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A Healthy Body

2009-12-30T13:44:00.000-08:00

The New Year is here, and some of us will be making resolutions. Have you ever noticed that most of our resolutions concern our physical health? We resolve to eat less and exercise more, and more often than not, by mid-January, we have fallen back into the same old bad habits. We know what we should do; we just don’t do it. Or we don’t do it until something like a heart attack gets our attention.

As Christians we often make resolutions that concern our spiritual health. We resolve to pray more or to actually finish reading through the Bible in One Year. Much like our other resolutions we do well at first. We keep up with Genesis and Exodus but fall behind in Leviticus and finally quit in Deuteronomy. Isn’t it interesting that physically we eat too much of the wrong stuff and spiritually we eat too little of the good stuff?

I encourage you to make good resolutions and keep them. There is nothing wrong with setting good and healthy goals. However, your personal resolutions (or lack thereof) are not what I want to address in this short post. As your pastor, I challenge you to think about the health of our church. We speak often of our physical health, and we have a good idea of what it means to be a healthy person. As I said before, we know what we should do. We just don’t do it. As Christians, we have a notion of what it means to be spiritually healthy. We all know the five correct answers to most any question asked in Sunday School: Jesus, God, The Holy Spirit, Pray more and Read your Bible. Again, we know what we should do. We just don’t do it!

We know what it means to have a physically healthy body, but do we, as a body of believers, know what it means to be a Biblically healthy congregation? That is the question I want you to think about. What does the Bible say? If I were to ask you to list the physical marks of a healthy body you could easily list several. What if I asked you to list the Biblical marks of a healthy congregation? What would you say? The health of our church is the central theme of this year’s State of the Church Address. Every member of Little Flock Baptist Church who is physically able should attend. This year’s Address will be given in the Morning Worship Service, on Sunday January 24th. It is my prayer that God would make us into a strong and healthy church that glorifies Christ in all things.

Ripped Wrapping Paper and Busted Boxes

2009-12-02T09:38:00.000-08:00

Think about Christmas morning. It will be here before you know it. What comes to your mind? One picture that comes to my mind’s eye is the huge scattering of ripped wrapping paper, busted boxes and battered bows, left in our living room when all of the presents have been unwrapped. Have you ever lost a gift or part of a gift in all of that mess? Dad I lost one of my action figures?” “Mom have you seen my dolly’s hat?” Jess and I look at the huge trash bag filled with wrapping paper, and not wanting to tear all of that paper back out, we respond, “Nope… we haven’t seen them.” I wonder how many gifts are caught up in all of that wrapping paper and thrown away each year. I wonder how much we lose in all that clutter.

My job, as your pastor, is to remind you not to lose the gift in all of the wrappings. Don’t allow the gift to be caught up in all of that clutter. E.B. White once said, “To perceive Christmas through its wrappings becomes more difficult with every year.” He is right. It is all too easy to forget Christ at Christmas. If we don’t purpose otherwise we can get caught up in all of the clutter. Don’t lose the gift in all of the wrappings. I didn’t say that all wrappings are evil. No, they are not necessarily evil; they are only peripheral and not necessary. Wrappings come and go, but Jesus remains. Traditions die. Jesus lives! Wrappings are burned in the fire. Jesus saves our souls from hell. Christmas is a Christian holiday that revolves around Jesus Christ, God’s Son and our Savior. Celebrate Christ’s birth this Christmas!

For the next three Sunday mornings we will examine four of the Old Testament prophesies fulfilled by the birth of our Lord. This Christmas sermon series is titled, “Mary, The Magi and The Maniac.” Come each week, and we will study through Matthew chapters 1 and 2. Finally, please join us on Christmas Eve. We will celebrate the birth and sacrificial death of our Savior in a special Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion. The service begins at 6:30P.M. If you are in town, bring your family as we remember the sacrifice of our Risen Lord!

Have a truly Blessed and Merry Christmas!

