Daily Devotions 2014 January 1

Read Luke 2:21

In the days of the New Testament, the Jewish people had many rituals and observances which demonstrated devotion and commitment to worship God by faith.  In this verse we read how Jesus was circumcised, like all Jewish boys, on the eighth day after his birth.  And it was on this day that he was given his name, Jesus.

We handle births in our day very differently.  

We often have a name picked out for our children long before they are born (of course Jesus’ name had been presented by the angel before he had been conceived).  We usually know the sex of our child months before the child is born.  In those days, until the child arrived no one knew for sure the sex of the child (but in Jesus’ case Mary was told this as well).

But imagine this for a moment.  For 7 days Jesus had no given name.  The shepherds came and went.  Joseph and Mary cared for his needs and Mary went through the Jewish rituals of purification after childbirth.

But on day 8, in obedience to the Law, Jesus is cut.  His family is to raise him by faith in obedience to God (see Genesis 17:10). And then his name is given. Jesus. The name given would be how the world will hear of God’s love and salvation.

This family lived by faith. Their love for God was demonstrated in obedient trust to do things God’s way. 

Your love for God is demonstrated by faith (trust and obedience).  As you start this new year, will you commit to live by faith?  Will you trust God to the point that what he says for your life will be your pattern of living?

Magic of Christmas

The magical season of Christmas is here.  This time of the year is unlike any other.  Radio stations play special songs.  Our towns and cities take on glitter and lights. Greenery, lights, special candies and snacks fill our homes.  The bells are rung outside our favorite stores reminding us not to forget the needs of the poor this season. 

We have been in the mood for Christmas around our home since Halloween.  Thanksgiving is included in the Christmas season for us. The longer we can extend this special season, the better.  As I have been rereading the Christmas stories again from the Bible, I have been taking time to post a few verses at a time on Facebook and Twitter. People seem to really enjoy being reminded of the rich scriptures that tell the story of Christmas.

May your season be merry and bright.

Last Day

Today the plan is the relax and soak up the sun at the beach and make gift purchases. It has been raining this morning, but hopefully the sun will break through soon.

Some of our new friends who helped in Spot Valley this week are planning to meet is at the beach. Looking forward to spending time with them as well. One of the guys told me that he is not a Christian. I plan to explain the gospel more fully to him today. Pray for him (Odieayne).

Finished up Projects at Spot Valley

Here are a few pictures from today (final day) in Spot Valley.

Good Jamaican Morning

We are expecting today to be full. We will be working on the the steps for the church building in spot valley, visiting the school, having lunch with minister Watson, and then attending worship tonight in Barrett Hall.

I will be preaching tonight on the great possibilities of life in living out the 7 heart attitudes:

Put others first
Live an honest life
Give and receive correction
Clear up relationships ASAP
Participate in the ministry
Give to the ministry
Follow leadership

Sent from my iPhone

Great Day 2 in Spot Valley

Today we were able to pour the concrete for the top portion of the wall and footings for two sets of stairs leading into the church building.

We had to get the water for the concrete from a nearby stream that we transported in a large drum.

Here are few pictures from the day. With more to follow above.

Concrete Pouring

Today we will be pouring concrete in the cast we constructed yesterday to complete the top portion of a brick wall.

We were unable to mix the concrete because they were out of water. The plan is to use a neighbor's water today if he received a deliver yesterday after we left or this morning.

Here is a picture of our good Jamaican breakfast.

Progress in Spot Valley

Here are few pictures from today that show the progress from last years. Brick by brick the work is really coming along.

Day one in Spot valley

The team will be working on the new worship facility in Spot Valley. Last year we worked on building the walls. I am excited to see the progress this morning. More pictures to come tonight when we get back to the hotel wifi.

Pray for safety and progress today.

Preaching at Victory

Worship Service

Great worship service this morning. God is good.

Worship Today at Barrett Hall

We are going to be worshipping today with Victory Christian Fellowship at Barrett Hall. The service starts around 11 am and finishes...well whenever it finishes.

