A Few Post Worth Reading

Here are few things I found interesting this last month...

• Aaron Chambers reminded me the kingdom of God is always advancing.
• Mike with People of the Second Chance asked if you are trapped in a cage?
• Perry Noble reminded us all leaders must make tough decisions.
• I really would like to meet pastor Steve, he gave me some great advice on perspective.
• Tony pointed out how music impacts our life and he has a few links where you can stream some new music for free.
• Barry Cameron asked a disturbing question we should all consider.
• Dallas Willard continues to sound the call for biblical discipleship.

I hope you find these posts insightful.

Sunday Night Reflections

A few thoughts from an amazing day...

• Another person joined the PBCC family today - Good Stuff.
• Today's attendance was better than I expected for a holiday weekend.
• Wrapped up the worship series, A Glimpse of the Holy" today - new series begins next week; "Lost & Found"
• I hope we never forget the priority in worship.
• When will we realize the church cannot worship our play and play at our worship?
• The problem with being a living sacrifice is we always want to crawl off the altar.
• VBS is 1 week away - It is going to be great.
• We passed out the CIY prayer partner guides today - I am thrilled I am part of a church that values prayer.
• I am amazed at the amount of money our teens have raised this year for their CIY trip.
• I am wondering; what would it take to change the culture?
• Ed G. nailed the communion meditation today - loved the "spiritual eclipse" illustration.
• When I reflect on the good things the PBCC family is involved in, I thank God for bringing this church into my life; I am extremely blessed.
• How can the month of May be over?
• I am really looking forward to enjoying an extra day off tomorrow.

Prayer Partners

One of the most overlooked items in our prayer life is having a prayer partner to share concerns and to pray with on a regular basis. Over the years I have had several people pray with me before I preach on Sunday morning. My current prayer partner meets with me on Sundays at 9:45 in my Study. He lifts me up through prayer and encouragement. However, he does more than just pray with me on Sundays; I receive text messages from him on a regular basis, just to check in. I am very thankful for my prayer partner, I sense I am a better preacher because of his partnership.

There are a few benefits that come from having a prayer partner...

1. He keeps me accountable. Sundays can be very hectic for a minister and it is very easy to get caught up in the stuff of the day and never take time to pray for the day. My prayer partner has a standing appointment at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays in my Study. If I am not there, he comes looking for me. His accountability reminds me what is really important on Sunday.
2. He gives me clarity. My prayer partner knows what I am preaching on each Sunday and his prayer for me is to communicate clearly the word of God. As we pray for clarity, it reminds me how precious my study time is each week and to make sure I am preparing a message that will not simply be full of information or clever, but will present the gospel clearly.
3. He is an encourager. He lifts me up and keeps me moving forward. Currently my prayer partner is not a "leader" in the congregation, however he is a leader via his influence and encouraging spirit!

I am grateful for my prayer partner, I hope all leaders have someone to lift them up each week. If you are looking at how to have a prayer partner ministry in your church I would recommend John Maxwell's "Partners in Prayer" this is an excellent resource for prayer partners.

Random Quotes Regarding Prayer

What other people are saying about prayer...

• "Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees." ~ Corrie ten Boom
• "Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer." ~ John Bunyon
• "God does nothing except in response to believing prayer." ~ John Wesley, noted evangelist who spent 2 hours daily in prayer.
• "If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer. ~ Martin Luther
• "Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God." ~ Chuck Smith
• “Time spent alone with God is not wasted. It changes us; it changes our surroundings; and every Christian who would live the life that counts, and who would have power for service must take time to pray.” ~ M.E. Andross
• "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work." ~ Oswald Chambers.
• "A man who is intimate with God will never be intimidated by men." ~ Leonard Ravenhill
• "There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer." ~ A.T. Pierson
• "Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. God’s voice in response to mine is its most essential part." ~ Andrew Murray

Prayer Before the Big Things

I have been thinking more and more about the idea of prayer as it relates to the work of God in the local church. I probably have over 100 books on church growth; everything from building a church through small groups to leading a church through breakthroughs. However the more I think about prayer, the more I have to admit the true breakthrough for church growth has to come through prayer. Consider these scriptural passages regarding the importance of prayer in the preparation of God doing some "Big Things"

Luke 4:42, At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place.

This is the end of chapter 4 in Luke's gospel, In Chapter 5 Jesus calls his disciples to his ministry. Jesus understood prayer was vital to calling people to ministry. I find it interesting he spent a night in prayer before calling the 12.