My Psalm of Thanksgiving

2009-11-19T12:21:00.000-08:00

By God’s wisdom and grace, I was born with a bone disorder called Fibrous Dysplasia. Fibrous Dysplasia weakens your bones and causes deformity. For me, it affected my left leg. For 34 years I battled the symptoms of this disorder. Pain, increasing deformity and frequent breaks were just a part of life. Eventually, Fibrous Dysplasia rendered my left leg useless below the knee. Finally, at the age of 34, that portion of my leg was removed.

For most people, childhood revolves around school. Time is measured with the coming and going of different grade levels. Children move from Kindergarten to First Grade and from First Grade to Second and so on... Their young lives are marked by progress. My childhood revolved around surgeries. Time was measured with the coming and going of different procedures. I went from the first surgery to the second surgery and from the second surgery to the third and so on… My life was marked not by progress but by pain. Or so it seemed to me.

Pain, yes, there was a great deal of physical and emotional pain. Yet, there was also love and joy. I hurt. My parents suffered. They loved me, and I knew it. They wished they could take away the pain, but they couldn’t. They wished they could stay with me in the hospital, but it was just not possible. Dad had to work hard and long hours to support us, and Mom had to care for my three younger siblings. For the weeks that followed a surgery, that left me alone. In those long and lonely weeks the best and worst moments of the week fell on Sunday afternoons. On Sunday afternoons my parents and siblings would drive from where they lived in Longview, Texas to The Shriner’s Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, where I lived and recovered. The best moment of the week was that moment I first saw my family enter my room and surround my bed with conversation and love. They often wheeled me into a large gymnasium area where my brothers and sister could play. O how I looked forward to those precious moments together! The worst moment of the week was that moment when my family would walk across that large gymnasium, turn, smile, wave goodbye, turn again and continue out the door, out of sight.

Pain, yes, there was a great deal of pain. I tried to comfort myself by thrashing my head from side to side in my bed. It was in these moments of anguish I found my LORD and my God. No, it was in these moments of anguish that my LORD and my God found me. At some point in my misery an Invisible Hand would stay my almost uncontrollable thrashing. This Great Hand was strong and full of love. An unheard Voice would whisper into my heart, “You are loved. I will use you for my glory.” I had a hope and a future! I could not see it, but God had spoken. “For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy, ‘I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15

And so I thank my LORD and my God for parents who loved me and suffered with me in my pain. I thank God for The Shriner’s Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, and for all of the Shriners, Doctors, Nurses and Physical Therapists who worked so hard to mend my broken body. Most of all, I thank my LORD and my God for His gift of Fibrous Dysplasia. My pain was my paidagogos, a tutor that led me to Christ. I praise the high and exalted God who lives forever, whose name is Holy. I am profoundly grateful for the One who dwells on a high and holy place and yet also comforts little boys in great pain. To God be the Glory both now and forever. AMEN.

More or better methods?

2009-11-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

We live in difficult days, uncertain days. It has been a difficult year for our country. It has been a difficult year for our church, and the future may seem uncertain. Why do difficult days come? How should we, the people of God, respond? What should we do?

Brothers and sisters, why do difficult days come? The answer is clear in Scripture but so often cloudy in our lives. It is easy enough for our brains to comprehend, but most difficult for our hearts to take a hold of. Various trials come “so that the proof of your faith, [being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire,] may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” I Peter 1:7 Faith, our most valuable asset, increases when God blesses us with adversity. This is why James, inspired by the Holy Spirit, so confidently and graciously reminds us to “consider it all [pure] joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2

Brothers and sisters, how should we respond? At this point I will be brief. When the ground beneath your feet begins to shake, hit your knees. When the going gets tough pray! John Bunyon, that hero of the faith who wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress from his prison cell, also wrote these wise words, “You can do more than pray, after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.”

