Monday, March 31, 2008

Used of the Lord

What is it like to be used by the Lord?
Our pastor has been telling us in the church that each of us has gifts that the Lord can use. Not all of us are teachers, or preachers, or pastors, or some other kind of "up-front" leader; but we each have at least one gift that is given to benefit the Body of Christ. He said this past Sunday that even those who clean the building are exercising a gift that benefits the Body.

The Lord has invested heavily in my life for the gift of teaching. However, even knowing that, there are times after I teach that I feel like I completely missed the Lord's direction in the moment. There are other times when I feel as if I was standing in the Throne Room saying nothing but what the Father was saying. Quite often, either one of those feelings gets contradicted by the comments I receive or don't receive after the time of ministry. (I guess maybe my feelings are deceitful.) How long before I learn to do my best, to be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and to leave the results to the Lord?!?

What is your gift?
How do you use your gift?
How do you feel when you have obviously been used by the Lord to be a blessing to someone else?

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Friday, March 28, 2008

Dele-a-What?

Someone commented on the role of delegation in her life in a recent post. She said, "If we all pulled away a little from our roll and reached out to someone else--wow what an impact we could have!"

That is exactly what I am talking about concerning discipleship and delegation. Delegation is not to be confused with "dumping." Delegation is equipping someone near you to do what you are doing alone, thus giving synergy to the desired outcome. Let me illustrate. I have heard it said that one draft horse can pull on a sled a weight of 2 tons. Guess how many two draft horses can pull on a sled together. Did you say 4 tons? Nope!
The answer is 12 tons! That is synergy. Jesus knows this principle; hence He sent the disciples out in pairs AFTER He had been with them for a considerable time of training.

Let me be very frank. Who are you intentionally building into so that they can help us fulfill the great commission? If you are a Christian, this type of fruit should be appearing in your life in some form or fashion! If you do not see this type of fruit in your life, do not despair. Begin to ask the Lord of the harvest to speak to your heart about "rolling up those shirt sleeves" and getting involved in delegating to your disciples. Look! The field is white unto harvest!

Pastor Noel

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Delegation

I am wondering how you have grown in the Lord by someone in the faith delegating ministry tasks to you in the recent past. Maybe someone asked you to help set up tables for a church dinner, or someone asked you to give a closing prayer, or asked you to substitute teach a Sunday School class. How did you feel in being asked? How did you respond? Did you sense any growth in the Spirit by tackling the assigned task? What was the motive in the person asking you to do that certain task?

Several Scriptures to try to read before Sunday if you would like to prepare your heart and spirit for the message:
Exodus 18:1-27 and Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5-7

In Christ alone,

Pastor Noel

Monday, March 24, 2008

Easter Eye-Openers

I would love to hear what God spoke to you on His Son's resurrection day. How did God speak to you during a message? A song? A conversation? Or during your own quiet time?

In Christ alone,

Noel George
Pastor Monett Church of the Nazarene

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Spring has Sprung

Easter is earlier than usual.
This weekend we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Today is known in the liturgical churches as Maundy Thursday. Tomorrow is Good Friday; then Holy Saturday.
Not only is Easter coming earlier than we will see it for the next 200 years, so is Spring.
We had a deluge in our area of non-stop rain for more than 24 hours. Ponds, creeks, and rivers overflowed their banks. My backyard is still a marshland two days later. Plowing is not an option yet for a few days, maybe weeks.
While the New Year is the time most folks make resolutions, Spring brings a time of anticipation; of looking forward to the new life budding all around us.
Renewal and regeneration is in the air. My wife picked the first daffodils and put them on the dining table for us to enjoy even though we must still be indoors.
Today, however, is too nice a day to be caught working inside. But we must.
We are looking forward to days in the garden.
What about you?
What do you plan to do?
What are you looking forward to?

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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

People of the Book

Are we a People of the Book?
Is our Bible more than just a coffee table decoration?
Do we know the value of the Book of Books?

According to George Gallup:

One third of those surveyed know who delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
Fewer than half can name the first book of the Bible;
80 percent of born-again Christians believe the phrase God helps those who help themselves is in the Bible (it's actually Ben Franklin).


