Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
A Soul Winner's Prayer
I been thinking and maybe some of you theologians can give some substance to my penny thoughts.....
Simon the Sorcerer was emotional irrational and the man of God perceived two things...
First he was in the gall of bitterness....
Second he was in the bond of iniquity......
Over the years I have come to notice that people who respond with emotional irrationality to the unexpected more times than not deal with issues of bitterness.....
Bitterness seems to wrap unresolved issues from yesterday to yesteryear.....
And the root of most of those bitterness seems to always be a root of sin......
Simon was living with the misery of bitterness....
Because he had never dug out the root of sin.........
That root can lie dormant for years but let the unexpected storm pass and it buds out with the galling response of a bitter reply......
Angry irrational behaviour indicates an abiding bitterness rooted in an old sin......
My prayer today is that I never allow sin to continue in my members and that I never display the irrationality of angry bitterness....
No wonder David prayed......
Ps 51:1-131 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
This prayer is what I view as a true soul winner's prayer....
Create in me, restore in me, renew in me, cast me not, take not from me....
After living this prayer I might one day be a soul winner.....
I stood in the streets of my city last night inviting souls to the house of God for Pentecost Sunday when oppostion came, lies were told, and the police showed up.....
The joy I felt with the opposition was incredible....
The people of the neighborhood rose up and defended the people of God....
Amid that I was able to pray for a new convert family in the middle of the park.....
And never a word was issued in self defense.....
I am so thankful that resentment, anger, bitterness or irrational response was not found in my spirit last evening....
But then that root of sin was long gone....
Sudden revelation comes to me.....
It is impossible for me to win others....
If I have not won the battle for my own human spirit....
Lord...
Create, renew, restore in me your Spirit....
Blessings...
rks
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
My Heart Is Fixed!
This pic of a perfect angiogram is how I feel this morning.....
My heart if full....
My heart is fixed.....
I am filled with faith for what HE is doing....
I am filled with faith for those that we are helping.....
I am stirred for those who are troubled.....
I am absolute confident God is in control of everything....
Therefore....
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Ps 57:7.....
I can assure that most moments in life are not perfect...
Yet he is a perfect God and there is much to be thankful for.....
Reading this today be assured that God cares....
And that I am praying for you today....
Blessings....
rks
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Living in the Blessings!!!
Folks I am living in the blessings....
Today Tracie bought a whole gallon of milk that I thought would be wasted....
Then around 10pm Trent and Calah showed up with a brand new box of Cocoa Pebbles....
There was only two bowls of cereal in the box.....
Slurping on the milk from the bowls reminded us of old times....
Then Tracie pulled cut n bake cookies out of the oven....
I am living in the blessings....
And you my blogging buddies are just gonna have to deal with the jealousies....
Monday, May 25, 2009
The Fuzzy-Wuzzy World of Charismatic Morality
I saw this article written by Lee Grady of Charisma Magazine and knew immediately that I wanted to share it here
"Christian leaders who flippantly divorce without adequate explanation are confusing young believers and mocking biblical standards.
In an era when evangelical ministers are endorsing pro-abortion candidates and an Episcopal bishop is marrying his gay lover, I guess it is no surprise that our own charismatic church leaders are sending out confusing signals about morality these days. It seems that in 2008, up is down, right is wrong and biblical absolutes are up for grabs.
This is especially true when it comes to marriage, an institution that once was considered sacred by all Christians. Nowadays, many preachers and even famous evangelical authors have created a new trend: Throwaway wedding vows. Christian divorce today is cheap, easy and not that much more expensive than a facelift. And some of our superstar preachers have figured out a way to use Bible verses to support their moral failures.
Take Paula White, for example. The high-powered preacher announced last August that her marriage to Randy White was over, with no clear explanation why, and she continued on her whirlwind ministry circuit without skipping a beat. The Whites said adultery was not the reason for their breakup, although Randy said the whole mess was his fault. We were all left scratching our heads.
“Those of us who still believe the Bible is the rule book for marriage, sexuality, moral character and church discipline must confront this craziness.”
Paula teaches people all over the nation how to live “a life by design,” which is also the official name of her trademark success seminars. But I am left questioning what kind of design she’s promoting—especially when she joined the staff of San Antonio pastor Rick Hawkins, who divorced his wife last year. By partnering with him in ministry, Paula is legitimizing his questionable choices.
