Sunday, November 7, 2010
Read John 15:8 and John 13:35
By Steve Tucker
Devoted fans of all sports are easily identified. They are the ones that proudly display their favorite teams on car tags, bumper stickers, window flags and they even might be identified by the emblems on their clothing. They are also the ones that can recite team facts and statistics at the drop of a hat. These fans remain loyal to their teams through the good as well as the not-so-good seasons. They are stable in their support.
Can the same be said about us as Christians? Only when our lives exhibit the stability of staying focused on Jesus can we hope to bear the fruit necessary to have such a witness.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
Can people inside or outside of the church walls know that you are what you claim to be just by observing your life example not only in the good times but also in the not-so-good times? (James 1:2-3)
Applying the Truth as a Church
“We should be a Christian witness anytime or anywhere we are and if necessary we should use words.”
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
People to WIN! -- Responsibility
Friday, November 6, 2010
Read Matthew 28:19
By Steve Tucker
One of the most successful and well-known college football coaches, Bear Bryant, strongly believed in the basics. It is told that one of the keys of his success was that during spring practice he emphasized nothing but the basics of the game, (ball handling skills, running, tackling, etc) even though they had been playing football since an early age.
In The Simple Church, the authors, through in-depth research, found that the churches that were growing and successful in their ministry were churches that had returned back to the basics in the direction of their ministry through three steps. First, they bring people in by teaching them to love God through worship services. Second, members are encouraged to be discipled through small groups (Sunday School). Third, members are encouraged to minister to others, (outreach).
Applying the Truth as an Individual
One of Jesus’ last instructions to his disciples was to simply go forth and make disciples. When was the last time we as individual Christians have made the effort to disciple a new believer?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Are we as a church going in so many different directions of ministry that we are overlooking the basics?
Read Matthew 28:19
By Steve Tucker
One of the most successful and well-known college football coaches, Bear Bryant, strongly believed in the basics. It is told that one of the keys of his success was that during spring practice he emphasized nothing but the basics of the game, (ball handling skills, running, tackling, etc) even though they had been playing football since an early age.
In The Simple Church, the authors, through in-depth research, found that the churches that were growing and successful in their ministry were churches that had returned back to the basics in the direction of their ministry through three steps. First, they bring people in by teaching them to love God through worship services. Second, members are encouraged to be discipled through small groups (Sunday School). Third, members are encouraged to minister to others, (outreach).
Applying the Truth as an Individual
One of Jesus’ last instructions to his disciples was to simply go forth and make disciples. When was the last time we as individual Christians have made the effort to disciple a new believer?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Are we as a church going in so many different directions of ministry that we are overlooking the basics?
Friday, November 5, 2010
People to WIN! -- Unity – Divide and Conquer
Friday, November 5, 2010
Read John 15:4-5
By Steve Tucker
One of the main objectives of football squads on both sides of the football is to isolate and separate opposing players in order to take away the effectiveness of the opposing team as a unified group. By isolating defensive players the offense has a greater chance of gaining valuable yardage and even scoring. Likewise, by breaking down the unity of the offensive line the defense has a better opportunity to disrupt the play for a loss of yardage.
In the same manner Satan tries to do the same to individual Christians and to churches to render them ineffective in their ministry or witness. Only by being united in the Lord can a group of believers expect to have a winning church by increasing God’s kingdom.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
Are we as a family of believers maintaining a strong impenetrable line of defense against the wiles of Satan in his attempts to divide us and destroy unity?
Applying the Truth as a Church
It has been said that the best defense is to have a good offense. We have been equipped with the only offensive weapon we need, the sword of the spirit, God’s Holy Word.
Read John 15:4-5
By Steve Tucker
One of the main objectives of football squads on both sides of the football is to isolate and separate opposing players in order to take away the effectiveness of the opposing team as a unified group. By isolating defensive players the offense has a greater chance of gaining valuable yardage and even scoring. Likewise, by breaking down the unity of the offensive line the defense has a better opportunity to disrupt the play for a loss of yardage.
In the same manner Satan tries to do the same to individual Christians and to churches to render them ineffective in their ministry or witness. Only by being united in the Lord can a group of believers expect to have a winning church by increasing God’s kingdom.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
Are we as a family of believers maintaining a strong impenetrable line of defense against the wiles of Satan in his attempts to divide us and destroy unity?
Applying the Truth as a Church
It has been said that the best defense is to have a good offense. We have been equipped with the only offensive weapon we need, the sword of the spirit, God’s Holy Word.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
People to WIN! -- Stability!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 and Colossians 2:5
BY Marvin Lashley
Imagine you have climbed a tall mountain, but just before you reach the summit there is a deep ravine! There you have two poles. Both are one foot wide. Now, you have to cross that deep ravine and you can use either pole. Here is the catch, one is round, and long enough to cross here, and the other is square, but you need to walk a while with someone who knows where to find a place to cross…. Which pole do you want to use?
