The "Stake" of God's Word (1)

But the wider our work the stronger it must be at the centre. And therefore as the cords are lengthened the stakes must also be strengthened. What are these stakes? 

1. Surely God's Word is the first. The more widespread the work God gives us to do the more important is it that we be true to the great standard of truth, the Bible and the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the day of new theologies and loose views of evangelical truth. More sacredly than ever does the Master require us to stand faithful to the cross of Jesus Christ, the doctrine of man's sin and ruin, the great atonement, the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, the person and work of the Holy Ghost and the certainties of future retribution and reward. Thank God we do not have to resort to the novelties of rationalism to attract the multitudes. Give them the Living Bread, the atoning blood, the old and ever new story of Jesus and His love. 

A.B. Simpson, A Larger Christian Life

Walking On By

Recently two elders within YWAM came up to our church plant in Smithers, BC for a special service.  One of the men, Paul, shared the story of Jesus walking on the water and Peter stepping out to meet Him.  You can read that story in Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-52.

Paul briefly mentioned the later part of Mark 6:48.  It was a little aside and not something he focused on but it started rolling around in my mind and I have been blessed by meditating a bit more on that Scripture.  

The verse says, "Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by."

Why would Jesus pass them by?  

While thinking on that I, also realized how often I feel that way in my own life.  I feel as if Jesus is passing me by and doesn't see the storm I am in.  Work, family, life, pastor, friends, interests, it all seems to swirl around me in a bit of a "perfect storm."  

I feel as if I am rowing against the wind.   

Yet in that storm, Jesus walked close enough for the disciples to see Him.  They cried out for they couldn't see Him clearly.  As they did, He drew closer and revealed Himself more fully.  He got into the boat with them, calmed the storm and they worshiped Him!

It is a comfort to me to know that, though it may feel like Christ is passing me by in the midst of the storm, in reality He is closer than I think!

All I have to do is cry out to Him.

- Rick  Apperson

 www.apperson.blogspot.com

Noah's Ark

Noah's Ark : Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark . 

ONE: Don't miss the boat. 
TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat! 
THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark. 
FOUR: Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big. 
FIVE: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. 
SIX: The Ark never had a rudder; so God did the steering.
SEVEN: For safety's sake, travel in pairs. 
EIGHT: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs. 
NINE: When you're stressed, float awhile. 
TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. 
ELEVEN: No matter the storm, there's always a rainbow waiting. 
TWELVE: Even when we're 'all at sea', God has a perfect plan for us.

Shattered Dreams

""If I were a pastor, I would want to preach in the spirit of the New
Covenant, inviting everyone in the congregation to see the heart of
God revealed in the cross of Christ. I would encourage them to
interpret all of life''s hardships not as problems to fix or struggles
to relieve or pain to deaden, but as important elements in a larger
story that all God''s children long to tell. I would urge them to
accept wherever they are on the journey, whether happy or miserable,
as the place where God will meet them, where He loves them, where He
will continue to work in them. And I would offer my own life as a
growing, struggling, sometimes painfully unattractive example of what
doing that might mean. I would beg God to deliver me from Calvary-
denying sermons, which leave people feeling scolded and pressured.

I would ask God to never let me again preach an Eden-denying message
where psychological insights replace biblical wisdom in a misguided
effort to repair emotional damage when the real problem is a serpent-
inspired determination to experience life without God." " - Larry
Crabb "Shattered Dreams" (via Tom Wood, www.gracedagain.com)

Finding Rest in the Busyness of Ministry

Hi Nick,

Mark 6:31: And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

Some of the ingredients I 've found helpful to "rest" while you're busy in ministry:

~A grace-oriented daily devotional (like His Victorious Indwelling, N. Harrison)

~Personal Bible reading plan that is primarily for my fellowship with the Lord instead of sermon preparation. (See Grace Note; Balanced Diet Reading Plan.)

~Resolve overt and covert anger/frustration. This engages stressful circumstances to drain us emotionally and mentally. God's radical solution: full surrender to Him and abiding in Christ. (See Grace Notes: Defusing Anger, Transforming Irritations - www.GraceNotebook.com/ Grace Notes / Search)

~Finding a peaceful place. You may feel like there's no quiet place; find one somewhere. I've used the local library as a secondary office. Put cell on vibrate and answer calls together when ready.

~Listen to praise music (headphones) at the end of the day to unwind, refresh, and re-focus. Your dreams will be more positive.

When I came across Steven Covey's material years ago, I noticed biblical principles involved (tho he's a Mormon). For example, The "7th habit" has to do with the wisdom of budgeting time and resources for personal rest, intellectual growth and--most of all-devotional refreshment. Here's a summary of Covey's version: https://www.stephencovey.com/7habits/7habits-habit7.php

May the Lord give us wisdom to apply the "sabbath" principle in a way that is personal and practical.

Psalm 116:7: "Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you."

- John Woodward

Humility - True Greatness

"In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for 'God opposes the proud

but favors the humble.' So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you... Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith." I Peter 5:5-9 (NLT)

In Humility True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney quotes John Stott: "At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend."

[He goes on to state] "Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness."

"Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him."

"The proud person seeks to glorify himself and not God, thereby attempting in effect to deprive God of something only He is worthy to receive.  No wonder God opposes pride.  No wonder He hates pride.  Let that truth sink into your thinking."

"Serving others for the glory of God.  This is the genuine expression of humility: this is true greatness as the Savior defined it."

"Let's ask ourselves: When it comes to the values we live by, what will others say about us one day:  Will they testify that humility characterized our lives?"

I ask myself often, am I more concerned about what people think or am I looking forward to hearing my Savior say "well done thou good and faithful servant!"

I'm struggling with life and all the "stuff" we go through as I'm learning to Keep my eyes on Christ.  I want to be able to say with Paul "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21).

I pray for each of you, that Jesus will be more real to you today and as you learn to humble yourself before Him, know that He will lift you up in due time.

In His Marvelous Grace,

Dave Broome

Heb. 12:1-4

achievers4him@yahoo.com

G.R.A.C.E.

I have been doing a study on Grace and as I was meditating these
thoughts came to mind:

G--Grace, God's gift

R--Reigning in us

A--Abounding Actively with

C--Continual victory by constant trust

E--Exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ask of think

The Gift of God, through Christ for us to receive by faith without
wavering.

Praise You, Lord for the gift of Grace through Christ Jesus

contributed by S. Alt