When a local news reporter in Tampa, Fla., asked Paula about how she reconciles her faith with her decision to divorce, she quoted a verse from Ecclesiastes and implied that, just as there is “a time for everything under heaven,” her divorce was just an unfortunate moment in her spiritual journey. She also glibly suggested that one day she and Randy might get back together since they are good friends.
Huh? What kind of talk is this, and what garbled message does it send to immature believers who don’t know yet how to discern God’s will for themselves? Many of them will take Paula’s confusing words as license to do whatever they feel like doing. If there is a time for divorce, then there might as well be a time for binge drinking, a time for a porn movie or a time to steal from an employer. Morality gets morphed into an ooey-gooey concept that you shape for yourself.
I wish that Paula had said this: “Divorce is not God’s will. It destroys families. If anyone out there is thinking about divorce, please don’t choose that path until you have tried every avenue for restoration.” But she didn’t sound a clear trumpet. She gave us mishmash.
Then we have Bishop Thomas Weeks III, the estranged husband of celebrity preacher Juanita Bynum. Their marriage crashed and burned last August when she accused him of beating her in an Atlanta hotel parking lot. Weeks and Bynum have continued preaching since they announced plans to divorce, and Weeks told Gospel Today magazine last month that he’s looking forward to finding wife No. 3 while he continues to oversee several churches. When asked what he needed to change, the bow-tied preacher replied: “I have to take vacations.”
What is missing in both the Weeks-Bynum fiasco and the White’s breakup is a clear admission that biblical principles have been violated. For the Whites, we are left feeling that if you drift apart from your spouse because of the demands of ministry, you just move on and keep preaching. (After all, as Paula says, “Your best days are ahead.”) For Bynum and Weeks, the message is also muddled: If your marriage doesn’t work out, it’s probably because your partner didn’t realize how powerful God’s calling is on your life. (In other words, it’s all about you.)
This sad scenario seems almost normal today because our standards have been totally compromised. In many independent charismatic churches we refuse to draw boundaries. We don’t enforce biblical standards of leadership. We don’t tell those who have failed morally to get out of the ministry long enough to find true healing.
Leaders must be godly examples. God does not require them to have perfect marriages, but He does raise the bar for all those called into the ministry by requiring marital faithfulness. We don’t have the right to lower that bar just because we live in a permissive culture.
We must make biblical standards clear: (1) Marriage is indeed sacred, and divorce should never be viewed as a flippant choice; (2) Ministers of the gospel should have exemplary marriages; and (3) Leaders who fail at marriage can be instantly forgiven, but they have no business leading a church until they have walked though a healing process that includes full repentance and a heavy dose of accountability.
It is time for some backbone. Those of us who still believe the Bible is the rule book for marriage, sexuality, moral character and church discipline must confront this craziness. We must lovingly but firmly redraw the lines before they are blurred beyond distinction."
"Christian leaders who flippantly divorce without adequate explanation are confusing young believers and mocking biblical standards.
In an era when evangelical ministers are endorsing pro-abortion candidates and an Episcopal bishop is marrying his gay lover, I guess it is no surprise that our own charismatic church leaders are sending out confusing signals about morality these days. It seems that in 2008, up is down, right is wrong and biblical absolutes are up for grabs.
This is especially true when it comes to marriage, an institution that once was considered sacred by all Christians. Nowadays, many preachers and even famous evangelical authors have created a new trend: Throwaway wedding vows. Christian divorce today is cheap, easy and not that much more expensive than a facelift. And some of our superstar preachers have figured out a way to use Bible verses to support their moral failures.
Take Paula White, for example. The high-powered preacher announced last August that her marriage to Randy White was over, with no clear explanation why, and she continued on her whirlwind ministry circuit without skipping a beat. The Whites said adultery was not the reason for their breakup, although Randy said the whole mess was his fault. We were all left scratching our heads.
“Those of us who still believe the Bible is the rule book for marriage, sexuality, moral character and church discipline must confront this craziness.”
Paula teaches people all over the nation how to live “a life by design,” which is also the official name of her trademark success seminars. But I am left questioning what kind of design she’s promoting—especially when she joined the staff of San Antonio pastor Rick Hawkins, who divorced his wife last year. By partnering with him in ministry, Paula is legitimizing his questionable choices.
When a local news reporter in Tampa, Fla., asked Paula about how she reconciles her faith with her decision to divorce, she quoted a verse from Ecclesiastes and implied that, just as there is “a time for everything under heaven,” her divorce was just an unfortunate moment in her spiritual journey. She also glibly suggested that one day she and Randy might get back together since they are good friends.