Brothers and sisters, what should we do when uncertain days come? Should we search for more or better programs? Should we adjust our Worship style? Should we change our schedule? Should we target a certain segment of the West Hallsville / South Longview population? Should we? Should we? Should we? When life is uncertain we should run to the Rock that is higher than ourselves, the One who is certain to see us through. We don’t need more or better methods or programs. No, what we need is God. E.M. Bounds once said, “Man is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. Man is God’s method.”

Brothers and sisters do not be afraid, pray, seek God and ask Him to increase your faith.

"We need a Re-Bible!"

2009-09-10T06:14:00.000-07:00

Last night after our Evening Prayer Service I listened to a great sermon by Dr. Stephen Davey. Dr. Davey has a radio ministry called Wisdom For the Heart. His text was one of my favorite in the Bible, Nehemiah chapter 8. After rebuilding the wall the returning exiles rediscovered the Book, the Word of God. Dr. Davey told the story of an African convert trying his best to write in English to an English friend. He wanted to tell his friend and brother in Christ that his village was experiencing revival. When his English speaking friend read the letter he noticed a completely understandable yet very appropriate "slip of the pen". "Brother, we are having a rebible."

Brothers and sisters this is exactly what we need. We need a re-Bible. When God's people rediscover the Book true revival is not far away. Read Nehemiah chapters 8 and 9. For this reason, we will begin providing a weekly family devotion in Sunday's worship bulletin. If you need a place to start reading, a place to start your rediscovery of the Book, one will be provided. The texts selected and study questions provided will be designed to help families get into the Word together. Rediscover the Word! Have a re-Bible of your own.

The Church on Fire

2009-07-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

I remember when the phrase "on fire" was used quite often. "He is on fire for Jesus!" "That church is on fire." I'm not sure if this terminology is as popular today, but it should be. It is a good description of normal Christianity. If someone where to ask me if Little Flock was on fire I would sadly confess that it wasn't, but it should be. It is supposed to be. I would also admit that the Church in America is not where it should be. It is not on fire with the fires of Revival.

Recently I was thinking about those mysterious angels called Seraphim. We see them in Isaiah 6:2-3 and again in Revelation 4:8. I pondered these majestic beings always found near the Throne of God. The thing I found most interesting about these unique angels was their name. The Hebrew word seraph means "to burn" or "burning". The Hebrew ending "im" makes it plural. The six winged angels of Scripture are called "the burning ones". I thought this name very telling when I noticed their occupation. These "burning ones" are consumed with one thing, the Holiness of God. Listen to Isaiah 6:2-3

Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with

two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet,

and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said,

Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts,

The whole earth is full of His glory.

When I thought about the Saraphim, "the burning ones," I understood why the Church in America is not on fire. I knew why our own church was not on fire with the fires of Revival. Our church, as well as the Church in America, is not on fire because it is not consumed with the holiness of God! We will not see Revival fires burning again until we call our people back to Isaiah's dreadful repentance. When Isaiah saw the Holy God sitting on His Throne he cried out, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." (Isaiah 6:5)

In our weak new world of delicate sensibilities and political correctness we no longer speak of the Holiness of God. People don't want to dread God in fear; they want to add him as a friend on their Facebook wall. We wink at our sin and tip our hats to God in that order. Isaiah saw God's holiness and pronounced curses on himself and his sin, his people and their sin. Brothers and sisters in Christ, the church will not be set on fire until it is consumed with the holiness of God!

We Have Not Sought the Favor of Our Lord

2009-07-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

We have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquity and giving attention to [His] truth.

No truer words could be spoken on behalf of our own beloved Nation. I love this Country, but I fear for it because I fear God. He is Holy and we are not interested. He is Creator God, and we mass produce our own gods. He is Wise and we demonstrate our foolishness when we do not seek His favor.

“We have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our iniquity and giving attention to His truth.” Daniel first voiced this brutal confession an old man praying in exile. His country had been desolated, and he had lived in deportation for nearly seventy years. Daniel remembered the dreadful days of his youth when God did not turn back His Holy wrath, but utterly destroyed Jerusalem, sparing only a scattered remnant like himself and his three friends. Daniel’s prayer is recorded in Daniel 9:1-19. Please read it prayerfully and make it your own.

