Setting at my desk today I overheard the music in the front lobby. The song was “Oh how He loves us. Oh how He loves us……” I thought, what makes this song so popular? The words are not deep and the tune is far from being complicated. But the song is profound because it ministers to that longing within all of us that wants so desperately to be loved. And to think that HE loves us! No wonder the first word of the song is “Oh!”.

God’s love is not merely some abstract concept. It isn’t just a philosophy or a theological construct. God’s love was made manifest in this world through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came into this world to reveal to us the love of God in human form.

A child was once trying to quote from John 3:16, which says, “for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.” But the child misquoted it and said, “his only forgotten Son.” It was one of those slips of the tongue that carried more truth than we would care to admit. For by most people in the world today Jesus Christ is truly forgotten. His life is forgotten. His love is forgotten. His sacrifice is forgotten. It is our job as Christians – as God’s ambassadors – to demonstrate the “SO LOVE”.

Here is a great recipe for a Happy New Year! I don’t know who the author is, but I know this will work. We need to commit to be…

LIKE PAUL – forget those things which are behind and press forward.

LIKE DAVID – lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.

LIKE ABRAHAM – trust implicitly in my God.

LIKE ENOCH - walk in daily fellowship with my Heavenly Father.

LIKE JEHOSAPHAT – prepare my heart to seek the Lord.

LIKE MOSES – choose rather to suffer than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

LIKE DANIEL – commune with God at all times and in all places.

LIKE JOB – be patient under all circumstances

LIKE CALEB & JOSHUA – refuse to be discouraged because of superior numbers.

LIKE JOSEPH – turn my back on all seductive advances.

LIKE AARON & HUR – uphold the hands of my minister and the leaders of the church with my prayers and support.

LIKE ANDREW – strive to lead my brother to Christ.

LIKE STEPHEN – manifest a forgiving spirit toward all who seek my hurt.

LIKE JESUS – go about doing good.

Realizing that I cannot hope to achieve these objectives by my own strength, I will rely upon Christ, for “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

Declaring a Fast

At Riverpark, we are declaring January 11 -31 2010, a “Daniel fast”.

What is a Daniel fast?

The concept of a Daniel fast comes from the book of Daniel.  

“But Daniel determined that he would not defile himself by eating the king’s food or drinking his wine, so he asked the head of the palace staff to exempt him from the royal diet. The head of the palace staff, by God’s grace, liked Daniel, but he warned him, “I’m afraid of what my master the king will do. He is the one who assigned this diet and if he sees that you are not as healthy as the rest, he’ll have my head!” But Daniel appealed to a steward who had been assigned by the head of the palace staff to be in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: “Try us out for ten days on a simple diet of vegetables and water. Then compare us with the young men who eat from the royal menu. Make your decision on the basis of what you see.” The steward agreed to do it and fed them vegetables and water for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked better and more robust than all the others who had been eating from the royal menu.  (Daniel 1:8-15 The Message)

Daniel and his three friends had been “deported” to Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians had conquered Judah (2 Kings 24:13-14). Daniel and his three friends were put into the Babylonian court servant “training program.” Part of the program was learning Babylonian customs, beliefs, laws, and practices. The eating habits of the Babylonians were not in complete agreement with the Mosaic law. As a result, Daniel asked if he and his three friends could be excused from eating the meat (which was likely sacrificed to all kinds of weird and false gods and idols).

So, a Daniel fast is eating only fruits and vegetables for a certain amount of time, abstaining from meat products. Some people use a Daniel fast as a dieting method. Some people use a Daniel fast instead of fasting from food entirely. The Bible nowhere commands believers to observe a Daniel fast. As a result, it is a matter of Christian freedom whether to observe a Daniel fast.

Key Scriptures for fasting

“[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:20-21

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Reasons to Fast

1.      A deeper relationship with Jesus

2.      You have a passion to do something great but can’t seem to focus

3.      You desire to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit

4.      To break away from a bondage that has been holding you down

5.      To find God’s will for your life

6.      To build your faith for healing or a miracle

7.      To go to the next level in your spiritual journey

8.      It is a representative discipline that filters into many areas of our life  

Target your fast

For America - The Bible instructs us to continually pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2). When we lift up our leaders, here in the United States and around the world, we can expect God’s peace in our lives and in our nation.

