Church

February 5, 2013

Connect With Kids So Kids Can Safely Connect

Abraham was chosen to be a blessing to the whole earth, but his calling began in a simple way. Abraham was charged by God to lead “by parental authority as well as by personal example” (The Pulpit Commentary: Genesis, p. 246). Abraham was called to teach his own household, who again would hand down the truth to their households. Abraham’s being a blessing to the world depended on his being a blessing to his own home.

“For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” Genesis 18:19 NASB

COMMAND = to “command,” “order,” “direct,” “instruct” his children.

One BIG reason God chose Abraham to bless the whole world was the fact that Abraham would instruct his children. As parents, we can not afford to shirk our duty to train our children. Christian Parenting Today (Jan/Feb 2000) shared a story that made me laugh:

While listening to the song “Train Up a Child,” my daughter Emily asked me what “train up” means. I explained that it means to teach children about God and the difference between right and wrong.

“Are you and Daddy training me up?” she asked.

“We’re trying to,” I said.

Emily turned back to the stereo and muttered, “We’ll see about that.”

One area where adolescents need parental insight is social media. Even if you think your kids know more than you about “all that internet stuff” – you are still called by God to be a PARENT! We must connect with our kids so that our kids can safely connect online.

Two years ago my daughter Kimberlyn agonized over some of the information she encountered via social media. Her concern prompted a research paper for English class and ultimately resulted in an open letter which was published in the January 2011 Ignite magazine. I thought the message needed to be highlighted once again.

An Open Letter to My Parents By Kimberlyn Simon

Mom and Dad, I feel pressure to connect to social networking – most kids my age are active online and I don’t want to be left out. Actually, I really enjoy getting online, reading the posts from friends, and catching up with what’s going on in my world. But, Mom and Dad, some of what’s happening is scary. Most of the discussion happening online is silly or nonsensical or normal. However, I think some of it is unhealthy and some of it is very dangerous.

Without any hesitation and with little thought, millions of teens daily use social networking to greet friends, to get information, and to post status updates. Teens are in jeopardy because they exercise little caution with the precious particulars posted on social networking sites. Vast numbers post personal info without even considering the vulnerability such honesty exposes, and many teens are ignorantly accepting harmful advice.

Please, keep on talking to me. I recently did a research paper on the dangers of social networking and I discovered some astonishing facts. Mom and Dad, did you know that forty percent of teens tell almost nothing to their parents about what all they do online? Keep on asking me what I am doing online. Thank you for not just asking but looking to see what I am posting. Thanks for reading what I am posting!

I go to worship services every week, pay attention in youth meetings, and attend a Christian school. Online, I am friends with lots of kids who go to church. I really don’t think that some of their parents are keeping up with what is happening. Some of the profile pictures I see from kids are dark, as if they are crying out for help. Some the status updates I read really shock me because I have never heard my friends use that language in person. I have friends who use cuss words in their status updates. Online teenagers seem to be free to complain, to rebel, to curse, and even to take God’s Name in vain.

I read posts from lots of people. Most are real friends, not just people I have friend-ed on facebook. But there are posts discussing disgusting material. Abuse has twisted social media into something that puts real dangers in the short reach of teenagers like me. You are my parents. I am reassured to think you are pleasing God when you train me. Thanks for doing your job. Guide me. Help me filter out the junk and hold on the good.

Sometimes I struggle to sort out the large amount of information available online. There is lots of healthy advice, but some groups actually encourage destructive behavior like anorexia, cutting, and even suicide. Social networking might be helpful, for some, but discussing suicide via social sites keeps destructive thoughts fresh in the minds of young people. Teens debate reasons for suicide and even exchange information on how to do it.

Insecure teens are especially vulnerable to networking sites that reinforce negative self-image. Some teens struggling with thoughts about the inadequacies of their own body, visit pro-anorexic sites to somehow be accepted and understood, but instead discover how to adopt and to hide this life-killing lifestyle. Some sites display pictures of deathly-skinny girls and extol this unhealthy image as the ideal.

Social networking supplies a lot of helpful communication; but, some groups do not give wise counsel. I learned from my research that social networking also puts me at higher risk for burglary, identity theft, pedophilia, and unhealthy exposure to pornography and gambling. The potential for harm is real.

