Church In A Bottle

We live in a very different generation than those that have gone before us.  The modern trend of "healthy" living does not involve changing bad habits, eating correctly, or changing our sedentary lifestyle; instead, we buy a bottle of pills.  Oddly enough, if the bottle says "natural", consumers stand in line to get the next miracle drug.  We fail to ask ourselves if it were really "natural", why do the results not happen "naturally".  An aspect  of our metabolism and digestion is severely altered by a pill, and we sing it's praises.  We do not have to change our diets or our habits, we simply take this pill and the pounds fall off leaving a trimmer and healthier you.  Sadly though, we look beyond the consumerism of the marketing, the multi-level scheme, and the fact that the praise for the pill results in another sale.  Another consumer who is conditioned to depend on something in a bottle!  The "all natural" pill has results that lasts only as long as the pill is consumed on a regular basis.  Immediately after the cessation of the product, our unhealthy lifestyle evidences itself once again in our physical bodies.  There is almost an addiction like a drug purchased on the illegal market that sings the praise of "radical change" within our bodies; producing a dependence and a need to continue the unhealthy acquisition of that which may even also be "natural", but all that is "natural" is not necessarily beneficial.

In like manner, the same model has contributed to our church selection and attendance.  We seek that which thrills us, that which produces the perceived results we desire, even if they are only temporary.  There is almost a refusal to investigate the actual cause of our sudden interest; and the longevity of the impact lasts only temporarily.  The books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all give us the parable of the soils.  The second soil mentioned is that which involves a bedrock.  A layer of rock hidden beneath the soil keeps the true fruit being evidenced.  The Bible states that after the seed is cast on this type of soil, there is an immediate result.  All looks wonderful and godly until the heat of the sun.  In the moment of testing, the lack of depth becomes evidenced with the withering of the plant.  "Christianity" can be based on a "fad".  We long to fit in, to keep up, to enjoy the moment, and we enjoy the temporary "high" of the moment; but there is nothing lasting about it.  Like a "magic pill", we run in masses to achieve the desired results of high adrenaline worship, entertaining message, and a lack of true accountability; all without real internal change from within.

The health craze will continue to develop that next "natural" pill, each one better than the last; but each one demanding an allegiance to itself, even promising financial gain from it.  We are still unaware of the lasting affects of the ingestion of all that is deemed "natural"; but it is probably that it will leave us just as unhealthy in our lifestyle as we were before we first opened the bottle.  Sadly, the church craze will continue as well; but the ending result is so much more tragic.  Living the lie of insincerity, our "change" is only skin deep; lasting until that next big trial; hearing one day, "depart from me, for I never knew you."  It is time to stop the dependence on the bottle!

The Business Plan

"May You direct us by Thy Word as we make decisions for this business" prayed a business owner as he started the day.  How many of us have known business owners who made that commitment on Sunday, but lived by a different moto on Monday.  2 Peter 1:3 says, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:"  Our economy today does not need another business model to attempt; what our economy needs today are business owners who are willing to surrender their business to the Lord.

OUR MOTIVE.  Week after week, business after business close their doors for the last time.  During a tight economy, it seems that only the strongest businesses survive for another day.  Only the "hungry" are able to succeed; only those willing to push, struggle, and fight their way to the top are awarded the privilege of another quarter of profits.  Colossians 1:18 ends with these words, "that in all things He might have the preeminence".  When we read about the love of money being the root of all evil in 1 Timothy 6:10, we forget about the rest of the verse: "which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."  The sin of loving money is always delegated to the "other guy", while we justify our hunger for the dollar by the words, "it is just business".  In the very Word of God that we long to direct us, we read that it is impossible for us to love both God and money.  If the motive of our business is the dollar, may we learn to put off our idolatrous ways, and again place HIM in that preeminent position.

OUR MESSAGE. The success of a business often depends upon the favor of those who have contact with our business.  Without customers, there is no business.  In our effort to succeed in business, we place our best foot forward and declare that the "customer is always right".  Matthew 5:16 gives us our message: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  1 Peter 2:12 takes it one step farther with "Having your conversation (behavior - let's use the word business dealings) honest among the Gentiles (let's use the word - customers): that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."  Book after book and seminar after seminar are searched and read in order to determine the best way to increase leads, sales, bottom lines, and ultimately, business.  May we search the Word and see that our true objective is to conduct our business not to promote ourselves, but to promote our Lord.