Another great promise, from the book of Isaiah, proclaims that the chosen fast will “undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free.” We are living in tough economic times and we know that so many people are under a financial burden. As we come together to fast and pray, we believe that burdens will be lifted and that financial blessings will be released into your life!

Personally - Seek the Lord in prayer and let your decisions about your fast come from Him. Ask the Lord to show you areas to target during your time of fasting and prayer. We believe that, as we pray and seek God and give Him our best at the first of this year, He will bless our ENTIRE year (Matthew 6:33)!

Riverpark - Our vision and passion is so much bigger than our finances. We believe that this is about to change and that the fountain of financial blessing is about to be opened. If financial blessings are released in your personal life then it will also be released at Riverpark. Target also the growth of Riverpark. We believe we have been called to grow in relationship with The Lord, numerically and in every sense of the word.

Guidelines for a Daniel fast
Foods to eat -
Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley
Legumes (bean family): Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas

Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantelope, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Rasberries, Strawberries, Tangeloes, Tangerines, Watermelon

Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini

Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts

Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices

Foods to avoid -
Meat , white rice, fried foods , caffeine, carbonated beverages, foods containing preservatives or additives, refined sugar, sugar substitutes, white flour, margarine, shortening, high fat products

In today’s world some of these may be difficult to avoid (preservatives, refined sugar etc.) . We should just do the best with what we have.

Fasting advice

If you are unsure of your health or taking medication, you should consult your physician before beginning any type of fast.

Here is an excerpt from the book  “Fasting For Spiritual Breakthrough” by Elmer L. Towns, published in 1996 by Regal Books, Ventura, California. I think it will be most helpful to you.

“Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything you can temporarily give up in order to better focus on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when the fasting is from food. Extended periods of time without eating are harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish your flesh, but to focus on God. Fasting should not be considered a “dieting method” either. Do not fast to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Yes, anyone can fast. Some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics for example), but everyone can temporarily give up something in order to focus on God.

By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can focus better on Christ. Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want. Fasting changes us, not God. Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than others. Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude. Matthew 6:16-18 declares, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Stay connected @ riverparkchurch.net

Blessings!

Pastor Mark

Turning 50 – I have never been quite old enough and now I am! Yoo-hoo! I’m discovering there are numerous advantages to being 50; at least that’s what my 80-year-old friends are saying.

At the turn of the 20^th century, the average life expectancy was age fifty. Now, one in twenty baby boomers will live to see a hundred years. I only have plans and goals through age 97 so I guess I need to add a few more goals, if I can find the time to write them down.

Turning 50 is now a rite of passage into the best of life! At 50 there are a few things I know about.

ø  Real – I’m finally old enough to be real, not that it’s ever been a problem, I just have a license now!

ø  Freedom–free to laugh when I want and cry when I want even if I am a man.

ø  Confession – Okay! I’ll admit I enjoyed watching “Pride and Prejudice” and “You’ve Got Mail”!

ø  Regrets – Don’t have many! I wish I’d had 11 children (that went down ‘with’ the tubes). I had no idea the three would turn out so wonderful!

ø  Report card time–for once in my life I’m glad the teacher doesn’t grade on ‘the curve’ He grades on ‘The Cross’! My D- has been converted to A+.

ø  Relationships – all of them are not for life. Some of them as Moses said to Pharaoh, you have to, ‘let them go’! Others you fight with every fiber that’s in you to hold on to. The art is in knowing the difference. 

ø  Love –is sometimes warm and fuzzy. Sometimes it’s neither warm nor fuzzy; it’s more like room temperature and frazzled. The concept is simple the application is complex and commitment is the key to its success. You got to have it!

ø  Marriage – No, it’s not for everybody but after 30 years I cannot imagine otherwise. Wish I’d married when I was twelve!

