Hold My Hand

I don't want to turn this blog into a Bill Bright news letter, but this touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I felt compelled to share it. It's a wonderful reminder of how our Heavenly Father cares for us.

The Father's Heart

All glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling (Jude 24, NLT).

Dear friends:
Our two sons, Zac and Brad, are both grown now and both are serving the Lord in full-time ministry. Experiences with them as children taught us many things about how our heavenly Father views us.

Many years ago, my wife Vonette and I were walking down a shallow stream in Yosemite National Park with our sons, who were very small at the time. Because the rocks were slippery, I was holding our five-year-old son, Brad, by the hand. Suddenly Brad slipped, and his feet went out from under him. I held him firmly until he regained his balance. As we continued on our walk, Brad looked up at me and said, "Daddy, I'm sure glad you saved me from falling."

At that moment I was reminded how my heavenly Father has kept me from falling on many occasions. We walked in silence for a few minutes. Then Brad gazed up into my face again and said, "Daddy, I'm glad you're holding my hand." This time tears came to my eyes as I said to my Father in Heaven, "I'm so glad you hold me by the hand; I'm so prone to fall." I am reminded of the words from Jude 24, above.

My two sons mean more to me than I could ever begin to put into words. On another day when they were small, as I was preparing a message, Zac suddenly appeared with a stack of books and sat down across the table from me. I sensed the warmth of his love, even though he didn't want to interrupt my study. My heart melted, and I broke the silence: "Zac," I said, "I want you to know how much it means to me that you have come to sit with me."

He replied, "Daddy, that's the reason I've come -- I just want to be with you."

Suddenly, for the first time in my life, I really understood how the great heart of our loving Father longs for fellowship with man. If I delight in my sons and long to be with them and tell them that I love them and care for them, surely God's delight in us is infinitely greater because His capacity for love is so much greater.

Let us return His love, with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength.

Yours for helping to fulfill the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,

Bill Bright

Weakness Or Power?

I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need (Philippians 4:13, NLT).



Dear friends:

Do you sometimes feel weak and inadequate, seemingly impotent against the powerful forces of life swirling all around you?

Well, in ourselves, we are weak and inadequate. However, over the years as I have better come to know our Lord Jesus Christ and His Word, I have become increasingly aware of that glorious promise that all the supernatural resources of deity are available to every believer, everywhere, and at any time!

In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). To Him God has given all authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18).

And He lives within us in all His resurrection love and power!

That is the reason the Apostle Paul would dare to say, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13, NIV).

One of the most important lessons that any believer must learn is that we are no longer ordinary, mediocre human beings, but when we receive Christ, we link our lives up with the life of the infinite, creator God and all His unlimited, supernatural resources are available to us to live Godly lives and to be fruitful witnesses.

I look back over the years and see unbelievably exciting, remarkable and unprecedented events that have taken place in my life. This includes: the privilege of standing before the largest crowds in the history, secular or religious: proclaiming the gospel to 2 to 3 million people each night in Seoul, Korea during the Here's Life Korea World Evangelization Crusade; and speaking on nationwide TV to a minimum of 100-250 million viewers embracing the whole of the former Soviet Union on Easter day 1990.

You may say that this is only because I am Bill Bright. But Bill Bright was just a ranch teenager in Oklahoma, then an ordinary businessman in California until Jesus got hold of me, called me, empowered and equipped me by His Holy Spirit, and gave me a job to do.

Jesus said, "You will receive power..." (Acts 1:8, NIV); "I have given you authority to ... overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you" (Luke 10:19, NIV); and "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12, NIV).

If you have received Christ and are filled with His Holy Spirit, you are no longer weak and inadequate. Within you is the power behind the whole universe -- God's power -- just waiting to be released, by faith, in your life and in your world!

Yours for helping to fulfill the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,

Bill Bright

-------
The late Dr. Bill Bright was Founder and President/Chairman Emeritus of Campus Crusade for Christ, an organization which began as a campus ministry in 1951 and now has more than 27,000 full-time staff and up to 500,000 trained volunteer staff in 196 countries in areas representing 99.6 percent of the world's population. In the past 50 years, Campus Crusade for Christ has seen approximately 6 billion exposures to the gospel worldwide. The film, "JESUS," which Bright conceived and funded through Campus Crusade for Christ, is the most widely translated and viewed film of any type ever produced. Since its use began in 1980, the film has been translated into 839 languages and viewed or listened to by over 5.7 billion people in 228 countries. Dr. Bright was also the author of more than fifty books. Dr. Bright recently co-founded Global Pastors Network to "Touch, Teach and Train" a group of 5 million new house churches around the world 24/7/365 at http://www.globalpastorsnetwork.org

Copyright (c) 2003, Bill Bright. All rights reserved. However, readers may copy and distribute this message as desired, without restrictions in number, as long as the content is not altered. Forwarding this e-mail to friends is encouraged. For many evangelistic and spiritual growth materials, visit the Campus Crusade for Christ Web site at http://www.ccci.org. See http://www.campuscrusade.org for Bill Bright's own materials.