Acts 1:12-14, ¹²Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. ¹³When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. ¹⁴They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

The background of this text is Jesus has ascended to heaven and the disciples have returned to Jerusalem. Following 10 days of prayer the God reveals his power at the day of Pentecost whereby 3,000 people accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. I heard it said people prayer for 10 days, Peter preached for 10 minutes and 3,000 people were saved, we on the other hand pray for 10 minutes, preach for 30 and never see the results of the day of Pentecost - makes you think doesn't it?

Acts 13:1-3, ¹In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ²While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." ³So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

God is unleashing the church into Europe through the ministry of Paul and Barnabas, But before sending these men out the leaders prayed over their ministry. While it is true Paul and Barnabas faced some obstacles, they were also very successful in getting the gospel to Rome

In each of the above incidents prayer played a vital part in moving the church forward. While it is good to read books about church growth which reveals the variety of methods to grow a church, let us not forget to read "THE BOOK"; for there we find the original blueprint for growing the church - Prayer!

Prayer Unleashed

My friend Aaron Chambers posted what happened at his church recently. The church had 52 baptisms in one Sunday. Aaron gave a few details about how this was accomplished at Journey Christian Church. While there was a lot of details coming together for this event, I was struck by what he said about prayer. Prayer was pivotal in bringing about such an amazing event.

We seem to forget the power of prayer in the life of the believer or in the local church. Too often we reduce prayer to a sick list, we pray a lot for health issues; and we should pray for God to heal our family and friends. However God's ultimate goal is not to make us healthy, He wants to make us complete in Christ. Colossians 2:2-3, reminds us

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

One of the ways we come to know the mysteries of Christ is through prayer. Through prayer we learn God's ways, we gain wisdom, we are strengthened and we become focused on god's will for our life.

Over the next few days I will share some more thoughts about unleashing prayer in your life and in the church.

Sunday Night Reflections

A few thoughts from an amazing day...

• Amena Brown Videos always makes me think.
• I hope we never define our worship as contemporary or traditional - the terms are simply too narrow!
• The goal of worship is to offer a gift that God speaks well of - Hebrews 11:4
• MJ leaves this week for her internship with CIY I am really pumped for what God is going to do through her this summer.
• Michele really explained communion in a fresh way this morning.
• I really appreciate our tech team; even when there is a glitch - they show no panic, just a servant's spirit.
• After this morning, I wonder what is your worship style?
• Saying good-bye to two of my favorite TV shows this week - Lost and 24
• The Orlando Magic have proved to all of us how important it is to finish the task - not just show up.
• VBS is going to be great - I hope you are helping, attending or praying for this outreach event.
• Next week I close out the 3 part series "A Glimpse of the Holy" with the message; The Priority of Worship
• Walt was not using a cane today - God is good!

If you really knew me

Got this idea from a fellow blogger early last week and it keeps popping up so...

• If you really knew me you would know I really love sermon preparation.
• If you really knew me you would know I really love preaching.
• If you really knew me you would know my favorite Bible verses one is from the OT and the other is from the NT
• If you really knew me you would know I hate confrontation.
• If you really knew me you would know I am addicted to Oreos.
• If you really knew me you would know I have over a 1,000 books in my study.
• If you really knew me you would know I love to read anything by John Maxwell and John Ortberg.
• If you really knew me you would know I love the Smoky Mountains (Thanks mom and dad for the family vacations there when I was a kid)
• If you really knew me you would know I have been to Israel.
• If you really knew me you would know I was a youth minister for 17 years and I still have flashbacks
• If you really knew me you would know I do not understand legalism.
• If you really knew me you would know I love the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy (traditional version) - If I got my way we would sing it ever week!
• If you really knew me you would know My best friend in ministry live in Ohio
• If you really knew me you would know I think I have the best minister's wife in the world.
• If you really knew me you would know Kathy's stroke still haunts me.
• If you really knew me you would know I am proud of my kids.
• If you really knew me you would know I took 700 kids to wet n wild in Orlando once - ONCE!
• If you really knew me you would know I believe Jr. High Ministry is the most challenging but the most rewarding areas of youth ministry.
• If you really knew me you would know why at times my upper lip gets stiff.
• If you really knew me you would know I am an introvert - REALLY
• If you really knew me you would know I am extremely blessed by the number of friends I have made in ministry.
• If you really knew me you would know I love college football, but major league baseball bores me.
• If you really knew me you would know I am blown away by grace.
• If you really knew me you would know I will never understand mediocrity in the church.
• If you really knew me you would know I love worship music, but occasionally I listen to oldies rock!
• If you really knew me you would know I believe the church's best days are ahead of us!

