No Fuel No Fire!

Sometimes we get overwhelmed by our need for a great vision or unique plan. However, I have come to realize that an immediate goal for our church should be to creat a culture of warmth and hospitality. In this late hour hospitality is going to attract people to the gospel. A few of us have been seeing the need for relationship building in our fellowship. We need to build trust and heal the many broken relationships within our community. In order to be successful in our endeavor we need to deal with the recent rise of strife in our little fellowship.

As I was praying, asking God to reveal what we are really dealing with He led me to the book of Proverbs. Please meditate on these scriptures and stand in the gap with me and Judi. May the devil's plans be twarted and God's name be glorified!

Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer the strife ceases.

Talebearer: One who spreads malicious stories or gossip, one trading as a peddler in scandal, whose propensity to talk leads him to betray confidence

Proverbs 16:28b … a whisperer (gossiper) separates chief friends.

Proverbs 26:22, Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.

Proverbs 22:10 Cast out the scorner, and contention (discord) shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

Discord: a: lack of agreement or harmony (as between persons, things, or ideas) b: active quarreling or conflict resulting from discord among persons or factions: strife

James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things the LORD hates: yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

1. A proud look,
2. A lying tongue,
3. Hands that shed innocent blood,
4. A heart that devises wicked imaginations,
5. Feet that are quick in running to mischief,
6. A false witness that speaks lies,

7. And the person that sows discord among brethren.

Jesus Christ was and is absolute.
He said, He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathers not with me scatters abroad Matthew 12:30.

I urge you to understand that there is no such thing as an inactive church member.

If you're not gathering, if you're not drawing people to Christ, you are driving them away from Christ; you are scattering. May God have mercy on us!

A Question For You....

As I was preaparing for Sunday (after three weeks away) I ran full speed into a remarkable thought. It happened kind of sudden like. I was considering the topic of servanthood vs the selfishness of the modernday church. So here is the question; What is the most important word in John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son.

I believe that most everyone who reads this verse misses it. The most important word in this verse comes after the word "world." God loved so much He did something about it. He actually manifested and demonstrated His love.

In his song, "Asleep in the Light," Keith Green raised the question: Do you see, do you see, All the people sinking down? Don't you care, don't you care, Are you going to let them drown? How can you be so numb, Not to care if they come? You close your eyes and pretend the job's done.

My message for Sunday may cause us to blush but we must address the sad fact that most of Christendom has turned inward. Keith Green goes on; Oh, bless me Lord, bless me Lord! You know that's all I ever hear. No one aches, no one hurts, No one even sheds a tear. But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds, And He cares for your needs. And you just lay back and keep soaking it in.

May God have mercy on us and remove apathy from our midst.

The voice of the Lord was heard as He sang through the wind among the aspens. Its sound was as a drink of cool water.

Bless the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name!