Mom and Dad, I am so fortunate that you are my parents. Social networking can be a helpful thing but I seriously profit from your honest maturity and practiced wisdom. I want to exercise critical thinking skills but I benefit from your watchful adult supervision. Mom and Dad, I don’t want my friends to be hurt and I don’t want to be in danger. Thanks for talking to me. Thanks for looking at what I am posting. Thanks for praying for me. Thank you for connecting with me so that I can safely connect online.

February 4, 2013

Service Is Love In Work Clothes

Words expressing servanthood are used more than 300 times in the New Testament but the Biblical idea of service contradicts the ME-generation with its emphasis on self and being all I can be.

Being a servant doesn’t mean that I let other people walk over me. Service doesn’t mean, “I’ll do whatever YOU want to do.” Actually, to be a good servant I must have a clear sense of mission, of purpose, of calling. I need to respond to the God call of service. How is God asking you to serve others? I am not asking what other people think you should do, but what is God calling you to do?

The Apostle Peter urges us to “use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10 NIV). Are you utilizing your gifts and abilities to faithfully fulfill kingdom responsibilities? Are you yielding your gifts and abilities to allow God’s Word to be communicated? Are you empowering your gifts and abilities by drawing from the ready-supply of God’s strength? Are you directing your gifts and abilities to bring praise and glory to Jesus Christ? As we join together, we accomplish great things.

In world’s eyes, greatness is being in charge, being the best, being a celebrity. But you could be lead engineer at NASA, the president of a fortune 500 company, a professor at UAH, an Alabama or Auburn football player, or even the pastor of a large church and still not be great in God’s eyes. Our Heavenly Father prizes service. Faithful service is valued and is honored by God.

Do I go out of my way to serve guests who come into the doors of the sanctuary of Valley? Do newcomers feel love and care? Am I willing to get my hands dirty? Can I find an area of ministry that offers no glamour or prestige, and might even be physically demanding? How much skill does it take to clean up excrement from an elderly body? How much time does it take share a handshake or a hug? How much effort does it take to smile? You know, every Valley Fellowship short-term mission trip reminds me – even small actions display God’s love. Patti’s willingness to paint a face in Leticia, Colombia (2010) opened the door for great things in the Amazon.

Are we ready to do something significant for the kingdom of God? Real ministry takes place when I get my hands dirty and practically serve people where they live. Oswald Chambers, the author of the classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest, advises “Never allow the thought, ‘I am of no use where I am,’ because you certainly can be of no use where you are not.” You can make an impact.

The opportunities to serve the Lord at Valley Fellowship are endless – parking-lot security, table setup, construction labor, video production, yard work, fence-row clearing, greeting, food distribution, diaper changing, children’s church cleanup, hotdog grilling, window washing – more than I can list! So, what are you going to do? American industrialist Henry Ford wisely quipped, “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.”

What makes you say, “Why doesn’t someone do something about this?” Ask God what He wants you to do about it. Get into service. Perform random daily acts of kindness and service. Shoulder ongoing, structured, organized kingdom responsibilities – weekly or at least monthly. Tackle a big project at least once a year – a mission trip, Christmas feeding, or kids camp.

Some people are difficult to serve. Oswald Chambers divulges “If I love Jesus Christ, I will serve humanity, though men and women treat me like a doormat.” Ultimately, I must keep in mind that I’m not serving my spouse or my kids; I’m not serving the elders; I’m not serving that cranky church member; I’m not serving that troublesome person at the office.

As I serve my children – I am serving Jesus Christ. As I serve my spouse – I am serving Jesus Christ. As I serve my employer – I am serving Jesus Christ. As I serve my church – I am serving Jesus Christ. I am serving Jesus Christ . . . how about you?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

February 2, 2013

Prayer Targets from Acts 4:29-31

Valley Fellowship Church has TWO Sunday Services tomorrow – 8:30am & 10:00am. I am praying for great things. Let’s join together in faith and allow the Lord to do what He desires. I’ll see you tomorrow in the buildings at 3616 Holmes Avenue NW, Huntsville, Alabama!

Will you join me today before God’s throne? Below are three prayer targets from the experience of the early church in Acts 4:29-31.

