http://www.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368 Welcome to the Bishir Blog! This is Pastor Bishir and I'm glad you have stopped by. I look forward to sharing and connecting with the church family through my blog. AdvancedMinistry I have been thinking lately about our "Sacrifice Free" way of serving Christ in America these days. It seems that the vast majority of American Christians have a very different version of Christianity then that of our brothers and sisters around the world. It certainly is starkly different then that of the book of Acts and the early church. Instead of weeping together on our faces before God, we sit calmly in our comfortable pews in beautiful buildings built for our comfort. We seem to spend much more time at the sports complex then we do in the "Fields that are White unto Harvest." We entertain ourselves in seemly Christians venues but fail to be willing to pay the price of sacrifice in carrying the gospel to a world that Jesus loves desperately. Instead of going against the grain in our culture, we are settling into our culture with life-styles that are virtually indistinguishable from the world around us. We seem to have a "Comfort Zone Christianity." We seem to have created a way to be Christians without any sacrifice. Well, that is impossible! It is the farthest thing from the God of the scriptures. American Christianity as a whole seems to have "REDEFINED JESUS." Do you believe that Jesus is worthy of sacrifice in our lives? I think our immediate thought would be yes, sure, of course. But if we look carefully at so many their definition of sacrifice would be so much different from the Bible definitions. Many think sacrificial following of Jesus would simply mean the following. Ask Jesus into your heart. Maybe get baptized if you're not to shy. Go to church if there isn't any thing else taking priority. Tithe when you can. Read your Bible some. Be nice to people. Things of this sort. May I tell you the Bible call to follow Jesus is vastly different? You will find the words of Jesus to be somewhat foreign to many of so called followers today. At the end of Luke 9, we find the stories of three men who approach Jesus, eager to follow Him. In each case Jesus lets them know that if they follow Him it will not be easy and it will cost them dearly. The first man is told, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head." Jesus was saying on occasion it may seem as if you are homeless, and shelterless but He is still worthy of our trust. The second man wants to follow but his father has died and he wants to bury his father. Seems like a legitimate excuse. Sorry, Jesus says, "Let the dead bury the dead, but you go and proclaim the gospel of God," the truth we learn here is, Jesus is worthy of total allegiance and immediate obedience.  The third man comes to Jesus and says I want to follow you but I need to say good-bye to my family. Makes sense. But Jesus says, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God."  Plainly put, a relationship with Jesus requires absolute , undivided, total affection and devotion. Jesus seemed to keep this theme in His ministry. Statements like, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and his children, his brothers and sisters , yes and even his own life he cannot be my disciple." He went on to say, "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." He tells the rich young ruler, "Sell everything you have and give to the poor... then come, follow me." American Christianity needs a new dream! Not the American Dream but the Bible Dream. Is Jesus worth following? Is Jesus worth giving our all too?  Are we giving Him less than He deserves? Will we obey and live for His desires alone? Will we give Him a passionate devotion instead of a nominal one? Will we stop believing in ourselves, trusting ourselves, promoting ourselves, indulging ourselves, living for a comfortable life, a good career, a decent family, an easy retirement? Will we be willing to follow Jesus into the World and be a part of His heartbeat of winning souls? Will we be willing to sacrifice our own lives to follow our Lord?  It is time! It is now or never! This is our call, this is our privilege. This is our purpose. AMEN!  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=14213 14213  It is Tuesday morning and we are already running fast into this weeks planned and unplanned agendas. This morning we met early with another Pastor in the area. He called yesterday and asked to come by and chat. I said can you come early tomorrow ( today) he said yes. We met in my office and he shared that through the years he has appreciated my faithful stand on the WORD OF GOD. He went on to say that he was having some opposition to his preaching the Word at the church he is pastoring. He also said he is receiving encouragement from some but not much in the area of standing on God's Word. I encouraged him to stick with the BOOK. To make preaching the primary focus at church. We were able to share how through the years we at Liberty have stuck with God's Word and the Lord has blessed that faithfulness. I also told this good man that for every person who visits our church we have many who do not stay because of our stance on God's Word, but those who do stay are here for one primary reason, God's Word is preached . In this day of "Falling Away" from truth our churches need to stand on God's Word. Many are apostates who are in the church but Christ is not in them. When Christ is in us we will have a desire to be fed the milk and the meat of His Word. I encouraged this pastor to remain faithful to Christ first and to led his people to God by leading them to His Word. After we prayed we stood and hugged and he assured me that he would be one of the faithful pastors in our area who would stand with God's Holy Word! AMEN!!!After this meeting I received a phone call from a fellow who once attended Liberty. He and his fine wife now live in Kokomo and he called with a Bible question. They have been gone from Liberty now for several years and have had a hard time finding a church that stands on God's Word like Liberty. He wanted to let me know that he and his wife never have grown in their Christian life like they did in the years while they were here. He told me that they want to visit again and I told him the "DIFFERENCE IS WORTH THE DISTANCE."After that phone call I had another fellow call who has known about our ministry for some time. He has decided to go to seminary and one of his classes have him writing a paper on church work. He called and asked if he could call me over the next few years and ask questions. I said that would be fine. He told me the reason why, it was that he believed we were one of the few pastors and churches that he really respected for our faithfulness to God's Word. I thanked him and answered some questions and I encouraged him to stick with what the Lord had called him to and especially stick with the BIBLE.One thing I am learning is that in this day and age that fewer and fewer are sticking with the first thing we should stick with, THE BIBLE. I am thankful for the spiritual influence the Lord is giving me with people. It is good to have a great staff of pastors and now we have a great amount of young men in our church studying to be in the ministry. One of the great needs in America is a new generation of men who will enter the gospel ministry and "STICK WITH THE BOOK." Please pray for our ministry and many others as the Lord raises up champions for Christ.    http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=14176 14176   Here we are again at another Monday. I am somewhat weary from the weekend but I think it is a good weary. Yesterday at Liberty the Lord blessed us with four being baptized, along with six joining the church. That is exiting for sure. We also took a membership vote concerning bringing Pastor RT Stringer  on staff, the vote was 98% in favor. I called him last eve and he and Karen were very exited about the news. We will meet with them again in the next few days to begin working out all the details. Please pray for this family as they leave their familiar place to move on to new and challenging surroundings. We will keep you posted as to how you may help them move, get settled here in the area and other things. Pastor Rickner has been moved into Intensive Care because his heart went into Afib. They think it was a result of medicines given for surgery. He is still improving slowly. Please pray that the medicine being given to get his heart back into the right rhythm will work. Also pray for strength. He is in real need of rest at this time. God's hand is upon him and the family trusts the Lord for HIS will at this time. If the Lord wants to raise him up He can do so, He has enough power, there is no doubt. Last evening because of our fifth Sunday LIFT I spoke a little shorter but the topic was of great interest to me. We spoke from 2nd Thess 2:1-7. I emphasized the specific work of the Holy Spirit as Restrainer of sin. Iniquity is at work today but not like it will be in the day of TRIBULATION.  When the Holy Spirit will cease restraining the devil and his angels. When Satan will take total control of the body of a man (the antichrist), and will unleash wickedness like never before on this earth. I am thankful today for the one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit in holding back wickedness and in holding back the "Wicked One." We live in a wicked world but nothing like it will be during the Tribulation. Perhaps today would be a good day to meditate for each of us, how life would be without the Holy Spirit's ministry in our world and personal lives. Think about it and thank Him today for His presence in our lives. After you meditate send some comments about what would be different and how you practically are helped daily by His Spirits presence. Have a good Monday!   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=14156 14156   It is Friday morning and I am sitting in the quietness of a hospital room. I am sitting with Pastor Rickner and he is recuperating after surgery. He is feeling more pain today, so please continue to lift him to the Lord. I have heard from many about their prayers on his behalf and it is making a difference. THANKS.Because of Pastor's surgery this week we had a guest stay with us on Tuesday eve. Her name is Rachael, she is our youngest daughter. It is always a joy to have our children at our house and especially to have them stay overnight. It reminds me days gone by. Karen and I are very organized and detailed people, so now that the children are grown and out of the home the house is even more organized. Everything in its place. For the last several days everywhere I go I notice someone has been in our home. The towel in the second bathroom upstairs was not straight. The toothpaste was left out and needed to be put in the cabinet. The rug in the bathroom needed moved just a bit to make it just right with me. I came home last eve after church and went to the freezer to get my half gallon of Neapolitan ice cream which I had opened on Monday and had not gotten into since then. As I opened the carton I noticed that there wasn't much left. Now Karen has her own type of ice cream so I immediately remembered we had entertained a guest several days before. I am sure over the next several days that there will be more evidences that someone else has been in our home. Even better, it was someone who felt comfortable, at home themselves. Comfortable enough to allow themselves liberties great enough to eat my ice cream and even get into my POTATO SKINS.My mind fast forwards  to heaven. When we will spend forever "Overnights" in our FATHERS HOUSE. We will feel so comfortable and I am sure Father won't mind that we had some of His FAVORITE ICE CREAM which has an UNENDING SUPPLY I am sure our Lord is longing for the day when every member of His family will be with Him forevermore. OH SUCH THOUGHTS!   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=14128 14128 Praise the Lord, Pastor Rickner came through surgery yesterday and went through the night pretty well. This morning he has been sleeping mostly and on occasion has been awake and alert. Joked a little with his nurse. These are all good signs. The surgeon said they were able to take out a considerable amount of the colon and the tumor is removed. They say it will take a few days to see the extent of the cancer, if it has traveled or was contained. Please continue to pray about this. I definitely have seen a physical strength that was above Pastor's norm. It has been evident that the Lord has given him strength above what he had and that he is being ministered to by the Lord Himself. All this is answer to prayer. I want to say THANKS to hundreds who have lifted our friend to the Throne of Grace. Prayers are still needed as a very important time in his recovery has begun. I have been blest to know this man and to have him in my life as a father-in-law and as my pastor. In times like this it becomes apparent to someone how much you love someone. It also becomes apparent to you if others love that someone as well. Thanks for each of you who love the one I love. Phone calls, emails, prayers, visits all expressions of heartfelt concern. To be loved is certainly wonderful but to love someone is perhaps the greatest joy in life. Even at times when it hurts and cause disappointment. I would rather "GET HURT THAN HARD." "LOVE NEVER FAILS."This week has also seen other friends in the hospital. Charlie Ohavor had shoulder surgery and is now at home. Paul Manning is in Marion General Hospital, third floor. Bob Peach is home recuperating from knee surgery. Mary Henson is at Millers Merry Manor recuperating from hip replacement. Clarence Jordan is home after a stay in the hospital. Everett Steely is mending and improving after a stroke. Bob Keen is home now after several months in extended care. Perry Frank still stands in need of prayer. Jack Bolden and MIchael Bolden need physical strength. Lee Mann, one of our teens had elbow surgery. One of our teens really stands in need of God's work in their life. Several marriages need a deep movement of God's Spirit. Many of our widows and widowers are lonely. Some in our church need jobs and financial help. NEEDS, NEEDS, NEEDS. The point I am making is many have needs and what they need the most is LOVE. When we walk with the Lord we have large amounts of LOVE we can share wherever we go. Look out today! Look where there may be needs and spread some love.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=14116 14116 I have been at Marion General Hospital since about 7:45 a.m. this morning. It is now about 11:20 a.m.  My father-in-law, and most importantly my preacher since 1973 is facing very serious surgery at 2 p.m. this afternoon. It would mean a lot to me and the family if each of you would find a little time to lift him to the Lord in the next few hours and then over the next few days. I have sat in this hospital hundreds and hundreds of times through the last 37 years of ministry. I well remember the early years of my ministry as Pastor Rickner & John Rickner  brought me to the hospital and taught me how to visit the sick, how to sit with the family and how to pray with those facing uncertain times. They taught me every morning to read the newspaper and check the hospital notes to see if anyone we knew had been admitted. As we came to visit the hospital I would have a hard time keeping up with Pastor Rickner as he would move from room to room. It is hard to see my preacher is the one who we are sitting with today. Today he is not moving from room to room  in a physical way. But in a sense he still is as myself and others he trained and taught are still doing so. My mind fast forwards 20 years ahead. I hope that many others will be visiting the sick, carrying the gospel, ministering to others because I trained and taught and by example led others to follow Christ and care for people.THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS TODAY AND ALL THE TOMORROWS!   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=14086 14086  This morning around 7:10 a.m. After a little time of getting ready for the day Karen & I both prepared to leave the house for the day. Karen was going to Eastern High School where she ministers to teens each day as a teacher and myself to a full day of ministry.  