Sunday, January 3, 2010

Support your local Children's Home

Serving New Bethel Baptist Church as pastor affords many wonderful new found friendships to my family and I. Our relationship with the Alabama Baptist Children's Home and Family Ministries (http://www.abchome.org/index.html) has been a blessing. Each year we have Bro. Steve Sellers preach for us and tell us what is happening with Abchome&fm.You can count on tears flowing. You can rejoice in the hope God provides to children through this wonderful ministry.

If you haven't had someone from your local Children's Home visit your church I encourage you to ask your pastor if it is ok with him if you do a little research and get the contact info. If you are in Alabama I am happy to help you with that info.

When Steve preaches at New Bethel we always take up a love offering for him to take back to the children's home. The service they provide to tomorrow's leaders is worth every penny you can give, each drop of sweat you can put into them and all the prayers you will offer up on their behalf.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

No Fire in the Pulpit Means Ice in the Pew

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

In 2010 we are sure to see more of the same from pulpits across America. Many today fear offending congregants. Following such fear is the preaching of watered down versions of sermons. The Bible is plain, true and powerful. If we are to see transformed lives we are going to have to preach the transforming truth without compromise.

Things called sin in scripture should be called sin by the pastors around the world. Subjects covered in scripture should not be detoured by pastors. Our churches are supposed to be places offering hope to the hopeless and help to those in need. The Gospel is Hope. The Gospel is Help. But when it is not presented in truth it lacks power. The True Gospel message is the power of God unto salvation.

If we are to see transformed lives in 2010 we will have to see transformed pulpits. All who are called by God to preach the Gospel should not be ashamed to do so. Opinions are not the Gospel. Politics are not the Gospel. Preach the Bible with love. The Holy Spirit will lead the preacher, convict the sinner and save lost.
My appeal to all the preachers; let us not forget to enter the pulpit having already repented of our own sins.

May God bless you in 2010. My prayer is for real revival to begin in all Bible believing churches this year.

(Title taken from a statement made by a member of First Baptist Church Dallas Texas during W.A. Criswells pastorate)
http://www.wacriswell.org/Search/videotrans.cfm/sermon/180.cfm