ø  Life – I’m an eager student with so much to learn.

ø  Friends – I’m pretty sure that I have more than one. My ambition is to be a good one.

ø  Family – don’t do anything else until you find one, join one or create one! If you create one, make sure you are married and have a job.

ø  Work – can be fun if you are passionate about what you are doing. Most of the time that requires changing your attitude and not your job.

ø  God – is still looking for sons.

ø  Politics – Liberals don’t believe ‘fat meat is greasy’ and the conservatives are proud they have someone to compare themselves with. It’s called ‘Fair-you see’ and ‘Sad-you-see’. Hum, sounds familiar.

ø  Exercise – is great at night. Numerous trips to and from the bathroom.

ø  Conclusion – I don’t have one yet. I’m not dead, just 50!

mlb 

     She was barely fifteen. Her countenance consisted of a smooth round innocent face with probing black eyes that begged for direction. Direction came, but not in the way that she expected it. It came out of disturbance, a disturbance that no one else in the world could have dealt with. In one single moment, she was forced to transition from adolescence into her life's assignment. She was pregnant! She was disturbed!

     Disturbance has a way of affecting destiny. Mary's commotion set in order the catalyst of history. The womb of the simple carried The Savior.

     We make choices everyday to complain or comply. When disturbance comes our way we can reject it as destructive or embrace it as destiny. We can use grief-wrap or gift-wrap!

Gift-wrap your disturbance and call it divine! Have a "Mary" Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

mb

Have you noticed how much bad news we've been hearing lately? A scripture keeps rolling around in my head:  "Men's hearts failing them for fear".  Maybe instead of pushing harder to have more faith we should work to alleviate fear. It's hard to be faithful when you are fearful.

Paul said to Timothy, "God has not given us the spirit of fear". So where did we get that spirit of fear? It's true we were created in the image of God but fear came from the other side of the family, so to speak.  After the forbidden fruit fiasco, Adam says to God, "I heard your voice... and I was afraid". (Genesis 3:10)

Here is the key or should I say HEAR is the key. Your position with God determines how you hear His voice. How His voice sounds to you when you communicate with him reflects either your faithfulness or your fearfulness.
     1.   Visit with Him often
     2.   Make sure His voice sounds good to you
           If it brings calmness, faith is present
           If it brings calamity, fear is the prevailing force
     3.   Avoid the places that change His voice.

             (You should take time to think about #3.)

mlb

The chameleon will change its color to whatever it is attached. As human beings, we do the same thing.  Our tendency to adapt to a situation or to surroundings is innate and inevitable.  We can, however, make a choice as to what we attach.

"Ye have not received a spirit of fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father" . (Romans 8:15) If we are to take on "The Father's Characteristics" then we should continue to attach to The Father's Business. This shows up on a daily basis in the areas that we choose to serve. Serving in "The Father's Business" makes me look more and more like Him, because that is what I'm "attached" to. 

The bottom line is - Who's your daddy? (Your spiritual one, that   is) Who your daddy is affects .....

1.     Your freedom "...not received the spirit of bondage"

2.     Your courage "...not received .....to fear"

3.     Your inheritance "and if children then heirs" Romans  6:17

MLB

For several months now we have been ministering to some homeless folks that live under the bridge. Several attend Riverpark every Sunday and we are seeing some changes, even if in very small increments.

The Lord and I had this discussion as to why these homeless people are attracted to a bridge in the first place. The answer is simple: it provides security, shelter, and identity. There is a certain amount of security that comes when you hang out with people who can relate to you. The shelter is obvious because the bridge serves as a natural covering from rain and sun. The bridge is easy to find, and it’s easy to tell others where you stay because of its mass and the fact that it looms high above its surroundings, thus providing identity. 

Guess what?

We are all bridge people!

We desire security, shelter and identity. The only difference is the bridge we choose. One is made of concrete and steel while the other is two simple wooden beams that span from earth to eternity. The cross is a bridge we live under and travel on. We stay under it to find grace. We travel on it to do service.