So I'm thinking a lot these days about how to help the people that God brings my way to know and love the book. How do I proclaim the Scriptures in a way that honors their authority, and at the same time recognizes where my hearers are (as opposed to where I wish they were)?

Read the entire ariticle by John Ortberg

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Saturday, March 15, 2008

Winning Souls

Scriptures: Pro. 11:30; Dan. 12:3; Matt. 28:19-20
As a new believer in the early 70s, I would often feel that I was not measuring up to the standards that were being held out by many.
We were constantly told that we should be witnessing to all those around us.
We would be asked, "How many people have you led to the Lord?"
After only a short time, I began to feel that I was somehow less than a true Christian. Not only had I not led anyone to the Lord, I wasn't trying to witness to people.
I simply read my Bible and shared what I was learning. That was usually with believers, but sometimes with non-believers.
Nevertheless, the guilt remained.
I see this happening again in this day as new believers are struggling in their faith, trying to measure up to the constant challenges of "sharing their faith."
Discussion:
Are there differences of gifts when it comes to sharing the faith?
Why should a brand new believer have pressure applied to witness?
What would Jesus do?

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Thursday, March 13, 2008

Divisive Doctrines

My wife and I have been having an ongoing discussion about the divisiveness of words.
Her focus is on 1 Timothy 6:4, 20 and 2 Tim. 2:14, 23 which all talk about doctrines and words that cause arguments.
My focus is on 2 Timothy 2:25-26, which tells us to instruct those who are given to divisiveness.
This is not an issue of "Who is right? Who is wrong?" For, as can be seen from the verses quoted, both have their place.
We both have a problem in one of our Bible study groups with the bringing up of controversial doctrine.
I don't like it when the thought is not on point, but just seems to be someone's hobby horse. My wife doesn't like it because she can see where it will lead.
She wants it stopped before it begins.
I want the attitudes that engender the divisiveness to be stopped.
I feel we have an opportunity to show how we can learn to speak with gentleness rather than get heated because someone's view is different from our own.
She doesn't want the intensity to show up at all.

Discussion:
(please try to avoid a right/wrong in this)
What is your experience in these kinds of situations?
What do you feel is at the root of discussions that become heated?
What is the leader's responsibility when intense debate shows up in a gathering?

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Monday, March 10, 2008

Handing Out Tracts

This may not be true, but it is a good read, even though a bit long.



The Pastor and his son

Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts.

This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring down rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, "OK, dad, I'm ready."

His Pastor dad asked, "Ready for what?"

"Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out."

Dad responds, "Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain."

The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, "But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?" (more)

After you read the rest of the story:

Do people still pass out tracts?

Is it a valid method of ministering to the lost?

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Wednesday, March 5, 2008

The Purpose of Teaching

Why Do We Teach?

We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ. Colossians 1:28-29

It should be the goal of every preacher/teacher/discipler to teach those they are responsible for with wisdom and grace in order to help their charge(s) grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If what you teach is not reproducible, then what does it serve? (2 Tim. 2:2)
If it does not result in a changed or changing life, what good is it?

To just grab a handful of seed without knowing where it comes from or where it is to go, is, at best, an exercise in futility. It will not necessarily do the hearers any good.

Let us, as teachers, make it our ambition to present every person fully mature, ie, perfect, in the Lord Jesus.

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Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Being Perfect

It is possible to be perfect.

James tells us that whoever does not offend with their tongue, that person is perfect. (3:2)

Now isn't that interesting?!?

How often I hear a comment such as, "No one can be perfect!" whenever the subject of being perfect comes up.

We are told more than once in the Scripture to be perfect, and this verse tells us how we can achieve that.

However, it must be noted that James also tells us that no man can tame the tongue.(3:8)

That is worthy of our consideration, because to the undiscerning, there appears to be a contradiction.

Look at the context of verse 8, and you will see that James uses natural elements such as a bit in a horse's mouth, the rudder of a ship, and wild animals to show how we have dominion in this life. He then makes his statement about no man being able to tame the tongue. He is speaking of outside influences.

In other words, there is no way I will ever be able to train you to control your tongue. That is not to say, however, that you cannot train yourself to control your tongue.

Discussion:
Have you ever offended someone with your speech?
If it was unintentional, how did you feel afterwards?
Has the Lord ever dealt with you about watching your words?
Tell us about that.