Simple Living

What Drives You?
Posted by Billy on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 1:17pm
Something causes you to get out of bed each morning. Maybe a spouse that shakes you from a deep slumber or an annoying alarm clock shouting for you to rise. You greet the day with excitement or dread as you ponder the possible activities. If your days are like mine, you aren't sure what you will encounter or where your day will take you. I have started many days with little on my agenda and the thought of spending the day at the office only to end the day at midnight ministering to a family in the hospital. Some nights lasting to early the next morning just being with those who are hurting and needing comfort. These are very special times that treasure as a Christian and as a minister. I know that the Word of God and the presence of a Believer can make all the difference iin the world to a hurting person. What drives you? The Bible says we are to, "Fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18) We must have a drive from above that gives us purpose. A purpose beyond the temporary, a purpose that will carry us through this life and into eternity. A purpose that ensures me that what I do matters and will out last my existence. I want to encourage you to be driven to connect with God personally. Move beyond knowing about God and visiting His church to becoming an actual part of His family! I want to encourage you to be driven to a commitment to God's church, His family here on this earth. Nowhere else has God promised His presence more than in the collective body of believes worshipping Him! I want to encourage you to be driven to cultivate spiritual habits necessary for spiritual growth and a Christ-like lifestyle. I want to encourage you to be driven to care for God's people and those who need to know Him. I want to encourage you to be driven to celebrate God's work! Be purpose driven to see God's work accomplished here on earth in your lifetime! Now that is worth getting up for each and every day! Christianity
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Something Is Missing
Posted by Billy on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 2:39pm
Have you ever stepped out the door; got in your car, headed down the road and thought, "Something is missing"? The feeling that you forgot to turn off an appliance or to pick up a list you needed, or maybe that you forgot something that was vital to your adventure. It is that feeling of a "hole" in your world where something is out of place or missing all together. Something is missing in the church. Someone is absent. A vital part is A.W.O.L. and a void looms over the church. I am not talking about God or the Holy Spirit, not even music or a message from the Word of God. I am talking about MEN! God honoring, spirit-filled, committed men who love the Lord more than anything else. I am talking about men of integrity, men of leadership, men of influence, men of service, men of the cross, men of devotion and allegiance to the Savior. I am not talking about the casual attender, the one who "tips" God with his presence or money, one of little or no emotion or compassion to serve the needy. I am not speaking of men who send their families to church. I am not speaking of men who think church is a "good idea" for those that may need it. Where are the God-fearing men who would stand at Hell's gate to protect their family? Where are the men who would train their children in the ways of God and lead their family to honor Christ? Where are the men who put God first before anything or anyone else? Where are the men who would have their family involved in church come hell or high water? Where are the men? The church does not need passive men standing in the wings, along the walls, or sitting on the back row. We need front row men, front line men who will be leaders. Men who are not afraid of discipleship training, Bible study, devotions, scripture memory, witnessing, serving, praying, sharing and mentoring. We need men like are found in the Old Testament that would follow the voice of God to the ends of the earth just because God said so. We need warriors that are not afraid of what others may think, say, do or infer concerning their spiritual walk with God. A REAL MAN is a GODLY MAN. A MAN of GOD who is neither ashamed nor embarrassed to be called such. A man who is proud of his Savior and serves his King. A man who bows before God as King of Kings. A man who knows that Jesus is Lord of Lords. A man who seeks the Spirit of Christ in his life as his most valued treasure, possession, and asset. Where are these kind of men in the church today? We are waiting...... Christianity
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The Indescribable Gift
Posted by Billy on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 8:12am
Shopping, wrapping, fighting crowds are the images that come to many people's mind during Christmas. For the children it seems to be all about the gifts! "What will I get this year?" Most probably can't remember what they got last year! The latest and greatest gadget or fad must appear under the tree for this Christmas to be successful. Parents will spend money they do not have just to please the materialistic desires of their children as to not disappoint them. It seems to be a buying of gratitude purchasing affection. Some parents will go to ridiculous lengths to make sure their child has it all so their friends will like them. Who wants their child behind others in the social game? I wish we could just stop! Stop the customs that have nothing to do with Christ or his birth. Many say that we need to "remember the reason for the season" and all the while are taking part in the materialistic overdrive of Christmas. I believe the biggest gift we give should be to Christ. There might even be a few that will take their tithe and spend it on Christmas gifts instead of honoring the Lord. Before you think that I am a "bah-hum-bug" guy, I believe that Christmas is a time of giving, loving, sharing, and celebrating. It is the "what" and "who" that gives me great concern. It might be surprising to some to learn that we should not put our children or even our spouse before Christ. Christmas is ALL about Christ and His indescribable gift to us: HIMSELF! 2 Corinthians 9:15 reminds us, "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (NIV). The Apostle Paul gets so excited when speaking about God's gift to us (Christ Jesus) that he says there are not enough words to describe the gift of Jesus to mankind. Words cannot contain the scope of Jesus! He is indescribable. Nothing can be compared to Him. Our feeble attempts to celebrate Christmas must be centered upon Christ. The most important gift is that of Jesus giving Himself for us to eradicate our sin and renew our relationship with God. Every other gift fails in comparison to this gift! So, what are you giving this year? Who are you trying to please? Who are you celebrating? Christmas
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Christmas Already?
