October is Pastor Appreciation Month The Lord has brought to this state, at this time in history, some of the finest pastors in the Kingdom. These men, who weep with the hurting and equip the saints to walk by faith, have humble hearts set on making others successful through ministries of service and preaching of the Word. Through the years, the challenges of leadership have a way of draining godly men of their physical, emotional and spiritual vitality. They know that the moment they … [Read more...]
Urgent to reach the lost, like firemen on 9/11
A high-profile pastor from New York City addressed a large conference for church planters and evangelism leaders. He gave a rousing cry for evangelism. He said the need is so urgent that we should be like the firefighters that went into the Twin Towers on 9/11. They didn’t pick certain people to help. They went in to save them all! The mental image of that story was very powerful. The spiritual need is great! Everyone is important. Do we abandon people group missions? Do we stop learning … [Read more...]
Who are Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims?
When the militant forces of ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) recently occupied a large portion of the Middle East and declared the establishment of a new country under an Islamic caliph (leader), it became apparent to the outside world that much of the conflict involved Muslims fighting one another. Specifically, the continuing conflict involves two major sects of Islam: Sunni (the sect of ISIS) and Shi’ite. This may prompt us to ask, “What’s the difference? Muslims are Muslims, … [Read more...]
Veto session, conservatives, Obama Care, a farewell
Lawmakers will gather in Jefferson City Sept. 10 for this year’s veto session. They will consider overriding vetoes of two pro-life bills by Gov. Jay Nixon. The first veto was of legislation that expands the waiting period for having an abortion from 24 hours to 72. The second was a bill that increases tax credits available for pregnancy resource centers, food pantries and maternity homes. The government has a duty to protect its most vulnerable citizens. Under current state law, woman … [Read more...]
Keep our eyes on Jesus as our lives flash by
Have you ever been in such mortal danger that you saw your life flash before your eyes? I’ve experienced fear, but I guess I’ve never been near enough death to get to see the show. Sometimes I worry a little that my blooper reel will be considerably more entertaining than the life show itself. If my life ever does flash before my eyes, I’m actually thinking at this point, it would probably be a sitcom. Still, every once in a while, I have to make myself look at the plot. When I look … [Read more...]
What’s it gonna take to reach Missouri with the gospel?
Jesus advised a man to “count the cost” before following Him. The WIGtake question is “What’s It Gonna take to reach Missouri with the gospel?” Prayerfully ask the WIGtake question needed to spiritually transform your community. Here is a bold seven-part plan. God invites us to join Him in His mission. If we could actually do this already, we would not rely on the Lord. 1. END/VISION Imagine a state in which 4.5 million lost people (74.6 percent) heard the Good News so that they … [Read more...]
Let’s honor God with our final distribution
The final distribution happens to everyone – no exceptions. There comes that time when everything we earned, inherited, accumulated or owned at death is distributed to loved ones, to our church, to ministries/organizations we value, to creditors, or to a dumpster. For the person who wants to be known for faithfulness and gratitude, the way we manage our stuff is important. Our Lord is very interested in us being faithful with the things of this world. He told the wise servant, “Well … [Read more...]
Children reflect home, church
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – II Tim. 2:15 As children return to school, they will demonstrate their upbringing at home. Those who attend church will show their church teaching as well. Most teachers can tell, rather quickly, the kind of environment and teaching a child has had. Our church children are a witness – either a good witness or not. If parents and churches want their children to … [Read more...]
What comes next is tyranny
The concepts of human rights and liberty as we know them can all be traced back to one history-changing idea; an idea that began with God’s revelation to the Jews and was brought to the world by the Christian Church. And that’s the Imago Dei, the idea that man is made in the image of God. In fact, it was the Christian concept of the Imago Dei that conquered pagan Rome. The Christians said that women, slaves, children, all had eternal value. Talk about revolutionary! This belief in … [Read more...]
Getting laced up for that football testimony
In high school I played tight end on the football team. When I scored a touchdown, my mother started praying that I would get to handle the ball more often. And that’s about the time the coach called me and moved me to center. When you’re a center you touch the ball on every play. I told Mom that she overdid it. After the quarterback called the play in the huddle, I trotted to the line and my first job was to see that the football was laces up. If any laces were broken, I knew I had to … [Read more...]
Amidst the fire, fury, our hope is in the Savior
KANSAS CITY (BP) – This morning started with an uncomfortable conversation with my son. On the second day of school, his personal clothing choice was a bit sloppy and involved a hoodie. It shouldn’t have been a big deal. But it is. My son is an African-American young man. We talked about the tragedy over the weekend. A young black man died. Now Michael Brown’s name joins others like Trayvon Martin. We don’t know what led up to the shooting. We might question why the officer … [Read more...]
Unforgetting the glorious things God has done
Have I ever mentioned that I have a terrible memory? Maybe I did. Or maybe it slipped my mind. But hey, I remembered to buy all those vitamins that are supposed to help with memory. I’m pretty sure I’ve been forgetting to take them though. In the old days, people tied a string around their finger to help them remember. Guess I could try that. I’ve always wished I had a photographic memory. Someone told me I actually do have one – it’s just not developed. That’s probably it. I always seem … [Read more...]
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