Peoria Invite

I just got this from Megan Kieser. She asked me to post it on here. Please read and respond appropriately.Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Greetings in our Lord’s name!  Over the past few weeks there has been some discussion among the brethren in the Peoria Young Group about how we can help unify our young groups as a whole.  Prayer was definitely the most important thing we came up with!  UNCEASING PRAYER is going to be required.  Through much prayer, meditation and discussion we’ve decided something else that might help unify our young groups further is fellowshipping together more.  To make things run a little smoother the Peoria Young Group has decided to host an invite.  It is our wish that your entire young group prayerfully considers joining us the weekend of May 6 and 7.  Enclosed is a tentative schedule for the weekend.  May God bless you give this prayerful consideration!
 
In planning a large invite such as we are; the Peoria Young Group is going to need the cooperation of everyone attending.  Some of the things we are requesting from those attending the following:

1) Even if you’re deciding to NOT join us this weekend, we ask and plead that you keep us in your prayers.
 
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”  Philippians 4:6
 
 
2) Number of those attending.
 
I know it is quite some time before this takes place and schedules change, but we need numbers so we can plan for accommodations and food.
 
3) Shirt sizes of everyone attending.
 
Sounds funny, I know.  Brother Jon Ringger from our Bluffton congregation has been willing to make t-shirts for us so anyone wanting a shirt should give their names and sizes ahead of time, since we aren’t going to be ordering many extras.  They will be $10.
 
4) When your group is attending.
 
As stated below, there will be accommodations available for anyone to come Friday if they so chose.  But, if you do you MUST let us know so we can have places ready.
 
 
I believe this is about all of now.  Once again, PLEASE keep this weekend in your prayers, even if you don’t wish to join us.  Pray that each one of us is willing to serve God and each other in all that we do.
 
 
By His Grace,
The Peoria Young Group
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Friday, May 5- There will be homes available for our brothers and sisters traveling from farther away.  Just let us know and there will be places to stay
 
SATURDAY, MAY 6
12:00-1:00- Sign-in in the church basement.  Split into groups for work projects.
1:00- 4:00- Work projects.
4:00- 4:45- Freshen up if needed.
5:00- 6:00- Supper.
6:00- 6:45- Singing.
6:45- 7:45- Speaker.
7:45- 8:15- Practice for singing Sunday.
7:45- ?- If it’s nice we’re considering a bonfire.
Everyone will then return to hosts homes for the night.
 
SUNDAY, MAY 7
9:45-1:30 Church.
1:30- We will sing the songs practiced on Saturday evening after afternoon church
There will be a snack available following the singing.  Everyone is free to stick around as long as they want to.
 
SIDE NOTES
We don’t know yet what the work projects will be.  Most likely we will do some cleaning at the church and fellowship hall and quite possibly at some older brothers and sisters houses.  We also in the past have gone to our home on Skyline Drive to clean, sing, and fellowship with our residents there.  As the date gets closer we will know for sure where our services are needed most. 
 
For further information or questions that need answering please feel free to contact:
Contact me, and I'll get you in touch with the right people.

1 John 4:7-21

I read 1 John 4 this morning. This was the first chapter my grandpa shared with me after I started repenting.

He first pointed out verse 17: "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world."

He asked me, "Can you imagine anything greater than to have boldness in the day of judgment?"

I couldn't then, and I can't now. I can't think of anything I would desire more than to be able to stand on judgment day, not quivering and doubtful, but bold.

Grandpa then pointed out the preceding verses in 1 John that give us the key to boldness. "15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

Love is the key. Love that stems from a confession of Christ as our Lord and King.

Then later on in the chapter, John gives us more wisdom on loving God. "20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also."