Blessings to you, fellow bridge person. See you at the bridge!

mlb 

Untethered Testimonies

Probably should call testimonies that are not hindered or hampered unfettered instead of untethered. Webster doesn’t know what to do with the spelling of untethered. I like it, because I get this incredible image of helium balloons that have been tied and held down by a small piece of string and now are released to soar the skies of endless possibilities. Red, purple, green and bright orange balloons, all in different sizes and shapes.

In john chapter 4 Jesus meets this woman of Samria. He tells her of water that she can drink that will cause her to never thirst again. She likes the idea. She wants some of this stuff. After a few facts are uncovered (pun intended) she tells her testimony. The bible says “many believed because of the testimony of the woman”.

Question; is your testimony tied down or is in full motion? If it is tied down, what on earth could have the power to hold it there?

Could it be …….

1.     Not being saved in the first place?  - This is one thing you have to know.

2.     The wrong kind of friends?  -Separation is important.

3.     Condemnation?  -This comes from the evil one not The Father.

4.     Unthankfulness?  -Maybe you have forgotten how much grace has been extended to you.

5.     Lack of Faith?  -Without it you cant please The Father.

6.     Not empowered?  -Power comes through the Holy Spirit. Power comes from being equipped by the 5 fold ministry. Read Ephesians 4:11-12

You must get your testimony untethered. What ever it is that holds it down, it needs to be released. The most important and powerful gift you have to offer this world is your own personal testimony.

Generally speaking Christianity can be divided into two parts

-       What Christ has done for me – this is grace.

-       What I can do for Christ and The Kingdom – this is service.

You will never be completely happy until you learn to share your wonderful story with others. If you read closely John 4:39-41, you will discover that they listened to the Words of Christ after they listened to hers. “…many believed because of His own word”

Cut the strings that hold your testimony back. Many will be drawn to you and then to him.

“All of us are capable of counting the seeds in an apple but only God can count the apples in a seed.”

Here are five practices to being a life changing father –

1.    Be worth something – add value to someone or something else.

2.    Take responsibility – the prodigal’s father was prepared with the ring, robe and sandals. He may not have been responsible for the boy leaving but he was responsible and prepared for him to come home.

3.    Show up – be an example up-line. You reap what you sew. Every Elisha needs an Elijah to pour water for. You can lead when you demonstrate that you know how to follow. 

4.    Earn respect – if you earn respect you can teach forever. Without it you can never teach! You cannot make withdrawals without making deposits.

5.    Remain Mysterious – being boring is not something your children or spouse will rave about so do some “out of the box” stuff to keep you family interested in the “mysterious” you.

Our World can change, one father at a time! 

mb

After sharing my heart Sunday about Riverpark and its projected growth I discovered this article I had tucked away in my files.  Consultant Lyle Schaller busts 9 common myths about expansion and change. He says you can’t believe everything you hear about church growth. I tend to agree with most of what he says.

Myth 1: If we build it, they will come. Reality: Adding program staff usually precedes constructing additional facilities.

Myth 2: Don’t make changes in the first year. Reality: The wise pastor takes advantage of the honeymoon period to:

1. earn trust,
2. build alliances with future-oriented leaders, and
3. initiate overdue change.

Myth 3: Friendliness makes visitors return. Reality: Most are asking, “Does this congregation appear to be one that will be relevant and responsive to my religious needs?”

Myth 4: Money precedes ministry. Reality: The three most common causes of low financial support are

1. low level of commitment resulting from low expectations,
2. the absence of a compelling and unifying vision of what God is calling this congregation to be and be about,
3. inadequate internal communication of the financial needs.

Myth 5: Effective leaders are facilitators. Reality: The enabler style of pastoral leadership is appropriate in congregations that average forty or fewer at worship. The larger the size of the congregation, the more important it is for the pastor to accept and fill the role of initiating leader.

Myth 6: Community growth means church growth. Reality: A more common result is a sharp rise in the level of “competition” among the churches. New congregations are founded. Existing churches upgrade their physical plants or relocate while expanding staff and programming to reach the newcomers.

