Mission Offering for Jamaica Video

Big Thanks to Amber Eason for the following video as we participate in a month-long mission offering at Pleasant View for Pastor Leroy Blackwood and Victory Christian Fellowship is Jamaica.

Glory in Weakness

Over the weekend at Pleasant View I shared in my Bible talk about God’s glory being found in our weekness. We typically think about our best moments being used to bring Glory to God, but sometimes, it is in our weaknesses that we find His stregnth and experience His glory. I made the following statement:

Some of the greatest things that you ever accomplish with your life may come through:

• Your weakness, His Power is made perfect there
• Your suffering unjustly, we are unified with Jesus
• Your death

As I thought about these matters, and even while I was preaching I was drawn to the life, death, and funeral service of Whitney Houston. Her weakness(es) were on public display due to her fame. And it was her weakness and poor decisions that led to her young death. As I considered her life, perhaps the greatest glory God received from her was in her weekness and the results from her death. Her funeral service was broadcast throughout the world. People in Swaziland in Africa were watching and tweeting about the funeral. And through funeral service for Whitney, the good news of King Jesus was proclaimed to the Glory of God.
Indeed some of the greatest things we accomplish are through our weeknesses and even in death. May God be glorified.

Glory is Found in Service

Thanks Owen for this image creation. The glory of God is found in service to others.

--
Myles Brown

Share in His Glory

I did not have a lot of time Sunday morning to discuss some of the implications of the final set of verses concerning the truth that Jesus intends to share His glory/reputation with you (wrapped in God’s glory)…and the suffering that comes with it in this world.

2 Thess 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs-- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
God has called you to experience his glory. As we are restored to our place of honor by his forgiving power, we are once again his glory, his treasure and joy. Even though I might not feel so glorious, that is how God sees me.

Some of the implications of this truth are the following:
• All of creation is in awe of you.
• The enemy and all that is evil fears what you are capable of accomplishing for good.
• This broken world and all the sufferings deeply pain your new heart.
• The more you do godly activity (serving, loving, sharing, blessing, forgiving, creating) the more power and presense of God you experience flowing through you.

This is God’s plan for you. Walk in his glory today. Glorious freedom.

Jesus said it this way “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Men's Seminar

I am really looking forward to our Men's seminar this coming Sunday. The topic is being a father to sons and daughters. The material is tremendous. I am really excited about sharing it with our guys at Pleasant View. Many of our men have seen the movie Courageous, and some have been through the 4 week study based on the movie. This seminar takes the next step into some very practical principles of being a father who is a protector, provider, and heritage giver. If you have friends who are fathers of small children through teenagers and young adults, invite them to be here for this seminar. It will be a valuable investment of their time.

We will start at 7pm this Sunday, February 12. Bring a covered dish to contribute to the common meal together.

See you there.

For His Glory

Glory defined: reputation, weight. The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible defines it simply as "the singular splendor of God and its consequences for mankind." Yesterday in worship as we considered the Big 3 categories of God's work that leads to his reputation, we saw how God is proclaimed in his creation and providence and fully revealed in his salvation. As Psalm 72:19 states, the whole will be filled with his glory/weight/reputation.

How are you adding to the reputation of God (giving him glory)? Through creativity work, responsible stewardship of his creation, and through the ministry of salvation (being saved yourself and telling other the Good News) we add to his Glory. Glorify him today.

Consider this verse today and many others that God may lead you to discover about his glory: John 15:8

Louisiana Mission Trip

For those at Pleasant View who are planning to go on the mission trip to Louisiana at the end of March and any others who might enjoy, here is a video from Bridge Church where we will be serving. They did a "Faith in Action" Sunday on January 29 as they normally do each 5th Sunday of a month. Great video Pastor Lane and the folks at Bridge Church.