Christmas Blues

The line at Walmart tonight was a long one. Not at the check-out counter but at the customer service station (returns). As I stood there, upset that I had to wait and wait and wait to return a gun for Nathan, I thought about the families in front of me and also the one behind me. I wondered if they had gotten over Christmas.

As I walked the store there was still a little bit of cheer in the aisles, but not as much as last week or the week before. To be honest, even I am down somewhat. This is not to be the case! You and I, those who know Jesus as Lord, are to be LIGHT. We are to shine on the hillside so that all can see Him. Christmas, the day where we exchange gifts, may be over, but we are called to give the good news away to those who have not heard. Take the time to tell someone about Jesus today; tell them about Riverbend too.

This Sunday is a new year at Riverbend! We are kicking off 2011 in the book of Jude. It is not a long book; it only has ONE chapter. Over the next 4-5 weeks we will walk through this great little letter. Please spend some time today and tomorrow reading over the book and also ask God to use me to proclaim His good news to us on Sunday.

Merry Christmas!

Brian

Praise Him!

It is hard to describe the joy that is in my heart today. God has blessed and to see His hand working in the life of Riverbend is a great thing. Please don’t take this for granted. We are to be walking with Him and growing in Him daily.

This morning I read Proverbs 22; it is one of my favorite because of verse 4 which says, “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”

What a verse! This verse has been somewhat of a life verse for me. It is one I have prayed for myself for sometime and one that I meditate on desiring those qualities to be in my life (humility and fear of the Lord). As you and I are in the midst of this CRAZY Christmas season, please stop for a moment and look at your life and your priorities.

Yesterday I went to a funeral service. It was one like I have never gone to before, and probably never will again. The service was for Bro. Bobby Moore. Most of you don’t know him, but he was the pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Southaven for over 34 years. Over the past year and a half God has placed Bro. Bobby in my life to challenge me to grow in a number of different areas. At first God did this through having Bro. Bobby speak 3 or 4 times at the associational pastor meetings. But in these recent days I have had the opportunity to spend time in Bro. Bobby’s home where he would encourage me in the ministry and challenge me in God’s Word.

The funeral was a celebration of a life spilled out for God. One of the greatest things about Bro. Bobby was his daily devotion time with the Lord, and each of the family members took time to read portions of Bro. Bobby’s devotional journal. It was AWESOME. He truly loved his LORD and he desired to know Him more each and every day.

I tell you this to encourage you to be in His WORD. Allow the Father to fill your heart with real joy this day. Allow Him to fill your cup this AM so that you might spread the reall JOY of Christmas to those you come in contact with today. Be His!

God is SOOO GOOD!

Over the last two weeks Riverbend you all know we have asked you to pray about giving to the Be A Part of MORE campaign for our new building. Well You all did just that and you gave and God Blessed. He has done just what He said He would do, Ephesians 3:20-1-- “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

He blessed with an offering totaling $33,925.

That is over $1,000 more than we needed! He knows and He provides! Thank you for all your gifts. Please continue to pray for Riverbend and the work God is doing in us and through us.

A Great Day of Worship!

December 12th, 2010 at Riverbend Church will go down as a great day of worship. As I looked in the eyes of you in the AM services I sensed many if not most of you “got” the message. I can’t tell you how that feels as a pastor, to look out and see the congregation “get” what is being said.

Then on top of that, to come back and be led to the throne as we were in the PM service, it was awesome. Pastor David and the band did a phenomenal job leading out in worship as they did. And on top of that we took part in the Lord’s Supper. It is always a great time when Riverbend partakes of the Lord’s Supper. Seeing each one come forward and take it is something else. Each time I lead out in it, it means more to me. Remembering the cost of salvation and the death that He died for me almost is overwhelming. He did it for me. He died so that I might live eternally. Eating the bread and drinking the juice is a great reminder of His death and payment for sin.

What a day!

One thought for you as I go. God stated more than once that obedience to His Word was more important than sacrifice. Go wants you and me to obey His Word even more than He wants us to perform some “religious” ritual that we always do. So as we partake of the Lord’s Supper I want to be aware of this and not “just” take it. I want it to mean something and I believe it does, not just for me, but for the whole church family. Thanks for being a part of it @ Riverbend.