Myth 7: Economy of scale applies to church. Reality: Economy of scale rarely applies to churches. The very large congregations usually offer higher quality and more choices. That requires more money per person.

Myth 8: Accommodate everyone in one service. Reality: Instead ask, “How can we sharpen the differences among existing services so each reaches and serves a clearly defined constituency?”

Myth 9: Sermons should be shorter. Reality: The number-one context for the length of sermons is the size of the crowd. The larger the crowd and the greater the emphasis on teaching, the longer the sermon.

Not sure if i totaly agree with # 8 and 9. 

mb

It is so easy after you have lived for God for a number of years to miss the “one thing” that anyone can do to please The Lord. Serving is for everyone! No talent necessary, just a willing and compassionate heart.

Peter said it this way; “Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve” (1 Peter 4:7-11 HCSB) Your gifting is not for bragging but for serving.

You must read Dino Rizzo’s book Servolution.  He says “ Once you have experienced the sense of purpose that comes from serving others with every bit of energy, time, and resources you posses, you’ll want to serve more and more. And as you do, you’ll be plundering hell and populating heaven”.   

A carton shows Lucy standing in the outfield missing “another” fly ball. Charlie Brown walks up to discuss what went wrong. She says, “I almost had it but the past kept getting in my eyes”

I wonder how many times we tend to get sabotaged by the mistakes of our past. I heard someone say recently that, “his hope tank was running on empty”. We cannot afford to have our hope tank on empty! We need to make sure that in our vision we magnify the future and minimize the past.

Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. ²A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. (Rom. 8:12 The Message)

Here is to you getting the past out of your eyes!

mb

The United States standard gauge railroad is four feet, eight-and-one-half inches wide. Where did such an unusual railway width come from? It goes back to the English railroad-builders who came to America and made the American railroads the same width as were used in Great Britain. But where did the English come up with this width? The first British rail lines were built using the same gauge as the pre-railroad tramways that utilized horse-drawn wagons. The workmen who built the tramways used the same jigs and tools to build the new railways, so the simplest thing was to retain the standard wagon-wheel spacing. But the tradition has its roots in a much earlier time when Britain was a part of the Roman Empire. 

The Roman legions comprised the greatest war machine known to mankind up until that time, and one of its secrets of success was its mechanized efficiency –  an efficiency based on standardized weapons, including the Roman war chariots that used a standard spacing between their wheels. The Roman standard was derived after trial-and-error efforts of early wagon and chariot builders. They determined the best width that would accommodate two horses’ rear ends was the equivalent of four feet, eight and one-half inches in our British-American traditional system of measurements. 

Over time, the extensive Roman road network throughout the Empire became deep ruts spaced exactly four feet, eight and one-half inches wide. If British wheel spacing didn’t match the Roman ruts, the wheels would break. Thus the United States standard railroad gauge is a hand-me-down standard based on the original specification for an Imperial Roman war chariot. This illustrates perfectly, why an already decided rut, in many cases is the easy way to do things.

But the tradition doesn’t end with the railroads. The two big solid-fuel booster rockets (SRBs) attached to the sides of the main fuel tank that lifts the space shuttle into orbit are shipped from a Utah factory to the Florida launch site via train. The railroad from the factory runs through mountain tunnels only slightly wider than the standard gauge railroad track. Thus, even if NASA’s engineers wanted fatter SRBs, the railway gauge limits their design. Modern American space shuttle design dutifully follows Roman horses’ hinder parts. What a story – from nags to nukes! Who would have ever dreamed with today’s finest aero-space technology that the BTUs of our SRBs would be determined by two old grey mares’ BUTTs.

So, I have two questions for you - What silly thing in your past is affecting so much of your future? Are you taking the proper steps to change and improve?

mb

¹⁷For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. ¹⁸Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence? (Ephesians 5:17-18 The Message)

The New King James starts out verse 18 by saying “But if you are led by the Spirit, ……” That big “but if” makes all the difference.