We have lived in our home now for 20 years and it is such a refuge, such a place of peace. Karen had gotten in her little VW convertible and was pulling out of the garage and down our driveway she went. I was closing the front door and in just a few seconds would be going to the garage to do the same. As I was standing at the front door as I have many times through the years my wife of over 35 years waved a little wave. Now to others if they would have seen it they may have thought it was only a wave of goodbye, but it was so much more. It was a wave saying I love you, have a good day in the Lord, I will see you tonight if the Lord tarries, it will be OK, we will get through this together and so much more. Karen & I have known each other since we were 13 years of age. We dated as 16 year olds and were engaged at 21 and married at 22 years of age. We have been married now for over 35 years. How blessed we are to have CHRIST as the center of our marriage. He is the THIRD CORD that weaves us together. Karen's parents just celebrated 59 years of marriage last week and it is with this heritage that we pray our children will have a loving and lasting legacy as well. In all of this I reflect on God's beautiful and holy design for marriage.THE PATTERN OF MARRIAGE.Genesis 2:20-24 describes how God gave Adam, the first man, a helper, Eve. God said that a man should leave his father & mother and  should cleave to his wife and they shall become "one flesh." God's pattern for marriage is one women, one man and they are together for a lifetime.THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE.Genesis 2 also teaches us there is divine purpose in marriage. Companionship, Partnership, Sanctification. Husbands and wives give companionship, encouragement, fellowship meeting each others needs emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually.  Husbands and wives work together, they are a team. They work together keeping the home up, rearing the children, providing for the home, working for the Lord, and in so many other areas. I love mowing with Karen, going soul winning, praying, visited the sick, ministering to our children and grandchildren, we are partners. The marriage is also for sanctification. God wants us to surrender our marriages to Him so He can make us more like Jesus because we are married.THE PRIORITY OF MARRIAGE.To Leave and to Cleave! This relationship is to come before all others except JEsus. It is for a LIFETIME!THE PLEASURE OF MARRIAGE.God is the one who ordained sex, not man. Sacred sex is a gift from God not a curse. It is only safe and satisfying in the sacred institution and commitment of a holy marriage. Since the Bible defines that marriage is only between a man and a women sacred sex, therefore is only possible within a heterosexual marriage.THE PURITY OF MARRIAGE.Genesis 2:25 says, "The man and women were both naked, and they were not ashamed." They had nothing to be ashamed about because they were doing it God's way.THE PERMANENCE OF MARRIAGE.Marriage vows are serious, they remind us that the commitment we make to our spouses can only be broken honorably in the sight of God by means of death. We should everything we can in the power of the Holy Spirit to make our marriages work.THE PROGENY OF MARRIAGE.The Bible says children are gifts, rewards from the Lord. It also describes children as arrows in the hand of a mighty hunter. That is how they penetrate society. Our best mark left on this earth is through our children and our children's children. In the home this is true and in the church it is just as true. May each of us pastors understand that helping parents grow godly children is so important.Perhaps today you are a having a difficult time in your marriage. Perhaps you are thinking about ending it or worse yet you are just thinking about just staying in it and going your own separate way. May I encourage you to love your mate, serve your mate, pray for your mate and with all your power, and all of God's power and grace make your home a wonderful place to live? It may start with you and for some time only be you who is working on it, but God will honor that both here and in eternity. If you are single again God is a God of New Beginnings. Follow HIM with all your heart and He will lead you into a future that is a bright as His promises.     http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=14070 14070 What a wonderful Lord's Day yesterday at Liberty Baptist. We had 3 baptized yesterday. We had nearly 700 precious people attend the services. Visitors  were in all services and overall it was a good day for the Lords kingdom. We praise the Lord for His blessings.I have been thinking a little about the importance of NEW BEGINNINGS. After a loss, after a great disappointment, after a a real setback it is hard to get going again. It is really easy to give in and give up. To just stop and never move forward again for our families, friends, ourselves, and most importantly for our Lord. For me when I have suffered great loss, the temptation is to stop and stay stuck in the loss. God loves new beginnings. He gives hope to the hopeless and makes a way when there seems to be no way. In Isaiah's day, Judah was facing tough times. The nation was about to be plundered by a foreign army and exiled into captivity. God's people would be disciplined for their idolatry. This certainly would have been a time one would be tempted to give up and get stuck in his problems. But after the discipline, He promised hope for the future, a fresh start. He said in Isaiah 43:18-19, "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." It was after the loss, after the hardship, after the disappointment, even after the divine discipline that a NEW BEGINNING was offered. WE MUST GET OUR PAST BEHIND US.We do not have to dwell on the disappointment, the failure, the loss. Don't dwell on the "former things". I know that is hard, but it is just this that gives us the feeling of quitting and giving up which really is just "STAYING STUCK." If we genuinely repent, He will forgive us and wipe away the "former things" into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19). If we let loose of an offense, if we choose to move forward in the midst of a loss, He doesn't make us drag the ball and chain of our past forever. WE MUST PUT  GOD'S PATH AHEAD OF US.God promised Judah that He would create a new path and provide for them in the future, even in the wilderness. That is what our Lord wants to do for us as well. Even at the time of loss, of disappointment He will make our path straight and prosperous, when it seems like we are in a barren circumstance. We can trust God;s new path. He goes before us as our shield. Today is a new day. Have you sinned? Come home to Jesus. Repent humbly and honestly, accepting His divine discipline. Then give him your past and  embark on His new path. If you have had loss and are tempted to quit, DON'T. Your NEW BEGINNING is only a prayer of repentance away. Press forward today in Jesus' name.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=14057 14057  I have spent a good amount of time this week in study of 2nd Thess 2:1-7.  Much of this passage speaks about the revealing of the antichrist during the 7 year tribulation period. Verse 4 says "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." The antichrist desires worship. He will EXALT HIMSELF to get that desired worship. He establishes himself as the object of worship by going into the Tribulational Temple and sitting in the Holy of Holies declaring himself to be God. Most of the inhabitants of the world will worship him as God. For a 42 month period of time he will receive the worship he has always desired. He will achieve this worship by deception and force. It will be short lived as the True Christ will come again at the end of the tribulation to take His rightful throne.  Now the key thought I have been meditating on is this,"HE EXALTETH HIMSELF." The antichrist has an attitude and a spirit of magnifying himself. Revelation 13:4-12 teaches that he exalts himself by his speech. With his mouth he is given power to bring glory to himself. He will actually have a worship leader ( the False Prophet) directing all people to worship him. He makes himself an object of worship. In Matthew 24:15 he is called the "Abomination of Desolation," surely the Bible calls the desire to be worshipped by anyone besides creator God is an ABOMINATION. I hope I am not desiring in any capacity to "EXALT MYSELF." I hope I never desire to be worshipped. May each of us today look within and see if there is in us a spirit of antichrist? If we want worshipped, if we desire exaltation of self this will never be from God's Spirit it will come from Satan's spirit. AMEN.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=14035 14035  It is another Thursday morning and we are gearing up for tonight's service here at Liberty Baptist. Evangelist Billy Fields will be with us and we are sure it will be a great night for the Lord here in Sweetser, Indiana. I stayed home yesterday and worked hard from 7 a.m. till 7 p.m. Always seems like I have a long list of things to do just to try and keep the property up for Karen, myself and the Lord. The Bible teaches, whatever we do, do it with all our might as unto God's glory. After a day of many little jobs I felt like I had performed one great big job. You know life for the Christian is really just all about one thing, bringing glory to God. I am back in the office today and for many they would say I am performing ministry for the Lord . They would be right but yesterday I was performing ministry for the Lord as well. Every waking hour, every sleeping hour, we are only servants who should be bringing glory to God in everything we do, everything we think, everything we are. There is no secular for the saint there is only spiritual. If you are employed by GM , Oak Hill Schools, Chrysler, Marion General Hospital or any other employer make sure today you understand you are really working for GOD. If you are a stay at home mother you are working for God. If you are self employed, trust me you really are not answerable only to yourself but you also are working for God.No matter the task it is unto the Lord,  even if you are on vacation it is unto the Lord. If you golf, if you play softball, if you bowl it is unto the Lord.  How we dress for where we are, what we eat and how we eat it. How we rest and why we rest, it is all for the glory of God. How are my relationships, and why are my relationships, they should all be to the glory of God? We are here 24 hours a day for one thing, to bring God glory! I realize that for some they may think I am being to spiritual after all we live on the earth and we are human. For some, they have the mindset that you have a spiritual life and a secular life, and you are to live in both realms. But the truth is the believer is to live in the spiritual realm only as the lost person can only live in the secular (natural world).  I will be the first to admit that on occasion I forget that life for the beleiver is to be lived on one plane, the Spiritual Realm. On occassion my attitude allows life to  become about me and other things. I attempt to live life in secular terms and spiritual terms creating doublemindedness for me.  I must remember that life is all about him. That even in my most personal hours that it is to be lived with HIM as the center. God is gracious and grants me personal time for rest, home, enjoyment and so many other things but it must never be without Him. It must never be without the purpose of His glory. It all fits into the one real meaning of life, God's glory. It is this purpose of life that brings the one true fulfillment of life. Oh God help us to understand this in a way we have yet to understand.    http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=14002 14002  Good Tuesday morning to each of you Bishir Blog readers. Praise the Lord for the change of weather here in Northeast Indiana. It has been so hot and humid the last month. Yesterday the humidity left and it has been so nice. Sunday eve after church Karen & I went home and opened the windows and turned off the air. It is good to hear the night noises and to enjoy a little of the Lord's air conditioning. Around 3 a.m. this morning we were awakened to the sound of a BIG tree falling in our side yard. I couldn't see where it was until morning but I knew it was big and thanked the Lord it didn't hit the house and those of us inside, including Cooper. As I was heading west this morning to meet a fellow in Converse I saw the tree on my west lot. It was one of our large walnut trees. First I thought to myself that I have a job, to get it cleaned up, then I thought the Lord must want me to have a little "firewood," then I thought it reminds me about life, that one day each of our lives will end on this earth. This tree was once only a seed and the seed fell into the ground and took life and began to grow. It was once just a little twig and a leaf. It persevered and grew into a young and budding tree. It withstood storms and drought, winds and hail. It endured and enjoyed many springs , summers, falls and winters. It has seen bright sunny days and dark depressive scenes. This old tree was on this property long before this tenant showed up. It was mature long before my entrance into its appointed place of life and purpose. It has provided shade and windbreak for this sojourner and temporary landowner. It has been faithful to fulfill its purpose in this world. It was created to be a tree in God's creation. It was created to live and one day to die. In the end it was not the elements that took it down. It was not the wind, it was not a storm. It did not succumb to the attacks of ants , bugs or disease. It fell to age only. It simply lived as long as it could and in the middle of a beautiful, calm, 65 degree evening it gave up to the weight it carried for so many years. It fell full of fruit and green leaf.  It fell to the ground with one last resounding cry as if to wake and remind it's sleeping neighbors that we would one day fall as well. That this earth was temporary.2nd Samuel 1:25 "How are the mighty fallen in the midst of battle!" Today I am asking the Lord to help me learn fro this faithful old tree. May I "stand having done all to stand." May I remain faithful at the purpose HE has called me too. May I "Be like a tree planted by the rivers of water." Like that old tree may I shed seed through the years from youth to senior and see many other trees gain life from my faitful sowing. May I provide shade and protection for many.  May I withstand the storms of life, the elements of attack and may it be one peaceful evening when my work on this earth is done, that I fall to the ground for the glory of God.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13966 13966 Yesterday at Liberty in the morning service the Lord led me to speak on the subject of "Witnessing About Our Faith." I spoke from Psalms 126:5-6. The message was especially for me as the Lord refreshed my memory that we have a Holy Task of sowing Holy Seed. We must get the Gospel out to our world. Have you ever considered the basic convictions that motivate a soul-winner to be faithful? Convictions are power that keep the faith of a Christian alive and going forward. Biblical convictions regarding the souls of men and women move us forward in reaching the lost for Christ.URGENCYPerhaps the most basic conviction of the soul-winner concerns the urgency of the harvest. The prophet Jeremiah was a man who understood this urgency. In Jeremiah 8:20 he mourned over those who delayed responding to God's message: "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." Imagine that you're the farmer surveying your fields on a hot late summer day. Your harvest is ready to be gathered, but the weather forecast is great storms are heading your way in several days. Damaging hail is expected. Although you may have machinery needed repair and errands demanding attention, your highest priority would be gathering the harvest before it was too late. At this point, the harvest is the most important priority. It is URGENT. So it is with soul-winning and witnessing. The urgency of the harvest moves us to action.ETERNITYEvery human is born with an eternal soul that will never cease to exist. The Bible clearly teaches that those people who do not trust Christ as Savior will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire ( Revelation 20:15), and those who receive Christ's gift of salvation will spend eternity in Heaven (1st Peter 1:3-5). SALVATIONActs 4:12  teaches us that salvation is ONLY through Jesus Christ: "Neither is there salvation in any other." May we never forget that every person we come into contact with has an eternal soul and they're only answer is Jesus! There are many who will trust Christ if we share the GOOD NEWS! Some may be waiting for you at work, at school, in the neighborhood, to tell them about the Cross and the offer of GRACE. We so easily become sidetracked from the task Christ has given us. Life is so busy, and if we are going to obey the Lord's command to share the good-news we must prioritize this task until it become the habit of life. These convictions will help each individual Christian's and each local church to purposefully make soul-winning a central purpose. If we really believe and remember these truths concerning urgency ,eternity, and salvation, we will be passionate to tell others of Christ. These convictions will carry us out to the harvest field.