Daniel’s confession contains both a warning and a way out. Seek after God’s favor America! Like Daniel, cry out for compassion lest we too taste the bitter cup of God’s Righteous judgment. "O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion.”

Even in our sin God shows us His compassion. In the great warnings of Scripture we also find the way out. How can we seek the favor of God? He tells us, “by turning from [our] iniquity and giving attention to [God’s] truth.” Little Flock, this Sunday, July 5th, in honor of the Birthday of our Nation, we will give our “attention to the Lord God to seek {Him by} prayer and supplications…” Our focus will not be One Nation, but One Nation under God with [God honoring] liberty and [God honoring] justice for all. Come prepared to pray diligently for our Country. Pray after Daniel, "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name."

On the Flip Side

2009-05-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

In my last blog I spoke of the individual's responsibility before God to worship regularly in a local church. Today let's talk about the local church's responsibility before God to minister to the individual. This is the flip side. God commands His people to be faithful in worship attendance, but He commands His church to be faithful to Him and to love one another. We must build up our people not tear them down. We must encourage our people not wear them out. If we are not faithful to God in the way we minister to people, how can we expect people to be faithful to meet regularly for worship with our church? We must do church God's way! Preach the Word - Encourage One Another - Equip the Saints - Love One Another - Confess Your Sins - Forgive One Another - Evangelize the Lost - Exhort One Another

Good Doctors

2009-04-23T05:57:00.000-07:00

Imagine a cancer patient who has secured one of the best cancer doctors in the country. He knows that he was selected by this doctor when so many others were not. The doctor has cured this kind of cancer before, and promises he can do it again. The new and entusiastic patient lists the doctor's credentials to whoever will listen. He is his doctor's biggest fan. He patiently endures weeks of testing. He listens carefully to the doctor's plan. He makes his appointments for the first several treatments, but eventually he just quits showing up for the treatments. Oh he continues to boast about his doctor. He loves his doctor! He knows who his doctor is, and he is confident that his doctor knows him. He is sure of it. Yet he continues to skip his doctor's prescribed treatments. He loves the doctor, but his receptionist is ugly and rude. The waiting room is always hot, and he doesn't enjoy sitting in a room full of sick people. Above all of this, the treatments are uncomfortable! "Isn't that what the doctor is supposed to do, make you comfortable?!" What would you say to such a patient?

Christians are infected with the worst of all cancers - sin. The Great Physician has chosen us; we did not choose Him. [John 15:16] His promises are sure. He has forgiven men of sin before, and He will do it again. We are His greatest fans. Yet, like the man described above, many ignore His plan! [Worship with regularity and with other Christians!] Oh they attend church for a time, but soon they quit going. Someone in Sunday School is ugly and rude to them. The pews are uncomfortable. The building is hot. "The people in this church have problems." And above all, the Pastor doesn't make them comfortable! Isn't that his job, to make people comfortable!

Being a faithful member of a church is not easy! People have problems. Churches have problems. The building will not always be to your liking. The Pastor, in fact, the Word of God, will not always make you comfortable, but it was never designed to do so. The Great Physician's prescription remains the same. Worship with regularity and with other Christians. We need worship. We need each other. Lastly, do not say that you love the Great Physician if you are not willing to what He says.

Bad Kids

2009-04-22T06:05:00.000-07:00

The Scriptures are clear. We are commanded to worship God with regularity and with other Christians. We need to worship, and we need one another. [See my last two posts.] Yet many absentee church members claim with confidence their relationship with Christ is A.O.K. This causes me to wonder.
Have you ever watched a really bad kid persist in disobedience? He pushes his parents [who should require immediate obedience but don't!] to the edge of insanity. Just as the parent starts to actually do something about the behavior the child switches gears. Like a master he bats his eyelashes and with syrup gushing from his deceitful little heart he begins to fain his love. "I love you soooo much Mommy." Parents don't fall for it!!! It is called manipulation. Whenever I watch this senario play out [and it is all too often] I think of Christ's words to His followers in John 14:15: "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Parents, look at little Johnnie and let him know in no uncertain terms, "If you loved me you would have done what I said!" Absentee church member, how can you say that you love Christ when you do not obey His commands? The Scriptures are clear, you can't. "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

We Need Each Other!