Just a Few Words

Sunday AM Worship was something else. To be honest, I was somewhat concerned about the reception of the message, but as I looked into everybody’s eyes I sensed that for the most part the message got across. As stated Sunday, spiritual warfare is not necessarily a bad thing. If you know what it is and you are on your knees, gaining strength from the Lord to combat it, it can be a good thing. No I don’t mean that fighting a battle is fun, easy or a walk in the park, but knowing that you are on the right path, or walking with God is a good thing. So in that sense spiritual warfare is a good thing.

I can’t tell you how excited I am as we get ready to move into the new building. It is not just about being in a new place and the excitement of that; for me it is the opportunity to see new people come be a part of Riverbend and seeing God move mightily in hearts as He changes lives. I truly believe He is going to use us, if we will obey Him.

Make sure you are praying about what He would have you give towards the Be a Part of MORE campaign. Remember that we are taking up a special offering for that this Sunday AM and also on 12/19.

Turkey day is over-Thank goodness, says my waistline

The turkey has settled and we seem to be back on a normal week. I hope you all had a great week last week! I thank you for allowing me and Paige to spend some time with our families south of here. It was a blast to see some cousins and extended family/friends over Thanksgiving.

I had the opportunity to preach at FBC Houston, MS this past Sunday. FBC Houston has sponsored and supported Riverbend since day one. I thanked them for their prayers and their support as well as opened God’s Word up and preached. Please lift FBC Houston up to the Father today. I love so many there, and I desire to see God move afresh there.

Excitement is building in me! I am so excited about the “NEXT STEP” here at Riverbend. God has opened the door and has allowed us the opportunity to expand for His Glory. We are looking forward to the new building come February. I hope you all received a letter from Riverbend last week and that your family is praying to see what God would have you give to “Be a Part of More.” We are going to take up an offering December 12 and 19. God is blessing and He desires for us to be available for His use. As we move forward, physically and figuratively, please know that the adversary is out there seeking whom he can devour. We are in a war! We must remember to daily put on the whole armor and get in the fight. Satan wants to bring us down to defeat, and he really doesn’t care how that comes about. He is crafty and we must remain focused and on task for Christ. As you go about your week this week, please pray for the marriages and families in Riverbend. Pray for God to break through in some areas where people have built up walls and strongholds. He is able! You and I must Pray and believe!

I love you all,

Brian

Men's Night @ Safehaven

Sorry for the delay in posting. Internet was out at the Tillman household over the weekend.

Just got back from Riverbend Men’s Fellowship at Safehaven. We had the opportunity to cook Thanksgiving for the men at Safehaven. We had a great turn out of guys! Over the past few weeks I have been taking the guys through a study on Faith by Manley Beasley. This study has stretched the men of Safehaven, it has stretched me. I asked the men of Riverbend to come out with me and they did. We had a great time! Brad Fowler fried us a turkey and the men at Safehaven and Riverbend LOVED IT.

Over the past two months I have had the opportunity to speak each Friday night to the men of Safehaven and I have enjoyed spending time with the men there. Many of you may not know what Safehaven is, it is a transitional ministry form men who have served their time in the prison system and trying to get acclimated back into society. Larry Logan is the director and there is doing a great job.

The thing I love best about Safehaven is that the men there are hungry to learn the Word. They have messed up and paid for it, but now they want to grow. Every time I am there I am reminded of God’s grace and also His desire to use us if we make ourselves available.

As I close may I just challenge us all to grow! Be in God’s Word and obey what He says. We must remember that this world is not our home; we are residents of heaven. We are here for a reason; to be ambassadors for Him. He has us here on official business. We are to live out our lives in such a way that everyone around us knows that we are His. They know because we are telling them and also they know because they see a difference. So be His and remain focused on the task at hand.

Brian

Weddings and Marriages

The past few weeks I have had the opportunity to be a part of two weddings. I know what some of you are thinking, “Brian HATES doing a wedding!” You are correct, but as I have focused on the wedding or better yet the marriage picture, I have been reminded of a couple of things that we truly need to remember.