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13948 13948  Tonight at Liberty I will be preaching a message entitled "Five Minutes After Death." For every unbeliever it will be the most shocking time of their life. What a transition, what a radical change of environment. For those who did not believe in hell they will believe five minutes after death. One of my purposes for this evening will be to help someone repent and receive Jesus as Savior. That they would see the righteousness and justice of a holy God, and that they would see how much God loves them that He has provided a way to escape this place called hell. My primary purpose for tonight is to be used of the Lord to motivate believers to get a burden for the lost as we see the stark reality that awaits them after death. When I study this very real doctrine it always moves me to preaching the gospel in a more intense and passionate way. Sunday morning I believe the Lord has led me to preach from Psalm 126:5-6. This is the soul winners psalm. " They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." If ever there was a time to be giving out the gospel it is now. Sharing Jesus today, this hour, now! "To love Jesus is to Share Jesus." One of the biggest lies the devil has brought to our generation is that Pastor, and Christian leaders are the witnesses and the rest are the watchers , the spectators. That is not true. God has saved us and wants to do such a work in our hearts that we become His witnesses. When the Lord is working inside us as He wants to we will have a yearning a burden for the souls of people. The reality of hell will captivate us and we will begin to be burdened to share the truth the only truth that will rescue them from this place. That truth is Jesus and His gospel. The truth that " People Perish" but Jesus is the answer, will motivate us to get the seed out of the barn and the salt out of the shaker. Hell is a reality but God's love is a reality as well. Both motivate me to GO and tell people of God's love. How "He is not willing that any should perish but come to repentance." People do deserve to perish, people will perish without repentance, but God has provided a way to repent and to find forgiveness in Christ. Psalm 126:5-6 gives us the TASK which is to Go. Go with the Gospel. Don't wait till they come to us for the Gospel. We are to go where they are. We find the importance of going with TEARS. Great people of God have always had tears. God gives us tears, for the souls of lost people. God has tears for those lost. We find the TREASURE we need to share the Gospel. It is the SEED, the Word of God. We find the TRIUMPH of sharing the Gospel, there will be fruit, souls will be saved. It will happen, God has promised when we work in the fields that are white as unto harvest He will produce a crop of converted souls. Count on it souls will be saved. I will be sharing these principles and others tonight and Sunday. May each of us be asking the Lord to give us a God given burden for the souls of lost people! May we have tears like never before. May we step up to the task and may we use the treasure in order to rejoice in the triumph of the greatest work on earth. The work of the harvest of souls.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13917 13917  Service is a theme that runs through the Bible from cover to cover. It is filled with countless examples of ways in which God served people, ways in which people served God and others. We need to continually remind ourselves if we are being like Jesus we are servants. God requires us to be faithful servants and the only way we will do so is to die to our self life. Jesus said , " A servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them" ( John 13:16-17). We must serve. And we must delight in it. We will be the one who reaps the most from our service. Let me share a few thoughts concerning service.1.The Principle of Volunteerism.A true servant doesn't wait to be asked. He or she discerns a need and acts decisively to meet it. A servant has a sensitive heart and a willing spirit. A volunteer is motivated by love and prompted to action by the presence of a need. Those who say " someday I will get involved" are offering lame excuses. If you are waiting for a convient time to serve , you will never serve.2. The Principle of Without Comparison.A true servant doesn't compare his level or type of service with that of any other servant. Service is not hierarchical. There is no top floor or corner office. 3. The Principle of No Exclusions.If a person offers to join your service to others find a way to include them. No one is ever to young or to old to help you serve. Ask the Lord how anyone who offers to serve can do so and do so with you. 4. The Principle of Commitment.Regardless of the degree of commitment or lack of commitment you have had in the past you can make a new start today. Ask God to forgive of past failure in commitment and if you have been faithful ask God to give you new areas to serve in today. We should always be expanding areas of service not depleting in them. 5. The Principle of The Outcome Is God's.You are not responsible fully for the outcomes related to your service. Your responsibility is to serve God and others to the best of your abilities, with the full force of your love, energy, and talents. What happens as the result of your service is God's responsibility. Thoughts worth thinking about!  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13884 13884  Great day at church yesterday. Both morning and evening services were filled with God's presence and it was evident that HE was here speaking to all of our hearts. God used Pastor RT Stringer as he spoke from 2nd Timothy on "Facing our Troubles." It was the perfect message for many, just at the right time. It was good getting to know RT and Karen and his children. Three precious red headed little girls. We are sensing the Lord's leading of this family to join our pastoral staff, please pray for guidance, especially this week. We had an adult man raise his hand at the end of the second morning service acknowledging that he had accepted Jesus as his Saviour. AMEN!  The evening service was so exiting. The place was packed. One of our best attended evening services of the summer. The Lord has been filling the church this summer and last eve was wonderful. The "Ministers Quartet" was with us and they moved our hearts to the Lord. Chuck Binkerd led us in worship and WOW, the congregation lifted their voices to the heavens. We spoke from Romans 13:7 and honored Pastor Ryan & Beth for 14 years of pastoral ministry here at Liberty. Afterwards we had a great fellowship honoring Beth & Ryan, Folk stayed for several hours as they fellowshipped one with another. GREAT SUNDAY at LIBERTY. We had a great evangelistic weekend as well. Friday eve at "First Fridays" one man was saved as hundreds had the gospel given to them by tracts and by mouth. Thanks to each servant who helps at First Friday. Also on Saturday we had others who visited bus routes and others who visited homes for the Lord. We each must remember to share the gospel as often as possible. We who know the Lord are the ones with the answer, the only answer, JESUS. We must get the seed out of the barn and into the fields. We must get the salt out of the shaker.Today we are giving our parking lots at Liberty a good maintenance and facelift. Our entire lots are unusable for today and tomorrow. If you plan on coming to the office you will need to park in the COUNCILING CENTER parking area. It will difficult for a few days but it will be worth it. I need to go today but will blog first thing in the morning. Talk with you then.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13873 13873  It was great to be back at Liberty last evening. For me this church is different, it is special. It is God's will for me and that makes so much more for me then any other church. Now don't get me wrong I don't believe Liberty is the only church in the world. I don't think Liberty is the best church in the world. I don't think Liberty has something no other church has. But for me I think it is the only home church . For me I think it is the best church and for me I think Liberty has something no other church has. God's will is like that, it is that special place with that special peace. MAny ask me how can you know Gods will? It really has more to do with your heart then your head. It is pretty simple, live at the ALTAR. Stay on your knees and humbly listen to the Lord. Be willing to sacrifice your life for His will and when we do this it will become very clear. With all our heart, just cry out to the Lord by faith, Lord you know best, I want you to be in charge. Stay on your knees in a spiritual sense, humbly crying, humbly listening, humbly willing to obey. If that is our heart, God will take that heart and lead into HIS perfect will. It really is that simple. We won't have to find God's will it will find us. Think about it !It was good to be back with my spiritual family. I sensed the Spirit and Love of the Lord. The Lord moved and spoke to each heart present. What joy and peace being in the center of God's will brings!I have much to accomplish today so I need to be getting with it. Hope to see each of you this Sunday for a great day at church. Pray for the POWER of GOD to fall freshly upon us.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13839 13839  Good morning to each. Appreciated the comments posted yesterday and the days before. Carolyn, I like that little outline. May we be known for " What we flee from, follow after, fight for and are faithful to." The truth is that will define each person as to who we really are. It really makes me think about myself. Who am I ? I think I will commit this to memory and  begin to build a daily habit of asking  myself these four things. Tonight I will be preaching on "The Faith Of Abraham." What great lessons we learn from this GIANT of the faith. Tonight we will look at the times he faltered in his faith but always seemed to repent and return to the ONE he had faith in. There are many voices out there which seem to shake us at times from listening to our loving Lord. Non greater than our own fear and doubt. When we listen to the wrong voices we get back down into Egypt for a while and usually while there we pick up a few things that hinder our faith walk. We need to learn how to get out of Egypt as fast as possible once we realize we are there and get back to Bethel as fast as possible. Once there we need to learn how to build and altar. Two things Abraham did well in life, live in TENTS and build ALTARS. I want to learn more, how to live in tents and build altars. Hope to see each of you tonight as we open up God's Word and draw near to HIM. For all you Liberty folk don't forget that this weekend we have some special things going on. Pastor R.T. Springer and his wife Karen will be with us this weekend. They will be here with their 3 precious little girls. R.T. and Karen will meet with our Deacon fellowship on Saturday. And R.T. will preach on Sunday morning both services. We are seeking the Lords will concerning adding R.T. to our pastoral staff. Please be in prayer concerning this. Also this Sunday evening we will be honoring Pastor Ryan and Beth Frank for 12 years of ministry at Liberty. The Bible says we need to pay honor where honor is due. Hope you will be with us this Sunday eve. Also Sunday eve we will have the "Ministers Quartet" singing in our service. This is a great group of gifted and dedicated men who sing for one purpose, the glory of God. Don't miss it! Well, I need to get to some other things this morning so I will go for now. God Bless each of you! http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13823 13823  It is Wednesday afternoon and we are finally back from vacation and are back in the work full force. We have spent most of the morning in making connections with many and scheduling the rest of the week. It will be busy and demanding but I am refreshed and ready to move forward in winning souls and disciplling the saints. The Lord has given me a new vision for the ministry here at Liberty and for the surrounding counties and the world. The Lord has given me a great burden to give my best and to motivate all our staff and congregation to do the same. This vacation was a great one to be with family. We enjoyed driving  through 9 states and many beautiful places. America is such a blessed nation with such natural resources and such beauty. Everywhere we went I kept thinking about the souls of people. Every home with people living there. Every car with human souls in them. Every vacationer, every worker, every child, teen, adult headed for eternity. As I had time to pray as we were traveling and after we got to our destination, it just kept coming to my mind, SOULS, SOULS. As I prayed I became very open with the Lord. Lord I want to represent you as best as I can! Lord, Where do you want me to be? Lord, What do you want me to do?  I spent time asking the Lord to give me more time in serving HIM, in working in HIS kingdom not my own. I have actually been asking the Lord to give me 20 more ( very profitable ) years of ministry. I also was very open to where He would have myself and Karen to serve. As we inched closer and closer to Grant County, Indiana the same throb in my heart began to take place as it has for over 37 years. I am asking the Lord to continue to bless the ministry of Liberty Baptist Church with manifold blessings. Not so we will be something but so He will be glorified and that souls will be saved and mighty disciples for Him will be taught and trained. So that another generation of saints will be produced from this ministry. I am asking that the Lord will give us many more years to train young servants of the most high God. To be used of the Lord to train Deacons, Preachers, Teachers, Missionaries, Laymen and Laywomen, Mothers & Fathers, Husbands and Wives for Christ. I asked the Lord if I still had something to offer, something to give. Should someone else take my place. Am I in the way of His work? He reminded me that I still am His, that I still have His call, that as long as I listen to Him, Lean on Him, and Learn of Him, He would use me as much if not more now then when I was young. With this refreshment I am ready to move to the future. I am also asking each of our congregation, each our staff, each of our lifetime friends to stick with us as we move to the future. We have much to do for our Loving Lord. Many souls hang in the balance. The Lord has reminded this preacher of how I am needed and how this church and congregation are needed as well. May we give all we have for His great work.P.S.I spent about 5 hours at the hospital today with my preacher and mentor Pastor Rickner. For most, you know this is my father-in-law as well. Karen and much of the family were also there. We received word today that he has a tumor in his colin that must come out. They will know in 5 days if it is cancerous or not. Nonetheless it must be removed ! He cannot have this surgery for several weeks due to strength and other things.  Pastor & Marceles spirits are strong and they trust in the will of their great God. I would ask special prayer to go out now for this very influential couple of me and many, many others. Please pray for the other family members as well, it would mean a lot.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13817 13817  We have had a great time on vacation. Thanks for all your prayers. We will start for home tomorrow morning. It will take us 2 days to return. Please pray for traveling protection. We will begin our regular blogging on Wednesday. God Bless.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13769 13769  It is Tuesday, July 27th. We left for vacation on Saturday and have been to the Mt. Rushmore and spent time in the Black Hills. Now we are in the Rocky Mountains  at Brekenridge, Colorado. We just got back from a 6 mile trail walk which the last half was in the rain as an unexpected rain fell. It was exiting. We got back to the mountain house and got in the hot tub and warmed up a little. We were supposed to have internet access here but when we got here the router was not working and they tell us it will be a few days to get it working. I am using something special right now and wanted to let everyone know we were doing well. It has been wonderful to again see God's great creation. What a wonderful country we live in. I have read a complete book on South Dakota and really enjoyed, it was relaxing. I have been studying the scriptures every morning. This morning was a very sweet time with the Lord. I am reading another book that I read years ago.,it is "Life On A Higher Plain."  This book is a classic on salvation and overcoming the old man in our life. I may develop a few messages on this when we return. Well, I need to go , hope tomorrow we will be able to spend a little more time updating you. Praying for each of you.