Huh? What kind of talk is this, and what garbled message does it send to immature believers who don’t know yet how to discern God’s will for themselves? Many of them will take Paula’s confusing words as license to do whatever they feel like doing. If there is a time for divorce, then there might as well be a time for binge drinking, a time for a porn movie or a time to steal from an employer. Morality gets morphed into an ooey-gooey concept that you shape for yourself.
I wish that Paula had said this: “Divorce is not God’s will. It destroys families. If anyone out there is thinking about divorce, please don’t choose that path until you have tried every avenue for restoration.” But she didn’t sound a clear trumpet. She gave us mishmash.
Then we have Bishop Thomas Weeks III, the estranged husband of celebrity preacher Juanita Bynum. Their marriage crashed and burned last August when she accused him of beating her in an Atlanta hotel parking lot. Weeks and Bynum have continued preaching since they announced plans to divorce, and Weeks told Gospel Today magazine last month that he’s looking forward to finding wife No. 3 while he continues to oversee several churches. When asked what he needed to change, the bow-tied preacher replied: “I have to take vacations.”
What is missing in both the Weeks-Bynum fiasco and the White’s breakup is a clear admission that biblical principles have been violated. For the Whites, we are left feeling that if you drift apart from your spouse because of the demands of ministry, you just move on and keep preaching. (After all, as Paula says, “Your best days are ahead.”) For Bynum and Weeks, the message is also muddled: If your marriage doesn’t work out, it’s probably because your partner didn’t realize how powerful God’s calling is on your life. (In other words, it’s all about you.)
This sad scenario seems almost normal today because our standards have been totally compromised. In many independent charismatic churches we refuse to draw boundaries. We don’t enforce biblical standards of leadership. We don’t tell those who have failed morally to get out of the ministry long enough to find true healing.
Leaders must be godly examples. God does not require them to have perfect marriages, but He does raise the bar for all those called into the ministry by requiring marital faithfulness. We don’t have the right to lower that bar just because we live in a permissive culture.
We must make biblical standards clear: (1) Marriage is indeed sacred, and divorce should never be viewed as a flippant choice; (2) Ministers of the gospel should have exemplary marriages; and (3) Leaders who fail at marriage can be instantly forgiven, but they have no business leading a church until they have walked though a healing process that includes full repentance and a heavy dose of accountability.
It is time for some backbone. Those of us who still believe the Bible is the rule book for marriage, sexuality, moral character and church discipline must confront this craziness. We must lovingly but firmly redraw the lines before they are blurred beyond distinction."
Sunday, May 24, 2009
13 Recieve the Holy Ghost
Revival comes in so many packages.....
The last few weeks we have baptized around 170 new souls....
We have seen many of these receive the Holy Ghost including 13 brand new souls today.......
As I approached the sanctuary door today Kasey approached me and asked if she could have her baby dedicated?
"Sure" I replied, "Just tell us when you can have your family here and we will be glad to do it."
Kasey and Jason have only been coming to church for a few weeks.....
"I want you to dedicate Matthew this morning!"
"You sure?"
"Yessir"
And we did just that....
But that was only the beginning.....
For Kasey and Jason not only gave their baby to Jesus this morning but they also gave their hearts to Him.....
And both recieved the gift of the Holy Ghost today!!!
The last few weeks we have baptized around 170 new souls....
We have seen many of these receive the Holy Ghost including 13 brand new souls today.......
As I approached the sanctuary door today Kasey approached me and asked if she could have her baby dedicated?
"Sure" I replied, "Just tell us when you can have your family here and we will be glad to do it."
Kasey and Jason have only been coming to church for a few weeks.....
"I want you to dedicate Matthew this morning!"
"You sure?"
"Yessir"
And we did just that....
But that was only the beginning.....
For Kasey and Jason not only gave their baby to Jesus this morning but they also gave their hearts to Him.....
And both recieved the gift of the Holy Ghost today!!!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Miracles Come In Many Packages
I saw a fantastic one yesterday for a family that had been praying for several years.....
Finally around the altar it happened!!!
How will yours be packaged today?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Executive Decision
In my quiet time this morning I made an executive decision.....
This is a week of miracles for CUPC and anyone who dares to agree.........
Blessings....
rks
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
I take this moment to give tribute to my mother.....
Mom continues to be a selfless hard working mom who continues to stand beside our Dad and raised 5 kids to work hard and love truth....