First, marriage between a man and a woman is a picture of the union between Christ and His bride, the church. That union is forever, a marriage union is to be until death. Christ is the head of the church, Col. 1:18, and He is to provide for and protect the church, bride. So too the husband is to do this for his wife. He is the one that has the greatest deal of responsibility and the one whom God looks at when looking at the family. God has given us husbands much responsibility and we must not take that lightly.

This picture is not just a snapshot taken at the wedding ceremony where everyone puts on a great smile. No this is a daily picture lived out. The picture is to be seen by two sets of people, the couple and the world. The couple sees the marriage union up close and personal and therefore knows the points of contention or the points of joy. They see the union and are ever reminded of what they said before God and witnesses that day. The picture is also for the world. The world doesn’t know God. They don’t know how much He loves them, cares for them and has done for them. The marriage picture is to show the world just how much God has done and will do for His bride. Sure in our day and culture that picture may not be as clear as it should be or even once was, but it is still to be that. Also we are to champion that cause with the culture, with friends and family, so that they might see marriage that way.

Men LOVE your wives totally and sacrificially! Women submit and respect your husbands! The world is looking at us; be the witness God has called us to be.

Secondly, marriage is a LONG journey. We focus on the wedding event, not the marriage. This is so true and so sad! For the most part we spend hours and hours, ok the ladies do, picking out the right items and accessories as well as the dresses and songs and all the stuff. It is a LONG time consuming process. We put much focus and money into the wedding, but one hardly ever thinks about the WORK that needs to go into the marriage even before it happens. We don’t do that, usually, and because we don’t the marriage itself suffers. Because our focus is usually on the ceremony or the “day,” the couple is not prepared for the issues that will come up six weeks/months into the marriage and there is “friction.” This “friction” then grows and before too long the couple is at each others throats and the marriage is on “thin ice.” Now many of you reading this might say that your marriage is not there, I hope not, but to be honest over 1/2 of all the marriages today will end in divorce. We must start to look at this epidemic and seek to stop it! We have to spend time, effort, focus and even financial means to prepare for the marriage, not just the wedding ceremony, or we will continue to see marriage after marriage fall by the wayside in divorce.

I don’t want this to be a negative post or a negative look at the recent weddings I have been a part of. The two couples of late that I have been a part of their marriage both desire God to be the “glue” in their union. I am writing this today because I have been thinking about marriage here lately, that is all.

For those of us already married, how about some homework. Think about what marriage is: a picture Christ and the Church; a covenant between two people and God; a vocation because we are called of God to be husbands and wives; an institution because God has put us together; a union. All of these things are true! Take one aspect of your marriage and focus on it for a while; work on your marriage this week, it will reap bountiful benefits.

Pastor Brian

Staff "Retreat" 2010

Well it is over! I know that sounds like I hate something, but I don’t. Well I kind of don’t hate it. Staff retreats are something that REALLY need to happen, but at the same time trying to put all of that stuff into a short period of time, for Riverbend 5 hrs, is hard. I know what you are saying, “that is not much of a retreat.” This is true, but we do what we can, so we knock it out in 5 hrs.

This afternoon the staff and I sat down and looked at a number of different parts of Riverbend Church seeking to move us forward in the different ministry areas. We looked at Ministry Teams as well as Kids and Youth along with Connect groups and Missions. In each of the areas we mapped out a plan to help move us forward in ministry. Whether it was tweaking an area or building one up pretty much from scratch that was the task at hand. All in all I believe we were able to tackle quite a few items and will see some drastic movement in these areas SOON.

I don’t say this enough, but Liz Alexander, Clay Taylor and David Fields are ALL great to work with! Riverbend you are blessed to have them on staff, I know you all know this too.

Over the next couple of weeks we will be putting these ministry teams together: Women, Men, Missions, Children, Youth, Welcome, Decorations and Building. I believe the involvement of you on these teams will allow us to TOTALLY change the scope of ministry here at Riverbend. As we implement these groups please pray! We truly need God to direct and to guide in this venture. We desire to grow, spiritually as well as numerically, and these teams will multiply the ministry here at Riverbend. This is just another step in the growth of the church, and we look forward to see these teams minister.