The round pole may get you there sooner, but it would be much tougher and more frightening, and well, the risk….. Moving left and right, trying to keep in the exact middle…. We can fight all the way up the hill to the ravine, but if we aren’t stable when we cross it, well it is a long fall! What of the square pole, it may take more perseverance, but the stability to cross the ravine just might be worth it!
The same can be said of a team on the field, working their way to that championship, then, wham, the quarterback is injured! Do we have a guy who is less experienced try to throw a touchdown pass on the next down, or what about slowly moving our way to the goal line little by little? The latter a little more stable, perhaps?
So, how do we become stable?
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3
“For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.” Colossians 2:5
The ravines will come, we have to use the stable way across it! Our Lord, and our faith in Him IS that STABILITY! We can work hard and do well, but unless we keep our faith in Jesus Christ, remain in the stability of His word, for the duration of our journey we are merely using the “round pole!”
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 and Colossians 2:5
BY Marvin Lashley
Imagine you have climbed a tall mountain, but just before you reach the summit there is a deep ravine! There you have two poles. Both are one foot wide. Now, you have to cross that deep ravine and you can use either pole. Here is the catch, one is round, and long enough to cross here, and the other is square, but you need to walk a while with someone who knows where to find a place to cross…. Which pole do you want to use?
The round pole may get you there sooner, but it would be much tougher and more frightening, and well, the risk….. Moving left and right, trying to keep in the exact middle…. We can fight all the way up the hill to the ravine, but if we aren’t stable when we cross it, well it is a long fall! What of the square pole, it may take more perseverance, but the stability to cross the ravine just might be worth it!
The same can be said of a team on the field, working their way to that championship, then, wham, the quarterback is injured! Do we have a guy who is less experienced try to throw a touchdown pass on the next down, or what about slowly moving our way to the goal line little by little? The latter a little more stable, perhaps?
So, how do we become stable?
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3
“For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.” Colossians 2:5
The ravines will come, we have to use the stable way across it! Our Lord, and our faith in Him IS that STABILITY! We can work hard and do well, but unless we keep our faith in Jesus Christ, remain in the stability of His word, for the duration of our journey we are merely using the “round pole!”
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
People to WIN! -- Unity!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Read Eph. 4:11-16
By Marvin Lashley
“Commitment to the team - there is no such thing as in-between; you are either in or out.”-- Pat Riley
“The one man team is a complete and total myth.” – Don Shula
Ever hear the words, “united we stand, divided we fall”? Such a powerful truth. Ask any football quarterback who the most important player to him is when he first gets his hands on the ball. He knows that his protection is his linemen. They protect him as he gets the ball to his receiver. NO ONE MAN can win on the football field! It takes a team, but not only a team, a UNIFIED team. They are all working together, doing their individual part and using their own talents for the good of the team!
Divide and Conquer. There is a reason behind this idea. If you divide a team, or an army, you destroy the unity. It would be hard to win a football game with no linemen on your team, and a battle would be a sure defeat if your soldiers were cut off from those who supplied them. WE MUST BE UNITED!
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)
Applying the Truth as an Individual
What can you do today to be a champion for unity?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Pray today for unity within the body.
Read Eph. 4:11-16
By Marvin Lashley
“Commitment to the team - there is no such thing as in-between; you are either in or out.”-- Pat Riley
“The one man team is a complete and total myth.” – Don Shula
Ever hear the words, “united we stand, divided we fall”? Such a powerful truth. Ask any football quarterback who the most important player to him is when he first gets his hands on the ball. He knows that his protection is his linemen. They protect him as he gets the ball to his receiver. NO ONE MAN can win on the football field! It takes a team, but not only a team, a UNIFIED team. They are all working together, doing their individual part and using their own talents for the good of the team!
Divide and Conquer. There is a reason behind this idea. If you divide a team, or an army, you destroy the unity. It would be hard to win a football game with no linemen on your team, and a battle would be a sure defeat if your soldiers were cut off from those who supplied them. WE MUST BE UNITED!
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)
Applying the Truth as an Individual
What can you do today to be a champion for unity?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Pray today for unity within the body.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
People to WIN! -- Victory!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Read 1 John 5:3-5
By Marvin Lashley
Dwight Eisenhower- “No one can defeat us, unless we first defeat ourselves. “
Simply stated, we have the all-knowing, all-powerful, one and only God who stands for us and before us! If we are true followers of Christ, how can we expect anything but VICTORY! We are promised that if we believe Jesus is who he is, we are victors over the world. We, not the enemy are the ONLY ones who can defeat US.
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4-5)
God prepares us for victory! We have only to realize that we are already victorious, being “warriors” for our Lord!