Posted by Billy on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 3:27pm
We count the days until Christmas. It seems that Christmas comes quicker each year. I am amazed at the decorations that appear before Thanksgiving! Stores plan their big sales to capture our dollar before we even finish the turkey and dressing. People begin making shopping lists and plan their "Black Friday" route to get the best deals while navigating the crowds. Then "Cyber Monday" follows just in case we didn't get our shopping done over the weekend. I think I am getting old. I am usually an optimist concerning most things but I have to say that I am becoming less so concerning our celebrations and hope for our nation. America is becoming less and less of a "Christian nation" which means our foundation is weak. We used to be like granite but we have become more like limestone. Our foundation was established on Christian principles, morals, and ethics. I doubt our founding fathers would even recognize America today. I lay the condition of our nation at the feet of Christians and churches. Why did we ever allow Christ to be removed from our schools, Bibles abandoned, prayer become an offense, and sin an alternate lifestyle? I think we had better wake up and get busy doing what God has called us, saved us to do! When we celebrate Christmas we are supposed to focus on the Savior and the hope He has brought to us through His sacrifice. I don't really expect non-believers to worship the Savior or even truly understand the true meaning of Christmas. However, when Christians cease to understand and worship the true Savior of the world, we are in big trouble. America was once a nation where Christians were a majority but now we are in the minority. We have lost ground and our country proves this every day. When is enough going to be enough? I belive that if just the Christians in the United States would honor God we would see a revival sweep this land and eventually the world. If Christians would give as much (or more) to the cause of Christ as we do Christmas things would start to change. We say that we "remember the reason for the season" but do we really? Does what we actually do match what we say? I know there will be parties and programs but I wonder if we will be any different after the decorations come down. I want to see God do great things and use His people to bring this country back to the cross! I am praying that the moral fiber of our nation change because Christians have taken a stand against what the Bible calls sin and celebrates what the Bible deems truth. Only true Christians can take such a stand. I am gaining hope for our nation as we remember the birth of Christ. Maybe this year will begin a move of God that will last till He comes again! The Great Commission can be completed in this generation. Thanks for reading and I pray that God will be more real to you this Christmas than ever before! Pastor BR 146,223 and counting! Christmas
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We Have An APP for That: Who Do You Follow?
Posted by Billy on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 8:29am
There are several social networking apps. You can connect to just about any famous person and follow their tweets. You can follow friends and family as they "tweet" about daily happenings and often meaningless trivia. The fun part is that you can "follow" them and learn what is important to them and how they think. The book of Proverbs has an application for every part of your life. I suggest that we follow what God has already written. Proverbs 21:30 says, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." It really does matter whom you follow! God's Word promises and delivers many benefits if we will follow His teachings. We are blessed to have His Word breathed on paper for us to read and apply. The wise person will place Jesus on the throne room of heir heart and follow Him! I encourage you to live wisely: W - Weigh everything against the Word of God I - Insist on absolute truth S - Spend time with God and His people E - Examine the results of those you follow The Word of God is absolute truth and works all over the world. The Gospel is for ALL mankind. A true test of what you believe is, "Does it work everywhere in the world?" God's Word is the same for the whole world and carries the same principles and practices for every Christian no matter where they may live or what their social or economic condition may be. His Word is TRUTH! I pray you will walk a WISE walk and follow Jesus more than anyone or anything else. Blessings, Pastor BR 141,628 and counting!!
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