“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31 NJKV

PRAYER TARGETS

#1: BOLDNESS (4:29)

#2: MIRACLES (4:30)

#3: HOLY SPIRIT OUTPOURING (4:31)

January 23, 2013

5 Reasons God Wants Us To Be Generous

I love my church family! I am so proud to be associated with Valley Fellowship! Valley’s expression of love isn’t just in words, but in actions! I am always so impressed by the generous response of our congregation as we partner in ministry to the world. The Valley Fellowship family really loves God and really loves people.

One practical way we demonstrate love is our connection with the awesome kids at the Casa Angelina Orphanage in Teluche, Guatemala. We are so thankful to work with Ivan Tait (http://www.whatmattersmm.org/), the Tait family, and the team on the ground in Guatemala. Every time I look at the picture below (from one of our visits to Casa Angelina), I am reminded of Jesus’ words, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. “ (Matthew 10:42 NIV84)

There is joy in giving and Jesus promises a sure reward. Commenting on 2 Corinthians 9, The Bible Knowledge Commentary points out “Christians are rewarded in three ways for their generosity:

the givers are enriched (vv. 6-10);
the receivers’ needs are met (vv. 11-12); and
God, the Source of all blessing, is praised (vv. 13-15).”

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NIV

Prosperity is an instrument to be used, not an idol to be worshiped. The financial blessings God bestows have a kingdom purpose. We imitate the generous heart of God when we give. Why does God want us to be generous? Here are five big reasons God wants us to be generous:

#1 God wants to show us His love. (Matthew 7:11; Luke 15:17-31)

#2 God wants to bless us. (James 1:17; Proverbs 22:9)

#3 God wants us free from worry. (Luke 12:22-31)

#4 God wants to prosper us. (Proverbs 11:24-25; 3 John 2)

#5 God wants the Gospel preached and His Kingdom advanced. (Matthew 24:14)

January 22, 2013

Discouragement Is Toxic

Discouragement is a possibility for us all! Some people think they have to face discouragement alone or without help or aren’t sure where to go for help – like the comedian who quipped, “Lotta self-help tapes out there. Got one called ‘How to Handle Disappointment’. I got home and the box was empty.” (Encyclopedia of Humor, p.342) You may or may not find help from a self-help book, but I promise you can find wise advice from God’s Word. The lives and feelings of Godly folks recounted in Scripture can help us.

The Bible never whitewashes the missteps of the men and woman God employs. Emotions are part of our human makeup, and we really shouldn’t be surprised that emotions sometimes get the best of even saints of God. Elijah was a man of great prayer and great faith but within 24 hours of his most famous victory (fire on top of Mt. Carmel) the threats of a single lady sent him spiraling into toxic discouragement.We would be wise to watch out for dangerous emotions immediately following a triumph in our own lives.

The New Testament (James 5:16-18) highlights Elijah as an example of effective prayer, but Elijah wasn’t perfect. The 19th chapter of 1 Kings details Elijah’s discouraged flight into the desert wilderness. From Elijah’s depressed viewpoint, the surrounding barren wasteland becomes a crushing symbol of a wasted life. However, Elijah’s journey and ultimate encounter with God’s still small voice provides insight into how to overcome discouragement and live in emotional freedom. I encourage you to read 1 Kings 19 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2019&version=NLT).

For many years, I taught a 7th and 8th grade Bible class on the Kings of Israel (a subject I really enjoy!). The following thoughts are drawn from the textbook I used – Israel’s Divided Kingdom (A Beka Book Publications, 1985, p.18-19). We don’t have to face discouragement alone.

When we get discouraged:

We think the wrong thoughts. Elijah thought that Jezebel had the power to take his life; he forgot that God could control Jezebel and that he, Elijah, was safe in the will of God.
We do the wrong things. Acting in fear and not in faith, Elijah ran from Jezebel when he should have stayed and ministered to the new believers in Israel.
We pray the wrong prayer. Elijah prayed, “let me die.”
We say the wrong thing. Elijah’s response to God’s question showed a heart of self-pity rather than confidence in God.
We see the wrong things. Elijah saw only his own exhaustion and despair rather than the opportunities that lay before him.
We get in the wrong place. Elijah was out of the will of God when he ran to Beersheba, and on to Horeb.
We have the wrong spirit. Elijah’s discouragement turned into self-pity and a defeated spirit.