I will be preaching this morning from the book of Hebrews about holding fast to our faith and moving forward with Jesus.

This morning at Pleasant View, Dr. Jeff Farmer will be speaking. This evening will be Adam Cole speaking. Praying for a great day in both churches.

Worship in the morning at Barrett Hall

Pray that I will share Jesus with power and truth tomorrow as I bring the word at Victory Christian Fellowship in Barrett Hall.

Sent from my iPhone

Arrived safe and sound

We are glad to be safely on the ground in Jamaica. Pastor Leroy picked up from the airport. We are missing our former team members and know that they are missing Jamaica too.

The weather is beautiful and warm.

Arrived at the Gate

The mission team is ready to fly. Thank you Dennis Gable for dropping us off at the airport. Our plane is set to depart at 9:53 am. Pray for safe travel and a great first day. Pastor Leroy will be picking us up at the airport.

Our Mission

Here are my notes from Sunday's message about our Mission Statement as a church.  Feel free to check it out and comments welcome:

Pleasant View Baptist Church exists…

To know, love, and glorify God and be used by Him to help unchurched people become fully devoted, fruitful followers of Jesus Christ and to help create churches and other ministries that do the same.

To know God is to grow in a faith relationship with him that is kept vibrant by fresh interaction with God through spiritual activities in both individual and group settings.  Some of these activities would include prayer, Bible reading, Bible study, meditation, fasting, worship, giving, and service.

1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us-- whatever we ask-- we know that we have what we asked of him. 16 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. 18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true-- even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

To love God certainly involves obedience to his commands. Some large scope directives include but are not limited to the following:

John 14:23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 25 "All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

The great mandate is to fill and subdue creation.  We are God’s junior managers and his representatives that are to make the most of this creation in order to please God. This involves creating industries, agriculture, science, art, ecology, government and culture that responsibly represent God (His Glory). (see Gen. 1:27-28)

The Great Commandment is to love God with all our heart (desires and decisions), mind (thought processes, and soul (outcome of our life force).  And love our neighbors (that is everyone else) as we love ourselves. (see Matt. 22:37-40, Deut 6:5, Lev. 19:18)

The Great Commission: make disciples of Jesus throughout all the world and train them to obey the commands of Jesus. (see Matt. 28:18-20, Acts 1:8)

And glorify God.  The Great Objective: it is the will of God that everything be done to glory Him. (1 Cor. 10:31)

All that is to be accomplished by the mission is for reputation of God to expand.  The cultural mandate is possible because we are his redeemed representatives, not independent agents.  We love because we have first been loved by God.  The commission is based on the promise that Jesus has ultimate authority and will be with us as we seek to accomplish the mission of God.

And be used by Him.  We are at his disposal. This states that we are not the primary agents of action.  We are instruments or tools in the hand of God who is responsible for awakening people to his love and purposes.  We work for God and receive our power and direction from Him in accomplishing the mission.

Luke 17:7 "Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? 8 Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? 9 Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'"

To help unchurched people.  The unchurched group is the slice of the population that will be our target and focus.  We are here to help.  We are here to be used by God.  We are not here to manipulate, force, or damage the people who are not yet part of God’s church.  We are here to help them discover God’s love and purpose for their lives.

Matthew 9:10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.  11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Become fully devoted, fruitful followers of Jesus Christ.  The mission is not complete until these unchurched people become not just members or decided (saved) but disciples of the Jesus way.  The Jesus way is to know, love and glorify God.  The goal of the mission is an ever-increasing group of people who know, love, and glorify God.

See John 15

And to help create ministries and churches that do the same.  Part of the mission is to be helpers and cooperate with ministries that are on the same mission with us.  The Great Commission directs our church reach to go beyond our immediate community in order to help make disciples of Jesus in other people groups around the world.  We therefore with cooperate with churches and ministries to participate in this mission of God to all people.

See Acts 13  about  being set apart and sending out. 

Headed home a little early

The team will be headed home a little early. Coming home tonight due to an injury (knee). Been a great mission trip.