One more thing tonight, remember to pray this week about the building. We are close in finalizing the plans for it as well as securing it. This will allow us to more than double our space in order to grow. This is great news as we are now needing the space, especially in our kids area. God will open the door when we are to walk through, so please pray for discernment and wisdom.

Brian

Sitting and Waiting

As I sat in the services last week I could not help but sigh. I truly enjoy preaching; it is one of my favorite parts about being a pastor. I heard two great sermons Sunday, one by Pastor Jim Perdue of Crosspoint Church Millington and one by Pastor David Fields. But it was hard for me to sit in the seat because I enjoy it so much. As I prepare this week to bring God’s Word to His people my mind is focused on that phrase. I am bringing God’s Word to His people. It is an awesome task; one that I do not take for granted, and one that I will ever have on my mind as the time approaches for me to be “in the pulpit” again.

I learned a few things sitting in the seat this past Sunday. I better have, I gave up my favorite part of my work. Hopefully I can put into practice what I learned this past week. Come prepared to Worship Sunday! Not just with the omnipresence of God or even the abiding presence, seek His Manifold Presence. He desires to be with you in that way. He is ready and willing; we must come on His terms, so that we might enjoy Him.

Thanks David for your spirit of service and for you use of your talents/gifts that He has given you! Riverbend we are BLESSED indeed to have David with us!

See you Sunday,

Brian

Emergency Response

The other day I got a call from my alarm company. They stated I had a "medical alarm" at my house. To be honest I didn't even know that I had a "medical alarm" on my alarm system, or what it means. I was at the office when it went off at the house. I received the call from the company and I went to the house. As I pulled up to the house I saw the policeman go into the back yard; he came out of there really quick, because of Zeke. We walked through the house and no one was there. As we were walking through the house the fireman come running through the house to yelling out trying to find the person who needed medical attention. Finally the paramedics come running in doing the same as the firemen. Even though I didn't need the emergency crew to come to my house I sure am glad there is one and that they are ready to do their job.

As I thought about the event at my house I couldn't help to think about the emergency protection you and I have from the Word of God. Verse after verse and passage after passage speaks volumes of words that will help you when you are in a bind. There are verses as well that will calm you when the world around you is spinning. To be honest, I hope you and I don't need the "emergency" help, but they are there when you do.

In God's written His Word, He has given words of assurance such as, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." He also states for us, "to be still and know that He is God." Jesus states, "I will pray to the Father and ask Him to send you another (of the same kind) Comforter." He gives us words of comfort, of encouragement and words of help all when we need it. Go to His Word and get that help when you need it! Go now even if you don't and be prepared for the emergency. We know it is coming, we just don't know when. "Count it all joy when you go through various trials." Get into His Word today! He has a great word for you!

Brian

The Lord's Supper

The Lord’s Supper

This past Sunday we had the opportunity to partake of the Lord’s Supper. I am ashamed of how long it has been since we had taken it. It is my fault and I will make sure that we do it more than we have in the past.

There are a couple of different “takes” on how often the Lord’s Supper should be taken. I spoke of these on Sunday AM. I want to expound on them today. The first option is to take the Lord’s Supper every week. The other option is to space it out and take sporadically.

Taking the Lord’s Supper Weekly

This option is one gives the most opportunities to remember the death of Jesus and the price that He paid for us. As I think about this, I can’t help but say this is the option that we should have. We should desire this as followers of Christ, and I do. But at the same time, I don’t believe the Lord’s Supper should become so commonplace that it is just a routine part of the service each week. You know like singing four songs and then the preaching or saying something like, “Please take a guest card and fill it out and place it in the offering plate at the end of the service.” Even though there needs to be structure in the service, there should also be flexibility or there comes legalism. And if the Cross of Jesus is anything it is totally on the other end of the spectrum from legalism. Christ’s Cross and our remembrance of it must be such that is done willfully and meaningfully, not something that is just routine.

Taking it TOO Sparingly

The Lords Supper is important. Paul stated in 1 Cor. 11 that every time we partake of it we proclaim the gospel.” That is big time stuff right there. So by not partaking of it or by doing so less frequently we are missing opportunities to “drive home” or proclaim the gospel in our hearts and lives. Let alone proclaim it to those that don’t know Jesus who might be in our midst each time we partake of it.