When we get discouraged, we need to:

Get alone with God. Pray and ask Him what He is teaching you.
Remember that God has not changed. He is still all-powerful and is in control of all your circumstances; reckon on His unfailing presence.
Fulfill responsibility. Realize we still have a responsibility and stick with it whether we feel like it or not.
Rely heavily on the promises of God and His Word.
Recount His past blessings.
Never assess a difficulty in the light of your own resources.

January 21, 2013

4 Means to Master Abnormal Fear

In honor of the man who inspired today’s national holiday, I looked up some of Martin Luther King Jr’s famous sermons. I was particularly intrigued by one which uses 1 John 4:18 as the petal point for the message. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18 NIV)

The points below are condensed from Martin Luther King Jr’s sermon titled “Antidotes for Fear”. You can read the entire typed sermon at http://www.thekingcenter.org/archive/document/antidotes-fear#.

How to Master Abnormal Fear:

#1 Honesty: “We must unflinchingly face our fears and honestly ask ourselves why we are afraid.” (p.3)

#2 Courage: “Build dykes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.” (p. 6)

#3 Love: “Hatred and bitterness can never cure the disease of fear; only love can do that. Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it.” (p. 8)

#4 Faith: “Faith in God provides the inner equilibrium needed to face strains, burdens, and fears that inevitably come.” (p. 13)

King concludes his address with an excellent utilization of epiphonema (using a striking or instructive summary comment to end a discourse): “Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. There was no one there.” (p. 13)

January 20, 2013

Teamwork Blessings

Teamwork is a big deal – image what happens to a car if one wheel comes off. Few burdens are really heavy when everybody lifts. A few years ago, the Valley Fellowship Guatemala mission team experienced the power of teamwork as we carried the welded-metal structure that would serve as the rafters for a new house at the Casa Angelina Orphanage. One person just wasn’t enough to get the job done.

“We live in an individualistic culture, but we are called to be people in relationship . . . we are not called to be the persons of God, but the people of God.” (Kenneth Boa, The Perfect Leader, p. 158) As the people of God, we are to work at keeping the unity of the Spirit. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3 NIV84) Have you ever noticed we aren’t told to CREATE unity? We are told to keep it – to preserve unity.

“You must give up something in the immediate present, comfort, ease, recognition, quick rewards to attract something even better in the future: a full heart and sense that you did something which counted. Without that sacrifice, you’ll never know your team’s potential, or your own.” (Coach Pat Riley, The Winner Within)

Good Reasons for Teams (compiled from Gene Wilkes’ Jesus on Leadership and Elaine Biech’s Successful Team Building Tools):

Teams provide increased input that helps the group develop better ideas and make better decisions.
Teams provide higher quality output.
Teams involve everyone in the process.
Teams encourage a sense of community by sharing credit for both victories and defeats.
Teams are more likely to implement plans because leader and group members consider themselves accountable to each other.
Teams demonstrate the synergism principal whereby two can do more than twice what one can do.
Teams are how Jesus did ministry.
Teams increase opportunities to draw on an individual’s strengths and to compensate for his weaknesses.
Teams develop a sense of togetherness, a feeling of belonging, so it is easier for members to build strong personal relationships.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT

Teamwork Benefits (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) = Success, Encouragement, Defense, & Strength

January 20, 2013

You Can Give Without Loving, But You Can Never Love Without Giving.

What is love? God didn’t just TELL us He loved us- He showed us by giving His Son! If we are God’s kids – we can’t help but love. Love means giving personally and preciously. You don’t express love with a clinched fist. Love is practical – actions and words. Works, not words are the proof of love.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18 NIV

You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:9-10 NLT

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters. 1 John 4:16-21 NLT

The Results of Knowing & Relying & Living in God’s Love:

#1 God’s love gives confidence. (1 John 4:17)

#2 God’s love eliminates fear and insecurity. (1 John 4:18)

#3 God’s love was GIVEN First – seed faith. (1 John 4:19)

#4 God’s love is a proof we really love God. (1 John 4:20)

#5 God’s love carries the responsibility to live it out. (1 John 4:21)

January 19, 2013

5 Principles from Jesus’ Prayer Life

This afternoon, Patti, Kimberlyn, Mom and I enjoyed time with 86 year-old Elmer Hollingsworth, one of the original members at Valley Fellowship. He told me of a difficulty he had a few nights ago and said, “I got up and talked to the Lord. I told Him what was going on, and then, I told the Lord it was His problem. He heard me. There was no reason for both of us to stay up and worry about it, so I just went back to sleep.” Brother Elmer T. is battling lung cancer, but his joyful attitude uplifts anyone around.

