what an encouragement, truly! This, I believe, is the true definition of what a follower of Christ should be. We don't realize what freedom there is in this giving up of oneself and one's own opinions, thoughts, desires, how we think things should be and everything that has to do with "me." When Jesus is first, so are others. God bless.
One of my favorite hymns is "It Is Well With My Soul," written from the heart of God through Horatio Spafford. Here's the story behind that hymn as shared by Kenneth Osbeck in "Amazing Grace, 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories."
"Inner peace through an implicit trust in the love of God is the real evidence of a mature Christian faith. Only with this kind of confidence in his heavenly Father could Horatio Spafford experience such heart-rending tragedies as he did and yet be able to say, 'It is well with my soul'."
Spafford had known peaceful and happy days as a successful attorney in Chicago. He was the father of four daughters, an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and a loyal friend and supporter of D. L. Moody and other evangelical leaders of his day. Then, a series of calamities began, starting with the great Chicago fire of 1871, which wiped out the family's extensive real estate investments. When Mr. Moody and his music associate, Ira Sankey, left for Great Britain for an evangelistic campaign, Spafford decided to lift the spirits of his family by taking them on a vacation to Europe. He also planned to assist in the Moody-Sankey meetings there.
In November, 1873, Spafford was detained by urgent business, but he sent his wife and four daughters as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Harve, planning to join them soon. Halfway across the Atlantic, the ship was struck by an English vessel and sank in 12 minutes. All four of the Spafford daughters-Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie-were among the 226 who drowned. Mrs. Spafford was among the few who were miraculously saved. Horatio Spafford stood, hour after hour, on the deck of the ship carrying him to rejoin his sorrowing wife in Cardiff, Wales. When the ship passed the approximate place where his precious daughters had drowned, Spafford received sustaining comfort from God that enabled him to write, "When sorrows like sea billows roll, it is well with my soul." What a picture of our hope!
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll-Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well with my soul.Tho Satan should buffet, tho trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ hath regarded my helpless estate and shed His own blood for my soul.And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll: The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, "Even so"-it is well with my soul.
Chorus: It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
By Grace,
Pastor Ed
Response
Pastor Ed, what an encouragement, truly! This, I believe, is the true definition of what a follower of Christ should be. We don't realize what freedom there is in this giving up of oneself and one's own opinions, thoughts, desires, how we think things should be and everything that has to do with "me." When Jesus is first, so are others. God bless.
Friday, June 4, 2010
A Little More
Colossians 4:12 (NKJV) "...always laboring fervently... that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."
Not too long ago, I read about the schedule John Wesley kept as he served the Lord. Now, even though most of us will never keep the same pace as Wesley, we all have a pace to keep that's unique to us! I have to say, though, it was really an encouragement to me and a challenge to look for ways to fill my life with serving Jesus, even more than I do already.
"John Wesley averaged three sermons a day for fifty-four years. In his work of evangelism he traveled by horseback or by carriage more than 200,000 miles. His published works include a four-volume commentary on the whole Bible, a four-volume work on church history, six books on church music, and seven volumes of sermons. He also edited a set of fifty books known as The Christian Library. He was greatly devoted to pastoral work, taking on himself the care of all the Methodist churches, never rising later than 4 A.M. and seldom concluding his labors before 10 P.M."
A great example of a brother, that through his life, stirs up love and good works in us!
Serving Jesus,
Pastor Ed
Response
Thank y'all for y'all's ministry: it has made such an impact on my walk with Christ. In fact, it played a major role in restoring my relationship with Christ (wasted potential really hit home for me) I live in Big Spring, Texas, and try to listen as often as possible. Once again thank you for the ministry.
Not too long ago, I read about the schedule John Wesley kept as he served the Lord. Now, even though most of us will never keep the same pace as Wesley, we all have a pace to keep that's unique to us! I have to say, though, it was really an encouragement to me and a challenge to look for ways to fill my life with serving Jesus, even more than I do already.
"John Wesley averaged three sermons a day for fifty-four years. In his work of evangelism he traveled by horseback or by carriage more than 200,000 miles. His published works include a four-volume commentary on the whole Bible, a four-volume work on church history, six books on church music, and seven volumes of sermons. He also edited a set of fifty books known as The Christian Library. He was greatly devoted to pastoral work, taking on himself the care of all the Methodist churches, never rising later than 4 A.M. and seldom concluding his labors before 10 P.M."
A great example of a brother, that through his life, stirs up love and good works in us!
Serving Jesus,
Pastor Ed
Response
Thank y'all for y'all's ministry: it has made such an impact on my walk with Christ. In fact, it played a major role in restoring my relationship with Christ (wasted potential really hit home for me) I live in Big Spring, Texas, and try to listen as often as possible. Once again thank you for the ministry.
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