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First Assembly of God Newsletter July 2009 |
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The curse of mediocrity has touched every area of our lives and has even invaded the church of Jesus Christ. The 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 men and women with strong wills and clear vision, who dare to be different, who will remind the church of its sense of purpose. Such people are on course to the maximum. 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 the vines’ (Solomon 2:15). Most people who lose the blessing of God do so gradually. Consciously or unconsciously, they permit 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 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. People succumb to life’s pressures when they are half-hearted or only partially committed to the Lord. With total commitment there is power and victory over trials and temptations. Placing your future in the hands of God is complete commitment. Do you want to reach the maximum? To reach the maximum for God, you must shake off the curse of mediocrity. Break through the barriers of indifference and climb over every hindering obstacle. Refuse to bow to materialism, greed and pride. Commit your time, talent and treasure to God and strive for the maximum. You can then say with the apostle Paul, ‘I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 3:14). — Pastor Jeff |
BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATOR NOTES
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Do you have a favorite way to get your day off to a good start? For some it is a cup of coffee and the morning paper. For others it might be a glass of juice and a hardy breakfast. Some prefer a quiet time of personal devotions and prayer. One of the things I like to do early in the morning, weather permitting, is go on an invigorating bicycle ride. In addition to good exercise, this time allows me to enjoy God’s wonderful creation, spend time with Him, and reflect on the day that lies ahead. If you have access to the internet, our denominational magazine, The Pentecostal Evangel, offers another good way to start your day. Monday through Friday they will email you a “Daily Boost” free of charge – all you have to do is sign up for it. The one I read this morning contained a summary of an article from the June 14, 2009 Evangel reminding us that there are no microwaves for career, life, or most anything that is worth pursuing. In most cases, relationships, financial health, love, and God-given visions take time, persistence, attention and prayer. Today’s Daily Boost also contained a humorous story about attaining our eternal destiny. The writer of this story reminds us that in pursuing this quest we need to know who is leading us and where we are being led. “and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14, KJV). To receive the Daily Boost just log onto tpe.ag.org and follow the instructions for subscribing. You can also read the Evangel on-line at that same address. If you prefer a printed copy of the Pentecostal Evangel they are provided free of charge every Sunday at our welcome desk. There are also a number of back issues in the rack in the foyer. All of these contain many uplifting and interesting articles which I would encourage you to take advantage of. — Steve Parsons |
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Greetings everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful weather and flowers. I wanted to write to you about something we are starting this fall in an effort to reach out to local college students. It is called Adopt-A-Student. We are asking families in the congregation to consider “adopting” a student for the time they are here with us. This would entail inviting them into your home every now and then for a homemade meal or a cup of coffee. Basically, just loving them and taking time to invest into their life. Our congregation is full of people who have godly wisdom and stories that the next generation needs. I would ask you to prayerfully consider joining this program as you celebrate the rest of the summer. I also wanted to share something that has been on my heart recently. Genesis 15:1 says, “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.’” Abraham and God had an interesting relationship. In Genesis 18 we see Abraham and God speaking and God telling Abraham what He was about to do in Sodom. Abraham and God are sharing with each other the way that friends do. Jesus told us He no longer calls us servants, but friends. I believe God longs to share His heart, His desires, His plan with us. He longs for a people who will want to know Him for who He is. Abraham had been promised an heir that would carry on his name (Issac). Though Issac had not been born yet when the Lord visited Abraham in chapter 18, Abraham’s initial response to the Lord was not asking about the blessing, but rather, “Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest….so you can be refreshed and then go on your way-now that you have come to your servant.” (Genesis 18:4-5). The first thing on Abraham’s mind was hearing and refreshing the heart of God. So many people are after the things God provides. Provision is wonderful. Blessing is wonderful. David understood when he said , “Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalms 51:11) that the presence of God is the greatest gift we have on earth. Knowing Him, being with Him is the treasure. Everything else will follow when we determine in our hearts that He is our exceedingly great reward. — Pastor Stephanie Grant |
