Take a moment to watch this short video about how a church works together to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. Your service to the local church is never in vain and only eternity will reveal what kind of impact you had!
Category Archives: Service
Amazing 9/11 Video – “In My Seat”
Take a moment to watch this 9/11 video titled, “In My Seat” as American Airlines pilot, First Officer Steve Scheibner, gives his personal testimony about how he was scheduled to be the pilot of Flight 11(the plan that crashed into the North Tower) on September 11, 2001 and how God intervened and spared his life. Amazing and convicting video presentation!
Montana 2011
I love mission trips! It is always a youth pastor highlight when I have the opportunity to take teenagers on a mission trip! On the mission field is when you develop an increased burden to reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. On the mission field is when you grow spiritually because you are out of your comfort zone. On the mission field is when you understand more about team unity and teamwork. So many spiritual lessons and decisions take place on the mission field!
This past June I was given the opportunity to take 12 teens and 2 other adults to Heart Butte, Montana to serve one of our missionaries to the Blackfeet Indians! What a blessing it was to see 5 salvation professions through the Bible Club meetings! During the day we tackled some construction projects around the church building that were a blessing to the Pastor and his family. We also have the privilege to help a nearby (if you can use that word in Montana!) Bible camp as they made preparations for their summer camp schedule. Finally, we were able to witness first hand God’s magnificent creation at Glacier National Park!
I’m thankful for this Montana Mission Team! They were great! I close with our team verse, Colossians 3:23: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
Jethro’s Advice
Being a leader is never a simple task. There is always planning to be done, projects to develop, and communication lines to keep open. There are many blessing in being a leader. Casting a vision, implementing new ideas, and seeing the fruit of your labor!
Moses was the leader for the children of Israel and he had many responsibilities to God and the nation of Israel. He was the one who constantly asked Pharaoh to release Israel from slavery, he was the “go to man” when the Israelites were hungry and thirsty, and he was responsible for hearing and judging all the daily disputes. Wow! Talk about pressure!
On top of all that, Moses didn’t have John Maxwell, David Allen, or Stephen Covey to turn to or read their leadership books or attend their organization seminars. (These men do write and speak very well on this topic and have very helpful tips and advice for all types of leaders).
What did Moses do?!! He turned to Jethro, his father-in-law! Turn to Exodus 18. Jethro came for a visit and after the “hi, how are you?” he quickly noticed that Moses was overwhelmed by deciding on people’s matters and disputes. Moses was doing this all day (“morning to evening”) and everyday by himself (v.13).
Jethro questions Moses about this tremendous workload (v.14) and then gives some awesome advice (v.17-18) on how to be an effective leader that is still valid for leaders today!
Effective Leaders Listen (v.19-20, 24) – Moses carefully listened to and practiced Jethro’s advice and it worked! Effective leaders must be humble and teachable. It’s very easy to “dig your heels in” and not allow anyone to help you. Leaders who insist doing everything themselves won’t last long. Leaders who listen will endure.
Effective Leaders Delegate (v.21, 25) – Moses went out and enlisted qualified men to help in with this daily task. We would call this delegation. Effective leaders are always searching for and recruiting qualified people to help them carry out tasks. Why? Because this allows you to get more done as well as train others. Proper delegation isn’t laziness or an unwillingness to do certain tasks; it’s just a tool that includes other people’s talents and abilities.
Effective Leaders Enable (v.22) – Moses appointed these men to their designated areas and trained them to oversee. Effective leaders just don’t delegate and then abandon. They take time to lay out expectations, responsibilities, and resources. Behind every solid leader there is a group of trained followers.
Effective Leaders Assist (v.22, 26) – After Moses recruited these men to serve he didn’t go sip lemonade by the Red Sea and cruise on his camel all day! He was still involved; he was still meeting the needs of the people just more effectively and without needless stress. He was available for counsel on hard matters (v.26). Effective leaders stay involved and keep their sanity!
Jethro’s Advice is still helpful for today. If you are willing to install these principles into your leadership roles you will establish longevity (v.23), make a greater impact (v.25-26), and appreciate your in-laws (v.27) (I threw that last one in 
Photo Above taken by: CELALTEBER (www.sxc.hu)
Living on God’s Economy, part 2
It is very important that Christians focus on living on God’s economy rather than worrying about the world economy. In case you missed it, click here to read part 1. Otherwise, here are 3 more reasons why you must live on God’s economy.
3. Giving Worships God – Paul informed the church that he received their gift, via Epaphroditus’ arrival and is amply supplied. This was his receipt. Paul then goes on to described the Philippians’ financial gift using O.T. language and terms. Why? Because their gift was an acceptable and sacrificial act of worship to God. Just as the OT people made animal sacrifices to worship. NT believers worship by giving.
Giving is an act of worship! When you cheerfully and willfully give in tithes and offerings to the local church that is true, biblical worship! How do I know that? Psalm 96:7-9 “Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.” The reason many Christians don’t give to the ministry is because they have no interest in worshipping and giving to God. Giving is a spiritual sacrifice that proves your love and loyalty to God (Rom. 12:1; 1 Pet. 2:5).
4. Giving Guarantees Provision – Paul informed the Philippians that their financial generosity would be backed by a promise that only God can offer, He would supply their every need from His unlimited resources. When you sacrificially give of your earthly possessions to support God’s work, God will always adequately supply your needs. Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought of your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and they body than raiment?” However, this promise is only for those who cheerfully give to Lord’s work. When you do not give to the Lord’s work you remove yourself from God’s blessing and security! It is impossible to outgive God!
Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” When you obey God and claim His promises you will see God provide and meet your needs first hand! No bank, investment firm, or stock market can guarantee that. When you shovel it out, God will shovel it in, and God’s shovel is bigger than your shovel! Amen!
5. Giving Glorifies God – Because of the promise in v.19 this led Paul to break out into a final doxology of praise! Because of the wonderful doctrinal truth and character of God found in v.19 Paul can’t help but praise God! (On a side note, giving to glorify God refutes the prosperity gospel thinking. This believes that if you aren’t wealthy then you must be out of God’s will. This is simply the sin of covetousness, which is idolatry.) You will always give when you are passionate about glorifying God. Giving honors God and God honors giving!
You have an awesome opportunity to make an eternal difference using your temporal resources! Use your affluence for eternal influence! Let’s live on God’s Economy rather than man’s economy!
Photo above taken by: Sibaudio (www.sxc.hu)