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First Assembly of God Newsletter November 2008 |
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The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13-14: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." In this passage, Paul is reminding us of the importance of remaining active in God's work. He is quick to point out that no matter "what" or "how much" has been accomplished in the past, praise God for it, and then get busy addressing the task at hand. Unfortunately, we in live in a generation that is cursed with "mediocrity." Mediocre means "of only middle quality," having only a moderate degree of excellence; ordinary." It is like Michelangelo whitewashing fences, instead of painting the ceiling in the Sistene Chapel. This spirit manifests itself in unconcern and shirking of duty. The philosophy is: do, work, study as little as you can, and don't do anything for anyone unless it profits you. The curse of mediocrity has touched every area of our lives and has even invaded the church of Jesus Christ. Late Prime Minister Disraeli said, "It is a wretched thing to be gratified with mediocrity when the excellent lies before us." A critical hour in history has come and the church, to a large extent, is unprepared. It lacks vision, compassion and the spirit of sacrifice for witnessing and Christian living. Jesus needs individuals with strong wills and clear vision, who dare to be different, who remind the church of its sense and purpose. Such people are on course to the maximum. Three factors can set us on this course. First, we must make a conscientious evaluation. We must distinguish between the important and the trivial. We have just so much time, talent and energy. The question is, "how will we use it?" Will it be for the advancement of our kingdom or God's? Second, we must make correct choices. Life consists of daily choices, some crucial, others insignificant. The most important is the choice of our God. Joshua challenged his generation, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve" (Joshua 24:15). You must choose to be saved and walk with God. Correct choices are seldom easy. It's the little things, not big sins, that rob people of spiritual power and blessing. Solomon warned, "Little foxes spoil vines" (Song of Solomon 2:15). Most people who lose the blessing of God do so gradually. Consciously or unconsciously, they permit the little things to come between them and God. Eventually, like Samson, they realize the Spirit of the Lord has departed, but alas, too late! Never underestimate the little things in your daily life. Last, make a complete commitment to God. Complete commitment means the act or process of entrusting or pledging the whole sum to a person or a cause. If you want to reach the maximum, commit to God your soul, mind and heart; your past, present and future; your time, talent and treasure. Such commitment prepares you to meet the challenges and trials of life. — Pastor Jeff |
BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATOR NOTES
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Unsung heroes!! Who are they and where are they? Well, when you stop and think about it we are surrounded by unsung heroes. They are the countless men and women who faithfully perform jobs and volunteer duties that make life better for all of us. Think about the police officers, firefighters, and miltary personnel who are dedicated to providing for our safety, security, and freedom. Add to this list school teachers who educate our children, medical personnel who care for our health, farmers who produce our food, truck drivers who deliver the products we all need, and the list goes on and on. I believe that every person who is making a positive contribution to society is in some way an unsung hero to somebody. Our church is also full of unsung heroes who make it possible for us to minister in many ways that would not be possible without their sacrifice and service. Romans 12:5 & 6 says that we are all individual members of one body in Christ having different gifts according to the grace He has given us. First Assembly's list of unsung heroes includes ushers, greeters, musicians, singers, sound and video technicians, teachers and helpers, nursery workers, volunteer office staff, ministry leaders, Administrative Board members, and probably many more that I have overlooked. We are very blessed by, and extremely grateful for, those who give of their time and talents to further God's Kingdom. Thank you for being our unsung heroes. There are two other unsung heroes I want to draw your attention to because they labor in almost total obscurity. You never see these two on stage, behind a microphone, or in front of a class, but their work is critical to our church. In fact you probably never see them working at all unless you happen to be here on Saturday afternoon, or late at night. I am talking about our custodial staff of Angie Lambert and Lil Stone. For many years they have been responsible for keeping the restrooms fresh and clean, carpets vacuumed, floors mopped, glass doors free from smudges, and much more, including keeping my office clean. A good first impression is critical to the success of any church. Angie and Lil play a major role in ensuring that our church always makes a good first impression. They have my heartfelt gratitude for their tireless efforts and years of dedicated service. I encourage all of you to take a moment to thank them for being two of our many unsung heroes. And while you are at it take time to thank others you see laboring for the Lord. A few words of encouragement can do wonders for those who faithfully serve. On another note, you should receive this newsletter shortly before the November 4th election day. This is a critical time in our nation's history. We urge you to prayerfully consider the character and positions of the various candidates and vote for those who are most closely aligned with Godly principles. Casting an informed and prayer covered vote is an opportunity for everyone to be and unsung hero. — Steve Parsons |