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13704 13704  I am in the office this morning attempting to get things worked out so we can leave in the morning on vacation. I am looking forward to the time of being with Karen and some of our family who are also going with us. I am thankful for the opportunity to get some time to let my mind and body get a little rest. I am thankful for our pastoral staff and deacons who will be here taking care of things. They are very capable men and without them it would be very hard to leave but with them I am confident things are in good hands. I will try to blog a few days while we are gone so you may want to check in and see what is going on. This Sunday morning Pastor Ryan will be preaching and in the evening Pastor Bobby. Next Sunday, Pastor Chas will preach and Pastor Mike in the evening. These men will have a word from God and I encourage each to be in their place to hear from God. Last night was a good night at Liberty. Awanas, Teens, Yams all reported good services. I spoke in the auditorium to the adults from Hebrews 11 and Genesis 12. We taught on the "Faith of Abraham". I think I received the most of anyone from the truth we delivered. Faith certainly has a starting place and it begins with GOD reveling himself to mankind. It then proceeds from general revelation to specific revelation. God is so gracious to come to man and call man to himself then we have the choice to respond. Abraham heard God and then chose to obey beginning his pilgrimage of faith. I have done the same. Not only did Abraham begin to follow but he continued to follow. Fait has patience! He patiently sojourned in a land waiting for the promise. I sojourn today. Faith is a process. It is not perfect it has it ups and downs. Abraham faltered in his faith as he left for Egypt seeking food. Famine came in the land of faith and instead of trusting (faithing) he faltered and went down to Egypt. While there he practiced Partial Obedience, Partial Dependance, and Partial Honesty which is reality Disobedience, Independence, and Dishonesty. All which are a lack of faith. He for a while faltered in his faith as he lied and said Sarah was his sister and not his wife. He Took Lot with him and shouldn't had. He trusted Egypt ( the world ) not God who had called him from the world to a promised land. Yes, there was a famine in the land of faith but his faithful role was to stay and trust God during that time of testing.I am glad this is in the Bible. Abraham had great faith but faith falters on occasion. I am like Abraham, he had left all to follow the Lords will and yet he found himself in doubt along the way. I do that so often, what about you? Praise the Lord, Abraham came out of Egypt. He found himself where he wasn't supposed to be. He came back to the land of faith and built an altar, making things right with the ONE who called him in the first place. I am glad that is in the Bible, because I have to do that so very often. Our faith struggles at times but it can grow through the struggles. Abraham's faith grew into GREAT FAITH. Faith enough to be  willing to sacrifice his only Son of Promise. Believing that if he did that God would raise him from the dead. I hope my faith grows to such a level. How about you?I love Thursday night Bible study at church. It is good to look at His Word and let it practically apply to ones own life.Hope your day is a blessed one as you travel through this LAND OF FAITH.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13646 13646  Jesus said that we must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:2-24 ). As long as God's Spirit and the truth of His Word, the Bible, guide us, God is pleased with our worship. We should worship Him Biblically & Enthusiastically.As we read in  Nehemiah 8:6. Ezra blessed the Lord and all the people answered, "Amen! Amen!" while lifting up their hands. They bowed low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. WE CAN WORSHIP GOD VERBALLY. The people expressed their praise with words. As a Christian , my praise to God should be continually "in my mouth." According to Psalm 34:1. The redeemed of the Lord should "say so," according to Psalm 107:2. Our God desires to HEAR our worship. WE CAN WORSHIP GOD PHYSICALLY. While these people worshipped it is interesting that they lifted up their hands. And then they bowed low. We, too, have the freedom to worship the Lord with physical activity. We can "lift up holy hands" (1st Timothy 2:8 ), clap our hands ( Psalm 47:1 ), and bow and kneel before the Lord our Creator ( Psalm 95:6). This doesn't mean we have to but we can be very biblical in our worship if we choose to do so. WE SHOULD ALWAYS WORSHIP GOD REVERENTLY. The worshipers in Nehemiah 8 were very reverent in their demeanor. They stood respectfully when the Scriptures were read, and afterwards they bowed low in humility and honor and worshipped the Lord with their faces towards the ground. It is important to understand that enthusiastic worship does not have to become fanatical emotions. WE SHOULD WORSHIP GOD PRIVATELY AND PUBLICLY. Privately,( Matthew 6:6 ) and Publicly ( Matthew 18:20; Hebrews 10:24-25 ). Worshipping our Lord is the greatest privilege we have on this earth. May we learn more and more how to worship the ONE who is WORTHY.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13636 13636 It is Tuesday morning July 20th. I am back in my office after being in bed since Sunday afternoon about 1p.m. Not sure what I had but it began to come upon me while I was preaching during our first service Sunday morning. By the time I was finished with the second service I knew I need to get to bed soon. I went home , went directly to bed and have been there until this morning. I am still very weak but better. Please pray for me today as I need physical strength in order to accomplish todays agenda.Sunday's services were blessed with God's presence. In the morning the emphasis was on "What is the World Headed To?" In the evening the Lord had already led us to have Mike Green speak. Mike is a wonderful member of Liberty who knows what it means to walk with God. He is also a Gideon, and he led the people to see the mighty power of the printed scripture. Karen cam home to this ailing preacher and said the service was wonderful. That cheered my soul. We need to pray for the Gideon's across the world that the Lord will continue to use them in the dispersing of Bibles in schools, hospitals, motels and every other place they emphasize. Today I am praying specifically for the sick. Especially those who have long term illness. Those who are not getting better today. Whenever I am sick it helps me to feel compassion more and to practice understanding for those who are sick. I also am able to thank the Lord for His blessings of health. If you are well today why not thank the Lord for that healthiness? Speak with you tomorrow, Lord willing. http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13595 13595 In my last blog I addressed a topic that has been on my heart for sometime, "Reasons To Stand With A Good Pastor." I would like to come back to that today because it is still on my heart and I sense of the Lord that I am to bring these thoughts out to spur on understanding. I want to preface once again that I am not mentioning these things because of my personal life but more importantly for the Lords kingdom. I want to mention these things for the good of all christians who need their pastors and who have a lack of understanding at times concerning their pastors. We also need to recognize that the enemy is continually attempting to divide and destroy, and often he will use lack of understanding to do so. It is with these motives that I write about these things. I have been in the ministry long enough that I feel that I can address such things with more understanding and also can do so with a motive for God's glory not just to motivate for the following of a man. God is almighty and will give followers if the pastor is following Jesus. The motivation is key, God's work is done by His power not mans manipulation. So with that understanding I can address such matters knowing my motive and my trust is for His glory not my own. With this in mind I want to mention a few more good, "Reasons To Stand With Your Good Pastor."10. REMEMBER HE WOULD GIVE YOU GODLY COUNSEL DURING A DIFFICULT DECISION. He will help you see through the fog of your own surroundings, sort through the options, apply biblical principles for wise decisions. If he walks with God and knows the scripture seek his council.11. REMEMBER HE WOULD STILL LOVE YOU AND SUPPORT YOU IF YOU COMPLETELY FAILED. If you came to him with the worst news, right now, he would still love you and help you do the right thing in response. He would forgive you and lead you into the forgiveness of God. He would graciously sit down with you, your family and those involved and help rebuild what is broken, restore what is damaged, and recover what is possible of that which was lost. 12. REMEMBER HE IS GOD'S SHEPHERDING GIFT TO YOUR LIFE. God says it this way in Ephesians 4:11, "And he gave some , apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists: and some pastors and teachers." 13. REMEMBER THE LORD SAID TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND REMEMBER HIM. This is really God's idea. Hebrews 13:7 says, "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." Remember they have been given to you, assigned by God Himself. Yes God will on occasion bring new assigned pastors in our life but until the Holy Spirit makes that perfectly clear acknowledge them as assigned from the Lord. 14. REMEMBER A CRITICAL SPIRIT MAKES YOU AND YOUR FAMILY VULNERABLE. When I resist God's structure of authority it is wrong for me to do so. Criticism of spiritual authorities opens up the door for spiritual attack upon me and all my loved ones. 15. REMEMBER NO PASTOR ON EARTH IS PERFECT. This is a no brainer. As a pastor I used to think often about a new church, a new congregation. Finally the Lord showed me the next church will have just as much imperfection in my congregation as the one I am at now. You will find in time your next church will have just as imperfect a pastor as your present church. Even the Apostle Paul called himself the chief of sinners (1st Timothy 1:15 ). 16. REMEMBER THE DANGER OF LONG TERM CRITICISM. Many pastors quit. Now they shouldn't because they are called of the Lord and they should remain faithful no matter how difficult the task. Pastors need to make sure they are constantly taking in the LORD and being filled with power and Jesus Himself, assuring they will not quit. They are to please the Lord not necessarily people. But the fact remains many pastors reach an end- tired weary and wounded. Many finally have enough. They get an attitude that they don't have to put up with all the public criticism. They begin to listen to the devil that they can return to private life and live according to their own concerns and after all the congregation would probably be better off because it sure seems they are not doing so well anyway. Now the pastor should not listen to the temptations and accusations of the enemy, that is for sure. Perhaps instead of pushing him that direction we need to pull him the other direction with our encouragement?17. REMEMBER OUR CRITICISM IS MORE A REFLECTION OF OUR SPIRIT THAN HIS FAULTS.  Through the years I have learned that when I am critical it may be a product of an impure heart, not an imperfect person. If my heart were pure, my criticism would not be criticism. It would be concern and it would be shared one on one with the person of concern. It would be constructive and reconciliatory in action.  When I am being a critic I don't seek to resolve concerns and restore relationships, I seek to fester, stir up, and exaggerate issues. 18. REMEMBER OUR CRITICISM ULTIMATELY HURTS US MOSTLY. Hebrews 12:15 says, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the GRACE of God ; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." It robs joy, clouds vision, fogs perspective, and destroys our ability to live joyfully and abundantly. It damages us internally and outwardly in our testimony. Having a biblical love and respect for a godly, servant-hearted pastor is right. It is not man-worship. It is not blind. It is not mindless. It does not violate the priesthood of the believer, the authority of fathers or husbands. It is just wise.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13524 13524  Something has been on my heart for some time and I think today is the day to share it. Before I begin to share it I want all to know I am not sharing this because of some situation in our personal ministry. I have served as a pastor for many years and feel as if I can speak for pastors. I also feel I can take on some things better today then I could years ago. I am addressing things I think will help the body of Christ as a whole. I am not attempting to rally folk to myself as much as I am attempting to speak to issues that will help the church. With that said, ever notice that some people seem to enjoy the criticism of pastors? It seems that it is all to natural to commit themselves to finding and exploiting every possible imperfection. It can be very addicting even though it's rotting something in them. If this is done long enough it will only be a matter of time till  this attitude will begin to eat away and they will begin to pull away.  Relationships and Influence will be lost and spiritual progress will be halted. The enemy (Satan )will enter and manifest the flaws of the pastor and complaints in the soul will eventually become criticisms of the tongue, which Exodus 16:8 explains that the Lord hates murmurings against His earthly authorities. This text teaches that those murmurings were really against the Lord himself who had given them their spiritual leader Moses. Moses was not perfect but he was a loving leader who only thought best for his followers. One who was in a tough position, appointed by God Himself.May I give some thoughts to remember the next time you think it is a good time to focus on your pastors imperfections and pull away. BY THE WAY THIS IS GOOD FOR CHILDREN TO THEIR PARENTS AS WELL AS FRIENDS TO FRIENDS. 1. REMEMBER THE SACRIFICE HE MAKES TO BE IN MINISTRY. Good pastors would be good at a lot of other things, and most of those other things would be easier. The hours would be less and the wages more. He stays in the ministry because he loves the Lord who called him and he loves his people. 2nd Corinthians 12: 15 says, "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved."  I have to tell you I am not sure that verse can be understood as well with sheep like it can with shepherds. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you catch that truth. "The More He Loves The Less I Be Loved." Love will stick with folk but many times the sheep will not love like that in return, they will resist the one who leads, the one who uses force if need be, the one who tells it like it is. All this in love and the more they love the less they are loved. WOW, that is worth pondering.2. REMEMBER THE BIBLICAL NURTURE HE PROVIDES FOR YOUR LIFE AND YOUR FAMILY. His study and prayer time have proven effective in the feeding and the nurturing of your spiritual life. He labors in the Word ( sacrificially giving up pleasure times) so that you may be stronger, so you can be ready to take on the enemy and the pressures of the world. Acts 20:20 says, "And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you; but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house." Notice he has been prepared to teach and preach, he has been to your home with care and answers when you were in deep need of such.3.REMEMBER THE QUALITIES THAT CAUSED YOU TO APPRECIATE HIS LEADERSHIP. At some point you voluntarily placed yourself under his leadership and influence. Take some time and think about the good qualities that originally led you to your decision. More often than not the pastor has not changed. He is still ministering and being the believer he was when you first met him. Many times he is closer to the Lord and in many ways doing ministry in an improved way. Yes, that is not always the case but evaluate realities. Choose to stare at the good qualities and glance at the weak ones. 1st Corinthians 13  teaches us ,"Love thinketh no evil and that love covers a multitude of sins."4. REMEMBER THE VICTORIES HE HAS LED YOU TO IN LIFE. Because of his leadership you've probably had part in many personal and ministry victories. Many are more mature today in the Lord because of the pastor you have had. Delight in those memories and truths.5. REMEMBER THE SPIRITUAL DECISIONS YOU HAVE MADE BECAUSE OF HIS GODLY INFLUENCE. Because the Lord has used his preaching and teaching. Because the Lord has used his example of life today you may be saved. Maybe you have a marriage still in tact. Perhaps your children are walking with the Lord. Perhaps you have avoided some traps, been spared some bad decisions, and seen some spiritual growth. Take a moment to reflect on those decisions.6. REMEMBER THAT PLENTY OTHERS ARE CRITICIZING HIM. Any body can be a critic, because everybody is imperfect. Look long enough and you will find fault in everybody. Too many people join the "dark side ." There is nothing virtuous or valiant about finding fault and  pointing it out, any unspiritual nitwit can do that. Yes we are to go to those we love and help them overcome their faults but as we point out fault it is always with love and help and pledge that we are there with them to help. Our plan is never to  be just to point out wrong and threaten that if they don't fix themselves immediately that we are finished with them. It takes a lot more spiritual maturity and depth to be steadfastly committed to perfect cause with an imperfect church family. Take a look at Galatians 6:1-2.7. REMEMBER HE'S PROBABLY BEARING BURDENS IN CARE OF THE CHURCH THAT HE CANNOT TELL YOU ABOUT. Out side of our little worlds and sometimes our petty worlds, the pastor is dealing with Big things. And often MANY BIG things all at one time. A man who is thinking about ending his life, a family that is falling apart, a marriage on the brink of destruction or perhaps 6 to 7 at one time. A dying loved one , many sick in the congregation. Labor shortages in the church. Preparation for messages, administration in the church. Personal spiritual attack. A church member facing trial, a child or teen that has been sexually abused. A wife whose husband just left. The list is endless. Add to that he has to fix his sink in the kitchen, he needs to mow his yard, his own children have needs. He can't tell you about it all, often thing's need to stay private and confidential. But it is still there and it is all very real. The enemy comes and says your pastor dosen't love you. He dosen't have time for you. Perhaps we should remember there are others who are in need and perhaps we should remember how often we have been on the receiving end of his help through the years.8. REMEMBER HE WOULD BE AT YOUR SIDE IF YOU REALLY NEEDED HIM AND YOU LET HIM KNOW OF THE NEED. Yes even the critics are loved by the good pastor. He would and has dropped what he's doing, leave a dinner table, a good nights sleep or change a day off just to be there with you and to care and pray with you. We must remember he is not God, he is not all knowing. You will have to ask for help and you will need to communicate the need. So many get hurt because the good pastor was not there for them and yet they never let him know they needed him. 9. REMEMBER HE WOULD BE STANDING BY YOU IF YOU HAD A HARD TRIAL. He desires to be sitting there with you, weeping with you, praying with you in your difficult time, even if he couldn't know all about the details. But you must let him know you desire his comfort , his company and his compassion.  