OUR MIGHT.  Colossians 3:23 gives us this directive: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;".  To work heartily means to work out of breath.  Drive down any Main Street and you will find exhausted business owners.  The labor force that has committed themselves to working harder, longer, and smarter than the competition.  May we not forget the end of this known verse: "as to the Lord, and not unto men".  Can we pray that God would direct our business through His Word, and then admit that we have wore ourselves out working for ourselves? The very next verse ends with these words: "for ye serve the Lord Christ".  Check your exhaustion at the door at ask yourself: who did I serve today?

OUR MORALS. It would seem that if our motive, our message, and our might are all centered on Christ, it should directly impact our morals and our business ethics.  1 Peter 2:13 commands us to "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake".  In the realm of business, the ordinances, legislation, and basic red tape is nearly endless and increasing at an astounding rate, all placed upon the already struggling business.  The Word-directed business is going to submit to EVERY ordinance of man, but again the objective is directed to the Lord ("for the Lord's sake").  There are often legislator-introduced loopholes for small businesses and it certainly could be claimed that taking advantage of those loopholes is practicing good stewardship; but we better make sure that we are not creating our own loopholes and again justifying our sin.  The only Biblical "loophole" in regards to 1 Peter 2:13 involves the simple statement that it is better to obey God than man (Acts 5:29).  "Submitting yourselves to every ordinance" means that every ordinance is examined in light of the Bible, not according to our bottom line or feasability.  If that ordinance is contrary to the Word of God, we must chose to obey God, but we must also submit ourselves to the civil penalty of that decision.

It would seem that the business that practiced those four points of God's business plan would be handicapped in today's dog-eat-dog market.  2 Peter 1 started with the statement that we have everything we need for our life and godliness, and it concludes with this statement "ye do well if ye take heed" (2 Peter 1:19).  Search God's Word thoroughly, there is not a crown, not even a certificate for the business that grossed the greatest assets; there is no recognition for the business that acquired the largest client-base.  The crowns of eternity are not based on bottom-lines and capital but in simple obedience to His Word!  It would certainly be far better to hear "well done thou good and faithful servant" in eternity, than to have the praises of man here on this earth!

There are plenty of business men that have committed their businesses to the Lord with their mouths, but their very actions prove that their hearts are far from Him!  The principles of God's Word never pretended to be popular; they never pretended to be defended and promoted by those of the World; but, the principles of God's Word SHOULD CERTAINLY direct the business of the Christian.  May He truly direct our steps through His Word!

Hairology

For the benefit of those who were in Sunday School today and heard me reference "Hairology". I present the complete "sermon"! It seems that the author of this rendition is a professor at Luisiana Baptist University - check out this link for more details.

Click here to delight your senses and your hair!

Seven Steps To Revitalizing The Small-Town Church

As a pastor of a small-town church, it seems that a common misconception of small rural

churches is that as things are now, they must always be. In other words, the small-town church is delegated to a sub-par role in ministry. It is an endless mission to bring new life and zeal to the small church in a small town. Paul Hazelton was a pastor of a small church in LaMoure, North Dakota, and he writes a book that gives some concepts to consider in bringing life to the small-town church.

Paul's seven tasks to implementing the task of revitalizing the small church:

1. Define The Roles Of Pastor and Laity. The role of the pastor's efforts in serving the congregation and community are presented; followed by the role of the congregation in supporting the pastor financially, prayerfully, and with respect. The author presents the application of the pastor being the quarterback; the success of the team may hinge upon the quarterback, but if the quarterback is the only player on the field, it will be devastating.

2. Examine Your Organizational Structure. In this chapter, the author depicts the need for having a purpose and living that purpose in the ministry. He also places tremendous responsibility on prayer.

3. Develop A Plan. The empahsis for the small church is to have goals - reachable goals - but goals nonetheless. How easy it is to become void of goals in the small church. A church needs to set goals and work towards those goals in order to maintain vitality in the ministry.

4. Get Ready For Company. It is essential that the church prepares for the fruit of its labors. Begin by having plans in place for receiving and greeting visitors, and as well, a follow-up to the visitors needs to be in place before those visitors even attend.

5. Create Community Visability. The small church in the small town must focus on being visible to the community. He presents several recommendations: listings in the paper and phone books, promotional articles in the newspaper, devotional ads in the paper, personal congratulations to graduations and new births. The author states that if something is happening in the church, let the entire community know!