So which way is right? Yes! I know you hate that about me, but I truly don’t know which one is right. If you and I could come and partake of it, yet not allow it to become “routine” then I would say lets take the Lord’s Supper each week. I just don’t know if that is possible! The other option is not doing it on a weekly basis, but how often do we partake of it? Once a month? Every other month? Quarterly? If I say we are going to do it on the 1st Sunday of the even months, isn’t that a routine? I know I know, just give me a straight answer. Well I am going to set up for the remainder of 2010 and into 2011 that we take of the Lord’s Supper every other month at least. I don’t think that I will have it set up each time the same, but we will have an opportunity to participate in taking the Lord’s Supper.

The Next opportunity that we will have to partake of the Lord’s Supper will be in December. As you go about your week this week, please think about the Lord Jesus as He shed His blood for you and allowed His body to be bruised, and maligned for you. Allow it to sink in, just a bit more, as you reflect on the price of your salvation. Sure it was a free gift for YOU and ME.

Brian

Leassons Learned N Life

As my day started last Friday, I was looking forward to a couple of events happening in the near future. I was finally going to go to CAMP LOGOS, a learning conference for my bible software, and also a night with Paige and the kids that would happen Saturday night. But as the clock approached 7:30 AM my phone rang. I answered and the person on the other end told me about his experience the night before. He spoke of a 19 yr. old who was all alone and needed to talk with somebody, who wound up being me. To be honest, at first I really didn’t want to do it! I had my weekend planned out and there didn’t seem like any time to do any “ministering,” so I told the man that I would try to make some calls and get back with him later in the day.

Later came and I knew I needed to call him back and see what was needed and how I could help. I called him and got Alex’s, that is the 19 yr. old’s name, number. Friday night about 10PM I met Alex and talked with him some as well as got him a room to sleep in. For the past week Alex had been sleeping in his car, not the greatest of places to get some rest to say the least. He and I spoke about his beliefs “surfacely” and I told him how much God loved him and desired for Alex to know Him.

As I left I invited Alex to Riverbend for Sunday’s services. He said he would see and we left it there. As soon as I left Alex texted the man who called me. He was OVERWHELMED the two strangers could be so kind and that they could show genuine love with no strings attached to him. His own family had turned on him, but we just loved on him. Alex came Sunday AM and he said Riverbend was a “cool” church and if he had another Sunday or two before he was to be shipped out, Alex is going into the Army and is headed to Basic Training, that he would have visited again. He really liked the music! On that thought, how is that people really like the music? Why not the preaching? What is that all about? Why does everyone have to like David and the Band and NO ONE ever likes the preaching? Is it that bad? Really? OK I’m just kidding! I love David and the Band as well and truly I think the preaching is just SO SO. Ha! Back to the lesson.

Alex and I have spoken quite a bit since Friday. He has been over to the house for lunch, we have sat in my truck and talked and today I took him to lunch before he was to ship off. I tell you the story to give you some background to this lesson I have learned. Alex doesn’t believe that God exists. He believes that his purpose for being here is just to live as he sees fit and that he will die and that is that. We discussed eternity, which he does NOT believe in; we discussed salvation, which he does NOT believe in. After all this talking I have come away with this lesson entrenched in my mind, GOD MUST DRAW ONE TO HIM. I can say all the right things, I can show him all the things about God and about what He has done, but ultimately He must draw someone to Himself. I knew this, but as the weekend grew, I wanted Alex to come to know Jesus as LORD. This has not happened as of yet, but I am crying out to Him for Him to do just that, save Alex.

God is in the saving business! That is what He does, and my prayer will continue to be that God saves Alex!

Sunday I spoke about being “Living Sacrifices,” we are to be His in such a way that everywhere we go we are His. Whatever we are doing we are His. He has the best for us and desires for us to obey in order that His name, His kingdom and His glory might be shown all over His world. You can be a living sacrifice, a moldable and able vessel for Him if you would humbly bow the knee. He wants for you to bow the knee because you desire to do so, not because He makes you. Think about this as you go about your day!