I have so much on my heart concerning this subject. Next time I blog I will add to the reasons why we should stand with our good pastors.      http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13494 13494  It is Monday and is nearly 8 p.m. What a weekend and what a Monday. Very full and very productive for the Lord. We spent much of the weekend beginning Friday in interviewing a Pastoral candidate. R.T. Stringer and his wife Karen along with their three girls were with us from Friday until after Sunday evening service. Their three girls are, Emma (5), Olivia (4), and Annabelle (2). It was great getting to know them better and letting them get to know myself, our staff, the deacons and then on Sunday the entire congregation. Please pray for the leadership as we attempt to find God's will in Pastor Ryan's replacement. We will attempt to keep you posted to all developments.  Our services were wonderful in the morning. We spoke on "Why Would Anyone Believe The Bible?" Then again last night in our service we returned to this message and preached part two. Last evening the auditorium was packed, with many visitors and the Lord spoke to all present. Decisions were made by many to stick with God's Word and begin to do all they can to tell others why they also can trust God's Book the Bible. Hopefully tomorrow we will have both morning and evening messages online so those who were unable to be with us can listen as well. Maybe you could invite someone to listen. Just encourage them to visit www.libertyfamily.org and go to resources and click sermons. It is really easy and what a wonderful way to help people as well as introduce them to our church.For each of our Liberty family we want to encourage you to pray today for Everett Steely and Perry Frank. These men stand in need of us to pray specific for them today and tomorrow. Perry has to stay in the St. Vincent hospital until Saturday. Everett is home but in much need of the Lord's strength. Also continue to pray for Alice Payne as she recuperates from surgery. Many others in our church stand in the need of prayer as well. I will attempt to blog early tomorrow so hope you will check in and when you do make sure to make a comment. It is always interesting and helpful to read your comments even when you may disagree. Discussion and debate is healthy and truth can handle it. Amen!    http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13484 13484  Nothing can replace the leading of the Holy Spirit in soul-winning. He knows people's hearts, and He is at work to bring conviction. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, "And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" ( John 16:8 ). If we will daily yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit, He will prompt us to witness when we might be tempted to pass by.The Holy Spirit will lead you to stay longer at a door, to move along when it isn't the right time to speak, He will prompt you at just the right moment on who to speak with and what to say. I have had many occasions through the years when I was prompted to go to a certain home or speak to a certain person and as I obeyed I found out that person had been seeking answers. It was my privilege to show them the answer ( Jesus) to all their questions. Who is waiting for you? Will you listen when the Holy Spirit tells you to do something that may be uncomfortable or a little fearful? Some people are ready to be saved right now, while others will need a persistent witness willing to return each time the Spirit commands.The Bible tells us, "Quench not the Spirit" ( 1st Thess 5:19 ). God will lead us if we listen. He knows who is ready, but we must be willing to listen and obey.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13417 13417  We live in an age that has led many towards tolerance. In this age of tolerance, the doctrine of hell has recently come under vicious attack, both by a lost world and some so called evangelicals. So why should we share such a confrontational and unpleasant truth when so many others mention little about it?1. BIBLICAL REALITY. Many believe hell is metaphorical- it's the world they live in now. Yes this life contains pain and suffering but it is nothing to be compared to the description found in God's Word. Luke 16:23 says, "And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments..." 2. CHRIST'S TESTIMONY. Jesus spoke of Hell much more than He spoke of Heaven. If we are to be like Christ we will find ourselves entering into conversations with people about Hell. Certainly preachers will honestly address the subject. "...but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28).3. A HEALTHY FEAR. As humans we fear many things without reason. The fear of judgment is well founded, and it may help save our souls. "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire..." ( Jude 23 ). 4. PROVOKE A DECISION. Saved? Saved from what? A gospel that omits eternal judgment does not provoke a decision. There are two distinct outcomes based on making our decisions too accept Christ. "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (1st John 5:12 ). 5.UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS OF SIN. Ask someone if they have sinned, most will agree. Ask if they deserve Hell because of their, and suddenly their sins don't seem so bad. Hell helps us understand just how terrible our sins are in the sight of God. "For the wages of sin is death..." ( Romans 6:23 ). When we begin to explain eternal death our sins even those we may think are not so bad take on a new meaning when we see Gods Holy indignation for them. Hell is a subject we need to talk about, teach about and preach about. We must avoid presenting it in to forceful of a way because it is fearful enough in itself. But it must be lovingly shared and talked about with our children, our family, our friends and any others who the Lord gives opportunities with. The great Christians of the past understood this and many souls came to know the Lord. May we once again talk about Hell.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13398 13398 Hope each of you had a great weekend of celebration of our nations 234th birthday. Our services at Liberty were rousing! Tim Barton our special speaker for the morning services did a tremendous job in presenting the truths of our past heritage. After his presentation I don't think anyone could doubt that the vast majority of the signers of our Declaration of Independence were born again christians. We became a nation under the sovereign hand of Jesus Christ. Now that is worth celebrating and it is worth preserving. I will do my best to preserve this nations freedoms, and I hope you will do the same.In the evening service we gave 7 suggestions of what America needs to continue as the nation she has been. 1st - RIGHTEOUS WORKERS- Americans need to out work the world like we once did.2nd - RIGHTEOUS MILITARY- We need to have a strong military dedicated to protecting our families and our nation. We need a righteous military because we have enemies who hate us and the freedoms we stand for, and we have allies who need our defense. 3rd - RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT- We need "Lawmakers not lawbreakers." We need " Representatives not Radicals," who use their office to inflict Liberal, left wing agendas on the majority of conservative Americans. We need "Statesmen not self-men." 4th - RIGHTEOUS CHURCHES - We need churches that , Participate in Prayer, Diligent to Bible Study and Consistent in Sharing the Gospel.5th - RIGHTEOUS PREACHERS- Who, Walk with God, Talk with God and Speak Up for God. We don't need men being cute in the pulpit. We don't need preachers who compromise scripture or just share their opinion. We need men not little boys behind the pulpits of America.6th - RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE- We need Righteous marriages, righteous parents, righteous children, righteous singles, and righteous teens .7th- RIGHTEOUS BLESSINGS- The number one thing we need is God's Blessings and without the first 6 things I have mentioned we will not receive what we so desperately need. God will bless us if we bring ourselves as a people to place of blessing. God never blesses sin our disobedience or unrighteousness. "Righteousness Exalts A Nation," Sin Brings Down A Nation." May I suggest what we need from God is four very important things? 1st- AMERICA NEEDS GOD'S PARDON. 2nd Chronicles 7:13-142nd- AMERICA NEEDS GOD'S POWER- Psalm 127:13rd- AMERICA NEEDS GOD'S PROTECTION- Psalm 20:74th- AMERICA NEEDS GOD'S PRESENCE- Exodus 33:16We need only what God can give. We only can have these things if we will be the kind of people God will exalt. RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13374 13374 At the end of this month we will take our "Family Vacation." We will spend a few weeks in the Rocky Mountains with all our their glory. One place we will see is "Pikes Peak" where Katherine Lee Bates wrote these words. Oh beautiful for spacious skies,For amber waves of grain,For purple mountain majestiesAbove the fruited plain!America! America! God shed His grace on thee,And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!AMERICA THE BEAUTIFULThe words to this song are right, America is beautiful. My family and I have had the privilege of visiting much of the United States and many of her landmarks every time we travel I see America is more than beautiful, she is powerful, benevolent, and successful beyond measure. She is more free and full of opportunity than any other nation in history. America has been a refuge, a beacon of light to the rest of the world. Those who have sought to flee oppression and misery have made their way to her free shores and have been able to build a better life. America indeed has a rich and remarkable past. We indeed have been blessed of almighty God. But unless our generation builds on the same foundation our forefathers laid it will begin to slip and crumble. Freedom and prosperity such as we blessed Americans have enjoyed does not just happen by accident or fate. The rights and privileges of self government were purchased at a high price. Many lives, have been sacrificed for the cause of American liberty, and throughout our history every generation has been called upon to guard and defend the principles that hold our freedom firm in place.If the foundations are removed we will begin to not be so beautiful, and if the foundations are not replaced we will end up an ugly mess in the pile of forgotten nations that left the Lord and His principles as well.  Each of us must do our part of preserving the foundations. I suggest to you that the four pillars on which this great nation has sat upon secure in its first 200 years have been strong enough to hold us well, and over the last 40 years or so we have began to look for other foundation that has only weakened us. We must return to that which held us in the beginning. The four pillars that hold American freedom and prosperity in place are found within our nation's birth certificate, the Declaration of Independence. 1. Self-evident Truths- ( The undeniable fact that moral absolutes exist.) Our Founding Fathers believed that truth exists and is self-evident. That that truth was God and His word, and a nation needed to be build on God and His absolute truth.2.Endowed By Our Creator. ( Our unalienable right to individual freedom.) Our Declaration of Independence makes it clear that our freedom comes from God, not government. Not from Judges or appointed officials. No matter how some try to twist the Declaration , it will never say our rights come from a Supreme Court justice but they come from the Supreme God Justice.3. The Pursuit of Happiness. ( The importance of free enterprise to our freedom.) Our government should not own business or become a business . Free enterprise is called Capitalism not Socialism.4. Consent of the Governed. ( We each have a voice and a vote.) Three times in the Declaration the word "consent"  and eleven times in the constitution. The problem today is that our silence is often mistaken for consent. If we choose to be uninvolved in the process, those in power assume we consent to what is being done. I am pleased to see some new "Tea Parties" in our land.  These four pillars are worthy to be studied by every American citizen. They should be discussed and dialogued. They should be defended! Read these words, meditate upon them and do your very best to preserve them for another generation. "We hold these TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT:that all men are created equal, that they are ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE..." I AM THANKFUL TO BE AN AMERICAN ON HER 234th BIRTHDAY!           http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13310 13310 BLESSINGS FROM GOD!Before I was saved I used to get mad at people and when I did I would often say, "Go to hell." Did you ever do that? Now hell is a real place, it is an eternal place of unbelievable torment and suffering. It is a place that once a person enters they will never be allowed to depart. There are millions of people there now and they are forever sentenced to this place. I think that even the most wicked person if they knew how terrible this place was they would not want anyone to " go to hell." But on the other hand, the best statement a person can make to anyone is , " God Bless you" or "may the Lord's blessings be with you." The Bible is filled with such greetings , especially in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul usually blessed those he was writing. In fact in 2nd Corinthians 13:14 it explains what "God bless you" means.GOD BLESS YOU WITH LOVE." The love of God be with you all," Paul wrote. The Bible is clear God loves everyone, both Christian and Unbelievers. He loves all the people of the earth, all those in heaven, and even those who, have rejected Him, those who are in hell. No one is outside the boundaries of God;s love. GOD BLESS YOU MEANS GOD LOVES YOU! Now that is something we can say to everyone, even those we are angry with and would like to see change their ways. And God's love never fails, it is the very thing that will change anyone it comes in contact with.GOD BLESS YOU WITH GRACE. "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all," Paul's also wrote these words. Now here is a fact. Though God loves everyone , His grace is only extends His grace to those who receive it. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that His saving grace is given to those who repent of their sin and receive Jesus by faith. No one in hell has known God's grace. Why? Because they rejected it. So may we say to others "be blessed with the grace of Jesus." We can say this to unbelievers and explain to them His wonderful grace that must be received, and we can say this to our believing families and friends when all is well and even when we have been hurt , offended disappointed, etGOD BLESS YOU WITH HIS PRESENCE. Paul also wrote , "The fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." All are blessed with God's love, and Christians are blessed with the grace of Jesus, but only obedient Christians are blessed with the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Carnal, rebellious believers miss out on the Spirit-filled life."God bless you" is perhaps the best words we can ever say to someone. It means, May the Father bless you with His love. May the Son, bless you with His grace, and may the Spirit bless you with His fellowship. Really what it is saying to someone is may God's love , grace and presence be yours today.---------------------------GOD BLESS each of you Bishir Blog reader today! ----------------------------------  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13276 13276  It is Monday morning and I am in the office early after a very busy weekend of service for the ONE I want to please and praise. I took last Friday as my day off and worked at the house with Karen. We worked hard on organizing our barn I fixed lots of little things in need of repair. Then about 4 p.m. we went to meet our son Matt and we played 9 holes of golf. I have only golfed once in about three years so it was more like Plowing instead of golfing. We golfed 9 holes but it was really like 36 holes because of the amount of strokes it took. It was enjoyable to be with Matt. Then on Saturday we started early with Mens Prayer, thank the Lord we had 28 men for prayer on Saturday. Our prayer meetings are the power houses for all of our ministry. After prayer I had several counciling appointments then at 1:30 we officiated Katlyn Fowler & Zach Atkins wedding. It was very pleasing to this pastor to help them celebrate their special day. Both of these have grown up here at Liberty and each have remained faithful through the years and have taken their places in their church. They each serve the Lord and are committed to Christ. After the wedding we hurried back to the office and made several phone calls to some of our people who were in the hospital and then back to the reception. Afterward we went visiting and then home to study and pray. On Sunday morning Karen & I were at the church by 7:20 and working on prep things then at 7:45 a.m. we went to Sunday Mens Prayer. Then to the first service and preached. Then off to Sunday School and taught, then to second service to preach again. After service we shook hands and spoke with many concerning needs then Karen & I went to the hospital to make a few visits. Then we met a fine single man in our church who just needed to spend some time with someone who cares and we had lunch together. It was a sweet time of fellowship. Then back home and we took a 1 hour nap, AMEN. Then back to church by 4:30 as Karen had practice for her special and choir at 4:45p.m. I went to the office and studied for the evening message and prayed and at 6 p.m. preached in the evening service. We stayed around after church and visited all the VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AREAS. The children were everywhere and the workers as well. Karen & I had fun visiting the classes and the children and of course we had fun talking with the wonderful servants. VBS went till 8 p.m. and we left before it was over and finally went home and popped some POPCORN and sat down for a few minutes before going to bed. WOW what a weekend, but a very productive one and I am thankful for the gift of life and the call to serve our Lord. I am asking each of you to pray this week for our annual Vacation Bible School. Pray that the workers will be filled with spiritual power as well as physical strength. It will be a long week and they need the Lord's presence in all they do. Pray for the children to hear God's Voice. That they will learn of Jesus and if they are not saved yet that this week will be the week they repent and receive the Lord as Saviour. I am asking the Lord that they will also have lot's of fun and that they will learn that church is a great place to build their lives around. On Thursdays we are doing something special through the summer, we are passing out SUMMER OF FAITH SNACKS after church. We have given out candy bars, ice cream bars, and cold cans of pop, it has blessed my heart to watch the children come to the snack patio with their parents to get their snacks. They are so exited and I can tell they think their church is a great place to be. I have watched our teens and young adults and even older adults do the same. Thank you Jesus for blessing our church with joy and grace. If you know of any child who would like to come to VBS you can bring them each night this week through Thursday. Need info cal the church. I need to go for today, but plan on blogging tomorrow, so hope you visit the blog then . Have a great week!   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13264 13264  Good Thursday to each of you. Hope your week has been a blessed one . Hope you have fellowshiped every moment with Jesus. Jesus makes all the difference in our lives. He is a faithful friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is always there and when we seek Him we find Him and when we find Him we find all we need for every situation in life. Tuesday and Wednesday I studied the Bible for 14 hours. I prepared messages for Sunday morn and eve. In the morning service I will preach a message entitled, "Why God Allows Suffering and Evil." It is one of the Big Questions for God. I really think this message will answer many questions that have been asked from many people. If God is God why does He allow such things that we see happening in this world? If He is all powerful why do these things happen? We will look at the Bible and bring Biblical answers to these and other questions. In the evening service we will preach from 2nd Thessalonians 1:11-12. In this passage we find how we need to be praying for our church. It will be helpful for our church to hear these truths this Lord's day. Tonight we have a good old friend who will be preaching in our mid week service for our "Summer Of Faith" series. Missionary Don Hodge is no stranger to our pulpit. He has preached at Liberty many times. God always uses him in special ways. Tonight he will bring us up to date on Liberty's church plant in Cuba as well as teach us on FAITH. Hope you can make it and help us get the word out. Bring a visitor you will be glad you did.Yesterday I took some time to go visiting. A new fellow in our church has wanted to go visiting with me so Bob Peach met me here at the church around 11 a.m. and we went out for 3 hours or so and visited some folk. We went to the hospital , the nursing home, a shut in, some widows and some other connections were made with folk. I love to shepherd and to show concern and care for God's sheep. When is the last time you went by to visit a lonely brother or sister? When is the last time you went to a funeral viewing, a nursing home, a wedding? When is the last time you called someone who you haven't seen at church or in your Sunday School class lately? When is the last time you sent a card to someone you have seen their name in the prayer bulletin? You would be surprised how much it would encourage them along the way and it would do WONDERS for you. Every time I  "GO VISITING" I come back better than I went out. Give it a try, it may just be the answer for your discouragement, depression, loneliness, self pity, negative thinking or any other ailment that is keeping you from God's best. THINK ABOUT IT!  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13223 13223  This past Sunday I preached a message on John the Baptist. I entitled it,"The Greatness of a Man." Jesus said none had been born greater than John the Baptist. As you study the gospels you will find many of the qualities of this man and the reasons Jesus said this man was great. He certainly feared God rather than man! Leadership can be a frightening place to find yourself. Leaders in the home, church, work or any other area can have fears. Not all fear is dangerous, there are healthy and unhealthy fears for all leaders. Let me explain a few.WE MUST FEAR THE LORD!Psalm 111:10 tells us, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." When we fear the Lord it helps us to recognize our accountability to God for the stewardship of leadership. It will moves us to seek the Lord's knowledge and direction in hard circumstances. It will challenge us to give our all to the Lord as we serve those we lead with love and humility.WE MUST NOT FEAR MAN!The fear of man is in direct conflict with the fear of God. It resists the fear of God. The fear of man will push us to seek man's approval rather God's direction. It encourages visible results at the expense of private devotion and growth. The fear of man leads us to make all our worship visible to the eye of man. The fear of man will cause us to focus on our shine instead of our substance. Man looks on the outward but God on the inward.  Often times it causes us to over-commit and spread ourselves beyond the Holy Spirit's leading, thus making man a god to us. It limits our ministry and stunts our walk with God.The fear of man is a horrific trap. Proverbs 29:25 says, "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." The fear of man is an unsafe place to be while the fear of God is the most secure place we can bring ourselves to be.While the fear of the Lord moves us to give our best by and through His Spirit, the fear of man intimidates us into fleshly works. The fear of man strangles us, because we can never please everybody in our home, church, work or any other place. But the fear of the Lord sets us free, because it leads us to live and serve for an AUDIENCE OF ONE. Ask yourself this question today. Are you operating in the fear of the Lord or the fear of others'?  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13187 13187 I love attending Liberty Baptist Church in Sweetser. 23 years ago marked our first service that we attended Liberty. Seems like yesterday in some aspects and in others it seems like it has been a lifetime. When we first came to Liberty we thought we were only coming for a short time to help the church get back on its feet. We were serving as an assistant pastor at Union Chapel Baptist under our father in-law Ralph Rickner. He had been at Union Chapel Baptist for over 30 years at that time. At that time Union Chapel had a very large attendance and we had been on staff there for about 13 years. I had no plans of leaving for long term but did have a heart to preach more so when we came to Liberty in our minds we thought it might be short term. For the first two years we maintained both duties, we ministered at Union Chapel as well as Liberty. I was younger and full of energy. I never really thought it was hard and Karen was such a help meet we just were able to do it and the Lord blessed. At Union I was still overseeing many ministries and would leave there after Sunday School and drive the 16 miles to Sweetser and preach in the morning service. We had an early service on Sunday eve at 5 p.m. and afterwards we would drive back to Union and be in the evening service thee as they started at 6: 30 p.m. It made for some long days but this was what life was all about. Sharing Christ, and Teaching His Word. Discipleship and helping to build God's Church. After all Jesus was coming soon and souls were perishing all around us. What did it matter if we had to sacrifice a little? What did it matter if we missed some things of the world? There was another world. Another purpose worth living. As Karen & I look back it has been worth every effort, every sacrifice, every pain and self denial. Souls have been saved, lives have been changed, families brought back together. As I look back over the last 23 years, nothing has changed in our purpose and plans. Yes, some things have changed. We may not have as much physical energy as we once did. We may not have some of that youthfulness that once was present. We are a lot more mature and have learned much in how to minister for the Lord. But today we have the same Lord! The same Bible! The same passion for our God. We still have the same mandate to go and tell others about Jesus.  I look forward to the future as we praise God for the past 23 years here at Liberty.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13174 13174  What a beautiful day in Northeastern Indiana. I won't take much time to blog today but I wanted to remind each of you about tomorrow morning's Prayer Breakfast and Blitz. We will FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER as we eat and then we will PRAY TOGETHER and then we will go and SHARE THE GOSPEL TOGETHER! Liberty is a TOGETHER CHURCH! Hope to see each of you at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Have a great weekend!  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13147 13147 Since I blogged last on Tuesday I feel like I have been around the world and back and I never left Indiana. I have been very active in many things and none any greater than being involved with hurting people. Today we have spent time with a family that spent the last several days at the hospital after going to work on Tuesday and being rushed to the Emergency Room unexpectantly. Two stints later he is home and his wife is caring for him. Life changes fast and there is never a lack of hurting people needing the ministry of love and prayer. Another family suddenly found themselves at Marion General Hospital and a few hours later at Ft. Wayne Lutheran Hospital. I just returned from there after giving council on wether the family should allow the ventilator to be put on a love one. Big decisions and big hurt all needing wisdom from heaven. So many people are in need today. I hope each of you will avail yourself to be used of God to help others in their hour of need. It can be exhausting but it is also very satisfying to know you were used of the Lord in someone's life, just as if you were there representing Jesus Himself. Please pray for these two  families and many others who are facing difficult times today.Hope to see all you LIBERTY folk tonight at church. We will continue our "Summer of Faith," emphasis on Thursday evenings this summer. It will be good and I know you will be glad you came to church. Don't let summer time activities keep you from the good discipline of faithful church attendance. Also tonight at 6 p.m.  there will be a special Birthday Party before church in the  Life Center. Our very own Lori Jones turns 40. As you know Lori is disabled and for her to live to be this age is a testimony for the Lords power in her life. She is one of our special members and it would mean a lot to her and her parents, Olin & Janice, if you would come a little early to church and help them celebrate this milestone.    http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13134 13134 Over 30 years ago the gospel singer Mark Lowery came to Union Chapel Baptist on a few occasions and ministered in song. He was a student at Lynchburg Baptist College which later became Liberty University. I can still remember one particular song that he had written and would sing . It was entitled, DON'T QUIT! It had a particular phrase in it that has stuck with me for over 30 years, "Don't quit, think about it brother but don't quit, that's it, think about it brother but don't quit." I don't know how many times I have rehearsed that verse to myself over these many years of ministry.Today is not unlike most days when it would be so easy to just quit and give up. It would be the easiest thing to just bail and let others handle the situations, perhaps those who seem to have more answers, perhaps those who seem able to criticize all the effort. But then I think of those words, "Don't Quit, think about it brother but don't quit." Then I remember the ONE who didn't quit on the world, no He didn't quit on me. Hebrews 11 is filled with believing brothers and sisters who are in heaven today who encourage us not to quit, not to succumb to bitterness, not to faint. We are to look to them and they encourage us to, "Look to the author and finisher of our faith." He endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him, and we must do the same. He is the one who has begun our faith walk and He will be the finisher , the completer as we keep our eyes on Him. He is the One we must not quit on, He is the One we must not fail. And He shows us the way to remain faithful, He shows us the reason, He shows us the future prize for all those who live by faith, and by faith they find the way to endure and not quit. He is the one who gives us the power to keep on keeping on, even when every fiber of our soul wants to quit. He is our faith, yes, He is our faith. People are not our faith. Problems are not our faith. HE IS OUR FAITH! I think today I will choose to focus on the author of my faith instead of the encumbrances. I will lay aside every weight and the sin of unbelief and choose HIM MY FAITH to follow and as I do perhaps others will find something in my life that will help them see Jesus just as those in Hebrews 11. Let me encourage you to read Hebrews 11-12 this day. If you are thinking about quitting in any capacity it will be a great help I am sure.