2009-04-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

We need to worship! We need to worship regularly with each other. We need each other! In Hebrews 10:23-25 we are commanded to worship with other Christians and with regularity.

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

Notice that God tells us to assemble. We are commanded to meet together and hold fast to our confession, stimulate one another to love and good deeds and encourage one another. Why? Because sometimes we [as individuals] waver. Sometimes our love grows cold and lives stagnate. Sometimes we get discouraged. Yes, we need to Worship because we need the One to whom all worship is due. In addition, we need other Christians to love and to love us. We need to hold each other mutually accountable. We need to encourage and be encouraged. Brother and sister go to church consistently. We need you, and you need us.

We Need to Worship!

2009-04-20T07:02:00.000-07:00

Ezra 3:1-7: Upon returning from captivity we see God's people living by "The Book". They rebuild the altar and set it upon it's foundation. (Vs. 2-3) They begin offering the prescribed sacrifices and celebrating the ordained Feasts and Festivals. (Vs. 3-6) They begin the process of rebuilding the Temple. (Vs. 7) This is "what they did", but "why did they do it?" Verse 3 tells us why. "So they set up the altar on its foundation, for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands..." Did you see their motivation? It was fear. Fear?!!! Immediately I began to recoil at the thought. I could just hear the scoffers revving their engines. "See religion is just a crutch for the weak and fearful!"

How do we answer such attacks? Here is my answer. Speaking as an amputee - crutches are good! I need them. If your legs don't work right you need crutches. If you are sick you need a doctor. If you are lost you need a guide. If you sinful you need a Savior! If you are (spiritually) dead you need (spiritual) life. God's people in Ezra's day needed God and they worshipped. We need God today, and we too should worship. You see with Christ there is no good reason to fear, but without Him there is no good reason not to. This world is a terrifying place, and without the forgiveness of sins the one to come is even worse. "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!" Hebrews 10:31 We need to worship because we need the One to whom all worship is due.

Welcoming Guests

2009-03-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

Imagine you join me and a person you do not know as we converse with one another. Politely I nod to you and acknowledge your presence, but the third person says or does nothing. After about five minutes I say, “Bob shake his hand and tell him that you are glad to meet him.” Socially this situation would be awkward. Why did the third person have to be told to greet you? Did he not want to talk to you? You see, greetings and introductions, if sincere, should be natural not manufactured. Have you ever noticed that in church most of us don’t greet our guests until the preacher tells us to? From the “inside looking out” this is the way it has always been. If you get up too soon someone may steal your spot! From the “outside looking in” this may seem awkward and manufactured. Do they have to be told to greet me? Would they have welcomed me if the preacher didn’t tell them to? I know that this may be a radical idea, but I encourage you to try something. First, put your Bible down to save your spot. (And if someone’s Bible is already in the pew don’t steal their spot!) Second, go greet your church family and welcome our guests. I think this will provide a much more welcoming atmosphere for our guests, and you might enjoy it too.

How I came to Christ

2009-01-21T13:38:00.000-08:00

Next remember how you came to Christ. Was it in a church service or on a lunch break? On a mountain top or in a fox hole? Did Christ draw you to Himself little by little over a long period of time or did your conversion happen all at once like Paul's "Damascas Road Experience"? It is beautiful how each Christian's story is so unique. How patient and loving our Savior must be! Try to recall as much as you can about your conversion. Remember, you are telling a story, your story. Small details about your story may help keep your listeners attention or somehow cause them to relate with you more.