So how am I doing on loving my brothers? I'm not speaking of the warm fuzzy feeling love. This is the 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love. How am I doing at being patient with my brother? Am I kind to all my brothers? Do I think no evil of them?Dear God, give me the strength and the grace to show more love toward my brethren and therein deepen my love for thee. In Jesus' name, Amen

Trust

Trust: To have or place confidence in; depend on: To expect with assurance: To believe: To grant discretion to confidently

Job said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (13:15, KJV). That kind of radical trust pleases the Lord. While we may not look forward to adversity, we know when we get through it we will be a better servant for the Lord, and ultimately isn't that your goal?

Trusting God, Job went through his problems, and came out the other side. We can always count on God to see us through to the other side. We cannot see the other side with our physical eyes, but we can see it with our spiritual eyes -- with the eye of faith."The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17, KJV).As with Job, God allows us to be tested, although He is not the author of evil, which is Satan's job description. When trials come our way, as they do in a fallen world, let us echo Peter:"6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" (1 Peter 1:6-7, KJV).

Pray...and Believe

I wish, as children grow into adults, that they wouldn't lose the trust that comes so easy as a child.

A Little Girl's Prayer
by: Author Unknown, Helen Roseveare

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but inspite of all we could do she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator) and no special feeding facilities.

Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly witht reacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical climates.

"And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed.

As in the West it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.

"All right," I said, "Put the baby as near the fire as you safely can; sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.

During the prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. "Please, God," she prayed,"send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby'll be dead, so please send it this afternoon." While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of corollary, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Amen"? I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything. The Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hotwater bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the verandah, was a large twenty-two pound parcel! I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children.Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box.

From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a nice batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the... could itreally be? I grasped it and pulled it out - yes! A brand-new, rubberhot water bottle! I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could.

Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!"

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted!

Looking up at me, she asked, "Can I go over with you, Mummy, and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months! Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before - in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon."

"Before they call, I will answer!" Isaiah 65:24

Faith

I was reading this morning in Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest", and the message really struck me. "We should battle through our moods, feelings, and emotions into absolute devotion to the Lord Jesus. We must break out of our own little world of experience into abandoned devotion to Him".I love that thought, abandoned devotion.

Jesus Christ provides us with some really powerful promises. With Christ we can stand faultless before God's throne, inexpressibly pure, absolutely righteous, and profoundly justified.

Often times we talk of us making sacrifices for the name of Christ. Chambers' says this: "How dare we talk of making a sacrifice for the Son of God! We are saved from hell and total destruction, and then we talk about making sacrifices!"So often I lose this perspective. How easy is it for us, as humans, to begin to look at our Christian walk as us doing God a favor? We begin to look at ourselves as something, when in truth we are wretched. How easy is it for us to think we somehow deserved the gifts that are ours through Christ? How easy is it for us to pat ourselves on the back when we have a good spritual day? It is so easy for me to think I'm doing good spiritually, or I'm doing bad spiritually, when all I can do is obey and let God do the rest. We begin to lose sight of whole reason we are able to do even one good thing. We begin to lose sight of the terrible sacrifice that Christ paid out of love for us, when all we deserved was death. Our lives should be full of endless praise resulting from complete belief and a rememberance of who Christ is and what He did. "We must continually focus and firmly place our faith in Jesus Christ--not a "prayer meeting" Jesus Christ, or a "book" Jesus Christ, but the New Testament Jesus Christ, who is God Incarnate, and who ought to strike us dead at His feet. Our faith must be in the One from whom our salvation springs. Jesus Christ wants our absolute, unrestrained devotion to Himself."Are you prepared to give it?


To those of you who haven't ever read Steve's blog, I would strongly recommend that you go to his sight and read the Tuesday Nov. 15th post about his book. Then follow the link and start at chapter one. Our testimonies are one of the most powerful gifts God has given us for evangelism. This is an amazing one.

Patience my good man, patience

This guy won't be so quick to honk next time eh? :) I love it!


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Thankfulness

If you would've asked me yesterday if I considered thanksgiving (the action, not the holiday) a sacrifice, I would've told you I didn't. Today, well, that's changed. Last night brother Don Sauder, from our church in Roanoke, spoke to the Washington congregation about God's goodness and God's faithfulness. One of the scriptures he mentioned was Psalm 116.


Ps 116:17
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.Thanksgiving does not come naturally to the heart of man. It is our inclination to think we deserve everything we have and more.