Preparing for Worship

Here are the elements for this weekend's worship...

• Music

Our God
Made To Worship
I Can Only Imagine
Amazing Grace
Give Us Clean Hands
Doxology

• Video Clip - He Is Here
• Communion Meditation - Michele Allen
• Message; The Preference of Worship - Alan Tison
• Prepare for the message by reading Genesis 4:1-7

¹ Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man."

² Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.

³ In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD.

⁴ But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,

⁵ but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

⁶ Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?

⁷ If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

The Voice

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

John 10:27-28

Have you noticed how much noise we hear everyday? We are constantly bombarded with all kinds of messages. Everything and everyone is screaming for our attention. The more noise out there, the more difficult it is to distinguish the one true voice of our Lord. However in the above passage from John's gospel reveals 3 truths regarding listening to the One who really matters...

1. Actively listen for the voice of Jesus. Jesus says there is a distinction in his voice the sheep listen to HIS voice. Listening for his voice requires us to tune out the voices of this world. As we tune out the voices of this world our Lord's voice becomes more clear.
2. Obedience is the result of listening for the Voice. Jesus points out it is not enough to listen, we must follow the calling he extends. There are many people who hear the voice of Jesus and never follow his call to discipleship. Check out Luke 9:57-62 for a few examples. What makes one a disciple is not simply listening to the voice but obeying the voice of the one who calls us to an abundant life.
3. Security is the benefit of listening to the master's voice. Jesus says no one can snatch them out of my hand. That is a comforting statement for all of us. As you go through this life you are aware things slip out of hands all the times; toys money, relationships all are difficult to hold on to in this life. However when we place our life in His hands we find security as we are kept safe in his hands.

This week I am going to try to listen for the voice of the good shepherd. I hope you will do the same.

The Overflow of Study

I am in a series of messages on worship this month, titled a Glimpse of the Holy. Like last week, I find myself with more information than I can put in a sermon. So here are a few more thoughts on the preference of worship that I will not cover in Sunday's message;

These thoughts come from Jack Reese, dean of the College of Biblical Studies at Abilene Christian University.

• Worship is not about our preferences. It is about the God who has acted in history on our behalf—and who is active still. It is about his saving Israel from bondage, telling her his will, and giving her his heart. It is about his holiness and his grace. Worship begins with God’s loving kindness and culminates in Christ’s sacrifice.
• At its core, worship is an encounter between a holy God and an unholy people. Which means, the essence of worship is surrender. This is the true worship war — not our disagreements over how to worship, but whether we will surrender our will to his.
• Worship should force us to stop caring so much about ourselves. It should push us to our knees in a posture of submission. And it should lift our eyes toward others whose needs and desires, not our own, should be the compelling motivation for our thoughts and actions.

Other thoughts on worship…

• Worship is not just a weekly event, but rather a way of living in dependence upon and gratitude towards our gracious Lord. While corporate worship is an important expression of that walk of worship, it must be fueled by lives of personal and private devotion and faithfulness. (John 4:21-24;)
• Worship is the expression of the totality of our being—mind, emotions, will, actions: “all that we are responding to all that God is.” (Psalm 135:5; 100:3-4; Hebrews 13:15-16)
• Worship is a verb; it is something we do, not something we watch. An important expression of the priesthood of all believers is that every individual has a vital role to play in the corporate worship of the church. (Psalm 107:32; Romans 15:5-6)
• Jesus Christ is the Leader of our worship. We come in Him and by His worthiness into God’s presence, and He gathers up our modest worship into His own perfect offering. (Hebrews 8:1-2; 10:19-22)

These are just a few thoughts that are coming out of the overflow of my study. I hope you will join me Sunday as we continue this study on worship.

Can you Run with Horses?

In Jeremiah 12, the prophet Jeremiah is pouring out a complaint to God. Jeremiah is frustrated at the results of his ministry - he is not seeing any results of his labor, the wicked are prospering and worst of all God seems distant. It is at this point God responds...

"If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5

God is basically saying it is not going to get much better, in fact, it is going to become more difficult. He tells Jeremiah up until now you have been dealing with the difficulties of life and they are causing you stress what are you going to do when you have to run with the horses. In other words, Jeremiah what are you going to do when it really gets tough?

Ministry is rewarding, and I am thankful I serve in a ministry that has seen plenty of rewards. For the last 5 years, I have been blessed with new friendships, watched lives change and watch God move in some very amazing ways. However, ministry is also difficult, recently I have heard of a few difficulties fellow ministers have faced and I am sure they are worn out. However ministers are not the only ones who get worn out from time to time - life can be difficult whatever your calling may be. When life gets a little troubling let me challenge you to meditate on these verses...

• Malachi 4:2 NKJ – But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings. LORD, you are Jehovah Rapha – The LORD who heals me.
  
  
• Luke 10:19 NKJ – Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
  
  
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 MSG – God said: “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness…I just let Christ take over!”
  
  
• Ephesians 1:13,14 NKJ – In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. LORD thank you for the free gift of Your Holy Spirit.

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Today was “one of those messages” in which I really felt led to challenge the church to step up and embrace who God has called us to be and what HE has called us to do in the area of worship.
• Jose did a great job presenting the work of CFR this morning.
• After talking with Jose, I am thankful for the sacrifices of many of the people at PBCC - many of you are understanding what it means to be generous with your wealth.
• I have been blogging for 3 months, but it was not until I blogged on worship did I receive comments on my blog.
• Robby's interview really revealed the heart of what we are trying to accomplish through worship.
• We had several students from PBCC graduate this weekend - Congratulations - now the real education begins!
• Yes, I did say we drift into mediocrity, but we do not drift into worship.
• Remember worship is where we relate to God and God to us.
• Preparing for worship is making space for God.
• King David said in Psalm 122:1, I was glad with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD." – Gladness happens when we are prepared to worship.
• I believe ever person should wrestle with the question; am I prepared for the divine visitation next Sunday?
• VBS is just a few weeks away - if you have not registered yet you need to it is going to be a great week!
• Our preschool will be holding their 6th graduation this Thursday evening. I love attending graduation; I see more video cameras on that night than when I visit BEST BUY!
• John Ortberg's "Box" study is still messin' with me!
• Next Sunday I am speaking on the preference of worship - PBCC family you need to hear this message.

Why we worship - A Few thoughts on Good Worship

One of the favorite worship bands at PBCC is Hillsong. Their song "For Who You Are" gives us a fresh perspective for why we worship; The Lyrics follow...

Standing here, in Your presence; thinking of the good things You have done

Waiting here, patiently; just to hear Your still small voice again

Holy, righteous, faithful to the end; Savior, healer, redeemer and friend

CHORUS

I will worship You for who You are

I will worship You for who You are

I will worship You for who You are Jesus

BRIDGE

My soul secure, Your promise sure; Your love endures always

My soul secure, Your promise sure; Your love endures always

My soul secure, Your promise sure; Your love endures always

One of the criticisms of the new worship songs is the focus on "ME" not on "GOD" in the lyrics - However Hillsong always seems to draw the focus back to God. I believe Hillsong understands worship is not an “add on” for a Christian. It is the foundation of our identity; expressing our highest purpose. Worship reveals what we truly believe and how we view ourselves in relationship to God. How the Church worships is a witness to the truth of what the church professes.

Good worship becomes a means of drawing the us into the fullness of life in Jesus Christ within His Body, the Church. It attracts and is an invitation into the very presence of God. Worship informs and transforms both the person and the faith community which participates in it.

Good worship is not about my preferences, my likes and dislikes or styles, good worship is about moving the worshiper from the self focused life to the God centered life.

Those who participate in good worship understand the worship leader is the prompter, we are the participants and God is the audience.

I hope you are ready to meet the audience of one this weekend as you worship.

Preparing for Worship

Here are the elements for this weekend's worship...

• Music
  1. Your Grace is Enough
  2. Our God
  3. Forever
  4. Lead Me To The Cross
  5. The Stand
  6. Take My Life

• Christian Financial Rresources Presentation during Worship
• Communion Meditation by Steve Goodnight
• Message by Alan Tison
• Prepare for the message, "The Preparation of Worship" by studying Revelation 7:9-17

⁹After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." ¹¹All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, ¹²saying:

"Amen!

Praise and glory

and wisdom and thanks and honor

and power and strength

be to our God for ever and ever.

Amen!"

¹³Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?" ¹⁴I answered, "Sir, you know."And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. ¹⁶Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. ¹⁷For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Music & Worship

When we think about worship often times our thoughts go toward the music and singing part of our assembly. However worship is much more than singing a few songs; we can worship through our giving, through our remembering and yes we can worship as we hear a message. Worship is giving God honor for what he has done in our life, thus we give honor to God for his provision, his sacrifice and giving us his word. Each element of our assembly should be given over to the Lord in the form of worship. Since we associate worship with our music I thought I would list a few worship songs that draw me close to God during our assembly.