Also, as you work through this portion of your story remember these very important theological truths. God chose us; we did not choose Him. God first loved us; we did not first love Him. Jesus said to His disciples, "You did not choose Me but I chose you..." John 15:16 In I John 4:10 the Apostle reminds us, "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [payment] for our sins." We must be clear when telling our stories, not one of us woke up [on our own] and decided that we would look for God. God was first looking for us. We did not decide to choose Jesus. No, He chose us and pursued us. We did not love God He loved us! The emphasis of our love story must rest upon God's work in us.

It is sometimes difficult to tell someone who has never experienced new birth what it means "to hear" God. We will explore this challenge in another post. Keep working on writing out your conversion story.

Bro. John

My life B.C. (Before Christ)

2009-01-07T07:46:00.000-08:00

In this post I hope to give you some food for thought as you write the first part of your story, your life before Christ (B.C.). First, remember that before we can comprehend the Good News of God’s grace, we must first understand that there is bad news about our sin and its consequences. We’re not ready to hear about the cure until we first hear we have the disease. Some who listen to your story will immediately identify with it. Others will not. Everyone who hears your story needs to hear these important truths – without Christ in my life, in God’s eyes I came up short and in my heart I was empty. This is the truth of God’s Word. Without God’s forgiveness provided by Jesus Christ His Son on the cross, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Without a relationship with Jesus Christ we always come up empty. The prophet Jeremiah put this truth so beautifully. “For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns (wells), broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13) Think about how you came to understand these truths before you were saved. Did you try everything under the sun before you were saved? You probably understood the emptiness of sinful pleasures and pursuits. Maybe you were just the average “good person.” Your testimony emphasizes the first great truth. Even “good people” sin and fall short of God’s glory.

Bro. John

Tell Your Story

2009-01-06T13:33:00.000-08:00

This month on Sunday nights we will spend a few moments learning how to share our stories. Every Christian has a miraculous story of how Jesus Christ changed their life forever! The Apostle Peter reminds us of the miracle that took place when God called us out of darkness into light. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” I Peter 2:9-10. Why did God choose us? Why did God make us a royal priesthood or a holy nation? Why did God make us His own? The Apostle tells us. It was so that we may proclaim God’s Excellencies, His Worth, His Holiness, His Grace! Christians, we should be telling our stories all the time. I encourage every member of Little Flock Baptist Church to write out your story

Here is the challenge – write your story, and by the end of the month give me a copy. Include three sections: Section 1 - your life B.C. (Before Christ); Section 2 - your encounter with the Living God and His message of grace (Your Salvation Experience); Section 3 - your metamorphosis or change (Your life since Christ saved you from your sins). Many of us will find this truly a challenge. If you have written your testimony before, write it again. You will be blessed and refreshed as you remember again your salvation experience.

A Little More Meat for Christmas

2008-11-25T07:19:00.000-08:00

The miracle we celebrate at Christmas is the miracle we call the incarnation of Christ. For everyone who enjoys a little meat to chew on I quote one of my favorite heroes of the faith, Martin Luther. I found this quote in Gerhard O. Forde's Reflections on Luther's Heidelberg Disputation, of 1518 called "On Being a Theologian of the Cross" page 14.

In the kingdom of his humanity and his flesh, in which we live by faith, he [Jesus Christ] makes us of the same form as himself and crucifies us by making us true humans instead of unhappy and proud Gods: humans, that is, in their misery and their sin. Because in Adam we mounted up towards equality with God, he [Jesus Christ] descended to be like us, to bring us back to knowledge of himself. That is the sacrement of the incarnation. That is the kingdom of faith in which the cross of Christ holds sway, which sets at naught the divinity for which we perversely strive and restores the dispised weakness of the flesh which we have perversely abandoned.

Enjoy!

Bro. John

The Heart of the Christmas Story

2008-11-25T07:12:00.000-08:00

I encourage you to join us here at Little Flock on Sunday nights. Early this month we began a study on the person of Christ and the Trinity. We started this study in response to our Sunday morning series through Philippians, specifically chapter 2 verse 7. Jesus Christ “emptied Himself…” What does this mean? We learned that it meant Jesus, remaining what He was (100% God), became what He was not before (100% man). I didn’t think about it then, but this is the heart of the Christmas story! This is the reason the angels cried “Glory to God in the Highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” This is the reason Mary “treasured all these things in her heart.” This is the reason we celebrate the Christ-child, “Immanuel, God with us.”

Of all the Gospel accounts, John’s Gospel provides us the most succinct of Christmas stories. In fact, in John 1:14, the Apostle tells the Christmas story in just five words. “And the Word became flesh…” The first verse of this magnificent chapter speaks of Jesus. “In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God.” Then, in verse 14, at just the right time, in the second most mysterious moment in all of human history, the moment of Christ’s miraculous and holy conception, “the Word became flesh” in the womb of a young Jewish teenager named Mary. God became flesh. The Second Person of the Holy Trinity, God the Son, “became like us so that we might become like Him.” What should our response be? Like the angels we should cry “glory to God in the Highest!” Like Mary, we should treasure these things in our hearts.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Bro. John

America's Greatness

2008-11-02T14:28:00.000-08:00

The French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said, "I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests--and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning--and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution--and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!"

He is absolutely right. It is my earnest prayer that America's pulpits (beginning with our own) would once again "flame with righteousness". Alexis is so well spoken. His observation reminds me of a most ironic sign my father-in-law spotted outside a liquor store in Kountze, TX. The sign read...

BEER - ICE - LOTTO

ADULT VIDEO

GOD BLESS AMERICA

God has blessed America, but we should not be so arrogant to expect God to bless us when we refuse to bless Him. "GOD BLESS AMERICA" should not be read or spoken without its all important antecedent, "AMERICA BLESS GOD". When America blesses God, God will bless her. Bless God. Pray for America.

Brother John

Issues on your Table

2008-10-27T07:14:00.000-07:00

November 4th is right around the corner. I hope you are committed to vote! I cannot tell you how to vote, but I can speak to moral issues that are pertinent to this presidential election. Before I go on, if you do not know where the candidates stand on specific issues, pick up a Voter's Guide in the foyer or go to http://www.freemarketvotersguide.com/ .

Now let's suppose you invite me (your pastor) to come over to your house. You want to discuss the issues facing our country. You and your children or grandchildren are gathered around the table waiting to talk with me about the election. I come to your door with a duffle bag full of stuff. You invite me in, and we all take our places around your dining room table. One by one I pull from the duffle bag items that represent the most critical issues of our day. First I pull from my bag a fence representing Illegal Immigration, and of course, the proposed fence to be constructed on the U.S. - Mexico border. The children ask you questions, and you are glad to explain the situation to them. Second, I pull from the bag, a pile of cash representing the sad condition of the U.S. economy. In truth, the economy would best be represented by an empty wallet! Again you do not hesitate to answer the children's questions. Third, I pull out a miniature replica of a U.S. tank. This reminds us of the ongoing war against terror in the Middle East. You nod your head in agreement as I set forth the issues in ways your children and grandchildren can understand. Next I pull out a wedding cake with two groomsmen figurines embracing one another on top of the cake. Your children and grandchildren begin to make comments. You begin to blush, dreading the questions you must answer. Things get worse, the last item I pull out of my bag is a "life-like" or should I say "death-like" replica of an aborted baby. How would you respond? How are your children or grandchildren going to respond? Would your reaction to the last two issues be different than the first three? If so, why? Could it be because they are so morally repulsive?

All the issues I have mentioned are important to our choice of the next President of the United States. It is my prayer that we as Christians would continue our fight against the horrors of legalized abortion! It is my prayer that we would make a stand to protect the biblical definition of marriage. God designed marriage. Let's continue to let Him define it. Marriage is a life-long covenantal relationship between one man and one woman!