We don't. We don't deserve an ounce of it. If we got what we deserved from our almighty, righteous, infinitely holy God, we'd all be damned. And yet God chose to give us the most...the most...I can't even think of a superlative to describe the gift God chose to give us. The gift of salvation. Yet how often do we struggle with being truly thankful because of some earthly, physical situation we find ourselves in? In my case, all too often. Psalm 107:22 says this:And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.Declare his works with rejoicing. Period. Notice it doesn't say, "Declare his works which seem good to you with rejoicing." It doesn't say, "Declare his works which you understand with rejoicing." It says, "Declare his works with rejoicing." That means all his works.

Paul, in his letter to the church at Philippi, drives this point home by repetition.Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.Thanksgiving requires us to sacrifice our flesh on the altar of obedience. Let us rejoice with thanksgiving today! Let's strive to give our Saviour as much praise as we can muster from our flesh, for He is worthy.Re 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Rigg Design

I just went and checked out Riggalicious Design. It's Jon Ringers website for his graphics design business. He's got a pretty cool layout. You can check out his stuff and buy t-shirts that he's designed. I put a link to it on my side bar. Check it out.

Glory to God!

1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Context: Paul has been writing to the church in Corinth about the eating of meat offered to idols. Verse 31 is where he begins to wrap it up. To paraphrase, it's as if he's thinking: "Look people, I'm really not all that concerned about whether you actually eat it or not. The physical act of eating isn't what's important here. If you eat, praise God for it. If you drink, praise God for it. Actually, whatever you do...praise God for it!" If you can't do it and praise God, then don't do it."

This principle can extend far beyond what we eat. It's as if Paul realized this while writing the letter. He wrote "eat" and "drink". Then he was like, "You know what? Just do everything for the glory of God. Then we wouldn't be having this problem."

There is a great challenge to the Christian in that word "whatsoever". That word opens the statement up to our entire lives. Every breathe we take. Everything we do. Do I bring glory to God with everything I do? Do I exist solely for Him and His glory? How many things that I do during my day would I feel foolish giving God the glory for? I think one of the more difficult aspects of this is the fact that in order to be effective in this we need to be completely, brutally honest with ourselves as we ponder our decisions and our motives. Filter everything through the perfectness of the Word.

Re 21:23
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Glory is what emanates from God like heat from fire, and we, as Christians exist for that. We are to reflect God's magnificent light to everyone around us through total obedience to His Word.

Jas 4:8
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Lord help me to draw nigh unto Thee. Cleanse my actions and purify my motives. Help me to have Thee as my singleness of mind.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Weekend Update

I'd like to congratulate two wonderful friends on announcing their engagement this weekend. Vince Francesi from Bluffton, IN to Brooke Huber from Sabetha, KS. I wish them God's richest blessings as they move foward in life together. They are wonderfully committed Christians and I have the deepest respect for them both. I have no doubt that they will strive to keep Christ at the center of their relationship and bring Glory and Honor to Him.







Ok, enough of the mushy stuff. ;)
I had a question this weekend that I'm going to try and make time to study this week. I thought of it when the elder was speaking during some testimonies I went to this weekend.Biblically, what is the purpose of a church?I have heard many reasons for why people need a church and why church's exist, but I couldn't think of any scripture pertaining to this. If anyone has any insite I'd love to hear it! I'm looking specifically for what the Bible has to say about it, but I'd love to hear opinions/personal stories also.

Rest for the Weary

There is rest in communion with our Father.Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;I left work an hour early last night and refreshed my soul in prayer. I recognized that my personal devotion time has been waning as of late, crowded out by a busy calendar.
This must change.
While my life is blessed to be filled with blessings such as christian friendships, bible studies, etc., there is no substitute for personal time with our Creator. I've learned that sometimes even "good things" can become idols if they crowd out the amount of time we spend in communion with Christ.Lord, forgive me for letting the busy-ness of life press on our relationship. Thank you for showing mercy to a rag like me. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.
In Jesus' name,
amen

Weary

Have you ever felt worn out? Have you ever felt the burden of disobedience? I have. King David did.

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful...

Psalms 6:1-9 1 O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. 3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? 4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. 5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? 6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. 7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. 8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. *side note: when the word "LORD" is in all capital letters it refers to Jehovah, "the existing One", the proper name of the one true God. When the word "Lord" has just the first letter capititalized it's refering to God's position as ruler and master.1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Notice in 1 John, God doesn't just forgive us. He cleanses us from all unrighteousness. It's important to note here that we don't cleanse ourselves. God, and God alone, cleanses us. Let us examine our lives today in the mirror of God's perfect and holy Word.


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Casting Crowns - Praise You In This Storm Lyrics
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth