Well its been awhile since I've posted, we've had a lot happen since then. Our baby boy Micah Bentley was born was the biggest event. Wanted to post some picture. So enjoy!
The first few pics are from the hospital
Maddox holding his baby brother
First family pic!
Micah's first doctor appointment
Micah's first Sunday to church, he slept through the sermon. Sorry Bro Wendell!
We had Micah's baby dedication as Bro Wendell presented a bible to him and prayed for him.
We are all doing good and are blessed to have this new addition to our family.
May God Bless your family through this Christmas Season.
As I was standing there I could hear footsteps dragging in the distance. Closer and closer they got, I could see a zombie like figure in my peripheral vision as it entered the room. The dragging feet came to a stop behind me. It was like he was waiting on me to move.
I focused on finishing what I was doing and turned around to see a man with his lifeless arms hung by his side. I side stepped away from the coffee pot sipping from my fresh cup of coffee and greeted him. "Morning!" Poor guy he must have had a rough night with an early morning with that look he had on his face. I'm sure he drinks his coffee black with a lot of sugar!
So how do you start off your day?
I'm sure breakfast, coffee, a redbull or a coke does the trick for a lot of us. But have you ever tried prayer or a daily scripture? John 10:10 "...I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly"
Comment on this post and let me know how you start off your day.
Just click the comment link at the bottom of the post, if you don't have a gmail account just click "anonymous".
Just wanted to post a few things from the Crusade. If you weren't able to make it, you missed a lot. I would love to post about every night but would be here forever! But one thing that was said several time and stuck out was John 15:8 "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
"showing yourself to be my disciple" - More than Noise
A lot of the times there's just a lot of noise coming out of Christian's mouths. Yeah I'll probably get into some people's grills and step on some toes, but shouldn't we be more than just words. Shouldn't our faith "bear much fruit". Notice I didn't put a question mark behind that last sentence, that’s because it isn't a question. I think if the so called Christians showed that they were truly the Father's disciples the church would be rockin' and this world would be a lot different. Bro Jack's last message Sunday focused on breaking the box and giving it all. How many times do we give it all? Let me answer that...When it's convenient to us. Wow, talk about surrender. LOL literally laughing. If we want to further the Kingdom of God it’s going to take disciples bearing much fruit and surrendering a life that really isn't yours.
So how can you plug yourself in?
We can start by asking God. It’s called having a prayer life, a REAL daily relationship with Christ. Honestly don’t expect much if you don't have one. To "break the box" means surrendering your entire self to God. Christians pick up that phone and give Him a call. Or better than that hit your knees and when it starts to hurt, then ask yourself if you're willing to break the box and suffer and live for God!
I love this passage from 2 Corinthians 5 titled "We Are God's Ambassadors"
11 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. 12 Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. 13 If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. 14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
Look at verse 17 again. Below is the New King James version
(NKJ) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
"a new creation" Christ has entered your life and has made you "new". Why would we need any desires from our old life? Yet we let those hold us back.
Let me encourage you if I can…Be BOLD for Christ and share Him with others. Don’t worry about what people will say; just live for Him.
Verse 13: If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.
God please use us to share the love of Christ with this world and let us realize that you’ve called us for this purpose….
Where two or three of you come together in my name. I am there with you. Matthew 18:20
Tuesday night church members gathered in homes all over Holden. We came together to pray for our community and the Crusade that will start Thursday.
As for seven students and myself we started out inside the church. We began with Bible devotion from Daniel 6. We looked at how even in the face of trouble Daniel took a bended knee and prayed. That prayer was something daily in his life that he held tight to and that he was willing to pray no matter what. As he found himself in the Lion's Den he trusted that God would rescue him. Wow the prayer life of such a man, he was dedicated to his Lord.
After our devotion we scattered out among the sanctuary to lift up the ones that may be sitting in the pews in the next few days. We prayed over the stage, for Bro. Jack as he delivers the Word of God and also for the worship band. We gathered back up in the youth room to pray for the counselors and the ones they will be counseling with. After that, we walked across the street to pray over the school campus. For these seven students this was one of their biggest battle grounds. We gathered around the flag pole to lift up the SYATP event that will happen Sept 28th. We moved about the elementary area and around the office lifting up the students and administration. We gathered back up to pray in front of the Junior High building and also in front of High School building. I challenged these seven students to lift up those students that God has placed on their hearts. Many names were voiced in prayer along with every student in the junior high and high school halls.
I pray that these seven students have the heart for these lost students that will walk by them everyday. And know that it is up to them to bring the message of a loving Savior and that they will be in constant prayer for their classmates and school.
As we gathered in these circles to pray, I couldn't help but to think about Daniel kneeling in that Lion's Den. Surrounded by lions, His focus was on the Lord. How hard we find it to stay focused on God. We were tested also by a feline. No not a lion, but a small black cat that followed us around the school intertwining itself around our legs as we prayed in our circles. I personally had to think of what Daniel had to do in his situation: Focus on God and pray for these lost people to be rescued.
A while back I wrote a post called "Who Will Go?" - The Radical Prayer.
The passage was from Luke 10:1-3 where Christ sent out the groups of disciples to go to all towns and places He planned to visit.
His instructions to them were...
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."
Well the Harvest is ready and we have not only been in prayer for workers but for the harvest as well. It's Ready Now!
As we prepare to go out into the community, Bro Wendell prepared a sermon for the church from the book of John chapter 4. The focus was verse 35...
Through many professions of faith and testimonies, God has shown Holden Baptist Church that the fields are ready now and He is at work in our church and community. Are we ready to go?
Well don't think about that question to long. See, if the harvest is ready and no one goes to tend to it, it will wilt and die.
Look at this passage from
Ezekiel 3:17-18
“Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths.
Not only does this passage confirm that the harvest will die but it also brings it to my attention that we will be held responsible for not going. Have you ever thought about the harvest that was ready and no one went? What happened to the ones that were looking and waiting for answers and directions while the messengers just stood by?
Christians our purpose is to GO. With every selfish excuse that we may bring forward, the harvest that may die should break our hearts. Take "us" out of the equation. Sharing the love of Christ shouldn't be about us. John the Baptist said it best "He must become Greater and Greater, and I must become less and less." - John 3:30
It's about those lost souls coming to know Christ and we have the privilege of being the messengers.
As for Holden Baptist Church we answered that call. This past weekend we gathered together to head out into the community as we prepare for the Holden Baptist Crusade. Our purpose was to go into the community with the simple invite, a gift and the opportunity to minister and pray for people.
What a response we had! We had a ton of smiles as we visited people in the community and invited them to the Crusade. Even caught up with some people that we haven't seen in awhile. And as the church members gathered back up to report, it reminded me of the rest of Luke chapter 10 Verses 17-20 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”
No we didn't cast out demons but the disciples joyfully reported back as we shared our time out in the community with each other. And as for Satan falling... I'm sure he was throwing a fit with us out greeting people and sharing the love of Christ.
Continue to be in prayer for the Crusade this Thursday - Sunday. There is alot of hurting people out there that need to hear about the love of Christ.
30 Days of Prayer This was the challenge I threw at the students as we come into the month of September. Twenty-eight days from now students will gather around flagpoles all around this country. They will unite, come together, CONVERGE for one purpose and that is to pray. Pray for what you ask. Their school, their classmates, their teacher, their community, the nation and its leaders. See You At The Pole (SYATP) September 28th. But why wait till then? I asked students, both Junior High and High School if they'd be willing to pray for the entire month of September leading up to SYATP. If each morning they gather in small groups at school to pray for their lost classmates and that the Gospel of Christ would be shared through their lives. The challenge was taken and several students signed up to lead prayer each morning of this month. Join them as they pray each morning. At the same time remember them as well. These students need prayer warriors as they go onto that campus each morning.
CONVERGE: To come together and unite in a common interest or focus.
Let's focus on whats necessary, the lost souls headed for death (HELL). It's real and we need to get real when it comes to talking with God. Step into a time of prayer; let it become a lifestyle not just a religious exercise. Let us speak to God telling him what's on our hearts and be ready to listen to His response.
This past Saturday Night we invited Junior High and High School students to come join us in a game night at the Junior High Gym. The idea of having this event sparked from church camp as we were challenged to challenge our students in sharing the Gospel with their friends. With basketball, an inflatable joust mat, a Minute To Win It tournament, plenty of food and drinks we were set to go. As students arrived they jumped right into the games and started having a great time. Around the students gathered together in the bleachers to listen to several of their classmates share their testimonies. We had 10 students share how their lives have been changed since they've invited Jesus Christ into their hearts. They shared their past, their struggles, and their hope that they've placed in Christ and the joy that they now have because of their relationship with Him. After the 10 were done several more in the stands stood as I asked who would be willing to share Christ with their friends at school. I pray that these students stand up to the challenge of living for Christ through sharing His Word and what He means to them.
Matthew "Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
I've had several students want some extra tips on how to write out their testimony, here's a few I found online. Hope this helps. If you want, comment back and tell me yours!
1 - Realize the Power of Your Christian Testimony
Revelation
And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.
2 - Study an Example of a Testimony from the Bible
Read Acts 26 – Paul’s testimony
3 - Spend Time in Thought Preparation
There are a few things to consider before you start writing your testimony. Think about your life before you met the Lord. What was going on in your life leading up to you accepting Christ? What problems or needs were you facing at the time? How did your life change after that?