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13093 13093 Hard to believe it is another Monday already. The weeks go by so fast for this preacher but I am thankful that every day is filled with much to accomplish for the Lord. This morning we had a great staff meeting and a good spirit was represented in each pastor as we looked over last weeks accomplishments and as we looked at this weeks agendas. There is much each of us is hoping to accomplish and as we spoke together it seemed each one knew we needed divine aid in making our days count for God's glory. We went to our weekly staff lunch and had a little fun and as Pastor Chas prayed for us he asked the Lord to help us see the challenges we face were only opportunities from the Lord Himself. Yesterday we had good services. Yesterday I spoke on the afterlife and spent a good amount of time on Hell. Let me encourage you to listen to this message this week . You can go to resources on this web-sight and click the message entitled, What Happens After Life Ends." Last eve we spoke from 2nd Thess 1:4-6 on the topic , "It Will Be Worth It All." In the evening service we made a very important announcement concerning our Children's Pastor, Ryan Frank. We announced that Pastor Ryan had accepted a Vice President position with AWANA International. He will begin his new duties with AWANA in July. He & Beth will be able to stay in this area and they will continue to stay at Liberty but will no longer be on the official pastoral staff. He will continue teaching his SS class as well as other ministries . He will help us through this transitional time. It was bitter/sweet to say the least. We are proud and honored that one from our staff would receive such a broad reaching ministry with children. AWANA currently in ministering to nearly 2 million children worldwide. It is also very difficult losing such a quality staff member who has serving in his capacities since he was a young teenager. I was a little emotional last evening to say the least. Our Lord has it all together and He has a plan for the future of our church. We will lean and listen and follow Him into His perfect plans concerning all ministries of our church.We do want to say THANKS to Pastor Ryan & Beth for being the immeasurable resources to Liberty Baptist that they have been. Our Children's ministry is deeply indebted to their hard work and giftedness. Many other areas of our church are successful today because Beth & Ryan have left their fingerprints upon them through the years. Make suer in the days ahead that you seek both Ryan & Beth out and let them know how much you appreciate them for all they have done . Again we are thankful they will still be with us and will help us in this transitional time of finding God's plan for the future.    http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13087 13087  Good Friday to each of you. We are in our office early and preparing for our monthly deacon/pastors meeting held tomorrow morning. We have a lot of great things to speak about and some really important decisions to discuss and make. We have 9 deacons, 5 pastors and 1 treasurer and 1 financial secretary who sit on Liberty's official board. We are blessed to have men who have a heart for God and who seek the Lord's will in every decision. I am constantly leading our men to be men of prayer, because when you are in the Lord's work you MUST have heavenly wisdom and direction. We each would appreciate your prayers as we will discuss some very major possibilities here at Liberty tomorrow. Last evening was our first midweek service of "A SUMMER OF FAITH." It started out with a bang. In spite of many of our regular attenders who were away on vacation and graduations we had a wonderful attendance and better than that we had a wonderful spirit. John Rickner led the congregation in song and was he fired up or what? The instrumentalist were amazing and Pastor Chas' special "Faithful" moved me to worship and praise and set the tone for the preaching of God's word. We spoke from Hebrews 12:1-3 on the author & finisher of our faith. We took up a special offering for our new "Memorial Way" with the purpose of honoring each of our members who have gone before us. "Memorial Way" will be in some ways our Hebrews 11, our Hall of Faith.  Reports were given to me after service that AWANA had many , many children in attendance and that the workers were out in force as well. Teens had a great summer night of fun and discipleship. Young Adults met at 8:30 p. m. and as Karen & I were walking at 10:15 we called our daughter Abby and she reported YAMS were still going on and the teacher was being used of the Lord. To God be all the glory. All that even in June, PTL.  I love giving good reports like this , and all the praise goes to Jesus. This Sunday morning I will be preaching on the topic, "What Happens After Death?" Be sure to be here and bring a visitor you will not be sorry. Also in the evening we will preach a message from 2nd Thess 1 entitled, "It Will Be Worth It All." Hope to see you. Our plan is not to have one down moment this summer at Liberty Baptist in Sweetser. Have a great Friday and Saturday and we will see you Sunday unless the Lord comes back before! God Bless each of you! TODAY IN HISTORY.1.1912- David C. Cook Was Born In Elgin, Illinois. Mr. Cook was president of David C. Cook Publishing Company, a Sunday School materials publisher. Pray for all our Sunday School materials to stay faithful to the Word of God.2. 1914- James T. Jeremiah Was Born. He was a great leader in the General Association of Regular Baptists and served as the president of Cedarville College. He was a faithful preacher of God's Word. His son is Pastor David Jerimiah of our day. 3. 1900- Stanley Sebaston Kresge Was Born In Detroit, Michigan. He was a great Christian laymen active in the Christian Businessmen's , Youth for Christ, etc. He provided much money to further the Lords Kingdom. He founded the dime store chain S. S. Kresge which later became what we know as  K MART. We need great men and women of success to continue to help further the Lord's work on this earth.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13040 13040  Paul's ministry in every city was validated in many areas but in the area of personal relationships his testimony tremendous. Especially in the city of Ephesus. When Paul gave his final fair-well to the church leaders it was so tender and touching. They had worked together and grown to love each other. Upon his departure he was able to part with a clear conscience and strong relationships ( Acts 20:19-34 ). Our ministry and personal life is likewise strengthened when we are:1. RIGHT WITH GOD.We must never think that we can put our walk with the Lord on "auto pilot." No matter how long we have been saved or how mature we have become as a Christian, there is always room to grow. I have found when I am not walking with the Lord as closely as I should that my relationships with other humans begin to grow weaker as well.2. RIGHT WITH AUTHORITY.We cannot be right with God and be disobedient to our authorities. A person who knows how to serve under authority is qualified to be a leader ( Luke 7:8-9 ). When I council I often direst young parents to the authority of their parents, wives to their husbands, Workers in the church to those put in positions of leadership, workers to their bosses and church members to pastors. God's authority structures are vital in our lives.3. RIGHT WITH THE TEAM.Each of us need a spirit of love in our hearts. A Spirit given love for one another on the team. Philippians 2:2 says, "Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord,of one mind." I often need to ask myself the question does this verse describe my relationship with fellow believers?  Your marriage is a team. Our families are teams. Our church is a team, and team players find there is great joy in serving together. Think about ways we can strengthen these three vital relationships. TODAY IN HISTORY!1. 1935-ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WAS ORGANIZED IN NEW YORK CITY. 2. 1752- BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DREW LIGHTENING FROM CLOUDS WITH A KITE. This day changed our lives. Thank God for men & women of discovery. 3. 1943- THE WITHHOLDING TAX WAS SIGNED.     http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=13016 13016  `Every person that will have a fruitful life for Christ will pay some price along the way. Many Christians want blessings without being willing to bear burdens; they want the crown without carrying the cross. Yet, whenever there was a great work to be done for God in the Scripture, someone was willing to pay the price. Noah, Moses, David, Nehemiah, and Paul all experienced the fruit of spiritual success-and the expense of personal sacrifice.Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing. God used Paul to accomplish great things in ministry, but it was not without cost. Paul emphasized this in 2nd Corinthians 11:23-28: "Are they ministers of Christ? ( I speak as a fool ) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stipes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was iI stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep, In journeyings often, in perils in the water, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." Is obedience to God's call easy? NEVER! Is rearing Godly children Easy? Is building a Godly marriage Easy? Is teaching a Sunday School class Easy? Is winning souls Easy? Is continuing in your God called ministry ever Easy? NEVER! And who said it would be? And why would we want it to be?  Seems to me that one of the problems today in the realm of Christianity is that many want it "EASY INSTEAD OF FRUITFUL." For those who are willing to count the cost and put their hand to the plow without turning back, God provides daily grace to continue in the ministry and see spiritual fruit. When we're willing to yoke up with Christ, we find a supernatural strength that only comes from abiding in Him and ministering in the power of His Spirit. The danger of wanting life always easy may be destroying the very possibility of producing joy giving fruit. We American Christians have grown soft and because of it we have grown barren. The absence of spiritual fruit in our life may be a reality of our unwillingness to sacrifice and pay the price it takes to see the production of real fruit and fruit that remains. I am challenging myself to not grow soft but to have enough love for God that I would be willing to continue to pay the costs for a productive life and ministry for God's glory. How about you?  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=12986 12986  It is another Monday morning and it is a very beautiful day in Northeastern Indiana. Yesterday we had good services at both Liberty Baptist and New Hope Baptist. Pastor Ryan preached at Liberty in the morning at Liberty as I preached at New Hope. Each service had a great spirit present. In the morning at Liberty we honored all our High School grads as well as our College grads. In the evening at Liberty we had our Awana Awards night which is an annual event. We had many children who were presented awards for all their diligent work at memorizing Scriptures as well as Christian Truth. It was fun to see the children so exited bout receiving their awards. It reminded me a little of the Judgement Seat of Christ. We also honored workers who have been so faithful to the tasks of working with children. We have some Awana workers who have been involved in this particular ministry ever since we began the program 23 years ago. We also honored the parents of the children who are so responsible to motivate their children to this life-changing discipline. After the awards ceremony we spoke from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 on the DIstinctive Goal-the Decisive Choice-the Determined Plan- the Delightful Result. All in all it was a good day for the Lord's work here at Liberty. At New Hope Baptist we spoke on " Is There More Than One Way To God." The people were really into the message and many learned some practical things in taking our stand for JESUS ONLY. I heard good reports of their services last evening and that visitors were present. PTL.This week Liberty Baptist is having our Annual Children's Camp. It is at Rainbow Christian Campground close to Converse, In. Please be in prayer as Pastor Ryan and many workers are working with the children this week. Over 60 children are registered and nearly 20 workers will be at camp beginning today and going thru Wednesday eve. God often does great things at camp time so pray every heart will be in tune with the voice of God. Pray for safety and pray for each speaker and leader to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Hope you have a good day and we will blog again tomorrow, Lord willing.         http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=12966 12966 I have been meditating on the fact that one of the names given to Jesus in the New Testament is "Son of David." For many people this title means the kingship of Jesus and rightfully so. David was a great king, and Jesus is our King of kings. But in Acts 13:36 we find the perspective on the life of King David from the Apostle Paul as he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, "For David after he had served his own generation by the will of God." David was a great soldier, statesman, king, and writer yet what the Lord was pointing out that he was most importantly a servant. Servants make the best kings, parents, writers, soldiers, and statesman. David was perceived as being used by God for God's purposes. He functioned as a servant of God to the people of Israel. Servanthood under God's command and authority was David's most important trait. In this way, Jesus is most assuredly like David. He was the most supreme servant. Jesus knew the secret to true success from God's perspective: Discover God's goals for your life and then achieve those goals. We often think of Jesus' ministry, or His years of active service as being the final three years of His life on this earth. What we often fail to understand is that for nearly 30 earthly years He served as well. He served His own earthly family and His community. Most Bible historians would tell us that Joseph, Jesus' earthly father, died when Jesus was a young teen. We know that if that happened it was the Lord Himself who sovereignly planned it before the world was ever created. As the eldest son in the family, Jesus became responsible for the care and well being of His mother and siblings. In all likelihood, Jesus filled this role in a very practical way-providing the family income-and helping in the training of His younger siblings-until the youngest of His siblings reached adulthood. Some may feel today that their life is so busy with family obligations and responsibilities that you cannot serve the Lord like you want. Some older sisters or brothers may feel constraint as you help with the younger children. Some may feel like when you help at the home that it isn't service at all. Mowing the grass, washing dishes, changing a diaper, working and making money so you can buy your own car or pay the insurance, helping buy your own clothes, all of this can be service unto the Lord. The wife, husband, father, mother, teen or child who are working in the home to make it a place worth living are serving the Lord as well.The truth is you are serving God as you serve your family. This may be the sole or primary role that God has for you right now. Be a parent as if you were a parent to the Lord Jesus Himself. When you serve your children from that perspective and with that motivation, you are serving God. Children serve your parents as well and as you do it will also be as unto the Lord. It was serving His family that Jesus no doubt developed as a servant in His earthly life. As he entered the last three years of His earthly ministry He had great servant compassion. He reached out to children, He touched lepers, He embraced outcasts, He quieted the fears of the fearful. May each of us develop the servant attitude as we live life out in the ordinary days of life. TODAY IN HISTORY!1. 1808- THE BIRTHDAY OF JEFFERSON DAVIS. 2. 1905- HUDSON TAYLOR WENT TO HEAVEN. A great missionary. At his death his daughter in law said as she watched, "It was not death." 3. A GREAT MIDWEEK SERVICE IS PLANNED AT LIBERTY BAPTIST SWEETSER.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=12913 12913 It has been a very full day for this preacher again today. We are still working on getting our office annex back up and running with phone systems and internet service as well as some computers which were damaged by the lightening strike on Thursday. We thought we would be back to normal by today but that isn't happening. Much more damage then we originally thought.  