Monkeys Climbing in the Tree

Pray for Hannah Marie

Pray for one member of the team that is not feeling well. Pray that she can get some rest and feel better soon.

Cleaning a Mobile Home

Cafe Du Monde

Great night of worship! Amazing group. Celebrating the night ad Cafe Du Monde.

Worship Service Tonight

Pray tonight for our worship service as we worship with Byron Long and friends. Pray that God will use Carey Long in a mighty way as he shares the Word tonight. Last night's message was from Exodus 14. The challenge was "what is stopping us (our red sea) from crossing over to God's will and blessings in our lives?"

I am looking forward to what God has for us tonight.

Day 2 of Painting

We had a great day of painting putting on 2nd and 3rd coats of paint. Now it time for some burgers and dogs.

Day 2 on the Mission

This morning the team is headed to Madisonville to paint a home for a family that has been displaced by Hurricane Isaac last August. Pray for the team have the same amazing attitude of joy and humility as yesterday. Pray that we make much of our Lord Jesus as we share his love in practical ways.

Ice Cream

After a long and great first day we are finishing with Ice Cream/frozen custard!

Finished the paint project

The team is returning to our host church to prepare for supper and evening worship. Looking forward with expectation to a great night! Pray for God to be glorified during the worship service.

Lunch Brunch

We had a great lunch after a busy morning.

Day 1 painting project

We are headed to the home of a 97 year bayou lady to do some hurricane Isaac relief painting. Pray for opportunities to be a blessing and witness.

Getting Settled In

The team has arrived safely. Bedico Baptist Church has opened their doors to us this week a gracious host. Groceries are bought, beds are made, and the place is quiet as the team is doing evening devotions. Pray for the team as we live out 2 Corinthians 5:14. Compelled by His love.

Still in route

Just ate supper in Laural, MS.

Pray for the Team

Please be in prayer for our mission team.

Chris Stamps
Myles Brown
Bryan Stamps
Karmen Stamps
Karrie Cole
Destin Wendlandt
Hannah League
Isabel Loyd
Caroline Brown
Leah Ayers
Zach Adams
Isaiah Chandler
Kerry Cooke

Mission Louisiana is On

Shift Outward

The first major shift for the early church in Jerusalem was a result of severe persecution that broke out against the church following the martyrdom of Stephen.  The people (the church) scattered to various places and the message of the Kingdom went viral.  Acts chapter 8 relays the story of how the gospel of the Kingdom of God arrived in Samaria.

Take a minute and read the chapter…

The word of God was taught.  People were healed. Signs and wonders were displayed.  People made public commitments to follow Jesus Christ (baptism).  And the message continued to spread outward by the people being changed by the power of God.

Shift.

Outward focus on taking the message to new groups of people (even if because of necessity) brings delight and conflict. Some receive it with joy (verse 39).  Others look for a way to manipulate the news for their personal agenda (Simon the sorcerer).

Shift.

What will it take to shift our thinking, resources, and priorities toward taking the good news of the Kingdom of God to new groups of people (locally and globally)? What will make it necessary? Will we do it before circumstances dictate that we must?

Shift from member services to a missional push.

Reflections on 1 Thess 5

Good word for the morning for spiritual leaders (church members):

1 Thess. 5:14 And we urge you, brothers,

warn those who are idle,

encourage the timid,

help the weak,

be patient with everyone.

 

15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

 

                16 Be joyful always;

                17 pray continually;

                18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire;

 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt.

 21 Test everything.

Hold on to the good.

 22 Avoid every kind of evil.

 

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us.

 

In verse 14 there are 3 ways to handle three categories of people in our lives and be patient with them all.

 Verse 15 Kindness

Then 16 through 22 has 8 commands/instructions. Included are the words “always” “continually” and “all circumstances.”  These are lifestyle choices to be chosen minute by minute.  Any given minute we could chose the opposite: be “woe is me,” “self reliant”, or “ungrateful” or “unappreciative.” These are attitude choices that lead to the kind of words we use and behavior we choose.  Lord, may I (we) be joyful, prayful, and thankful today.