4 - Start with a Simple 3-Point Outline
The outline focuses on before you trusted Christ, how you surrendered to him, and the difference since you've been walking with him.
Before:
Simply tell what your life was like before you surrendered to Christ. What were you searching for before coming to know Christ? What was the key problem, emotion, situation or attitude you were dealing with? What motivated you? What were your actions? How did you try to satisfy your inner needs? (Examples of inner needs are loneliness, fear of death, insecurity.)
How:
How did you accept Christ? Simply tell the events and circumstances that caused you to consider Christ as the solution to your searching. Take time to identify the steps that brought you to the point of trusting Christ. Where were you? What was happening at the time? What people or problems influenced your decision?
Since:
How has your life in Christ made a difference? How has his forgiveness impacted you? How have your thoughts, attitudes and emotions changed? Share how Christ is meeting your needs and what a relationship with him means to you now.
5 - Important Tips to Remember
•Stick to the point. You meeting Christ and your new life in Christ should be the main points.
•Be specific. Include events, genuine feelings and personal insights that clarify your main point. This makes your testimony tangible - something others can relate to.
•Be current. Tell what is happening in your life with God now, today.
•Be honest. Don't exaggerate or dramatize your life for effect. The simple truth of what God has done in your life is all the Holy Spirit needs to convict others of their sin and convince them of his love and grace.
6 - Things to Avoid
Stay away from "Christianese" phrases. These "foreign" or "churchy" words can alienate listeners and readers and keep them from identifying with your life.
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
Do you ever question whether you are really a Christian? You accept Christ and everything is going so well, but then you begin to feel like there is always a struggle to do the right thing. What happened? Why are we letting sin into our lives?
The Apostle Paul struggled too. In Romans 7 he shared his personal struggles. He explained they were the struggles of his old nature, before he became a believer, conflicting with his new nature, received through the grace of Jesus Christ.
We will have similar struggles and temptations right up until the day we enter heaven. Paul says you will continue to lose the battle between the two natures if you rely only on your willpower. You can’t just say, “I’m going to stop sinning.” It won’t work. It will only lead to frustration.
Let’s look at some of the things we’ll experience if we continue to try to win this battle on our own.
Battle Signs
You will experience confusion. (Romans 7:15) Notice that Paul said “I”. He didn’t lay the blame on another person or an enemy. He recognized the confusion came from within himself.
You will experience guilt and shame. (Romans 7:16). So if your conscience is bothering you, it means you did something with the full knowledge it was wrong. The outcome of a bothered conscience is guilt and shame. God doesn’t want you to carry that around.
The outcome is compulsions and addictions. If you don’t learn how to fight the battle inside you, it will lead to compulsions and addictions. (Romans 7:17). We have a natural human nature with a built-in resistance to doing the right thing. We want to do what is easy and fun, but we don’t naturally want to do what is right and good. Sin is fun, and it can easily become habitual.
You will experience self-condemnation. Self-condemnation is when you start to feel bad and judge yourself, because you continually give in to your temper or laziness or whatever you struggle with and don’t want to. (Romans 7:18).
You will experience frustration.(Romans 7:18-20). The Bible calls this the law of sin. The law of sin is like the law of gravity – it always pulls you down. And the law of sin will continue no matter how hard you try to break your bad habits simply by willpower.
You will experience discouragement and despair.(Romans 7:23). Paul recognized that every day there was a battle going on inside his mind. Continually losing that battle because you’re fighting it with your own power will eventually lead to discouragement and despair.
(Romans 7:24). “miserable” Are you miserable like Paul was?
Are any of these sounding familiar in your life? Hold on because Jesus brings us hope!
Winning the Battle(Romans -25)
Deepen your understanding of Christ. You’ve accepted Christ; you’re a Christian; Jesus lives in you. But he doesn’t just want to be in you; he wants to be in charge of you.
You can give yourself either to your bad habits or to your Savior.
The battle between your old and new nature is important, and you must learn how to fight if you want to live in freedom. So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. (Galatians 5:1).
A devotion by Rick Warren
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Well school has started and I'm sure parents are excited! As for the students some are excited and some are…well, they're just there. I had the chance to go visit the students and teachers Friday during lunch/recess. A lot of new faces in Jr High and a lot of familiar faces in High School, yet so many I don't know. So as the school year kicks off we'll start kicking off our Youth Nights and Events again. I wanted to post a few things that were coming up in the next month.
Wednesday Night Worship @ 7pm in the Sanctuary Students 6th to 12th grade
Girl Talk at 6:30pm before Wednesday night Worship Girls from 6th grade to 12th grade meet for a devotion and refreshments
The Forge (DNOW) August 19 & 20 - (Sign Up Now!)
Game Night - August 27th - Holden Jr High Gym (...more detail coming soon)