It sure has caused some difficulty but when we look at our problems they seem so small when it comes to many who have some very large issues they are facing. Our office problems are ones we can eventually fix and in some ways make some things work better in the future. Many people today are facing some BIG situations in their life or another precious person in their lives. Some of these situations may not be able to be fixed on this side of heaven, yet God promises us in Romans 8 that He can take our problems and "Work them for Good." Some of you today are going through real deep waters and the LIGHTENING is hitting all around. Perhaps some have been struck with a surprising bolt of destruction. You may be thinking today it will never be the same, yes that is true, "IT MAY NEVER BE THE SAME IT MAY BE BETTER." Our God can take the worst of situations and in His mighty power make them turn into blessings. We may have some temporary pain and difficulty but we can trust our Lord to win the day. Most of the time we live to see it in this life but sometimes it will only be revealed in the next. But we can trust our Lord when things are never to be the same He has the power to make them better. AMEN! Each of us need to believe this truth when we are in the darkest of hours. We need to believe it when we are in our deepest doubts and our most overwhelmed moments. We need to do all we can to fix the damage of these lightening strikes of life but also trust the Lord that we are not the only ones working. Our Lord is working in ways the human eye may not see but our human hearts can believe. We need to continue to obey our Lord in these times and practically apply our belief to all that is going on in our lives. Good is on it way. Good is from God. Good is promised of our Good Lord. Good will come from this. And with that truth we can remain steadfast for our Lord to help us be good as well. Being Good as we wait on the Good One to make it all Good one day.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=12901 12901 It has been a while since I last blogged. I think the last day I blogged was Thursday. I took last Friday off instead of my usual Wednesday. Yesterday was Memorial Day and didn't get to blog that day either. Came to office this morning early ready to blog and found our entire phone system and internet network had been hit by lightning on Monday. It will take several days and lots of money to get back up and running in our normal way. Times sure have changed in our dependency on the phone system and the internet. We had to wit till 3 p.m. for the phone company to come and tell us it wasn't their problem. Then we called the company who installed the phone system to find out they went out of business. So we called another company and they sent someone late afternoon and they finally diagnosed the whole system has been damaged by a lightening strike. Not great news as the system is only a year old and now we will need to wait for parts and then time to fix the system. It will be very expensive and we carry a high deductible insurance so this is not a pleasant event. But with all that said we are rejoicing that we will be able to take care of this and keep moving forward. I love high tech but with it comes problems and costs. I am thanking the Lord today that lightning and just plain old tech problems can't keep us from communicating with Him. He is always a prayer away no equipment is needed. Our lack of connecting with Him and our sin is the only things that keep us from speaking to and hearing from the Lord.We had a great Memorial Weekend of services. Many people were away for the weekend but we still had good attendances and wonderful fellowship. The spirit was tremendous and the Word of God was proclaimed. Sunday eve we celebrated the Lord's Supper and His presence was manifested to each one present. Thanks to all those who had a part in helping with our LIFT {Liberty In Fellowship Together}. It was a time of eating and enjoying one another.Yesterday I was able to stay at home for a good holiday. Karen and I planted some flowers and mowed the grass and worked around the house till about 3 p.m. Then we cleaned up and began to get ready for our family to come over for a nice evening together. I always look forward to such times and last eve was one of the best. I hope each of you had a wonderful day how ever you spent it.Again I am sorry for not blogging for 4 days, I looked and saw that hundreds have visited the sight over that period. I will try to blog tomorrow and I am sure it will not be before afternoon, because it will take that long to get our system up and running or at least till I will have access to the internet. Hope to hear from some of you letting me know you are still are out there. Have a good evening!   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=12877 12877 This morning caught myself COMPLAINING ABOUT ONE OF MY BLESSINGS. Have you ever done that? I won't go into detail about my complaint this morning but trust me as soon as I made the complaint { and I complained to myself, no one else was around} it was like a dagger that plunged into my heart. I immediately asked the Lord to forgive me for the complaint. I reminded myself I would not want to lose the thing I was complaining about and that I needed to count my blessings not complain about my blessings. We humans are really good at complaining. And we believers can really complain as well. Remember in the Bible where the children of Israel complained about the Promised Land? When they complained about the Manna? We complain about the price of gas and yet we have gas. We complain about our children and yet we have them. We complain about our restaurants and yet we have them. We complain about our Lords will and desires for our life and yet we have been bought with a price , { the blood of Jesus } . How can we complain about His ownership when it really means we were once owned by the devil and Jesus bought us with His payment for sin and we have been set free. Yet we seem to complain about His right to rule and to lead us into freedom. At times we complain about the greatest blessing of all!I am attempting today to be watchful for the things I am complaining about, especially if I am complaining about my blessings. I encourage you to think about ways you may be complaining about your blessings. Send me a comment and let me know ways it is possible to do such a thing.Complaint with the Lord is serious. Study about the Israelites and see if God was not very displeased with their continual complaint about what He meant as blessing. Think about it!TODAY IN HISTORY!  1. 1564- JOHN CALVIN DIED. On his grave it is simply written, "John Calvin, father of the Reformed Churches." 2. 1668- MASSACHUSETTS EXILED BAPTISTS. Yes, you heard it right. Early in our nation those who settled in that area believed in sprinkling and frowned heavily on immersion as the Biblical mode of baptism. Baptists historically have been known as Biblical, Evangelistic and Separated people. I am Christian first and foremost but because of the Baptist doctrine and their other distinctive I have chosen to be a Baptist pastor.3. 2349 B.C. - THE EARTH DRIED AFTER THE FLOOD. Genesis 8:14  After this God gave the rainbow which is a reminder that the earth will not be destroyed by water again. The rainbow is a type of cross. The cross is a constant reminder that our sins have been paid for and that we will never face them again.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=12816 12816  Woke up this morning earlier then normal. Before I opened my eyes I hear the sound of many different birds giving God they're morning praise. I listened and counted at least 5 different types all praising Him in their own style and unique sound. As I laid with my eyes closed I joined in with these precious birds and gave the Lord praise with a silent noise from my heart. Finally I decided to open my eyes and as I did I recognized it was going to be a beautiful day here in Northeastern Indiana. As I looked out my north bedroom window I saw the sun shining through our big Blue Spruce. The sun was bright and bold and it was positioned about half way up that big tree and had found a peeping hole and oh what a sight. Blue sky, blue spruce, green grass and a bright orange ball of fire in the midst of that scene. Here was the sun, the tree, the sky, and the grass all giving they're morning praise to the Lord. So I thought I would join in and began to sing in my heart, "He touched me, He touched me, and Oh the joy that fills my soul." As I watched the sun peeping through the spuce I thought my Lord is just like that, He gives me glimpses of Him. If I saw Him in all His glory today it would take my life, I must be readied for that and in death or rapture that will happen where I am made ready and able to see Him in all His glory. As I showered and dressed I continued to praise the One who is all together worthy. I noticed Cooper was in a praising mode as well. I let him out and he wagged his tale and pranced out into the backyard as if he knew who had made the day and who was to be praised. You may think I was only thinking that about Cooper, but the Bible teaches that all of God's creation praise Him and even the rocks shout out HIS GLORY! As I drove to the office I saw other animal life squaking, barking, moving, and some even honking{ not even knowing} they  also were breaking out in a spontaneous praise to our great God.  I hope you have had you're Morning Praise and if not get with it now. I hope you will have your Noon Praise and the Early Evening Praise, and the Before Bed Praise as well. Praising the Lord is desired and deserved by our Lord. Praising the Lord is good for us in so many areas. I think I will just have a PRAISE THE LORD DAY! How about you?TODAY IN HISTORY!1. 1787- THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION BEGAN.There seemed to be a snag in the writing of the constitution. It is said that Benjamin Franklin interrupted and suggested that they seek help from Almighty God. That they did, and help they received. 2. 1803- THE BIRTHDAY OF RALPH WALDO EMERSON. 3. 1824- THE AMERICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION WAS ESTABLISHED. What an impact Sunday School has had in our churches and nation. May we keep the attention on Sunday School for all ages.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=12791 12791  It is Monday morning May 24th. It has been 4 days since my last blog. Sorry about missing Friday, I was out of the office and was unable to send out a blog on that day. We had good services at Liberty yesterday. Good attendances and the Word of God went out in powerful ways in each Sunday School class, Junior Church and in  each of our 3 main assemblies. Pastor Click preached at New Hope Baptist yesterday and reported a wonderful spirit as well. It is good to be in the service of our Lord.Summer time is upon us. Already here at Liberty we have several who have began their summer vacations. We missed them yesterday for sure. We are creatures of habit, and when our schedules change in the summer we can get off track. We take much needed vacations, but if we are not careful, we begin to think our lives would be better if we moved to our favorite vacation spots. May I encourage you to enter your summer with intentional goals and practices in mind to spiritually flourish  . Let me give you several thoughts that may help you this summer keep moving toward the Lord Jesus Christ.TIPS FOR SUMMER!1. HAVE A PERSONAL BIBLE READING SCHEDULE. If you have not already , begin a schedule to read through the Bible in a year. Every day Bible reading is so basic, but so needful (Matthew 4:40). 2. HOLD NO GRUDGES!Husbands and wives. Sisters & brothers. Forgive one another. Don't ruin your summer by living in the past. If you are not right with someone, restore that relationship before summer starts ( Ephesians 4:32 ).3. SERVE YOUR FAMILY.It could be a cookout, time at the park, a date with your wife, a day get away. Plan both family activities and some special time with your mate and with each individual child ( Ephesian 5:25).4.SERVE YOUR LORD. Serve the Lord by serving others in need. Volunteer to help at teen camp or junior camp. Children and teens make big decisions for God at camp. Help a widow or some other in need ( James 1:27 ). 5.BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR MINISTRY.Tell you Pastor or ministry leaders when you will be away on vacation. Make sure all your ministries are covered for those who are not gone and will need to fill in. 6.MOVE TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH. Enter into the summer intentionally wanting to hear every message ( Acts 13:7 ). You may have your own seat where you always sit, but it may help when you feel a little lethargic in the summer, get out of your comfort zone and move closer to the preaching.7. PLAN TO LEAVE YOUR OFFERING WHEN YOU TRAVEL.I want to have everything set in order before I leave for vacation ( 1st Corinthians 16:2 ). Even when I am gone,the church continues to minister and incur bills. 8. READ A GODLY BOOK.Readers are leaders and leaders are readers. Equip yourself by reading Christian biographies, books on doctrine, leadership, marriage and other topics that will help you be a better Christian. Encourage your children to read, and even offer incentives on finishing a book. 9. SHOW GRATITUDE EVERY DAY.The average employee  complains about everything, no matter their pay or responsibilities. How would your workplace change if you showed gratitude to your co-workers and bosses. Hey that will work in the home and church as well. Make it a summer of gratitude ( 1st Thessalonians 5:18 ). Work on it!These are just some suggestions for SUMMER 2010! Hope you have a great one!TODAY IN HISTORY!1. 1429- JOAN OF ARC WAS CAPTURED.2.  1819- THE FIRST STEAM SHIP CROSSED THE ATLANTIC.3.  1844- SAMUEL MORSE SENT THE FIRST ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. It was sent from Washington to Baltimore. The words were,"What God hath wrought." 4. 1883- THE DATE OF THE OPENING OF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE.       http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=12779 12779  Many are living "To Busy" a life. A Christian who is always living a frenzied life is one who is missing what the Lord has planned for them. Yes, the Lord will keep us busy and productive but His plan is never for us to be so wore out that we can't even think straight. God wants His children to enter into His rest ( Hebrews 4:11 ). That means rest in every area of life, spiritual, physical and eternal rest. Psalm 127:2 tells us, "It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for he giveth his beloved sleep". GOD GIVES US REST EVERY NIGHT. It is not God's plan for us to work every hour of our life. It is not His plan for us to rise up early and stay up late. He wants us to work every day and to rest every day. We live in a day with so many opportunities. Not so long ago when the sun went down you needed to go home and get to resting. There was no television and no electric lights for that matter. But now it seems we can work all day and stay up all night with such things as internet, television, etc. Some would say, I want to enjoy all life has for me, you really can't without taking proper rest. Now I know many are sleeping their lives away and that is a problem as well, but the old saying, " I'd rather burn out then rust out," but either way you're out! The best thing we can do is get a goods night sleep. One of God's great blessings is sleep, He makes sleep sweet, (Proverbs 3:24 ) and He makes sleep safe, (Proverbs 4:8).GOD GIVES US REST EVERY WEEK. In the Old Testament, God's commandment was to work 6 days and rest on the 7th day,( Saturday) which was the Sabbath. After Christ arose Christians were to begin to worship on the first day of the week, (Sunday). They did this to commemorate the day that Jesus was raised from the dead (Acts 20:7). Now I hear some of you saying we New Testament believers do not have to observe Jewish Sabbath laws. That is true but the Lord had a purpose for His children when He gave the original 10 Commandments. We see the character of God in them and they were given for our good. It would be wise for us to follow God's plan to rest one day out of seven. For most it would be Sunday, the Lord's Day (Revelation:10). REMEMBER THIS, there is never enough time,ability or energy to do everything you want to do, and we will never be able to do everything others want you to do. But you will always have time, ability and energy to do what God wants you to do. We need to slow down, set priorities, and get nightly and weekly rest. Every night practice physical rest. Every Sunday pull out of the busy world, and practice spiritual rest. It is God's plan for each of us. TODAY IN HISTORY! 1. MAY 19th- Yesterday was my sister Kay's birthday. Didn't blog yesterday so I wanted to put it in today and since it is my blog I can do that. Happy Birthday Kay, I love you. Now back to today.2. 1506- COLUMBUS DIED IN POVERTY IN SPAIN.3.THIS IS CONSIDERED BY SOME AS THE TRADITIONAL DATE OF PENTECOST. I sure need Pentecostal Power today! How about you?4. 1749- THE FIRST FIRE ENGINE WAS USED IN AMERICA. It took place in Salem, Massachusetts. Thank the Lord for our Firefighters and pray for them today.5. 1927- LINDBERGH FLEW NON-STOP FROM NEW YORK TO PARIS.    http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=3578&mid=25&blogid=368&comments=12737 12737