How are you being led today?

mb

Levi Montalcini, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist is turning 100 on Wednesday. She was recently honored by the European Brain Research Institute and was reported as saying "At 100, I have a mind that is superior — thanks to experience — than when I was 20"

This is my favorite part of what she said - "Above all, don't fear difficult moments, the best comes from them."

So maybe we should quit complaining about the difficult moments and start embracing them!

mb

Hebrews 12:2 “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

What an interesting dichotomy “Joy” and “cross”. The picture that Paul paints here is one that is so typical to the average life. Some days feel like crucifixion while others feel like resurrection. Life is a lot like a roller coaster!

When Life feels Like a rollercoaster you ……….

1. Measure up (getting prepared with discipline and the Word)

Hebrews 12:5 -11  The Message “So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how                                                                      good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either.

2.Wait (patience) Gal. 6:9 You shall reap if you faint not

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Ps 46:10

3. Strap in (safeguarding yourself with the proper armor etc.)

 Eph.6:10-18

4. Scream and Question your intelligence (Anxiety)

Phil 4:6 ⁶Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.!

5.Relax and Enjoy (Joy)

Heb 12:2 -3 ²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

mb

"Our fears and anxieties does not empty tomorrow of it’s sorrows but only empties today of it’s strengths”

It was a great service yesterday! I want to follow up on the Word i spoke in the 10 AM service.

A scripture keeps rolling around in my head  “Men’s hearts failing them for fear”.  Maybe instead of pushing harder to have more faith we should work to alleviate fear. It’s hard to be faithful when you are fearful.

Paul said to Timothy “God has not given us the spirit of fear”. So where did we get that spirit of fear? It’s true we were created in the image of God but fear came from the other side of the family, so to speak.  After the forbidden fruit fiasco, Adam says to God “I heard your voice… and I was afraid” (Genesis 3:10)

Here is the key or should I say HEAR is the key. Your position with God determines how you hear His voice. How His voice sounds to you when you communicate with him reflects either your faithfulness or your fearfulness.

1.     Visit with Him often

2.     Make sure His voice sounds good to you

·       If it brings calmness, faith is present

·       If it brings calamity, fear is the prevailing force

3.     Avoid the places that change His voice

Have a blessed week!

mb

Pastor, Is fear a sin?

A guilty sheep

In some situations, yes it is but not always. Fear passes through all of our thoughts and emotions at times. Like temptation, it is vitally important that we respond to it appropriately. Faith pushes out fear. So, when we fear it’s a sure sign we need to build up our faith. How? …. “so then faith comes by hearing …. hearing by the  word”

A guilty pastor

http://www.riverparkchurch.net/contact.cfm

Pastor,

Love the blog, its like a little church service everyday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LH

Hey, we are gearing up for John Ragsdale this coming Sunday. (a little prayer and praise time as well on Saturday night @ 6:30 sort of a rehearsal and prep for Sunday’s 10:00 AM)

………Wow! – I’m still pumped about the worship and word yesterday! We will resume the series on fear week after next. Hope all of you have a blessed week and in dealing with your fears you; 1. Face them 2. Use what you have to deal with them 3. Reflect on your past success (through Christ)

……….. We had a wonderful bunch go through new membership 101 yesterday – Laquita and I welcome all the new members! There was some great chemistry in the class.

 Mb

http://www.riverparkchurch.net/contact.cfm

This Sunday I'm starting a series on "Being Faithful to Overcome your Fears". It's gonna be life changing so don’t miss it. There is enough material floating around out there in the media to make us all afraid. It's time to revisit the "Good news"!

In 1933 when unemployment was 25%, FDR said "All we have to fear is fear itself" I'm convinced we need to start a campaign of - being afraid to fear. .......... who needs the big bad wolf when FEAR is in the house FAITH cannot exist! No huffing and puffing necessary to blow it down. It will just fall!

Being afraid to fear could be called "The fear of God" ......... the only fear we should have!

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

C U Sunday

mb

pastor@riverparkchurch.net

Proverbs 27:17 

      As iron sharpens iron,

      So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.