Mr. Hollingsworth understands that believers are invited: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV) One of the easiest ways of approach is prayer.

Simply defined, prayer is talking to God. Prayer is communication with God, an intimate dialogue between God and man, a spiritual resource that unleashes God’s purposes and appropriates His sovereignty in and through our lives.

During His incarnational ministry on earth, Jesus tapped into this reservoir. Jesus refreshed Himself in God’s peace/rest, resourced Himself with God’s provision, renewed His spirit, and readied Himself for the ministry of the day. One morning, Peter and the other disciples awoke to find Jesus had gotten up before daylight to communicate privately with His Father.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” Mark 1:35-38 NIV

If Jesus needed to pray – how about you and me? Below are five more thoughts from the example of Jesus’ prayer life in Mark 1:35-38:

#1 Make a daily appointment and start each day with prayer (v. 35a). Make prayer a priority or the demands of the day will fill your schedule for you. If your planner is too full, you are too busy NOT to pray!

“It is a good thing to let prayer be the first business of the morning and the last in the evening.” (Martin Luther)

#2 Wisely choose a good spot for prayer – away from distraction (v. 35b). Designate a “prayer closet” (Matthew 6:6). Mine is often my office. As a boy, I often heard my mom’s prayer from the bathroom she had chosen as her prayer closet. Where is your spot?

“Prayer pulls the rope below and the great bell rings above in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly; others give but an occasional pluck at the rope; but he who wins with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continuously, with all his might.” (C. H. Spurgeon, Feathers for Arrows, p. 171.)

#3 Don’t let the demands of others sidetrack the journey you have mapped out during prayer (v. 36-37). Let your prayer perspective set your calendar agenda. The journey is worth the troubles, obstacles, and persecutions if you’re on the right road.

“If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, he will be in the last place the remainder of the day.” (E. M. Bounds)

#4 Find strength to face difficulty through prayer (v. 38). Prayer doesn’t always remove obstacles but often positions us to face hardship victoriously.

“Prayer is not an argument with God to persuade Him to move things our way, but an exercise by which we are enabled by His Spirit to move ourselves His way.” (Leonard Ravenhill)

#5 Spend time in praying, communing with God, before ministering for God (v. 38). Ministry efforts demand preparation in prayer.

“The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.” (Samuel Chadwick)

January 18, 2013

7 Points to Ponder (seven word summary of Acts)

A precise perusal of the Book of Acts portrays people participating with the Holy Spirit. I’ve put pen to paper and pigeonholed seven particulars from their personal pursuits:

#1 PRAYER: Disciples pray – packed in one place, privately on roof tops, during imprisonment, with fasting, for boldness and guidance – and God answers!

#2 POWER: Christ-exalting phenomena are publicized – lame pace, phony liars die, prison doors open, tongues speak, demons flee, dead rise.

#3 PARTNERSHIP: Property, cooperation, and community are politely portioned and shared together in love.

#4 PRAISE: Worship proceeds in the upper room, despite threats, after salvation, after Spirit Baptism, after healing, after miracle deliverance, after torture, and even for the privilege of suffering for Christ.

#5 PERSECUTION: Persecution is both a path for Holy Spirit ministry and a product of Holy Spirit engagement.

#6 PREACHING: The Spirit-inspired public proclamations of Peter and Paul are published.

#7 PROSELYTISM: For pattern’s sake, I employed a posh word for the prolific addition of people into God’s family. Holy Spirit ministry prompted thousands and thousands into the kingdom.

Praise the Lord who provides, protects, preserves, and promotes! I propose a painstaking probe of my provocative phrases. I promise – pondering and picking up on these points propels positive progress.