Little Flock what will you do with the issues on your table? I encourage you to pray, get informed, listen to this James Dobson broadcast, pray more and vote.

Brother John

Disaster Relief-October 11, 2008

2008-10-12T15:03:00.001-07:00

Damage caused by Hurricane Ike.

Left to Right: John (member of FBC Hampshire), Will (behind John), William, Bill (Pastor of LaBelle Baptist Church) and Lynn

Lynn gutting home. (If pictures could smell!)

Will and William smiling for the camera....we think!

The work was hard but rewarding. A huge thank you to Will, William and Lynn!

Brother John

Give Jesus the Credit

2008-10-05T21:21:00.001-07:00

"It is amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit." Author unknown.

We have all heard this little motivational quip before. In the business world it would be a great motto for any organization, but in the church (in our church) it needs to be revised. Here is the way this little quip should read.

"It is amazing what can be accomplished when everyone cares that Jesus Christ gets the credit."

Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord deserves all glory, honor and praise!

Brother John

A Christian perspective on the "Bail-out"

2008-10-01T12:42:00.000-07:00

One of the first things I do every morning (once the coffee kicks in) is click on Fox News to monitor the proposed "bail-out". I see pictures of desperate traders and watch interviews with frightened politicians. This is a big deal! How should we as Christians respond to this financial crisis?

Now I do not for a second pretend to have a professional opinion. I do have an opinion. It's just not a professional opinion. I have voiced my opinion. I have already e-mailed Congressman Louie Gohmert, Senators Cornyn and Hutchinson and yes, President George Bush. I would encourage you to do the same. I would also encourage you to struggle with the question I asked above, "How should we as Christians respond to this crisis?" What does the Bible say about our current financial state of affairs?

For some help on these important questions I recommend to you Dr. Albert Mohler's blog "A Christian View of the Economic Crisis." Click on the link below for this blog.
http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=2550 I would also recommend you go to http://www.daveramsey.com/ and read "The Common Sense Fix". Both these men are respected Christian leaders. Albert Mohler is the President of Southern Baptist Seminary in Louiseville, KY and a leading cultural commentator. Dave Ramsey is a straight talking Christian financial counselor with a national audience. I listen to both of these men regularly.

Little Flock pray for wisdom. Do your homework. Do something to make a difference.

Brother John

The Amplified Crusade

2008-09-25T06:40:00.000-07:00

The Amplified Crusade is over. The tent has been taken down, and all the speakers, lights and folding chairs put away. Over a hundred kids walked the isles to stand before the evangelist heads bowed. Were some of those decisions purely emotion? Sure. Were many of them real? Yes! Now what? How will our church minister to those youth whose hearts were opened this past week? Listen to Leroy Eims as I borrow a excerpt from his book "The Lost Art of Disciple Making".

"The ministry [of making disciples] is to be carried on by people, not programs. It is to be carried out by someone and not by some thing. Disciples cannot be mass produced. We cannot drop people into a "program" and see disciples emerge at the end fo the production line. It takes time to make disciples. It takes individual, personal attention. It takes hours of prayer for them. It takes patience and understanding to teach them how to get into the Word of God for themselves, how to feed and nourish their souls, and by the power of the Holy Spirit how to apply the Word to their lives. And it takes being an example to them of all of the above."

Leroy Eims is right! It is my prayer that there are many, many such Christians willing to raise these babes in Christ. We long for baptisms, but are we ready to raise spiritual babies? God will not put babies in broken incubators. Lets make sure that we raise these baby Christians the right way. It is not enough just to point them toward the youth room and hope a disciple turns up in the College and Career class in a few years. There is no way that Jake and Nichole can disciple all these youth on their own. They need our help! They need people who will give "individual, personal attention to these kids". They need people who will pray for hours for these kids. They need people with patience and understanding. They need people who will live as examples to these kids.

Pray that the Lord will send workers into this harvest of souls.

Brother John