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Applying the Truth as an Individual
Are you experiencing victory in your walk with Christ? If not, what can you do differently to experience victory?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Is Pleasant Valley experiencing victory as a church? If not, how can you help our church experience victory? Are you a part of the problem or the solution?
Read 1 John 5:3-5
By Marvin Lashley
Dwight Eisenhower- “No one can defeat us, unless we first defeat ourselves. “
Simply stated, we have the all-knowing, all-powerful, one and only God who stands for us and before us! If we are true followers of Christ, how can we expect anything but VICTORY! We are promised that if we believe Jesus is who he is, we are victors over the world. We, not the enemy are the ONLY ones who can defeat US.
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4-5)
God prepares us for victory! We have only to realize that we are already victorious, being “warriors” for our Lord!
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Applying the Truth as an Individual
Are you experiencing victory in your walk with Christ? If not, what can you do differently to experience victory?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Is Pleasant Valley experiencing victory as a church? If not, how can you help our church experience victory? Are you a part of the problem or the solution?
Monday, November 1, 2010
People To WIN! -- It Takes Commitment
Monday, November 1, 2010
Read Psalm 78:1-7
By Sandra Lambert
This scripture focuses on the importance of Bible study. It reinforces the command given in Deuteronomy 6 to teach our children the bible so that generations to follow will be believers of the Word. Bible study within the family unit is vital for sustaining Christian homes and achieving Christian growth. However, Sunday School also needs to be an essential part of your Christian growth. If you want a church to grow numerically and spiritually, it must begin in Sunday School. Bill and I have been personal witnesses to this.
In 1995, we were asked to teach the Singles/ Young Married Class at Liberty Hill Baptist Church. This class was combined because of low numbers—in fact they had not been coming to Sunday School at all. Prior to the first Sunday of the church year, we made contact with each person on roll. When we got to class at 9:45 a.m. on that Sunday – no one was there! By 10:00 a.m., I left the room to go to the bathroom and cry about it! When I returned to the room minutes later, we had 4 singles and 1 married couple sitting there waiting for a Sunday School lesson which we delivered with the Lord’s help. On that Sunday, Bill and I made a commitment to them, and they to us, that we would do outreach to grow this class. We started out with Saturday morning breakfasts at our house and then we would visit prospects. The class began to slowly grow. Seven years later, that small class had subdivided into 3 separate classes. During these growing years, it was not unusual to have 35-40 in our class. The Lord truly blessed our efforts; our numbers grew – BUT – our members had children which meant the children’s classes also grew. When we left Liberty Hill, that class had generated eight deacons and several Sunday School teachers.
Why did this class grow? All because of the Lord’s blessing. We also had a great love for each other, developed prayed over and prepared lessons, did ministry when there was a need, held quarterly socials, and went on numerous outings.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
As a class, we were united and worked as a team. Can you see how God can use unity and teamwork to make a Sunday School class grow?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Can you see how God can use unity and teamwork to make a church grow?
Read Psalm 78:1-7
By Sandra Lambert
This scripture focuses on the importance of Bible study. It reinforces the command given in Deuteronomy 6 to teach our children the bible so that generations to follow will be believers of the Word. Bible study within the family unit is vital for sustaining Christian homes and achieving Christian growth. However, Sunday School also needs to be an essential part of your Christian growth. If you want a church to grow numerically and spiritually, it must begin in Sunday School. Bill and I have been personal witnesses to this.
In 1995, we were asked to teach the Singles/ Young Married Class at Liberty Hill Baptist Church. This class was combined because of low numbers—in fact they had not been coming to Sunday School at all. Prior to the first Sunday of the church year, we made contact with each person on roll. When we got to class at 9:45 a.m. on that Sunday – no one was there! By 10:00 a.m., I left the room to go to the bathroom and cry about it! When I returned to the room minutes later, we had 4 singles and 1 married couple sitting there waiting for a Sunday School lesson which we delivered with the Lord’s help. On that Sunday, Bill and I made a commitment to them, and they to us, that we would do outreach to grow this class. We started out with Saturday morning breakfasts at our house and then we would visit prospects. The class began to slowly grow. Seven years later, that small class had subdivided into 3 separate classes. During these growing years, it was not unusual to have 35-40 in our class. The Lord truly blessed our efforts; our numbers grew – BUT – our members had children which meant the children’s classes also grew. When we left Liberty Hill, that class had generated eight deacons and several Sunday School teachers.
Why did this class grow? All because of the Lord’s blessing. We also had a great love for each other, developed prayed over and prepared lessons, did ministry when there was a need, held quarterly socials, and went on numerous outings.
Applying the Truth as an Individual
As a class, we were united and worked as a team. Can you see how God can use unity and teamwork to make a Sunday School class grow?
Applying the Truth as a Church
Can you see how God can use unity and teamwork to make a church grow?
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