• Holy, Holy, Holy - Traditional Hymn. This hymn strikes a chord with me every time we sing it. I cannot get over the second verse it truly is a description of worshiping God;

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

• Joyful Joyful, We adore thee - Another classic that calls me to worship
• O' Holy Night - Yeah it is about Christmas Eve - but it truly drives me to worship!
• How can I keep from Singing - Chris Tomlin
• The Stand - Michael W. Smith
• In Christ Alone - Richland Hills Church of Christ
• King of Glory - Third Day
• Agnus Dei - Michael W. Smith

These are just a few of the songs that inspire me to worship God. Are there other songs that draw you in to worship - Leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.

Thoughts on Worship

I begin a new series this weekend titled "A Glimpse of the Holy". The focus of the messages is on the topic of worship. This week we are going to look at the idea of preparing for worship. For the last couple of weeks I have been thinking about this topic of preparation. Here are some thoughts that came from my study that will not be in the message, but come from the overflow of my study...

"The challenge for most mainline Christians is not following Jesus. We've been taught pretty well about that. The challenge for us is recognizing Jesus' voice. We have not been taught very well how to listen and how to recognize the voice of Jesus. We have not been taught very well how to have a relationship with Jesus in which we feel secure, protected and personally known."

Many of us think our worship on Sunday prepares us for the week ahead, which it does. But I think we would get a lot more out of our group worship if we changed our mindset and thought of the other six days as preparation for our worship on Sunday. After all, the primary focus of worship is God.

Our preparation for worship sets the tone for what happens when we come into the presence of God.

We must prepare ourselves to enter into God’s presence and to commune with Him. Any time we enter the house of God or come into God’s presence it is a climb up to a higher plane. God has some steps that will incrementally prepare us for this lofty place.

These are just a few of the things I found interesting regarding worship. Sunday I will be sharing more thoughts about what I believe is essential if we are going to worship God in Spirit and in Truth!

Insights from "The Good and Beautiful Life"

I am in the process of reading the book "The Good and Beautiful Life; putting on the character of Christ" by James Bryan Smith. I am about 1/3 of the way through the book and already I am enjoying it immensely. Smith has taken a familiar subject, "The Sermon on the Mount" and brings out some new insights about the world's greatest message. Here are just a few nuggets I have gleaned so far...

• Most people think repent means to shape up, thus they think Jesus proclamation is a threat, but it is an invitation, pg. 37
• I have moments when I strive and even succeed in living obediently to God and actually practice the principles of the kingdom but I have just as many moments when I run the "kingdom of Jim" pg. 41 - We can all relate to that statement
• In the Kingdom we find comfort because God is in control, God gets the last word, which is heaven. pg. 58
• Anger is a result of our need to control (unmet expectations) and fear, and the sabbath teaches us to trust in God's strength. pg. 81

That is all for now, but if you are looking for a good book to read, I would recommend the "The Good and Beautiful Life".

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• We had a focus on families in worship this morning - it was very appropriate with it being Mother's Day
• Wrapped up the Ripples Series today - next week a new series on worship
• Yes we did play scrabble this morning in worship.
• We had Lots of Triple Word Scores!
• Matthew 12:36 is a sobering passage; remember every time we offer a praise, a criticism, a compliment, a complaint or an idle comment, it will be weighted.
• Would you consider your prayer life a "devoted" prayer life?
• I pray your conversation is always "full of grace" I hope you will pray that for me as well.
• I am afraid the church uses a "shotgun" approach to praying when God wants us to be a "sharp-shooter" when praying to Him.
• I hope you are praying for open doors in the proclamation of the gospel.
• My prayer is every time we present the gospel at PBCC we present it CLEARLY!
• Yes I did say, We must be sensitive to how we talk about our church with unbelievers; for our testimony is often the first exposure the unbeliever has about Christ and his church. If we are overly critical about our church, unbelievers will notice the inconsistency of our faith.
• I am amazed how well the Orlando Magic are playing.
• A big thank you to Saul G. for the gift this morning; you are very thoughtful!
• Tip of the hat to the tech team today, lots of elements and you did not miss a beat!
• Next Sunday we are going to talk about preparing for worship - PBCC family you need to hear this teaching.