Good words to start off a Wednesday morning! May others see a difference in me and you.

What is Happening? Revival

Last night Monica shared with me a conversation that she had with someone yesterday as the church gathered.  The conversation went something like this:

Lady said, "It has been a long time since I have felt so broken and on my face before God."

Monica reply, "I know, this is revival."

I agree.  God is at work in many different ways throughout the church family and gathered guests.  People are evaluating their lifestyles and choices based on Jesus's demands for His followers.  People are experiencing fresh calls from God and responding in obedience.  People are experiencing brokenness before God over sin and rebellion.  Family members are worshiping together again. 

A reevaluation and conversation is taking place among the church as to how we position ourselves in relation to our community to be most useful for the mission of God to see the lost found and the needs of the poor met.

What do you call this? Revival.  Keep praying and seeking Him.  Follow Him.

Mission Trip Wrap-up Thoughts

On Sunday night the mission team that participated in serving on the mission field in Toronto shared insights with our church.  Several benefits from serving on a short-term mission trip were mentioned that I would like to recap here:

1. Gaining a larger perspective of God's activity in the world. By changing latitude and longitude location a person can gain a larger framework for the world, the church, cultures, and the mission of God.
2. Learning the value of service.  The group is the servant of the host missionary/pastor/church.  A "whatever we can do to help" attitude is healthy to develop and implement back home as well.
3. Families strengthened.  It was eye opening to see a father and his two daughter serve the Lord together during this week.  They were able to observe and help one another accomplish new task and goals that had never been attempted in the local home environment. 
4. A mission team is a great source of refreshment and encouragement to a resident missionary/church planter.  The work of a missionary can become lonely and tiresome. A little help and encouragement from a team can multiply the effort and energize the work.
5. Team building.  Working together we all achieve more.  Flexibility. Using our strengths and covering each other's limitations. Everyone on the team experiences the "magic" of being on a winning team.
6. Gaining new insights for ministry that can be implemented in the home church.  Simply being around catalytic and innovated leaders on the front lines of creative ministry provided ideas that can be helpful to an established church.
7. Fun and laughter amid the adventure.  Teams that work and serve together build a camaraderie that lasts long after the trip is complete.

I am hopeful that in the days to come a long term relationship/partnership can develop between our church and the church planting network in the Greater Toronto Area.

Landed Safely in ATL

The team had made it back safely to Atlanta. All are thankful to be headed to Carrollton and looking to a glass of sweet tea.

Made it to Buffalo Airport

Almost on the plane. We had no problem at the border. Thank you for your prayers.

Great last night in Toronto

The team helped put on a family gym night where we saw some 20 folks from the community come out for basketball, volleyball, kickball, and snacks. There were families there from Iraq, Malaysia, Europe, and Africa. Just an amazing picture of the diversity of this community. Great week serving a great church. Praying we represented Jesus and Pleasant View well.

Photos from Thursday

After delivering invitations to around 225 homes and other projects we spent the late afternoon at Lake Ontario and downtown Mississauga. Beautiful day.

Pray for opportunities this afternoon

This afternoon the team will be going out in the community to invite people to the family gym night on Friday night. Pray for many great conversation and divine appointments to share the Good News.

Yesterday Recap

The team from Pleasant View was all over the place in Streetsville.  From baking cookies for the local school teachers where the church currently meets for worship to handing out flyers and invites we were spread in several directions.  Keri and Noelle helped run some errands yesterday around town that needed to be accomplished.  Linda and Pam were imputing date and organizing information for the church.  Sarah organized materials for the church. Kip, Sam, and Myles went throughout businesses,the library, bowling alley, and  the senior center looking for potential meeting places for small and large group gatherings.  Great conversations and opportunities developed for relationships with the church.

Then we spent the night in the heart of the city of Toronto. Subway, Eaton Center, and CN Tower. An amazing city!

Top of the world in Toronto