6. Identify Ministries With Potential For Outreach. A simple demographics study of your community will present the necessary means for properly ministering the community. While reaching out to the community, never forget to emphasize the purpose of the church.

7. Keep Your Denominational Identity. While the author presents a strongly ecumenical philosophy, he does strongly urge that churches not blur the lines of the their theological differences.

While all of the points of this book may not be for every church, it was a tremendous reminder of the potential found in any church, regardless of size. May the small town church find revival and vitality for the Lord's work in the town that the Lord hasa planted them in.

The Bivocational Pastor

Since I am getting consistent rebukes about not updating this blog. I thought I would include some thoughts from the books that I have been reading. It will help me record the notable quotes, while also challenging you, the reader, to read more inspirational books.

The book begins with the definition of success; keeping a Heavenly perspective of the definition of true success will help when our view of success fail. The third chapter presented the difference between vision and dreams. "Dreamers are content to wish things were different; visionaries seek ways to partner with God to make a difference." (p.28). In the sixth chapter, the author encourages us to stay long enough in the small church in order to make a difference. Stating that many small churches remain in survival mode because of the rapid turnover of pastors in small churches. He has a powerful statement: "You will also have to win the battle against discouragement. Change and growth usually come slowly in the smaller church. There will be months and even years when it seems that nothing worthwhile is occurring. You may even doubt that God ever gave you a vision for the church. (p. 73). The tenth chapter is on "equipping the laity". Using one of my often quoted passages, the author expounds on Ephesians 4:11-12 with this statement: "Too often, Pastors are wearing themselves out trying to do the work of the ministry of the church while laypeople sit in the pews scoring their pastor'sefforts. Such ministry is not only seldom successful but also unbiblical." (p.115). Diving deeper into that thought, the author quotes John Maxwell as saying, "If we take people as they are, we make them worse. If we take them as they should be, we help them become what they can be." (p. 121).

I found this book extremely applicable to my current situation of "two jobs, and one ministry". While the author does seem to be repetitious in some instances, it was a great challenge and refocus...in the one thing needful!

The Smile That Is Stronger Than The Sword

Numbers 22-24 describe the efforts of Balak to convince the prophet Baalam to put a curse on the children of Israel; within that account is the well-known event involving Baalam's donkey. In chapters 23 and 24, Baalam refuses to put a curse on the children of Israel, which places great fear in the life of Balak the king of Moab, especially since the memory of what the Lord did through the children of Israel with the Amorites is still on the mind of King Balak.

Chapter 25 begins with the proverbial smile that is stronger than the sword. While the sword of Balak and his armies was not able to defeat the Israelites, the women of Moab brought defeat within the camp. God commands Moses to kill all of the leaders of the people that have fallen prey to the harlots. The digression in the hearts of the children of Israel is evident when one of those leaders brings one of the harlots right into the camps of the children of Israel - seemingly, not even blushing about the sin. The end result is the death to 24,000 men!

Matthew Henry comments: "We are more endangered by the charms of a smiling world, than by the terrors of a frowning world." The frowning world is evident all around us: we need not look further than the evening news, the legislature, and the anti-Christians sentiments being introduced in the name of "education". The question for us to consider: how aware are we of the charms of the smiling world around us? The proverbial Moabite women who sneak into our hearts and homes inch-by-inch, and before long we are not even aware that we should be blushing! Boldness and pride have replaced shame! The smile is indeed stronger than the sword!

Do We Sanctify Him In Our Obedience?

Numbers 20 reveals the events that led to Moses and Aaron's sin of striking the rock instead of talking to the rock! Within the judgment that followed is a very humbling statement by the Lord. In verse 24, God states that their sin was a sin of rebellion against God's Word. That is not difficult to comprehend: if we disobey or disregard the commands of the Lord, it is rebellion. What is more descriptive is God's initial words to Aaron and Moses found in verse 12: "Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel..."

Our rebellion against the will and commands of God is not just simple rebellion; it is a compounded sin of rebellion. A sin of unbelief before our God, and a sin of disgrace of our God in the sight of those who are near us! When we disregard the Word of God, we prove our rebellion, but that rebellion shows our view of God to Him and to others: we show our disbelief and we show our lack of desire to sanctify (to separate and make holy) our God before others!