I love you Mom......
Also today I offer love to my momma n law.....
I hope you have a good Mother's Day.....
To all the mothers of CUPC, I pray that you have a sunshiny day and continue to walk in the blessings of the Lord.....
To the mother of my children....
Tracie....
I love you more than words can say.....
You have been the best mom to Trent and Doni......
On this your 23rd Mother's Day I want you to know that you are more beautiful now than then.....
I hope this Mother's Day is the best.....
I love you forever.....
Friday, May 8, 2009
Revival is Hard Work
I have been in church work all of my life....
Mowing, garbage, sewage, painting, moving walls, praying, preaching........
The list could go forever...
But revival is hard work...
Example....
As of this afternoon we have baptized 120 the last few weeks....
And when I got home I lugged a big container of towels in to be washed and taken back to the church before Sunday....
This is the second time this week!!!
Work.....
Revival is hard work...
Revival is exiting....
Revival is fulfilling....
But never forget....
Revival is hard work......
Another example....
Wednesday night we had several seekers in the altar....
Due to classes being held around the campus I had no altar workers to help me....
I was running from one seeker to the next to the next....
Where are my helpers I asked myself.....
They were all in the harvest taking care of new babies.....
Adam wanted to be baptized so I sent them back to get him ready....
And after awhile realized they were waiting on me to baptize since the other ministers were all elsewhere...
I baptized in Jesus name....
Adam spoke with tongues in the water and was filled with the Holy Ghost....
I was worn out by the time we got home....
With more towels.....
But fulfilled because prayers and dreams are coming to pass.....
Revival is hard work......
There seems to be plenty of harvest....
Lord please send more laborers.....
While we labor we know that it is HE that gives the increase.....
Blessings...
rks
UPDATE: Just got off the phone with a police officer that pulled over a van full of questionable characters. They told him they were on the way to Bro Smith's church to get baptized. The officer wanted to make sure they were legitimate. I told him to let them go. He asked if I knew the history of all the guys in the van. Nope, but we are trying to rewrite the story. He let them go and they got baptized tonight.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
This Pastor Takes Up His Shield
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always...... Eph 6:13-18
In the midst of revival the enemy wants to send fiery darts to every believer...
My spirit is stirred today to make sure the good church family of CUPC is equipped to withstand those darts....
I am convinced that the devil has learned to not try to deliver big bombs to the Body of Christ...
Rather he likes those pesky little fiery darts....
Those constant little stings and tormenting thoughts....
Those little darts of discouragement....
The little fiery dart of a discouraged saint....
The fiery dart of an forgotten thank you.....
The fiery dart offense....
The fiery dart of fatigue....
The fiery dart of finance.....
The fiery dart of stress....
The fiery dart of sickness....
The fiery dart of second guessing...
The fiery dart of disunity...
The fiery dart of the cares of life....
The fiery dart of distrust....
The fiery dart of loneliness....
The fiery dart of a discontented spirit.....
These little fiery darts and quadjillions of others are the devil's specialty....
But there is a solution and protection from these things....
The whole armour of God!!!
Our loins must be girt with truth....
The reproductive part and vital organs of our bodies must be protected with truth....
Our hearts must be covered with the breastplate of righteousness.....
We must everyone have our gospel shoes on.....
Our minds and thoughts must be covered with the helmet of salvation....
We must not allow the sword of the Spirit to ever be at rest....
And the fiery darts of the devil are to be warded off by the shield of faith...
We do all of this by prayer....
I declare the revival spirit that has taken CUPC will not be deterred by the devil's fiery darts...
Rather...
I take up the shield and wield faith....
This pastor has his faith out today and I am taking the front line to bounce off the darts....
I refuse the pesky little darts...
Because I realize they are not pesky if our faith is let down and the dart gets past the armour....
Therefore....
I stand fast with faith....
We will put on the whole armour of God....
We will see a continued revival....
Monday, May 4, 2009
What a blessing Wendell & Linda Elms were to CUPC this weekend....
Though Tracie and I have known them for years it was good to get to know them!!!
Fellowship and good preaching and singing and a wonderful move of the Holy Ghost were all part of this wonderful weekend...
I appreciate them so much taking time from duties to come to Conroe...
Sunday, May 3, 2009
100 Soul Revival
Today we paused our service and celebrated a 100 soul revival and cast vision for the next 100....
Then we added a few more....
God is good...
rks
Then we added a few more....
God is good...
rks
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