Oh yeah, PRAY for Alex! He is shipping out today, 10/5/10 @ 3:30PM, to go to Basic Training. Pray that God will meet him and he will see the TRUTH. Thanks!

Peace and Grace,

Brian T.

Abiding N Him

One of the hardest things for me to get through my “thick skull,” is the aspect of Abiding in Christ. I believe His Word, where Jesus states to come and Abide in Me -John 15: 4,7. Abiding in Christ is an easy statement to say, and even counsel others to do, but it is an altogether thing to live it out. Abiding in Christ is the greatest place to live; when a person is allowing Christ to rule in one’s life they are truly blessed. It is a place where we are told to remain, but for the most part we seldom do.

Abiding in Christ is living in Christ, and it is all about who is in control of your life. One minute I have found myself in God’s Word and fellowshipping with Him as He is totally in control of my life. And then honestly the NEXT minute I have taken over and I am living in the flesh. I don’t know when the switch was made, but I definitely know it was made. This frustrates the fire out of me! I look back over that specific timeline and try to figure out when and why the switch happened. Ultimately the switch happened when I decided to “take over” my life again. This is a terrible thing to do! Christ has the best for me; He died and bought me, therefore I am to be His. When I am His, I am abiding in Him and Him in me.

Living in Christ brings freedom to your life. I know it sounds backwards, but allowing Christ to rule in your life truly does bring freedom. You are free to not do all the things that ensnare you. Sin ties and binds you, and when Christ is ruling in your life, you are free not to sin. Sin brings heartache; it is the one thing that breaks fellowship with Jesus. Therefore when He is in charge of your life and He is making the decisions for you, you are free.

As you read this think about your day today or maybe yesterday. Did you talk with your Savior? Did you allow Him to rule your life? I can’t say this enough, He has the best for you! He desires for you to flourish. He wants you to live life abundantly. Remain in Him and you will!

Today, be His! Rest in Him; He will not fail you!

Brian

Full Day but a Great Day

I truly don’t know of a more exciting time in the life of a church as when there is a baptism. We had today at Riverbend! We had 3 people come to express a desire for baptism. Each of the three were in different stages in life, but all babes spiritually.

When a man sees the err of his ways and gives his life to Christ is beautiful. Over the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to share with one such man. A man who has made a mess of his life and marriage by choices that he willingly made. But also one that who a week ago gave his life to Jesus Christ to be his Lord. Seeing the “light” come on, is such a sight and it pumps you up to see it happen more.

Liz Alexander had this same opportunity as she led a fourth grader to Christ. Where one of her questions was, “Are you going to hold me under a long time?.” Well I didn’t keep her down long and all went well.

Today was also a great day in that we presented the church family with the names of men we will vote on in the coming weeks to serve on Riverbend’s Leadership Team. I can’t wait to see these men serve and to serve along side them in the coming days.

Off and Blogging

The summer is coming to an end, even though the heat is still here. As the summer ends that means another “growth time” for church attendance. The start of the fall and spring are both opportunities for folks to get back into the swing of church. What is interesting is that we have averaged more people in the summer for the last two summers than we have during the school year. Most any church growth guru would tell you that can’t happen. Well it has happened two years in a row. I really don’t know what to say as to why it has happened. All I want to see is that Riverbend Church will capitalize on all the guests that we have seen this summer. I know that every guest will not get plugged into Riverbend, because Riverbend is not for everyone. We will continue to stay outward focused so that those who come to Riverbend will be welcomed and will know what our vision/mission is to see if they want to be a part of what God is doing at Riverbend.

We are looking for a new building, and this is a great thing. God has blessed over recent days with a number of new people as well as a great enthusiasm amongst the members. The new facility will be one that almost doubles our space for kids and worship. We are praying that God will open the door for that soon so we can capitalize this fall to see even more come to Riverbend to hear the Gospel.

Riverbend Church has turned a corner this summer in that we constituted as a church. This is huge! We are so excited about the coming days, I can’t wait to see what God is going to do.

I look forward to writing of all the things God is showing me as well as all that He is doing at Riverbend.